

KENYA & TANZANIA
LIGHTING LIVES
A 21-Day Public Health Program





Kenya & Tanzania

Program Details
Dates: | June 27 – July 17 |
Duration: | 21 days |
Tuition: | $6,995* |
Arrive: | New York, NY |
Depart: | New York, NY |
Grade | 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th |
*Airfare for group flight from New York additional
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Program Highlights
- Install Solar Energy Systems in Rural Maasai Homes
- Volunteer in a Public Health Initiative at a Local Community Clinic
- Visit the Spice Island of Zanzibar and Swim in its Tropical Turquoise Water
- Get Up Close with Giraffes and Elephants at an Animal Refuge
- Go on a Multi-Day Safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve
- Live Amongst and Learn From the Native Maasai People
- Search for the “Big 5:” Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino & Buffalo
- 30 Hours of Community Service
Spotlight Project
Building Solar Power Systems
Throughout much of Kenya, a large majority of homes lack electricity. This leaves little daylight for productivity, school work, and a means of earning an income. Kerosene lanterns are widely used, but are expensive and burn toxic fumes in the home, which can have a lasting impact on the resident’s overall health and safety. Our spotlight project partners with a Maasai village and brings this essential utility to enrich the lives of its residents through the installation of solar power systems in families’ homes. Together, we’re creating a healthier, safer, and more productive future for Kenyans.
Program Overview
Journey to the captivating, peaceful land of East Africa as you explore the beautiful countries of Kenya and Tanzania. Work hand in hand with a local community to build and install solar power panels. Encounter an extraordinary array of wildlife on safari in the celebrated Masai Mara. Work on a local public health initiative to educate local residents and volunteer in a local clinic. Learn Swahili and take part in the indigenous way of life of the vibrant Maasai people through cultural engagement. View giraffes and elephants in the sanctuary they call home as you learn about wildlife conservation. End your journey with a visit to the Spice Island of Zanzibar, where you explore the labyrinth city of Stone Town, swim in aquamarine water, and leave only your footprints behind on its pristine white sand beaches.
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Program Details
Giraffe & Elephant Sanctuary
Explore the vibrant capital city of the beautiful east African country of Kenya. During a visit to Nairobi’s Giraffe Centre, we hand-feed endangered Rothschild giraffes from treetop platforms. We also visit the world-renowned David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where we witness baby orphaned elephants play in the mud as they are taught basic survival skills before being released back into the wild.
Kajiado Community
Immersing ourselves in the Maasai community of Kajiado, we have the opportunity to experience the unique culture of the Maasai people and learn about their lands, their people, and the mounting struggles they face in a rapidly urbanizing region of the world. Working alongside the local community members, students will learn basic engineering and construction skills as they build and install solar panels in residential homes, providing families with a reliable, renewable and clean energy source. During our stay, we get to know the members of the local community through long days of work together, shared meals, and learning Swahili. We are rewarded for our work with lasting new friendships and the knowledge that we have impacted this community in a powerful and positive way.
Masai Mara National Reserve
Embark on a safari to explore the Masai Mara National Reserve, one of the “7 Natural Wonders of the World.” Surrounding the border of Kenya and Tanzania, the Masai Mara is home to a multitude of wildlife such as zebras and wildebeests. We search for Africa’s “Big Five”: rhino, lion, elephant, water buffalo and leopard, and spot countless zebras, giraffes, and gazelles.
We begin our days early in the reserve with dawn game drives—often the best time to see the most elusive wildlife. Riding in famed land rovers, we dart around the park capturing the scene as the African savannah wakes up for another day. We spend our day roaming between animal sightings observing life in the famed African savannah. This area offers us a glimpse of the quintessential, wild beauty of the East African landscape. At just about every turn, we come across animals of all shapes and sizes. At night we camp, nestled around the open fire as we listen to the sounds of the animals in the distance and fall asleep under the peaceful skies.
Zanzibar
Traveling by boat to Zanzibar, the island famous for its many spices, which we learn about from a local guide. We spend our days relaxing on the island’s beautiful white sand beaches or swimming and snorkeling in the clear turquoise waters, then explore the cobblestone streets and night markets of the historic city of Stone Town. We enjoy sweet exotic fruits and delicious fresh seafood while watching the sunset over the warm Indian Ocean.
Common Questions
What is the packing list for this program?
Each program has a specific packing list that has been designed to fit the program’s activities, length, climate and cultural differences. Please click here to view the Kenya/Tanzania: Lighting Lives packing list.
What is the weather like in Kenya and Tanzania?
The weather can vary from very hot equatorial climates on the coast to more mildly cool climates up in the higher altitudes in the savanna (some nights it can get as low as the high 40’s). Located at an altitude of 5,000 to 7,600 feet, Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya’s dry, sunny climate is nothing like the steamy African jungle of Tarzan movies. The weather is spring-like year round, with daytime temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s, evenings in the 60’s. The coastal and lowland areas near Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar tend to be more tropical in temperature and actually will get into the 90’s.
What are the service projects like?
ARCC has linked up with a company that has been running programs in Tanzania and Kenya for over a decade. Through them, we have made some incredible contacts that have led to valuable and meaningful service projects. We have designed the service projects to help their communities in the most sustainable way possible. Each year, groups build and install solar panels in Maasai homes, bringing electricity to homes that either had none, used kerosene (both a dangerous and unhealthy option), and/or could not afford to pay into the national electric company on a reliable basis. Our groups also have the opportunity to help young students with their English skills, through games, activities and collaborative teaching.
What kind of health precautions should I take before traveling to Kenya and Tanzania?
Kenya and Tanzania are clean and safe places to travel. However, ARCC does recommend that you take some health precautions before your trip to East Africa. When you enroll in the program, you will receive more complete information on pertinent travel vaccinations and immunizations. Please also refer to the Traveler’s Health section of the CDC website. Additionally, our leaders carry a full first aid kit, and are all certified Wilderness First Responders (WFR).
I hear Malaria is a problem, what can we do to ensure a safe program?
Required Medication: ARCC strongly suggests that all students on the Tanzania and Kenya program take a prescription antimalarial drug. Although chances of contracting malaria are relatively slim, we still recommend that students protect themselves against the possibility of contracting malaria. As there can be side effects to the malaria medication, we suggest you consult your physician regarding treatment.
Suggested Medications: The recommended prophylaxes in risk areas are Doxycycline or Atovaquone/Proguanil otherwise known as Malarone.
Please consult your physician to determine which antimalarial drug may be most appropriate for you.
In-Country Prevention: Malaria is mosquito-borne and therefore anti-mosquito measures such as covering as much skin as possible with loose-fitting clothing and using insect repellent with DEET are highly recommended and strongly encouraged during the program.
Where will we sleep?
Throughout the program, the majority of the time we will be camping in private campsites. ARCC will provide the tents and camping gear, and we ask that students bring a sleeping bag. We will spend 3 nights in a small hotel on Zanzibar at the end of the program, and 4 nights in a guesthouse in Southern Kenya during the Solar Power Project.
What is the transportation like once we are in Tanzania?
Throughout the program, we will be traveling in a custom built safari truck made for ‘Overlanding’. Each truck comes fully equipped with tents, mattresses, kitchen equipment, stereo, cooler box/fridge, coach seats, storage for valuables, luggage space, and a comprehensive medical kit.
Overland travel is the best way to see and experience Africa and our experienced outfitters have intimate knowledge of geography, people, politics and locales We travel in custom-built safari vehicles that are used to ensure maximum comfort while experiencing the best Africa has to offer. We are completely self-sufficient, fully equipped with all our gear needed for the expedition.
We travel to Zanzibar by boat and back to the mainland by ferry before flying home. The boat and ferry are both equipped with proper safety equipment and we only use vetted boat and ferry services we’ve worked with for years without any issue. You may want to bring motion sickness medicine just in case you are sensitive to movement while traveling.
What is the food like?
The food we will eat will be a mix of Western-style food (sandwiches, pizza, burgers, pasta etc.) and traditional local food such as stews, soups, fruits, rice, lentils, and vegetables. Breakfast often consists of cereal and fresh fruit. We will have a chance to sample incredible traditional dishes over a home-style BBQ spit.
Vegetarians and medical dietary requirements (i.e. allergies) are catered for, which is why it’s important to turn in your medical forms with ample time prior to departure.
How much spending money should I bring?
For the Tanzania and Kenya program, ARCC recommends that you bring an additional $225 of spending money. This will cover cash for souvenirs, communication, possible clinic visits and the $10 departure tax from Zanzibar to the mainland. The money should be in smaller denominations ($20 and below) and all bills must be produced in 2006 or later (Dollars with the big head) because of circulated counterfeit dollars. We recommend you bring all of your money in cash. ATM’s are found in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Arusha, but are limited outside the city.
If you do bring an ATM/debit card, we strongly recommend talking to your bank about its international withdrawal policies to avoid any surprise fees or card cancellations.
Do I need a passport?
Yes, all students traveling to Tanzania and Kenya need to have a valid passport. Please make sure the passport expiration date is at least six months after you travel. Passport applications are available at the post office. If you do not already have a passport, you should apply for one as soon as you enroll in this adventure. It normally takes six to eight weeks to process a passport application.
Do I need a visa?
Yes, you will need a visa to enter Tanzania and a visa to enter Kenya, but you don’t need it before departure. We will purchase them upon arrival in each country. A visa for Tanzania costs $100 and a visa for Kenya costs $60, which is included in the group flight cost. Leaders will bring cash and purchase visas for the group in-country.
What is the time difference between Kenya and Tanzania and the USA?
Tanzania and Kenya are on the East Africa Time Zone (EAT), 10 hours ahead of San Francisco and 7 hours ahead of New York City.
Do I really need to bring a backpack, or can I bring a rolling suitcase on this program?
Although you will not be doing traditional backpacking on this program, it is important that you bring a backpack as your main piece of luggage. During the program, the group will be navigating through airports, on and off buses, up and down stairways, and taking short hikes on unpaved paths. The group will be able to move much more efficiently if everyone is carrying their belongings on their back.
What kinds of goods and supplies can we bring to donate for the people we meet?
We have the chance to live amongst some people who have the very basics for survival. With education being a tool to better their lives, basic school supplies are welcomed with open arms. Pens, pencils, notepads, and books are widely accepted. Soccer balls are also an incredible way to cross the cultural border and share smiles. Because of limited space on our vehicles, ARCC would ask that every person bring no more than a gym bag of goods to donate.
Do they have modern conveniences in Kenya and Tanzania?
Tanzania was once a German colony and Kenya was formerly part of the British Empire. While we are not promoting colonization, one effect colonization had was that many modern conveniences you would find in the western world, such as air conditioning, large grocery stores, ATMs, and modern hospitals, are present in mid-size to major cities in each country. However, during our time in the villages and other rural areas, you can expect a much simpler lifestyle. Villages often can support themselves by growing their own vegetables and selling them at local markets for income. Agriculture is a big part of Tanzanian life. Few people can afford cars, so most travel by foot, bicycle and public bus. Western food, bottled water and Coca-Cola (for better or for worse) can all be found throughout Tanzania.
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19800 Village Office Ct.
Suite 200
Bend, OR 97702
(415) 332-5075
Email ARCC
Contact Us
19800 Village Office Ct.
Suite 200
Bend, Oregon 97702
(415) 332-5075
Email ARCC