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The South Rift Valley of Kenya, stretching from the Maasai Mara National Reserve through Amboseli National Park, is one of the most spectacular wildlife areas on the planet. Earth Expeditions has partnered the along with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and the African Conservation Centre, and o advance community-based conservation in this dynamic landscape. This effort builds on the decades-long research of Dr. David Western, former head of the Kenya Wildlife Service, other researchers, and the centuries-long research of the Maasai pastoralists, who have long co-existed with wildlife in an open grassland ecosystem populated by elephants, lions, giraffes, zebra, wildebeests, and a remarkable diversity of other species. With the rise of nontraditional lifestyles, private ranches, and fenced lands that prevent needed wildlife migrations, communities of the South Rift have recognized the need to understand the impact of these changes and to work together for a better future.

Join Kenyan conservationists, educators, community leaders, and youth to study sustainable approaches to human-wildlife coexistence. Possible research projects may focus on high-impact species, such as lions or elephants; species groups (such as grazers); the role of the Maasai in the ecosystem; grassland diversity studies; conservation in parks and beyond; and participatory education and local knowledge.

A typical day on this EE course includes exploration and hiking in the local environment, instructor and student-led discussions of key course topics, presentations, engagement with local community experts, and time for inquiry investigations and journal writing. Prior to and following the field experience in Kenya, students will complete coursework via Canvas, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University's learning management system, as they apply experiences at home.

*** If you're interested in Kenya: Wildlife & People in Integrated Landscapes for Summer 2026,. This option is ideal for anyone needing Continuing Education Units or additional graduate credits, those with previous Master's experiences, or Dragonfly alums. We offer a limited number of spots (up to 6) for non-Master's candidates in most of our EE courses. An undergraduate degree is required. ***

Nairobi

Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is headquarters for the African Conservation Centre (ACC), an African organization dedicated to saving wildlife through local initiatives, good governance, and sound science.

Amboseli National Park

Beneath the snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro towering to the south, Amboseli National Park covers 392 square kilometers. The park’s wetlands, plains, woodlands, and bush country support a diversity of wildlife unrivalled in East Africa for a park of its size. Over 80 different mammals and 400 bird species reside in the park. Elephants play a key role in the changing ecosystem, and their populations have been the subject of long-term research projects on the secrets of elephant family life, communication, and migration patterns. Long before the park boundaries were set, the local Maasai were custodians of Amboseli’s wildlife; Maasai do not ordinarily kill wild animals for food, as their domestic cattle and goats meet nearly all their requirements.

Lale’enok Resource Centre

The communally-owned land between the boundaries of Amboseli National Park in the south and the Maasai Mara in the west is a vital wildlife dispersal area; in fact, this land, owned primarily by the Maasai, supports a greater diversity of wildlife than the national parks. The African Conservation Centre and the South Rift Association of Landowners (SORALO) have established a unique community-based research center in Olkiramatian, the heart of the South Rift ecosystem. This area teems with wildlife and lies outside tourist-dominated park environments. Situated on Maasai communal land, the Lale’enok Resource Centre is designed to advance new approaches to understanding integrated landscapes through local initiatives and shared objectives for conservation and education. Unusual in Maasai land, the centre is owned by women, the Olkiramatian Reto Women’s Group. The Centre also functions as a social enterprise, earning revenue from visitors and students who come to Lale’enok to learn about Maasai culture, land management, and conservation practices.

(Course locations are subject to change.)