Community Project Travel

KENYA: Born Free with Lions and Masai
Departs: Nairobi ~ 06 September 2013

14 day trip | 3 days community project | 3 days wildlife safari | 10 nights camping | 3 nights hotel

Severe drought in Kenya in recent years has forced many wild animals to leave their natural habitats. Thousands have perished and the predatory species that remain have resorted to preying on livestock for food. Many lions have been poisoned by local Masai communities, who are protecting their livestock (their own food source) from these starving creatures. The Born Free Foundation, a charity with a unique history tied to the classic wildlife story of Joy Adamson and Elsa the Lioness, has put in place an initiative to protect the livestock from lion attack. By building a fence around a Manyatta (a Masai settlement) livestock are protected from marauding lions and, in turn, the lions do not become the target of Masai tribespeople. Something as simple as a fence allows native predators, livestock and humans to live in harmony and safety. On this trip, our group will be assisting a local Masai community to build a fence around their Manyatta.  Located on the edge of Amboseli National Park, the settlement  has Mt Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. On completion of the project we will enjoy wildlife safaris in Nakura National Park and Masai Mara Game Reserve with an optional mountain bike ride through Hells Gate National Park.

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Watch World Nomads 'Positive Footprints' footage from one of our previous community projects in Kenya

Australia

AUSTRALIA: Rock Art Community Project
Departs: Darwin ~ 21 September 2013

8 day trip | 7 days adventure touring and day walks | 1 night hotel | 6 nights camping

West Arnhem Land is home to some of the world's oldest artistic heritage - and it is still thriving to this day. For more than 25,000 years the Aboriginal peoples have recorded every aspect of their life and culture on the rock walls and shelters of the rugged escarpment. The images vary from a record of extinct fauna, such as the Thylacine, through various climate changes to historical visitors such as Macassan seafarers, early European explorers and contact with settlers. Images of local animals and plants provide an encyclopaedia to local people whereas the spiritual dimension of the country is recorded in the images of the dreaming spirits and beings. This priceless heritage can be found across Australia, unfortunately much of the rock art is also under threat. Working with Australia's eminent rock art researcher, Professor Paul Tacon, this project aims to visit, record and put in place measures to protect this precious heritage from being destroyed by feral animals. Local traditional owners will provide a rare insight into sites seen by few visitors.

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PERU: Qelqanqa Water and Footbridges Project
Departs: Lima: ~ 04 October 2013

15 days | 4 day community project | 5 days trekking | 6 nights hotel | 8 nights camping

The Urubamba mountain range stands spectacularly between the great Urubamba River and the vast rainforests to the north of Cuzco. This region is famous for its Inca history and stunning artisan weavings. Beautiful hanging valleys and small patches of polylepis woodland create a magical backdrop for traditional Quechua mountain villages. One of the most remote villages is Qelqanqa, set at the bottom of a glaciated valley, surrounded by steep hills and icy rivers. From 2006-08 our community project travellers helped to construct a drinking water system including a water resevoir that connected the majority of houses in the village to fresh drinking water. Also during this time our community project travel participants helped to construct three footbridges that allow school children to cross the swollen rivers in safety. In 2013 we return to Qelqanqa to connect the remaining houses into the water system and to do some maintenance work on the footbridges. Following this project work we set off to explore the remarkable 'lost city' of Machu Picchu.

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Watch World Nomads 'Positive Footprints' footage from one of our previous community projects in Peru

AUSTRALIA: Cape to Cape Beach Clean Up
Departs: Perth ~ 20 October 2013

18,000 pieces of plastic are estimated to float in every square kilometre of ocean. 77 Australian species are impacted by marine debris. Here is your chance to help!

The Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park stretches over 135 kilometres in Australia's magnificent south west coast. With the world-renowned Margaret River wine region at its centre, this rugged coastline is as diverse as it is spectacular. However this beautiful stretch of coastline is not immune to marine debris and so we have teemed up with the Tangaroa Blue Foundation to offer this unique opportunity for you to trek the Cape to Cape Track, fully supported by our expert guides, and also spend a few days clearing marine debris on a number of beaches that are considered marine debris 'hot spots'. You will also collect data on the debris to assist in finding long term solutions to the problem of marine debris. With long beach walks, expansive coastal heath, ancient dune systems, pockets of giant Karri forests, windswept limestone cliffs and spectacular ridgelines this short trek offers an incredibly rewarding experience combined with the comfort of farmstay style accommodation (twin share) making the most of the Margaret River wine region. Tangaroa Blue Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation focused on the health of our marine environment, and coordinates the Australian Marine Debris Initiative, an on-ground network of volunteers, communities, organisations and agencies around the country monitoring the impacts of marine debris along their stretch of coastline.

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Watch World Nomads 'Positive Footprints' footage from one of our previous community projects in Australia

TANZANIA: Kakoi School Water Pipeline Project
Departs: Arusha ~ 04 November 2013

13 day trip | 3 days community project | 6 days wildlife safari | 9 nights lodge/hotel | 3 nights permanant campsite

Located near the Tarangire National Park, the Masai village of Kakoi is home to approximately 2500 people scattered on small plots of land. The community primary school has approximately 473 students attending, with 7 teachers. The school has rainwater tanks which are dry as a result of the continuing drought. There is a serious shortage of clean water. This project will lay 3kms of water pipeline from the Kakoi medical centre to the school bringing clean water to a communal tap located at the school. The World Expeditions Foundation and other generous donors have already facilitated building renovations at this school from which the students and staff greatly benefit. This water project will be another step towards our committment to improve the education environment for the students of Kakoi. Before the project work we will enjoy a wilderness experience on safari in the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, with opportunity to spot some of Africa’s unique wildlife.

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Watch the Nine Network Australia footage from our 2012 water pipeline project in the village of Kakoi 

VIETNAM: Thanh Son Elementary School & Kindergarten Upgrade
Departs: Hanoi ~ 02 December 2013

15 day trip | 3 days community project | 10 days adventure touring | 5 nights homestay | 1 night overnight train | 1 night junk boat | 7 nights hotel

The mountainous northern region of Vietnam, south west of Hanoi, is home to Vietnam's third largest ethic minority group, the Muong people. The Muong are most closely related to the ethnic Vietnamese, however culturally and socially more similar to Thai people. The Muong rely on crop cultivation (mostly wet rice), animal husbandry and fishing to sustain their lives. The village of Pa Van in Thanh Hoa province is home to approximately 400 people, with 26 children attending the elementary school from grades 1-5 and 30 younger children attending the kindergarten. This school and kindergarten is in disrepair and in dire need of renovation. With the assistance of local building experts and the locals themselves, you will help to renovate the school including plastering and painting the classroom internal walls, repairing the desks and chairs, repairing the windows and doors and building a toilet block and water tank. Following the community project work we discover the stunning national parks that surround Mai Chau, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay and the vibrant cities of Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City.

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Watch World Nomads 'Positive Footprints' footage from one of our previous community projects in Vietnam

NEPAL: Shree Janta Ma Vi School Project
Departs: Kathmandu ~ 24 November 2013

21 day trip | 3 days community project | 13 day trek | 4 nights private permanent campsites | 9 nights wilderness campsites | 4 nights eco lodge | 3 nights hotel

Located in the lower Solu Khumbu region of Nepal is the remote village of Lokhim, home to approximately 3000 indigenous ethnic Rai people. The community has a secondary and high school that has approximately 600 students attending. The government funds the wages of most of the 18 teachers, while the local community funds the wages of additional teachers, however the school is vastly unfunded and needs assistance. The school has 15 classrooms, 5 of which have below standard flooring. During our time in the community we will assist in cementing the floors of these classrooms. Following the project work we'll head off on a wonderful trek into the higher Himalaya up to the Khumbu valley, where the region's largest Buddhist gompa, Thyangboche is located. We'll enjoy the awe-inspiring views of Mount Everest and the surrounding 8000+ metre peaks before heading back down the valley to Lukla for our flight back to Kathmandu.

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Watch World Nomads 'Positive Footprints' footage from one of our previous community projects in Nepal

NEPAL: Shree Lama Goan Primary School Upgrade
Departs: Kathmandu ~ 13 January 2014

14 day trip | 4 days community project | 8 days adventure touring | 4 nights camping | 4 nights hotel | 5 nights resort/retreat

Located a short distance from Kathmandu is the village of Lama Goan, rich in scenic beauty and boasting incredible views of the Himalaya. However that's where the riches end, this region is very poor and the local primary school is in disrepair. The Shree Lama Goan Primary School offers classes up until standard 5 and it has 90 students from the surrounding villages of Lama Goan, Chatrailey and Kakani village attending. The little government funding received by the school pays for the wages of three of the teachers, and the community and an external sponsor fund the wages for the other two teachers. The main building of the school that holds four of the classrooms is in a dilapidated state and so the community hopes to build a new structure to replace it. During our time at the village we will assist with the completion of one new classroom within this new block. Before we reach Lama Goan village we discover the colours, sights and festivities of Kathmandu and enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayan range from the Balthali Resort. In the foothills of this region we witness village life for some of Nepal's ethnic minorities - the Tamangs and Newars, before flying to Pokhara to stay at the secluded hill top Raniban Retreat perched 420m above Phewa Tal Lake, from which to uncover the beauty and culture of Pokhara and surrounds.

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Watch World Nomads 'Positive Footprints' footage from one of our previous community projects in Nepal

AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION: Nepal Fundraising Chairman's Trek
Departs: Kathmandu ~ 17 March 2014

20 day trip | 16 day trek | 3 nights hotel | 10 nights camping | 6 nights eco lodge

Fully supported trek with AHF Chairman Simon Balderstone and AHF director Peter Hillary

In Kathmandu we include sightseeing and time to visit AHF program associates before flying to Phaplu, the administrative centre of the Solu Khumbu district. After visiting some of the educational centres supported by the AHF we slowly ascend to the Everest region. We spend two nights in the renowned Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar before trekking to Khumjung and Khunde where the original Sir Edmund Hillary school and hospital were constructed.

Please note: there is no physical community project work included in this itinerary.

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AUSTRALIAN HIMALAYAN FOUNDATION: Beyond the Smile with Brigitte Muir
Departs: Kathmandu ~ 15 March 2014

18 days | 13 day trek | 4 nights hotel | 13 nights camping

This trek aims to raise vital funds for the AHF Women’s Literacy Program in Lura Nepal.

Explore the lesser known villages and wild places of the Solu Region of Nepal whilst in the company of Australia’s first woman to climb Mt Everest, Brigitte Muir. We spend time in Kathmandu exploring the World Heritage listed sites before flying to Phalpu to commence our trek and visit Lura village, where the Literacy program is in action. We will then trek Chiwang Monastery, Thubten Choling Monastery and to the stunning Dudh Kunda Lake, a sacred site to many Buddhists and Hindus alike. Taking in the forests, wildlife, culture and of course the mountain scenery we will wander back to Phaplu for a final couple of days in Kathmandu.

Please note: there is no physical community project work included in this itinerary.

More information and detailed trip notes >>