Colobus Monkey Conservation in Kenya

VOLUNTEER

CONSERVATION

Protect Colobus Monkeys & Coastal Forest Ecosystems

Join this impactful primate conservation project on Kenya’s south coast and support the protection of the endangered Angolan black and white colobus monkey and its threatened coastal forest habitat. Working alongside Colobus Conservation’s experienced local team, you will contribute to long-term conservation efforts focused on habitat protection, human–primate conflict mitigation, research, and community engagement.

This project is based within one of East Africa’s most important coastal forest biodiversity hotspots, where forest fragmentation and development continue to place pressure on wildlife. Through hands-on conservation activities and education initiatives, participants play a meaningful role in safeguarding primates and the fragile ecosystems they depend on, while supporting locally led conservation solutions.

Project highlights

  • Colobus Monkey Monitoring & Research

Assist with population monitoring and observational research to track colobus numbers, behaviour, and conservation threats.

  • Habitat Conservation

Support forest conservation through tree planting, habitat restoration, and protection of threatened coastal forests.

  • Human–Primate Conflict Mitigation

Reduce primate injuries by supporting bridge monitoring, power line insulation, and road-risk mitigation initiatives.

  • Community & Environmental Education

Engage with local communities and schools to promote conservation awareness and sustainable livelihoods.

Diani Beach, Kenya
Available: Year Round
Duration:
2 weeks+
Price From €1,855

Project impact areas

Here’s how you will create significant impact through the African Big 5 Conservation project in South Africa.

CONSERVATION

Primate Monitoring & Research

Take part in ongoing monitoring of Angolan black and white colobus populations within Kenya’s coastal forests. Through observational surveys and population censuses, you’ll help gather data on primate numbers, behaviour, and habitat use, contributing directly to research that informs long-term conservation planning. This information is vital for tracking population trends and identifying emerging threats to the species.

U.N. Sustainable Development Goals

1. Life on Land

2. Life Below Water

3. Climate Action

4. Responsible Consumption & Production

CONSERVATION

Habitat Protection & Forest Restoration

Support the conservation of threatened coastal forest ecosystems through tree planting, habitat restoration, and protection of fragmented forest patches. This work helps safeguard critical primate habitats, including culturally significant Kaya forests, while addressing one of the greatest threats facing colobus monkeys: habitat loss. By improving forest connectivity, these efforts strengthen the long-term resilience of both wildlife and ecosystems.

U.N. Sustainable Development Goals

1. Life on Land

2. Life Below Water

3. Climate Action

4. Responsible Consumption & Production

CONSERVATION

Human-Primate Conflict Mitigation

Assist with initiatives designed to reduce conflict between people and primates in forest-edge communities. Activities may include monitoring primate road crossings, supporting the maintenance of colobus bridges, and helping reduce injuries caused by roads and power lines, protecting both wildlife and local livelihoods. These interventions play a key role in enabling people and primates to safely coexist in shared landscapes.

U.N. Sustainable Development Goals

1. Life on Land

2. Life Below Water

3. Climate Action

4. Responsible Consumption & Production

Accommodation & Meals

Diani Beach, Kenya

Your Home Away From Home In Diani Is Simple, Secure Accommodation Close To The Colobus Conservation Centre, Offering Comfortable Shared Living And Easy Access To Project Activities.

Participants are accommodated in locally run guesthouses or volunteer accommodation near the Colobus Conservation centre in Diani. Rooms are shared and simply furnished, providing a comfortable base for your time on the project while reflecting the local coastal setting. Accommodation is selected to ensure easy daily access to project sites, community areas, and forest habitats where conservation work takes place.

Diani is a relaxed coastal town surrounded by pockets of threatened forest, beaches, and local communities that play an important role in primate conservation. Meals are typically sourced locally, supporting nearby businesses and offering a mix of Kenyan and coastal cuisine. This setup allows participants to experience daily life in Diani while remaining closely connected to the conservation work focused on protecting colobus monkeys and their forest habitat.

Life at the Base

Diani Beach, Kenya

Diani is a coastal town on Kenya’s south coast, home to fragmented forest patches that support some of the country’s most threatened primate populations. These coastal forests form part of a global biodiversity hotspot and provide critical habitat for the Angolan black and white colobus monkey, alongside other primate species.

Outside of project activities, Diani offers a relaxed coastal setting with beaches, local markets, cafés, and forest trails nearby. Weekends can be spent exploring the area, learning more about the region’s conservation challenges, or simply enjoying time in this unique landscape where forest, community, and wildlife intersect.

Mobile phone coverage is generally available in and around Diani, though signal strength may vary depending on your location and time of day. Local SIM cards are easy to purchase, with Safaricom offering the most reliable network coverage in the area.

WiFi availability depends on accommodation and local infrastructure and may be limited or intermittent. Participants are encouraged to prepare for periods of reduced connectivity and view this as an opportunity to fully engage with the project and surrounding environment.

Participants should arrange flights into Ukunda Airport (UKA), which is the closest airport to Diani, or alternatively into Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa. From either location, onward travel to Diani can be arranged by road.

Full arrival instructions, recommended routes, and contact details will be provided in your pre-departure information to ensure a smooth journey to the project location. Participants are advised to plan travel carefully and allow flexibility for local transport conditions.

The Colobus Monkey Project is delivered by Colobus Conservation’s experienced team of Kenyan conservation professionals, many of whom are drawn from the local Diani community. Staff include field officers, community liaison personnel, and conservation practitioners with extensive knowledge of primate behaviour, forest ecosystems, and human–wildlife conflict mitigation.

Volunteers work alongside local staff and, where applicable, international researchers and conservation partners. The team provides training, supervision, and guidance throughout the placement, ensuring activities are carried out ethically, safely, and in line with conservation best practice.

Participant safety is a priority across all project activities. All volunteers receive a thorough induction on arrival, including guidance on fieldwork protocols, working in forest environments, interaction with wildlife, and personal safety. Project activities are risk assessed and supervised by trained staff, with clear procedures in place for emergencies. Participants are expected to follow all safety guidelines, codes of conduct, and local regulations to ensure their wellbeing and the protection of both people and wildlife.

Project Destination

Diani is a coastal town on Kenya’s south coast, home to fragmented forest patches that support some of the country’s most threatened primate populations. These coastal forests form part of a global biodiversity hotspot and provide critical habitat for the Angolan black and white colobus monkey, alongside other primate species.

Outside of project activities, Diani offers a relaxed coastal setting with beaches, local markets, cafés, and forest trails nearby. Weekends can be spent exploring the area, learning more about the region’s conservation challenges, or simply enjoying time in this unique landscape where forest, community, and wildlife intersect.

Communication

Mobile phone coverage is generally available in and around Diani, though signal strength may vary depending on your location and time of day. Local SIM cards are easy to purchase, with Safaricom offering the most reliable network coverage in the area.

WiFi availability depends on accommodation and local infrastructure and may be limited or intermittent. Participants are encouraged to prepare for periods of reduced connectivity and view this as an opportunity to fully engage with the project and surrounding environment.

Flights & Arrivals

Participants should arrange flights into Ukunda Airport (UKA), which is the closest airport to Diani, or alternatively into Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa. From either location, onward travel to Diani can be arranged by road.

Full arrival instructions, recommended routes, and contact details will be provided in your pre-departure information to ensure a smooth journey to the project location. Participants are advised to plan travel carefully and allow flexibility for local transport conditions.

Staff

The Colobus Monkey Project is delivered by Colobus Conservation’s experienced team of Kenyan conservation professionals, many of whom are drawn from the local Diani community. Staff include field officers, community liaison personnel, and conservation practitioners with extensive knowledge of primate behaviour, forest ecosystems, and human–wildlife conflict mitigation.

Volunteers work alongside local staff and, where applicable, international researchers and conservation partners. The team provides training, supervision, and guidance throughout the placement, ensuring activities are carried out ethically, safely, and in line with conservation best practice.

Safety

Participant safety is a priority across all project activities. All volunteers receive a thorough induction on arrival, including guidance on fieldwork protocols, working in forest environments, interaction with wildlife, and personal safety. Project activities are risk assessed and supervised by trained staff, with clear procedures in place for emergencies. Participants are expected to follow all safety guidelines, codes of conduct, and local regulations to ensure their wellbeing and the protection of both people and wildlife.

...the joy of making a real impact...

“My time volunteering at Colobus Conservation ranks as one of the best experiences of my life. My 10 weeks volunteering gave me an all round experience of conservation in action.”

Jasmine Pedraza

Project gallery

209277514_4136673926413280_2274049941402928433_n
209277514_4136673926413280_2274049941402928433_n
481219224_9359145420832745_2765403784071029322_n
481219224_9359145420832745_2765403784071029322_n
480866785_9329436143803673_1200930358090577513_n
480866785_9329436143803673_1200930358090577513_n
IMG-20250521-WA0190(1)
IMG-20250521-WA0190(1)
477601256_9249040728509882_3953285764647561296_n
477601256_9249040728509882_3953285764647561296_n
480669370_9307078452706109_4163151715162526444_n
480669370_9307078452706109_4163151715162526444_n
480581088_9304632252950729_8063885023687780855_n
480581088_9304632252950729_8063885023687780855_n
476806608_9239529612794327_7716646007239564799_n
476806608_9239529612794327_7716646007239564799_n
476885030_9213691875378101_2724424939451774663_n
476885030_9213691875378101_2724424939451774663_n
476031711_9184754711605151_2370276756005021711_n
476031711_9184754711605151_2370276756005021711_n
473341420_9084272661653357_1619670571238047369_n
473341420_9084272661653357_1619670571238047369_n
487068517_1053346996820851_1378079606654674240_n
487068517_1053346996820851_1378079606654674240_n
IMG-20250521-WA0187
IMG-20250521-WA0187
IMG-20250714-WA0144
IMG-20250714-WA0144
Load more

Pricing

Rates

USDGBPEURAUD
DurationProgram Fee
2 weeks$2,015 ($1,008 per week)
3 weeks$2,680 ($894 per week)
4 weeks$3,340 ($835 per week)
5 weeks$4,005 ($801 per week)
6 weeks$4,665 ($778 per week)
8 weeks$5,725 ($716 per week)
10 weeks$6,785 ($679 per week)
12 weeks$7,845 ($654 per week)
2 weeks£1,615 (£808 per week)
3 weeks£2,145 (£715 per week)
4 weeks£2,675 (£669 per week)
5 weeks£3,205 (£641 per week)
6 weeks£3,735 (£623 per week)
8 weeks£4,580 (£573 per week)
10 weeks£5,430 (£543 per week)
12 weeks£6,280 (£524 per week)
2 weeks€1,855 (€928 per week)
3 weeks€2,465 (€822 per week)
4 weeks€3,075 (€769 per week)
5 weeks€3,685 (€737 per week)
6 weeks€4,295 (€716 per week)
8 weeks€5,270 (€659 per week)
10 weeks€6,245 (€625 per week)
12 weeks€7,220 (€602 per week)
2 weeks$2,985 ($1,493 per week)
3 weeks$3,970 ($1,324 per week)
4 weeks$4,945 ($1,237 per week)
5 weeks$5,930 ($1,186 per week)
6 weeks$6,905 ($1,151 per week)
8 weeks$8,475 ($1,060 per week)
10 weeks$10,045 ($1,005 per week)
12 weeks$11,615 ($968 per week)
Enquire Now

Inclusions

  • Shared accommodation near the Colobus Conservation centre
  • Training, supervision, and support from experienced local conservation staff
  • All project-related equipment and resources
  • Full orientation and project induction on arrival
  • Ongoing guidance during field and community activities

Exclusions

  • Flights
  • Meals
  • Visas
  • Insurance
  • Weekend tours
  • Personal expenses

Requirements

  • The minimum age to join this project is 18 years old
  • The minimum stay for this project is 2 weeks
Enquire Now

Award-winning Volunteer and Internship Projects Since 2004

Enquire now

Volunteering in Africa means travelling with purpose- joining meaningful community or conservation projects, where you pay to cover your stay and project costs, turning your trip into an immersive, impactful experience rather than a traditional holiday.

"*" indicates required fields

DD slash MM slash YYYY

STEP 2 - When would you like to join us?

Give us an idea of your travel plans - you can choose ‘I’m not sure yet’ if you aren't sure about your preferred start dates.

STEP 3 - How long do you want to stay for?

Please note you are not required to pay this amount at this stage.
Please tick the box to agree to communicate with us:*
By clicking submit below, you have agreed to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
SMS & WhatsApp Opt-In*
By opting in to SMS and WhatsApp communication, you give consent to receive text messages from African Impact that will assist in booking your placement. You can opt-out at any time by texting STOP.

Project faqs

What Will I Be Doing On The Colobus Monkey Project?

You will support a range of conservation activities focused on protecting colobus monkeys and their forest habitat. Tasks may include assisting with primate monitoring and population surveys, supporting habitat conservation initiatives, helping reduce human–primate conflict, and contributing to community education and conservation awareness programmes. Activities vary depending on conservation priorities and project needs.

Do I Need Previous Wildlife Or Conservation Experience?

No prior conservation experience is required. All participants receive training and guidance from experienced local conservation staff, and activities are supervised throughout the placement. Tasks are assigned based on ability and experience, making the project suitable for those new to conservation as well as those with an existing interest in wildlife or environmental work.

Why Are Colobus Monkeys Threatened?

The greatest threat facing colobus monkeys on Kenya’s south coast is habitat loss and fragmentation caused by development, agriculture, and infrastructure expansion. Colobus Conservation works to address these threats through forest protection, restoration, research, and community-led initiatives that promote coexistence between people and primates.

Enquire Now

Our favourite weekend activities in the Kruger Area

Spend your weekends exploring Diani’s coastline and forest landscapes, from relaxing beach time and local markets to gentle nature walks through the coastal ecosystems that support local wildlife.

Beach Time & Coastal Relaxation

Unwind on Diani’s white-sand beaches with time to swim, relax, or enjoy a quiet walk along the Indian Ocean. It’s an ideal way to recharge after a week of forest conservation work.

Local Markets & Cafés

Spend time exploring Diani’s local markets, cafés, and small shops, offering a taste of coastal Kenyan culture and cuisine. This is a great opportunity to support local businesses and experience everyday life in the area.

Forest Walks & Nature Exploration

Explore nearby forest patches and nature trails to gain a deeper appreciation of the coastal ecosystems that support local wildlife. These walks offer a peaceful way to observe birdlife and learn more about the region’s biodiversity.

You may also be interested in these other conservation projects