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Itinerary - Africa and Asia Venture

Itinerary

GETTING THERE

You will need to fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, where your Kenya-based AV rep will meet you. You will then travel 65 kilometres by bus to Lake Naivasha (after a short stop at the AV office in Karen, Nairobi) for your Orientation and Safety Course. On the way you'll get your first view of the Great Rift Valley!

 

BRIEFING AND ORIENTATION

The Fish Eagle Inn is on the edge of Lake Naivasha. Colobus monkeys play in the trees and hippos wallow in the lake. Acacia trees shade the spacious grounds and the hotel has a swimming pool. We will discuss the following topics during the course:

• History, customs and culture of Kenya and its people
• Safety, health and security
• Teaching techniques, lesson planning & practice, and sports coaching tips 
• Some language training in Kiswahili
• The education system in Kenya

You will have the chance to take a boat on Lake Naivasha to see hippos and fish eagles, walk with giraffes, zebra and antelope in a small game sanctuary.

 

YOUR NEW HOME

After the course you and the group will be taken by bus to a rendezvous near your school from which you will be collected and taken to your house, stopping for some food shopping in local supermarkets.

The next day you will be introduced to the children and school staff; you will be shown around by a staff member appointed to welcome you to your new environment.

Your house will probably have a bedroom, a sitting/cooking area and somewhere to wash. Electricity in houses is intermittent at best, you may not have running water or a flushing toilet, so you will make do with an outside pit latrine or ‘long drop'. You will soon feel very much at home!

 

THE PROJECT

A large part of every weekday will be organising PE and sports in your schools, both during the timetabled day and as extra-curricular activities. There will be preparation for the next day's coaching to do as well.

You can coach in pairs or on your own. You should have at least 12 PE/games lessons a week and probably a lot more. You will also have a chance to help in the classroom with English lessons. After gaining respect on the sports field you may find it easier to relate to your pupils in the classroom!

At weekends and on public holidays you will have the opportunity to get together with other AVs to organise inter-school matches and competitions. Or you may want to relax at home, entertain friends or go to see Kenya and Uganda - it's all on your doorstep. Whatever you decide to do, will be huge fun - we're certain!

 

INDEPENDENT TRAVEL

Finally, your three month school attachment will come to an end. Leaving will make you very sad indeed but nearly four weeks of travel ahead of you will certainly help to ease the pain. Some activities might include rafting the source of the Nile in Uganda, bungee jumping over it, kayaking in it, and quad biking or riding along its banks. Alternatively, a visit to gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (expensive but very special). The beautiful beaches of Kenya, Lamu, Tanzania or Zanzibar are worth a visit - travel by Arab dhow, windsurf, swim, snorkel or scuba dive in the Indian Ocean or simply sunbathe by it. Or trek a serious mountain - Mount Kenya or Mount Kilimanjaro - or why not to on a camel trek in scenic Laikipia; or a wildlife safari at the famous Maasai Mara; we can help organise bookings.    

 

HOME

Pass by the AV office on your way to the airport to collect your stored luggage. We suggest you try the famous Carnivore Restaurant – the biggest barbeque in the world, for your last night in Kenya!

If you are staying on a bit longer in Africa, don't worry because "Once an AV, always an AV!" We will store luggage for you and help you out if you run into any problems.

Don't underestimate the reverse culture shock of returning home - it is real and can be quite a surprise! Most AVs fall in love with Africa and return again ... and again! Our Nairobi staff are always delighted to welcome back old AVs.

 

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Before departure:
  • Pre-departure information, support and advice
  • A nominated member of the UK volunteer support team
  • One-to-one face to face briefing for UK applicants
  • Telephone briefing for non-UK applicants
  • References taken up
  • Comprehensive online health check
  • Advice on group flight booking or individual flight arrangements
  • Briefing for group departure from London airport
In-country:
  • In-country representative
  • 24/7 in-country backup
  • Meet and greet at airport (if arriving with the group)
  • Airport transfer (if arriving with group)
  • In-country induction course
  • Transfer from induction course to school/project
  • Accommodation (except during independent travel)
  • Food allowance (except during independent travel)
  • Management of emergencies, including lost passport, illness, etc. whilst in-country
Upon returning home:
  • Returning home advice
  • Full telephone debriefing
 

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

  • Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Country visas
  • Meeting of non-group arrivals
  • Accommodation for early/late arrivals
  • Medical expenses, e.g. inoculations, malaria prophylatics
  • In-country medical expenses
  • Drinks
  • Tips/gratuities - No tips/gratuities for AV staff are necessary or expected
  • Spending money
  • Extra activities that you choose to do
  • Independent travel
 

 

dates and costs

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