Life at Camp Donbiki in the Amazon Rainforest

The next day we set off from Quito and drove for nine hours deep into the province of Pastaza; our destination – Camp Donbiki in the Shiwakucha community. As the towns grew sparser, the air grew thicker and soon we were entirely enveloped by lush rainforest, the horns of cars replaced with the ululations of tropical birds. We stopped at a beautiful mirador (viewpoint), eating empanadas from our boxed lunch and taking in the majesty of the jungle. I had four!

We arrived at Donbiki mid-afternoon, equal parts knackered and excited. It is difficult to put into words how astonishing this camp is. Situated right on the banks of the raging Arajuno river, a tributary of the Amazon, the camp is enveloped on three sides by lush vegetation but is a short walk across the main road to the Shiwakucha community proper, where the project work takes place. Throughout the night, the hum of insects blends with the birdsong in a natural crescendo that is utterly disorientating yet incredibly inspiring.

The facilities were wonderful: the main building contains bunk beds with decent sized mattresses and mosquito nets; there were fully functioning toilets and showers drawing water directly from the Arajuno via a water filtration system. I half expected to have to clean myself in the river, so to be greeted with working showers and working toilets felt like a luxury. (Just make sure not to swallow the water!)

Despite the encroaching flora and fauna, the camp possesses more than adequate social space, with a huge main hut and then some beautifully scenic areas next to the river for unwinding after a hard day’s project work. I admit having been slightly nervous about the possibility of unexpected visitors in our rooms, but my fears were allayed by the introduction of the dedicated ‘snake-man’ to ward off any inquisitive anacondas. (Disappointingly I saw no snakes, but at least that means the snake-man is worth his weight in gold.)

After settling into our rooms, a staff of locals cooked us incredibly hearty food; and, with the signature six bowl system in place, hygiene was top priority and not a single one of us felt the slightest bit poorly despite the unfamiliarity of the food. For a camp that is so remote, it is fair to say we all felt remarkably at home in a short space of time; we spent the night there, drifting off to sleep on our extremely comfortable mattresses, protected from bugs by robust mosquito nets.

Into the Jungle: Trekking to Camp Ceibo

However, as off the beaten track we thought ourselves in Donbiki, nothing prepared us for our sojourn to Camp Ceiba, the satellite camp named after the towering trees that stand sentinel on its borders. We began our trek early, the rain relentlessly hammering the road, me kitted out in a spare rain poncho courtesy of Claire (naturally I had forgotten to bring my rain jacket to a rainforest). Led by Theo, our guide and Pastaza native, we left the road and headed into the thick jungle. Theo’s intimate knowledge of the jungle was astonishing to witness; he drew our attention to the Toquilla plant, whose strong fibres can be woven into Panama hats; without missing a beat, he then opened a blister on a plant to reveal a line of bright yellow ants marching steadily along the branch of the tree. Remarkably, Theo then swiped a few hapless ants and ate them there and then. Turns out, the ants, scientifically known as Myrmelachista schumanni, release a citrus scent when crushed or bitten. It was genuinely humbling to be led by someone so attuned to the rhythms of the natural world.

We eventually arrived at the camp and put up our hammocks, which did their best to repel the driving rain that did not relent once for ten hours. (Well, they don’t call it a dry forest do they?) _ Although remote, this camp is extremely well staffed, and we ate an extraordinarily good meal despite the paucity of cooking equipment. I was initially worried that the satellite camp might be a bridge too far for the pupils, but after having experienced its slick management, I am now incredibly excited for them to experience it. Simply put, nothing else compares to falling asleep in a hammock to the surreal sounds of the jungle.

Exploring the Andes

Although less intrepid than Donbiki and Ceibo, the rest of the recce was no less enjoyable as we careened around the Andes courtesy of our tireless driver, Guille, visiting Camp Los Andes and Camp Kuri Kucho to scope out the project work our pupils will be completing in the summer. Nestled in the Andes, which casts its peaks over SEVEN countries, these camps lie in beautiful, fertile valleys, where farming forms the basis of the communities. Like Donbiki, these camps are based around making improvements to the facilities of the primary schools. The children did a traditional dance for us, whilst the headteachers provided a delicious lunch consisting of local produce.

Ecuador Beyond the Camps – Cotopaxi, Otavalo and Quito

As we dotted around central Ecuador (including a taste of the breathtaking Cotopaxi national park) we were put up at lovely boutique hotels in Otavalo and the outskirts of Quito. (Shout out to Hostal Colibri, so called after the kaleidoscopic range of hummingbirds who settle in its garden). Despite the constant travelling, we all felt positively pampered; it was lovely to indulge in the treasures of the country as tourist before the work begins in earnest in the summer.

After a visit to the Ciudad Mitad Del Mundo and garbed in psychedelic ponchos, we were off to the airport. Our flight home was smooth, and before you could say ‘dios del muerto’ we were back on terra firma. We said our goodbyes and I headed off, feeling immensely sorry for those making the trip to the far-flung provinces of England whilst I sloped off back to North London.

Final Thoughts: Why Every Teacher Should Join a Camps International Recce

For any teacher considering the inspection visit- just do it. You are so well-looked after; you gain an unparallelled insight into each camp as well as an entirely FREE week in a country you may never visit again after the expedition. Camps International run an incredibly slick operation, and the recce did nothing but fuel my excitement for the full expedition in the summer. Gracias Camps International;  Ecuador ama la vida!

Hear more from Peter, along with additional takeaways from a number of teachers who have joined us on a Teacher Inspection Visit across multiple destinations in the video below:

Feeling Right at Home

The Camps International staff are the kindest, most welcoming people you will ever meet, and each camp is so unique and instantly becomes your safe, happy place.

I have also made amazing friendships, as well as a long-distance best friend.

Upon arrival at each camp, you have camp orientation and briefing. You will have many briefings on your adventure; team briefings, safety briefings, project briefings, etc.

Daily Life on Expedition

Rough timings of the day* are:

• Breakfast at 7/7.30am
• Project 9am to 12pm.
• Lunch at 12.30pm.
• Project 2pm to 4/4.30pm.
• Snack at 4pm/4.30pm.
• Dinner at 7/7.30pm.
• Lights out at 10pm.

*Some daily timings may vary per group

Group Activities

Team Sungura had a routine every evening where we did sticker nominations, hat nominations, and our team journal.  This was one of my favourite parts of each day. Stickers were nominated by peers for random acts of kindness. Hat nominations for the Silly Simba hat were awarded to those who had done something stupid and made a fool of themselves. It was very entertaining! The group journal was written each day by a different member of the team. So, each night, the next person would be selected to write the next day’s journal entry.

First Stop: Camp Muhaka

Our first camp in Kenya was Camp Muhaka and this ended up being my favourite camp! The accommodation was bunk style rooms which had electricity and fans. The toilets were normal, the showers were cold, monkeys ran around camp and there was a campfire.

Our project on this camp was to build Mama’s house. The structure of the building had been put together by a previous team. Our task was to build the walls of the building by the end of our stay. We completed this and managed to start the flooring within the 3.5 days we had. To build the walls, we dug red soil up from the ground, collected water and mixed them together to create a muddy mixture! With this mixture, we formed balls which we carefully placed on the structure. Stones were placed between layers to provide support. After these walls dried, we created a looser consistency of the muddy mixture which we splatted to the walls to cover the stick structure. Other activities we did at this camp were climbing a coconut tree, trying coconut and coconut milk, making coconut rice and chapattis, visiting markets and visiting a tailor’s and playing football with the local community.

Sun, Sea and Scuba

Our second camp in Kenya was Diani Beach Camp. The accommodation was bunk style rooms, which had electricity, fans and Wi-Fi. The toilets were normal, the showers were hot, monkeys ran around camp, and there was a pool. Our projects on this camp involved a beach clean-up, a turtle talk, a microplastic survey and a flip flop craft activity. This weekend was less intense than other camps as we had to rest ready for scuba diving the following week. We had a rest day at the beach where we played team games in the Indian Ocean, saw camels walking on the beach, went to the markets and even out for lunch!

Scuba diving on my Kenya Scuba Expedition was next, at Camp Firefly. For some people, this was a highlight while for others it was a challenge and took a lot of perseverance. We slept in tents, but they were big enough for us to stand in! Once again, monkeys roamed freely around the camp. The PADI team were patient, kind and reassuring. Personally, I really struggled with training in a group so after conversations with my team teachers, leader and the PADI team, adjustments were made so I could work in a smaller group. I loved relaxing around the firepit and on the sofas with my team.

Exploring Tsavo

The fourth camp was Camp Ndoto, next door to Camp Tsavo. We stayed here for a week. The accommodation was bunk style rooms which had electricity. The toilets were long drop, the showers were cold, there was a firepit and the dining area was inside. Our projects on this camp involved working on a primary school, livestock deworming, elephant deterrent fences, visiting Rukinga Wildlife Conservation, going to Tsavo East National Safari Park and going on a trek up the Mangaru Hills.

At the local school we worked on flooring, building/laying bricks and painting. School had finished for the summer, so there weren’t many kids there (which was a little disappointing) but the children who were there were very friendly and keen to get involved. Goat deworming was my favourite project, everybody was working collaboratively, and we managed to deworm 94 goats but 6 ran away from us! We also danced with the local children and camp staff.

Elephant deterrent fencing was interesting and required the use of multiple skills. At Rukinga Wildlife Conservation we did two safaris, one which included a survey and talk from the staff. We also saw a beautiful sunset. It was exciting and interesting to learn about wildlife and the laws in place to protect them. The safari at Tsavo East National Park was amazing! We saw towers of giraffes, dazzles of zebras, elephants, impalas, giraffe gazelles, different species of birds, lions and a hippo! We then visited the Maasai Tribe afterwards, which highlighted the differences in our cultures. I found the trek (Eco Trek Marungu Hills) fun, despite the mini workout it was, and loved the views. We saw giraffes from the top of the hill! It still remains one of my favourite memories.

Final Stop: The Wildlife Foundation

Our final camp was at The Wildlife Foundation. We stayed here for 4 nights. The accommodation was bunk style rooms and there was a firepit, volleyball pitch, outdoor seating and an indoor dining area. Monkeys and baboons could be spotted on camp! There was only student access to electricity between 7 and 9pm, and there was no signal. Projects on this camp included a nature walk and camera trap installation, tree planting, gabion making, culture talk, making lion bomas, camera trap retrieval and a market visit.

The nature walks and camera trap installation and retrieval were so interesting. We learnt so many facts about the local area and Nairobi National Park. For example, Nairobi National Park homes 4 out of 5 of the big 5 since the elephant’s migration route got disrupted by humans. Gabion making and lion bomas required lots of skills which had yet to be used on camp. My favourite project at this camp was the culture talk since it highlighted the huge differences between our lives and the local people’s lives. It made me feel privileged for the luxuries I have. The final night at camp we had a campfire and sang songs and danced with the local staff. It was the best ending to the most amazing expedition.

Thinking of Going on a Camps International Expedition?

My advice to anyone who is considering signing up or has signed up is to ‘take on the world’ and ‘say yes to every opportunity’! You will only get this opportunity once, and I promise it is worth every second of it. I would do anything to go back.

Fundraising for the Journey

My journey didn’t just begin at Heathrow Airport – it started long before that with the challenge of fundraising.

Over the course of 18 months, I worked tirelessly to reach my target of £4,000. I took on various jobs, including delivering newspapers, washing cars, and gardening for neighbours. The highlight of my fundraising was completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge – an exhausting yet rewarding 40km trek through the stunning Yorkshire Dales.

Reaching my target was an incredible achievement, and with six months to go, the anticipation for Cambodia only grew.

First Impressions of Cambodia

The excitement was palpable as we arrived in Phnom Penh, despite the jetlag and intense heat.

Our first days in Cambodia’s capital were eye-opening. We explored the city, sampled local food and visited sites that shed light on the country’s turbulent history. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre (the Killing Fields) were haunting reminders of the atrocities committed under the Khmer Rouge.

Learning about this period in Cambodia’s history was deeply moving and gave us an understanding of the resilience of its people.

Life at Camp Beng Mealea

Leaving the city behind, we made our way to our first rural camp, Beng Mealea. Greeted with warm smiles, we quickly settled into camp life, which included sleeping in longhouses, playing volleyball and relaxing in hammocks.

The sense of community was inspiring, and one piece of advice from our camp leader Han stuck with me: “Smile 1,000 times a day.”

Our first project involved building a chicken coop to provide a sustainable food source for a local family. Over the next few days, we also created water pots, established a vegetable garden and helped lay down tiles for a school playground.

It was hard work in the heat, but seeing the impact of our efforts made it all worthwhile.

Trekking Through Phnom Kulen National Park

One of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of the expedition was our four-day trek through Phnom Kulen National Park.

Carrying just the essentials, we hiked through lush forests, visited ancient stone carvings and witnessed breath-taking sunrises over the Cambodian landscape. We stayed in Buddhist communes along the way, adjusting to bucket showers and simple living.

Despite the exhaustion, this trek was a true highlight – one that pushed us physically and mentally while rewarding us with unforgettable views.

Exploring the Temples of Angkor Wat

No visit to Cambodia would be complete without seeing the legendary Angkor Wat.

As the world’s largest religious monument, the sheer scale and intricate carvings of the temple complex were awe-inspiring. Our guide shared stories of the Khmer Empire’s history, bringing the ruins to life.

Standing before such an iconic landmark, I felt a deep appreciation for Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage.

Making an Impact at Camp Beng Pae

Our next stop was Camp Beng Pae, where we took on some of our most ambitious projects.

We constructed a well for a local family, helped build infrastructure for a school and supported English lessons for enthusiastic school children. The bonds we formed here, with both the community and fellow travellers made it my favourite camp.

The challenges faced by rural Cambodians, from corruption to poverty, made our work feel even more meaningful.

Final Days in Staung

For our last week, we moved to the town of Staung, where we stayed in a local home.

Our project work included resurfacing roads, helping build a school kitchen and supported in more English lessons. The gratitude from the local community was overwhelming, making it hard to say goodbye.

Our final days were filled with laughter, especially as we introduced the children to classic British games like Bulldog.

Reflecting on an Unforgettable Experience

Returning to Siem Reap for our final night, we had a chance to relax, explore the vibrant Pub Street, and enjoy a well-earned celebratory meal.

Looking back, this expedition changed my perspective in so many ways. The friendships, the challenges and the moments of joy have left a lasting impact.

Cambodia is a country of immense beauty and resilience, and I feel incredibly grateful to have played a small part in its ongoing journey.

The souvenirs I brought home serve as daily reminders of the adventure, but it’s the memories and lessons learned that I will carry with me forever.

Arrival and Camp Tsavo

When we arrived at Mombasa Airport, we were greeted by a big beaming smile, from Peter, one of our Camp Kenya staff. I was so pleased to see him, as he ran the first teacher trip that I attended, to Tanzania back in 2014 – it was like seeing a long-lost friend again! Peter’s energy never wavered throughout the trip and his smile is infectious!

We were looked after by Peter who we referred to as ‘Tall Peter’, not to be confused with ‘Small Peter’ who was with us from the airport! ‘Tall Peter’ is a bundle of energy, positivity and just kindness. He loves what he does and is always so happy to see you.

Our first stop was Camp Tsavo. We were greeted by Camp Manager Jeremiah, and warmly welcomed to our home for the next few days. Camp Tsavo is tucked away on the hillside of the Marungu Hills, with views to die for. The accommodation is traditional bandas, the toilets are long drops and the showers are cold – but it’s probably one of the most refreshing showers I’ve ever had!

Marungu Hills Trek

Our first full day started with a trek from camp, up in the Marungu Hills. It was definitely hard work with rocky terrain but if you take it ‘pole pole’ (which means ‘slowly slowly’ in Swahili) it’s very manageable.

You will soon find out when visiting Africa – there’s no rush! At the top, our efforts were rewarded by the views – they were amazing. We were accompanied by three rangers, who helped guide us up the hill, showing us local fauna and pointing out its uses, and educating us on the local wildlife.

At the top, as I was looking out over the savannah, I was joined by James, the Head Ranger. He is from the local area, and as we stood there, he said ‘this is home’. It was very clear how proud he was to come from this area of the world, and who now works as a ranger to protect its environment.

The Tumaini Women’s Group

The Tumaini Women’s Group, situated towards the bottom of the hill in Camp Tsavo, was a highlight for me. This group has been running for around 12 years, led by the incomparable Mama Mercy.

For 23 years, Mama Mercy has dedicated her life to enhancing the lives of women in the local community, through education, entrepreneurship and empowerment. This trickles down to these women’s children, who grow up knowing and appreciating the power women can have.

Tumaini means hope – and that’s exactly what Mama Mercy has made room for, for these women. The projects students can get involved in are bead making – bracelets, necklaces, key rings – and elephant dung paper.

The women educate the locals on the uses of the Elephant as opposed to seeing them as a nuisance. The elephant dung is mixed with glue and shredded papers or wrappers, and made into sheets of paper that when dried can be used for painting canvas, used in schools or made into books and cards. It’s a source of income, meaning elephants are protected and the women can earn money.

Project Work and Safari

Goat de-worming is another important project the students can take part in during their time in Kenya. Many of the local villagers rely on livestock for income, and by helping to ensure the goats stay healthy and administering medication, it allows the locals to sell them at a higher price.

The teachers administered the de-worming medication to 54 goats in the space of an hour. The grandmother of the family thanked us for our efforts and she explained that due to our work, they can now afford to send the children of the house to school. It was incredibly humbling to hear.

We were lucky to be taken on a late afternoon game drive in the Rukinga Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a protected space where the animals can roam free, under protection of dedicated rangers who patrol the perimeters to defend the animals from possible poaching.

We saw herds of elephants, giraffe, zebra, buffalo and some beautiful hornbills (that’s Zazu from The Lion King to us!) flying alongside us. Watching the sunset over the sanctuary was a sight I’ll never forget.

The Maasai Tribe

The local Maasai was an incredible experience. Their welcoming was by song and dance, with the famous jumping – which is just as high as you think it’ll be. It gave me goosebumps listening to the tribe sing, their voices sound like a full orchestra and I couldn’t stop smiling.

They are a nomadic people and move around due to the grazing need of their animals – mainly goats and cows. This tribe have been on this site for around 15 years so they’re pretty settled for now.

The Kaya Forest

The Kaya Forest is filled with natural resources, which is expertly looked after by elders of the community. One such elder is Michael. At around seventy years old, he has dedicated his life to caring for this forest and passing his knowledge onto his own children and his fellow rangers.

He guided us through the forest with expert precision, pointing out trees which were approximately 200 years old, plants to soothe upset stomachs and leaves that can potentially help relieve the symptoms of Malaria. This protected area is an example of how local people have been using the resources around them for centuries, and it may be something we all need to be doing a bit more of.

Camp Muhaka

Gladys, the Camp Manager was waving as we pulled into camp, along with Project Coordinator Fiona who spent a lot of time with us during our stay. The humidity of this area caused us to wilt a little after we arrived but after a bit of time, our bodies acclimatised and we were ready to go.

The local village of Muhaka is just outside the camp gates. The children here ran towards us shouting ‘Jambo’, wanting to follow us around, hold hands and welcome us into their community. The poverty here is obvious; there is no fresh water, food is scarce and the facilities are severely lacking.

You can see the impact Camps International teams have had on this village though. We have built 8 classrooms, 4 toilet blocks, an administration building for teachers, helped to improve local housing, among other things and whilst this is all amazing progress, there’s still a way to go.

You can read more about Camps International’s impact in their project reports.

Period Poverty

Whilst we had the opportunity to visit Diani Beach for a few hours, which was just beautiful, I don’t want to focus on that too much as the following morning, I was brought back down to reality with a bit of a bump.

As the teachers were getting stuck into mixing cement and making bricks for a toilet block which is soon to be built, I was learning about a common issue that all young girls and women in the community face.

Gladys, the Manager of Camps Muhaka, explained that in the village, young girls often miss school entirely during their monthly periods because of limited access to sanitary supplies. Over a year, this results in them losing nearly three months of education – a significant setback caused by this lack of resources.

I was told that when a team donated some reusable sanitary towels, Gladys made sure they were spread as best as possible across the village, limiting it to one per household due to how sought after they are. By having a reusable sanitary pad, the girls will have something secure and appropriate to use during their period and they will continue to go to school and improve their education – there is no need for them to remain at home.

This is such a simple need and something we massively take for granted at home. Period poverty across the world is a real issue, and it’s something I’m planning on doing something about over the next few months, to try and do my bit.

A massive thank you to the wonderful group of teachers who I had the pleasure of spending the week with. You all came with open hearts and minds, were enthusiastic, got stuck in, asked great questions, and just made it a really fun week.

I can’t wait to see how you all get on in the summer of 2025 when you return with your students. The team in Kenya are excitedly awaiting your arrival.

Photo credits: Tanya Hunter-Robinson, Francesca Allen, Amy Green and Tom Croydon.

In mid July, we embarked on our much anticipated Camps International expedition to Cambodia, which had involved two years of fundraising. After clambering on and off of the minibuses which took us to Heathrow airport, we met up with the other schools, to form our whole group: Team Keng Kang. Eagerly, we boarded the plane to Phnom Penh. The journey was split with a layover in Singapore. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I was met with intense heat and humidity.

We travelled to the hotel in Phnom Penh and visited some night markets. At the markets, we met locals, bought gifts, danced and listened to live music. The following day, we visited the notorious S21 Prison and one of many Killing Fields. I found these very moving and could hardly believe the atrocities which had happened there.

We arrived at our first camp: Beng Pae. Once oriented, we dug wells, made concrete rings, learnt some Khmer, did a litter pick and were also nearly caught in a tropical thunderstorm. The showers and toilets were a bit of a shock, as there were no flushes or hot water but we did have fun in the hammocks. We visited a temple on the first day, where some of us were blessed by Buddhist monks, which involved being drenched in very cold water.

Then we set off for Koh Rong Samloem (the dive island and Sunset Beach). We spent five days participating in diving training and emergency first aid courses. I was lucky enough to achieve my PADI open water diving qualification. We spent the evenings on Sunset Beach watching the sunset, playing pool and watching films.

We returned to Beng Pae, where we were given the opportunity to teach English in a local school and to begin work on a football pitch. We completed building the two wells we had started on our initial stay.

Keng Kang were fortunate enough to visit one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World: Angkor Wat and the temple from Tomb Raider, in Siem Reap.

We arrived at our final Camp: Beng Mea Lea. We met Han, who is known as the ‘smiliest man in Cambodia’. We built concrete pots for locals to store water in during the dry season; we also built a chicken coop in two days.

Finally, we travelled back to Phnom Penh and made our way home.

My greatest take away from this experience was how fortunate I was to help others and just how lucky I am.

We would like to thank Ava for sharing her experience on the Cambodia Scuba Expedition where along with the entire Keng Kang team, they contributed to a number of sustainable projects .  The projects aim to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2. Zero Hunger, 3. Good Health and Wellbeing, 4. Quality Education, 9. Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, 13. Climate Action, 15. Life on Land.

Reposted from Mayville High School

Our first camp, Tinangol, remains a firm favourite. We quickly settled into life there, adapting to the climate; the air which hung heavy with heat and humidity. Each morning we’d walk down to the village where we plastered the community centre with cement we’d mixed ourselves. It was hard graft but we enjoyed it nonetheless, the hours passing to the beat of the music from Tom’s speaker. Our reward was the waves as cars slowed past us on our walk and the smiles on the local kids faces as they beat us at volleyball. After refreshing cold showers, we’d spend our evenings making traditional beaded bracelets, playing card games and trying Malaysian snacks bought from the shop. They were good days and a taster of what was yet to come.

Next, was what everyone had been waiting for. Scuba Diving. For the divers, they explored the intricate ecosystem of the coral reef from 15m below the surface. For the non-divers, sea life was still in abundance while being able to breathe the fresh air through a snorkel. The evenings on Mamutik island were magical. We would take the “sunset walk”, exploring the tidal rock pools and spotting monitor lizards on the sand. As darkness set in, we’d sit and chat on the beach, the lights of KK sending shimmers across the sea.

Our island hopping continued as we landed on Mantanani. Here, we took part in many conservation projects from tackling the challenge of waste disposal, to plastic pollution. Our afternoons were spent learning local skills like hammock making and crafting bracelets out of crisp packets. Every evening we enjoyed cooling off in the crystal blue sea and watching the sunsets which were the best on Mantanani. There’s something about watching the sky morph from the daytime blue into pink hues and fiery reds and melting into black that makes you remember why you came to Borneo. Its these moments that I’ll remember forever.

Our last proper camp was Bongkud. We really felt part of the community in this camp, with the chief greeting us and having the opportunity to play sports with the local kids every day. Our project work was to improve the drainage system as well as making classroom furniture and teaching the primary school children. Given that we were the first team to arrive in Borneo, we’d been lucky enough to mostly have the camps to ourselves. This was our longest crossover with another team and we absolutely loved it, thanks Team Kerbau.

Our final camp was in the jungle. We slept in hammocks and one night 2 monkeys had a fight under mine! Having seen the extent of the deforestation on our drives between camps it felt amazing to actually being able to help. We cleared an area of ferns with machetes in order to plant trees which would create a corridor for orangutans and pygmy elephants, preventing palm oil companies from buying the land. As well as our project work, we also went on cruises along the Kinabatangan River. We saw long tailed macaques, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and fish eagles. But our highlight of the entire trip was seeing a young orangutan in the wild! We were able to watch it for half an hour and our jungle guides said that this sort of sighting only happens 5 times a year.

For me, Borneo has been a life changing experience, especially after Covid. Its taught me how to be resilient and it’s put the world into perspective. I’ve shared the experience with really amazing people and made some great friends. I’d do it again in a heartbeat and I’m sure the rest of my team would too.

We would like to thank Imogen for sharing her experience on the Borneo Scuba Expedition where she contributed to Village Enhancement Projects, Habitat Conservation and Recycling Initiatives.  These projects address the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2. Zero Hunger, 3. Good Health and Wellbeing, 4. Quality Education, 9. Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, 13. Climate Action, 15. Life on Land.

We travel down to the South coast and spend a view days in Diani Beach, a tourist Paradise where the Indian Ocean washes up on a white sand beach fringed by coconut palms. Not far from there is Muhaka, our second main camp. It’s very different from Tsavo, it’s in the village which makes it easy to meet up with locals to play rain lashed football matches with. It is green and lush and tropical. Papaya and Coconut and Banana grow in abundance, and with the rain we experience here we can see why the crops grow so well. We work hard building a mud brick house for an elderly woman, it is satisfying work and made better by the way the team work together and support one another.

We walk in ancient forests here, home to Bush Babies and Tortoises and we visit Mr Ali, a local “medicine man” who tells us of his work in curing those possessed by evil spirits. Inevitably, as with almost everything in Kenya, it ends with music and dancing! We make our own Chapatis and coconut rice and watch staff shinning effortlessly up ten metre coconut palms to chop down the fresh nuts for us to drink the coconut water. It’s a hard place to leave.

The approach to Athi River is not particularly promising as we leave the main Nairobi highway next to a huge electricity sub station and bush bash for half an hour until we reach the camp. At night though we hear Lions roar and Hyena cackling and on my morning sweep around the electric fence that surrounds us I find a tree full of White backed Vultures. Monkeys pull washing off the line and Safari Ants march in huge armies through the scrub. We undertake a walking safari, setting camera traps, on our way to the watering hole we see Gnu and Ostrich and huge numbers of Marabou Storks but the highlight is on our way back to camp when we see a Crocodile basking on the far side of the river. When we retrieve the traps we are delighted to find a Black Rhino caught on the camera, confirming the tracks and spoor we’d seen the day before.

Our last stop was in the North staying with the Rift Valley Adventures team and hiking on Mount Kenya. As a team it’s a magnificent effort but poor weather and fatigue mean we don’t reach Point Lenana, turning around in the snowy night at 4500 metres. The trek is an incredible adventure and the Mackinder Valley is surely one of the most beautiful and unusual landscapes I have ever come across. The Giant Lobelias, rocky outcrops, inquisitive Hyraxes and swirling clouds make the landscape feel almost prehistoric. It is an epic way to finish a trip.

What does Kenya mean to me after this trip, what parts of it and memories do I carry home with me;

It means huge, lumbering cement trucks on the Mombasa Highway, it means Beans and Chapati, it means red dirt roads and sun baked land, thorn trees and Marabou Storks, it means micro-commerce happening at every crossroads, Lions yawning under trees and Elephants leading babies across the plains. It means the 4am call to prayer, football on rain soaked mud, “Jambo bwana” in every camp and around campfires, Maasai warriors leaping and smiling, clouds swirling around the summits of Mount Kenya and walking to my tent under a star filled sky with the Milky Way smeared across the darkness. It means sunsets from Tsavo, kids rugby tackling goats, safari trucks, Lion roars at night, white sandy beaches with crashing surf, huge electoral posters everywhere we went and mud brick houses with coconut frond roofs.

It’s a wonderful country and this was a wonderful trip.

Ian Howells is a British Mountaineering Council accredited Mountain Leader and has led many expeditions for Camps International.  His Kenya experience in the Summer of 2022 was reposted from Come Walk with Me