July 11-12 | Arrival in Nairobi + Game Drive + Giraffe Center + Nairobi National Museum

July 11 — You'll arrive in Nairobi and be met at Jomo Kenyatta Airport by our local representative to be transferred to Nairobi Serena Hotel – deluxe room. Dinner and overnight at the hotel

July 12 — Depart after early breakfast and drive to Nairobi National Park for a morning game drive. Spanning 117 square kilometers, the park is home to over 100 mammal species and 400 bird species, making it a perfect destination for wildlife lovers, photographers, and conservation enthusiasts.

Later proceed to the Giraffe Centre, operated by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW). It is a conservation and education center for the endangered Rothschild's giraffe. Here, you'll have face-to-face  encounters and feed the graceful Rothschild's giraffes that live at the centre.

After lunch, you'll enjoy VIP access to the Nairobi National Museum—Kenya’s unrivaled treasure trove of ancient wonders. As honored guests, you’ll go beyond the public exhibits with a private, behind-the-scenes tour. This unique opportunity will immerse you in the very heart of Kenya’s story, setting the stage for the groundbreaking work you’re about to undertake. Inside, you’ll have privileged access to one of the world’s richest collections of early human fossils, many unearthed from the legendary Lake Turkana region. You'll stand face-to-face with the Turkana Boy, the most complete Homo erectus skeleton ever discovered—dating from about 1.6-million-years ago and an icon of human evolution.

​​

Accommodations: Nairobi Serena Hotel Deluxe, Double Occupancy

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at the museum and Dinner

July 13 | Travel to Koobi Fora + Accommodations

Koobi Fora is located on the eastern side of Lake Turkana and is far, far off the beaten path. 

​

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will head back to the airport for a 7:00am departure of a 2-hour charter flight to Ileret on the shores of Lake Turkana.

Upon arrival, members of the Koobi Fora Field Station will pick you up to drive you to the camp. 

​​​

IMPORTANT: Accommodations at Koobi Fora are rustic. Everyone who participates on this dig—including scientists—sleep in the same type of accommodations, so you will be a true part of the team. ​

​

For the entirety of your time at Koobi Fora, you will be sleeping in a provided tent which includes a mattress. You MUST bring your own bedding or sleeping bag that is suitable for warm weather. 

​

There are showers and toilets onsite for use by everyone. 

​

Accommodations: Camping at Koobi Fora Field Station

Meals: All meals

 July 13-19 | Koobi Fora Fieldwork + Fieldtrips

The Turkana region of Kenya is globally significant for its exceptional prehistoric and archaeological heritage. Geologically part of the East African Rift System, this area preserves deeply stratified sedimentary sequences that span millions of years of Earth’s history.

​

At Koobi Fora, fieldwork and extensive paleontological finds have been made since 1969.​ The many discoveries prove the existence of intelligent two-million-year-old hominids who adapted to the change in climate from moist forest grassland (now petrified forest) to the present hot desert. The human and pre-human fossils include the remains of five species, Austrolophithecus anamensis, Homo habilis/rudolfensis, Paranthropus boisei, Homo erectus and Homo sapiens all found within one locality. These discoveries are important for understanding the evolutionary history of the human species.

​​

You'll be working at the Koobi Fora camp for a total of seven days. Your work includes a mix of fieldwork, lectures and fieldtrips, where you will partake in meaningful contributions to conservation and community wellbeing. ​

You'll receive training on archaeological protocols in the tasks of:

• Excavation

• Surface Survey

• Note-taking

• Mapping

• Sample collection

• Artifact recording

• Stratigraphy

• Lithic analysis

• Fossil handling

​​

Fieldtrips

You'll accompany the researchers on guided visits to world-renowned fossil and archaeological sites including Ileret to see1.5-million-year-old Homo erectus hominin footprints, Nariokotome (home of Turkana Boy), Lomekwi. and Sibiloi National Park. These excursions are accompanied by expert-led discussions on stratigraphy, site formation processes, and paleoecological reconstruction and are subject to change.

​

Visits to local villages and cultural centers offer insight into the cultural and social dynamics of pastoralist life in the Turkana region. They are organized in consultation with local leaders.

​

Lectures

During the course of the week, you will be invited to lectures by researchers in paleoanthropology, archaeology, geology, and paleoenvironments. Topics include human origins, climate change and adaptation, archaeological method and theory, and the significance of the Turkana Basin to global prehistory.​

What to Expect While Working at Koobi Fora

Working conditions

Make no mistake, working in the field can be tough! You should be in good physical condition, for troweling, sieving and lifting buckets. Weather, different schedules, and tricky conditions underfoot are all part of the adventure, but these challenges make your time more memorable! All work is conducted under supervision and follows strict archaeological protocols. Working in the field is a team effort, so punctuality, respect for team roles, and attention to detail are expected. 

​

Workdays

Start at 6:30 AM and concludes by 12:00 PM to avoid the midday heat

Afternoons are reserved for rest, artifact processing, lectures, and data entry. Occasional evening seminars or group discussions may be scheduled.

Weekends generally include a half-day of light activity or excursions.

​

Physical Fitness Requirements

A moderate to high level of physical fitness is required and you should be in good health and capable of working in a rugged and remote environment. Activities involve walking 1 to 5 km daily on uneven terrain, sometimes in high heat. You will be standing or crouching for extended periods during excavations and will occasionally be asked to lift field gear.

Weather

Koobi Fora lies in a semi-arid to arid region of northern Kenya. Daytime temperatures often exceed 35°C (95°F), especially between July and September. Be prepared for intense sun exposure, dust, and occasional strong winds.

​

Animals

As part of a camp, there will certainly be the chance to experience the wildlife that call Lake Turkana home. There is no danger from the animals but you will be reminded to take common sense precautions to zip your tent and walk around with closed toe shoes and a light at night.

​

Click here for more details on what to expect on a archaeology dig. 

July 20 | Departure from Koobi Fora + Return to Nairobi

Today, you'll bid farewell to your time excavating at Koobi Fora. 

​

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel with the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodations:Nairobi Serena Hotel

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner 

Meals: Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner are on your own

​​

July 21 Departure​

Continue on to further destinations in Kenya or beyond.

​

Meals: Breakfast

What to Bring for Koobi Fora Fieldwork

All necessary excavation, survey, and documentation tools are provided, including GPS units, total stations, trowels, sample bags, and field notebooks.

​

To ensure a safe, comfortable, and productive field experience and to accommodate working and living in a remote, arid environment, guests are advised to pack lightly but smartly. Pack duffel bags or soft-sided luggage due to weight limits on small aircraft. Please clearly label all luggage and field equipment with your name.

​

Clothing

• Lightweight, breathable long-sleeved shirts and long trousers (for sun protection and modesty)

• Sturdy, broken-in hiking boots (closed-toe, with good ankle support)

• Wide-brimmed hat or cap with neck cover (essential for sun protection)

• Sunglasses with UV protection

• Light fleece or sweater (evenings can be cool, especially in July)

• Rain jacket or windbreaker (occasional storms)

• Work gloves (for excavation and handling tools)

• Quick-dry undergarments and socks

• Modest casual clothes for rest days or community interactions

Personal Gear​

• Sleeping bag or bedding that is suitable for warm weather. You will be provided with a mattress, but it's imperative you bring your own bedding. 

• Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries (solar-charged options recommended)

• Reusable water bottles or hydration pack (at least 2L capacity)

• Daypack or small backpack for daily field use

• Towel, biodegradable soap, personal toiletries (eco-friendly)

• Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), lip balm with SPF

• Insect repellent (preferably DEET-based)

• Personal first aid kit (band-aids, pain relievers, allergy meds, etc.)

• Personal medications (with backup supply)

• Binoculars

Field Supplies

• Notebook, pens, pencils, ruler (for notes and sketches)

• Power bank or solar charger (limited charging availability at camp)

• Basic sewing kit (recommended for gear maintenance)​

An interview with Emmanuel Ndiema | Nairobi National Museum

1.  What has been most surprising about your discoveries at Lake Turkana?

What is most surprising is how quickly the record reveals the ingenuity and adaptability of Holocene communities once you’re working directly with the sites. Patterns of mobility, island resource use, and social coordination come into sharp focus. Equally rewarding is watching early-career trainees grow into confident researchers who take on leadership in heritage conservation.

2.  What are your current research objectives at these sites?

We are examining the long-term effects of climatic variability on human health and cultural adaptations in the Turkana Basin and linking environmental change to shifts in mobility, technology, and subsistence. This integrates field evidence with laboratory analyses to reconstruct resilience strategies through time.

​​

3. What was the most important or rewarding find in Lake Turkana?​

Evidence that over 5,000 years ago, people used watercraft to access island resources which indicates clear signs of technological innovation, planning, and social organization along ancient shorelines. This changes how we understand connectivity and resource use in the mid-Holocene.

Inclusions and Exclusions

• Pricing of $6999 is based on a 4-guest minimum, double occupancy. Single occupancy is available for an additional $220​

• 25% is due upon booking

• Travel logistics are managed by Green Inspirations

​

Refunds and Cancellations

• If the trip does not meet its minimum number of guests, it will be cancelled by or before April 10, 2026 and all funds will be reimbursed. 

• Guest cancellations made 46 to 60 days prior to the Start Date are 50% refundable

• Guest cancellations made 31 to 45 days prior to the Start Date are 25% refundable

• Guest cancellations made 0 to 30 days prior to the Start Date are non-refundable

​​​​

Includes:

• Arrival and departure airport transfer from the airport

• 3 nights at Nairobi Serena Hotel, double occupancy.

• ​All tools for 7 days of archaeological labwork are provided, along with dedicated on-site training, instruction, and supervision.

• The cost of the experience includes funds to support the archaeological fieldwork and research

• All meals while at Koobi Fora; or as mentioned

• Domestic Travel to/from Nairobi to Koobi Fora

• Excursions  and entries as noted​

• Flying Doctors insurance within the country

​

Excludes:​

• International airfare

• All other travel necessities /valid passports and visas, for travel from point of original departure through to the final destination are strictly the responsibility of the traveller.  

• Meals not mentioned

• Other activities not mentioned

• Travel Insurance is mandatory  

• Drinks, tips, laundry, and other personal expenses

 Additional Reading + Videos about Koobi Fora and Lake Turkana

​Publications

•  Stone tool discovery suggests very first humans were inventors

• New hominin remains and revised context from the earliest Homoerectus locality in East Turkana, Kenya—Nature Communications

• Oldest stone tools pre-date earlist humans—BBC

• New fossils from Koobi Fora in northern Kenya confirm taxonomic diversity in early Homo—Nature Communications 

• Hominin fire use in the Okote member at Koobi Fora—Elsevier/Journal

• Early hominin diet included diverse terrestrial and aquatic animals—PNAS

• Stable isotope–based diet reconstructions of Turkana Basin hominins—PNAS

 Videos

• Hominins at Koobi Fora

• Koobi Fora Field School

• “Koobi Fora: Lessons From Deep Time”

• “Cradle of Mankind: Kenya’s Mysterious Lake Turkana”

Extend your Stay and go on Safari!

Extend your stay with a safari! Choose from one of these suggested itineraries or create your own!

​

Lake Nakuru National Park| Masai Mara

Day 01: Nairobi – Lake Nakuru National Park

Pick up at hotel and proceed to Lake Nakuru for evening game drive in the park.

Lake Nakuru is Kenya’s iconic flamingo haven and first rhino sanctuary—where over 450 bird species, thriving rhino populations, and diverse wildlife including leopards, Rothschild’s giraffes, hippos, and baboons create an unforgettable safari

Dinner and overnight at Sarova Lion Hill or similar.

Day 02: Lake Nakuru – Masai Mara

Depart and drive to Masai Mara National Reserve arriving in time for lunch at the tented camp. Afternoon game drive in the reserve with your chance to spot the Big Five—lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos—alongside cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras, and vast herds of wildebeest.

Dinner and overnight at Prideinn Mara or similar

Day 03: Masai Mara

Full day game drive with picnic lunches or morning and afternoon game drives.

Dinner and overnight at you at Prideinn Mara

Day 04: Masai Mara - Depart

Depart after breakfast and drive back to Nairobi. Lunch in a Nairobi restaurant. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home

​

Amboseli National Park | Tsavo National Park

Day 01: Nairobi – Amboseli National Park

Pick up at hotel and proceed to Amboseli National Park arriving in time for lunch at the lodge. Afternoon game viewing in the park.

Amboseli National Park is known for its massive elephant herds set against Mount Kilimanjaro. The park is also home to lions, cheetahs, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, and abundant birdlife.

Dinner and overnight at Amboseli Serena Lodge or similar

Day 02: Amboseli National Park

Morning and afternoon game drives in the park or full day game drives with picnic lunches.

All meals and overnight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge or similar

Day 03: Amboseli – Tsavo West National Park

Depart with picnic boxes and drive to Tsavo West for game viewing. Discover Tsavo’s famous red elephants, large lion prides, big herds of buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and rich birdlife across the park's vast wilderness.

Dinner and overnight at Kilaguni Serena or similar

Day 04: Tsavo West National Park

Breakfast at the lodge and transfer to the train station where you travel by train back to Nairobi for arrival at 1410hrs. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for lunch and afternoon at leisure. Later transfer to the airport for your flight back home.