Kenya / Zambia (Victoria Falls) Volunteer Trip
 

Hello,
I'm signing up for some volunteer work in Africa (half my time in Kenya and the other half at Victoria Falls)...I get to choose my dates. For me, mid January 2012 is a good time frame...what will weather be like then? On my long weekends off I'll be able to go on a couple day safari or other adventures, so I'm just curious what safaris that time of year are like?

Also, most importantly - I've never flown overseas before. What's the best way to look for flights from Boston to Nairobi? And then I need to look for a flight Nairobi to Livingstone? And then Livingstone back to Boston?
What sites/resources could I use?

Thanks everyone!

In Nairobi, January may be between the short and long rains. It will also be warm. In Zambia, however, there usually isn't that break between the rains, so it may be wet.

You can check www.kayak.com for flights. To go from Nairobi (NBO) to Lusaka (LUN), Kenya Airways has nonstop and one-stop flights. Kayak isn't much help for the Lusaka - Livingstone leg. I'd suggest contacting the organization with whom you will be volunteering and get their suggestions. You could also fly via Johannesburg on South African Airways, but that's out of your way.

Nairobi, even at 5000' can be quite hot in January (it's summer here, also down south); evenings though will be cooler.

As ShayTay suggests, there is www.kayak.com and should be a number of airlines departing out of BOS to NBO, KLM being one of them thru AMSterdam. Once in NBO, having to get to Victoria Falls/VFA, often goes thru Johannesburg/JNB* (maybe requiring an overnight hotel room) and from there a 2/hr flight to VFA. KQ/Kenya Air and SA/South African air probably have flights to JNB, then another carrier to VFA. But know, within Africa schedules are limited, often strange hours and expensive... flying time is 4/hrs each way.

Not as familiar as ShayTay, the other option is via Lusaka, Zambia with a connecting flight to VFA.

Then you have to consider whether you want to head home out of the southern part of Africa, as JNB, or back to NBO.

If you've never been out of the States, or worked on what can be a complicated routing, it might be worthwhile to pay the few extra dollars to have a very very good travel agent to work it out for you.

... and, of course, contact the organization with whom you will be volunteering.

*besides requiring Visas for Kenya and Zimbabwe, you will require a Yellow Fever inoculation and proof of same for entry/stop in South Africa (and maybe even Zambia if stopping here)... do get all details for medical requirements, malaria meds and inoculations (as: Tetanus (DPT), Hep-A, Hep-B, typhoid, polio, etc.) and discuss specifics with your doc as it relates to your personal health history.

Let us know your progress and good luck!

VFA is for Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. I think chgeeb is looking to go to Livingstone, Zambia... no need to pay for the Zim visa if they are going to Zambia. If they mean VF in Zimbabwe, then a routing to JNB and on to VFA would be best. Chgeeb, could you clarify?

Thanks!!!! THis is helpful!

I'd be going just to Livingstone to do the work!

Then your best bet may be that flight to Lusaka.