Field Trips (Optional)
ICMR 2026 Field Trips
Explore Kenya’s Premier Wildlife Destinations and Research Sites
Field Trip Itinerary
Kindly note Participation is entirely voluntary, and the prices are provisional. Further details will be shared later.
As part of ICMR 2026, delegates will have extraordinary opportunities to visit some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife reserves and research sites. Our field trips are designed to complement the conference themes of evolution, extinction, and species survival.
- Early morning departure from Nairobi
- Game drives in Amboseli National Park with expert guides
- Visit to observation points for elephant research
- Elephant behavior observation and data collection demo
- Lunch with view of Mount Kilimanjaro
- Return to Nairobi in the evening
OR
- Travel to Ol Pejeta Conservancy with stopover at Equator line
- Multiple game drives including night safari
- Visit to chimpanzee sanctuary
- See the last two northern white rhinos
- Conservation workshops with researchers
- Accommodation at conservancy lodge
- Early morning travel to TBI (Turkana Basin Institute)
- Visit to Koobi Fora paleontological sites
- Guided tour of research facilities
- Paleontological site exploration
- Research presentations by TBI scientists
- Return to Nairobi with overnight stop
Destination Highlights
Rhino Sanctuary & Chimpanzee Rescue
- Home to the last two northern white rhinos
- Only chimpanzee sanctuary in Kenya
- Largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa
- Big Five game viewing
- Last remaining individuals of the Sudan or Southern White Rhinos
- Chimpanzee rescue sanctuary
- African Elephants, Buffalos, Bushbucks, and Warthogs
Unique Experiences
- Game drives to see rare rhino species
- Chimpanzee sanctuary visits
- Stunning views of Mount Kenya
- Stay at Serena Sweetwaters tented camp
Unique Experiences
- Meet Najin and Fatu – last of their subspecies
- Chimp sanctuary partnership with Jane Goodall Institute
- Over 150 protected black rhinos
- Breathtaking views of Mount Kenya
- Cutting-edge conservation technology
Arid Reserve with Unique Wildlife
- Completely different avifauna and mammals from other parts of Kenya
- Home to the pastoralist Samburu people
- Semi-desert habitat with rich woodlands along Ewaso Ng’iro River
Specialized Wildlife
- Grevy’s Zebra
- Reticulated Giraffe
- Kirk’s Dik-dik
- Gerenuk
- Beisa Oryx
Bird Species
- Vulturine Guineafowl
- Various eagles and bustards
- Somali Bee-eater
- Von der Decken’s Hornbill
- Many specialized arid-land species
Elephant Research Capital of Africa
- Home to the longest-running elephant study (since 1972)
- Over 1,600 documented individual elephants
- Multi-generational herds and rare “big tuskers”
- Stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro
Paleontological & Geological Significance
- Sits on a Pleistocene-era lakebed
- Fossilized remains of ancient proboscideans
- Visible stratigraphy for climate studies
- Dormant volcano Ol Doinyo Alasho nearby
Rich Biodiversity
- Over 400 bird species recorded
- Lesser and greater flamingos
- Saddle-billed stork, Goliath heron
- Martial eagle and African hawk eagle
- Wetlands and terrestrial savanna habitats
World-Class Research Facility
- Co-founded by renowned paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey
- State-of-the-art research laboratories and field stations
- Extensive fossil preparation facilities
- Important repository of Plio-Pleistocene fossils
- Collaborative research programs with international universities
Research Focus
- Human origins and evolution
- Climate change and paleoenvironments
- Biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics
- Interdisciplinary research approaches
Paleontological Treasure Trove
- World-famous hominid fossil sites
- Important proboscidean fossil discoveries
- Research facilities of the Turkana Basin Institute
- Guided tours of active dig sites
Scientific Importance
- Key insights into human and mammal evolution
- Evidence of past climate changes
- Extensive collection of Miocene and Pliocene fossils
- Interactive sessions with field researchers
Special Focus: TBI & Koobi Fora
Turkana Basin Institute (TBI)
The Turkana Basin Institute is a world-class research facility co-founded by renowned paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey. Situated in one of the most productive fossil-bearing regions on Earth, TBI supports interdisciplinary research into human origins, climate change, and biodiversity.
Key Features:
- State-of-the-art research laboratories and field stations
- Extensive fossil preparation facilities
- Important repository of Plio-Pleistocene fossils
- Collaborative research programs with international universities
- Advanced climate and environmental research capabilities
Koobi Fora Formation
The Koobi Fora region is one of the most important paleontological sites in the world, providing critical evidence about human evolution and the development of Africa’s mammal fauna over the past 4 million years.
Key Discoveries:
Research Significance:
- Continuous record of evolution spanning 4 million years
- Critical evidence for understanding climate change impacts on ecosystems
- Insights into human and elephant co-evolution
- Evidence of predator-prey relationships in the Pliocene and Pleistocene
- Understanding of how past extinctions shaped modern ecosystems
Wildlife Highlights
Mammals to Look For
Birding Opportunities
Kenya’s diverse ecosystems provide exceptional bird watching opportunities, with each destination offering unique species:
Samburu Specialties:
Amboseli Specialties:
Logistics & Registration
Information to be shared later
What’s Included
- All transportation between sites in comfortable vehicles
- Park entry fees and permits
- Expert guides and researchers
- Packed Lunch
- Research activity materials
Preparation
- Comfortable field clothing and sturdy shoes
- Binoculars and cameras for documentation
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
- Field notebooks and writing materials
- Valid travel documents
- Personal medication and first aid supplies
About ICMR 2026
The International Conference on Mammoth Research 2026 brings together leading researchers, conservationists, and paleontologists from around the world to share knowledge about proboscideans past and present.
These field trips offer unique opportunities to see elephant research in action, visit important conservation areas, and learn about cutting-edge conservation efforts in Kenya. The experiences gained will provide valuable context for the conference discussions and research presentations.