Dangers and Risks There are risks and dangers inherent in participation in our Semester in Kenya. Some are found on any NOLS course, others are unique to East Africa. On Mt. Kenya we live for extended periods at high altitude and are subjected to a range of mountain weather which can include prolonged rain and cold damp periods. NOLS packs can be heavy and are carried over very rugged terrain. Hiking in the Nguruman hills or on Mt. Kenya means you will wade rivers, backpack on- and off-trail through dense forests, alpine meadows, thick vegetation and bamboo, walk on teetering boulders, and grunt up high mountain passes. Both on Mt. Kenya and during the Nguruman hike we travel through areas inhabited by large, potentially dangerous and unpredictable animals such as cape buffalo, elephant, lion and rhino. The Nguruman has a full complement of poisonous snakes. Throughout the course we travel in NOLS vehicles, or vehicles hired by NOLS, on roads often in bad condition and shared by drivers of dubious ability. Motor vehicle accidents are a leading hazard in travel outside North America. Students will be driven by NOLS staff or private safari drivers during their semester. At the Indian Ocean coast we share the ocean with creatures better adapted to their environment than we are and capable of causing injury to an unaware trespasser. Tropical environments harbor a wide variety of unusual diseases, such as malaria. We are often in remote environments, and it may take several days to be evacuated to a modern medical facility. Many of the wild areas we travel through are inhabited by people. There is a potential risk of robbery, and in urban areas, muggings. We choose the areas we camp in carefully, but cannot guarantee security. This is not meant to discourage you from attending this course. It is meant to candidly inform and increase student awareness of possible risks, allowing you to make an informed decision about your desire to attend this course. Identifying and managing the hazards of moving water, falling and rolling rock, weather, animals, snakes and insects, and falls on steep terrain (risks which could result in injury or death) will be a constant theme in our instruction. The consistent practice of risk management techniques and assumption of responsibility for yourself and other group members will help make your expedition to Kenya healthy and enjoyable. Student Responsibilities We expect students to come ready to learn new skills, adapt to different group living situations and extend their physical capabilities. We do not ask for previous experience in any of the skills presented and we will assist you at every level. Experiencing a foreign country requires flexibility, open-mindedness, and a maturity to accept responsibility for yourself and others in your group.
Lion Tracks Outside My Tent - 17 - Jim Damico