GDR Rift meetings
May 13-17 2024: Kenya – Maasaï Mara University
GDR Rift scientific symposium
From 13 to 17 May 2024, the 3rd GDR RIFT symposium will be held at the Maasai Mara University in Narok (Kenya).
The aim of the conference is to promote interdisciplinary research on the Eastern Africa Rift Valley. Three days will be devoted to scientific papers and four workshops (13-15 May). Two days of field visits will then be organised on 16 and 17 May.
This conference has only been possible thanks to the collective and voluntary participation of all the members of the scientific and organising committees, and to the support of the supervisory bodies (CNRS, Embassies, IFRA, CFEE). We would like to take this opportunity to thank them warmly.
Provisional programme
Monday 13 May
- morning:
Opening speech, inauguration, Keynote session 1. - afternoon:
oral presentation sessions + poster session.
Tuesday 14 May
- Morning:
oral presentation sessions. - Afternoon:
oral presentation sessions + poster session. - Evening :
Gala dinner.
Wednesday 15 May
- Morning:
oral presentation sessions. - Afternoon:
workshops.
Thursday 16 May
- Group visit to Mount Suswa:
split into 2 groups
(1a=lava caves / crater + geothermal energy OR 1b=crater walk + school).
Friday 17 May
- Group visit to Hell’s Gate gorge.
Practical info
To get to Narok (Kenya):
An electronic travel authorisation (eTA, 35USD https://www.etakenya.go.ke ) is required for certain citizens. Please check the necessary procedures before your departure.
Nairobi airport.
The journey between Nairobi and Narok takes around 3 hours by car, sometimes longer depending on traffic.
- Nairobi > Narok: 2 University shuttles will be available on Sunday 12 May, departing from Nairobi Airport . One in the middle of the day (~2pm), the other in the evening (~9pm). Please let us know your arrival time when you book your flight. Those shuttle will also stop at the Alliance Française de Nairobi to pick up other participants.
- Narok > Nairobi Airport: a University shuttle bus will be available on Saturday 18 in the morning (~9am), allowing you to catch a flight after 2pm.
- If you are arriving or leaving at other times, private taxis can make the journey for 10,000kes (~70 euros). Collective transport is available, but it is longer, cheaper and possible.
Accommodation and meals
Lunch is provided by the GDR during the colloquium (buffet). Evening meals can be taken on a half-board basis (breakfast+dinner) in the hotels listed below.
There are two hotels close to the Narok campus. They have WIFI, and you must book in advance, mentioning that you are coming for the conference.
- Olive Hotel – Rooms from 2500kes to 5000kes (oliveguestinnnarok@gmail.com)
- Enkipai Hotel – Half-board in a Deluxe room from 9,000kes to 13,000kes for a double room (info@enkipaihillhotel.co.ke)
Beneficiaries of a GDR rift mobility package including accommodation do not need to make a reservation. Reservations will be made by the organising committee and IFRA Nairobi.
Other participants must book and pay for their own rooms.
Shuttle buses will be available morning and evening to transport participants to the conference venue.
Gala dinner
A gala dinner is organised on Tuesday evening at the Olive Hotel. All participants are invited to attend. A shuttle will take Enkipai hotel residents back to their hotel.
Excursions
To ease the logistics, prior on-site registration will be required to balance groups.
Equipment required:
- walking shoes or sports shoes
- water bottle
- small rucksack
- hat
- sun cream
For the 1a excursion, you will also need :
- a torch
- A face mask (odour and dust from animal droppings)
- A helmet/cap to avoid head injuries (protruding rocks on the walls and ceiling)
- Suitable physical condition (asthmatics and claustrophobics are advised to abstain).
In the caves, colonies of bats and insects are likely to be present.
The GDR RIFT scientific committee
