• Identifying coral reef refugia in Panamá (diving expedition, planned for Sep/Oct 2027)
• Creating a biodiversity refugium on Laikipia Plateau, Kenya (planned for Jan/Feb/Mar 2028)

Biosphere Expeditions is planning two new expedition. Below are the details as know so far.

You can also register your interest below. Those who do, will get first notification when the expedition accepts sign-ups, five days before the expedition goes public.

Identifying reef refugia: Monitoring and defending the Caribbean reef systems in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Panamá

This SCUBA diving expedition will take you to the archipelago of Bocas del Toro, on the Caribbean coast of Panamá, where you will assist with surveying and studying the region’s coral reefs and associated marine life. The Bocas del Toro archipelago is recognised as one of the Caribbean’s biodiversity hotspots, supporting extensive coral reef systems, mangroves, seagrass ecosystems and a rich diversity of reef fish and invertebrates. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change, coral disease, pollution, overfishing and coastal development, creating an urgent need for long-term monitoring and conservation action.

Reef data collection follows an internationally recognised citizen science and coral reef monitoring methodology called Reef Check. Data collected during the expedition contributes to ongoing local conservation initiatives aimed at informing management decisions and supporting the protection of Bocas del Toro’s marine ecosystems. In line with the 2026 manifesto, Biosphere Expeditions will also identify resilient reefs that are likely to survive the coming climate and other upheavals. We will also build local capacity by hosting and training local people and early career conservationists on the expedition. . The expedition includes training as a Reef Check EcoDiver.

Please note that you need to be a fully qualified diver to take part in this expedition (minimum PADI Open Water or equivalent).

KEY DETAILS

DATES
2027: 1 – 8 October I 10 – 17 October (8 days) – TBC

TERRAIN
Coral atolls of sea, sun, jungle and sand.

WEATHER EXPECTED DURING EXPEDITION
Tropical and maritime climate with average day air temperature 28-31°C, water temperature 28-30°C and a mixture of sunshine, tropical cloud cover and occasional rain showers.

EXPEDITION BASE
You will live in and dive from a beautiful wooden research station set in lush tropical rainforest. The station has all modern amenities, communal social and dining areas, classroom and briefing spaces, dive facilities and direct access to nearby reef systems and field sites throughout the archipelago. You will stay in shared rooms with a maximum occupancy of two and all meals are provided during the expedition.

TEAM SIZE
Up to 8 team members + 1 local scientist/divemaster + 1 expedition leader.

SKILLS & PREREQUISITES REQUIRED
You don’t need to be a scientist, but you do need to be a qualified diver (minimum PADI Open Water or equivalent).

TEAM ASSEMBLY POINT
Bocas del Toro, a regional center in Panamá. You can get there via Panamá City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY) and then a connecting flight via domestic Marcus A. Gelabert Airport (PAC) with Air Panamá or Fly Trip. Allow at least 3 h between flights to make the transfer.

FITNESS LEVEL REQUIRED
As a qualified PADI Open Water Diver, you will already have a reasonable level of fitness.

EXPEDITION CONTRIBUTION
€2990 (TBC) excluding flights per dates as shown.

Those registering their interest will get first notification when the expedition accepts sign-ups, five days before the expedition goes public.

Beyond Big Five voyeurism: Creating a biodiversity refugium on Liakipia Plateau, Kenya

Suyian Conservancy is an expansive 178 sq km private wildlife haven on Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau, where its savanna and dramatic kopjes (ancient, weathered granite rock formations that rise like islands from the plains) support iconic species such as lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs and African wild dogs (in fact “suyian” is wild dog in the local Maa language). These unique rock outcrops serve as vital ecological hubs, providing panoramic lookout points for predators, thermal shelter for wildlife and specialised microclimates for diverse plants. However, monitoring these species across this vast, 44,000-acre landscape is heavily constrained by limited resources. To build robust datasets and create a biodiversity refugium, the conservancy has asked Biosphere Expeditions to help through citizen science to collect valuable data on wildlife corridors, camera trap imagery and invasive species. This collaborative approach not only scales up ecological research, but also transforms visitors into active partners in safeguarding Suyian’s fragile ecosystem in the face of planetary upheavals.

KEY DETAILS

DATES
2028: 10 – 22 January | 24 January – 5 February (14 days) – TBC
Note this is 2028, not 2027.

TERRAIN
African savannah.

WEATHER EXPECTED DURING EXPEDITION
The Kenyan study site is located just north of the equator at an altitude between 1,700 and 1,800 metres. The expedition months of January and February fall within the short, hot dry season. A few afternoon showers should be expected, though most days remain warm and dry, with temperatures hovering comfortably between 24°C and 27°C. Night and early morning temperatures can drop to around 12°C.

EXPEDITION BASE
The expedition base is a modern and comfortable African lodge-type field station. It has single, twin/double and family rooms, either stone buildings or large safari tents, with linen and furniture. There are hot showers and flush toilets, some as en-suite and some in a separate block close by. Expedition participants will share a twin room by default; single accommodation can be requested, but not guaranteed. There is also a large and airy communal building for eating, meeting, relaxing, data entry, etc.

TEAM SIZE
Up to 12 team members + 1-2 local scientists + 1 expedition leader.

SKILLS & PREREQUISITES REQUIRED
You don’t need to be a scientist, but you do need to be a qualified diver (minimum PADI Open Water or equivalent).

TEAM ASSEMBLY POINT
Bocas del Toro, a regional center in Panamá. You can get there via Panamá City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY) and then a connecting flight via domestic Marcus A. Gelabert Airport (PAC) with Air Panamá or Fly Trip. Allow at least 3 h between flights to make the transfer.

FITNESS LEVEL REQUIRED
Much of the work takes place in fixed spots (e.g. laptop data entry and camera trap image classification) or from vehicles (vehicle transects and lion tracking), but there are also walking transects of around 3 km per day for raptor monitoring and invasive species mapping.

EXPEDITION CONTRIBUTION
€3690 (TBC) excluding flights per dates as shown.

Those registering their interest will get first notification when the expedition accepts sign-ups, five days before the expedition goes public.