Mission 1 · Track the wild
Where is the animal going?
Use GPS points, animal tracks and camera-trap images to piece together where an animal has been and work out where it might go next.
Saturday, December 5, 2026, at Mpala Research Centre, Laikipia. Early-bird tickets KES 4,500 until November 5, then KES 5,000.Tickets KES 5,000. Spend a day at Mpala! Science, adventure, discovery, food and entertainment.
Mpala Discovery Day brings science to life through a hands-on challenge across Mpala, led by researchers and followed by exhibitions, a BioBlitz, awards, a keynote, dinner, live music, gala and auction.
Your participation supports the Mpala Solutions for Laikipia Initiative: Science for a Resilient Laikipia, developing science-backed solutions to three critical challenges facing Laikipia: invasive species, food insecurity, and human, animal and ecosystem disease threats.
You and your team join Mpala's mission to conserve and save our ecosystem one research project at a time. May the best researcher win!
Use GPS points, animal tracks and camera-trap images to piece together where an animal has been and work out where it might go next.
Identify plant species that don't belong. Then map the invasion to figure out how, and where it is spreading.
Follow clues from wildlife, livestock, water and people. Your team must connect the dots to figure out how disease moves and where it could be stopped.
Use camera-trap images, GPS data, sound recordings and field measurements to piece together what's happening at a real research site.
Every mission you solve earns a piece of a radio. Back at the Research Centre, teams race to assemble theirs, and the first team to finish wins.
Bring your phone for the iNaturalist BioBlitz. Photograph the species you find along the way, with prizes for the most species and the best photograph.
Registration is open until Monday, November 23. You're booked once we receive your M‑PESA payment.
Every ticket includes the Discovery Challenge, the day's program, a Discover Mpala T‑shirt and drinking water. Food vendors are on site for lunch, dinner and snacks.
Takes about three minutes.
Arrive on Friday, December 4 and stay one night, or two nights and leave on Sunday, December 6. Overnight accommodation is optional and available on a first-come, first-served basis. It isn't required to attend Discovery Day.
Choose your nights when you register and we'll contact you with what's available.
Mpala Research Centre is Africa's Living Laboratory: a place where scientists, students and partners study the relationships between people, wildlife and the environment. Located in Laikipia, Mpala provides a unique setting for research, teaching and practical problem-solving.
Explore Mpala
Partner with Africa's Living Laboratory as we work to find science-backed solutions to the most critical challenges facing Laikipia today. Sponsor a station, exhibit your work or bring your food to the day.
Naming rights
Client and employee engagement
On-site branding
Website and program recognition
VIP hospitality
Digital and social recognition
Awards and gala recognition
Branded team materials
Branded content and storytellingHelp us bring science to life in Laikipia. Get in touch to choose the way you'd like to get involved.
Comfortable outdoor clothing and footwear, a water bottle, sun protection, and a phone for the iNaturalist BioBlitz.
Individuals, families and corporate teams. Child tickets are KES 1,000 for ages 12 and under, with a ticket-holding adult.
Everyone joins one of four teams: Team Simba, Team Kanga, Team Nyati or Team Kifaru. Each team takes on the four research challenges together. If you register as a group, tell us and we'll keep you together.
By M‑PESA when you book: approve the prompt on your phone, or use Pay Bill 899084. You're booked once we receive your payment.By M‑PESA Pay Bill 899084 when you book, with your booking reference as the account number. You're booked once we receive your payment.
Mpala Research Centre is in Laikipia, Kenya. You'll find directions on our Visit & Permits page.
Yes, on Friday, December 4, or Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5, while space lasts. Choose your nights when you register and we'll contact you.
Mpala's researchers and field team lead every station, and first aid is on site throughout the day.
Tickets can be transferred to someone else until Monday, November 30. Email discover@mpala.org with both names.
Yes. Everyone taking part agrees to the Discovery Day conditions of participation when they register, including staying with their team and following researchers' safety instructions.
Email discover@mpala.org or call +254 721 202 324.
