• Africa is home to some of the world’s most magnificent species but sadly many of these are endangered. Why not spend part of your gap year in Africa helping to preserve some of these beautiful creatures. Have fun with the cheeky chimps in Zambia, swim alongside the mighty whale sharks in Mozambique and walk side by side with lions in Zimbabwe; it’s not all fun and games there’s some hard work that needs to be done but there’s no better way to get up close and personal with these animals whilst, at the same time, preserving them for future generations.

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  Victoria Falls Lion Rehabilitation Project

  Zimbabwe

  See the real Africa by volunteering in Zimbabwe on our lion rehabilitation project in Victoria Falls. You will have the chance to walk alongside lions, work on the worlds leading program for the re...

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  Whale Shark and Manta Ray Conservation including Padi Diving Course in Mozambique

  Mozambique

  Volunteer in Mozambique on the Whale Shark and Manta Ray Marine Conservation Project and help with hands-on whale shark research, coral reef monitoring, humpbacked whale monitoring and turtle nest ...

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  Chimpanzee Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia

  Zambia

  Volunteer in Zambia and live in close contact with over 100 chimpanzees and other animals in need of care and attention, including bush babies, monkeys and squirrels. Witness incredible animal rel...

Project Facts

• Duration: 12 weeks (4 weeks on each)
• Cost: £5454
• Requirements: Age 18+
• Location: Vilanculos, Mozambique / Chingola, Zambia / Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
• Project activities: Whale Shark and Manta ray research and data collection, take underwater photographs, GPS positioning and coral reef monitoring, general support with the chimpanzees, lion Walks, research, work in the national park, and teaching conservation classes
• Working hours: 08:30 – 16:00, Monday - Friday, hours may vary from project to project

What is included

• Accommodation: Shared room in a volunteer house.
• Food: 3 meals per day
• Airport pick up and drop off
• Training: Pre-departure information pack, on-site orientation and project induction provided.
• Support: On-site coordinator providing 24 hour support
• Activities: Staff help organise weekend activities. (Activity price may be extra) Trips include; Adrenaline sports at Victoria Falls, visits to game reserves and trips to nearby Botswana, snorkeling safaris and horse riding on the beach

What is not included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas

Role of the volunteer

As a volunteer in Mozambique on the Whale Shark Conservation Project you will help carry out the marine research and monitoring activities for the project under the guidance of our project co-ordinator. You will join other volunteers on the project to collect the data via beach walks, boat surveys, swims and scuba dives off the coastline of Tofo in Mozambique. Volunteers are needed not only to carry out the field activities but also to help fund the project. You can expect an excellent diving, snorkeling and beach experience whilst gaining first hand marine research skills and contributing to a worthwhile project.

As a volunteer you will help monitor whale shark numbers, behavior and ecology and take underwater identification photographs of the whale sharks. You will also join research scuba dives to help monitor the condition of coral reefs and indicator species of reef fish. At certain times of the year it you may help survey humpbacked whale numbers and turtle nesting activity as well as other indicators of the health of marine biodiversity. You may also assist with beach cleanups and other general environmental activities. You may also help upload and analyze the field data and create awareness among the general public of the importance of the marine environment.

In Zambia, orphanage volunteers will be giving general support within the orphanage in animal interactions and care. Preparing food for the chimpanzees and monkey/baboon and feeding support will be part of the duties. As part of the project, volunteers will also assist the orphanage manager in other duties and take part in the conservation work of the Wildlife Trust project land.

In Zimbabwe, the involvement of volunteers on the project is paramount to achieving our aims on all fronts. You can expect days to be long, but you will also be able to end each day knowing that you have given something back to Africa; having made a difference to the animals and people that you come into contact with. Your primary task whilst on placement will be to assist management and their team of guides, handlers and scouts in all aspects of care for the animals in their charge; giving them the opportunities to develop their natural instincts in preparation for their release into the next stage of the program. Research is a significant part of your role; collecting data not only on the development of the lions, but also joining our research team in the Zambezi & Victoria Falls National Parks. You will also help us with our various community programs that may include conservation or health education as well as a number of other projects that you will told about on arrival.

Skills Required

In Mozambique, in order to carry out the activities you will need to be a capable swimmer (able to swim 100m unassisted) and snorkeler, being able to hold your breath to dive down would be an advantage.

In order to carry out these activities you will need to be capable of equalizing your ear pressure and willing to learn to scuba dive. A four day internationally recognized PADI open water diving course is provided as part of this project to train you to be able to carry out this coral reef monitoring. If you already have this qualification you may do an advanced open water diving course instead or an equivalent number of extra research dives.

In Zambia and Zimbabwe, there are no specific skills required. You will need to be of good health and have a decent level of fitness. Aside from that enthusiasm and willingness to do what is required during daily tasks is the attitude required for the project.

Your life outside the project

During weekends in Mozambique you will be free to travel and explore as you choose. Various activities are available including horse riding, kayaking, surfing, kite surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving or just relaxing on the beach. Where possible long weekends may be arranged and expeditions to Kruger National Park and Swaziland may be available. These activities are optional and extra though as a volunteer you would be given a special reduced rate.

In Zambia, your volunteer house is always a sociable retreat. With TVs and DVD players you can relax after a hard day, with all your meals cooked for you. And if you still have energy at the end of the day, the small town is a 5 minute walk. At the weekends, take the opportunity to adventure on the Zambezi river, marvel at Victoria Falls and explore Zambia’s wildlife. You may even have an opportunity to join in the weekend activities of the local schools and sports groups.

In Zimbabwe, whichever park you are based in, you can enjoy the adventure of the bush at night, listening to the sounds of the animals whilst enjoying the best local cuisine around the fire. Cool down during the days in the on-site pools and venture out on some spectacular trips at the weekends - making sure you don’t miss the awesome views of the amazing Victoria Falls.

Highlights

Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park

Mozambique's wildlife population was all but decimated during the 14 years of war preceding 1990, and the country's parks have been battling to restore their game reserves ever since.

To achieve the conservation sustainability of Limpopo National Park, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe joined up three national parks crossing their borders to produce the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. A total of 147 species are known from the area, with a population of 3 000 white rhino present in the Kruger Park is the biggest anywhere, while the 300 black rhino is the second largest population. 1,500 lions, 2,000 spotted hyaenas, 8,320 elephants, 32,000 Burchell's zebra, 2,200 hippos, 5,000 giraffes, 1,500 warthogs, 17,000 buffaloes, 3,500 kudu, 1,500 waterbuck, 14,000 blue wildebeest and over 100,000 impala. It's a vast area which is largely undiscovered and is far less developed than the likes of the Serengetti.

South Luangwa National Park

This magnificent game reserve contains some of the most intense and concentrated wildlife populations in the world. The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life blood of the park. The now famous ‘walking safari’ originated in this park and is still one of the finest ways to experience this pristine wilderness first hand. The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness ranging from dry, bare bushveld in the winter to a lush green wonderland in the summer months. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction.

Zambezi River

The Zambezi passes through six African countries and is Africa's fourth largest river. It's power has carved the spectacular Victoria Falls and the zigzagging Batoka Gorge. What's nice about the Zambezi is it is less developed and has many protected areas along it's banks. The river and the falls lay host to some exciting activities like rafting, abseiling, bungee jumping and river safaris.

Itinerary