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African Lion Rehabilitation & Release in Zambia

Location Zambia
Start Date 1st and 3rd Monday of every month
Duration
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The Project

Volunteer in Zambia and contribute to the welfare and rehabilitation of lion cubs as they undertake pre-release training in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park; take part in a research program to better understand the ecology of elephants in the Park and join our conservation education and community programs to involve communities in conservation as part of our holistic approach.

As a volunteer you will also enjoy time spent walking with the lions along the banks of the mighty and beautiful Zambezi river, with the potential of witnessing them chasing down game in the National Park as well as getting involved in important tasks related to the conservation and preservation of this noble beast.
Why the project needs you

Over 200,000 lions roamed the African continent as recently as 1975. In 2002 two surveys provided evidence of a dramatic decline estimating that only 23,000 to 39,000 remain, with the lowest estimate being just 16,500. This represents an 80% to 90% population decline in less than 30 years. It is widely accepted that the population has continued to decline in the subsequent years. The end objective of the project is the rehabilitation of captive-bred lions into a wild environment so that their cubs, raised by the pride, can learn the skills necessary to ensure their successful reintroduction into the wild.

Project Location

For this project you will be living inside the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a stone’s throw from the lion enclosures and the mighty Zambezi River. The evenings are spent in the house and as you will be surrounded by African bush with its interesting residents – such as elephant, buffalo and hippo – you are confined to the house unless the team decide to drive into Livingstone town itself. The house is about a ten minute drive from the centre of Livingstone so getting into town for an evening if desired is possible. There are regular (daily) trips into town so if you need to go into Livingstone for any reason this is not a problem. Livingstone is a large town with a wide range of amenities including Internet Cafes, a bakery, Ice-cream parlour, Barclays bank, ATM’s, curio markets, supermarkets, local markets, a post office, various restaurants including Chinese, seafood, Indian, Italian, English, of course – Zambian and two museums! You are also located close to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world – Victoria Falls, where you will find a wide range of adrenalin activities, River boats, and game viewing opportunities. Livingstone is situated in a prime location between some amazing countries. You will be in an ideal location for spending the weekend in Zimbabwe or popping over to Chobe National Park in Botswana for a day of ultimate game viewing.
Project Facts

• Duration: 2 - 4 weeks
• Cost: £1399 ($2448) for 2 weeks, £425 ($743) for each week thereafter
• Requirements: age 17+
• Location: Livingstone, Zambia
• Project activities: Bottle feed the cubs, lion walks in the bush, enclosure cleaning, elephant monitoring, boundary patrols or meat preparation, snare sweeping, enclosure maintenance
• Working hours: 06:30 - 18:00, Monday - Friday
• Project Availability: Projects start 1st and 3rd Monday of each month and run year round.
What is included

• Accommodation: Shared room in a volunteer house.
• Food: 3 meals per day - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Airport pick up and drop off (from Victoria Falls airport, Zimbabwe).
• Training: Pre-departure information pack, on-site
Orientation and project induction provided
• Laundry service
• Support: 24 hour support from on-site coordinator
• Activities: Staff help organise weekend activities. (Activity price may be extra) Trips include: Bungee Jumping, White Water Rafting on the Zambezi, Helicopter Flights over Victoria Falls, Zambezi River Cruises, visits to Botswana’s Chobe National Park and weekend excursions across to Zimbabwe
What is not included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas
• Police background check: US and UK citizens processed through Kaya (admin fee applies) all other nationalities must provide local police check.

Your life outside the project

Living within the National Park, your volunteer house is 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, there are regular trips into Livingstone every day should you wish to join them. At the weekends, take the opportunity to have an adventure on the Zambezi river, marvel at Victoria falls or just explore Zambia’s wildlife. You may even have an opportunity to join in the weekend activities of the local schools and sports groups.
Ideas for Independent Travel

Zambezi River and Victoria Falls

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, and you can stand at the top of these magnificent falls, right on your doorstep. 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.

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.

Kafue National Park

At roughly the same size as Wales Kafue is Zambia's oldest National Park and by far it's largest. This vast park encompasses a variety of landscapes. In the north the magnificent Busanga Plains are a vast flat expanse that stretches in all directions as far as the eye can see. Here the flat grassland plains are dotted with wild date palms, sausage trees and fig trees. You'll often also find huge herds of red lechwe and puku, as well as buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and other antelope. This area is regarded as the best game area in the Park.

Further south the Kafue runs into the Itezhi Tezhi Dam covering an area of 370 square kilometres. This vast inland sea is surrounded mainly by grassy plains and hippos are very common. Picturesque rocky bays and stretches of submerged trees provide perfect perches for the many species of waterbirds that inhabit the area.

Project Quality

Kaya evaluates every project we offer to ensure that we only commit to programmes with genuine need for volunteer aid, not just financial assistance. We develop relationships with the projects, and help shape initiatives to ensure that in the long run that we do not encourage dependence on outside help. Rather, we establish foundations on which the people can build and develop themselves. We also ensure that the members of those communities are open and eager to learn and discover our culture, as we become a part of theirs. The quality and sustainability of our programmes are very important to us. We want you to have the most fulfilling and memorable time as possible, and be part of something that is going to last into future generations.

Accommodation & Meals

Volunteers stay in a volunteer house, where, in most cases, they share their room with other volunteers. Shared rooms are usually single-sex. For most placements two to three meals a day are provided, all included in the placement fees. In most houses there will be a cook to prepare your food for you and a cleaner to ensure the house is clean and tidy, though in some of our locations volunteers will be expected to assist with these chores. For more information about the amenities at the house see accommodation summary or please contact one of our advisors.

In-Country Coordinators

Each country coordinator is there to make sure your time in your programme runs smoothly. They will pick you up from the airport and take you on your orientation. All in-country coordinators are English speaking and are there to ensure you have all the information and resources for the best placement.

24/7 Emergency Support

As well as support from your in-country coordinators, you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line managed by Kaya staff, in case any problem should arise while you're overseas.

Kaya Help-desk

Each member of Kaya staff have worked, travelled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the programme placements. Their knowledge of international travel and volunteering is invaluable, and they can give you good advice and tips to make the most of your international placement.

Briefing Pack & Materials

Once you have booked a programme, an information pack will be sent out detailing everything you need to know - from specific project details and vaccinations required to the visa application process.

Airport Pickup

When you arrive at your destination a member of Kaya staff will meet you with a warm welcome at the airport and take you to your accommodation to get you set up for your stay.

Cultural Excursions

Kaya staff are at hand to help organise weekend excursions and activities, which can include visiting cultural places of significance and visiting various projects around the area. This way you can learn firsthand about each project and take part in local cultural and adventure activities.

Arrival Orientation

Shortly after you arrive you will be given your orientation by one of our in-country coordinators. They will show you your placement, local transport, take you into the local town, and show you things you can do in your spare time. Information regarding safety and security will be given along with some much-needed lingo when moving and travelling around the area.

Local Community Benefits

Not only is your participation on your project of great help to the local communities, but so is the boost to the local economy that volunteers create while they are visiting.

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African Lion Rehabilitation & Release in Zambia

The Project

Why the project needs you

Project Facts

What is included

What is not included

Role of the volunteer

Skills Required

Your life outside the project

Ideas for Independent Travel

Related Projects

Other Projects in Zambia