Family Volunteering: Volunteer in a Wildlife Rescue Sanctuary in Zimbabwe

What is the Family Volunteering: Volunteer in a Wildlife Rescue Sanctuary in Zimbabwe project all about?

Volunteering at this wildlife sanctuary in Zimbabwe offers your family the chance to contribute in protecting indigenous African wildlife and have up-close encounters with animals such as lions and leopards to monkeys, antelope and birds in a responsible way.

Since 1973, the centre has opened its doors to orphaned, abandoned and sick wild animals. Human conflict is often the source of the problem as African wildlife can pause a threat to local farmers looking to protect their livestock. The ultimate aim of the project is to rehabilitate animals and return them to the wild when possible. Volunteers help maintain an environment that is as close to their natural habitat as possible to make it a success. In the event that a return to the wild isn’t possible, the sanctuary continues to care for the animals and use them for educational purposes, zoological study or breeding programmes, looking towards the future sustainability of each species.

The centre has high aspirations for its successful endeavours, but it lacks the funding to focus on realistic expansion. This is why volunteers are invaluable to the project, by assisting with not only the day to day activities at the centre but helping to spread awareness to children in the community. The workshops are essential as children are the future of Zimbabwe and it teaches them to live in harmony with wildlife.
Highlights of the project include the chance to observe animal care and rehabilitation as well as learn more about African species and their habitats.

Why choose this Wildlife Rescue Sanctuary Family Volunteering project?

This centre is one of the oldest and biggest in Zimbabwe and therefore handles a high volume of animals. Volunteers’ help is always needed for maintenance work, animal feeding, and injured animals’ caring. By lending your support, you will assist the centre in handling an increased number of animals. Not only that, with more volunteers, the centre will also be able to put on more regular educational sessions at local schools.

Role of the Conservation Volunteer in Zimbabwe

Be ready to get involved with a range of duties related to the care of injured, sick or orphaned animals. As a family you will be involved in all aspects of the centre:

– Basic care and maintenance of animals at the centre
– Relocation and tracking of released animals
– Schools’ visit to engage local children in conservation activities

Your role is essential for the ongoing survival of the centre. Children will enjoy feeding and interact with the animals, but parents must accompany children at all times.

What skills do I need to be a Conservation Volunteer in Zimbabwe?

No specific skills are needed to participate in this project. However, working with animals can be dirty work, so volunteers must be prepared to get their hands dirty and have a love of animals.

All children are expected to be willing and able to follow the instructions given by project staff on this project, to ensure that health and safety standards are met.

Travel during COVID times

The health and safety of our travelers and our local communities remain central to our plans for reopening countries and projects. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been adapting our programs and protocols to protect all those involved, and ask for everyone’s patience and collaboration as new rules are implemented in-country. For all projects, new standards of sanitation, procedures and social behaviors are in place, including new health and hygiene protocols and social distancing practices. You can read more here. Each location may be slightly different in the way they operate. We encourage you to inquire to your placement advisor to learn more about your specific project as you plan for your responsible return to travel!

Read all about our project reopening response to COVID-19

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