What an incredibly eye opening but quick 4 weeks it has been. The day I arrived for the African Wildlife…
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Introducing our 2024 Volunteer Grant: Apply for three weeks and enjoy a 4th week for free! The Rhino Conservation Excursion is still included in the itinerary. Limited grants are available for start dates between August 4th to September 22nd. Schedule a phone interview to evaluate eligibility. Make a lasting impact.
Volunteer at one of the largest and most successful wildlife sanctuary and rehabilitation centers in Africa! Volunteers on this project work with a range of animals, from monkeys to lions. Experience Zimbabwe’s natural beauty while making a positive impact on the delicate African ecosystem.
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):
Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Bulawayo Airport (BUQ). You will be picked up by the local team and taken to your accommodation in Bulawayo. If you arrive on an early flight, you will be taken on a tour of the Orphanage after settling in, otherwise you will have the opportunity to rest and then meet the rest of the crew at dinner.
Days 1-2, Sunday-Monday: You will generally have Sundays off in the afternoon and all day Monday to rest, enjoy, and immerse yourself in your experience in Zimbabwe. Every Monday, there is a scheduled trip to Bulawayo, providing an excellent chance for newcomers to buy essentials from local stores and acquire a local SIM card. This trip also offers volunteers the opportunity to do personal shopping for any additional items they might want for their leisure time in the evenings at the sanctuary. Additionally, upon request, volunteers can visit Bulawayo’s Natural History Museum. This museum is noteworthy not only for its unique history but also because the sanctuary’s founder served as its director for several years before establishing the sanctuary.
Days 3-7: Tuesday-Saturday: You can expect to volunteer about seven hours a day, 6 days a week. Participate in such tasks as feeding the animals and cleaning their enclosures in the morning, spending quality ‘Animal Time’ getting to know the birds and animals before lunch, and resuming daily duties in the afternoon. Please note that you will always be on call during fire season and when babies are on-site. Baby shifts will be shared among the volunteers (you will not be expected to stay up all night with the babies). Throughout the weeks educational hikes and excursions to national parks in the area are often organized depending on the needs of the program. Note that even during days off volunteers are responsible for ensuring the babies and/or sick animals in the designated nursery are feed and receive fresh water.
Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering Tuesday-Sunday mornings and having Sunday afternoons and Mondays free. Departures are on a Sunday.
Stay for three weeks for the Rhino Conservation Excursion! Beginning January 17th, 2024, all new applicants for 3 weeks will have included in their program a captivating Rhino Conservation Walking Safari in the Matobos National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the vital issues surrounding the endangered White and Black Rhino species in Africa during a dedicated day of education. This must-see conservation tour offers valuable insights, with only about 600 black rhinos and 400 white rhinos left in Zimbabwe. Learn about the challenges these magnificent creatures face and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting these iconic species in the region.
Check out what our past volunteers had to say!
Location of the Project: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Project length: Minimum 2 weeks – Maximum 12 weeks
Arrival Airport: Bulawayo Airport (BUQ)
Volunteer Work: Handling the animals, preparing animals’ food, cleaning out enclosures, promoting environmental education.
Age: 18-80. Age Exceptions: this project accepts volunteers who are 17 years old with a letter of consent from a parent or guardian.
Number of Volunteers: 2-15 international volunteers
Important Note: If you’re interested in veterinary work in the wildlife field, learn about and apply for the Pre-Vet Wildlife focused program here: Pre-Vet African Wildlife Orphanage
What’s Included
Accommodations: Includes shared single-gender housing in cabins
Food: Three meals per day are provided
Airport Transfers: Airport pickup and airport drop off is included included
Orientation: All necessary training and introductions are provided upon arrival
Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
What’s not Included
Flights, entry visa (between $50-$100 USD depending on nationality), expenses for the optional Victoria Falls Trip, travel health insurance, personal expenses. *You will need a double-entry visa if you plan to visit Zambia. Note for those staying 2 weeks the Rhino Conservation Excursion is not included.
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, thrives as a vital economic and cultural hub with a population exceeding 650,000. Esteemed as the industrial backbone of the nation, Bulawayo is not just the center for business but also a gateway to Zimbabwe’s rich natural heritage, including the Matopo National Park. This park, noted for its unparalleled leopard population, underscores Zimbabwe’s dedication to wildlife conservation. Furthermore, the city’s proximity to one of the world’s natural wonders, Victoria Falls, also known as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” or “The Smoke That Thunders,” highlights its significance. The falls, straddling the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe, offer a breathtaking spectacle of cascading waters and a unique ecosystem, drawing visitors globally to experience its majestic beauty and the surrounding rainforest’s diverse flora and fauna.
Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is celebrated not only for its geological and scenic splendor but also for the unique phenomena it presents, such as the moonbow, a lunar rainbow visible during the full moon. The falls’ vicinity is a haven for adventure enthusiasts, offering activities like bungee jumping and whitewater rafting, while its cultural significance to local communities adds a rich historical layer to its natural grandeur. This remarkable landmark, together with Bulawayo’s economic vibrancy and the natural beauty of Zimbabwe’s parks, showcases the country’s commitment to preserving its environmental and cultural heritage, making it a focal point for tourists seeking both adventure and insight into Zimbabwe’s diverse ecosystem and traditions.
Celebrating more than 50 years of Wildlife Conservation, this orphanage is a haven for animals that have little hope for survival in the wild. These are creatures which have been orphaned, abandoned, injured, born in captivity or brought up unsuccessfully as pets. Additionally, it is home to an increasing number of animals that have been confiscated from illegal wildlife traffickers. The orphanage has been featured in countless documentaries and is now world-renowned for its pioneering work and is famed as one of Africa’s largest and most successful wildlife rehabilitation/release centers.
This project was established in 1973 by a former game ranger and is family-run. The wildlife orphanage is not a zoo. Wherever possible, rescued animals and birds are rehabilitated and returned to the wild. If safe release into their natural habitat is not possible, animals are cared for and kept for educational purposes and zoological study. In the case of endangered species, captive breeding programs may also be undertaken.
The five primary goals of the orphanage are as follows:
Upon arrival, volunteers will be met by a staff member who will take them to the orphanage. No experience is needed to work with the animals as all relevant training will be provided. All we ask is that volunteers are enthusiastic and dedicated to working with animals. During the first week, volunteers will be getting to know how the orphanage runs. During this orientation period, volunteers will work with different staff members to get an overview of working with the carnivores, primates, birds of prey, snakes and domestic animals on-site.
Some of your tasks may include:
Please note that volunteer tasks depend on the current needs of the community and the wildlife and also upon the volunteers’ length of stay. Volunteers may only participate in some or all of the tasks.
Typical Schedule: Volunteers are expected to work six days per week, with Mondays off. Volunteers will work eight hours per day (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) but will always be on call during fire season and when there are babies on-site. Baby shifts will be shared between the volunteers, as we would not expect you to be awake with them all night.
2021 Achievements: Throughout 2020 the orphanage stayed open and functioned throughout COVID. We assisted the local communities with the capture and relocation of several animals. This included a brown hyena, leopard several snakes, genets, civets, and white-tailed mongoose
We successfully released:
With the help of volunteers, we completely renovated our kudu enclosure.
Internet: WiFi is available on site for a small fee. GoEco volunteers receive one free voucher of 10 GB and further wifi may be purchased for a $15 voucher. The local team will help also volunteers purchase a SIM card locally.
Laundry: Laundry is washed and freshly ironed by the staff twice per week. Delicates and undergarments are washed by hand personally by volunteers and hung to dry, supplies are provided.
Accommodations: Volunteers will stay in two to six person cabins. The rooms are equipped with a comfortable bed, mosquito nets, shelves, wardrobe, bedside table and electricity. Additionally, volunteers will be provided with clean sheets, blankets and a swimming towel. The site has hot water showers, flushing toilets, braai (BBQ) area, kitchen and a small swimming pool, available for volunteers to use during the summer months. There is an entertainment room designed for volunteer with comfortable sofas, games, a library, a pool table, a dart board, and a projector to watch movies.
Food: Three meals are provided per day. Most meals include meat dishes but vegetarian meals can be arranged. Dinner is usually eaten together with the team of volunteers and/or local family. Tea, coffee and cold water are available throughout the day. If the volunteers wish to cook for themselves or have a braai (BBQ) they are more than welcome.
*Note: Due to the remote location, the project team cannot accommodate volunteers with a strict vegan or gluten-free diet.
Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:
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Develop & Design | Msite
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