Volunteer in our two-week, pre-veterinary focused itinerary at one of Africa’s largest and most successful wildlife sanctuary and rehabilitation centers. This itinerary is designed to integrate pre-vet educational activities seamlessly into the ongoing wildlife volunteer work throughout your experience. This special program emphasizes hands-on experiences in pre-veterinary care and education, allowing volunteers to work closely with a diverse range of animals, from monkeys to lions. Immerse yourself in Zimbabwe’s natural beauty, contributing positively to the delicate African ecosystem while gaining an invaluable introduction into the Pre-Vet Wildlife World.
Program Highlights:
Upgrade your Pre-vet Program to an internship and earn a Diploma in International Volunteering with a Wildlife Conservation Focus! This diploma, developed in collaboration with the wildlife orphanage, is recognized for up to 41 UK credits, 10 US credits, and 20-21 European credits. For additional information, including specific add-ons and details about the volunteer work involved, please refer to the sections below.
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 typically have Sunday afternoon and Monday off to rest, explore and enjoy your Zimbabwean experience. Mondays feature a trip into the town of Bulawayo for any personal shopping, eating out at local restaurants, a museum visit or any other group activity agreed upon by the group of volunteers there at the time.
Days 3-7: Tuesday-Saturday: Expect to dedicate around seven hours daily to volunteering. Your day will typically include engaging in the sanctuary’s routine activities, such as feeding the animals and tidying their enclosures in the morning. Before lunch, you’ll have the opportunity for ‘Animal Time’ to bond with and learn about the birds and animals. Afternoon tasks then pick up where the morning left off. It’s important to be aware that during fire season and when there are young animals at the sanctuary, you’ll need to be available on call. However, the responsibility of caring for the babies overnight will be divided among volunteers, so you won’t be required to stay awake all night. Pre-veterinary activities are woven into your daily schedule, potentially involving shadowing during medical examinations, administering necessary medications or treatments, assisting in sedating animals for medical procedures, supporting ultrasounds, participating in micro-chipping, and helping with the capture and release of wildlife, among other tasks.
Remaining Weeks: The pre-vet activities are planned within designated 2 week period throughout the year (see below start dates). Pre-vet volunteers are encouraged to extend their stay for 3 or more weeks to have a chance to participate fully in the volunteer program afterwards and have a chance to participate in the group excursion to Victoria Falls, a wonder of the world. Those staying 2 weeks only will not have the opportunity to join the excursion with the group. If you stay 4 weeks you’ll have the opportunity to join both the Victoria Falls excusion as well as join in on the Rhino Conservation Educational excursion day which would be included in your 4 week program fee only. Departures are on a Sunday.
Stay for four weeks with the Rhino Conservation Excursion! All new applicants for 4 weeks will have included in their program a captivating Rhino Conservation Walking Safari tour 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.
What’s Included
What’s not Included
Flights, entry visa (between $50-$100 USD depending on nationality), travel health insurance, personal expenses, expenses for Victoria Falls Excursion. *You will need a double-entry visa if you plan to visit Zambia.
Bulawayo is Zimbabwe’s second largest city and home to more than 650,000 people. This city is considered the business and industrial capital of the country. The wildlife orphanage is located about 30 minutes from the city and set on a beautiful, family-owned property. Nearby lays the Matopo National Park, which has the highest concentration of leopards of all national parks, including Victoria Falls.
About the Wildlife Orphanage:
The Wildlife Orphanage is a sanctuary for animals unlikely to survive in the wild, offering shelter to those orphaned, abandoned, or injured, as well as those confiscated from illegal traffickers. Renowned for its innovative work in wildlife rehabilitation and release, it stands as one of Africa’s leading centers in this field, recognized globally through various documentaries. Established in 1973 by a former game ranger, the orphanage operates distinctly from a zoo, focusing on rehabilitating rescued animals for wild reintroduction when possible, and providing lifelong care for educational and research purposes otherwise. It aims to rescue distressed wildlife across Zimbabwe, educate the local population on natural heritage, promote wildlife and habitat conservation, conduct research for zoological insights, and collaborate with authorities on wildlife management.
About the Volunteer Program:
Upon joining, volunteers are introduced to the orphanage’s operations without the need for prior experience, as comprehensive training is provided. The program is designed for those passionate about animal welfare. Initially, volunteers familiarize themselves with the orphanage’s daily routines, collaborating with various staff members across different areas, including carnivores, primates, birds of prey, snakes, and domestic farm animals.
Volunteer tasks are diverse, ranging from food preparation, feeding, enclosure maintenance, to educational outreach and enclosure construction. Special attention is given to hand-rearing orphaned animals, requiring dedication as it can involve night-time feedings and comforting scared young animals. Tasks are assigned based on the orphanage’s current needs and the volunteer’s duration of stay.
About the Pre-Vet Two-Week Itinerary:
The pre-vet focused activities are seamlessly integrated into the regular volunteer program. These activities range from attending educational lectures, participating in medical examinations, administering medications or treatments, aiding in the sedation of animals for medical procedures, helping with ultrasounds, darting wildlife, engaging in micro-chipping, and assisting in the capture and release of wildlife. This approach merges hands-on animal care with in-depth veterinary educational opportunities. While the sanctuary does not employ a full-time veterinarian, the local team is licensed and possesses extensive experience in managing, medicating, and providing initial medical care to wildlife both in the field and on-site. The selection of activities will depend on the sanctuary’s and the animals’ needs at the time of your visit, highlighting the unpredictable nature of working with wildlife. .Please be aware that the sanctuary includes a section dedicated to farm animals, designed for educational purposes. As a result, some of your activities may involve working with these farm animals.
Pre-Vet program tasks may involve:
Volunteer program 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. Pre-Vet activities are planned throughout the 2 week itinerary and typically feature one pre-vet focused group activity per day.
January 2024 Pre-Vet Program Accomplishments:
Upgrade to the Internship and Receive an Accredited Diploma: Ideal for students already pursuing pre-veterinary studies or those seeking to strengthen their university applications, this opportunity allows you to convert your Pre-vet Program into an internship and receive a Diploma in International Volunteering with a focus on Wildlife Conservation. This diploma, formulated in partnership with the wildlife orphanage, grants up to 41 UK credits, 10 US credits, and 20-21 European credits. You can opt for this addition after your application interview. The online course requires a one-time fee of US$990, covering all necessary study materials, supervision, and certification. To ensure adequate preparation, it’s advisable to start the course material at least one month prior to your program start date, though you have the flexibility to begin sooner and progress at your own pace. For comprehensive information about the Diploma, visit our Student Page here.
*** At the moment, 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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