Location
The Zimbabwe wildlife orphanage is located in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe. There are several bars/clubs in town so at the weekend you can head into town and see the local nightlife. There are many interesting things to do just outside of the city as well. For example, nearby lies the Mapotos National Park which happens to have the highest concentration of leopards of all the national parks.
About the project
The orphanage is a haven for wild animals who have little hope for survival in the wild - creatures which have been orphaned, abandoned, injured, born in captivity or brought up unsuccessfully as pets. It is often the last refuge for those brought in sick or injured, and increasingly it is a sanctuary for confiscated animals. 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.
The wildlife orphanage was established in 1973 by an ex-game ranger, and its primary function is to offer a home to orphaned, abandoned and sick wild animals. 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:
1. Wildlife Orphanage/ Animal Rehabilitation Centre: To provide a service to rescue and care for injured wildlife, thereby providing a home for the many injured, sick, orphaned, abused, confiscated or abandoned wild animals from anywhere in Zimbabwe.
2. Education: to educate the Zimbabwe public, especially young children, with the aid of live viewing of many species not easily seen in the wild. Provide relevant lectures, film and slide shows for visiting groups. Thus providing a local resource centre for children to appreciate the important value of Zimbabwe's natural heritage.
3. Nature Conservation: to teach people and especially children, to appreciate the wonder and variety of indigenous wildlife and not to take it for granted that these animals or their environment will not always be there for their enjoyment without the correct management of our natural resources.
4. Research: to observe and record useful zoological information on captive animals such as body growth and development, nutrition, dentition and gestation periods. Relevant research and field surveys are undertaken in the wild, under natural conditions in National Parks and protected areas.
5. Cooperation: To provide a link between local and governmental authorities thus being able to offer assistance to organizations like SPCA, National Parks, schools and private individuals where ever problem animals are concerned.
Volunteer work and contribution
Upon arrival at Bulawayo Airport, volunteers will be met by a member of staff to take them straight to the orphanage (about 45 minutes). Volunteers are expected to work 6 days a week, with Mondays off. No experience is needed to work with the animals as all the training will be provided. All we ask is that volunteers are enthusiastic and dedicated to working with animals. Volunteers will work 7 hours a day but will always be on call during fire season and when we have babies in. Baby shifts will be shared out between the volunteers as we would not expect them to be awake with them all night. During the first week, volunteers will be getting to know how the orphanage runs. During this orientation period, volunteers will work with the different teams. Volunteers will get an introduction to working with the carnivores, primates, birds of prey, snakes and domestic animals. The main duties will include:
- Preparing food for the animals (keeping in mind the different diets of the various animals)
- Feeding the animals
- Clean out enclosures
- Contribute enrichment ideas for the animals
- Help build and maintain enclosures
- Giving tours and educating the public
- Hand rearing orphans (this is the most rewarding task as volunteers get to comfort them when they cry, feed them when they become hungry, and generally just play with baby animals. However, this can also be very tiring as they may need feeding during the night or just need a cuddle when they get scared)
Accommodation
Housing: Volunteers will be provided with comfortable cabins. The rooms will be equipped with a comfortable bed, mosquito nets, 2 shelves, wardrobe, bed side table, and electricity. Additionally, volunteers will be provided with clean sheets, blankets, and a swimming towel.
Food: We have 3 meals served a day, these vary on a daily basic and do include meat dishes but vegetarian meals can be supplied and any other diets can be accommodated for. These meals are all prepared for volunteers but volunteers can make request if they would like something special. Tea, coffee, squash and cold water are available all day. If the volunteers wish to cook for themselves or have a braai they are more than welcome.
Laundry Services: Laundry is done twice a week and freshly ironed by the maids.
Communal Facilities: In camp, there are hot water showers, flushing toilets, braai (BBQ) area, kitchen, and a swimming pool. At the main house there are comfortable sofas and DStv. There is also a lounge especially for volunteers. This lounge has a DVD player, bar, and library of both fiction and nonfiction books. We also provide Internet access to volunteers; however, be warned that the Internet at camp runs very slowly.
Travel Highlights
During the stay at the wildlife orphanage, we will take volunteers on a trip, it depends on what is going on but it could be to release lions or leopard research in the Matapos National Park. This is included in the fees. Outside of the volunteer placement, Zimbabwe has much to offer a traveler. Zimbabwe has been over looked in many years by the trouble it has had in the past, but now with its economy climbing it its one of the best places in Africa to visit. Zimbabwe has everything to offer from the majestic Victoria Waterfalls, world class safaris, luxury boats cruises on Kariba Lake to ancient historical sites of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. People could spend a life time in Zimbabwe and still not see all of it. Zimbabwe has a rail system but most people get the bus. If we know of someone else traveling to where a volunteer would like to go, we do our best to get them a ride with and help share the fuel costs. Some suggestions:
Harare: Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe, it is a capital full of history and culture. It is the perfect place learn a lot more about the history of the country.
Victoria Falls: Depending on what a volunteer would like to do in their spare time, they could go bungee jumping off the bridge at Victoria falls or white water rafting the mighty Zambezi river, take a leisurely walk around the Victoria Falls National Park to see "the smoke that thunders" one of the wonders of the world. To finish off the day, volunteers could go on a nice relaxing sunset cruise where they get to see all the animals bathing in the river.
Hwange National Park: If it's the wild life they are after, we have many different game parks to choose from Hwange National Park is the biggest and is said to be the best, covering 14,600
square kilometers has the most animals in the national parks in Zimbabwe. Volunteers will have chances to see elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo, hippos, crocs, leopards, rhino and many more, plus over 400 types of birds.
Lake Kariba: Lake Kariba is the world's largest artificial lake or reservoir at a massive 220 kilometers long and up to 40 wide. It is very popular with the tourists who use the lake as a mini cruise. Volunteers can rent a house boat or use the ferry to get from Binga to Kariba. Is it a good place for fishing but also for wildlife watching as the animals come to the edges to drink. It is not advised to swim though as it now has a population of Nile crocodiles and hippos.
Great Zimbabwe Ruins: The Great Zimbabwe ruins are an ancient village build of stones on a hill top. This is where the name of the country was derived from, Dzimba dzemabwe (houses of stones).
Minimum requirements
- Good Level of English
- Motivation to work with animals
- Vaccinations, please consult doctor before departure
- Age 18+ (exceptions can be made for 17 year olds if there are more than two volutneers wanting to come)