Wildlife Rescue Center Veterinary Internship

Join a hands-on veterinary internship at a renowned wildlife rescue center in Malawi!

Internship Highlights:

Gain hands-on experience in veterinary science and enhance your CV
Help to rehabilitate an array of wildlife at a renowned rescue center
Assist in hands-on husbandry of orphaned vervet monkeys (especially during the rainy season which is November-February)
Experience the beauty of Malawi with a visit to the famous, picturesque Lake Malawi
Ethical wildlife interactions

Your Schedule at a Glance:

Day 1, Tuesday: Arrive into Lilongwe International Airport (LLW). A team member will be waiting to pick you up. Get settled into your new home and meet and greet your fellow interns.

Days 2-7, Wednesday-Monday: Engage in rewarding internship tasks for six of these days. Interns will receive one day off per week to spend how they wish (See “Travel Highlights” below for recommendations!) Interns who are staying at least four weeks will receive one long weekend free (two days.)

Days 8- 14, Tuesday-Monday: Continue with your meaningful work for six of these days and enjoy one free day.

Day 15, Tuesday: Interns staying for only two weeks will depart on this day.

Location of the Project: Lilongwe, Malawi

Project length: Min 2 weeks – Max 12 weeks

Arrival Airport: Lilongwe International Airport (LLW)

Volunteer Work: Animal care and rehabilitation

Age: 18-65

Number of Volunteers: Up to 18 international volunteers and 4 interns at a time

What’s Included

Accommodations: Interns will stay in shared rooms in an on-site house

Food: Three vegetarian meals per day

Airport Transfers: Airports transfers are included on both arrival and departure days

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, personal expenses.

Location

Landlocked between the East African countries of Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique lies the home of Africa’s warmest people; Malawi. Malawi is a country filled with national parks and game reserves, lush highlands and tropical forests split by the Great Rift Valley and the clear waters of its chief attraction—Lake Malawi.

Lilongwe is the largest and capital city of Malawi. Named after the Lilongwe River, the city is an essential economic and transport hub to the rest of the country. Despite its urban surroundings, the project site is on a reserve that feels a world away from the chaos of city life.

Volunteer Work

Veterinary interns will take part in various tasks, even those outside of veterinary care. Interns will take part in clinical support, of course, but also in rescue and rehabilitation tasks, as well as orphan care. Interns may assist with incoming exams and routine diagnostics to emergency operations. No matter the task, interns will gain useful, hands-on experience, clocking clinical hours and discovering the magnificent wildlife of Malawi. The Wildlife Rescue Center aims to release as many animals as possible back into the wild, so veterinarian interns play an important role in accomplishing this goal by helping to speed and ensure the rehabilitation process that precedes release.

Some of your tasks may include:

Assisting with incoming veterinary examinations
Assisting with general health checks
Assisting with emergency operations
Orphan care
Animal husbandry
Clinical research

A typical day: Working hours vary depending on the needs of the animals at the time; however, if notice is given well in advance, the center will strive to accommodate a minimal number of clinical hours if required by the intern’s academic institution.

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: Wi-Fi is available at the volunteer house.

Laundry icon Laundry: A laundry service is available, but all delicate items must be washed by hand. Laundry soap is provided.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: You will stay in a volunteer house in the heart of the sanctuary surrounded by animals. It can host up to 18 people at a time in six bedrooms. It also includes a lounge, kitchen, inside and outside dining spaces, two bathrooms, laundry space, an outdoor deck and garden.

Food icon Food: Three vegetarian meals are included and are served by the local chef, who provides international meals and some Malawian dishes. He takes a day off on Sundays so you can alternate with the other volunteers to cook up a feast. Drinking water is also provided. If you prefer to eat out, there are many wonderful restaurants just a short taxi ride away and if you can’t live without luxuries like chocolate, the shops aren’t far either!

Travel Highlights

The rescue center can arrange for volunteers to venture on a weekend safari in South Luangwa in Zambia, one of the best places to see game in all of Africa, for a special price. Other optional activities in free time include game drives or boat trips in Liwonde National Park, snorkelling or diving in the famous Lake Malawi, horse riding in Kande and cycling in Kuti Wildlife Reserve.