My time at the Malawi Wildlife Rescue Center can only be described as the very clichéd “once in a lifetime”…
© 2022 GOECO | All rights reserved
Develop & Design | Msite
Join a renowned wildlife sanctuary and rescue center in Malawi to provide care for abandoned, orphaned and injured wildlife.
Program Highlights:
Your Schedule at a Glance:
Day 1, Tuesday: Arrive at Lilongwe International Airport (LLW). A team member will wait to pick you up. Get settled into your new home and meet and greet fellow volunteers.
Days 2-7, Wednesday-Monday: Engage in rewarding volunteer work and wildlife care for six of these days. Volunteers will receive one day off per week to spend how they wish (See “Travel Highlights” below for recommendations!) Volunteers 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: Volunteers staying for only two weeks will depart on this day.
What’s Included
What’s not Included
Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, local transportation, personal expenses
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.
Because of an increase in deforestation and the struggles between man and wildlife, Malawi’s wild animals are not only losing their natural habitats, but are often found injured or in severe distress. This project offers a haven for these animals, assisting in their recovery and rehabilitation and, wherever possible, releasing them back in to the wild where they belong. Those that can’t be released find a permanent home in large, natural enclosures where they can roam freely.
There are currently around 200 animals on the reserve, including birds, reptiles, monkeys and pangolins. Many are orphans and victims of the illegal pet and bush meat trades, which are unfortunately still very common in Malawi. Others may have been caught in snares, hit by cars or stoned after wandering into the local village. Thanks to a state-of-the-art clinic, orphan care center and experienced animal care team, as well as the volunteers, many of these animals fully recover and can return to the wild.
Volunteers will help with a host of different tasks and projects while volunteering at the wildlife center.
Animal Care: Alongside the animal care professionals, you may help with various aspects of rehabilitation, including animal husbandry (cleaning, sanitation, feeding and enrichment), orphan care and vet clinic support.. The center maintains a strict hands-off policy, but orphaned animals, in particular, may need special attention for full rehabilitation and you may help with surrogacy work.
Pangolins are a common visitor to the sanctuary, since they are victims of illegal trafficking throughout Malawi. It’s likely that volunteers will come into contact with one during their time at the sanctuary. No guarantees, as every day is different!
Rehabilitation and Release: Animal releases at the center are often more successful than not and this is because of the high level of effort and expertise that goes into the care and hard work that gets put in to every aspect of the rehabilitation and release process. This includes focusing on the different stages of the process, including observation, integration and the actual release and monitoring.
Some of your tasks may include:
Please note: The nature of the work and the animals in care can vary from day to day and not all tasks may be required at the time of your volunteering. All work that gets done is incredibly beneficial and worthwhile.
Volunteers work six days a week and schedules vary depending on what animals need particular attention. Work is evenly split among volunteers, but volunteers can expect busy days, including some early starts and late finishes. There is a great sense of achievement in helping the animals.
Evenings and breaks in schedules offer free time for volunteers to do as you wish–take a trip to the supermarket, go for lunch/dinner in town, out in the evening, etc.
Volunteers that are at the project for over four weeks get one long weekend off per month–a perfect opportunity to visit the famous Lake Malawi or hop over the border into Zambia for a safari in the world- renowned South Luangwa National Park.
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.
© 2022 GOECO | All rights reserved
Develop & Design | Msite