Please Note: This program is temporarily unavailable. Check out our alternative programs in Africa or schedule a one-on-one call with one of our expert volunteer advisors.
Over the last 40 years, the African lion population has drastically decreased by 80-90%, from about 200,000 in 1975 to as low as 32,000 today. In an attempt to offset the rapid decline, the Antelope Park lion rehabilitation program works to reintroduce the offspring of captive-bred lions into the wild so they can one day have their own wild-bred offspring, a process that volunteers will learn more about during their involvement with the project. Spending time with the cubs in the wild each day is an essential part of developing the cubs’ natural instincts, which is this project’s priority. If the cubs are to be released into a wild environment it is important that they adapt to, learn from, understand, observe, feel, and smell the wild.
Location of the Project: Antelope Park, 10km from Gweru, Zimbabwe Midlands
Project length: Min 2 week – Max 8 weeks
Arrival Airport: Bulawayo (BUQ) or Harare (HRE) airports
Volunteer Work: Management of the lions’ daily needs including food preparation, feeding, maintenance of enclosures and community work and conservation education
Age: 17-60 Age Exceptions: Volunteers aged 17 may apply with parental consent. Volunteers over the age of 60 require a medical certificate.
Number of Volunteers: Up to 30 international volunteers
Important Note: Suitable for groups and couples. Volunteers staying longer than five weeks will require a “temporary residence permit.” This costs an additional $500-600 USD, to be paid upon arrival.
What’s Included
Accommodations: Twin or quad rooms at volunteer camp
Food: Three meals per day are provided
Airport Transfers: Airport transfers are included on both arrival and departure days
Orientation: Orientation upon arrival to Antelope Park includes includes meet and greet, introduction to Antelope Park, project overview and any training that is necessary before beginning the project.
Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.
What’s not Included
Flights, business visa (between $30 – $75 USD depending on nationality), travel health insurance, personal expenses
As a volunteer, you will get a chance to learn about and get involved in the three-step process of this lion rehabilitation program: the pre-release stage, the release stage, and the wild stage.
Some of your tasks may include:
Internet: WiFi is available for a small fee, though can be sporadic due to the remote location.
Laundry: A weekly laundry service is available at an additional fee of $5
Accommodations: Volunteer accommodations are a mixture of comfortable twin or quad thatched rooms at the main reserve camp with clean shower and toilet facilities located adjacent to the sleeping area. Your room will be cleaned daily by the housekeeping staff.
Food: Volunteers are provided with three meals a day, breakfast and dinner is served at the main camp of the reserve, and you will be given a packed lunch for your working day.
Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:
During their stay at Antelope Park, volunteers will have the opportunity to enjoy excursions to some of the other spectacular spots that Zimbabwe has to offer. These trips are also a great time for volunteers to interact and to get to know each other better. Some of the available activities include elephant rides, sunset cruises, horse rides, overnight safaris, and Polo Crosse games.
Project Orientation (Included):
On arrival at the Antelope Park project, you will receive a comprehensive orientation, including:
4-Day Victoria Falls Excursion Trip (Not Included):
During the low season, for an additional fee, volunteers may have the opportunity to participate in a 4-day/ 3-night trip to Victoria Falls. This trip to one of the Seven Wonders of the World offers the chance to bungee jump, go white water-rafting, ziplining, sunset cruising and more!
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