What an incredibly eye opening but quick 4 weeks it has been. The day I arrived for the African Wildlife…
Volunteer in our 17 day, pre-veterinary focused itinerary at one of Africa’s longest-running wildlife sanctuaries and rescue centers. This itinerary is designed to integrate pre-vet educational activities into the 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 17 days commitment):
Arrival Day, Sunday December 6th: 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.
Day 2, Monday: Your first Monday will include 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. It’s the day to make sure you’ve got everything you need for your time in Zimbabwe, and you’ll receive an official welcome & orientation tour of the orphanage to get situated in your new home away from home.
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.
Day 8, Sunday: Sunday mornings volunteer take care of the orphaned babies in the morning, and have the afternoon off to rest and relax in the orphanage. There are entertainment rooms, a pool, a soccer field and lots to do on site together with the other volunteers. You can also use this downtime to journal, swap stories with the group, and recharge for week two — you’ll definitely enjoy an afternoon off to relax in the sun 🙂
Day 9, Monday: Included in your trip with Marcela is a full-day 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.
Days 10-13: Tuesday-Saturday: The volunteer work will continue on site in the scheduled fashion, ensuring all participants in the pre-vet program do get a rotation of shifts around the centre to get involved with all animal categories: Carnivores, Primates, Antelopes, etc. Expect hands-on learning throughout the week, plenty of animal time, and a supportive group environment as you build confidence and skills day by day.
Day 14, Sunday Dec 20th: Fly from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls for your fun getaway weekend at the wonder of the world! After checking in and getting settled, your first evening will include a sunset dinner cruise on the Zambezi River — a relaxed, golden-hour start to your Victoria Falls adventure with a three-course meal and drinks while spotting wildlife along the river. Hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and an incredible variety of birds are often seen regularly!
Day 15, Monday Dec 21st: A full-day safari excursion to Chobe National Park is included on this day. It’s a stunning day with all logistics for border crossings included. Expect a classic safari experience with unforgettable scenery, abundant wildlife, and that “I can’t believe this is real” feeling that Chobe is famous for!
Day 16, Tuesday Dec 22nd: This day is open to relax and explore the tourist town of Victoria Falls. Wander the local markets and souvenir shops (many are within walking distance), grab a great meal, and soak up the atmosphere. We highly recommend you take time to visit the waterfalls national park this day — the perfect grand finale before heading home. Tickets for entry are paid locally at $50.
Day 17, Wednesday Dec 23rd: Fly home from the Victoria Falls International Airport to be home in time for Christmas 🙂
What’s Included
What’s not Included
Flights to Zimbabwe and to Victoria falls are not included, entry visa (between $50-$100 USD depending on nationality), travel health insurance, personal expenses, expenses for all excursions. *You will need a double-entry visa. Items not included in Victoria Falls: meals, taxis, personal purchases, entry ticket into Victoria Falls national Park ($50).
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 rescue and release. 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.
*Note: Due to the remote location, this project is unable to cater for vegans or those who are lactose or gluten intolerant.
