Every day was amazing and full of incredible experiences and new people. The days flew by as we were so busy working on the farm, hanging out and making new friends, and learning about the wildlife in a very hands on manner.

Hard work pays off, and this doesn’t go unnoticed by the amazing crew. I managed to go onto an exclusive boat trip which had less clients on board, giving me more opportunities to capture some great footage of the sharks who displayed incredible activity, breaching around six times in the space of two hours.

The African Wildlife Orphanage’s main goal is to care for orphaned or injured animals until they are able to be released back into the wild. If that’s not a viable option, they’re lovingly cared for the rest of their lives. These animals are also used for educating young local children about the creatures that share their environment. Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe, so many of the children living there have never had the opportunity to see or touch wild animals.

The biggest shock for me was when one volunteer mentioned that we had the opportunity to spend the night with a cheetah—Zena was rescued from a family who kept her as a pet and therefore she is unable to regulate her own body temperature. At night, she either sleeps with the project leaders or two volunteers. Sleeping with Zena was like sleeping with a dog-sized cat; she purred, cuddled, and gave kisses.

For many people that volunteer abroad, the opportunity to stay in their host country and turn their volunteering experience into a career is both common as well as feasible. Did you have so much fun volunteering abroad that you want to come back to your host country and find a permanent job? If so, you should be educated on both the positives and negatives of living in a foreign country. 

The most obvious reason - and a pretty important one at that - would be that volunteering abroad will ultimately provide you with the opportunity to see the world. And from the best perspective. Volunteering abroad not only allows you to travel to almost any destination in the world it also provides you with the unique opportunity to explore, experience and see the country you are in through the eyes of a local. Be it through volunteer abroad programs such as community immersion projects or even working with indigenous animals of the region - you will truly become a traveler and not just a tourist.

Volunteering abroad is becoming increasingly popular, and even so, the number of those in need of help is still rising. Communities across the globe seek caring individuals who look to help a cause greater than themselves. We have compiled a list that tells you why volunteering abroad is an ideal way to spend your time. If you have never considered going abroad, or if you have but want some reassurance, this list is for you.

Sitting right at the top of the food chain and known for their majesty, power and of course grace, there is no point in arguing that both lions and tigers have earned their regal status around the globe. These big cats are among the most recognized, admired and at the same time feared animals on our planet. Being able to volunteer abroad with both lions and tigers will no doubt be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.