Horse Riding & Wildlife Conservation

location
1 - 2 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Combine horse riding safaris with rhino and elephant conservation work
  • Get involved with horse management and care, game monitoring and cattle management
  • Ensure the conservancy is a safe and secure environment through regular and extensive horse patrols

Highlights

  • Combine horse riding safaris with rhino and elephant conservation work
  • Get involved with horse management and care, game monitoring and cattle management
  • Ensure the conservancy is a safe and secure environment through regular and extensive horse patrols
  • Assist in horseback game counts and animal welfare monitoring
  • Experience a wide variety of endangered wildlife in their natural environment


  • Especially good for

    Age 17+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Combine horseback safaris and wildlife monitoring, with hands-on rhino and elephant conservation work. All on the back of your very own bush horse!

    The project

    Live and work in the heart of a 10,000 acre family-owned game park in the heart of Zimbabwe, and get involved in a world-renowned black rhino breeding and release programme. The conservancy has supported Zimbabwe's black rhino population since the mid 1980s, releasing 12 rhinos back into ...

    About the program

    The project

    Live and work in the heart of a 10,000 acre family-owned game park in the heart of Zimbabwe, and get involved in a world-renowned black rhino breeding and release programme. The conservancy has supported Zimbabwe's black rhino population since the mid 1980s, releasing 12 rhinos back into the wild to breed. 

    You can play a key role in securing the future of this endangered animal as you work alongside anti-poaching rangers, monitor wildlife herds and patrol the game park, all on horseback. You will also get involved in the daily care of the resident black and white rhinos, and interact with the conservancy's elephants.

    With daily horse rides and hands on conservation work, this project is an absolute must for anyone who wants to combine horse riding with volunteer work.

    Horse riding volunteers experience a different Africa from other visitors, as they explore the game park on horseback, undertake fence and boundary monitoring and join the dedicated anti-poaching team for moonlight snare patrols. Camp out with your horse as you drive cattle around the game park, and interact closely with wildlife who not afraid or threatened by horses as they sometimes are by people or vehicles.

    You will experience the amazing animal sitings, enjoy the African bush and do essential volunteer work, all on horseback, as well as having the opportunity to interact closely with rhinos and elephants and monitor other wildlife on the reserve.

    The aim of the programme is to assist the established black rhino breeding and release programme, undertake patrols to better secure the conservancy and protect the animals, and collect meaningful information relating to rhino and wildlife conservation. You will also help educate the local children about the importance of protecting the natural environment and how they can play their part in conservation.

    Volunteer Work

    Horse riding volunteers play a vital role in the conservancy and get involved in a huge range of conservation activities, both on horseback and off.

    • Combine horse riding safaris with rhino and elephant conservation
    • Get involved with horse management and care, game monitoring and cattle management
    • Live in the heart of a family-run game park, dedicated to rhino care and wildlife preservation
    • Immerse yourself in beautiful surroundings and enjoy the wildlife all around you
    • Form close bonds with amazing animals, dedicated staff and other volunteers
    • Experience a wide variety of wildlife in their natural environment
    • Help with English literacy and conservation education
    Wildlife conservation goes hand-in-hand with community education and we believe that a sharing of knowledge and culture is key to the future of our wildlife heritage. Volunteering with us is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a new country and culture and experience day-to-day life in Africa, while giving back to an important conservation cause. 

    We guarantee that your experience on the programme will be life-changing!



    Typical day

    There is no such thing as a typical day, but below are some activities which you will almost certainly be involved with during your stay:

    Horse management and general equine care:

    • Feeding, grooming and health checks.
    • Maintenance and cleaning of tack and stables.

    Anti-poaching support:

    • Ensure the ...

    Typical day

    There is no such thing as a typical day, but below are some activities which you will almost certainly be involved with during your stay:

    Horse management and general equine care:

    • Feeding, grooming and health checks.
    • Maintenance and cleaning of tack and stables.

    Anti-poaching support:

    • Ensure the conservancy is a safe and secure environment through regular and extensive horse patrols.
    • Undertake moonlight patrols and camp-outs (depending on the season and weather).
    • Assist with the communication of conservation messages to local children.
    • Learn from the K9 Anti-Poaching team and meet the project's anti-poaching dogs.

    Game park work:

    • Provide daily assistance to the Game Park Manager to ensure the effective running of the reserve.
    • Assist in horseback game counts and animal welfare monitoring.
    • Locate and assess specific herds around the game park.

    Cattle ranching (seasonal):

    • Monitor the welfare of the cattle herd and move cattle to different sections of the reserve.
    • Work with the Cattle Team to conduct health inspections.
    • Patrol the park to find lost cattle and check for new calves.
    • Assist with cattle counts and dipping (dependent on the dipping schedule).

    Endangered species conservation work:

    This part of the programme is not always done on horseback

    • Observe social interactions and monitor the behaviour of the black and white rhino and elephants.
    • Learn to track collared rhino using telemetry.
    • Maintain and clean out elephant beds.
    • Carry out research projects and data collection on their feeding behaviour and movements.

    A Day in the Life

    Horse riding volunteers will usually get up around 6.00 - 6.30am to get started before the day heats up.

    Have breakfast and pack your water bottle and a packed lunch; feed and groom the horses and head out into the game park to locate the sable and blesbok antelope. Count the size and composition of the herd, assess the condition and number of any babies and check the health of mothers.

    Locate one of the baby giraffes and check the health and location of baby and mother.

    After a packed lunch and a short rest, sitting under the shade of the msasa trees, or on top of one of the viewpoints, get back onto your horse and head to one of the far-flung areas of the park, checking for snares, fence damage and evidence of fires or traps. Make your reports to the Game Park Manager who may task you with fixing any broken areas or repairing fireguards.

    Then its time to drop the horses off, feed and groom, before heading back to the volunteer house for an evening swim to cool off before a much needed and hearty dinner! 


    Free-time activities

    During your leisure time you may go on walks and hikes around the reserve or to local places of interest; go fishing or canoeing on one of the many dams or swim in the pool at the volunteer house. 
    We highly recommend a weekend visit to Victoria Falls (a 1 hour flight). This can be organised when ...

    Free-time activities

    During your leisure time you may go on walks and hikes around the reserve or to local places of interest; go fishing or canoeing on one of the many dams or swim in the pool at the volunteer house. 
    We highly recommend a weekend visit to Victoria Falls (a 1 hour flight). This can be organised when you are at the programme.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 17 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    This is not a teaching programme - all volunteers must be able to ride when they arrive. No volunteer is allowed to ride without a helmet and there is a weight limit of 80kg. You must be able to confidently carry out a rising trot and canter and have had a number of years of experience of handling different horses. You must be confident you can handle a horse on your own and get out of potentially difficult situations.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 06:30 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Imire Rhino Conservation

    Included in your programme fee:

    • Return transfers from Harare (arriving before 1300)
    • Accommodation
    • 3 meals per day plus water, tea and coffee
    • Laundry and housekeeping
    • Activities and equipment on the programme

    What is not included:

    • Flights to Harare
    • Visa fees
    • Travel insurance (compulsory)
    • Drinks from the bar
    • Any extra activities or excursions outside of the volunteer programme

    Airport Pickup at Harare International Airport

    Inclusive transfers are as follows:

    Arrival - there is a transfer at 1300 from Harare International Airport on a Monday. If you arrive the day before, please arrange to return to the airport in time to meet the 1300 transfer departure. If your flight arrives after 1300 but before 1600 we can organise you a private transfer at a cost of $120. Arrivals after 1600 are too late for a private transfer.

    Departures - transfers leave the conservancy at 7am on a Monday, arriving at the airport at 10am. Flights should be arranged from midday onwards. Flights departing before 1130 are too early for a private transfer.

    Accommodation

    Your home will be a two storey thatched farmhouse which has a dormitory sleeping five and four twin / double rooms. There are three bathrooms with shower, bath and toilet plus three outside solar showers. 


    The house is fully equipped with a kitchen, laundry, solar lighting, small generator for power outages, bar and verandah. There is a large garden with outside pool. There is WiFi at the volunteer house and also 3G signal. A local SIM card can be purchased on arrival into Harare International Airport.

    Food & Beverages

    You will have three meals per day prepared by the staff and served buffet-style. Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements can be catered for.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Harare International Airport (HRE) in Harare. We assist you to find cheap flights to Zimbabwe. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Zimbabwe provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Zimbabwe you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Zimbabwe. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    The project runs every Monday throughout the year. You should arrive into Harare International Airport before 1pm on your project start date and arrange onward flights for after midday. 

    If you would like to stay more than two weeks, you can combine the Horse Riding Programme with our Rhino & Elephant Conservation Programme.

    The riding programme has set start and end dates throughout the year. Please check with us for current availability.

    2024 dates:

    October 7th – 21st
    November 4th – 18th
    December 2nd – 16th

    202dates:

    January 20th – February 3rd

    February 17th – March 3rd

    March 17th – 31st

    April 14th – 28th

    May 12th – 26th

    June 9th – 23rd

    July 7th – 21st

    August 4th – 18th

    September 1st – 15th

    October 6th – 20th

    November 3rd – 17th

    December 1st – 15th


    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 1,431€
    2 weeks (max. stay) 2,863€
    Average fees 1,431€/week

    Program fees

    1,431€ per week 1 - 2 weeks Age 17 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 2 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Imire Rhino Conservation during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Imire Rhino Conservation

    Brilliant 4.7 rating (33 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2012

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Chanel

    Spoken languages: English

    About the project

    Hands-on rhino and elephant conservation at a private conservancy in Zimbabwe. Work alongside conservationists to help secure the future of these amazing animals.

    Meet your organization

    Project Background

    Imire was founded in the 1950s by Norman Travers, initially as a cattle, maize and tobacco farm. A passionate conservationist, Norman longed for the presence of game, which led to the establishment of Imire as a wildlife conservancy in 1972. Pioneering the integration of cattle farming and long-term sustainable wildlife management, within 10 years Imire had become a 10,000 acre conservancy, stocked with impala, waterbuck, kudu, eland and the rare sable antelope. 


    Imire remains family run to this day and has grown and expanded, as was Norman’s dream. The conservancy is dedicated to the conservation and welfare of wildlife, with a specific focus on the protection and breeding of endangered species such as Black and White Rhinos, as well as being a key rewilding site for Cheetahs and other animals.


    Our conservation ethos


    Imire’s mission is to conserve biodiversity and endangered species in Zimbabwe. We believe the key to sustainable conservation practices is through collaboration with local communities. We believe that rural communities and conservation programmes can thrive side by side, working together to ensure the protection of our natural heritage. Imire is a driving force for conservation education initiatives benefiting adults and children in the surrounding areas, as well as international visitors through our volunteer programme and wildlife courses. At Imire you are privileged to witness a workable solution where wildlife conservation, human communities, and agriculture can be integrated.


    Community


    Imire has been closely involved with the Wedza community since the conservancy was founded. We believe that sustainable conservation cannot exist without community support and believe that rhino and wildlife conservation efforts can be strengthened by empowering the local community through livelihood opportunities, in low impact and sustainable development focusing on wildlife and the environment.

    We support community projects and initiatives which provide either education, medical or financial empowerment opportunities. We are proud to have a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with our community and remain 100% committed to ensuring that the people in our district are as prosperous, successful and supported as possible.

    33 reviews · rating4.7

    PAULINA HARGASOVA rating5

    2023 at Horse Riding & Wildlife Conservation

    Amazing experience that you will never forget. I did the horse back riding program and I've never connected and approached so close the wildlife. The Imire team is truly inspiring, living for the conservation and wildlife. I would recommend to anyone to do the volunteer programme with Imire. ..
    Kat Springer rating4.8

    2023 at Horse Riding & Wildlife Conservation

    Free to Be Wild is a unique experience. You are close to the animals and it feels like you are making a difference not just on a tour. We spent a week doing various chores and projects at Free to Be Wild. Every day is different as you never know what could be coming to the sanctuary. A injured ...
    marisela bozo rating5

    2024 at Rhino & Elephant Conservation

    Imire is a great place to go. The place is beautiful and very well run by the coordinator and staff. The reserve is absolutely incredible with many animals running free, and beautiful birds. The experience with the elephants and the rhinos was the best part. Being so close to them is an amazing ...
    Marìa Isabel Goirigolzarri rating4.8

    2024 at Rhino & Elephant Conservation

    Great! The food, the organization, the protection, the contact with elephants, rhinos, pumas, antelopes..., the learning of survival techniques, the cleanliness... everything was perfect... a dream come ...
    Thibaut Karalus rating4.4

    2024 at Rhino & Elephant Conservation

    I only stayed at Imire for 1 week but I wish I would have stayed longer. The experience was amazing, I learnt so much in one week. The volunteer house is beautiful and is located in a place that looks like a little paradise. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Big thanks to Bright, Liane ...
    Vincent Brink rating5

    2023 at Rhino & Elephant Conservation

    This place is a true gem. Staying at a incredible lodge near a lake. The staff, projects, encounters & activities with animals make this place something to want to go back to the day you leave. Truly one of the greatest journeys I ...

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