Wildlife Conservation with Horses

location
2 - 8 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Experience the raw beauty of Africa in a Big 5 area with free roaming wildlife assisting experienced conservationists with anti-poaching endeavours accompanied by an armed ranger
  • Help teach anti-poaching teams how to horse ride to make them proficient and comfortable on horseback to assist them with making their anti-poaching duties a lot easier
  • Visit local villages to educate the residents on animal husbandry -with domestic animals in particular donkeys- and wildlife conservation in an effort to reduce human/wildlife conflict that occurs.

Highlights

  • Experience the raw beauty of Africa in a Big 5 area with free roaming wildlife assisting experienced conservationists with anti-poaching endeavours accompanied by an armed ranger
  • Help teach anti-poaching teams how to horse ride to make them proficient and comfortable on horseback to assist them with making their anti-poaching duties a lot easier
  • Visit local villages to educate the residents on animal husbandry -with domestic animals in particular donkeys- and wildlife conservation in an effort to reduce human/wildlife conflict that occurs.
  • Take part in eco-friendly, recyclable local community projects, visit the local African Wild dog research centre and learn more about lion monitoring and research with camera traps and tracking
  • Visit the bucket list World Natural Wonder, Victoria Falls, for a few days after your project to white river raft, bungee jump, do helicopter flips and sunset cruise the Zambezi river viewing hippos


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    The ideal volunteer project for horse riders who are passionate about wildlife, conservation, and community, set against the stunning backdrop of untamed Zimbabwe!

    Project description

    Take part in the ultimate wildlife conservation project with horses in the raw African beauty on the edges of the vast Hwange national park area of Zimbabwe with local wildlife conservationists. This incredible location allows for many riding opportunities through one of ...

    About the program

    Project description

    Take part in the ultimate wildlife conservation project with horses in the raw African beauty on the edges of the vast Hwange national park area of Zimbabwe with local wildlife conservationists. This incredible location allows for many riding opportunities through one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife areas with the natural beauty of teak forests to the Miombo woodlands.

    All riding abilities can be catered for even those who would like to learn how to be comfortable on a horse with no riding skills.

    This volunteer project has so many aspects to it from exciting recycling projects recycling lodge waste into beautiful pieces of art or building materials. Or recycling metal snares into wire art. to assisting with anti-poaching endeavours, community education, wildlife conservation and equine care.

    Days are spent on horseback, helping with snare sweeps, boundary patrols and making sure Hwange’s wildlife remains free to roam in and out of the reserve. You will assist anti-poaching units by teaching the rangers to ride and helping with the logistics of the patrols. Snares are often put down by poachers which can have devastating effects on the wildlife populations as so many of them are put down at one time. There are plenty of opportunities to learn new bush skills from the many qualified rangers and conservationists you will be associating with while on the project. Expand your skills and leadership responsibilities by joining professional guides on guest outrides assisting with back up, tracking wild animals and exploring the untamed natural vegetation and its inhabitants- learning how to react to them.

    Education is key so rides are taken to local villages where locals are taught about animal husbandry in particular how to treat domestic animals like the donkeys and the proper use of harnesses. This is the perfect time too to educate the younger generations on the importance of wildlife and conservation to try reduce the human/wildlife conflict that often happens at the villages on the Hwange boundary line. And of course pony rides for the little ones are always fun.

    Horse duties and activities are very much a part of the project whether it is a sunset outride, a horse swim in a nearby waterhole or lunging a new horse. Show jumping and Polocrosse takes place and even the odd competition. At the stable yard you will be assisting staff from the local community in the care of the horses and general yard duties. This is also a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the Zimbabwean people, their tribes, culture and customs. 

    Volunteer duties on horseback

    • Trail and wildlife rides 
    • Animal tracking
    • Exercise rides combined with litter clean ups
    • Riding lessons and schooling sessions- this is key too for the anti-poaching rangers to make them proficient on horseback
    • Anti-poaching patrols whether for wildlife or wood poachers with an armed professional ranger
    • Litter clean up rides
    • Snare sweeps
    • Boundary patrols
    • Assisting with guest riders
    • Local village visits to educate the residents on animal husbandry

    Volunteer duties on foot

    • Animal tracking on foot
    • Bush craft classes
    • Eco-friendly, sustainable, recycling and educational community projects
    • Vehicle wildlife drives
    • Sunrise drives and sundowner trips
    • Assistance with the local African Wild dog centre
    • Lion research opportunities
    • Anti-poaching assistance for example snare sweeps with an armed ranger 
    • Snare wire art workshops
    • Vehicle patrols
    • Horse care
    • Daily yard duties like feeding the horses and washing numnahs
    • Lunging and schooling horses

    African Wild Dog research

    You may assist occasionally with African wild dog  research and monitoring if the research centre requires it or would like snare sweeps through their land.. The project has a very close relationship with a local African wild dog research centre established in the 90’s which monitors approximately 200 dogs in 6 packs in the Hwange National park. Volunteers often get involved or will have an excursion to the research centre to speak to experts in the field working with their survival.

    It is also possible to view the few non-releasable African Wild dogs that have permanent sanctuary at the centre. Or those undergoing rehabilitation awaiting release back to their pack. These beautiful, unique, and fascinating social African Wild dogs number at around 7000 worldwide and are critically endangered so it is imperative that all can be done for their survival so anti-poaching units have been established as the packs can be very susceptible to being caught in snares laid for bush meat. As only the alpha female breeds once a year, being caught in snares can have a long term negative affect on the numbers of the African Wild dogs in Hwange.

    Wild Lion research

    Another area of interest for volunteers is the opportunity to meet the members of a local lion research unit that monitors (often with camera traps) and researches the behaviour of 500 to 600 lions in the Hwange national park of which a few are satellite collared. We endeavour to give our volunteers insight into this important and fascinating conservation work which also assists towards finding solutions with human/wildlife conflict on the verges of Hwange where lions are often found close to local villages.

    Community projects

    The project is involved with many community projects including a recycling project where the community members from the neighbouring villages collect the lodge waste from the lodges in the surrounds of the national park. They use plastic bottles and clay to help construct houses, and other village projects. They also make different jewellery out of the glass and art out of the wire that the project finds from snares. Really great eco-friendly projects for volunteers to get involved in.

    Pony rides are also provided to the local school children and education about wildlife conservation and animal husbandry with their domestic animals especially the donkeys. The project aims to eliminate the human wildlife conflict where possible by starting with educating the younger generations. There are many community opportunities available, however it is preferred to finish one before moving on to another so as to give full attention to one project at a time.

    Fun activities

    Aside from the conservation duties the project often partakes in Show jumping, Polocrosse, sunset and sunrise rides and rives, horse swims and game drives. 

    No riding experience need

    There are many non-horse riding activities for those not experienced with riding and horse care which include helping with anti-poaching units from the ground, getting involved with the researchers in and around the park with both Lion and Wild dog as well as helping with snare sweeps and setting camera traps etc. Helping with community projects and many other horse related but not necessarily ride related activities. All ability levels can be accommodated.

     



    Typical day

    Estimated daily schedule- although working with wildlife and animals is always unpredictable!

    07:30- In the stables, feed the horses and help turn them out

    08:30- Self-service breakfast

    09:30- morning volunteer duties and activities

    12:00 -lunch

    13:00- afternoon volunteer duties or activities

    17:00- put ...

    Typical day

    Estimated daily schedule- although working with wildlife and animals is always unpredictable!

    07:30- In the stables, feed the horses and help turn them out

    08:30- Self-service breakfast

    09:30- morning volunteer duties and activities

    12:00 -lunch

    13:00- afternoon volunteer duties or activities

    17:00- put horses away, help feed and prepare horses for the evening. Once a week there may be a sunset ride and sundowners. Friday is braai (BBQ) night

    Saturdays are days off with a late full English breakfast at 10:00 followed by a trip into the local town and the afternoon off to relax

    Sundays afternoons are optional for either taking off or game viewing or sunset rides


    Free-time activities

    The area is fairly remote so free time tends to be relaxing by the pool, chilling around the camp fire,  taking in a sunset safari drive and sundowners, or even visiting one of the local lodges for a coffee or a cocktail. Despite the fact that no shops or restaurants in walking distance, there is ...

    Free-time activities

    The area is fairly remote so free time tends to be relaxing by the pool, chilling around the camp fire,  taking in a sunset safari drive and sundowners, or even visiting one of the local lodges for a coffee or a cocktail. Despite the fact that no shops or restaurants in walking distance, there is just so much to see and for lovers of wildlife, so much to do!

    The area is 2 hours’ drive from Victoria Falls International airport close to the small town of Dete on the outskirts of the. Hwange National Park. Hwange is a Big 5 reserve spanning 14 600 sq km and one of the largest populations of Elephants in the world. As Hwange does not have any fencing to keep wildlife in, the wildlife is all free roaming often entering the local villages surrounding the park. The local community is warm and friendly and if you are looking for a true raw African bush experience, this is it.

    As the project is not too far from the town of Victoria Falls, we suggest spending a few free days after your project taking in the World Heritage Site of Victoria Falls known by locals as Mosi-oa-Tunya the “smoke that thunders”. Victoria Falls is one of the world's largest waterfalls with a width of 1,708 m on and sits between the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia on the Zambezi river.

    Victoria Falls town is an easy base for those wanting to take part in sunset cruises on the Zambezi river to view the large populations of hippos and crocodiles, swim in the hair-raising Devil’s Pool on the edge of the Falls on the Zambia side, do helicopter flips, white river rafting, bungee jumping or even take a day safari outing to Chobe in Botswana for more viewing of wildlife by water and land.

    Dry season peaks are April to October peaking in the winter months of June, July and August. If you. are an asthmas suffer, please avoid the dry months

    Wet season peaks are November to March peaking in the summer months of December, January and February


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    Horse riding

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:30 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Volunteer Int. Adventures

    The cost of the project covers your food and meals, shared volunteer accommodation, meeting you at the Victoria Falls airport, Victoria Falls airport transfers, pre-departure administration and support, in-country staff on the ground, a weekly shopping trip to the local town, professional rangers and guides during snare sweeps and rides, other excursions and local transport while on the project, weekly housekeeping service, 24- emergency help and so much more. It does not cover flights, visa costs, travel insurance, spending money or excursions to Victoria Falls

    Airport Pickup at Victoria Falls Airport

    Airport pick up is from Victoria Falls International Airport and flights on Sundays must arrive before 14:30 and depart after 12:00. You will greeted at the airport with your name on a board, sign or phone by a local transfer company and taken to your project site which is a 2-hour drive away. 

    Accommodation

    During your stay, you'll be accommodated onsite in shared volunteer lodging, located at a bush lodge with an authentic African feel. There is a night guard on duty for extra safety. Just a short walk away, you’ll find a watering hole for a unique, close-to-nature experience. Single room upgrades are available upon request for an additional fee, subject to availability.

    The shared volunteer accommodation includes comfortable bedrooms and bathrooms, along with access to a well-equipped kitchen, lounge, dining room, fire pit, and the ever-popular swimming pool—perfect for hot African summer days and nights. The decor is simple with an African theme that enhances the immersive experience.

    Bedroom Options

    ·       Mukwa: Accommodates two volunteers in twin beds with an ensuite bathroom. This room is typically reserved for male volunteers, families, or couples.

    ·       Drongo: Accommodates three volunteers in single beds, includes an ensuite bathroom, and has a private outdoor seating area.

    ·       The Den: Accommodates four volunteers in bunk beds with an ensuite bathroom. This is also the central hub where meals are served, with a lounge offering board games, books, a projector for movies, an outdoor fireplace, and a shared kitchen for all guests.

    Additional Amenities

    ·       Essentials Provided: Linen, towels, and mosquito nets are supplied, along with extra blankets for colder nights. Volunteers are encouraged to bring a hot water bottle and thermals for winter months. A sleeping bag can be helpful for added warmth.

    ·       Laundry: There is a laundry room available for personal use (you can buy detergent locally or pay for a laundry service of $5 a bag handwashed and line hung). Weekly housekeeping is provided, though volunteers are expected to keep personal spaces tidy. A laundry service is also available for an extra fee.

    ·       Wi-Fi and Connectivity: Weekly Wi-Fi packages are available for purchase onsite. Alternatively, SIM cards can be bought at Victoria Falls Airport, and mobile internet coverage is generally reliable.

    ·       Secure Storage: A lock-up safe is available at the coordinators house and managed by them. On arrival, volunteers place their valuables, including money and passports, into an envelope marked with their name. The safe can be opened on request when needed.

    This setup ensures a comfortable, community-oriented stay with everything you need to enjoy your time in Africa to the fullest.

    Food & Beverages

    Breakfasts and lunches are self-service from a variety of different food types provided. Dinner consists of hearty home cooked meals prepared for you from local produce by staff on the ground to either be eaten at the managers house which is onsite, or at the volunteer accommodation. With in reason, dietary preference can be catered. The weekly shopping excursion is a great time for volunteers to stock up on snacks and treats. Please be aware though, that the area is quite remote and the local town shops may not stock speciality food items - for example vegan substitutes- which can impact on food provided. Fruits and vegetables can be very seasonal too due to the remote location and small town grocery shopping. 

    Friday nights are special as that is "braai" (BBQ) night. And just to make the weekend even better, Saturday mornings are for a full English breakfast and Sundays, is a traditional Sunday lunch.

    Water is safe to drink and there is tea, coffee and juice supplied too.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls. 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

    Strictly Thursday arrivals and departure. Book early as this is a very popular project. The programme runs on a 7-day schedule. Zimbabwean visas for 90 days are purchased on arrival at the port of entry at Victoria Falls Airport and costs range from $30 to $75 depending on the nationality of the visitor. Arrival flights at Victoria Falls should be any time before 14:30 as it is then a 2-hour drive to your volunteer accommodation. 

    Availability

    19th December to 26th December 2024 - 1 space available

    26th December 2024 to January 2025 - 6 spaces available

    Enquire about our 2025 starting dates

    Closed from the 19th of September to the 31st of October due to the heat and the horses having their AHS Vaccination

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

    Program fees

    2 weeks (min. stay) 2,427€
    3 weeks 3,606€
    4 weeks 4,300€
    5 weeks 4,855€
    6 weeks 5,132€
    7 weeks 5,548€
    8 weeks (max. stay) 6,242€
    Average fees 996€/week

    Program fees

    996€ per week 2 - 8 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 8 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 Volunteer Int. Adventures during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Volunteer Int. Adventures

    Brilliant 4.7 rating (70 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2020

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Sharon

    Spoken languages: Afrikaans, English

    About the project

    We are a hands-on volunteer organisation with 16 years' experience of working with volunteers in animal care, veterinary, conservation and youth projects.

    Meet your organization

    Volunteer International Adventures is dedicated to youth and animal projects, which are areas of great passion for us. We recognize the need for assistance from international volunteers in developing countries and have witnessed the transformative impact of their hands-on involvement on communities and conservation efforts.

    "Empowering Change Through Ethical Volunteer holidays"

    Our core priorities are as follows:

    1. Culture and Cultural Sensitivity:

    We encourage our volunteers to fully immerse themselves in the culture of the country they are volunteering in, understanding that volunteering differs significantly from being a tourist. By working closely with local communities and project partners, our volunteers gain profound insights into the challenges faced by the country. We actively support and facilitate opportunities for volunteers to engage in various activities, interact with locals, and educate themselves about the nation's history, no matter how difficult it may be. Cultural sensitivity is paramount, and we ensure that our approach is collaborative rather than imposing our own ideas. We welcome suggestions and creative ideas from our volunteers, as they often prove to be feasible and enrich the communities we serve.

    2. Fulfilling Volunteer Experiences:

    We strive to ensure that all our volunteers leave with a sense of accomplishment. Whether it is helping a child grasp mathematics, teaching cricket to school children, providing sewing classes to uplift youth, participating in wildlife conservation efforts such as satellite collaring African wild dogs or rhino relocation, collecting data on great white shark populations, treating sick indigenous wildlife, assisting with animal sterilization in disadvantaged communities, instilling a love for reading in children, or teaching marimba classes—the list is diverse and extensive. We want our volunteers to develop a deep connection with the country they are assisting and forge lifelong friendships that can serve as future ambassadors for their respective nations.

    3. Ethical Projects:

    We strictly oppose trophy hunting and the breeding of lions for commercial gain. Our wildlife and animal projects take place in free-roaming reserves, registered rehabilitation centers, or sanctuaries where the animals are non-releasable due to injuries, human habituation, or being non-indigenous to the area. We support local and ethical animal sanctuaries and reserves, which our volunteers can visit during their free time. When working with children in teaching, care, or youth development projects, we require a recent paper copy of a background check (CRB check) from volunteers' countries of origin. This precaution ensures the safety and well-being of the children we serve, who often come from challenging socio-economic backgrounds and have been let down by adults in the past. We prioritize the protection of innocent animals and children who cannot advocate for themselves.

    4. Responsible and Sustainable Approach:

    We take pride in implementing responsible and sustainable projects that involve local community members, ensuring the continuity of operations even when volunteer numbers are low. While some projects rely heavily on volunteer support due to limited funds, we strive to strike a balance by involving sufficient local participation.

    5. Cost Effectiveness:

    Having collaborated with volunteers on projects for nearly 15 years, we recognize that volunteering can come at a significant cost. Therefore, we are committed to making volunteering more accessible, reasonable, and inclusive. Our projects encompass various extras, and we maintain affordability by keeping costs low and encouraging increased hands-on assistance. We offer negotiable family, friends, and group discounts, as volunteering together enables us to further reduce expenses. Loyalty is rewarded, and returning volunteers receive special recognition in our projects. Additionally, our costs include donations to our projects, contributing to their sustainability and impact.

    6. Safety:

    The safety of our volunteers is of paramount importance. We thoroughly vet and assess all our projects, ensuring adequate safety measures are in place. While certain areas may be off-limits due to potential risks, it is important to note that complete safety guarantees are impossible in any location. We have established channels for reporting incidents and maintain close relationships with in-country support on the ground. Furthermore, we possess liability insurance and require all participants to have personal travel insurance. To provide comprehensive support, we arrange airport collections and drop-offs, ensuring our volunteers are assisted throughout their entire journey. We pride ourselves on delivering a personal touch and remain available 24/7 to address any emergencies.

    Please remember to arrange your comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking your trip, as it is an essential aspect of ensuring your well-being and peace of mind.

    We sincerely appreciate your interest in Volunteer International Adventures and our commitment to making a positive impact through responsible volunteering. Should you have any further questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

    70 reviews · rating4.7

    Kemly Yambay rating5

    2024 at Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation

    An experience that I will never forget and forever in my heart thanks to all the team of the Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation. Amazing team and good people My best wishes for the new farm and see you guys very ...
    Lynn van den Broecke rating5

    2024 at Ethical Predator Sanctuary Assistant

    A massive thank you to everyone who was involved in this project! I felt safe and well taken care of. I think about this experience a lot. I would definitely recommend it to everyone! ...
    It is difficult to know where to begin, this process has utterly changed my life in the most positive ways. During my stay in Knysna I got the opportunity to volunteer at a local NGO that offers so many people the support they need. The work involves engaging and educating prisoners to working in ...
    I have absolutely loved my experience in South Africa volunteering with Endangered Wildlife Monitoring and Research, and I am sad that I have to leave in a few days. By the time I leave I will have spent six weeks in South Africa, so I've been lucky enough to volunteer at all three of the reserves ...
    Esther Burden rating5

    2024 at Big Cat Sanctuary on a Wildlife Reserve

    I would 100% recommend this excellent volunteer programme to anyone interested in big cats. I know now that i didn’t do enough research about the lion industry and ethical vs non-ethical sanctuarys before my three-month stay at this sanctuary, but i was very lucky to end up somewhere where the ...
    Karine Bottiglieri rating5

    2024 at Whales, Sharks and Penguins Conservation

    truly exceptional, Where to start, the warm and sincere welcome. I am French, my English is average, but they made themselves available to me, they took the time to explain to me so that I understood, always with a smile and patience. the whole team goes out of their way to show you the wonders of ...

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