Join the world renowned Lilongwe Wildlife Centre as an animal care volunteer or as a member of the veterinary team if you are a veterinary student.
Set in the heart of Malawi, the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is currently the country’s only accredited wildlife sanctuary, serving as a sole beacon of hope for orphaned and injured wild animals. Malawi is blessed with a phenomenal array of wildlife species, but issues such as deforestation and the illegal wildlife trade have put these species at risk.
The sanctuary is home to around 200 rescued wild animals; amongst them are monkeys, crocodiles and antelope, each with their own stories and a desire to be re-released. However, with an increase in pressure on the country’s animals, their habitats and their survival, the team at the centre requires consistent help in the form of volunteers.
The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre offers two focuses: one which invites volunteers to help out with animal care, community education and general support around the sanctuary, and another which welcomes veterinary students to assist the on-site vet in all aspects of care (such as incoming exams, minor trauma, health checks and routine diagnostics). Both roles have the potential to make a real difference to the lives of Malawi’s at-need animals, and you could contribute to Lilongwe’s incredible efforts by becoming a volunteer today!
This itinerary is set as a two-week block with volunteers able to choose their own schedules according to preference but within reason. If you choose to volunteer for a longer duration, the number of project days would increase.
To secure a place on this project a deposit of $245 is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due any time up to 60 days prior to your start date.
Select a duration below to see the available start dates. All dates shown are currently available for you to join this project!
Lilongwe Wildlife Centre was originally set up in 2008 thanks to a trust of passionate local patrons, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, and members of the Born Free Foundation. The government granted the trust the concession to 90 hectares of wilderness right in the heart of the city; effectively giving it similar protection to that of a national park.
A local campaign against illegal pet trafficking virtually eradicated the illegal roadside-wildlife trade in Lilongwe and as word spread of the centre´s work, animals came flooding in from across the country and beyond! In addition to smaller releases, the first primate release programme was set up in Kasungu in 2009, returning animals back into the wild where they belong. In 2010, the centre's vet clinic and orphan care clinic were completed and since then various other release programmes have been established. In 2014/5, Lilongwe rescued 77 animals and released 57, followed by the release of 22 Vervet Monkeys in 2016 who welcomed other wild residents into their troop and have since reproduced! 2017 proved to be another extremely successful year for the team at Lilongwe. Members of the team assisted in the arrests of 37 animal traffickers, seizing of 161 kg of ivory and putting 21 traffickers in jail. There were also 26 new animal rescues to add to the 185 animals already in rehabilitation at the centre. In terms of conservation education, 9,763 school children have benefited, 81 new teachers have been trained, and they also gained 25 adult literacy students who came to the centre hoping to improve their skills!
Now that the wildlife centre is well established, the second phase of its development is focusing on improving the centre for people. Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is already a key education and recreation facility, giving people the opportunity to get closer to nature and see the value of wildlife conservation for themselves. Already, the project welcomes 25,000 children through the gates every year and subsidises poorer schools and orphanages to ensure that the centre is accessible to everyone so the messages are spread as far as possible. The centre's outreach programme also aims to address some of the everyday pressures that the communities face, and wherever possible, the project encourages sustainable livelihoods that support both the local people and the conservation of the environment.
The story of Pretzel highlights the important work undertaken by the incredible team at the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. From horrific circumstances with unfortunate consequences, Pretzel has overcome a traumatic ordeal and has newfound freedom and friendships in her new sanctuary home.
Read MoreOur latest update from the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre follows the rescue of none other than Tom Brady...or, at least, his vervet monkey namesake! Read on to learn more about Tiny Tom, from his arrival at the centre to his recovery.
Read MoreJoin us in celebrating International Women's Day, as we list some of our top female conservation heroes. These ladies have paved the way for major breakthroughs in the realm of animal welfare and conservation. Which women have inspired you the most?
Read MoreDuring the project, you will stay in a volunteer house situated right within the heart of the wildlife centre. The house is comprised of a kitchen, lounge area, and a shared bathroom with hot showers, as well as a mixed-gender dorm-style accommodation, allocating up to ten volunteers per room. It is possible to upgrade to a chalet (subject to availability), which sleeps up to four people per room and features an en-suite bathroom. The volunteer house and chalet are situated close together, meaning that guests from either accommodation will still be able to socialise. Outside there is also a pleasant garden area in which to unwind during your free time.
All meals are included and prepared by the project’s local cook, apart from Sundays when the cook has a day off and volunteers will share kitchen duties amongst themselves. Whilst on the project you will be able to enjoy various international dishes along with some delicious local Malawian favourites. The team can cater for vegetarian or vegan diets, but please let us know in advance so the team at the project site have plenty of time to prepare for your arrival.
If you would prefer to dine elsewhere, there are many delicious restaurants just a short drive away and the wildlife centre’s restaurant serves fantastic lunches. Whichever option is your preference, you can certainly look forward to indulging on the local Malawian cuisine!
The construction work undertaken on this project requires a moderate level of fitness. The other tasks, however, are not particularly physically strenuous, but a fair level of fitness is advised. No specific skills or experience are required, just a commitment to this dedicated project and its commendable ethos. However, if you do have specific skills or experience that you feel will greatly benefit one of the project’s programmes, this is always warmly welcomed and every contribution has a lasting impact on the endangered species that need it most!
To volunteer on this project a chest x-ray or skin test will need to be provided to show that you do not have Tuberculosis. This is ESSENTIAL, as without the above you will not be granted access to the volunteer areas on site.
All other vaccinations will depend on the medical history of each volunteer. We recommend that you consult your Doctor/GP regarding your own vaccination needs to ensure you are fully protected and prepared to volunteer in Malawi.
You will need to arrive at Lilongwe International Airport between 9am and 5pm on your project start date, where a project representative will be waiting to transfer you to the wildlife centre. This transfer takes approximately 25 minutes.
If you arrive in Lilongwe a day early, we recommend that you spend a night at the Mumbuya Camp or Kiboko Hotel.
If you would like help booking your flights, please visit our flights page and fill out the form. A member of our team will get back in touch as soon as possible with a suitable quote.
All nationals from countries that require Malawians to pay for a visa to enter their countries, are required to obtain a visa to enter Malawi. As this may change over time, we strongly recommend that you speak to your embassy to learn about the visa requirements for your country. If you do require a visa, we recommend obtaining this in advance of travel, however, it is possible to pay for one on arrival. Visas are paid for in US Dollars, with single-entry visas currently priced at $75.
I was lucky enough to help out in the Veterinary Clinic, which was amazing as I am studying to be a Vet Nurse.
Emma Onyejekwe, 2017
Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is an amazing rescue centre for wild animals including monkeys, antelope, crocodiles and two beautiful lions, and they clearly have the animals' best interests in mind. It's a sanctuary, not a zoo, so the enclosures are large and wild giving the animals plenty of space to roam and play. They have an extensive rehabilitation programme for the animals, and release any animal possible - a troop of baboons have just been released to a nearby national park!
Kat, 2015
I visited Lilongwe Wildlife Centre in June 2014 for just two weeks and it was the best experience in my life. I found out about the centre through the Worldwide Veterinary Service and as soon as I arrived the staff were extremely friendly and were helpful with any task. I was kept very busy when volunteering from day to day considering I am a non vet and I was lucky enough to work with all the animals at the centre one way or another! There is a non-contact policy with the animals as the centre aims to rehabilitate the majority of the animals into the wild when possible. I found this reassuring as many other organisations are not particularly open about what happens to their animals after they are released (if ever) so I knew my hard work was going to a great cause. We had two cooked meals a day (lunch & dinner) both of which were cooked by the on site chef Josef who is possessed with talent in the kitchen and never failed to impress me! When it came to the evening the night life of Lilongwe was a very enjoyable experience and I would recommend getting out as much as possible and experiencing everything. My one regret from the entire trip is not staying for longer!
Sean Marriot, 2014
Orphan and Animal Care
Rehabilitation and Release
Construction And Maintenance
Education and Community Outreach
Environmental Work
Veterinary Care – Veterinary Students Only
