
Help make a difference to Zimbabwe's incredible wildlife and visit the breath-taking Victoria Falls.
Set against the backdrop of one of the seven ‘natural wonders of the world’, the Victoria Falls Conservation Experience offers Africa’s best-loved highlights all in one place. From iconic wildlife to beautiful landscapes and adventure-filled activities, this ‘Big 5’ game reserve is the perfect place to experience and gain an understanding of conservation management, wildlife research methods and community development, all whilst absorbing the unique culture and charm of Zimbabwe.
Across this 4,000-hectare game reserve, you’ll find the famed African ‘Big 5’ with a huge number of elephants calling the land home. The reserve also proudly protects the critically endangered black rhino, with an intensive rhino monitoring programme in place, helping to increase their numbers and fight against the widespread poaching which has had devastating effects throughout Southern Africa.
As a volunteer, you will have the chance to make a real difference for the wildlife and local communities by contributing to the 5 conservation aims of the project. Whether you’re awe-struck whilst monitoring elephant herds, helping to protect wildlife during anti-poaching snare sweeps, or teaching the children at the local school about the importance of conservation, you’ll be sure to leave a lasting impact on Zimbabwe’s wildlife and be able to tick more than one surreal experience off your bucket list. Plus, with the Zambezi River and one of the world’s most impressive waterfalls just 10 minutes away, you’ll be in a thrill-seekers paradise with options of white-water rafting, helicopter rides, bungee jumping and much, much more!
Set against the backdrop of one of the seven ‘natural wonders of the world’, the Victoria Falls Conservation Experience offers Africa’s best-loved highlights all in one place. From iconic wildlife to beautiful landscapes and adventure-filled activities, this ‘Big 5’ game reserve is the perfect place to experience and gain an understanding of conservation management, wildlife research methods and community development, all whilst absorbing the unique culture and charm of Zimbabwe.
Across this 4,000-hectare game reserve, you’ll find the famed African ‘Big 5’ with a huge number of elephants calling the land home. The reserve also proudly protects the critically endangered black rhino, with an intensive rhino monitoring programme in place, helping to increase their numbers and fight against the widespread poaching which has had devastating effects throughout Southern Africa.
As a volunteer, you will have the chance to make a real difference for the wildlife and local communities by contributing to the 5 conservation aims of the project. Whether you’re awe-struck whilst monitoring elephant herds, helping to protect wildlife during anti-poaching snare sweeps, or teaching the children at the local school about the importance of conservation, you’ll be sure to leave a lasting impact on Zimbabwe’s wildlife and be able to tick more than one surreal experience off your bucket list. Plus, with the Zambezi River and one of the world’s most impressive waterfalls just 10 minutes away, you’ll be in a thrill-seekers paradise with options of white-water rafting, helicopter rides, bungee jumping and much, much more!
The activities you take part in as a volunteer on the Victoria Falls Conservation Experience will vary depending on the needs of the game reserve, however, key focusses and activities on the project are detailed below.
Below is a sample itinerary for a 2-week stay, but please be aware, itineraries are subject to change and may also include additional activities not listed below.
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!
During your time on the project, you will stay in the conservation centre, right in the heart of the reserve. Every volunteer is allocated their own private room with bathrooms shared between 2-4 volunteers on a same-sex basis. There is also a double room available for couples on request.
The facility boasts a spacious and comfortable living area, with a fully equipped kitchen and canteen where all meals are prepared and served. One of the many highlights of the conservation centre is the open-air entertainment area, which includes a deck and swimming pool which overlooks the reserve - allowing you to see some incredible wildlife even whilst relaxing during your free time.
Three meals a day will be provided for you, consisting of a mix of western and traditional Zimbabwean foods, all prepared by the resident chef. On some days, meals (particularly lunches) will be pre-made, packed, and taken out into the field, giving you the opportunity to make the most of your time in African bush while taking part in conservation and community activities. Most dietary requirements, including vegetarian and vegan, can be catered for, though we kindly ask you to make us aware of any before arriving.
The majority of activities take place year-round, so the main factor that might affect your decision of when to volunteer is the weather, and there are two distinct seasons here known as the ‘green’ season and the ‘safari’ season.
November to April: This is summer and also considered the ‘green’ season. During these months you can expect warm weather with average daytime temperatures of 30°C (86°F), but also some rain, with December and January being the wettest months of the year. Importantly, however, the majority of the game animals have their young at the beginning of this season making it a popular time to travel for anyone keen to see some of the reserve's youngest residents, including baby rhinos, elephants and a whole host of other new-born animals.
May to October: This is the main ‘safari’ season and the weather is typically hot and dry. With fewer leaves on the trees, this provides a better viewing opportunity of the animals. May, June and July are the coldest months of the year but still have daytime temperatures of approximately 25°C (77°F). September and October, however, are the hottest months with temperatures reaching 34°C (93°F).
You will need to arrive at the Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) on your project start date in time for the 3pm transfer, where you will be met by a member of the team and transferred to the project site. This transfer takes approximately 20-30 minutes. If you are already in Victoria Falls or would prefer to arrive a day earlier, a transfer can be arranged for you from the Wild Horizons office in the town of Victoria Falls at 11am on your start date.
All volunteers will require a 'Business Visa' in order to join this project, and these can either be obtained in advance of travel from your local Zimbabwean Embassy or on arrival into Victoria Falls Airport. This visa currently costs US$55 for most European and US citizens, US$70 for Canadian citizens and US$55 for UK and Irish citizens. Please be aware, it is the responsibility of every volunteer to ensure they obtain the correct visa to enter Zimbabwe and take part.
As this project involves some physical work, mainly in environmental and construction tasks, a moderate level of fitness is required. All volunteers must also be comfortable walking up to 6km per day, and whilst no specific skills or experience are required, a positive attitude and the ability to work well as a part of a team are certainly key!
There are no specific vaccination or medical requirements needed to join this project. Therefore, the vaccinations required will depend on the individual medical history of each volunteer and we recommend that you consult with your doctor/GP or a travel clinic regarding your own vaccination needs. We also recommend the Fit For Travel website for helpful information on how best to prepare for your experience.