Victoria Falls Conservation Experience
Help make a difference to Zimbabwe's incredible wildlife and visit the breath-taking Victoria Falls.
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Activities
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.
Itinerary
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.
Day 1 - (Sunday) The Adventure Begins:
You will be met at the arrivals hall of Victoria Falls International Airport before being transferred to the project site. You will spend the remainder of your day settling in, meeting your fellow volunteers and the team, and taking a tour of the project site. You might even spot a number of iconic African animals as your accommodation is located right in the heart of the reserve!
Day 2 - Project Briefing & Activities Begin:
After breakfast, you’ll spend the day learning about the project and its aims via a pre-week briefing and a day out on the reserve on orientation game drives! Today, you’ll see for yourself the impressive reserve and the bountiful wildlife you’ll be supporting by volunteering on this project.
Day 3 - A Trip To The Victoria Falls:
Your first Tuesday on the project will see you standing in awe of the Victoria Falls! As it is just a 10-minute drive away, you’ll have the whole morning to explore and witness the world’s largest sheet of falling water in all its glory. You’ll then return to camp for lunch, before venturing out in the field to tackle your first conservation activity!
Day 4 - Visiting The Local School:
On Wednesdays, volunteers visit the Masuwe Primary School and help with a variety of tasks, such as small construction projects and even fund-raising events! Here, you’ll have a chance to meet the incredible teachers and children and get to know the young minds of Zimbabwe. Later in the evening, you’ll head out on the reserve by the water for a classic African sundowner!
Day 5 - Camping Out In The Bush:
This morning, volunteers will work together to complete a conservation activity. Then in the afternoon, you’ll venture into the bush to set up camp for a night under the stars! With your fellow volunteers and coordinators, you’ll be able to relax around the fire and take in the sights and sounds of the reserve at night!
Day 6 - Alien Plant Removal:
You will start the day by packing up camp, before embarking on a bush walk or game drive in search of the 'Big 5'. The afternoon will see you tackling the alien plant Lantana Camara which has spread itself across the reserve, this will make room for native plants to grow. This evening, you’ll be able to relax and look forward to the weekend.
Day 7-8 - Free Time:
The weekends are free for you to spend as you please. You may wish to revisit the Victoria Falls to take part in some adrenaline-pumping activities, such as white-water rafting or bungee jumping, or perhaps, do some shopping in town or simply sunbathe and relax by the pool. You could also spend an evening at the famous Boma restaurant for an authentic meal and some incredible entertainment – the choice is yours!
Day 9-13 - Conservation Activities:
These days will follow a similar format as the first week, and you can expect to take part in 2 different conservation activities on the reserve each day. You can guarantee that you’ll be kept busy with a number of exciting and important activities during this Monday-Friday, all of which will greatly contribute to the conservation of Zimbabwe’s most-loved wildlife.
Day 14 - Time To Return Home:
Saturday will mark the end of your stay at the project. Sadly, it's time to say your goodbyes and begin your journey home or onward travel plans with a lifetime of memories in tow!
Durations & Prices
Accommodation
Accommodation
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.
Meals & Beverages
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.
Project Details
When Is The Best Time To Volunteer?
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).
Getting There
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.
Visa Requirements
Volunteers require a 'Business Visa' in order to join this project. Most travellers, including those from the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, and EU countries, can apply and pay for a Business e-Visa online before travelling. While some nationalities may obtain a visa on arrival, arranging your visa in advance will save time upon arrival in Victoria Falls. Visa fees vary depending on whether you choose a single- or multiple-entry visa. We recommend applying for your e-Visa at least three weeks before your trip.
Please be aware that it is the responsibility of every volunteer to ensure they obtain the correct visa to enter Zimbabwe and take part. If you're unsure of your visa requirements, we advise contacting your nearest Zimbabwean embassy at least two months before travel.
Fitness & Skills
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!
Vaccinations
There are no specific vaccinations required to join this project; therefore, we recommend consulting your GP/doctor or a travel clinic and following their advice on vaccinations for travel. You can also find helpful advice and information on the Travel Health Pro website.
Gallery
Reviews
The trip to the Victoria Falls Conservation Experience was absolutely amazing and I had a great time. A highlight was seeing so many rhinos and the bushwalks where you experience a rhino encounter from a short distance and on foot, which also can be scary sometimes because the rhinos are very intimidating. I really like that a game drive is counting as work at the project. I went on a game drive nearly every day and saw a lot of interesting animals. The work was mostly slashing high grass or gardening. We just did like 1 – 1 ½ hours hard work a day (mostly in the morning) and another 1 – 1 ½ easy work in the afternoon which was way less than expected. A good thing is that everybody has their own room and only two people share a bathroom. The price for the taxi to the airport is now 40 dollars due to the rising fuel costs. And of course, everything is more expensive now. Nearly everything else can be paid with card (trips, drinks at the hotel, the supermarkets in Vic Falls, etc.).
What a great experience. First time I've done anything like this and was a little apprehensive but didn't need to be. I travelled on my own and the group and team were fantastic. We did probably about 3 - 4 hours work each day starting early doors and then back to lodge about 11am. Lots of downtime to relax and then set off again at 4pm for a couple of hours. Travelling to work destination included safari drives searching for animals. Food great, bed comfortable and of course saw quite a lot of animals. Victoria Falls were amazing. Visited Chobe in Botswana for a safari drive and river cruise which was well worth it. Even completed a Gorge swing dropping 70 meters - others bungee jumped but I wasn't brave enough for this. Would definitely recommend this trip and will be looking to book another destination next year.
The project was a great opportunity to assist in the conservation of the flora and fauna, and to witness the lives of the animals in the wild. The accommodation was comfortable and the food exceeded expectations. I was disappointed that they allowed smoking in the common areas, which meant at least half the team had no smoke-free place to socialize.
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What's Included
- Accommodation
- Three meals per day
- An airport transfer on arrival
- A trip to the Victoria Falls
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Visas
- Additional weekend activities
- Departure airport transfer (this can be arranged for approximately US$30)
From
$2,487.00€1,554.00£1,295.00$1,749.00
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Up to 20 Persons
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All Meals Included
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13 - 27 Nights
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Every Sunday
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Minimum Age 18
