An incredible opportunity to help address the seriously decreasing number of lions in the wild throughout Africa by joining the world's leading lion rehabilitiation/release programme at Victoria Falls. Here volunteers will walk with lions, exposing the cubs to the African bush where they can hone their natural skills and help conduct invaluable research on lion behaviour. As part of this project, all volunteers will also assist with conservation tasks and conservation education initiatives in local school and their time at the project will be divided between the lion rehabilitation programme and conservation work in local schools. Take the time to visit the world famous Falls themselves and experience some of the many amazing adventure activities on offer.
Duration & Fees
- £1,195 - 2 weeks
- £1,595 - 3 weeks
- £1,989 - 4 weeks
Start Dates
2012: 2 Jan | 16 Jan | 6 Feb | 20 Feb | 5 Mar | 19 Mar | 2 Apr | 16 Apr | 7 May | 21 May | 4 Jun | 18 Jun | 2 Jul | 16 Jul | 6 Aug | 20 Aug | 3 Sep | 17 Sep | 1 Oct | 15 Oct | 5 Nov | 19 Nov | 3 Dec | 17 Dec
Payment
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
What's Included
- A contribution that goes directly back into the project itself which facilitates funding for items such as food for the lions, management and maintenance of the infrastructure and further developments
- All transfers to and from Victoria Falls Airport on arrival and departure
- "On-the-job" educational activities and support from project staff
- Any wildlife education talks that take place during the placement
- All accommodation including 3 meals a day
- Unlimited tea, coffee and soft drinks
- Laundry and domestic service
What's not included
- Travel insurance (to include cover for repatriation)
- Personal items eg clothes, travel goods
- Flights to Victoria Falls Airport
- Use of internet and telephone
- Visas and any trips undertaken other than in the planned programme
Volunteers will have the opportunity to:
- Join the world's leading programme to release lions back into the wild
- Enjoy walking with the lions in the bush and watch them develop
- Experience the African bush spending time in the "Big 5" Zambezi National Park
- Get immersed in the local Zimbabwean culture
- Get actively involved in conservation and help to protect the environment in the future through conservation education in local schools
- Enjoy fantastic optional adventure activities and trips to see more of the area's spectacular wildlife
- Make friends for life with other international volunteers on the programme
This project is based on the outskirts of Victoria Falls town, Zimbabwe - just a stone's throw from the magnificent thundering waters of the Falls themselves. Volunteers will work on the world's leading programme for the release of lions back into the wild - walking with the young lions and exposing the cubs to the African Bush as they hone their natural skills whilst experiencing the African Bush in a special way as they spend time out in the Masuwe Big 5 game reserve where the lion project is based. There will be opportunities to be involved in research into lion behaviour and to assist with conservation tasks such as clearing of alien plant species as well as helping with conservation education in the local schools. This all gives volunteers a fantastic insight into the lives of the local community and Zimbabwean culture. There will also be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the wide range of adventure activities available around the Falls - one of Africa's adrenaline capitals.
Lion Rehabilitation/Release Programme
Although as recently as 1975 more than 200,000 lions roamed the African continent, estimates from 2002 showed evidence of an 80 - 90% decline in the lion population putting the number of lions remaining at between 23,000 - 39,000. This valuable project aims to rehabilitate captive-bred lions back into the wild so that their cubs, raised by the pride, can learn the skills necessary to ensure their successful transition into their natural environment. The involvement of volunteers on this project is vital to achieving these aims. Days will be long but very rewarding, and volunteers will know that they have made a difference to the animals and people with whom they have come in contact.
The main task for volunteers is to assist the local team in all aspects of care for the animals, giving them opportunities to develop their natural instincts ready for their release into the next stage of the programme.
Research also plays an important part - collecting data on lion development and also joining the research teams in the Zambezi and Victoria Falls National Parks. Research activities include lion behaviour and interaction studies, spoor and mane measurement and road strip surveys (seasonal). Help will also be given to various community projects which may include conservation or health education.
The work is varied and will include:
Lion Walks
Spending part of each day with the lions in the wild is essential to the cubs' upbringing and if they are to be successfully released it is vital that they spend time in a natural environment, from where they will adapt, learn, understand, observe, feel and smell the wild. Since the inception of this programme a marked increase in the lions' awareness of their natural surroundings and an improvement in their bush skills have been noticed and these skills improve each day under the supervision of volunteers. Alongside these walks volunteers will be involved in the care of the animals who spend the nights in enclosures. They need to be fed, cleaned and occasionally will need veterinary care to ensure they remain in good health. Volunteers will gain a deeper understanding of these wonderful beasts as they assist in gathering vital information that will ease their eventual release back into the wild.
Research
A number of research activities are conducted to improve man's understanding of lion behaviour and ecology. Lion walks offer unique opportunities to observe the lions close up in their natural environment and the data collected assists in making the best decisions for any animal's welfare and eventual release. Volunteers will assist the research technician to gather and analyse this important data and will receive training to ensure that they can provide valuable input to the programme, regardless of lack of previous experience. The research studies at any time will vary according to the needs of the project but may include looking at character traits, spoor sizes or mane growth. Full training is given to ensure that all volunteers are able to provide valuable input to the programme regardless of previous experience.
Work in the National Park
There is a huge amount of work necessary to keep a National Park ecosystem healthy, and the project has two parks right on its doorstep. Volunteers will work with the research team and National Park rangers on several conservation activities that may include some or all of the following, based on need at the time of placement:
- assisting in the development of a new waterhole (this is dependent on funding)
- at Masuwe concession: carrying out snare sweeps to remove wires set illegally by poachers trying to catch the animals in the Park and working with local communities to reduce lion/human conflict
- Victoria Falls Rain Forest: volunteers will be involved in the removal of Invasive Alien Plant spedcies as and when required by the Park Warden
Please Note: Research activities will be conducted on a case-by-case basis in collaboration with the National Parks team and their needs at the time, as well as seasonality and accessibility to the bush based on the time of year. Whilst every effort is made to accurately describe the conservation and research activities in which volunteers will be involved during their placement, it is essential to remain flexible and accommodating during time on the project and to understand that the team will always make every effort to maximise the involvement of volunteers in these activities.
Teach a Conservation Class
Volunteers will visit local schools to gain support for conservation through education. The syllabus was originally devised under the WWF "We Care!" project and lessons are designed to give children a better understanding of their environment so that they may appreciate the need to conserve what remains of this beautiful but wild area. Each lesson may focus on a specific species or introduce conservation methods. Learning is achieved through classroom-based talks as well as practical activities such as visits to the lion programme, or Victoria Falls themselves. This activity takes place when children are in school - holidays are taken in April, August and December.
Volunteers' time will likely be split in the following ratio, although these figures are only approximate;
| Lion Rehabilitation and Release into the Wild Programme |
75% |
| Conservation work with the two National Parks |
20% |
| Conservation Education and Community Development |
5% |
Volunteers get one official stand-by day each week, which is a day off unless there is an urgent need for their assistance.
A day in the life of a volunteer
Every day is different, but as animals rarely operate to schedule, volunteers are asked to remain flexible. However, this is an example of a typical day with the lions:
| 6.15am |
Volunteers will be collected by their project manager and driven out to the project base at Masuwe Lodge within the Zambezi National Park. This is about a 10 minute drive. |
| 6.30am |
Meet the guide and clients and join them for a lion walk, taking cubs from 5 - 18 months out into the bush - perhaps capturing data as the cubs practice their hunting skills. |
| 9am |
Breakfast |
| 10am |
One group may head off to nearby Chamabondo School to being the day's conservation education classes - perhaps with up 60 children in a class! Good fun. The other group will be involved in enclosure cleaning, feeding the cubs or driving into the National Park to conduct a game census. |
| 12.30pm |
Lunch (Back at the volunteer base) |
| 2.30pm |
Afternoon duties may include updating the species inventory in the Victoria Falls National Park or a lion walk at Masuwe. |
| 6.45pm |
Briefing by the project manager regarding the following day's activities. |
| 7pm |
Dinner at Victoria Falls Rest Camp. On some nights volunteers may head off into Victoria Falls town to experience the local night life. Or perhaps camping out at a water hole to watch the African Bush come alive at night. |
The Lion Project is unaffected by school holiday.
The number of volunteers at each project will be approximately 10 people.
Volunteers will be accommodated at a lovely Guest House which is a short 15minute walk from the beautiful town of Victoria Falls. The guest house has 5 shared rooms, some of which are ensuit. There is a dining and lounge area with a TV and DVD player and a barbeque and pool area for volunteers to relax in during the evenings and their time off.
Breakfasts and lunches will be enjoyed out at the the concession where the lion project is based and volunteers can relax with a warm dinner back at the rest camp when they return at the end of the working day.
Zimbabwe
Why visit Zimbabwe?
The beautiful country of Zimbabwe offers something for everyone; from the absolute wilderness of Mana Pools National Park, the ruins of Great Zimbabwe and the mountains overlooking Mozambique, to fine dining in Harare or bunjee jumping over Victoria Falls. It is rich in culture and colour and the Zimbabweans have not lost their humour and resolve.
Victoria Falls is one of the worlds’ biggest and most spectacular waterfalls, with a network of trails leading through the rain forest surrounding the “smoke that thunders”. Take an umbrella and raincoat and gaze at the incredible vistas of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Victoria Falls village is home to a seemingly endless variety of adventure sports from bungee jumping to canoeing and white-water rafting. Apart from its appeal to adventure enthusiasts the village still has a gracious, pioneering and colonial atmosphere.
Hwange Park is one of the finest conservation areas in Africa and is said to contain the widest variety and greatest density of wildlife in the world. Game viewing is generally restricted to the Hwange Park road network, but it has private concession areas allowing off-road safaris and nature walks. Mana Pools is an unspoiled, remote Park in the Zambezi Valley, a subtropical region, with the terrain and vegetation varied from the river up to the Zambezi Plateau. Walking is allowed (at visitor's own risk) and can be exhilarating and rewarding, if caution is taken.
Lake Kariba is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, with abundant game-sightings and excellent angling for bream and tiger fish. The Lake provides pleasure to locals and visitors alike with fishing, canoeing, sailing or drifting along on a houseboat. The Matopo Hills is an area of incredible beauty with a mythical history and a proud people, the Matebele. The Matobo Hills were so named because they looked like the bald heads of indunas (chiefs). The entire region is a complex of bizarre and exposed granitic formations. Once inhabited by the bushman, today one can find magnificent examples of rock art in and amongst the caves. The Matobo National Park is one of Zimbabwe's prime wildlife sanctuaries with a large population of white rhino, the elusive black rhino, a variety of antelope species, baboon, rock hyraxes and a large population of leopard and black eagle.
Highlights of Zimbabwe
- The magnificent Victoria Falls are classed as one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World.
- Zimbabwe is home to four World Heritage Sites - Victoria Falls, Mana Pools National Park, the Great Zimbabwe Ruins and the Khame Ruins.
- Lake Kariba is one of the world's largest man-made lakes, with abundant game and excellent angling for bream and tiger fish.
- Magnificent national parks include Hwange, Mana Pools, Matusadona and Chizarira.
- Adventure activities abound and include canoeing on the lower Zambezi, kayaking and rafting on the upper Zambezi, and bungee jumping at Victoria Falls.
- For high adventure enthusiasts, white-water rafting is most exciting when the Zambezi waters are low (generally from August to December) and is often referred to as the best one-day white-water rafting in the world.
- Canoeing down the Lower Zambezi affords an ideal opportunity to get close to Africa's wildlife.
- Magnificent scenic areas in the Eastern Highlands Highlights of Zimbabwe.
Climate
| Seasons | Max | Min |
| Summer/wet (November - April) |
30 °C |
14 °C |
| Winter/dry ( May - October) |
20 °C |
5 °C |
| Rainfall: November – March |
Zimbabwe offers excellent game-viewing opportunities throughout the year. Due to Zimbabwe’s high altitudes, it has a beautiful and moderate climate, where temperatures are never very extreme. It has warm summers, November to April, where days are generally sunny in the morning with possible dramatic afternoon/evening thunderstorms. Temperatures of 35°C in summer are considered boiling.
Winter occurs from May to October and days are sunny and cool to warm while evening temperatures drop sharply. Temperatures of 7°C in winter are considered freezing. The end of the cool, dry season, around September/October, is the top time for wildlife viewing.
The main rains fall between November and March, although the Eastern Highlands are damp for most of the year. The Victoria Falls are spectacular in April and May after the rainy season.
Key Facts
Population – 12.5 million
Capital - Harare
Currency – none. The Zimbabwean dollar was suspended by the government due to hyper-inflation. The US dollar, South African rand, Botswanan pula, pound sterling and Euro are used instead. The US dollar has been adopted as the official currency for all government transactions with the new power-sharing regime.
Language – English is the official language, with Shona and Ndebele being recognised regional languages
Time difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 263, international access code 00
Undertaking this project was undoubtedly the best experience of my life. Not only did I get to work with these incredible lions but I got to explore this beautiful region of Africa and met some amazing people who will remain life long friends. I would recommend it to anyone. I can't wait to go back!
Judi, UK, aged 33 (Victoria Falls Lion Project Volunteer)
Going on this project is the best thing I have done in my life, it has opened my eyes in so many ways and feel I have come back with a much more positive attitude. AT were excellent agents to go through they answered all my questions and were very friendly and helpful. Zimbabwe is such an axazing country and my 4 weeks were well spent although I wish they could have lasted a little longer. All of the people at the lodge I was staying and all the guides at the lion rehabilitation centre were fabulous. I could not have asked for better people to have guided me on my journey. They were all incredible! I am so glad I took the courage to go on this trip and I hope I return.
Kerry, UK, aged 18 (Victoria Falls Lion Project Volunteer)
An amazing life changing experience mainly due to the dedicated and friendly staff. The other volunteers really made me welcome and from day one welcomed me into their team, even though I was 40 years older – interacting with the lions, walking with them in the bush and learning about their behaviour and feeding them was unforgettable. All activities were varied and interesting as well as being well organised. Accommodation was good. Food very average but considering the economic situation in Zimbabwe it was varied and substantial. Staff were friendly as well as knowledgeable and dedicated to the project. All pre-departure information was handled professionally and promptly.
Maureen, UK, aged 64 (Victoria Falls Lion Project Volunteer)
The Vic Falls project was an incredible experience. The time I spent in Zimbabwe was like nothing I have ever faced before. I will never forget the experience and will always appreciate everything I learned. The country is beautiful, the people are caring and giving, the staff were knowledgeable and informed, and the program was the experience of a lifetime. The hard part was leaving!
Brenna, Canada, aged 24 (Victoria Falls Lion Project Volunteer)