VICTORIA FALLS LION REHABILITATION AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROJECT
VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
An incredible opportunity to help address the seriously decreasing number of lions in the wild throughout Africa. Join the world's leading lion rehabilitiation/release programme at Victoria Falls where volunteers will walk with lions, hand rear cubs and help conduct invaluable research on lion behaviour. As part of this project all volunteers will also be involved with exciting conservation education initiatives 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.
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Location: |
VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE |
Dates: |
Any date throughout the year. |
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Fees: |
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£995 - 2 weeks
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£1,780 - 4 weeks
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£2,390 - 6 weeks
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£2,895 - 8 weeks
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Payment: |
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance of project fee due 8 weeks before departure |
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Reference: |
AV022 |
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Highlights
- An 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 actively involved in conservation
- 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
General Information
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 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. The Zambezi National Park is just six kilometres from the Victoria Falls, and stretches for 40 kilometres along the river. Game includes fauna such as elephant, buffalo and lion, large antelope such as the greater kudu and waterbuck, and a variety of smaller mammal species such as common dulker, small-spotted genet and honey badger.
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:
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.
Conservation Education
Volunteers will assist in the preparation and teaching of conservation lessons at the local primary school - several times a week during school term times only. The schools will be closed for holidays from mid-April to mid-May, from mid-August to mid-September and from early December to early January. 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. Learning is achieved through classroom-based talks as well as practical activities such as visits to the lion programme, or Victoria Falls themselves.
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:
| 6.15 am |
Join a lion walk with clients or spend time in camp with the younger cubs preparing their feed. |
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| 9:00 am |
Breakfast |
| 10.00 am |
Duties may include enclosure cleaning, feeding the cubs or a snare sweep |
| 1.00 pm |
Lunch |
| 2.00 pm |
Afternoon duties may include cub interation, lion walks, a bush walk or enclosure maintenance |
| 6.45 pm |
Briefing by the project manager regarding the following day's activities. |
| 7.00 pm |
Dinner |
Project Age Range: Minimum age 17 years - upper age limit dependent on participant's health
Optional Excursions
There are many optional activities and trips available, at an additional cost. Victoria Falls, Africa's adrenaline capital, has a multitude of fantastic opportunities such as helicoptor or microlight flights over the Falls; bungee jumping, white water rafting, horse riding, elephant rides, game drives, gorge jumps, skydiving, canoeing etc. There are also day and weekend trips available to neighbouring Botswana. There may also be the opportunity to enjoy an excursion to some of the other spectacular spots that the region has to offer. A guide price for this trip is US$350 per person.
DAY 1
Leave Livingstone after breakfast for the breathtaking Matobo Hills, home of the Matopos National Park where volunteers can join a rhino walk, a game drive or a cave painting tour. There will also be an opportunity to visit Cecil Rhodes' resting place at "Worlds View".
DAY 2 - 4
Leave after breakfast for the headquarters of the lion rehabilitation programme in central Zimbabwe, home to the adult lions, where opportunities will arise to ride - either on horseback or on the back of an African elephant - through the savannah plans of the game reserve or just stay in the safari camp on the beautiful river bank.
DAY 5
Depart for Hwange National Park - the largest National Park in Zimbabwe - where volunteers can join a game drive and possibly get up close and personal with elephants, buffalo, lions, hyenas and many more.
DAY 6
Leave after breakfast from Miombo to return to Victoria Falls.
"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 postive attitude. Amanzi travel were excellent, they answered all my questions and were very friendly and helpful. Zimbabwe is such an amazing country and my 4 weeks there were well spent although I wish they could have lasted a little longer. All of the people at the lodge I was staying (Hunters lodge) and all the guides at the lion rehabilitation centre (Masuwe) 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, 2008
Support
Support and advice is available from the Project Managers whilst on the project and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support
Orientation
A comprehensive information pack will be sent to all volunteers upon booking their trip and further advice and information will be provided via telephone and email before departure. A full orientation will be provided by the local support team on arrival.
Accommodation and Meals
Volunteers will be accommodated at the comfortable and secure Victoria Falls Rest Camp which has a fantastic pool and social area and is one of the best locations in the town, close to the Victoria Falls themselves. Only the African bush lies between the Camp and the magnificent Falls and volunteers can fall asleep listening to the thunder of water and wake up to watch the sun rise through the huge cloud of spray. What could be better! Volunteers will share a quaint little lodge with three or four twin rooms and one toilet, shower and bath per lodge. However there are plenty of toilets and showers at the rest camp which are available for use. 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. Volunteers can enjoy braais (barbeques) outside their lodges privately or at the communal area. There is a swimming pool, TV and cash bar facilitites for the evening and Sundays.
Getting There
Fly into Victoria Falls Airport from where volunteers will be met and transferred to the volunteer bade at Victoria Falls Rest Camp.
(There may be a number of ways to reach the destination airport - for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)
Let Amanzi Travel arrange your flights for you
Fees
What is 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
- All accommodation including 3 meals a day
- Unlimited tea, coffee and soft drinks
- Laundry and domestic service
What is excluded
- Travel insurance (to include cover for repatriation)
- Personal items eg clothes, travel goods
- Return flights to Victoria Falls Airport
- Use of internet and telephone
- Visas and any trips undertaken other than in the planned programme