Horse Riding & Wildlife Conservation

The project

Live and work in the heart of a 10,000 acre family-owned game park in the heart of Zimbabwe, and get involved in a world-renowned black rhino breeding and release programme. The conservancy has supported Zimbabwe's black rhino population since the mid 1980s, releasing 11 rhinos back into the wild to breed. 

You can play a key role in securing the future of this endangered animal as you work alongside anti-poaching rangers, monitor wildlife herds and patrol the game park, all on horseback. You will also get involved in the daily care of the resident black and white rhinos and interact with the conservancy's four elephants.

With daily horse rides and hands on conservation work, this project is an absolute must for anyone who wants to combine horse riding with volunteer work.

Horse riding volunteers experience a different Africa from other visitors, as they explore the game park on horseback, undertake fence and boundary monitoring and join the dedicated anti-poaching team for moonlight snare patrols. Camp out with your horse as you drive cattle around the game park, and interact closely with wildlife who not afraid or threatened by horses as they sometimes are by people or vehicles.

You will experience the amazing animal sitings, enjoy the African bush and do essential volunteer work, all on horseback, as well as having the opportunity to interact closely with rhinos and elephants and monitor other wildlife on the reserve.

The aim of the programme is to assist the established black rhino breeding and release programme, undertake patrols to better secure the conservancy and protect the animals, and collect meaningful information relating to rhino and wildlife conservation. You will also help educate the local children about the importance of protecting the natural environment and how they can play their part in conservation.

Volunteer Work

Horse riding volunteers play a vital role in the conservancy and get involved in a huge range of conservation activities, both on horseback and off.

• Combine horse riding safaris with hands-on rhino and elephant conservation
  
• Get involved with horse management and care, game monitoring, anti-poaching and cattle management
  
• Live in the heart of a family-run game park, dedicated to rhino care and wildlife preservation
  
• Immerse yourself in beautiful surroundings and enjoy the wildlife all around you
  
• Form close bonds with amazing animals, dedicated staff and other volunteers
  
• Experience a wide variety of wildlife in their natural environment
• Help with English literacy and conservation education

There is no such thing as a typical day, but below are some activities which you will almost certainly be involved with during your stay:

Horse management and general equine care:

• Feeding, grooming and health checks
  
• Maintenance and cleaning of tack and stables
  

Anti-poaching support:

• Ensure the conservancy is a safe and secure environment through regular and extensive horse patrols
  
• Undertake anti-poaching patrols on horseback, conduct snare sweeps and boundary patrols
  
• Undertake moonlight patrols and camp-outs
  
• Assist with the communication of conservation messages to local children
  

Game park work:

• Provide daily assistance to the Game Park Manager to ensure the effective running of the reserve
  
• Assist in horseback game counts and animal welfare monitoring
  
• Locate and assess specific herds around the game park
  

Cattle ranching:

• Monitor the welfare of the cattle herd and move cattle to different sections of the reserve
  
• Work with the Cattle Team to conduct health inspections
  
• Patrol the park to find lost cattle and check for new calves
  
• Assist with cattle counts and dipping
  

Rhino and elephant interaction:

This part of the programme is not always done on horseback

• Observe social interactions and monitor the behaviour of the black and white rhino and elephants
  
• Maintain and clean rhino and elephant beds
  
• Carry out research projects and data collection on their feeding behaviour and movements
  

A Day in the Life

Horse riding volunteers will usually get up around 6.00 - 6.30am to get started before the day heats up.

Have breakfast and pack your water bottle and a packed lunch; feed and groom the horses and head out into the game park to locate the sable and blesbok antelope. Count the size and composition of the herd, assess the condition and number of any babies and check the health of mothers.

Locate one of the baby giraffes and check the health and location of baby and mother.

After a packed lunch and a short rest, sitting under the shade of the msasa trees, or on top of one of the viewpoints, get back onto your horse and head to one of the far-flung areas of the park, checking for snares, fence damage and evidence of fires or traps. Make your reports to the Game Park Manager who may task you with fixing any broken areas or repairing fireguards.

Then its time to drop the horses off, feed and groom, before heading back to the volunteer house for an evening swim to cool off before a much needed and hearty dinner!