Rhino and Elephant Conservation
Coordinator | Emma
Coordinator | Emma
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Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Aid rhino and elephant conservation in beautiful Zimbabwe and protect these awe-inspiring species from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 17+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+
Home to dramatic and stunning landscapes, the wildest of species and the friendliest of cultures, Zimbabwe is nothing short of what you’d expect from iconic Africa. Found just 90 minutes from the Zimbabwean capital of Harare and situated in the most picturesque of settings, The Rhino and Elephant Project offers you a safari experience like no other, with some once-in-a-lifetime extras!
Founded back in the 1950's by Norman Travers as a cattle farm, the Rhino and Elephant Conservation Project soon evolved into 10,000-acre conservancy it is today. With the project site area once devoid of certain animal life, the team are extremely proud of their efforts to support both elephant and rhino conservation in the area as well as creating a wildlife haven for a whole host of other wildlife too.
The volunteer project is particularly proud of its rhino breeding and release programme, and volunteers have become a crucial part of this process over recent years! As a volunteer on this project, you’ll embark on a conservation journey and take part in activities such as feeding and walking with the reserve's elephants and rhinos, partaking in anti-poaching patrols, carnivore feeding and volunteering at a local school, all of which will contribute to elephant and rhino, and will work towards ensuring their future existence for years to come.
The work that takes place on this project will allow you to leave your mark on Zimbabwean animal conservation efforts, and helping to protect endangered and vulnerable species is something you can always be proud of!
Rhino Conservation
Activities
Elephant Conservation
Zebra Conservation
Giraffe Conservation
#Hotspots
Black Rhino
Anti Poaching
Bush Elephant
Plains Zebra
Southern Giraffe
Victoria Falls
African Elephant
Typical day
First Day
Upon arrival into Harare Airport, you will be met at arrivals by a member of the in-country team. You will then be transferred to the project site, which is approximately a 90-minute drive. Once you have arrived at the project site you will be given the chance to settle in and meet your fellow volunteers.
Project Days
No two days are really the same on this project, so be prepared to jump into action during your time here. A weekly schedule is posted on the wall inside the house so you’ll be able to see what exciting activity you’ll be taking part in each day.
Some of the activities you could take part in include:
Feeding and Walking the Elephants and Rhino
Volunteers have the incredible opportunity to join the elephant and rhino handlers as they walk these awe-inspiring animals back to their night-time bomas. You will help to ensure the rhinos and elephants are secure and safe for the night, with plenty of food and water. This is a wonderful opportunity to witness their individual characters and learn more about how they ended up at the project.
Undertake Snare Patrols and Anti-Poaching Monitoring
As poaching is rife through Africa, volunteers take part in bi-monthly sweeps around the game park looking for any evidence of poaching and collecting snares and traps. This is an important activity keeping all of the reserve’s animals safe.
Carnivore Feeding
The Rhino and Elephant Conservation Project is home to a number of carnivores including; lions, hyenas and crocodiles. As a volunteer, you’ll have the incredibly unique opportunity to feed some of Africa’s most revered and ferocious predators!
Breakfast with the Elephants
A truly unforgettable experience, provided by this project, is enjoying breakfast alongside your new-found elephant friends. You’ll be able to sit in the African bush, enjoying your breakfast while the elephants' strip leaves from their favourite tree to enjoy theirs!
White Rhino Tracking
Unlike the Black Rhinos, the White Rhinos are nocturnal feeders and don’t return to the safety bomas at night, they are guarded while they graze instead. This means you will join the scouts in the morning to track down the ‘crash’ using telemetry before making observational notes on their feeding habits and general behaviour.
Other activities that volunteers could take part in include:
• Observing and Recording Elephant and Rhino Behaviour
• Game Drives
• Enclosure Cleaning
• Weapons Training Against Poachers (with a paintball gun)
• Maintaining and Repairing Enclosures
• Herd Monitoring on Horseback
• Camp Outs
• General Conservation Activities
• Volunteering at a Local School
Free-time activities
There are a whole host of additional activities you can take part in during your free time on this project. Some include:
- Swimming in the onsite dam at the volunteer house
- Team building activities such as raft building
- Horseback riding
- Trips into the local town
- A trip to see the world-famous Victoria Falls
Upon arrival please discuss any additional activities you wish to partake in with your volunteer coordinator and they will be able to help you out.
Water Sports
Swimming
Sightseeing
Riding
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.
You need to speak English (basic level)
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
We recommend that you come with a moderate level of fitness, as the days are busy, and you will be involved in many activities. In terms of skills, all we ask is that you arrive with a willingness to get involved with tasks, and with a dedication to the ethos of the project, as well as a respect for the amazing wildlife and the committed project staff with whom you will be working.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from
06:00
- 17:00
What's Included
• Donation to the project
• Accommodation
• Three meals per day (including weekends)
• Airport transfers to and from the project
• Laundry
The easiest way to arrive at the project is to fly into Harare International Airport via a connecting flight at Johannesburg Airport. The project is approximately a 90-minute drive from Harare. The project will provide a transfer for you from the airport to the project site so look out for the driver in the arrivals section of the airport.
During your stay on this project, you will be living in a beautiful thatched farmhouse set in the heart of the conservancy. This house can host up to 12 volunteers in five large and very welcoming bedrooms, and these are a mixture of twin share rooms and one dormitory style bedroom. There are two main bathrooms in the house, but you also have the option to enjoy an outside shower in the solar-powered shower block which is located adjacent to the stunningly beautiful dam! Outside there is a swimming pool and a large grass area which is perfect for relaxing after a hard days volunteering. You can also take the opportunity to sit outside and take in the view with a drink from the houses bar if you wish!
Three meals a day will be provided on this project. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in a buffet style and you are free to pick and choose what you want. The kitchen is always available should you wish to prepare any extra food for yourself, or store any snacks you have brought. Water, juice, tea and coffee are available throughout the day. On Sundays the chefs have a day off so it is up to volunteers to cook for themselves, but you are free to use the food provided in the project kitchen.
If you have a gluten/dairy/ other specialist diets then you may need to bring the appropriate foods with you. There is a small on-site bar at the volunteer house which offers a variety of snacks, and alcoholic and fizzy drinks. This bill will need to be paid in US Dollars at the end of your stay, so please make sure you have cash with you!
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Harare International Airport (HRE) in Harare. We assist you to find cheap flights to Zimbabwe.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Zimbabwe provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Zimbabwe you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Zimbabwe.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
This project takes place on every Thursday throughout the year. Please contacts us to check whether your preferred start date is available.
Please ensure that you arrive into Harare International Airport before 3pm on your project start date. If your flight is due to arrive after 3pm, please aim to arrive the day before and we will help you to arrange a night’s accommodation in Harare at an additional cost.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 - 8 weeks
Program fees
1 week
(min. stay)
$1,095
2 weeks
$2,190
3 weeks
$3,286
4 weeks
$4,381
5 weeks
$5,476
6 weeks
$6,571
7 weeks
$7,666
8 weeks
(max. stay)
$8,762
Average fees
$1,095
/week
The organization charges its fees in GBP. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation.
The Great Projects
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with The Great Projects during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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Rhino and Elephant Conservation
Aid rhino and elephant conservation in beautiful Zimbabwe and protect these awe-inspiring species from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.
$740/week
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