Rhino & Elephant Conservation
Our Programme
The project is home to an internationally renowned Black Rhino Breeding and Release Programme which has supported Zimbabwe’s rhino population since the mid 1980s, releasing 11 rhinos back into the wild. Volunteers play a role in securing the future of this once-again endangered animal, working alongside anti-poaching rangers, working on rhino research projects and getting involved in the daily care of both black and white rhino and elephants.
Our Rhino and Elephant Conservation Programme is a unique hands-on opportunity to get behind the scenes and experience day-to-day life on a private conservancy, and be involved with the protection and conservation of Zimbabwe’s endangered black rhino.
The programme focuses on the conservation of five black and three white rhino, four elephants and a wealth of plains game including giraffe, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, impala, kudu, crocodile and the rare sable antelope.
The aim of the programme is to assist the reserve's established black rhino breeding and release programme; collect meaningful data and information relating to rhino and wildlife conservation and animal behaviour, and engage with the local community about wildlife conservation.
Volunteer Work
Volunteers contribute to a long term conservation project and get involved with a variety of conservation activities:
- work alongside rhinos and elephants
- game park management
- wildlife monitoring
- anti-poaching patrols and snare sweeps
- educate school-children about conservation, wildlife and the environment
- learn about what is involved in running a conservancy
Wildlife conservation must go hand in hand with community education and engagement. A sharing of knowledge is key to the future security of Africa’s wildlife heritage. Volunteers work with community leaders and schools to share their passion for conservation and the environment.
Volunteering is a unique opportunity to completely immerse yourself in a new country and culture, experiencing day-to-day life in Africa first hand – all while giving back to an important conservation cause. We guarantee your experiences on the programme will be life-changing!
Typical day
There is no such thing as a typical day on the project, but these are activities which you will almost certainly be involved with during your stay
Rhino Conservation
- Learn all about these amazing animals from experienced rangers
- Observe and record rhino behaviour to identify patterns and understand relationships
- Feed and walk with the rhino; help handers to ensure the animals are secure at night
- Monitor the three baby rhino on the reserve, watching their development and recording their feeding habits and behaviour
- Clean out rhino beds and repair enclosures
- White rhino tracking: join the white rhino scouts on morning patrol; learn how to use the telemetry set, look for the tracks and signs of rhino movement and identify spoor. Upon locating the rhino, volunteers monitor and observe their behaviour and feeding patterns with the scouts.
Work with elephants
- Monitor elephant movements, behaviour and feeding patterns
- Observe and record elephant behaviour to identify patterns and understand relationships
- Clean out the elephant beds and put in fresh hay
- Maintain and repair enclosures
Anti-poaching and security
- Undertake snare patrols and anti-poaching monitoring - check for evidence of poaching and collect snares and traps. This minimises the poaching of small and large animals on the reserve and provides support to the dedicated anti-poaching team.
- Fence and boundary monitoring on horseback and on foot
- Horseback riding patrols: carry out herd monitoring and anti-poaching off the beaten track
Game Park Management
- Undertake deliveries of hay bales and game cubes around the game park to supplement the natural browse and grazing for all animals
- Help maintain fences, roads, fireguards and park equipment
- Indigenous tree planting and removal of alien species
- Litter sweeps within the game park and surrounding areas
- Cattle dipping: help the cattle section on dip days to control the population of parasites and other diseases which can affect the wildlife
- Monitor the condition and health of herd animals
- Game counts by foot, vehicle and on horseback
- Carnivore feeding: volunteers are responsible for feeding the lion, hyenas, crocodile and the periodic dosing of the lion to prevent ticks
Community, teaching and cultural activities
- Assist with English literacy to improve primary school English
- Help in the vegetable gardens and work with the Conservation Club
- Take conservation lessons and school groups into the game park for practical conservation lessons
- Home visits: you may be invited into the home of a local community member to experience rural Zimbabwean life
- Play sports and games with the younger children
Free-time activities
Weekend activities and exkursions
During your leisure time you may go on walks and hikes around the reserve or to local places of interest; volunteers can also go fishing or canoeing on one of the many dams or swim in the pool at the volunteer house. Weekend excursions to Victoria Falls can be arranged.
Zoo
Program Requirements
Included Services
Included in your programme fee:
- Return transfers from Harare on a Monday
- Accommodation
- 3 meals per day plus tea and coffee
- Laundry
- Activities and equipment on the programme
- Full supervision and orientation
What is not included:
- Flights to Harare
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
- Drinks from the bar
- Any extra activities or excursions outside of the volunteer programme
We will collect you from Harare International Airport before 1500 on your date of arrival. Departure flights must be booked from midday onwards, as the return transfer will arrive at the airport around 1000.
Your home will be a two storey thatched farmhouse which has two dormitories and three twin / double rooms. There are three bathrooms with shower, bath and toilet plus three outside solar showers. The house is fully equipped with a kitchen, laundry, solar lighting, small generator for power outages, bar and verandah. There is a large garden with outside pool and bbq area. There is no WiFi at the project, but 3G is available and local SIM cards can be purchased for $1.
You will have three meals per day prepared by the staff and served buffet-style. Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements can be catered for.
Dates & Fees
Details on arrival
The project runs every Monday throughout the year. Please arrive on a Monday afternoon before 1500.
Program fees
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