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Perfect 4.67rating (35)

Rhino & Elephant Conservation

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+
Verified
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Embark on an unforgettable adventure in the wild, live in close proximity to black and white rhino, elephants, buffalo, giraffe and other iconic African animals and birds.
  • Get a behind the scenes glimpse into the running and maintenance of a private conservancy. Learn what it really takes to protect endangered species in Zimbabwe.
  • Experience a diverse programme focused on wildlife observation and interaction, community impact projects and conservancy management.

Highlights

  • Embark on an unforgettable adventure in the wild, live in close proximity to black and white rhino, elephants, buffalo, giraffe and other iconic African animals and birds.
  • Get a behind the scenes glimpse into the running and maintenance of a private conservancy. Learn what it really takes to protect endangered species in Zimbabwe.
  • Experience a diverse programme focused on wildlife observation and interaction, community impact projects and conservancy management.
  • Get ready for an extraordinary journey that connects like-minded people and leaves a lasting impact to animals and people.

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 17+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Volunteer in Africa and help secure the future of the endangered black rhino and elephant. Experience daily life on a 10,000 acre family-run private conservancy.

    Rhino Conservation in Zimbabwe

    The project’s mission focuses on education about conservation and wildlife for future generations. This volunteer programme is a unique opportunity to live in the heart of Zimbabwe, sharing the experiences of a 10,000-acre family-run conservancy. 

    The project is home ...

    About the program

    Rhino Conservation in Zimbabwe

    The project’s mission focuses on education about conservation and wildlife for future generations. This volunteer programme is a unique opportunity to live in the heart of Zimbabwe, sharing the experiences of a 10,000-acre family-run conservancy. 

    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. 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 monitoring of both black and white rhinos.

    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 10 black and eight white rhino, three 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

    This is a hands-on programme with a diverse range of activities, volunteers contribute directly to the conservancy’s conservation efforts and community work:

    • Rhino monitoring and observation

    • Elephant interaction and observation

    • Wildlife monitoring and research

    • Conservancy maintenance

    • Community projects involving local school children, women’s groups and local farmers

    Community engagement

    Successful wildlife conservation goes hand in hand with community education and engagement. 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

    No two days on Imire are ever the same and there is always something unexpected around the corner! The following provides a complete overview of activities that you could be involved in, depending on the time of year, the weather and what projects are going on at the time.


    Observation and monitoring ...

    Typical day

    No two days on Imire are ever the same and there is always something unexpected around the corner! The following provides a complete overview of activities that you could be involved in, depending on the time of year, the weather and what projects are going on at the time.


    Observation and monitoring of black and white rhinos

    • Observe both black and white rhinos on guided bush walks and game drives.

    • Assist anti-poaching units and rangers to track and locate black and white rhinos using telemetry devices and simple tracking of spoor and other signs.

    • Learn how to identify these two amazing species, observing their behaviour, physical differences and habitat

    • Log and record data on territorial and feeding behaviour/signs of individual rhinos through GPS mapping of dung middens and vegetation surveys. This work gives insights into the movement patterns of the rhinos and impacts habitat management decisions in the conservancy.

    • Assist rangers with supplement feeding of black rhinos in designated ‘observation bomas’. All conservancy rhinos roam freely 24 hours a day, so the bomas are a controlled and calm environment in which volunteers assist rangers with monitoring the physical condition of each individual, as well as feeding them organic feed, to maintain an optimal nutritional intake throughout the year. 


    Observation and interaction with African elephants

    • The elephants are protected in secure bomas during the night, and walking freely through the conservancy alongside their handlers during the day.

    • You will assist the rangers in cleaning out and maintaining the boma area in the mornings. 

    • Observe the elephants on morning and evening bush walks or from the vehicle, getting close and personal with the world's largest land mammal.

    • Learn from their handlers, who have intimate knowledge of each individual's behaviour and history.

    • Provide supplement feed to the elephants under the guidance of the handlers.

    • Observe the behaviour of one of the female elephants who has established herself as the matriarch of a buffalo herd, a truly unique interspecies relationship.


    Conservancy Management

    • Help maintain boundary fences, roads and observation bomas around the conservancy.

    • Plant trees in the rewilding areas. Increasing the number of indigenous tree species provides new and essential habitats for birds, food for browsers and contributes to offsetting our carbon footprint.

    • Bush clearing and removal of invasive, non-indigenous plant species

    • Assist with the burning of fireguards around the perimeter (dry season only) - these guards create a buffer zone to prevent wildfires jumping into the conservancy.

    • Feed nutritional supplements to rhino, elephant and other plains game. The supplement feed does not replace the diet of any of the wildlife, it is a management tool to ensure optimal nutritional intake throughout the year, particularly during the dry season, where food availability is sparse.

    • Conduct game counts of different species on foot and in the vehicle - these counts contribute to our understanding of population densities on the conservancy.


    Community Projects

    • Join the Numwa Mother’s Support Group, a team of local women making an enormous difference in their community. Currently, they are working on a reusable sanitary pad project for girls in the local communities.

    • Visit one of the local primary or secondary schools, close to the boundary of the conservancy. Read and colour with kids of different ages, there may be some maintenance tasks involved depending on which school you visit.

    • Work with the Numwa Secondary School Conservation Club, helping them to maintain a vegetable garden that provides fresh food for the pupils. 

    • Village visit and cultural day - learn how to make peanut butter, fetch and carry water and learn to plough (seasonal). During this visit, you will also experience life in a rural Shona village and homestead to learn more about Shona culture and customs. Be guided through extensive Bushman paintings at Mhakwe caves, a national monument and sacred burial site of local chiefs. $10 per person goes directly to the village and is distributed by the community board for village projects, or to families with particular hardships.

    • Help at a local vegetable farm and learn from young visionary, Dominic, who is growing a sustainable and organic farming business. Assist with planting, harvesting and farm maintenance (seasonal).


    Anti-Poaching and Security
    • Meet Murwi and Shinga, the highly trained members of the K9 Unit. Observe them in action during one of the unit’s demonstrations and security talks, alongside members of the Anti-Poaching Unit (dependent on availability of K9 Unit). The dogs make up an essential part of the security teams, ensuring the protection and conservation of all living things on Imire. 

    • Basic weapons handling and safety with our Anti-Poaching Unit - using air rifles to simulate a target practice exercise and talk about the safety and use of firearms in a wildlife area.


    Free-time activities

    Weekend activities and excursions:
    In your free time you can go fishing and canoeing or just relax around the pool. Saturday afternoons and Sundays are leisure days where there are no organised activities, this leisure time offers a change of pace to the busy schedule during the week, and a chance to ...

    Free-time activities

    Weekend activities and excursions:
    In your free time you can go fishing and canoeing or just relax around the pool. Saturday afternoons and Sundays are leisure days where there are no organised activities, this leisure time offers a change of pace to the busy schedule during the week, and a chance to recharge before heading home or starting another volunteering week! 

    We highly recommend a weekend excursion to Victoria Falls (a one hour flight), which should be organised prior to your arrival. All external trips must be self-organised and should be planned in advance of your arrival where possible. Please enquire when booking for our accommodation and flight suggestions!


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 17 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    A moderate level of fitness and a passion for wildlife and conservation. Family groups with children aged 5 and over are welcome!

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 06:30 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Included in your programme fee:

    • Return transfers from Harare on a Monday (at set times)
    • Accommodation
    • 3 meals per day 
    • Drinks (tea, coffee, juice, water)

    • Laundry and housekeeping
    • 24 hour support from our on-site managers

    • Full orientation upon arrival

    What is not included:

    • Flights to Harare
    • Visa fees
    • Travel insurance (compulsory)
    • Any extra activities or excursions outside of the volunteer programme
    • Imire merchandise - we currently have t-shirts and flasks/mugs 

    • Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks (over 18s only) or snacks from our bar

    • Any extra travel e.g. to Harare or to Victoria Falls

    • $40 admin fee per booking

    Airport Pickup at Harare International Airport

    Arrival - There is one airport collection every Monday from Harare International Airport. This is included in the cost of your booking but your flight must land before 1pm to make the transfer. 


    Departure - There is one departure transfer, leaving Imire at 7am every Monday to Harare International Airport. You will arrive at the airport by 0930, so flights should depart after 1130 to allow you enough time to check-in.

    Accommodation

    The volunteer programme at Imire is unique for its personal nature, and you will be comfortably accommodated in groups of no more than 12 volunteers. Our accommodation is beautifully situated in the heart of the conservancy.

    Rooms are shared (same sex sharing) in comfortable single beds with all bedding provided (duvets, pillows and extra blankets in winter). Couples will always be accommodated together in a private room. Showers and toilet facilities are shared, and hot water is supplied for showers and washing. Power sockets for electrical items are available in communal areas.

    All bedrooms and communal areas will be cleaned every day and the housekeeping staff will also do your laundry when required. An outhouse laundry is available for washing smalls or should you wish to do an extra load of your own.

    Food & Beverages

    Three home cooked meals are provided daily on a self-serve basis. Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request, but should you have any dietary requirements or food allergies, it is important you let us know before you arrive. For gluten, wheat or dairy intolerance we provide basic alternatives however more specialist products can be hard to source, so should you need them, you will be required to bring any of these foods along with you. The chefs will be able to prepare and cook them for you.

    Water is pumped from a borehole and is safe and clean for drinking. Water, tea, coffee and juice concentrate is available at all times of the day. There is a small bar at each site which offers a variety of soft drinks, alcoholic drinks and chocolate bars for volunteers to purchase.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Harare International Airport (HRE) in Harare. We assist you to find cheap flights to Zimbabwe. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    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. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Zimbabwe you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Zimbabwe. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    The project runs every Monday throughout the year. Please arrive on a Monday before 1300 and depart on a Monday after midday.


    Fully Booked already:

    April 14th - 21st 2025

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 958€
    2 weeks 1,915€
    3 weeks 2,873€
    4 weeks 3,831€
    5 weeks 4,788€
    6 weeks 5,746€
    7 weeks 6,704€
    8 weeks 7,662€
    9 weeks 8,619€
    10 weeks 9,577€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 11,492€
    Average fees 958€/week

    Program fees

    958€ per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 17 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    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.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Imire Rhino Conservation during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.7
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    Meet your project coordinator

    Chanel
    35
    reviews
    4.67
    Perfect
    2012
    Founded

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Good response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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