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2019
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Rhino & Elephant Conservation
Coordinator | Jane
Coordinator | Jane
Highlights
Volunteer and work closely with rhinos and elephants
Play an important role in securing the future of endangered animals, working alongside anti-poaching rangers
Get involved in the daily care of both black and white rhinos and elephants
Have a unique hands-on opportunity to get behind the scenes and experience day-to-day life on a private conservation
Monitor and observe a variety of large and small animals in a unique environment
Volunteer in Africa and help secure the future of the black rhino and elephant. Experience daily life on a 10,000 acre family-run private conservancy.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 17+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
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 six black and three 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
Volunteers contribute to a long term conservation project and get involved with a variety of conservation activities:
- work alongside rhinos and elephants
- conservancy 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!
Rhino Conservation
Elephant Conservation
Spotted Hyena
Black Wildebeest
Black Rhino
Bush Elephant
Southern Giraffe
African Elephant
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
Conservancy 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 excursions
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.
Water Sports
Swimming
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
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.
A moderate level of fitness and a passion for wildlife and conservation. Family groups are very welcome!
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from
06:30
- 17:00
What's Included
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 1400 on your date of arrival. Departure flights must be booked from midday onwards, as the return transfer will arrive at the airport around 1000.
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.
our rooms and the house 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.
Three home cooked meals are provided daily on a self-serve basis. Vegetarian and limited 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. We are unable to cater for very specific dietary needs (for example gluten, dairy or wheat intolerance), so should you need them you will need to bring any specialist foods along with you. If you bring these foods, our chefs will be able to prepare these for you alongside other volunteer’s standard meals.
Drinking water is pumped from a borehole and is safe and clean for drinking.
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
The project runs every Monday throughout the year. Please arrive on a Monday afternoon before 1400.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 - 8 weeks
Program fees
1 week
(min. stay)
$ 900
2 weeks
$ 1,800
3 weeks
$ 2,700
4 weeks
$ 3,600
5 weeks
$ 4,500
6 weeks
$ 5,400
7 weeks
$ 6,300
8 weeks
(max. stay)
$ 7,200
Average fees
$ 900
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated and subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
Imire Wildlife Conservation
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 Imire Wildlife Conservation during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
Volunteer World is the world's leading comparison platform for international volunteer opportunities. We guide you through a safe and easy
application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if Imire Wildlife Conservation cancels your trip
Support & Mediation
We cover your back no matter what happens
Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Imire Wildlife Conservation.
What are people saying about Volunteer World?
Rhino & Elephant Conservation
Volunteer in Africa and help secure the future of the black rhino and elephant. Experience daily life on a 10,000 acre family-run private conservancy.
$900/week
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