from 2,244€

Outstanding 4.9rating (37)
  • Life On Land

Safari Stables

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Ride right up to giraffe, weave through herds of zebra, canter past wildebeest and admire majestic elephants, all on horseback
  • Gain valuable experience in Stable and Horse Management within a rustic African setting
  • Help care for 4 orphaned African elephants who call the reserve home
  • Go swimming on horseback
  • Camp out under the stars on overnight horseback safaris

Especially suitable

Age 18+
Singles
Couples

About the program

Work on a beautiful safari reserve and support conservation whilst working with horses in Africa.

This experience is for anyone aged over 18 with a passion for horses, wildlife and wanting to explore the beauty of the real African bush. It is the best way to embark on the ultimate horse experience in Africa. Whether you are on a career break, a gap year, school holiday or simply wanting to ...

About the program

This experience is for anyone aged over 18 with a passion for horses, wildlife and wanting to explore the beauty of the real African bush. It is the best way to embark on the ultimate horse experience in Africa. Whether you are on a career break, a gap year, school holiday or simply wanting to be the person who can say ‘I did that,’ we are ready to welcome you into our stables family, with over 20 beautiful horses supporting wildlife conservation.

The stables are based on a beautiful wildlife reserve in the heart of Zimbabwe. Anyone can volunteer on this project, you don't need any past experience, you don't even need to be able to ride yet! We take complete beginners up to experienced horse riders. The stable is home to over 20 horses which are mostly used for horse safaris around the reserve, but also dressage, jumping, cross country and polo-crosse. They range from well behaved school masters to young horses who need bringing on. The workload will be a mixture of horse management and horse riding.


The reserve the scene for the ideal riding ground. With no large predators roaming around and an abundance of plains game wandering the savannah grasslands, you will have the unique opportunity to get up-close to some incredible wildlife species, including giraffe, zebra, kudu, impala and wildebeest, in a safe environment. Whilst some horse experience is helpful on this project, it is not necessary. We will take those not confident with horses through a gentle training process until they are comfortable with basics, like catching, haltering, tacking up and riding our calmer horses. We hope that by the time you leave you will be happy to join in all the management and riding activities.

 

Those with horse experience will be allowed to assist or lead activities, such as schooling horses, safari rides, fitness training, riding lessons and wildlife counts on horseback. All riders will have chances to learn the game of polo-crosse and during the competition season (May-August) you can join competitions. Competent riders may be able to play in local or international competitions which are also held at the park on the specially designed polo-crosse field.

Typical day

Horse Management 


  • Feeding horses in the morning and afternoon

  • Veterinary care of injured, sick and rescued horses

  • Grooming horses 

  • Handling young horses

  • Lunging lessons

  • Tack maintenance and cleaning

  • Hoof care and assisting the farrier

  • Natural horsemanship training, from the ground and in the saddle


In the ...

Typical day

Horse Management 


  • Feeding horses in the morning and afternoon

  • Veterinary care of injured, sick and rescued horses

  • Grooming horses 

  • Handling young horses

  • Lunging lessons

  • Tack maintenance and cleaning

  • Hoof care and assisting the farrier

  • Natural horsemanship training, from the ground and in the saddle


In the Saddle 


The riding is varied and can change from day to day but you will generally spend 2-4 hours in the saddle each day. During your stay you can get involved in the following riding activities:


  • Flat schooling of young horses and those in for rehabilitation

  • Protect the reserve, checking fence lines, removing snares and monitoring animals in the park, all whilst on horseback 

  • Join the 2 hour safari rides where you will get up close to giraffe, zebra and antelope, weaving among them as they graze peacefully, or cantering alongside them to the thunder of hooves

  • Compete in shows. Compete in dressage, polocrosse and jumping shows around Zimbabwe, heading off to different locations around the country. 

  • Overnight horse safaris where you and your horses camp out in the bush and enjoy a 3 course meal around the fire under the stars with your friends.

  • Sunrise/ Sunset Rides: An African sunrise is truly spectacular, and it looks even better from the saddle. Just like the sunrise, the sunset is equally as beautiful. This is a memory that will last a lifetime.

  • Swim the horses in the dam to improve their fitness. Take them in to the water bareback  as they go from a leg deep paddle to a full depth swim. 

  • Learn to play polocrosse on our world class field. This fun game involves 2 teams of 3 players, and uses a net on a stick to pick up and carry a ball, aiming for the goals to secure a win for your team.

  • Cross-Country. Jump our very own cross-country course, dotted around the game park and develop your show-jumping skills with the African bush as your backdrop.


Other animals you will work with:


The reserve has 4 rescued elephants who spend their days grazing the lawn in front of the dining hall  and at liberty in the reserve, enjoying the most natural environment possible. The reserve does not  agree with the riding of elephants and only positive reinforcement is used to allow safe handling of  these beautiful animals by the trainers.


Volunteers will join an ‘elephant induction’ in their 1st week, where you will meet Amai, Jecha, Tombi  and Chibi the elephants and spend time with them. In the time you spend with the elephants you will  learn about their behaviour, positive reinforcement training and social interactions with one another.  You will take them for a 2 hour walk in the reserve and have amazing photo opportunities of these  happy and relaxed animals living as they should be, unchained and free.

Free-time activities

The opportunities Zimbabwe present are staggering and promise to provide an experience of a lifetime. On your weekends off there is the opportunity to join in any of our optional excursions such as:

Motopas National Park:

From tracking white rhino on foot and game drives, to cave paintings, hikes and ...

Free-time activities

The opportunities Zimbabwe present are staggering and promise to provide an experience of a lifetime. On your weekends off there is the opportunity to join in any of our optional excursions such as:

Motopas National Park:

From tracking white rhino on foot and game drives, to cave paintings, hikes and the historic grave of Cecil Rhodes; Matopos offer a whole array of activity, with one of Zimbabwe’s most stunning national parks as your backdrops.

Victoria Falls:

Whether you are cruising along the Zambezi river or bungee jumping into the mist itself; a visit to one of the seven natural wonders of the world is one for the bucket list. From exhilarating adrenaline packed activities to game viewing in beautiful Botswana, there is something for everyone on the doorstep of the magnificent falls.

Great Zimbabwe Ruins:

These are Africa’s 2nd oldest ruins behind the pyramids and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the day trekking around these ancient ruins and learn about ancient kings of the past and ancient Zimbabwean culture.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

Anyone can volunteer on this project, you don't need any past experience, you don't even need to be able to ride yet! We take complete beginners up to experienced horse riders.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:00 - 17:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Worldwide Vets

Want to know what’s included? Great news, it is pretty much everything! Including your

  • Pre-departure assistance

  • All airport collection and returns

  • All accommodation and food, including 3 meals a day

  • 24 hour support on every project and at the volunteer accommodation by onsite staff

  • All your horseriding 


Our Prices Exclude:


  • Medical and travel insurance

  • Flights to your chosen destination

  • Visa

  • Weekend trips and other non-project activities

Airport Pickup at Harare International Airport

Volunteers can arrive and depart from Harare or Bulawayo Airport. Harare is 4 hours from the park and Bulawayo is 2 hours from the park.  At the airport a  member of the team will meet you and transport you to  the reserve.

Volunteers should arrive on a Monday no later than 1pm. Your departure flight should also be on a Monday no earlier than 12 noon.

Accommodation

Your accommodation will be within the specifically designed and built volunteer village. The village is in the park’s main camp which has its own swimming pool, volleyball court, restaurant, café and a large raised bar that looks out over the dam. On the water bird life is rich and animals like antelope, zebra and even elephants often come to graze.


The rooms are unisex and are shared with a small number of other volunteers. All bedding, sheets and towels are provided. Housekeeping will come to the rooms every day, clean your room, make your bed and do any clothes washing that is needed. All your laundry is included in the price of  your stay. There is hot and cold  running water within same sex ablution blocks. Meals are enjoyed communally in the dining area. There is a large volunteer common room available for your evening meetings and free time, where volunteers enjoy games, team building and evenings at leisure, when not around the raised bar or firepit under the stars.

Food & Beverages

3 meals a day are provided as well as water, tea, and coffee.

For any additional snacks, soft drinks etc we have a wonderful cafe where these can be brought with cash.

There is a trip into town every Saturday where you can stock up on snacks and alcoholic beverages.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

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

This project has start dates every Mondays throughout the year. Different start dates can be accommodated  (extra transfer costs apply) with advance notice.

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

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 2,244€
3 weeks 3,047€
4 weeks 3,824€
5 weeks 4,530€
6 weeks 5,236€
7 weeks 5,941€
12 weeks (max. stay) 9,471€
Average fees 954€/week

Program fees

954€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

2 - 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 Worldwide Vets during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

Worldwide Vets

Outstanding 4.9 rating (37 reviews)

Non-profit

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Gemma

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Our goal is to improve animal welfare worldwide by providing volunteers to help vets and vet nurses working with wildlife and domestic animals.

Meet your organization

As an organisation, our goal is simple. Improve animal welfare around the world. Anyone can volunteer with us, you do not need to be a vet or vet student, although many of our courses are very popular with such applicants. 

We offer a multi-modal approach to assisting animals, including:

  • Running volunteer opportunities for you to help or study abroad.
  • Sponsoring vets to visit areas needing support.
  • Providing medications and surgical equipment
  • Training local vets and technicians.

By volunteering with us you will gain hands on experience with animals, learn new skills and give something back. For those considering a career in medicine or nursing, this is a great way to understand more about the career path and see if it is right for you. It provides industry relevant experience and is a wonderful addition to your CV, making you stand out when you apply to your chosen college or university. Those already studying animal and medical courses can gain credits and count their trip as work experience (including EMS or CEMS). Most importantly you can learn a huge range of new concepts and develop your skills and confidence in a friendly and encouraging environment.


Worldwide Vets is registered in the UK, with our administrative head office close to London, England. The real hub of our work is much further away, with vet clinics and conservation projects in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zanzibar, Ghana, Thailand, India, Cambodia, Peru, and Costa Rica, to name just a few. We welcome volunteers to join our mission and contribute to the role we play. Doing so is a great way to give something back to the world around you, saving innocent lives, alleviating poverty and playing your part in sustaining the natural and cultural planet we know today.  

 

 


 

 

37 reviews · rating4.9

Lise Simonsen rating5

2023 at Safari Stables

Amazing experience and well organised! I highly recommend the Stables Project in Zimbabwe with Worldwide Vets. Sarah was brilliant at organising the trip and in communicating with us. The stay was everything we hoped for and more. Great horses, wildlife and community experiences. Living with the ...
Rachel Dargue rating5

2023 at Safari Stables

my time was beyond everything i thought it was going to be. the experience i had was something i will hold on to forever!! there is never a moment of feeling unsafe or unwanted everyone you meet there just treats you like they would a friend they have known for years!! the animals you get to work ...
Kim McColl rating5

2023 at Safari Stables

I went on the safari stables for a month and I had such a good experience coordinating with Sarah! I highly recommend asking questions and not being afraid to go on the trips! The experience in itself was once in a lifetime and i could not recommend it more! Where else can you see giraffes, ...
Willem Nel rating5

2023 at Safari Stables

Experiencing wildlife in close proximity from horseback is an absolutely amazing and once in a life time opportunity! So grateful for the opportunity to have made memories that will last a life ...
Alice Jacquemont rating5

2023 at Safari Stables

Sindy and Dave were very welcoming and made us feel like home away from home ! The horses were so good and gentle and the staff, Hobert and Mathew were very very nice ! Cindy and Dave took me all over the reserve to discover many interesting things (cave paintings, rocks, airstrip etc...) and took ...
Sofia Kermaidic rating4.4

2023 at Safari Stables

I had a wonderful time in Zimbabwe with Sindy and Dave we did a lot of things I worked with the horses , they were very sweet and I felt really good there. We had a lot of free time , we went on game drive and I did a lot of horse riding and took care of the horses , fed them , brush them and ...

Location

Africa > Eastern Africa > Zimbabwe > Gweru

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Volunteer Abroad  >  Animals  >  Wildlife Conservation in Zimbabwe
Contact Gemma
  Excellent response rate
English

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