Wildlife Protection Victoria Falls

A once in a lifetime chance to go behind the scenes and get involved with the conservation of a Big Five Game Reserve. Volunteers take part in game reserve management, wildlife research and community development through hands-on experience. Share your love of environmentalism and make a tangible difference as you further your knowledge of wildlife conservation.

This well-rounded education program combines conservation with welfare to assist in the preservation efforts of Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve.

The Project

The reserve protects 4000 ha of the area’s rich natural heritage and is a sanctuary for Africa’s iconic game – including the critically endangered black rhino, with it being a designated Intensive Protection Zone for the species.

Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve is the only privately-owned reserve within the immediate vicinity of the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, ideally placing volunteers for a wild and wonderful experience!

What to expect

Volunteers have the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in conservation management and assist with on-going conservation research, which are vital for the successful operation of the reserve, its surrounding areas, and their ecosystems. The reserve is home to an abundance of indigenous wildlife, including the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and Cape buffalo – and serves as an Intensive Protection Zone for the critically endangered black rhino.

The exact nature of the work carried out will depend on the requirements of the reserve at the time. Typical activities include, but are not limited to:

•   Alien vegetation removal 

•   Soil erosion control 

•   Fence patrols 

•   Bush walks 

•   Waterhole creation, maintenance, and monitoring 

•   Game and bird monitoring, tracking, and counting 

•   Road maintenance 

•   River crossings upkeep 

•   Reserve clean-up operations 

•   Game census 

•   General clean-up of reserve and surrounding areas 

•   Animal tracking 

•   Observe supplement feeding

•   Camping out on the reserve 

Conservation and Research Activities may include:

Volunteers work with members of the game reserve team and anti-poaching unit, with their efforts also benefitting partner organizations, including Birdlife Zimbabwe, Endangered Wildlife Trust and Zimbabwe National Parks Authority. Volunteers enjoy direct contact with the Wildlife Manager, who will hold discussions and debates. This enhances volunteers’ knowledge and understanding of nature conservation issues in Africa and assists volunteers in making a real contribution to conserving the environment in Victoria Falls

Volunteer week orientation

Volunteer Work

As a volunteer you typically work from Monday to Friday with weekends off. An example of a summer schedule is as follows:

6.30am – 7.30am: Breakfast

8am – 12pm: Volunteering

12pm – 3pm: Break, including lunch

3pm – 6pm: Volunteering

6.30pm – 7.30pm: Dinner

Weekends

There are no planned activities at the weekends but there is no shortage of optional activities to do in and around Victoria Falls town, from white- water rafting to sunset cruises. Victoria Falls is one of the largest and most spectacular waterfalls in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated within three separate national parks: Victoria Falls National Park (Zimbabwe), Zambezi National Park (Zimbabwe), and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Zambia). Victoria Falls’ advantageous location also allows volunteers to easily visit the neighboring countries of Zambia and Botswana on the weekends.