Volunteer Role
This is a four-week project where you will be taken by boat to monitor and take part in activities to prevent the extinction of the hippopotamus along the southern shores of Lake Malawi. You will be helping to contribute to the long-term survival of hippo in the lake.
You will cruise about 150m from shore while taking turns, in small groups, to keep a constant look out for hippos. If spotted, the boat will stop and a count will take place and a GPS position recorded. Local fishermen and villagers will also be interviewed with respect to recent hippo sightings and behaviour.
There are two species of hippopotamus and both of these live in Africa:
1. The common hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius)
2. The pygmy hippo (Choreopsis liberiensis)
The hippo need volunteers to start protecting them before they become extinct! The volunteer role includes the following activities:
-
Count and map all the hippos along the southern shoreline of Lake Malawi, information will be relayed to an environmental organisation in South Africa for analysis.
- To protect any larger permanent pods of Hippo, by monitoring the hippos and putting protective mechanisms in place (this is a long term objective and dependent on the availability of surplus funding).
- Educate locals on the important role hippos play in the lake ecosystem.
- Experiment with the planting of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) trees as a barrier around crop fields. Jatropha has a toxicity that will hopefully deter hippos from entering the crop fields. Jatropha is being cultivated and used by an environmental organisation in the area to combat Elephant raids on village crops. The secondary advantage of this experimentation is that the seeds of Jatropha are one of the highest in producing oil, which can be utilised in the manufacture of Bio Diesel. Thus an economic value can be derived indirectly by the presence of hippos near the villages.
What’s Included in the Programme
- Airport transfers to and from Lilongwe International Airport
- Orientation on arrival
- All camping fees
- Full support and assistance from your co-ordinator throughout your time in Malawi
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
- One day safari and river cruise in Liwonde National Park and park entrance fees
- 24 hour support number and contact in the UK for emergencies
What’s Not Included in the Programme
- All flights
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag
- All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing
- Soft drinks, beer, wines and spirits
- Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Malawi
Prices & Durations
Malawi Hippo Research - 4 weeks £999
