Orientation
- Introduction to all camp staff including guides, handlers of elephants, lions and horses, heads of department and assistants.
- Familiarisation of the Safari camp and Game Park – including the park boundaries, internal roads and tracks and some of the wildlife species.
- Introduction to the project, including lion handling training and full safety instructions.
- Further information on the programme and their objective of releasing lions into the wild
How to conduct snare sweeps, boundary patrols and game counts.
- For those of you who have not ridden horses before you may also spend time being instructed in the basics of horse riding. Should our riding instructors decide you are suitable and capable, then horses may possibly be used for some of your duties.
- Issuing of the basic tools you require to carry out your duties.
Accommodation and Meals
During your placement, you will be staying in a comfortable room sharing with one to three other volunteers in thatched accommodation, nestled beneath trees and beside a lake. Your lodge has modern facilities including satellite TV and a swimming pool. You will have separate shower & toilet facilities to the rest of the camp, which are located adjacent to the sleeping area. The main lodge houses guests visiting the area and programme on vacation. Your rooms will be cleaned daily by the housekeeping staff and free use of the laundry service is available to all volunteers.
Volunteers also have the option to upgrade their accommodation at our wonderful guest lodge, which offers a haven of tranquillity. Choose to stay either in our East African Safari Style Tents with ensuite bathrooms or our Thatched River Lodges with ensuite bathrooms and private decks overlooking the river. All private accommodation is based on availability. For further information, please ask the Africa team.
Cost of Tents: £10 or US$20 per person sharing per day. £20 or US$40 for single occupancy. Cost of Lodges: £12 or US$25 per person sharing per day. £24 or US$50 for single occupancy.
You will receive 3 meals a day, although this may be a packed meal depending on what activity you are taking part in on any given day. You will be eating the same food as the guests at the lodge and we kindly request that you allow the guests to be served first and have their first choice of seating. Breakfast is at 0830h and includes cereals, fresh fruit and a full cooked breakfast. Lunch is usually around 1300h and dinner is at 1900h, both of which are served in a buffet style.
Free Time
During your stay in the Midlands, you have the option to join an exciting trip to the magnificent Victoria Falls (via the beautiful Matobo and Hwange National Park) that departs for 5 nights and 6 days on the 19th of each month. This takes you to some of the most spectacular spots that Zimbabwe has to offer and is a great chance for volunteers to interact and get to know each other better.
An expedition such as this will cost you US$330, with an additional US$500 recommended spending money to enable you to try all of the activities that Victoria Falls has to offer you!
Being in Zimbabwe means that you are close to the Victoria Falls, which is a major starting point for tours through Africa. From 3-day mini trips to a mammoth 56-day epic, we have the perfect tour to suit your needs and leave you with unforgettable memories of Africa. Please speak to the Africa team for further details
Please note: that these activities are at your own cost. Your project coordinators in Africa can arrange this for you, though the trip will depend upon availability, participant numbers and departure dates and thus cannot be guaranteed. You may need to allow additional time for the trip if you are volunteering for a short period.
Programme Support
Throughout your placement you will have the support and guidance of our experienced volunteer coordinators. They are part of our greater African support team who will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance. In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.them.
Project Age Limit
Minimum age 17 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health.
Project Requirements
Due to health and safety requirements, all volunteers must be 155cm, or 5ft minimum to work with the lion cubs. All volunteers must have a reasonable level of health and fitness
