Make a difference to wildlife populations in Africa by conserving and protecting the beautiful endangered giants of Zimbabwe. Work closely with rhinos and elephants in the heart of a magnificent game reserve, while having the volunteer trip of a lifetime.
African Impact is a multi-award-winning volunteer travel organization which runs and manages meaningful and responsible volunteer experiences and internship programs throughout Africa. The organization was founded in 2004 in Zimbabwe, and since then has grown into the Africa leaders in volunteer tourism, having facilitated over 12,000 volunteers and interns in 12 countries across the continent. We are proud to offer fun, safe and structured placements where volunteers understand their contribution to responsible projects run in partnership with local communities and conservation efforts. Our journey so far has been both inspiring and humbling and we will keep pushing the horizons of what volunteering can achieve. in the power of volunteering and have seen the amazing things volunteers can achieve. in Africa and all that this inspiring continent can offer to the world. in the passionate people who work with us and alongside us to create tangible positive impacts and change lives. To us, volunteering is a two-way thing. It s not just about the hands-on help and skills that volunteers bring; it s also about what this amazing continent, its people and its wildlife can give those volunteers in return. The volunteer experiences we offer in Africa are based on three key points: 1) volunteers having an amazing time and experiencing everything Africa has to offer; 2) volunteers learning as much as they can about local history, culture and wildlife and soaking up the essence of the country; and 3) supporting local communities and conservation efforts through education and hands-on help.
In 1975, some 10,000 black rhino roamed the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Zimbabwe s Zambezi Valley. During the late 1980 s, at the peak of the rhino-poaching era in Southern Africa, the Zimbabwe Department of National Parks and Wildlife decided to remove the remaining 120 black rhino out of the danger zones of the national parks and into the Intensive Protection Zones of private conservancies. Imire offered their expertise and was given custodianship of seven orphaned baby rhino between the ages of four and six months; three males - Noddy, Fumbi and Sprinter, and four females - Cuckoo, Mvu, D.J. and Amber. Initially all efforts were centered around stabilizing the calves condition, introducing them to the correct milk formula, and generally adapting them to their new environment. All seven calves were hand-raised on a bottle for eight years and raised together as a semi-domesticated herd. These seven black rhino bred very successfully, with 15 births on Imire. 11 black rhino were returned back to the Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe. The Matusadona release program was stopped due to excessive poaching and black rhino numbers have again dropped alarmingly. At present, we have five black rhino within the game park, two male and three female. In November 2014, Imire were delighted to announce the birth of baby Tafika, the first baby born at Imire since 2007. The rhino are penned in a boma (enclosure) at night and during the day can be found in the game park browsing, enjoying the sun and sleeping! In addition to our black rhino, Imire is also home to white rhino, elephants, lion and buffalo as well as a proliferation of plains game including the rare Sable antelope, Blesbok, Kudu, Zebra, Giraffe, wildebeest, crocodile and hippo. As well as getting involved with the black rhino, time at Imire will include working closely with our elephant herd and getting a real feel for life on an African game reserve. Your time at this project will be divided into time spent with the wildlife learning about and spending time with the animals, in particular the black rhino and elephants, getting involved with the running of the game park and spending time at the local school close to the project. The emphasis is very much on wildlife conservation and the majority of your time is spent in the game park but part of the program includes educating the community on the importance of the environment and its wildlife.
VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT WITH BLACK RHINO Observing and collecting data on the behavior and social interaction of the black rhino Monitoring the baby rhino Feeding and walking with the rhino Maintenance and cleaning of rhino beds ELEPHANT DUTIES Teaching co-operative elephant handling Observing family interactions, monitoring and assessing browsing behavior Maintenance and cleaning of elephant beds OTHER ACTIVITES Undertake anti-poaching and snare patrols to ensure the security of the animals Game park maintenance - help maintain fence lines, roads and fireguards Game counts on foot, horseback and by vehicle Help in the local primary and secondary school with conservation clubs, sports, gardening and literacy Learn about the amazing animals and birds which surround you Plenty of time for fishing, canoeing, horse riding, hiking and enjoying being in the heart of the African bush
Living in close proximity with four of Africa s Big 5 animals on this 10,000 acre privately owned conservancy Witness amazing animal relationships Hands-on experience with endangered black rhino Form close relationships with magnificent African elephants Play a big part in the conservation of Zimbabwe s endangered wildlife Get a unique behind the scenes look at life on an African game reserve Live in and explore the beautiful Zimbabwe bush on foot, horse-back or by game viewer! 1.5 hours drive East of Zimbabwe s capital, Harare Minimum 17 years maximum decided on health of potential participant Genuine love and concern for animals and the environment You must be able to read, write and speak English You must be in reasonable physical condition, as there is some walking and physical activities involved in the project Ability to work as part of a team, be flexible and cooperative Understanding and willingness to adapt to Zimbabwe s unique situation it is a country where much help is needed to protect and maintain what is left of our dwindling wildlife resources. You as a volunteer can make a serious and worthwhile impact on many of these facets.
2-8 weeks Every Monday Fly in to Harare International Airport (in Zimbabwe s capital) where you will be met by project staff and transferred 2 hours by road to the wildlife ranch. We organize all volunteer pick-ups, overnight accommodation at respective volunteer lodges where necessary, and transfers to your program of choice as part of your fee. Arranging your visa is your responsibility and the information we provide is to serve as a guideline only. We advise that you confirm this information with the Zimbabwean embassy in your home country before departure. Prior to your trip you will need to arrange medical insurance which will give you full cover for any medical requirements which may arise during your trip, including cover for full air evacuation in the unlikely event that this is necessary. Your medical cover also needs to include repatriation. If you do not already have a company that you are happy to use to take out a policy with, we suggest World Nomads, who offer comprehensive medical and travel insurance. Please be sure to check your policy carefully to ensure that it does cover activities which you are likely to participate in.
You will be staying in comfortable twin or dormitory accommodation in a two story thatched house on a lake There are two indoor bathrooms with shower and flush toilets and three outdoor solar showers overlooking the dam, for those hot summer days! There is also an outdoor pool. A prolific vegetable garden is maintained by the volunteers, your room will be cleaned by the housekeeping staff, and laundry will also be done for you (excluding underwear - washing powder is provided) Internet access is available for 2-3 hours each day, please take note that no downloading is permitted. The wifi is on a token system, $5 per 100mb of use. Subject to electricity. You will be provided with three home-cooked meals per day. Breakfast will be on a help-yourself basis and usually includes cereal, toast, eggs, beans, tea and coffee. Lunches are usually salads, pasta or sandwiches. You will also receive a cooked dinner or have a barbeque. ANIMAL MONITORING Animals will be monitored on a daily basis. You will be expected to help record all information. Mapping and photographing species in their herds Interactions with own species and others Competition within and between species Aggression within species and between species Dominance and hierarchy Breeding successes and failures Data collection Plant and tree Identification
BOMA (WILDLIFE ENCLOSURE) DUTIES Pen cleaning Early morning rhino / elephant feeds and handling Lion, hyena and crocodile feeding OTHER DUTIES Game counts and observations Maintenance of game fences, roads, fireguards, pens, stalls and equipment Building and maintaining bush camps Tree planting and bush clearance Ranch patrols on foot and horseback Ploughing and wood collection with elephant Anti-poaching activities Helping with special projects around the game park and having unexpected adventures! COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT We are involved in a local primary and secondary rural community school. This is a very important part of our volunteer program. Each volunteer will spend time in the various classes and help teach the following: Teaching skills for self-sufficiency Basic English reading and language lessons using an approved English literacy programme - all materials are provided Permaculture - establishing organic gardening and educating rural children and their parents on vegetable gardens and cropping using this method Conservation - teaching the children the value of conserving wild animals and environmental issues using Imire facilities
POSSIBLE PROJECTS FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO STUDY There are a wide variety of projects available. Due to the semi-habituation of the large mammals they are easy to study. SOME IDEAS: Monitoring, through close observation, behavior of rhino, buffalo, elephant and all the antelope species Malimprinting in wildlife e.g. waterbuck joining blesbok, elephant with rhino, Nzou (cow elephant) who has become a matriarch with a herd of buffalo Effects of early summer burning on the bush and grassland Liver fluke and tick-borne diseases in wild animals and cattle Grazing effects on legumes and grasses Flora identification Upon arrival to Imire, volunteers will receive a project orientation (duration 1/2 a day) including: Introduction to senior program staff including guides, managers, elephant and rhino handlers and game park staff Familiarization of the ranch throughout your stay - boundary fences, internal roads and tracks, wildlife species Further information on the rhino breeding program How to conduct snare sweeps and boundary patrols For those who have not ridden horses before, you may be instructed in the basics of horse riding. Should the project managers decide you are capable, horses may possibly then be used for some of your duties. Throughout your placement you will have the support and guidance of our experienced volunteer project managers. They are part of our greater African Impact support team, which will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance.
2018 USD 2 Weeks 1715 3 Weeks 2573 4 Weeks 3430 5 Weeks 4288 6 Weeks 5145 7 Weeks 6003 8 Weeks 6860 Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with This project fee facilitates funding for items such as food for rhinos and elephants, management and maintenance of rhino pens, and the development of the conservation program All transfers to and from Harare International Airport upon your arrival and departure Assistance in your projects and comprehensive orientation by various trained guides and staff during your stay Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day Unlimited tea, coffee and juice throughout the day Weekly laundry service during your stay The service of a cleaner to attend to your room Visa Fees All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other) Arrival and departure flights to and from Harare International Airport E-mail and telephone calls made during your placement (charged out at cost) Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Zimbabwe e.g. visit to the Victoria Falls Personal insurance cover for the duration of your placement, which is expected to include cover for repatriation
In your spare time you can go fishing or canoeing, camp in the bush, undertake rifle training or just relax by the pool at the volunteer house with a cold beer! You will have the opportunity to go horse riding in the bush - an amazing way to experience the wildlife, or go for nature walks. For those who enjoy hiking we can arrange hikes off the reserve, visit local cultural sites or go and enjoy the hustle and bustle of Harare. We look forward to welcoming you for a unique, rewarding and unforgettable experience!