Wildlife Rescue and Animal Caretaking In Malawi
Country
Malawi
Duration
15-90 Days
From
US$1698
Highlights
This Wildlife Centre is looking for dedicated and passionate volunteers for their busy wildlife rehab program. Join this exiting opportunity and gain professional skills in wildlife care and management.
Overview
Malawi, known as the Warm Heart of Africa, boasts breathtaking landscapes and hospitable locals. Amid its rich wildlife diversity, challenges loom due to poverty and overpopulation, leading to deforestation and wildlife crime. This threatens both animals and their habitats.
Since 2008, this Wildlife Centre, inaugurated as a haven for animals rescued from illegal wildlife trade, has grown into a pioneering people-wildlife collaboration. Activities expanded nationally in 2013. Join this dynamic wildlife rehab program at Malawi’s sole wildlife sanctuary, which partners with local communities for conservation.
Over 150 animals, including primates, lions, leopards, and reptiles, reside here. As a volunteer, choose from various roles: animal care, vet assistant, rehabilitation, education, community support, and more. Be part of a unique opportunity to make a difference in both wildlife and local lives.
Project area
Ever fancied waking up to the sound of a lion roaring or be able to see monkeys play from your bedroom window? In our volunteer accommodation you can!
Volunteers stay together in our Volunteer House, which is within the heart of the wildlife centre and surrounded by our animals. This allows you to be close to the action and, alongside having the benefits of being within the centre of a capital city, experience the wild side of Africa. The House has mixed dorm-style accommodation with a kitchen, living area, bathroom and an attractive garden area for al-fresco eating and relaxing in the evenings.
Photo Gallery
Activities
Volunteer activities range from animal care assistant, vet assistant, rehabilitation and release assistant, education and community support, centre support, marketing and those interested in conservation or ecology.
Dependent on your passions, experience and needs of the Centre you could be involved in any of the following:
Assistant animal carer:
Work alongside our animal carers to offer our orphans the best possible care that they deserve…cleaning, feeding, handrearing baby orphans and providing enrichment to those that need it.
Vet assistant:
Work alongside our vet to help conduct full health checks on all new arrivals and perform regular vaccinations and check-ups on all the animals at the Centre.
Release assistant:
Track animals that are being released back to the wild, whether that be in the Centre´s 80 hectare wilderness area or out at one of the Centre´s release sites around the country
Centre support:
Helping with construction and maintenance, giving guided tours or getting involved with events at the Centre
Education:
Giving guided tours, helping create conservation based educational activities, working on new signage or helping out at the Wild Kidz Holiday Camps.
Community outreach:
Working with the community outreach manager. We have several ongoing community programmes including such projects as our ‘Green and Clean’ programme where we are working with our local communities to plant sustainable wood lots and vegetable gardens, and providing training to encourage sustainable living and the use of alternative fuels and discouraging negative practices such as sand mining and deforestation.
Environment:
If you´re interested in conservation management, we have several ecological surveys and mammal censuses and an important afforestation project we would love your support on.
Marketing:
Anyone with experience in website updates, pr, events, photography or documentary making would be more than welcome.
Field conditions
The Centre employs over 30 dedicated local staff with a management team that also includes highly qualified international wildlife and education experts. International volunteers are also crucial to the smooth running of the project in terms of hard work, new ideas and skills transfer.
Qualifications needed
No specific requirements.
Costs
2 weeks US$ 1,698
3 weeks US$ 2.298
4 weeks US$ 2.769
5 weeks US$ 3.189
6 weeks US$ 3,569
7 weeks US$ 3,936
8 weeks US$ 4,268
9 weeks US$ 4,588
10 weeks US$ 4,867
11 weeks US$ 5,136
12 weeks US$ 5,387
Prices for longer stays are available on request.
Included
- Accommodation
- All meals and unlimited tea, coffee and drinking water
- Transfers to and from the airport and all work related transport
- Free wireless internet
- Free t-shirt and local phone sim card
- Orientation and training in all relevant departments and full support and assistance from the Volunteer Coordinator throughout your stay.
Excluded
- Flights
- Vaccinations, travel and medical insurance
- Visas
- Additional excursions
- Nights out, souvenirs and personal expenses such as soft drinks, beers and snacks.
FAQ
How to get there?
To fly to Lilongwe, check out Kenya Airways, Ethiopia Airways and South African Airways. We will arrange for your transfers from the airport to the Centre.
Which qualifications are needed?
Whilst relevant skills and past experience are very helpful, it is those with enthusiasm, flexibility and a good work ethic that leave the biggest mark and get to go home with the greatest sense of achievement.
Enquiries
Excited to join this project? Share your preferred dates, interests, and any specific needs with us!