Volunteer Role
You will spend your time predominantly working with the lions, assisting in the preparation for their eventual release back into the wild. During your time as a volunteer, there will also be an opportunity to take part in a few hours of work alongside elephants and other wildlife, whilst also assisting at a small local orphanage with the children.
The Lion Breeding Project: 250,000 lions used to roam free within the African continent – The latest census estimates that the number of lions lies somewhere between 23,000 and 40,000, but many believe that figure has since slumped to as low as 15000.
The end objective of the Midlands Lion breeding and rehabilitation programme is to re-introduce lions into the wild. This project is a world first and is supported by some of the world’s leading ecologists in this field. Spending time with the lions in the wild each day is an essential part of the cubs’ upbringing. If the cubs are to be released into the wild it is important that they spend time out in a natural environment. They need to adapt to it, learn from it, understand, observe, feel and smell the wild.
Elephants: You will also have the opportunity to spend time with our orphaned African Elephants and their trainers. The elephants at the Midlands were saved from certain death during a severe drought that ravaged Zimbabwe’s South Eastern Lowveld in 1991 and 1992. The elephants play an important role in the programme’s activities schedule, and you may be asked to assist in the daily duties with the elephants.
Other Activities: The few remaining areas of wildlife in Zimbabwe are extremely precious and must be protected at all costs. Part of your project will involve assisting with the wildlife management scheme where duties may include finding and removing snares (snare sweeps) within the game park and checking for holes or fence cuttings on the boundary fence (Boundary Patrols) and repairing them.
What’s Included in the Programme Price
- 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 lions, management and maintenance of parks infrastructure and the development of the lion breeding and rehabilitation programme
- All transfers to and from Bulawayo Airport upon your arrival and departure
- Arrival orientation
- 24 hour support from project co-ordinators and staff
- Any wildlife education talks that take place during your stay and that you might wish to partake in
- All accommodation and meals during your programme
- Unlimited tea, coffee and juice throughout the day
- Laundry service during your stay and the service of a cleaner to attend to your room
What’s Not Included in the Programme Price
- All Flights
- Personal insurance cover for the duration of your placement, which must include cover for repatriation
- Visas for Zimbabwe
- E-mail and telephone calls made during your placement
- Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Zimbabwe
- All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts and toiletries etc
Prices and Durations
Zimbabwe Lion Breeding and Conservation - Midlands - 2 weeks $2,229
Zimbabwe Lion Breeding and Conservation - Midlands - 4 weeks $3,979
Zimbabwe Lion Breeding and Conservation - Midlands - 8 weeks $6,839
