Malawi wildlife volunteer project offered by Go Volunteer Africa could be just the way to interact and experience wildlife conservation work in Africa. On this Malawi wildlife volunteer project, our focus is on the protection of environment and wildlife for the social and economic benefit of local people.
As a volunteer in Malawi you will work alongside a team of local and international volunteers and specialists on wildlife research, monitoring and comprehensive conservation. Malawi is a fantastic place for wildlife volunteer opportunities. Participants can offer their time and develop their skills to help preserve and conserve wildlife and the natural environment.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
- Do a vet internship
- Offer vet clinic support
- Join weekly research game drives
- Help sanctuary data collection teams
- Help with orphan animal care & observations
- Help with integrations and reintroductions work
- Assist in community outreach sensitization on wildlife conservation
- Help with animal husbandry (cleaning, sanitation, feeding and enrichment)
Becoming a volunteer with wildlife is a becoming more common as Malawi continues to be at the forefront of wildlife conservation in Africa. This Malawi wildlife volunteer project offers a variety of hands on activities including a 6 days conservation experience at the wildlife sanctuary and 5 days at Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve undertaking elephant and primate research.
PROJECT LOCATION
Lilongwe is the capital city of Malawi, on the Lilongwe River. At its heart, woodland trails weave through the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. This sanctuary shelters rescued and injured animals, including lions, monkeys and crocodiles. Shops, bars and restaurants dot the Old Town district. The Capital City district, also called City Centre, is home to the 21st-century, Chinese-built Parliament building.
Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve is a national game reserve in Malawi. In contrast to the Nyika National Park on the Nyika Plateau, much of Vwaza is located on low-lying flat ground although the eastern side of the park is hilly. It is located to the southeast of the plateau and to the north of the floodplains of South Rukuru River and covers an area of 1,000 km2.
The park is characterised by Mopane and Miombo woodland and marshy wetlands which attracts a significant number of birds to the reserve. The reserve has large herds of Cape buffaloes and elephants, and a large variety of antelope including roan, greater kudu, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, eland and impala. Warthogs are also found in this reserve as well as a hippopotamus pod in Lake Kazuni.
ARRIVAL & AIRPORT PICKUP
After you have booked and confirmed your placement, please book your flights to arrive at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe City. A member of staff from our local partner organization will meet you on arrival at Airport and take you to the volunteer guest house which will be your base for volunteering. This airport services numerous international carriers. Malawi has good connections to destinations throughout Europe, the Asia- Pacific region, USA and Africa.
ORIENTATION
Orientation and Placement will be done the next day. Generally, your volunteer orientation is an overview of the project’s mission, expectations and introduction to the local community and project site. Following your arrival in Malawi you will be given a presentation by the co-coordinating project team to prepare you for the work you will be doing.
PROJECT DETAILS
Due to human encroachment and illegal practices such as poaching, habitats and wildlife are under serious threat. Our Malawi wildlife volunteer project is vitally important in the effort to keep wildlife protected and healthy. Volunteers are key in this effort, and can help enormously by helping at the wildlife rescue centre. This sanctuary shelters rescued and injured animals, including lions, monkeys, elephants, crocodiles and more.
This wildlife conservation project in Malawi gives you a real and unfiltered look into Africa’s incredible iconic wildlife. But unlike a tourist safari, you play an active and meaningful role in the research and long term conservation work of Malawi’s natural resources in this stunning region of the world.
The weekly work will give you the opportunity to learn more about protection measures, efforts and also to give the best opportunity to participate in rehabilitation programs in the bush. This project rotates around rescue and rehabilitation of the wildlife. If you are passionate about wild animals, this is your chance to give something back to the wildlife and make a difference in their lives.
The Malawi wildlife volunteer project take only 18 volunteers when full, so applying and booking early is highly recommended. Volunteers can stay from 2 weeks to a maximum of 12 weeks.
You will work directly with the animals and the work combines, the volunteering bit and safari bit, for example, during the release time of animals back into the wilderness after rehabilitation, you visit the national park and get an opportunity of doing a safari and deeper understanding of the wildlife, so you have a fully engaged program.
This will give you a powerful insight into the life-changing and life-saving work of wildlife rehabilitation. The volunteer work covers the whole wildlife rehabilitation spectrum. Expect to get your hands dirty, work hard and sleep well!
Duties include animal husbandry (cleaning, sanitation, feeding and enrichment), orphan care, vet clinic support, observations, integrations and reintroductions. You’ll also get the chance to learn about specialist areas of work such as enrichment, observation and rehabilitation techniques.
No special skills or qualifications are required to join Malawi wildlife conservation volunteer work, as all training will be provided by our fully qualified field teams. All we ask is an enthusiasm to learn and become fully involved and immersed in this unique opportunity.
There are currently around 200 animals on the reserve, including birds, reptiles, monkeys and pangolins. Many are orphans and victims of the illegal pet and bush meat trades, which are unfortunately still very common in Malawi. Others may have been caught in snares, hit by cars or stoned after wandering into the local village. Thanks to a state-of-the-art clinic, orphan care center and experienced animal care team, as well as the volunteers, many of these animals fully recover and can return to the wild.
Please note: The nature of the work and the animals in care can vary from day to day and not all tasks may be required at the time of your volunteering. All work that gets done is incredibly beneficial and worthwhile. Volunteers work six days a week and schedules vary depending on what animals need particular attention. Work is evenly split among volunteers, but volunteers can expect busy days, including some early starts and late finishes.
GROUP VOLUNTEER TRIPS
Get some friends together or organize a group from your school and embark on this incredible adventure! Discounts are offered on any group of 5+ participants on Malawi volunteering program.
LONGTERM VOLUNTEER WORK
Please contact us for more information about our long-term volunteer work in Malawi. We will guide you on the best times of the year, what to pack, and what extra health precautions to keep in mind and all logistics.
VOLUNTEER ACCOMMODATION
Volunteers are provided accommodation in a volunteer house at the sanctuary managed by the local coordinating team. Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) are provided to the participants from Monday – Saturday. The accommodations are neat and clean. Accommodation is shared amongst volunteers on the ‘same gender sharing’ basis rooms. Wifi internet, warm water is not guaranteed.
Accommodation includes a lounge, kitchen, inside and outside dining spaces, two bathrooms, laundry space, an outdoor deck and garden. The building is located in the middle of the wildlife sanctuary, which means that you’ll experience the magic of bush life after a hard day or work – spending evenings by the fire listening to the sounds of the forest.
MEALS: Meals are cooked by a local chef every day except on Sunday. The menu is vegetarian with a mix of international and local dishes. Let us know if you have other special dietary requirements, and volunteers are welcome to buy in other luxuries or meat if they wish.
AGE REQUIREMENT
Our program is for anyone sixteen years and above who loves service and social experiences with people from all over the world. We also accepts volunteers of 15+ years of age if they are in a group with a guardian or supervisor above 18years. Volunteers under 15 years old are only considered when accompanied by a parent/guardian. There isn’t a maximum age limit, though a reasonable fitness level is necessary. Families are encouraged to apply and are welcome!
VISAS
Visitors to Malawi must obtain a visa from one of the Malawian diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries eligible for visa on arrival. All visitors must hold passports valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date. Depending on the purpose of visit, a traveler who has a valid visa is granted a Visitors Permit (VP) or Business Visit (BV) at the port of entry valid for 30 days and can be extended up to a maximum period of 90 days. According to a document published by the Department of Immigration, nationals of all countries that are not visa exempt may obtain a visa on arrival. Malawi launched an eVisa application system on 1 November 2019 – https://www.evisa.gov.mw/
WEEKENDS AND FREE-TIME
Over the weekends or evenings, participants are free to eat out and explore the different delights that Malawi has to offer. We arrange city day tours and long-weekend safaris. No matter what your interests, there is always something for everyone to enjoy!
PROJECT QUICK FACTS
| Availability: | All year round |
| Duration: | Minimum 2 weeks commitment |
| Age Limits: | Minimum 16yrs or older for solo travelers. |
| Minimum Age: | ——– |
| Start Dates: | Flexible start and end dates |
| Arrival dates: | One day before the start date |
| Airport Arrival: | Airport pickup, meet and greet by GVA partner representative |
| Working Days: | Monday – Saturday – 6 days a week, 3-5 hours in a day |
| Weekends: | Travel / Sightseeing NOT included in program cost |
| Accommodation: | Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer House |
| Meals: | Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily (except Sundays) |
| Support: | Pre-departure guide, In-country staff available 24/7 |
| Location: | Lilongwe |
| Language: | English |
IN A NUTSHELL
Volunteering in Malawi with Go Volunteer Africa is affordable, low cost and budget friendly. The volunteer opportunities in Malawi are meaningful and life changing both to the volunteer and the host community.
Go Volunteer Africa was ranked as the best volunteer organization in Malawi. All volunteer programs in Malawi are community driven and managed by the local coordinating teams and this will give you a chance to get to know local people and really help those in need.
Go Volunteer Africa is among the top NGOs looking for volunteers in Malawi. Most volunteer projects in Malawi are located throughout the country in places like Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu, Balaka, Mangochi, Zomba and in more rural areas.
Volunteer in Malawi with Africa’s leading and largest volunteer travel organization. Volunteer Jobs in Malawi are available throughout the year. Do volunteer charity work in Malawi, empower communities and vulnerable individuals, change both your lives and the recipients’ of your generosity.
PROGRAM FEE: (USD$)
Program Fee Excludes:
- Flights
- Visas
- Insurance
- Personal Expenses
- Airport Drop off (Can be arranged upon request)
APPLICATION & PLACEMENT BOOKING FEE
Please Note: An application and placement booking fee of $180 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment to secure your placement.
The fee covers: Administration Costs, Placement Booking & Confirmation, Pre-departure support & documentation, 24-hour international HQ back-up.
HOW TO APPLY
To start the process fill Volunteer application form and submit it for consideration and book your placement. For more information on how to get enrolled for the volunteering experience of a lifetime contact us. Or Give us a call | WhatsApp | Telegram | Viber | Imo at +254-796-786292 to talk to a Program Specialist.
