Wild Farming Helper

location
2 - 10 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Below average response rate

Highlights

  • Gain invaluable knowledge and experience working with Nguni and Boran cattle
  • Work with horses; learning to care for them with the opportunity to ride/ learn to ride (optional)
  • Get hands-on experience in chicken farming and flock management
  • Live within a safari reserve allowing you to assist in wildlife management during your stay
  • Opportunities for community outreach at the local school


Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples

About the program

Immerse yourself in the day to day of a farm in Africa. Care for herds of cattle, flocks of chickens, and farm horses in the wilds of an African reserve.

Join a family who have been farming in Southern Africa for generations. Based on a beautiful 18 000 hectare game reserve in the wilds of Zimbabwe, Farming Wild allows volunteers to get a feel for livestock care and wildlife management while surrounded by the African bush. With the chance to get ...

About the program

Join a family who have been farming in Southern Africa for generations. Based on a beautiful 18 000 hectare game reserve in the wilds of Zimbabwe, Farming Wild allows volunteers to get a feel for livestock care and wildlife management while surrounded by the African bush. With the chance to get involved with cattle care, equine management, chicken farming as well as wildlife management this project is well rounded and allows volunteers to get hands on experience in a range of different areas. There are no qualifications necessary for this project just a positive and energetic attitude, a thirst for adventure and a passion for animals- wild and domestic!

During your time on the farm you will work alongside your host family and their dedicated staff in caring for their livestock including herds of Boran and Nguni cattle, chickens, and horses. You will be exposed to a range of different learning opportunities within each sector of the farm such as wound treatments, anti-parasitics, reproduction, and disease management. Depending on the time of year it is possible you will be involved in the branding and dehorning of cattle, or even witness a calf or foal being born! For those who are more adventurous there is the opportunity to learn to ride during your stay and participate in cattle round ups as well as trail rides within the property.


If anyone is passionate about community outreach, the local rural school is very run down and delapitated- the owners of the farm are doing all that they can to support them. Every Wednesday (during school terms) farm staff and the farm game scouts run the school’s “Eco-Club” where they teach the children about nature, conservation and wildlife. Volunteers are very welcome to get involved in these classes as well.


As with every project that revolves around animals please be aware that all procedures and activities are directly influenced by the need of the animals at the time. The farm’s main source of income is through their crops. During your stay you will have the opportunity to assist in the cropping. Working side by side with the local farmer in the field planting or harvesting fresh produce under the Zimbabwean sun! This is an amazing way to learn more about the Zimbabwean farming culture and practices. The host Sindy describes harvesting potatoes: “it looks like dinosaur eggs in the soil“.

What a unique experience!



Typical day

KEY VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES


With any project surrounding animals please understand that the activities revolve around the animals’ needs and as such may vary slightly during your stay.


As a volunteer you will undertake a variety of activities, such as:



CATTLE


  • Antiparasitics - dipping for ...

Typical day

KEY VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES


With any project surrounding animals please understand that the activities revolve around the animals’ needs and as such may vary slightly during your stay.


As a volunteer you will undertake a variety of activities, such as:



CATTLE


  • Antiparasitics - dipping for ticks

  • Wound treatments including antibiotics

  • Pregnancy diagnosis

  • Branding

  • De-horning boron

  • Multivitamin injections when required

  • Deworming


HORSES


  • Dipping

  • Deworming

  • Foot care

  • Wound care

  • Bandaging legs

  • Basic stretching

  • Learn to handle horses and ride (optional)


CHICKENS


  • Vaccinations in water

  • Antibiotic treatments

  • Monitor and rear day old chicks

  • Diagnosis of sick chicks and altering management plans based on findings


WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT


  • Buffalo feeding

  • Tracks and signs

  • Going on game viewing drives

  • Tracking the leopards and spotted hyenas

  • Snare sweeps


An example of a typical day:

6:30: Breakfast

7:00: Tick-dipping cattle, medical and pregnancy checks

8:30: Feed horses and do medical checks

9:30: Visit the chicken production unit, collect eggs, treat sick birds

10:00: Snare sweep

13:00: Lunch

15:00 Game drive combined with hyena calling and camera trap set- ups to monitor carnivores at night

18:30 Dinner


Free-time activities

For those interested in horses there is the option to get involved at the stables and even learn to ride should they wish to.

Free-time activities

For those interested in horses there is the option to get involved at the stables and even learn to ride should they wish to.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 06:30 - 17:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Worldwide Vets

Want to know what’s included in the cost? Great news, it is pretty much everything! Including your:

  • Pre departure assistance with planning and flights from one of our destination specialists

  • Shared accommodation (upgrades on request)

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off from Bulawayo International Airport

  • 3 meals a day from our team of great chefs

  • A fulltime housekeeping service and laundry

  • Onsite 24 hour volunteer coordinator


OUR PRICES EXCLUDE:


  • International or domestic flights to and from the project

  • Visas

  • Insurance

  • Extra activities/trips

Airport Pickup at Bulawayo Airport

Arrivals and departures are on a Monday and you will be collected by a clearly marked project representative on the day. If on arrival you can not see your project representative, it is vital you do not accept any other lifts offered from taxis or people. Should this occur please use the contact details provided to you and sit somewhere comfortable until your co-ordinator finds you.

You can fly in to Bulawayo airport. Most volunteers fly from their departure airport to Johannesburg OR Tambo airport, then take a connecting flight up to Bulawayo airport. The drive to the park from Bulawayo is about 2 hours, you may want to take this into consideration when booking flights.

Accommodation

Your accommodation will be within an authentic African thatched lodge, sharing either a twin or quad room with shared ablutions with hot water. Rooms are single sex and all of your bedding and towels are included. If you want to find out about upgrading to a couples room, or even a private room, just ask us.


You will be waking up to the sounds of the African bush, and when the African sun is beating down on you later in the day, you can cool off by the dam or relax with a cold drink at our "lapa" area.

Food & Beverages

You will receive 3 home-cooked meals a day. All drinks are included- teas, coffees, water, juice and soft drinks.

Please inform us of any dietary requirements ahead of time so that we may cater accordingly- we are able to cater to vegetarians.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Bulawayo Airport (BUQ) in Bulawayo. We assist you to find cheap flights to Zimbabwe. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Zimbabwe provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Zimbabwe you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Zimbabwe. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

START DATES


This project starts on set Mondays of the year. Different start dates can be accommodated (extra transfer costs apply) with advance notice.


Volunteers arrive and depart from Bulawayo Airport where a member of the team will meet you from the airport and transport you to the reserve, which is a 3.5 hour drive away.


February- August is the best time to attend this project

October-December- Please note during these months we experience extreme heat in this part of the country- should you book during this time the temperatures can make your stay quite uncomfortable

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 2,297€
5 weeks 4,638€
10 weeks (max. stay) 8,251€
Average fees 986€/week

Program fees

986€ per week 2 - 10 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 10 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Worldwide Vets during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Worldwide Vets

Excellent 4.8 rating (42 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2006

Verified by Volunteer World

  Below average response rate

Coordinated by

Gemma

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Our goal is to improve animal welfare worldwide by providing volunteers to help vets and vet nurses working with wildlife and domestic animals.

Meet your organization

As an organisation, our goal is simple. Improve animal welfare around the world. Anyone can volunteer with us, you do not need to be a vet or vet student, although many of our courses are very popular with such applicants. 

We offer a multi-modal approach to assisting animals, including:

  • Running volunteer opportunities for you to help or study abroad.
  • Sponsoring vets to visit areas needing support.
  • Providing medications and surgical equipment
  • Training local vets and technicians.

By volunteering with us you will gain hands on experience with animals, learn new skills and give something back. For those considering a career in medicine or nursing, this is a great way to understand more about the career path and see if it is right for you. It provides industry relevant experience and is a wonderful addition to your CV, making you stand out when you apply to your chosen college or university. Those already studying animal and medical courses can gain credits and count their trip as work experience (including EMS or CEMS). Most importantly you can learn a huge range of new concepts and develop your skills and confidence in a friendly and encouraging environment.


Worldwide Vets is registered in the UK, with our administrative head office close to London, England. The real hub of our work is much further away, with vet clinics and conservation projects in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zanzibar, Ghana, Thailand, India, Cambodia, Peru, and Costa Rica, to name just a few. We welcome volunteers to join our mission and contribute to the role we play. Doing so is a great way to give something back to the world around you, saving innocent lives, alleviating poverty and playing your part in sustaining the natural and cultural planet we know today.  

 

 


 

 

42 reviews · rating4.8

Charlie Wijnbergen rating5

2024 at Equine Vet Assistant

Very rewarding experience. Jill has set up an amazing place, doing so much good for any animal coming through the gates. ...
Cinzia Benevelli rating4.8

2024 at Wildlife Vet Assistant

Wonderful time, everything well organized, I loved everything, especially the animals. The Sanctuary is top organized as per activities and giving tasks. There is an ambience of peace and ...
Stephanie Fisher rating4.8

2024 at Wildlife Vet Assistant

This trip was more than I ever anticipated. I wasn’t entirely sure what I was going to be able to do before I left, but the entire experience was very hands on. The vet was very trusting in our abilities and let us do things based on our comfort zones and taught us to do new things. I got to ...
Kaela Dempsey rating2.6

2024 at Wildlife Vet Assistant

I will start by saying that my best friend and I have looked over all of their projects thoroughly before finally deciding on one - Peru. We booked our project almost 18 months in advance, and we made so many preparations for our stay. Now, WWV has been amazing and supportive throughout this whole ...
Kassidy Doherty rating5

2023 at Wildlife Vet Assistant

I went to Costa Rica and it was amazing! Natuwa Wildlife Sanctuary made me feel safe and Dr. Mora (the vet that lives on site) taught me many things in my stay! He is a talented veterinarian and knows what he is doing. It was a great experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I believe this ...
Alice rating5

2023 at Wildlife Vet Assistant

I have just returned from the Wildlife Internship in Costa Rica. I had the best 2 weeks ever! Everyone was incredible welcoming and supportive. The team's passion for animals was obvious and made the work even more meaningful. The internship was incredibly hands on and greatly helped me improve on ...

Location

Africa > Eastern Africa > Zimbabwe > southend on sea

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