Wildlife Research Support

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Be immersed in one of Malawi's top national parks and get up close with the Big 5
  • Experience life in the African bush and live alongside Malawi's top rangers, vets and conservationists
  • Contribute to wildlife research that makes a real difference to conservation in Malawi
  • Support a high-impact and award-winning organisation leading on wildlife conservation in Malawi
  • Explore the 'Warm Heart of Africa' with snorkelling or diving in Lake Malawi, horseback riding at Kande Beach, and cycling in Kuti Wildlife Reserve.


Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+

About the program

Track and monitor wildlife in one of Malawi's top national parks and contribute to vital research that is supporting the country's conservation efforts.

Malawi’s incredible wildlife is facing a number of threats, from deforestation and biodiversity loss to human-wildlife conflict and the illegal trade in products such as ivory and bushmeat. 

Our research projects are designed to improve conservation knowledge and practice and include issues such ...

About the program

Malawi’s incredible wildlife is facing a number of threats, from deforestation and biodiversity loss to human-wildlife conflict and the illegal trade in products such as ivory and bushmeat. 

Our research projects are designed to improve conservation knowledge and practice and include issues such as biodiversity monitoring and wildlife management. This means that as a volunteer you not only have the opportunity to spend time out in the field learning new skills, but also contribute to research that makes a real difference as our work helps guide and evaluate ongoing conservation actions in Malawi. 

The research projects cover a range of issues and vary based on location and time of year. Whether it be radio tracking large carnivores, assisting on camera trap surveys or creating identification kits for elephants, your work will be vital to inform on best practices to protect Malawi's wildlife and their habitats. 
Some example projects include: 
  • Biodiversity monitoring in Liwonde National Park: you’ll collect data that will enable park management to take informed conservation action for predators such as lions, cheetahs and wild dogs
  • Elephant Research: this work focuses on identifying the movement corridors of Malawi’s largest transboundary elephant population, located in the north of the country, with findings helping to inform cross-border cooperation, law enforcement and mitigation of human-elephant conflict
  • Conserving Malawi’s Vultures: this initiative pairs research with on-the-ground conservation action to help fill knowledge gaps on the role Malawi plays in supporting regional vulture movements in Southern and East Africa. 



Typical day

When you're in the field, the days start early to avoid the midday heat. After breakfast at dawn, you'll head out into the bush in a safari vehicle to track wildlife and conduct surveys. There will be a break in the middle of the day when you'll return to the Research Station for lunch. You'll head ...

Typical day

When you're in the field, the days start early to avoid the midday heat. After breakfast at dawn, you'll head out into the bush in a safari vehicle to track wildlife and conduct surveys. There will be a break in the middle of the day when you'll return to the Research Station for lunch. You'll head out again in the afternoon once it's cooler and be back for dinner at dusk.

You'll get get one day off a week and a long weekend off every month, which is perfect for a trip to Lake Malawi or hiking on the Zomba Plateau.


Free-time activities

Malawi is known as the Warm Heart of Africa for its friendly people and stunning landscapes, and it’s generally viewed as the ‘safest’ country to travel in Africa. Volunteers take one day off a week and a long weekend off every month. Here are a few ideas:

  • Senga Bay: Boat trip, snorkelling, ...

Free-time activities

Malawi is known as the Warm Heart of Africa for its friendly people and stunning landscapes, and it’s generally viewed as the ‘safest’ country to travel in Africa. Volunteers take one day off a week and a long weekend off every month. Here are a few ideas:

  • Senga Bay: Boat trip, snorkelling, swimming.
  • Cape Maclear: Boat trips, paddle-boarding, canoes, booze cruise, hiking
  • Kande: Horse riding 
  • Dezda: Pottery, hiking, cave paintings 
  • Kuti Wildlife Reserve: Wildlife viewing, cycling
  • Zambia: Safari to South Luangwa valley

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.

Other Skills

We only ask for enthusiasm, flexibility and willingness for a good day's work!

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 06:00 - 18:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Lilongwe Wildlife Trust

Prices include:

  • Accommodation 
  • All meals, unlimited tea and coffee 
  • Airport transfers (on a Tuesday) and all work-related transport 
  • Orientation and full support during your stay 
  • Local SIM card and t-shirt 

Prices exclude 
  • Flights 
  • Visas 
  • Vaccinations 
  • Excursions, souvenirs, nights out, personal expenses, snacks, etc. 

Airport Pickup at Lilongwe International Airport

A driver will be waiting at Lilongwe airport to collect you - look out for a sign with your name on it! We'll drive you into Lilongwe to stay at our sanctuary overnight which is about 30 minutes from the airport.

Accommodation

Our research camp is located on the edge of the Likwenu River, close to the main gate of Liwonde National Park. Volunteers stay in shared rooms. There is a large kitchen and outdoor fire area. Ablutions include flush toilets and hot showers. Power at the research camp is intermittent and often powered by a backup power source, therefore we recommend limiting the number of devices that require charging. Whilst there is no WiFi available, there is network coverage at camp, and our staff will help you to get data for your cellular device so you can contact home.

Food & Beverages

Three vegetarian meals a day are provided. Cooking and cleaning duties are shared communally. We can cater for any dietary requirement that is mentioned prior to arrival. 

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Lilongwe International Airport (LLW) in Lilongwe. We assist you to find cheap flights to Malawi. 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 Malawi provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

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

Details on arrival

Our projects start and finish on a Tuesday. It's best to fly into Lilongwe (Kamuzu International Airport) and we'll pick you up from there. You'll have one night at our sanctuary in Lilongwe to rest and get supplies, then head down to Liwonde National Park the following morning.

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

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 1,725€
3 weeks 2,101€
4 weeks 2,476€
5 weeks 2,851€
6 weeks 3,226€
7 weeks 3,602€
12 weeks (max. stay) 5,478€
Average fees 659€/week

Program fees

659€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 12 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 Lilongwe Wildlife Trust during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Lilongwe Wildlife Trust

Brilliant 4.7 rating (40 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2007

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Mercy

Spoken languages: English

About the project

Lilongwe Wildlife Trust was set up in 2007 to help protect the wildlife & habitats of Malawi.

Meet your organization

About Lilongwe Wildlife Trust

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world and has one of the fastest growing populations in Africa, placing natural resources under immense pressure. Wildlife crimes – such as the illegal ivory, bush-meat, pet and charcoal trades – impact both wild animal welfare as well as species conservation in Malawi, and also stand as one of the greatest threats to wildlife survival worldwide. Lilongwe Wildlife Trust is dedicated to protecting Malawi’s wildlife and its habitats. 

Our story started in 2008 when our first project, the Wildlife Centre, opened as a sanctuary for animals rescued by the Government, primarily from illegal wildlife trades, and also as the country’s largest conservation education facility. Whilst the Wildlife Centre remains a flagship project, our NGO has evolved and we now work nationally campaigning for conservation justice and mobilising local communities to defend nature.

There are around 200 animals currently in residence, including birds, primates and antelope. Many were rescued as orphans and victims of the illegal pet and bushmeat trade. Others have sustained injuries ranging from being caught in snares, hit by cars or stoned. 

As habitats are disappearing, wild animals are losing their homes and human-wildlife conflict is increasing. Lilongwe Wildlife Trust offer a lifeline to these wild animals in distress, saving the lives of individual animals and wherever possible releasing them back in the wild where they belong. Those that can’t be released live in large natural enclosures where they can roam freely.

Thanks to our vet clinic, orphan care centre and experienced animal care team supported by volunteers we can handle the majority of intakes on site. Our Wildlife Emergency Response Unit is also available for cases around the country that require attention, such as elephants or rhino.

Rescue & Rehabilitation

Lilongwe Wildlife Centre has built up a reputation for having some of the highest welfare standards of any sanctuary in Africa, shown through the accreditations it has received. The majority of our residents have been rescued within Malawi, but we have also provided sanctuary to some animals that have been rescued from captivity and abuse in other countries.

Thanks to our state-of-the-art vet clinic, orphan care centre and experienced animal care team supported by volunteers, the majority of rescue callouts can be managed on site.  LWT’s Wildlife Emergency Response Unit is on hand for other cases that need treatment in-situ, especially for large animals like elephant and rhino.

We make every effort to return rescued animals back into the wild where they belong.  For those that can never be released, we offer the best quality of life possible in large, natural enclosures where they can roam freely.

Environmental Education

We welcome over 25,000 school children through Lilongwe Wildlife Centre’s gates every year who participate in our environmental education programmes. 

Responsible Tourism 

Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is located right in the heart of the capital city within a beautiful wildlife reserve, and we aim to offer the tens of thousands who visit us each year an enjoyable outing, at the same time inspiring a passion for wildlife and a desire to protect it.  We have won awards for our commitments to responsible tourism, an ethos which we have adopted throughout our operations.

Investment into our visitor facilities – such as the café, gift shop, amphitheatre, playground, gardens and walking trails – have all helped to drive visitation, and all of the revenue generated as a result goes back into feeding and caring for the rescued animals at the sanctuary. We also operate a tiered entry fee scheme so that those on a lower income can visit us – the majority of Malawians can’t afford to visit wildlife in their own national parks.

What’s more, the existence of such a visible and popular tourist attraction within prime urban development territory has undoubtedly contributed to the protection of this beautiful 180 hectare wildlife reserve, one of the last examples of acacia combretum woodland in the region and itself an important area of urban biodiversity that is home to abundant wildlife.

40 reviews · rating4.7

It was an amazing experience and the staff was very friendly. However, it should be specified that new volunteers (that are not veterinarian) will be working 95% with different types of monkeys. The program itself should mention it in the description. There are no lions and any other wildlife ...
I was at the center for 22 weeks (5 months) and I loved every second of it! It was all that I thought it would be and so much more. From the moment I arrived, late because I missed a flight; the staff took care of me. They made sure that I got picked up at the airport and help me to settle in and ...
Ed Clark rating4.8

2016 at Primate Release Assistant

Working at LWC, I really got to see all sides of rehabilitation. The animals there get the opportunity to actually be released back into the wild. While I was there I got to see lots of the relocation preparations for a troop of vervet monkeys that have now been released into a National Park. And ...
Beckie Calder-Flynn rating4.8

2016 at Wildlife Sanctuary Rescue and Rehabilitation

LWC has been my most amazing volunteer experience to date. Fostering orphaned monkeys, assisting with lion’s health check, traveling to Zambia on safari and exploring Malawi are only a handful of the things I’ve been involved in, and contributing to conservation and animal welfare has been ...
LWC has been my most amazing volunteer experience to date. Fostering orphaned monkeys, assisting with lion’s health check, travelling to Zambia on safari and exploring Malawi are only a handful of the things I’ve been involved in, and contributing to conservation and animal welfare has been ...
I had a great experience and a lovely time during the course. It gave me a lot of new knowledge and taught me to rethink some of my ideas and the way I think about certain things. I liked that the group was so small and that everyone could get the opportunity to try everything. I enjoyed both the ...

Location

Africa > Eastern Africa > Malawi > Liwonde

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