from 1,713€

Brilliant 4.7rating (40)

Wildlife Sanctuary Rescue and Rehabilitation

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Gain unique experience caring for wildllife and the chance to look after orphan monkeys at an award-winning wildlife sanctuary.
  • Support a high-impact organisation working hard to protect Malawi's wildlife and combat wildlife crime.
  • Learn about wildlife rehabilitation and conservation and take part in rescues and releases when they occur.
  • Work alongside some of the best names in their field, including primate experts and Malawi's top wildlife vet.
  • Explore the 'Warm Heart of Africa' with game drives in Liwonde National Park, snorkelling or diving in Lake Malawi, horseback riding at Kande Beach, and cycling in Kuti Wildlife Reserve.

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

We are looking for dedicated and passionate volunteers to help us care for and rehabilitate the wildlife that come through our door.

About the Project

Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is an award-winning project, reputed by PASA as one of Africa’s best sanctuaries, and houses almost 200 rescued wild animals, including carnivores, primates, reptiles and antelopes.  Our animal releases are highly acclaimed and we can boast some of the ...

About the program

About the Project

Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is an award-winning project, reputed by PASA as one of Africa’s best sanctuaries, and houses almost 200 rescued wild animals, including carnivores, primates, reptiles and antelopes.  Our animal releases are highly acclaimed and we can boast some of the world’s best success rates. This is due to the expertise and effort that goes into the releases, and volunteers are crucial to the process, helping with rehabilitation, observations, integrations and the final release and subsequent monitoring. The goal is to release the animals back into the wild, where they belong, for every case possible so it can be an incredibly rewarding experience to see their progress and know that you have played a vital part in their journey back to the wild. 

What to expect

Alongside the animal carers you can get involved with various aspects of animal care. Whilst we operate a strict hands-off policy, orphans in particular do need special attention and round the clock care to ensure that they have the best possible chance of rehabilitation, so the chances are you’ll be stepping in with surrogacy work and providing all aspects of care until they enter the next phase of our rehabilitation programme.

By volunteering your time, we hope that you will be happy to get stuck in with a range of tasks. Work will be very much dependent on what animals we have at the sanctuary at the time but we try our best to mix up the program for you so you get variation in your work. The tasks include feeding the animals, observing their behaviour, checking, maintaining and enriching the enclosures, assist in health checks and many more.

Qualified vets and vet nurses are an asset to our volunteer programme, so volunteers who are skilled in that area are always warmly welcome as well. We deal with regular intakes, health checks and routine diagnosics, as well as wildlife emergencies. Though we cannot guarantee veterinary work every day, our veterinarian runs a busy on-site clinic and any experienced help is greatly welcomed. We also offer a limited amount of vet externship placements for students in vet school.

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.



Typical day

The working day starts at 8am when you will join our Animal Care Team to prepare food for the animals and help with tasks around the sanctuary such as cleaning the enclosures, devising enrichment activities, assessing animal behaviour and dealing with new intakes. Our focus is always rehabilitation ...

Typical day

The working day starts at 8am when you will join our Animal Care Team to prepare food for the animals and help with tasks around the sanctuary such as cleaning the enclosures, devising enrichment activities, assessing animal behaviour and dealing with new intakes. Our focus is always rehabilitation and release so if you're lucky you'll be able to help with an animal release too. There is a break for lunch then you''ll continue your work through the afternoon, perhaps also supporting the vets at the cinic if required and then finish at 5pm.

After this you can head back to the Volunteer Centre for dinner, catch up with fellow volunteers around the fire and play games or watch a movie in our lounge. There's also the option to head out into Lilongwe for dinner to sample the local restauarnts and bars.

Working hours are usually 8am till 5pm, but this may depend on what animals we are looking after at the time and what their needs are. For example during orphan season, feeds may be scheduled during less sociable hours, so occasionally there can be long days and night shifts. However if this is unsuitable for you the team can re-arrange your schedule. 

If there’s anything you’re particularly interested in doing while you’re here it’s worth mentioning on application and our volunteer manager can accommodate this while you’re here. It’s all hard but very rewarding work, reflected by our reviews and regularly returning volunteers!  You will be able to see for yourselves not just the impact the project has on the lives of individual animals but also the bigger picture of conservation in Malawi itself.


Free-time activities

Being in the capital city has its perks: there are plenty of opportunities to head out with fellow volunteers for a meal, a drink, a spot of shopping at the local craft market or sample the city nightlife. With plenty of nearby lodges you can go swimming and chill out in the Malawian sun! And with ...

Free-time activities

Being in the capital city has its perks: there are plenty of opportunities to head out with fellow volunteers for a meal, a drink, a spot of shopping at the local craft market or sample the city nightlife. With plenty of nearby lodges you can go swimming and chill out in the Malawian sun! And with the must-see Lake Malawi just a short car journey away, it makes the perfect relaxing day trip or long weekend. There is horse riding at Kandy beach or diving at Cape Maclear. We can also arrange discounted safari trips for you to hop over the border into Zambia’s stunning South Luangwa National Park, which is known as one of the best wildlife-spotting locations in Africa!

The Wildlife Centre itself is a great place for socialising in the evenings and on your day off. You can enjoy a hike and picnic, share stories around the fire pit or kick back with a book by the river. Despite being in the heart of the city, the Wildlife Centre is located within a reserve that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life, with sounds of the wilderness all around, so expect to wake up to the chattering of monkeys!


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)

Required Documents

Application Form and Medical form

Nationality Restrictions

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

Other Skills

All we ask is for a keen attitude and a willingness to work!

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 - 17:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Lilongwe Wildlife Trust

Accommodation, All meals and unlimited tea, coffee and water, Transfers to and from the airport and all work related transport, Free t-shirt and local phone sim-card, Orientation and training in all relevant departments and full support and assistance from the Volunteer Coordinator.


Airport Pickup at Lilongwe International Airport

Our placements start and finish on a Tuesday, and on those days we will have our driver, or a representative, pick and drop off any volunteers at the airport. They will hold a sign with your name on it and the logo of Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, so you know who to look for! If you are unable to arrive on a Tuesday we will do our best to accommodate you, just get in touch.

Accommodation

Volunteers stay together at the volunteer house which is within the heart of the sanctuary and so surrounded by our animals. The programme is limited to a maximum of 18 volunteers at any one time. The house has mixed dorm-style accommodation with electricity, a kitchen, lounge and dining area, bathroom with hot showers, laundry space, an outdoor deck and garden. The building is located in the middle of our 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.

Food & Beverages

Vegetarian meals and drinking water are included and from Monday to Saturday are served by our local cook who provides international meals along with some Malawian dishes. He takes a day off on Sundays so you can alternate with the other volunteers to cook or you can check out the local restaurants. Food in Malawi is basic and we have to work with the seasons and availability but the cook does a great job and we can still cater for any specific dietary requirements.

Internet Access

Good 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 arrivals and departures are on Tuesdays to minimise disruption to the daily functioning of the centre and so that all new volunteers receive detailed training and orientation.

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

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 1,713€
3 weeks 2,219€
4 weeks 2,794€
5 weeks 3,219€
6 weeks 3,606€
7 weeks 3,975€
12 weeks (max. stay) 5,438€
Average fees 654€/week

Program fees

654€ 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Billie-Jo Housden rating4.6

2016 at Wildlife Sanctuary Rescue and Rehabilitation

I found the Wildlife Centre so welcoming, the people are always kind and willing to help. I have learnt so much about the culture and way of life. I’ve had experiences I will never forget and people I will be in contact with forever. Highly recommend to anyone interested in wildlife rehabilitation ...

Location

Africa > Eastern Africa > Malawi > Lilongwe

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