Volunteer Key Activities

Africa provides an ever-changing environment, power failures, water and fuel shortages, temperature fluctuations, and other uncontrollable situations do occur. You will need to remain flexible, understanding and good-humoured. “African time” can be difficult and frustrating for those who are used to a very structured life, so this is something to bare in mind.

Once you arrive in Zimbabwe, your care is the responsibility of your project manager. Through your project manager we aim to provide you with your daily needs, keep you out of harms way and to support you in your work. In exchange we ask you to attend work punctually and to behave consistently in ways that will reflect well on your project manager.

The first week of the program you will go through a number of inductions at the yard. This will include stable’s daily rota, schooling plans, the personality of the horses and a chance to familiarizes yourself with the rides in the park. Thereafter the working week at the stables runs from Monday to Saturday, with Sundays off.

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

• Schooling horses
• Going on game viewing rides
• Tracking the leopards and spotted hyenas on horseback
• Snare sweeps
• Wildlife management exercises on horseback such as boundary patrols and snare sweeps
• Swimming with horses

Extra days off can be organised if required so volunteers can participate in other activities around the game reserve, such as visiting the local school and working with the children. The requirements of the stable change from day-to-day, therefore an open mind and flexible attitude is a must! Volunteers can expect to spend an average of 2-6 hours daily on horseback.

Volunteers are advised to bring their own riding gear- helmet, boots, jods/jeans etc. All tack is provided by the location.