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Location
  • Zimbabwe
Length
1 to 12 weeks
Project Types
Community Development Conservation Environmental Conservation Wildlife Conservation Education Veterinary Service

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
18
Age Max
65
Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Guesthouse
Groups
Small Group (1-15)
Travel Type
Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
500
Price Details
$75 United States Dollars per person per day including accommodation, meals, housekeeping and wifi.
Discounts for longer stays, or for couples or small groups.
Direct booking and communication with the Twala Trust - no agents
Discounts for longer stays, and for couples or small groups
Additional costs: Airport transfer $30 each way. Visa costs (paid direct to immigration by visitor) ranging between $35 and $55 for 30 days - renewal for longer stays are free of charge.

What's Included
Accommodation Equipment Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Some Activities Airfare Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa
Jul 31, 2023
Apr 03, 2024
Wish List
44 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

This is a very personal and authentic volunteer experience for a maximum of 5 volunteers at one time, providing the opportunity to live and work in a genuine African animal sanctuary with our dedicated Twala team. Volunteers participate in every aspect of life at Twala, assisting with rescues and rehabilitation of a wide variety of animals, and providing a high standard of daily care for our wild and domestic resident animals. Our work includes wildlife rehabilitation, a unique and wonderfully uplifting kennel free dog rescue for elderly and disabled dogs, an exotic pet rescue and a longstanding and successful community outreach program providing lifetime support to rural dogs in low income households and providing animal welfare education and support to our community. The program is a genuine and rewarding experience for all animal lovers including vet students and vet nurses, who will find our mission to have happy and healthy animals in our Twala safe haven truly uplifting.

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Video and Photos

A safe haven for all animals in need
Safe at Twala
Community veterinary clinic
Volunteer with orpaned monkey and rescued cockatoo
Veterinary volunteer with rescued tortoise

View All Photos

Impact

Sustainability

By offering a small and ethical programme in a sanctuary where recycling is effective, solar power is our main source of power, water-wise practices and organic self-sustaining gardens provide much of our food, and our work is centered around a holistic and long standing community programme, we do our utmost to ensure that there is an overall positive impact on our surroundings and our community.

Program Highlights

  • A wide variety of rescued animal species. A limited number of volunteers. A resident veterinary team. An ethical and positive approach to animal welfare and conservation. Direct booking and communication with the program

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 29 reviews
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  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
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  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.95
  • Value 4.95
  • Safety 5
Good for Solo Travelers, Couples, Students
Showing 25 - 29 of 29 reviews
Default avatar
Rebecca
32
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life-changing Experience

Jan 24, 2017

My volunteering at Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary was a truly life-changing experience.

Although I have always loved animals, I realised my true passion was to work with dogs. After leaving Twala I decided to quit my job as a Wedding Coordinator and took on a new job, in a new city as a Fundraiser for a dog and cat home.

The staff were so supportive throughout my time at Twala and were always there to answer any questions.

It was a really hands-on experience from food prep to enclosure enrichment. I took on some tasks that I never thought I would do and learnt a lot about myself as a person throughout the experience.

I even got the chance to watch some surgeries being performed at the local vet clinic who provides care for all of Twala's animals.

One of the best parts of my experience was having the opportunity to bottle-feed Violet and Harvey and to see them really come out of their shells and open their hearts.

I plan to return to Twala in 2018 and will hopefully be able to bring along some friends!

By then, a member of their Waggy Tail Club, Scooby, will be living with me in Scotland as following my trip I have decided to give her her forever home!

50 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Response from Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary

What a great review Rebecca, thank you so much. We are so happy that Scooby will be with you and know how much love and special attention lucky Scooby will be getting from you. Wonderful work you are doing for the dogs and cats, keep up the great work, its so special.

By Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary on January 27, 2017
Default avatar
Samantha
28
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Amazing Experience

Jan 24, 2017

If you have a genuine interest in animals (domestic and wild) then the volunteering programme offered by Twala is perfect for you. There are many programmes where you feel like you're not actually doing or achieving much but Twala keep their volunteers very busy and engaged (while also allowing them time to relax or go sightseeing).
The animals at Twala are all very well cared for by a team of experienced staff members who are passionate about and invested in the welfare of the animals in their care. Staff members are also happy to assist volunteers in whatever way they can.
The work which volunteers are expected to carry out, or assist with, can vary from chopping vegetables for the animals' breakfasts, bathing tortoises (they are surprisingly heavy) to going out in the pickup truck to feed dogs living in rural areas round about the sanctuary.
Having travelled abroad a few times to complete volunteering programmes I can honestly say that Twala is where I felt like I was contributing the most, and where I felt like the people behind it were the most passionate about their cause.

51 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Response from Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary

Thank you so much for this great review Samantha. We are so pleased that you know how much you have contributed - we are so grateful for all the help people such as you give to the Twala animals. We so appreciate you and thank you for the wonderful photos. We hope you will come back and see us again.

By Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary on January 27, 2017
Default avatar
Melanie
51
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My time at Twala

Jan 24, 2017

I have never enjoyed working hard as much as I loved my short time volunteering at Twala and I don't think I stopped smiling the whole time, except when we took new animals into the sanctuary that had been suffering due to terrible injuries and/or neglect. The staff and founders of the sanctuary are some of the warmest and most genuine people I have met and, even though it is a few years ago now since my time there, I remember each and everyone that I worked with, with affection and total respect for what they do. When I first met Sarah (Founder) and she began to talk about her achievements with the sanctuary and how she has done things, she instantly became my role model for my approach to life. I totally admire her for her courage, relentless energy and strong values, as well as her unerring love and skillful handling of the animals in her care. I woke up every morning with a spring in my step, knowing that I would be spending the day doing so much good work for animals who deserved much better starts to their lives. The hands on experience of working with such a variety of animals was amazing and, even though I was already quite experienced in looking after horses, dogs and other animals, I learned so much more while I was at Twala. The only negative was having to leave at the end of my time there - I had withdrawal symptoms for weeks after! I would recommend volunteering at Twala to anyone that loves animals - there is nothing more fulfilling x

49 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Response from Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary

Melanie, thank you so much for your wonderful words and for your amazing work and help during the time you volunteered at Twala. Love the photos too and we do hope we will see you again. All of us at Twala, both human and animals, send you huge love back.

By Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary on January 27, 2017
Default avatar
Karin
48
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Paradise...

Jan 24, 2017

Loved all of it ! Staff, animals, environment, surrounding, contact with population, trips.

Super experience. Learnt a lot about animals and myself. Wish I could do this full time. It is also very nice to have the feeling that you are doing something necessary and important.

Days start early at Twala but is there a best way to start the day than giving a bottle of milk to a baby vervet monkey? Never been so happy to wake up early. The most difficult part is to leave this fantastic place.

Left part of my heart there and will come back to leave a bit more !

47 people found this review helpful.
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Default avatar
Olivia
26
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life changing

Jan 24, 2017

I spent 2 weeks at twala and since then everyone I have ever talked to for more that 10 minutes, has now heard atleast one twala story. It was an absolutely incredible time to completely immerse yourself in looking after the animals and taking care of the sanctuary. I made life long friends with other volunteers after working closely, sharing 5am starts, midnight servill hunts and a lot of monkey wee with them! The staff are brilliant, very knowledgable, and with enough convincing will agree to help you make a swing and seasaw for the bush babies.

An amazing amazing experience for you and the animals. Couldn't recommend enough to any person !

49 people found this review helpful.
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Questions & Answers

Are there opportunities to visit game parks to see the Big Five?

Hi Erika, we are in contact via email. We do day trips but you will not see all the Big 5. However we can assist you with arrangements. I will send you a further email.

By Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary on March 4, 2019
See all 3 answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Sarah Scanlan

Program
Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary Volunteer Program - Zimbabwe
Sarah Scanlan

Why did you choose this program?

I chose Twala because, when I compared different programs, I could see that this was a small, personal program with an upper limit of 6 volunteers. In particular what stood out for me was that I would have daily, hands on experience with the animals. For me this was without doubt the most important aspect of the program.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The program coordinator was the most amazing woman called Tracey who took the time to patiently answer all my questions - even those completely unrelated to the volunteer program (e.g. how to get to Vic Falls after my time at Twala). They organized airport pick-up, advised how much money to bring, provided comprehensive packing lists. She was exceptional in her help. I just had to get myself to Harare airport and they managed everything else.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

You will want to spend more time here than you anticipate. Every volunteer I spoke to regretted not booking more time. Personally, I booked for a month and was somewhat apprehensive it might be too long - I finally left after 2.5 months! Give yourself two weeks - at the very least and be prepared for lots of tears when you eventually have to leave!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Volunteers start every morning at 6.30 am with preparing food for all the animals. It usually takes about 2 hrs to prep all the food and then distribute.

We then bring the birds outside to their day enclosures. We're usually greeted with loud 'HELLO' from the cockatoos! We then usually have an hour to have some breakfast before cleaning out some bird enclosures, treating the dogs for flystrike before the daily dog walk. Each day I promised myself that it would be a calming and meditative task but walking 17 dogs can never be that!

We usually then had lunch - always something delicious! After lunch, tasks varied and could include habitat enrichment, spending some extra time with the animals that really appreciated human contact, preparing for the weekly dog clinic (the clinic feeds and provides free vet care to approx. 300 dogs each week). There was then the afternoon food prep time, making sure every one of the 400 animals onsite were fed and happy before finishing up for the day.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest concern was around being in Zimbabwe itself and whether the political situation was secure since they had just had elections. However, on arriving there I found that Zimbabweans are a lovely and welcoming people. I must add that the care given to me by Twala staff when out and about meant I always felt extremely safe.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Dr. Vinay Ramlau

Program
Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary Volunteer Program - Zimbabwe
Job Title
Trustee and Resident Veterinarian
Dr. Vinay Ramluaul obtained a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree at the University of Zimbabwe. He has been a small animal veterinarian for 25 years and is also the wildlife, large animal and domestic animal vet for the Twala Trust. He is the managing partner at the 24 Hour Vet Hospital in Harare. He is married to Twala's founding trustee, Sarah Carter, and is also a Twala trustee.
Dr Vinay Ramlau

What is your favorite travel memory?

My wife, Sarah, and I spent a month as crew on a yacht in the more remote areas of the Caribbean. On many evenings when we moored, we were the only people around. An incredible privilege and an unforgettable experience. We went with my partner in our veterinary practice and it was great to work as a team on something other than work.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working with the rural community and their dogs has given me a real insight into the bond that exists between people in rural areas and their animals, and how important the animals are. That has given me a different perspective on the vet work we do. Working with wildlife, including big cats and exotic species rescued by Twala Trust, has been a learning curve and a privilege.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Many volunteers come to the Twala Trust as vet or pre-vet students. When they return having progressed in or completed their studies, that is very rewarding. We presently have a qualified vet nurse who first came to Twala as a teenager, with no idea of what she wanted to do. She now has a degree in veterinary nursing and is using her skills to help various animal rescue organizations as she travels around the world.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

The vet programme that we offer to pre-vet and vet students, and to anyone studying animal sciences is a fantastic way to get genuine hands-on experience in a unique environment.

We have so many different species at Twala, we do all our own vet work as well as running a free community vet clinic for animals from low-income rural households, and you won't find a more comprehensive and real experience anywhere else. The programme is small, a maximum of 6 volunteers at a time, so volunteers get to participate in a meaningful way in our work.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Our focus is on providing the best quality of life possible to an enormous variety of species. The attention to detail, the belief that every life matters and that it is always worth trying to save a life makes our work environment very positive. I am enormously proud of what we have achieved, against some pretty big odds, and that despite many challenges we have always maintained our ethics. Animal welfare is the most important factor in what we do.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Ethics are extremely important. What you see on social media about our work is what actually happens on the ground. We are responsible for the welfare of a great many animals and we take that very seriously. Working together as a team is vital, as is attention to detail in every aspect. We put the animals' welfare first, and it shows. We appreciate our staff, volunteers and supporters and that also show. We would not be able to do what we do without them.

About Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary

The Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit organization providing a safe haven for animals in need in Zimbabwe. All animals in our care are rescued—we do not breed, buy or sell animals. Our work includes wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, the wonderful Waggley Tail Club - a kennel free dog rescue for elderly and disabled dogs, and a...