Program Reviews

This is a hands-on experience giving the opportunity to interact with a variety of animals both wild and domestic.Those who have, or who are learning, vet skills, will find this program particularly rewarding but any dedicated animal lover will feel needed and useful in the day to day care of all the different Twala residents...Twala is also about community involvement and education ...You get the chance to participate in this and you can see the very real impact Twala makes on their local community with the chance to participate and meet the children and their pets to whom Twala makes such a difference..
Here you will learn about Zimbabwe and the unique challenges facing those who live there.. You will feel part of something much bigger than yourself ..You will feel like family....

I had been following Twala on Facebook for awhile and with my 50th birthday fast approaching I decided to take a chance and go volunteer. It was by far the best decision I have ever made.
Twala is magic. The people, the wildlife, the land are cared for in all ways, it's inspiring and fulfilling work, it's exhausting in the very best way.
I went because I love animals, I grew up with National Geographic magazines and have always been fascinated with African wildlife so this was a dream come true.
If you are interested in anything and want to lend a hand or your talents, they are more than happy for your help. If there are things that you're interested in but haven't experienced, they do their best to teach you. I'm not a vet student, and didn't think I could go to the vet surgery, I was mistaken. It was interesting and educational and I'm so appreciative that they took me and helped me learn new things.
As many others have mentioned in their reviews, I was not ready to come home. As much as I missed my kitties, I truly felt at home at Twala and felt like there was so much more I wanted to do there. Twala is my version of paradise and I will be going back as many times as possible. I have been home now about 3 weeks and I'm already planning my next trip.
If you are looking for something truly immersive and fulfilling, this is it.

I have volunteered with five different organizations in Southern Africa over the course of three trips. Without a doubt, Twala is my favorite. I have visited twice and will continue to return!! I think part of what makes Twala special is that it’s this universe where all the staff treat the animals as their equals. At other places the animals will be symbols of the place’s identity, or a means to promoting conservation, an attraction. But at Twala they are living beings deserving of happiness and respect and that’s the end goal. What an eden! Full disclosure: you must love animals with all your heart. Compared to other programs, volunteers do more work at Twala, but it's way more fun work. We are not just there on vacation, we are actively contributing the animals' happiness and safety. We are constantly moving, petting, feeding, cleaning, petting again. By the end of the day I was exhausted but I was so caught up in taking care of the animals that I didn't realize how much work I had done! The staff are warm, welcoming, accepting, and they are your friends. The individual animals will capture your heart forever. I'm talking about you, Casper the Cockatoo!

I had the most amazing experience at Twala. The work is hard but incredibly rewarding. Being surrounded by an array of beautiful animals each day was so much fun. It was also beautiful to witness the love and dedication of the Twala staff. They work tirelessly to ensure that every animal is well taken care of and loved. Wonderful company, great food, and great accommodations only added to an already incredible experience. Don’t be deterred by the current political climate, I felt 100% safe on Twala’s grounds. I was warmly greeted at the airport and well taken care of throughout my trip. I’m forever changed by these wonderful people and animals. I'm so grateful for the experience and can’t wait to return. Next time, I will stay much longer!

Whenever I'm in Zim, I just can't resist going back to the place that helped change my outlook on life.
I know the recent events in Zimbabwe might scare off some people, but there is absolutely no need for that:
Twala looks after you, takes care of you and assures your safety at all times when travelling to and from the airport.
The first time I came, a Twala staff member (Rodrick) was already at the airport waiting for me, he drove me straight to Twala, where I was welcomed with open arms (and paws) by the Waggley tail club, trustee Sarah, housekeeping manager (and so much more!) Becky, and volunteer coordinator Tracey.
Such a warm feeling to be so welcome! I immediately felt at home. Ever since, whenever I go back there it really does feel like coming home.
Once you're there, it feels almost like the outside world doesn't exist, you are sheltered from it.
When it comes to the love and care for the rescued animals: it is unconditional, their wellfare is what drives everybody at ths place.
These animals deserve a good life after all they've been through, and that's exactly what they get here.
For the volunteers there is a good balance between work and play time. The accomodation in the volunteer house is excellent, clean, spacious, good healthy food prepared by Becky and Clarice.
They have good quality Wi-Fi signal, which allows you to keep in touch with the home base. The occasional swim in the pool is definitely a plus.
On top of all that, it was also very important to me to see that nothing goes to waist at Twala: the household waste gets separated and wherever possible reused.
To sum it all up, this place is an absolute must for all animal lovers. You'll never regret it, and you'll never forget it, it will stay in your heart forever!

In 2015 I discovered the page of Twala and looked all the photos and videos. I said to myself, one day I will be there because it was like a paradise.
When I arrived at Twala, I saw a beautiful place, better what I imagined.
You will discover animals you never seen, you can't imagine to see and approach or touch.
All animals are cute, they know your are here for them, and they love you.
All the staff is very kind, you will feel at home and don't want to leave Twala.
I stayed 13 days and didn't want the experience end. I now looking for a new stay at Twala.
It was my first experience as volunteer, I travelled alone (i'm a wife) and now I think do more volunteer programm.
If your are looking for a beautiful place, something connecting to paradise, Twala is the best place.
I hightly reccomend this place for an amazing, rich volunteer programm.
If Disney is a magic place, Zimbabwe have is magic place and is Twala.

If you are looking for the opportunity to be hands on with animals and really make a difference then Twala is the place for you. It is a very special experience. I had intended to go for a month in Sept 2018 and ended up staying 2.5mths (I would still be there if I could).

I had always been skeptical of many volunteer programs but Twala changed that for me. I chose Twala because it was a small program with a max of 6volunteers and I felt I would be given the opportunity to be hands on with the animals and make a difference. I'm so pleased I chose Twala. Volunteers are actively encouraged to get involved in everything that is happening be it caring for new babies coming in, going out to pick up rescues or just spending a bit more time with the animals that need it. Personally, I lived with two rescued jackal pups under my bed for two months, an experience I will never forget - neither will my chewed up shoes:) Every day is different at Twala, you really never know what will happen and that's what made it so hard to leave - fear of missing out!

Beyond the phenomenal interaction with the animals, the kindness, generosity and welcome of everyone at Twala is what makes it special. I travelled as a solo female and always felt so safe and at home in Zimbabwe. This is thanks to the Twala staff who are always around and look after you so well. I can't recommend it highly enough. If you're thinking about going, just do it!

If you are looking for the opportunity to be hands on with animals and really make a difference then Twala is the place for you. It is a very special experience. I had intended to go for a month in Sept 2018 and ended up staying 2.5mths (I would still be there if I could).

I had always been skeptical of many volunteer programs but Twala changed that for me. I chose Twala because it was a small program with a max of 6volunteers and I felt I would be given the opportunity to be hands on with the animals and make a difference. I'm so pleased I chose Twala. Volunteers are actively encouraged to get involved in everything that is happening be it caring for new babies coming in, going out to pick up rescues or just spending a bit more time with the animals that need it. Personally, I lived with two rescued jackal pups under my bed for two months, an experience I will never forget - neither will my chewed up shoes:) Every day is different at Twala, you really never know what will happen and that's what made it so hard to leave - fear of missing out!

Beyond the phenomenal interaction with the animals, the kindness, generosity and welcome of everyone at Twala is what makes it special. I travelled as a solo female and always felt so safe and at home in Zimbabwe. This is thanks to the Twala staff who are always around and look after you so well. I can't recommend it highly enough. If you're thinking about going, just do it!

I went to Twala in September 2018 and it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I volunteered for a month and was treated like part of the team from day one. The staff looked after me from the moment I arrived in Zimbabwe to when it came time to leave with a very heavy heart. I loved all the close contact with a wide variety of birds and animals. I learnt a lot about caring for them as I participated in the work involved, preparing food; cleaning and enriching enclosures; playing with the animals and sometimes just watching them as they went about their day. The volunteers also take responsibility for baby animals, it gives you an opportunity to observe wildlife up close and I cannot express how great it feels to see the little ones thrive. The staff were great fun and no two days were the same, it’s like being in the garden of Eden where man and animals interact and all have fun together. Zimbabwean people are special and it’s a safe place to go to despite the political challenges. I’d recommend this experience to anyone who loves animals, you cannot leave Twala without being impressed by the work they do both with the animals and within the community.

I know it sounds cliche, but my time at the Twala Trust Sanctuary changed my life. I got hands on work with such a variety of animals. I was given the opportunity to nurse, and rehabilitate a number or orphaned creatures from kittens to antelope. Each animal there has been given a second chance, and the opportunity to live the rest of their life in being loved and cared for. The sanctuary has such a peaceful and healing atmosphere, even when the residents do their very best to create chaos, keeping you constantly on your toes. The staff is so friendly and welcoming, especially Sarah Carter, and her husband Vinay Ramlaul. Such a fun, and inspirational group of people have impacted my life in such a significant way.

In conclusion I recommend volunteering at the Twala Trust Sanctuary to everyone! It is such fulfilling work, surrounded by amazing people!