Program Reviews

My time on the teaching and community project has forced me into shamelessly and regularly deploying two cliches: I had the time of my life and I learnt so much more from them than them from me.

Truly, it was the most important, character building and enjoyable month of my life and certainly the best decision I ever made to volunteer with African Impact. Fantastically kind and enthusiastic staff, magical locals and inspirational moments throughout. I love Zambia, and I love African Impact. Please go.

I signed up for the Big 5 project in August this year (2015). I had reached a point in my life where I needed to re-focus on my ideals and get a better sense of wellbeing.
Embarking on a 3 week project I didn't know what to expect, but left the Uk with the pre-advised open mind and positive attitude.
Wow, I could not have been more overawed and could in no way have had any pre-conceived ideals of what this project would give back to me.
I was not aware that the project had reasonably recently moved from Thande to Dumela, but that didn't appear to have hampered the underlying project goal in any way whatsoever.
From day 1 all the 'staff' and interns at Dumela were absolutely amazing. They are a font of knowledge when it comes to wildlife and all are such great characters and personalities in their own right, right up to Stuart and Stacey, the program leaders at the site.
I was lucky enough to see the Big 5 within my first week, something I could never havve hoped for nor expected, but having an underlying sympathy for all animals endangered or not, I was blown away already.
The one thing I have to say is that everything is catered for, great food, great accommodation, great staff, and I made some fantastic friends too, who will never be forgotten.
The trips too, spending overnights in a local game reserve, were amazing, and get you so close to actually living, not just experiencing the bush it is surreal. Also the weekend trips pre-scheduled for you and made available are amazing. I did a reasonably 'calm' trip on the Panorama tour and the sight still amaze me, month later.

For anyone who has a care or sense of pride in wildlife and wants to give a part of themselves, to give just a little bit back I would say 100% do sign up for this project. It is not just the animals but also the involvement in the local community projects, the camaraderie and friendship and sense of fun in what you're doing that makes every single part of it worthwhile.

African Impact made such an impact on me that I had the logo and 2015 tattooed between my shoulders as an everlasting memory, and I cannot put into words how much better and rewarded I felt as a person for having visited. I now have a burning desire to return as soon as I am possibly able to experience it all again, this time with my partner who sadly was not able to come with me on this trip.

For satisfaction, and reward at such an amazing financial cost and personal reward I can't praise A.I. enough, everyone at Dumela is amazing. If you hae a bucket list put this on it, and get it ticked off. You will spend 5 or 10 times ore on a tourist safari that will not reward you, and what you do even a fraction as much as this project does.

I had contemplated on going to Africa to teach for quite a few years. Until one day I finally realized that it wasn't going to happen unless I got the ball rolling. That is when I found African Impact. The entire process could not have run more smoothly. It was stress free and I felt very comfortable with entrusting them with everything in regards to my trip.

Once I arrived to the lovely town of Moshi, from day one I was welcomed and felt right at home. The entire staff was amazing and everyone is just a big family. We eat together, hang out together after school gets out, go to town together, and on the weekends sometimes go on excursions with one another. I could not wait to go and meet the kids either! You literally fall in love with them immediately. You really do form special bonds with some of the children as well; which makes it even harder to leave them everyday when school is out!

I cannot wait for their to be a point in my life where I can go back to Moshi and see everyone again. I miss it everyday.

This was an awesome experience with the locals as well as all the volunteers I met who came from all over the world. Norway, Italy, Kenya, Honduras, Guatemala, Netherland, Germany, London, Brazil, Zambia, New York, Ireland, and more. Absolutely awesome

If you want to learn, give generously in time and effort to an extremely worthwhile cause, and have tremendous amounts of fun at the same time - African Impact is a must-do. Perfect for anyone looking to do something incredibly important, yet hugely fun.

I volunteered in Zambia for African Impact for 2 weeks. It was an eye opening experience that I will always carry with me. Going to schools like Mwandi and meeting the young kids was amazing. I loved playing net ball and seeing how excited they were to compete and just enjoy a PE session. After school programs were also super fun. Math club with races to guess the correct answer and the old people home where we played Jenga and uno were always entertaining. It was the best trip I have ever taken, and I would not hesitate to return if given the opportunity!

I loved volunteering with AI and would go back in a heartbeat. I got to see real day to day life in several schools, clinics, and communities through the volunteer work and got to meet so many great people along the way. It was so much fun to work with the kids at the different schools each day and it always felt like everyone involved was getting something positive out of it. All of the Zambian people I encountered we're welcoming and kind to the volunteers.

I felt that this project allowed for a good balance between work and play. Along with the amazing experiences in the community through the volunteer projects, I was also able to take part in a lot of cool activities - going to Vic falls, canoeing, white water rafting, going on safari...

The accommodations were well-kept, the food was always great, the staff is very friendly and helpful, and I always felt safe there. I don't have many complaints about my time there - just that two weeks was too short of a trip!

I was part of African Impact's conservation program for one month and I have to say that I wish I could have stayed more time! The time there goes by so fast. My day started at 6 am going in an early drive of 3 hours and when we got back we had other tasks to work on- i was planning a lesson for a group of students at a primary school. Then we would have lunch at 12 pm and after that we had another drive from 1 pm-4 pm; at 6:30 pm we had dinner and then we would have different things to do every day- some presentations, game night, movie night.

Everything was perfect! I will say one of my highlights of being there was when we could presentiate the speed of two cheetah brothers while hunting. We could see them eating an impala just by the fence! it was amazing. There is also the youth program were you could choose to go any Tuesday to a village near to play with the kids and entertain them, talking about you, and teaching them about conservation.

On the weekends you get the option to go on a trip or to go to places nearby like the cat rehabilitation center where you get to touch a cheetah or to the elephant interaction, 5 min away from the lodge. If you are planning to go for this program at the end you will want to stay more time there! the people at the lodge are amazing and they make you feel like it's your second home. I highly recommend this program!

From the moment i arrived i felt welcome in the community. After introductions i was shown a presentation that outlined the things African Impact had already achieved and their future aims. Its safe to say after this presentation i was absolutely BUZZING to get to project.

First stop was teaching the Masai to read and write in Swahili you will never meet a more friendly group of people. Their main concern is making sure your welcome and they are so eager to learn its brilliant to see and to be apart of.

Second Stop was teaching the young children shapes and colours. Lots of singing, dancing and smiley faces, an excellent way to finish the morning.

After lunch it was off to the Wazee or now i would say off to visit my 15 adopted grand parents. They truly were the highlight of my volunteering experience. Hearing how the Wazee was before African Impact arrived and how the wazee is now this really does show how much of a positive impact the project is having on the local community.

On a Friday i attended a woman's group and if your interested in learning about the African culture in depth and learning about what their opinion is on what can sometimes be difficult subjects this is an excellent way to learn. I learnt many things about the African Culture during the group discussions that i never would have learned without attending this project. Its an excellent opportunity to ask questions relating to the subject being discussed and expand your knowledge base.

The house has an excellent atmosphere. The event nights are always good fun and a great way to get to know who you living with. The staff cook excellent food and your constantly looked after. Gill, Aoife & Alex make sure your welcome and are always there to give a helping hand if needed.

I cant recommend this volunteering experience enough. It's the best thing i've ever done and i'm so delighted i've been able to help out. I helped for 2 weeks but even in that 2 weeks i saw what a difference i made its such a rewarding experience. So if your worried your not going to make much of a difference in 2 weeks honestly you'll be amazed at how much of a difference you can make i certainly was.

During my 4w stay in Msaranga, Moshi, I got to be part of a variaty of projects and other activities! I worked in the elderly home, with the cutest children & with fun Maasai friends all together with helpful staff! Amazing all in all!

Weekends were never boring as there were many excursions to choose from like going on safari, walking up the hillside of mount Kilimanjaro, visiting a coffeeplant village, learning about the Chagga culture, etc. I filled my weekend with all above and enjoyed every minute of it!

I didn't know what to expect as working as a volunteer was totally new to me, but all in all I it surpassed all of what I could've expected. When I got back home to Sweden, where it was snow and cold weather, I still felt warm inside. I talked to and still talk to as many as possible about my experience. Anybody can do this! Single, in a family with kids, young or old. Just do it!