I spent four weeks at the Nakavango Private Game Reserve. I loved my time there for a variety of reasons. First of all, the animal life is incredible. Just listening to the bird song everyday made me smile, so unique and varied. To be in a place where people live in harmony with the animals was a joy to experience.

The staff were very gracious, always had our safety and best interest in mind. They made the work fun. I met volunteers of all ages from around the world, many who I now consider friends. It was nice to be a part of a project that contributes to long term conservation and supports the people that live in the area. The chefs worked hard every day to prepare excellent food, the accommodations were private and clean, the setting beautiful. What more could a volunteer ask for.

Great experience signing up with IVHQ to volunteer on 2 different programmes in Africa. Gained so much experience and met amazing people. It has given me a real appreciation for the world around me and how it works. Met some incredible teachers, leaders and children. Amazing scenery and wildlife in Africa. Would recommend to everyone to gain a deeper appreciation of the world around us and would suggest people throw themselves into it - you get out what you put in! Thank you IVHQ and thank you Africa!

Working alongside the guides in a game reserve was very satisfying and educational. The guides were very eco conscious to the point of not driving over a line of ants or a dung beetle. They were very clear every living thing had a purpose and a place. Our on site coordinator was top notch on communication, organizing the outings for the weekends and verifying transportation needs.
The work was physical, including shoveling dirt, using a pick ax, loppers and weed whackers ( not mechanical), and weeding by hand. We learned to read animal tracks to know where certain animals were, build rock dams to help prevent erosion after rains, clear shrubs and saplings encroaching on game drive tracks. The work was hard, but short, especially when the sun became too hot. The weekly visit to a local school was interesting and the teachers very thankful for supplies we brought, and our work in weeding and clearing the playing field. We saw so many animals it became almost mundane to see the impalas, zeebra and giraffes. But so rewarding!

Volunteering with IVHQ in Namibia and Victoria Falls has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. From the moment I signed up until my final day, IVHQ made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Their continuous support, coupled with the guidance from the local teams, ensured that everything ran seamlessly, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the experience without any worries.

The team at Victoria Falls was outstanding. Their knowledge and passion were infectious, making every day a new learning adventure. They were always available with advice, insights, and a warm welcome, creating an environment where I felt fully supported. The camaraderie among the volunteers was an added bonus—working alongside like-minded people made the experience not just meaningful but also incredibly fun and uplifting.

One of the highlights was learning about African wildlife up close and gaining a deep appreciation for the hard work of rangers and conservation staff. Seeing the animals roaming free in their natural habitats was an absolute joy, and I came away with a new understanding of just how much dedication goes into protecting these incredible creatures.

The food was delicious, nourishing, and a welcome treat after active days. It was also such a luxury to have clean, comfortable accommodation with laundry service and a made bed—little touches that made me feel right at home.

This experience has left me inspired and grateful, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to make a difference, learn, and connect with nature. Thank you, IVHQ, and all the incredible people in Namibia and Victoria Falls for making this journey so unforgettable!

IVHQ were very professional and efficient in disseminating indepth information from the get go. I was looking to try a different form of volunteer experience and this organisation certainly provided a fun and worthwhile program. There were so many choices and places to go and the Victoria Falls program proved to be exceptional. The pre information was useful and once there, the local team were amazing, so knowledgeable, friendly and encouraging. I was concerned I might not be fit enough to perform the physical tasks but the jobs were all manageable. The game drives were incredible and seeing such majestic animals in the wild was more than I could have imagined. Thank you for the opportunity. I totally recommend this program to anyone who is interested in working in wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe.

The experience far exceeded my expectations. The co-ordinators were helpful in getting everything organized for a safe and enjoyable trip. They dealt with all aspects of needs from what to pack, documentation and travel requirements as well as purchasing tickets and insurance. The local team were welcoming and helpful in every way. It’s a great way to travel and it gives you the opportunity to give back in volunteering and to meet new friends from all over the world! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this company or this particular trip to anyone.

My recent volunteer tour at Nakavango Conservation Program for two weeks in Victoria Falls was nothing short of fabulous! I felt privileged to be one of twenty volunteers who helped preserve the habitat of many wild animals native to this region of Africa, especially the endangered black rhino. The manual labor we engaged in for a few hours each weekday fostered camaraderie among us as it contributed significantly to the maintenance of the game reserve's natural environment. Our guides were professional and personable as they participated in our work details and led us on numerous game drives, tracking and locating animals for us to see, photo, and video. We were fortunate to see each of the "big five" (buffalo, rhino, elephant, leopard, lion), and actually witnessed female lions stalking buffalo and two rhinos mating!

The staff at Nakavango couldn't have been more pleasant and accommodating. Our cooks (three meals a day, seven days a week!) prepared tasty, nutritious dishes, combining typical western foods with African cuisine. Our laundry was even done for us each week. Living accommodations at the Nakavango Center were simple yet comfortable, conducive to communal living. And our group, comprised of women and men ages 19 to 73 from all over the world, quickly gelled into a happy, animated, helpful community dedicated to a common purpose. In addition to the good humor, work, and game drives, we experienced many other wonders Victoria Falls offers: spectacular views of the Falls, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, a Boma night-life buffet and dance/drum show, shopping in the village, and so much more.

This wonderful experience I will cherish for the rest of my life would not have been possible but for the opportunity, organization, and preparation afforded by IVHQ (International Volunteer Headquarters). Actually I was not looking for a volunteer trip; I happened upon IVHQ by chance as I searched the internet for tourist trips. When IVHQ popped up in my Google search, I checked it out. I read this very attractive site and decided the very next day to commence my application for the volunteer trip with NCP in Victoria Falls. The application process was thorough and extremely helpful in letting me know how to prepare and what to expect on this exciting expedition. The program director was immensely helpful in orienting me by addressing any questions I had about my trip. I could not recommend IVHQ any higher for anyone interested in (or initially not even aware of or inclined toward) engaging in a volunteer program. I for sure gained so much more than what I gave. And I intend to sign up for other of the numerous programs offered by International Volunteers Headquarters!

What an unforgettable 4 weeks these have been! My first volunteering, my first trip to another continent, my first wildlife encounter and many more "firsts".
This trip has given me meaningful connections, a rethinking of my life decisions, childlike excitement, and the opportunity to contribute to improving the lives of the animals at the reserve. Thanks to coordinators who were always there to share interesting facts with us
I volunteered solo as a non-native English speaker and I felt 100% comfortable with everything. People, animals, nature, food were amazing!