Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Volunteer Programs | Most Affordable & Trusted

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!

I would absolutely recommend this program to anybody who has an interest in conservation, animals, and learning about new cultures. Not only was this my first time traveling internationally, but it was also my first time traveling solo. IVHQ and the local team in Zimbabwe made this experience incredibly easy, I felt completely prepared/safe to travel alone. IVHQ provides a program guide of everything you will need to know before arriving at your volunteer program, which I found to be super helpful. I genuinely can't say enough good things about the program I found through IVHQ. The accommodation was amazing, the food served to us was amazing and the local team members were very willing to answer questions/teach us anything and everything there was to know about Zimbabwe, the work we were doing and the animals. The place truly felt like a home. The conservation work we did was honestly fun and there was so much time in the day and on the weekends to explore and learn more about Zimbabwe. Also, going to the local school and working with the kids was a trip highlight. Everyone I spoke to at IVHQ and in Zimbabwe on the local team were absolutely wonderful and some of the nicest people I have ever met. I highly recommend this traveling company and this program.

It was life changing, everyone should do it, it has been my dream for 30 years and I am glad that I finally did it. I have already signed up for another in April of next year. I wish that everyone could take the time to fill their dreams. I would have done so many things different in my life had I done this sooner. Life is short live your dreams and help others. I am planning on doing some kind of volunteering ever year as long as I am able. take time for yourself and others every time you have a chance life is too short to wait until tomorrow.

What made my experience great?
First of all, the amazing, motivating and very competent guides. Secondly the extraordinary team, that was always cheerful, helpful and there for us. Third the place. I mean Vic Falls, the energy there is very strong and powerful. You can recharge your power, hopefully for all your life. This experience will make you shine as a person. Im so grateful that I could be a part of it!
I learnt a lot about Fauna and Flora, about living with less and being happy. I was living in the moment.

Where do I even begin. This trip was absolutely the best time I have ever had! The staff was so wonderful. Every single person there felt like family. The accommodations were so nice and amazing to have a private room. The food..wow it was unreal!! Still dreaming about it. Getting to spend time with the big 5 everyday was something I can’t even put into words. Truly amazing planet we live on. Crazy how many animals we saw every single day! I would have spent a year there if I could. And all of the amazing amazing friends I made. Never not look back and smile. If you are thinking about it. Stop what you’re doing right now and sign up. You will not regret it!!!!!

I found Ivhq online and it was the best choice I've made. They were with me in all moments they were very helpful. In any moment I felt that I wasn't safe. I went to Victoria falls program in Zimbabwe and was amazing. I was able to see the big 5 and I still can't believe i was able to live that amazing experience!! plus all the staff were so friendly and supportive. Food was delicious. The only thing I recommend is if you going on summer tine be prepared for the heat. Don't forget to bring water bottles!! I highly recommend and i can wait to go to my next one!

I was searching for wildlife conservation programs, IVHQ was the top link that came up, and I'm glad I signed up with them!

IVHQ provided accurate details on their webpage and great pre-departure support. The local team (both the guides and the lodge team) was warm, passionate about what they do, and took great care of all of us.

We saw wildlife every day and learnt so much more about them. The sundowners, camping nights, bush walks, visits to the nearby primary school were all wonderful experiences. The work was physically tiring at times but I'm glad we got to participate in a variety of areas to understand more about wildlife conservation and the good work that the people in this field do.

The accommodation was in a very peaceful setting and I liked that we had our own rooms. The food was delicious too.

I highly recommend this program!