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

Name: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Volunteer Programs | Most Affordable & Trusted
Brand: International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ
SKU: 44539
Rating: 4.98 (65 reviews)

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4.98 Rating

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Location

Zimbabwe

Length

2 to 12 weeks

Project Types

Environmental Conservation Wildlife Conservation Elephant Conservation

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Program Details

Language

English

Timeframe

Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round

Housing

Lodge

Groups

Small Group (1-15)

Travel Type

Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price

1045

Price Details

Fully hosted experience from only $1045 for 2 weeks - this includes accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.

What's Included

Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Meals

What's Not Included

Airfare Domestic Airfare Transportation Travel Insurance Visa

Last Updated: May 04, 2023

Last Reviewed: Feb 29, 2024

Wish List

39 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 125,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 5 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Our affordable Wildlife Conservation Project starts from $55/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. You'll witness buffalo, zebra, elephants, lions and leopards in their natural habitat. This project runs year-round, with durations from 2-12 weeks. Plus, you’ll stay at a conservation center on a private game reserve with other impact-focused travelers from around the world (private room options available).

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

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Video and Photos

Wildlife Conservation in Victoria Falls with IVHQ

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Program Highlights

Cheapest volunteer programs from $55/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
Volunteer for 2-12 weeks, year round start dates most Mondays.
15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization.
Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy.
Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!

Popular Programs

Wildlife Conservation Volunteering: Victoria Falls

Located within a private game reserve, playing home to the African 'Big 5' (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo), IVHQ volunteers in Victoria Falls have the opportunity to get involved in conservation management practices, all of which are vital for the successful operation of the game reserve and the ecosystems of surrounding areas.

Program Reviews

4.98 Rating

based on 65 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Volunteer

5 rating 98.46%
4 rating 1.54%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Impact 4.8
Support 5
Fun 4.85
Value 4.9
Safety 4.95

Good for Solo Travelers, Adventure travelers, Students

Showing 1 - 8 of 65 reviews

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.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

The most surprising experience was camping outside with the lions around us. They literally surrounded us. Hearing them breathe and roaring was the best. While getting into sleep with the sound of the nature was also a breathtaking experience.

Pros

Accomodation, Food
Guides very experienced, competent and motivated
Team

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!!!!!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Mopane worms. At boma dinner. So much fun!!

Pros

Animals
Staff
Accommodation

Cons

Absolutely nothing

Week old baby and his momma who survived two lion attacks!

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!

What was your funniest moment?

We tracked leopards. We could see the animals they killed. It was a one time life experience!!

Pros

Amazing food
Amazing staff
Single rooms

Cons

Most cash only
Very hot 😂

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!

Pros

Seeing a wide variety of wildlife every day & other varied experiences in the African bush
The wonderful local team
The food

International Volunteer HQ gave me an unforgettable, life-changing and mind-blowing experience in Wildlife Conservation (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe)! Everything was well-organized, I felt their support and willingness to help on every stage of the journey. The programme itself was well-structured and diverse, and I had an opportunity to take part in something meaningful and impactful for myself and our Planet. The variety of activities was great, including but not limited to collecting litter, helping local farmers with eradicating weed and tare, and raking the soil for further planting, cutting detrimental ‘Lantana’ bush, cleaning the area around electric fence, etc. The work wasn’t so hard, however it was physically challenging and as a result I gained some muscles.

In our spare time we used to hang out at the hotel nearby - we drank coffee/beer/fizzy drinks and played cool card games, such as Switch (also known as Crazy Eight, very similar to Uno), Kings and As*holes (my fav!!), and Skan*y Queen.

On Friday evening we went to the town to drink beer at the brewery (The River), play pool and dance at backpackers’ hostel (called Shoestrings), whereas in the weekend we partook in some wild activities, such as white water rafting.

So far nothing’s been said about people - the most important and memorable part of my journey. The volunteers who partook in this programme with me were just incredible, and I made some great friends and acquaintances from different parts of the world! I hope we’ll keep chit-chatting and perhaps one day we’ll go volunteering together.

To draw a conclusion I’d like to say that for me the best indicator of ‘coolness’ of a certain experience is emotional spectrum, i.e. the variety of emotions felt. My emotions and feelings varied from literally laughing my a*s off to breaking down in tears. Guys, I’m not trying to say that I’m emotionally unstable :) The only thing I’m trying to convey is IVHQ may evoke polar emotions, but they won’t leave you indifferent!

IVHQ one love!!!

Pros

leaving your comfort zone
partaking in meaningful and impactful activities
reconsidering your outlook on life

IVHQ was amazing from start to finish especially Marissa. Originally I had planned to go to Kroger national park when Marissa suggested Zimbabwe and nakavango. Because of that change I owe Marissa everything. Zimbabwe was life fulfilling. Amazing people ,staff,locals and fellow volunteers that I now consider my family. Words cannot express how deeply I was affected and moved by this experience. The hardest part of this trip.waa coming home. An amazing adventure I will remember for a lifetime

What was your funniest moment?

My first day at nakavango i was walking and just exploring the compound when I turned around and found a street filled with baboons. They had been following and watching me the entire time. I was able to get some pics before they went on their way

Pros

Great people
Amazing staff
Beautiful preserve

Cons

Not long enough
Literally cannot think of anything wrong

I had an absolutely brilliant experience volunteering at the Nakavango Conservation Project in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Everything was beautifully presented and organised by the team at IVHQ, from my airport pickup to the program itself. I found the resources provided by IVHQ prior to the trip to be really on-point and valuable, and the program itself was one of the best things I've done in my life. The food and accommodation provided were fantastic and the Nakavango staff were wonderful. I definitely hope to volunteer with IVHQ again and would 100% recommend them to anyone!

Pros

The wildlife reserve
Food and Accommodation
The chance to meet new people and make a difference to the world

This was one of the best experiences of my life! IVHQ helped me all the way through, providing me with all the information I needed before I left and ensuring everything was going well while I was there. All the staff were super kind and accommodating from the moment I got there. The work was really rewarding and the local community was also wonderful. I felt super safe and taken care of all the way through my stay, not once did I feel unsafe. Anyone who has the opportunity to do this should do it and I would recommend this experience with IVHQ to anyone!

Pros

Safe
Fun
Rewarding

Questions & Answers

what requirements does a person need to join?

To join specific programs at IVHQ you might need certain things (e.g. if you are going to do medical stuff, you're probably going to need training for that), but for the Nakavango program I went on, you don't need much more than you would for regular travel such as a passport, your flights and tell them your itinerary. They also required you get a business visa for Zimbabwe (check the gov website...

By Alexis Johnson on May 15, 2020

What is the age limit?

Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate on an IVHQ program alone. However, if they are volunteering as part of a group with adult minders, or with a parent, guardian or family member who is 18 years or over, they are eligible to participate. When a volunteer under the age of 18 applies to volunteer with IVHQ, it is important that the name of their minder is noted on their application...

By Kelvin Yip on January 29, 2018

Alumni Interviews

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

Why did you choose this program?

I travel as much as my pay and vacation time will allow me, but I am single and usually travel alone. One day a coworker was asking advice on travel and asked if I ever joined groups (I did) and he asked if I'd ever volunteered while traveling (I hadn't). The question stuck in my mind as did the sudden realization that not only did I sincerely need a break from the drama of work and family, but I needed something in my life to feel I was connecting to something bigger, something important, something I could feel passionate and proud about.

Environmental protection had always inspired me. Was there a program that combined my two interests and the sudden need to express the part of me that longed to save the world? Yes! Of course; I knew I wouldn't save the planet, but everything about this program and company proved I could do something unique, something helpful, and that I could do so without paying a million dollars, having a special skill or going to extremes.

International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ) also had so many options that I really just had to toss a coin to figure out where to go. Africa/Nakavango seemed like such a rare opportunity that I couldn't pass up the chance.

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

IVHQ provided a list of things to complete before I left & checked them off as I went. They also connected me to travel insurance providers, a community of people who could answer those little questions we have when going somewhere unfamiliar, indicated which vaccinations I might need, and directed me to the host country's visa website.

Most importantly, IVHQ hooked me up with their flight center.

Their very helpful staff ensured booking flights from Vancouver to Zimbabwe went smoothly and was cheaper than I expected. One other volunteer claimed to have found her own flights cheaper, but I was more than happy to leave the stress of finding the cheapest & most convenient flights up to someone else. They also gave a very general packing list, which I followed as best I could.

Doing the actual legwork for most other things was my responsibility. I had to ensure I got vaccinated and obtained malaria pills, got a criminal record check (good indicator this is a reputable program), and obtained travel documents & items for visas for volunteering in Zimbabwe.

The program manager in Zimbabwe helped with almost everything while there, including booking a taxi back to the airport and booking weekend activities. She even gave me cream for fire ant bites. I loved that woman.

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

I have two pieces of advice, one for travel in general (which I've known for a long time) and one specific to this program.

1: Travel is like many aspects of life: it goes better if you use common sense to stay safe and keep an open mind and easygoing nature to stay happy. Sometimes unexpected things happen. That's life. Use common sense to survive it and be ready to shrug delays or mishaps right off your shoulders. I was bitten by fire ants. It wasn't an experience I'd like to repeat, but I treated the bites with creams, learned to wear long pants, and in no way did I allow it to dampen my spirits or my desire to experience what I could.

2: Don't be afraid. There are people to take care of you, systems to support you, and there's always a solution to a problem. What I learned in this program was that sometimes people surprise you with their kindness. Don't be afraid to believe in people (but always remember common sense!). The volunteers I was with and the program operators astonished me with their good hearts. It made me regret not holding a fundraiser at work for this program, a choice I made because I forgot that sometimes people are good.

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

I was only in Nakavango, Victoria Falls for two weeks and things will be different depending on how long you're there, time of year, and what is required (e.g. during the rainy season you might have to fix roads or clear debris from bridges).

Shifts for when I was there were about 1.5 hours each. Weekdays start at 6 AM. That means you have had your breakfast and are ready to go at 6 AM.

Monday we did game drives, getting oriented in the park or else doing an animal count. Tuesday we pulled datura in the morning. Datura was ridiculously satisfying to pull out and I could have done that nearly all day. In the afternoon, you might go to Victoria Falls or else do some chore around the compound.

Weds is the primary school where you'll garden or clear the field of rocks and the afternoon is enjoying the sunset with a beer after a drive around the park. Thurs we worked in the garden, digging garden beds and in the afternoon we packed camping gear and went camping. Friday morning half went pack to the compound and unpacked while the other half went tracking on foot. Friday afternoon we dug up lantana, which was the hardest work I had to do since the bush has to be taken out at the roots. All days we had about 5hrs between getting back to the compound for lunch and the 2nd shift of work or whatever afternoon activity was planned.

Weekends were usually spent in town doing tourist things.

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 fear of going to Zimbabwe was simply getting a visa. I was terrified I would forget some little piece of paperwork and would be denied a visa. I got triplicates of every document and passport photos. Didn't get asked for any of it! This, however, doesn't mean you shouldn't be prepared. It just means you shouldn't stress about things so long as you are organized.

The second biggest fear I had was that I wouldn't be able to contribute anything useful. I honestly had no idea what I'd be doing on a regular day. Thankfully, this program didn't require particular skills and we had people from 18-65 yrs participating. If you can prune a bush, you can do something in Nakavango. That IVHQ asked questions such as what skills I had encouraged me that I wouldn't be sent off to do something I wasn't qualified for.

What kind of travel style is this?

I compare the accommodations and services to a mix of camping and hotel or camping with a trailer/cabin with surprisingly comfortable beds. We had laundry services every Weds and, even though the washing machine was broken, the laundry was back by Thurs. Just note that apparently the guy who washes things likes to iron EVERYTHING.

While I was prepared for pretty much what we got, one girl was expecting to be out in the bushes without toilet paper. Seriously. She packed 9 packages of baby wipes, which she ended up donating (so, not a bad ending). We did have running water, electricity (carry a flashlight EVERYWHERE as power failures happen randomly), private rooms with a fan, wifi (not always working), a pool, absolutely excellent chefs (lots of pasta, rice, chicken, fresh veggies thanks to the garden, and fresh breads), cleaners, and the ability to choose our level of participation. If you really didn't want to do something, you might get teased or razed, but you weren't punching in a time card for work. One girl chose to do almost no work. As much as we disliked her for this lack of team spirit, it was her choice.

A little bit of advice is to bring more USA cash than you expect to use. There is an art market in town with plenty to offer (be prepared to be attacked on all sides by salesmen) and you will want to leave a bigger tip than you think for the staff at Nakavango. The cleaner not only had a nice little corner set up with trinkets that I wish I'd bought more from but he fixed my hiking boots. What did he do? He sewed through rubber so I could have my boots for another week. Apparently they will last another 20 years. I hate those stupid boots, but I wish I'd brought more cash to tip him, buy more of his artwork, and tip the chefs who were so committed to their job that I couldn't break it to them that I'd eaten in town and didn't need the dinner they'd set aside for me.

Maureen Rooney

2018 Alum

About International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) brings people together from all walks of life to make a difference on the adventure of a lifetime. We offer the world’s #1 rated and largest range of volunteer programs with 300+ projects across 40+ countries - from teaching and working with children to medical missions, conservation and wildlife volunteering. For...