The Nakavango Conservation Programme in Zimbabwe is a beautiful piece of paradise. And there's not better way to experience it than to live and work on site for a few weeks! Where else would you find yourself camping under the stars surrounded by Africa's Big 5?!

This programme is for you if:

1) You want to experience the African wilderness
You'll get to take game drives through the reserve (almost) every day, and are sure to see to a variety of African wildlife such as buffalo, elephants, giraffe, black rhino, and kudu (and *maybe* a lion or leopard if you're lucky). You'll also get to spend one night a week camping on the reserve, and nothing says 'wilderness' like cooking over a fire and sleeping under the stars (or peeing in the bush!)
Notice, I said *wildlife*! Nakavango is not a zoo. You are never guaranteed to see an animal, and you will not pet them. This is an authentic wilderness experience.

2) You enjoy a work/life balance
You can expect to put in some sweat equity wielding a shovel or hoe (duties include clearing roads, removing alien vegetation, working in the garden, and watering trees in the orchard), but that will take up just a few hours a day. The rest of your week days will be spent getting to know the other volunteers while you eat, relax, play games, and enjoy the pool. On the weekends you will have more free time to go into town and enjoy Victoria Falls, including local restaurants (I recommend the Three Monkeys), souvenir shopping, and all the adrenalin tourism you could ask for (white water rafting and the gorge swing are a must)!

3) You want to make friends
The volunteers at Nakavango include individuals of all ages and nationalities. Have an open mind and invest in developing relationships in order to make the most of your time at Nakavango. Remember, you'll be eating, working, driving, talking, and exploring with these people!

In May, my friends and I left our air-conditioned rooms in Hong Kong to have a visit to a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, in which the rainforests house many endangered species, to have a hands-on experience of the actual interaction between animals and humans with our bare feet. We do not want to just come and go, instead, we also hope to contribute to nature conservation and local communities there with the assistance from IVHQ and its local partner Nakavango Consevation program.

David Livingstone, who is the Scottish missionary and explorer, is considered to be the first European to view the falls and name it as ‘Victoria Falls’ in honor of his Queen, but the native name of ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ , which means the ‘Smoke that Thunders’ is also famous. Although it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall round the globe, it is thought to be the largest with a width of 1,708 metres and height of 108 metres.

The Stanley and Livingstone Private Game Reserve where we work in is a 2,500 hectare privately-managed piece of primitive land which is the only “Big Five” area surrounding Victoria Falls, due to the presence of the rarely seen Black Rhinoceros, apart from lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo.

The reserve was fenced in 2000 as an Intensive Protection Zone for Black Rhino in the area. As a result, an intensive Black Rhino monitoring programme is now in progress , aiming to increase the black rhino population in the area, as opposed to the non-stop poaching activity of rhinoceros in Southern Africa. As a result, one of the key focus of our trip is to understand the rhino poaching issue. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of animals at risk of extinction, black rhinos are listed as “critically endangered”, which is on the verge of being disappeared on the Earth.

Because of the above-mentioned geographical features in this area, the focal point of activity at the reserve is preservation and conservation through non-consumptive activity in order to sustain and support the various ecosystems. We took part in the Wildlife Conservation project in the game reserve and surrounding areas within Victoria Falls, which includes:
 Alien vegetation removal, such as the lantana
 Fence patrols to ensure no escape of rhinos and entry of poachers
 Bush walks with International Anti-Poaching Foundation
 Game, predator and bird monitoring, tracking and counting
 Road maintenance
 Reserve clean-up operations
 Camping out on the reserve
 Watching Rhino supplement feeding
 Playing with local children
 School vegetable garden and tree nursery maintenance with the scholars

These hands-on experiences allow us to experience the wildlife which is now difficult to be found in the rapidly developing world, especially in Hong Kong, which is called the ‘Concrete Jungle’. Apart from understanding more about wild ecosystems, at the same time we can also appreciate the relationships between animals and humans. On one hand, some people try to take advantages from other species via poaching or massive deforestation. But on the other hand, there are also different organizations trying to help those vulnerable wild species via conservation. Those anti-poaching team members we visit can even risk their our lives to protect those susceptible rhinos as poachers always hold rifles in their hands. Therefore, it is always meaningful to appreciate how the relationships between animals and humans have evolved as we all understand that human activities have already exploited many animals due to the fiercely growing global populations. As a result, finding a way for sustainable development seems to be a great challenge for our generations.

In addition, we also had the chance to engage in the local community via primary school visits and small-scale vegetable gardening. Therefore, we hope that apart from catching a glimpse of the natural beauty there, we can also help to benefit the local community. During the process, we also experience the local life and have interactions with the natives. And this undoubtedly widen our horizons and allow us to truly understand that we are only a small part of the world.

During the volunteer program, we definitely benefit a lot as we can get in touch with the nature face to face, such as having game drives with elephants or giraffes rambling only meters away from our open game viewing vehicle, let alone having exciting bush walks and tracking on the grassland in Africa to stalk elephants fighting with their tusks. Yet the life there is never that simple as we all encounter an uphill battle — doing manual labor. Living in a well developed metropolis and leading a sedentary lifestyle, I am not accustomed to carrying a heavy sickle and shovel to participate in farming and weeding. However, in my stay there, not only do we need to work as farmers to plow the field, we also need to construct a road in the bush plentiful of spikes and thorns with slashers, and even uprooting a whole bunch of enormous lantana which requires herculean effort to pull it out. But after all, when we finished our work and saw what we had done, the sense of achievement is unparallel and would motivate us to work harder on the next day. Very often, if we just confine ourselves in our comfort zone, in no way can we imagine how far we can reach and how much we can do even if we have the ability to go further.

Victoria Falls is a gorgeous place that has left me so many great memories and "first times", not only because of the picturesque scenaries, but also the lovely people I met there.

During our stay, we were so glad to have the chance to visit the Masuwe Primary School and play with the kids there. The kids there are so adorable and playful that they would share their snacks with me and come to grab my glasses and ask me to take a picture for them. The hyperinflation in Zimbabwe is so severe that the government there even has to adopt the US dollar as the main currency. The high unemployment rate is also worrying, as across the country over 90% of adults are jobless. While schooling is not free (or even expensive) , having their kids studying in formal school (even though it is already a formal school, Masuwe Primary School only has 4 classrooms, so some students have to sit on the floor), the families have to squeeze their pockets which are already shivelled. What is more shocking is that among the 128 million school-aged children in Africa, 17 million will never attend school, which is more than 10% of the children population. Therefore, when I saw the proverb, “Knowledge is power”, painted on the wall of the school, I can truly feel the sorrow but also the hope the teachers there want to bring to the children. Education issues should never be taken lightly as they can affect the entire life of our next generation.

Another fascinating activity I have there is camping on the grassland which are open to all the wildlife, including the hyenas and lions. In Hong Kong, at most we can only go camping in the country park’s designated areas, but in Zimbabwe, I have the precious chance to even construct the road to our campsite. During the campfire party, volunteers from different countries, including the US, Britain and Germany, all played and chatted with each other, and exchanged our own culture. Some volunteers from Germany taught us how to make the “Stick Bread” and on the other day our team from Hong Kong in return also taught them how to make Chinese spring rolls. The sky full of twinkling stars and the faces of those friendly people we spent only a couple of week with have already been imprinted on my mind which I will never forget.

Apart from the people, the animals I met in the jorney are also amazing. In the program, I have the chance to have bush walk with a male adult male cheetah, whose name is Sylvester. In 2010, two days after the birthday of Sylvester, his mother and four of her cubs were killed by a male lion. Being the sole survivor having his umbilical cord attached and unopened eyes, he was rescued by a game scout. Lacking the maternal care for the initial 22 months of his life, he cannot survive in the wild as he does not know how to hunt. Since then, Sylvester is kept in the sanctuary that has large areas of open vleis, and he is now leading a healthy life with vigor and vitality, and even takes up the role of an ambassador cheetah to spread awareness of cheetah conservation in Zimbabwe. Similar to all other species on the brink of extinction, the problems complicating the survival of cheetah are multifactorial, including habitat loss and degradation, human-wildlife conflict and illegal wildlife trade. Due to these challenges, number of wild cheetahs in Africa drops to 9,000 to 12,000 recently, compared to 100,000 cheetahs across their historic range in 1900, therefore, they are the most endangered big cat in the birthplace of humanity.

Although in many peoeple’s mind cheetah is a powerful and fierce creature, it can also live under the risk of extinction. On the other hand, humans are not born with any lethal weapons on our body, but the destruction we have on the nature and the Earth is far more massive. And this can be further illustrated by another activity we did in Zimbabwe, which is to clean up the reserve area. This is such a “memeorable” experience as that day we have to clean up a mountain of household rubbish rife with used diapers and condoms. Although there is a public landfill not far away from the “crime scene”, those people lack of social morality just dumped their own wastes at the entrance of the private reserve.

During the adventure in Victoria Falls, what I learnt and experienced is far more fruitful than what I have written here. The program coordinators and staff there are all kind and friendly which make me feel like home. I would always recommend this program to my friends, because for me, this is such a once-in-a-lifetime experience that make my university life much more memorable.

The accommodation was amazing for a volunteer house, you got your own room and would share a bathroom between 2-3. The rooms had fans in case it got too hot, although I found I didnt need to use mine. Your rooms and bathrooms would be cleaned everyday and laundry was done for free every Thursday if you wanted it. The food was AMAZING, the chef made his own bread which was delicious! There was a lot of variety and you could go into town and buy food to keep in the fridges if you wanted your own food. There was also free wifi.

Justine is the person who runs the programme and she helps organise weekend activities and any taxis into town. Booking activities through her can get you up to 10% off the normal prices.

The work you do can involve removing pest crops, maintaining roads, litter picking, planting trees at the local school and animal surveying and monitoring as well as many other things. I was lucky enough to be there for a rhino relocation project, whereby a young male rhino was sedated and moved to an enclosure for its own safety as the dominant male would try and kill it due to competition for females. They also took us to see Victoria Falls and showed us the local town.

My tips would be make sure you have a sleeping bag, walking boots, gardening gloves, binoculars, plenty of money for activities at the weekend and if you're going in the summer months take warm clothes as it was very cold at night!

I would 100% recommend this programme to anyone who has a passion for conservation and the environment and wants to be pushed out of their comfort zone.

Every morning you wake up at 6 and have breakfast, at six thirsty you take a game car to the assigned activity you have planned for that day. The activity could be roadwork, help a school, gardening or other activities. Before the days work activities you begin with a game drive. Once you have finished your work you arrive back at Nakavango and have lunch. You have some downtown after lunch then you return to begin another work assignment. Six thirty you will have dinner and than after dinner you have the night to yourself.
The people that I met changed my life, its crazy how you can go for two weeks and become so close to people. Our volunteer group was like my second family, I have learned about different nationalities and people. It is amazing of how different people from different parts of the world can sit down at a table and have the best talk. I have never laughed so hard in my life and I never had a bad moment with the people I was around.
The food was amazing. Personal I am a picky eater and don't like to try new things, but I have no complaints about the food and enjoyed every meal. The cooks were amazing and very friendly, every time you walked into the kitchen you felt welcomed and always had a nice conversation with the cooks. Every staff member that worked was truly amazing and was very nice and made you feel welcomed in your new home. The guides were so knowledgable and were great to drive around with we always had fun even when you were working hard.
You come for the big five animals but you fall in love with Zimbabwe for the trees and the birds and the great people. Leaving after two weeks was one of the hardest things I had to do and I wish I could have stayed longer. This trip was the best decision I have ever made.

Gloves on pants off! And get ready for Nakavango. You won’t need many things. Just take your boots and your sunscreen with you. You will probably need an alarm in the morning, but don’t worry you will get use to it. Try to be ready for breakfasts by six, so you are able to see the sunrise. Nakavango is facing west, so sometimes it can be hard to see it, but don’t worry you will see it if you try. The staff will probably tell you to be ready at 6:30am, but Dean is ready ten minutes before, so be ready a little bit earlier. Take always your water bottle with you, and also an apple or an orange. If you take an orange, I highly recommend you take two because everyone it’s going to ask you for a little bit.

Few hours latter you are going to be dirty, sweaty, smelly and, tired, but happy. All at the exactly same time. When you get back to Nakavango, lunch is going to be waiting for you. Food is great! Deva is probably the best cook I have ever met. You have to hurry up! If you are late, there won’t be much food for you!

I know it is hard not having expectations before going to Victoria Falls, but please try to. This place is completely different from everything you have ever seen, smell, or try. It is a magical place, full of love and lovely smiles. Enjoy it as much as you can because it will never be enough time.

Probably you read a hundred reviews before these one, and you already know it’s an amazing experience and that it will blow your mind. My only big advice that can totally change your experience in Zimbabwe is talking to Ian. Try to get to know him, and listen everything he has to say. You will be impressed by how much you can learn from someone that you just met. He taught me amazing things, not only about Zimbabwe, but also about caring, doing what makes you happy, about family… And try the Amarula!

The only problem I have is I can’t wait to go back.

My time in Nakavango with IVHQ was one of the best time of my life. I have just love everything about the program from the daily drive in the bush to the accommodation (the food is sooo good). People are really friendly, the staff is so nice and full of knowlegde, I have learn so much about conservation during my time here. The landscape are beautiful, there is many activities to do during the week end so bring extra money. Meeting people from all over the world is also a really cool part of the experience. I would highly recommend to go for 4 weeks if you can. It was my first time in Africa but definitely not the last one.

I wanted to volunteer in an area outside of my normal comfort zone. - I did. I enjoyed every single minute of it. You definitely work hard at times, road work, plant removal, weeding and gardening, but you also have a lot of fun, fishing, game drives, and weeked activities are plenty! - Bungee jumping, swinging into a gorge, crocodile cage diving!

The staff at the Conservation Program are all top notch, the cooks are amazing, cleaning staff are friendly and social- and all of them want to ensure you enjoy your peaceful stay. Many times, from breakfast, or lunch, we would watch Giraffe in the distance from our eating area. The falls are absolutely stunning, and the town is small but friendly as can be.

My only problem is, I chose this as my first volunteer opportunity. There is no way that the next one can exceed this one, as everything was so perfect from start to finish.

Where to begin?! If you are seriously interested in traveling with a purpose in a beautiful country with incredible down to earth people, learning about conservation and education... then this is the program for you! Volunteering in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe was one of the best decisions of my life thus far. During every part of my adventure, from the second I landed at the airport, to the second I boarded my plane home, I felt safe, informed, happy and grateful. Zimbabweans (and Botswanans!) are some of the kindest, generous and most helpful people I've ever met. Everyone was willing to sit down with you and tell stories, share information or go out of their way to answer your questions or to just chat.

Each day we (the volunteers) were ready at 6:30am, with our backpacks full of waters, apples, work gloves and extra rain gear totally geared up to take on the morning work load! Since we went during the beginning of the rainy season, we did a lot of road construction, digging irrigation trenches, invasive species removal, and clearing and rebuilding bridges/dams. So we'd spend the morning doing these various projects, then come back to the Nakavango Conservation Center for lunch! A delicious meal was served by the wonderful Deva, and volunteers would just sit around and chat about the day so far, or get intellectual and chat about conservation ideas and wildlife management methods. Sometimes Ian would give lectures in the classroom about his experiences managing African wildlife and how his work has been effected by factors like poaching or climate change. Other times volunteers would call up Sheppy (our kindhearted taxi driver) and he would drop us off downtown Vic Falls to explore the shops or get some ice cream. Then at 4pm, we would rally the troops again and head back out for an afternoon of work. Sometimes afternoon work would consist of tilling the sustainable garden in the backyard, or turning the compost beds, or simply going on game drives to look for jaguars, baboons or an African sunset. Dinner was served around 7pm, and volunteers would once again sit around, sometimes drinking African wine, just chatting about the days adventures. One night we all sat out in the backyard admiring the gorgeous night sky, filled with stars, galaxies and planets. We would go to bed early, to wake up and do it all again the next day! Nakavango offered consistency in our work days, so you definitely get used to a schedule, however each day is different and there is always something exciting happening! As for weekend activities, Justine McGregor is AMAZING at offering her advice and organizing our big group adventures. On Saturday our group did the Gorge Swing (amazing for adrenaline seekers and badasses!) as well as the Canopy Tour (little bit more low-key with incredible zip line views.. thanks Michael and TK!) On Sunday a group of ladies adventured into Botswana on the Chobe National Park day trip (highly recommend!!) We got some more stamps in our passports and had the opportunity to see gorgeous Botswana and Namibia.

At the risk of sounding cliche and sappy... I'll say that journeying to Nakavango Conservation Center in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe was an absolute life changing experience. Thats all there is to it. It seriously was a transformative experience. To see the way these people live and to be so grateful and appreciative, gave me new insight into the human spirit and what it means to be happy. The Nakavango Staff (Justine, Dean, Delta, Damien, Ian, Deva, Derry, Noel, Cornelius, Ndaba, and all the rest!) was hospitable, kind and always willing to provide information. They truly became family. As for my fellow volunteers...they too became family. We already have plans to journey to Cartegena, Columbia for Juan and Aura's wedding at the end of the summer! If you are at all hesitant to sign up for this trip... JUST DO IT! It's a once in a lifetime experience and every part of this trip is worthwhile and incredible!! Ngiyabonga (thank you) Zimbabwe!!!