Volunteer Tour at Nakavango

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!