VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME OUTLINE
Our 2022 placements have duration of 22 days and costs $2600 US, beginning in Lusaka and ending in Livingstone. A dedicated vehicle and driver as well as a Volunteer Supervisor/Hostess will be on the ground with you.
2023 placements will cost $2750 US.
Up to 5 volunteers join us per month and spend one week at each of our camps and 1 night in Livingstone.
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LOCATIONS:​
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Wildlife Discovery Centre at Lusaka National Park
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Musa Camp
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Kafue Release Facility
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Victoria Falls Waterfront
Wildlife Discovery Centre at Lusaka national park
Kafue Release Facility
Musa Camp
Victoria Falls
PLACEMENT OUTLINE:
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Day 1- Day 7:
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is spent at Lilayi Elephant Orphanage where volunteers will complete biodiversity surveys in Lusaka National Park to gain a better understanding of the species presence and abundance within the area. Volunteers will learn and practice valuable in-field research skills, which may include: transect surveys; vegetation surveys; and identifying and tracking wildlife through spoor and scat observations. Volunteers will support a range of our Community Outreach Projects including supporting teachers in the delivery of conservation education in local schools and empowering women’s groups.
Day 8-14:
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is spent in Musa (GRI’s Field Headquarters), in Kafue National Park. Volunteers will meet the rangers we support and discover how our Anti-Poaching units operate. They will complete biodiversity surveys within Kafue National Park, utilising the skills learnt in the first week of the placement. Additionally, volunteers will have the opportunity to get involved with a number of our Community Outreach Projects including supporting local schools, women’s groups and clinics where they may work with expectant mothers.
Day 15-20:
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is spent at Kafue Release Facility where volunteers will complete biodiversity surveys within the national park. Volunteers will be given training and insight into the elephant behavioural observation studies that we conduct at our release facility and elephant nursery. Volunteers will have the opportunity to get involved with a number of our Community Outreach Projects including visits to local schools, women’s groups and clinics. Volunteers will also learn about our elephant rehabilitation and release programme. Volunteers may also be involved with staff capacity building where they teach a variety of lessons and skills to the camp staff members and rangers (keepers).
Day 21:
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Volunteers will be driven to Livingstone where you can experience the wonders of the Victoria Falls; accommodation will be most likely, tented, at a lodge to be confirmed. Self- catered like the other camps. ** Subject to change due to availability at third party sites.
Day 22
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If volunteers wish to return to Lusaka, a transfer will be included, departing early on this day from Livingstone.
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PRICING
$2,600 US (2022)
$2,750 US (2023)
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Inclusive of:
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Road transportation from Airport in Lusaka
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21 nights’ accommodation (Lilayi, Musa, Phoenix, Livingstone).
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Self-catered camp meals in Lilayi, Musa and Phoenix, Livingstone.
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Volunteer activities in Lilayi, Musa and Phoenix.
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Transfer from Livingstone to Lusaka on day 22, if required.
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Emergency evacuation cover through SES to Lusaka for the days of your placement.
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Exclusive of:
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COVID testing fees.
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Restaurant meals in Livingstone.
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Activities in Livingstone.
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Victoria Falls National Parks entry fees in Livingstone.
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Airport transfers after the placement ends after day 22.
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Spending money (for off-days at nearby Lodges or curios etc....)
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Health Insurance.
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Emergency Evacuation Cover through SES to Lusaka for the days outside of your placement.
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REQUIREMENTS
There is no experience necessary other than a keen interest in wildlife conservation. A Volunteer Supervisor will give each volunteer the appropriate training to succeed in this role. Volunteers with relevant experience is a plus, but it not required. Have a unique skill set that might be relevant? We’d love to hear about it!
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CAPACITY & DURATION
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Up to 5 volunteers per month
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22 day placement
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THINGS TO CONSIDER
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Lusaka is a 7 hour drive from Livingstone. You may choose to fly out from Livingstone to avoid a long road trip back to Lusaka and also maximize your time at Victoria Falls.
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Time enough to get COVID testing done and receive certificate for travel.
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Please note that each volunteer will enter the country on a business visa which grants them
entry to the country for 30 days. As our placement length is 22 days, this means all volunteers
have the opportunity to explore Zambia for an additional week after their placement ends.
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Victoria Falls information pack.
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To avoid any disappointment about working with the elephants as a volunteer, Game Rangers International implements a “hands off” policy. Due to the nature of our work, whereby we aim to release the elephants back into the wild, we try to minimise the contact between the orphaned elephants and humans, with the exception of their rangers (keepers), who care for the elephants around the clock and form close family-like bonds. You may join the elephants in the bush to assist in research; however volunteers must keep a minimum distance of 10-meters between themselves and the elephants.
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We hope that our volunteer placement option has sparked your interest and we look forward to hearing from you! Volunteers comprise an essential part of GRI’s team and it is always a pleasure for us to work with other passionate conservationists!
Terms and Conditions Apply. E and OE.
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Volunteering with GRI was a dream come true. I decided to make this journey originally because I wanted to work with the elephants. In the end, I adored working with the elephants, but it was the people I met and came to know that made it so hard to leave. I met so many wonderful people in the local communities, and the GRI staff were all so welcoming, kind, understanding, generous, and friendly. There were days where it was hard and I could physically feel my comfort zone being pushed, but it was worth every moment of discomfort. Each day I grew more and more as a person, and I can honestly say that I came home a better person than when I left. This was easily one of the best experiences I have ever had; it was worth every penny that I spent. I would (and hope to) do it again in a heartbeat!
Hannah Natzke, Volunteer 2021