Zimbabwe
Harare International Airport
Specific Start Dates
2 weeks
From $1305 per week
Only 90 minutes from Harare, Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservancy is dedicated to the conservation and welfare of wildlife, with a specific focus on the protection and breeding of the critically endangered Black and White Rhinoceros. At the reserve, you’ll encounter a diverse range of landscapes in 10,000 acres of conservancy that includes woodlands, savannah grassland, rocky outcrops, riverine forest, and thorny scrub. Living on this privately owned conservancy means you’ll be up close and personal with the wildlife! Imagine waking up to the sounds of the African bush, or sharing your breakfast with a curious giraffe – at Imire, these extraordinary experiences become your daily reality.
You will be comfortably accommodated while volunteering at Imire.Your group size will be a maximum of 12 volunteers. Rooms are shared and the furnishings are comfortable single beds with bedding provided (duvets, pillows and extra blankets for winter!). Showers and toilet facilities are shared, and hot water is supplied.
Three home cooked meals are provided daily on a self-serve basis. At the weekends, you can opt for something special from the Lodge restaurant*. Vegetarian and limited vegan options are available upon request. Should you have any dietary requirements or food allergies it is important that you let us know before you arrive.
The cell-phone signal can be variable and intermittent, and the data network can be unreliable. You can buy a local SIM card and data bundles at the airport should you wish to connect to the internet during your stay.
During the summer months, from October to March, daytime temperatures in the summer can reach 35°C and days can be long in the field so make sure you have a wide-brimmed hat, plenty of sunscreen, and a water bottle. Summer is also the rainy season, so it is a good idea to bring a waterproof jacket.
During winter, between May and September, evenings and nights can get very cold in our area of Zimbabwe so if you are coming during that period make sure you pack some warm clothes, a wooly hat, and long trousers as the mornings can also get very chilly.
Minimum Age: 16 (15 if traveling with a parent. Other adult companions require sign off.) (16 & 17 requires Parental Consent before arrival)
To travel to Africa, many people are required to obtain a visa either upon entry to the relevant country or beforehand. Please note different countries require different passport validity periods.
But don’t panic, our Journey Team will help direct you and answer your questions during our Pre-departure process.
Learn from experienced handlers and monitor the rhinos’ behavior to identify patterns between individuals and establish their relationships with each other, as well as different handlers. You will also monitor rhino feeding patterns and determine if any supplements are needed to ensure a balanced diet. These observations are crucial in identifying the different rhino personalities, gauging their moods, and predicting behavior, and ultimately in rhino conservation.
Spend time with elephants on your riding patrols and learn about these iconic animals from their knowledgeable handlers, while understanding the threats they face and what is being done to protect them. You will learn how to identify individual elephant personalities and responses, relationships between each elephant, and their feeding patterns. You will also have the opportunity to walk with the elephants in the mornings or evenings, and in between repair elephant damage to the conservancy.
Volunteers patrol different areas of the game park on horse-back, collecting snares and traps, and looking for evidence of poaching. This minimizes small animal poaching and helps the dedicated Anti-Poaching Unit in their daily work to ensure the large animals are protected.
You will ride alongside herds of wildlife as you venture off the beaten track to carry out monitoring. Horse patrols offer increased protection in different areas of the park and enable coverage of less accessible areas.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
A friendly face from our Base Team will be ready to meet you at the airport and drive you to our Volunteer Accommodation. Just look out for the African Impact sign!
On arrival you’ll have a comprehensive induction to prepare you for project work, the local culture, people and wildlife; and of course, how to stay safe!
24/7 support: Our base teams are on hand every day to make sure you have the most amazing and memorable time in Africa.
If you enjoy hiking then look no further than the majestic Mutemwa Mountain, beckoning passionate hikers with its breathtaking vistas and rich cultural significance. Mutemwa Mountain is considered a sacred place by the local people and is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists alike. The mountain is home to several shrines and caves that are said to have spiritual significance. If you’re an adventurer at heart, we can happily arrange a trip for you on the weekends.
The mighty Zambezi River beckons with exhilarating activities: cruise its vast expanse, battle the rapids on a white-water rafting expedition, or explore hidden waterways on a tranquil canoe trip. Feeling truly adventurous? Take the plunge with a heart-stopping bungee jump or soar through the gorge on a thrilling swing – all within easy reach of the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls.
Explore a national monument that is a treasure trove of ancient history. Marvel at the intricate rock art paintings, whispering stories of life from over 2000 years ago. Thanks to Imire’s special relationship with the local chief, you’ll be among the privileged few granted access to this sacred site. Know that your rhino and elephant volunteer program doesn’t just enrich your personal journey; it also directly benefits the surrounding community, ensuring the preservation of this cultural heritage for generations to come.
After completing the below application form, one of our Destination Specialists will get in touch to discuss your volunteer experience and any questions you may have. When you are ready to book, we will send you a booking form after which a deposit will be required to secure your position.
Personal Information
When do you want to Volunteer or Intern?
(Optional)
Give us an idea of your travel plans, you can also say ‘I’m not sure yet.’ We’ll take it from there.
How long do you want to Volunteer or Intern for?
(Optional)
Select your preferred duration(s). The African Impact team recommend at least 4 weeks for a truly memorable experience!
"*" indicates required fields
From $1305 per week. Your weekly cost will reduce if you stay for longer than 2 weeks, book with a friend or are a return volunteer.
PROJECT FEE INCLUDES
PROJECT FEE EXCLUDES
Conservation volunteers and their contributions of time, energy and passion are critical to the survival of small conservancies like Imire, who receive no government investment or support and rely on the support of private individuals and organizations to continue to do their vital rhino conservation work day-to-day.
Our horse riding conservation volunteer programme is for experienced riders only and there are no riding lessons. You should be able to saddle your own horse, undertake a rising trot and canter, and be confident in riding over uneven terrain. There is a weight limit of 80kg for all equine volunteers.
After an early coffee and rusk, you may head out into the conservancy to locate one of the focus species (either black or white rhino, elephants, or cheetah). You’ll spend time observing amazing animals and learning how to track them from our experienced rangers. Your afternoon activity could be fixing fences, cheetah observations, a snare patrol, or a building project in the conservancy. Then you could have a sunset climb up Castle Kopje, or walk with the elephants as they return to their overnight boma.
Choose & apply for one of our exciting projects!
Connect and plan your trip with our Destination Specialists
Pay your deposit to secure your booking
Start finalising your trip with our Journey Team