HORSE RIDING AND HANDS-ON RHINO & ELEPHANT CONSERVATION

Learn from experienced handlers and monitor the rhinos’ behaviour to identify patterns between individuals and establish their relationships with each other, as well as different handlers. You will also monitor 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.

Spend time with the 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 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. You’ll also gain insight into our anti-poaching unit by joining them during drills and training.

Small, privately-run conservancies play a vital role in conservation in Africa. Areas like Imire build and retain vital natural gene pools and sustain the remaining numbers of viable wildlife populations. As a volunteer, you will go on game counts – by foot, vehicle, and on horseback!

Undertake herd monitoring on horseback and support the cattle team with counting and locating animals. Get active and help maintain fences, roads, fireguards, and conservancy equipment. You will also monitor animals and plants, and get involved in tree planting, bush clearance, and removal of alien species!

Assist at the local primary school where you will follow an approved English literacy scheme aimed at rural African children. The materials address conservation issues in a way that is relevant to their learning.

You will also support the Conservation Club, helping to teach secondary school students about nature and conservation in both a practical and theoretical sense. Play sports and games with the younger children and get involved in a traditional cultural Zimbabwean evening – learn to cook and dance from the true experts.

Please note: This is only available at certain times of the year.