Farming Wild
Zimbabwe
Join a family who have been farming in Southern Africa for generations. Based on a beautiful 18 000 hectare game reserve in the wilds of Zimbabwe, Farming Wild allows volunteers to get a feel for livestock care and wildlife management while surrounded by the African bush. With the chance to get involved with cattle care, equine management, chicken farming as well as wildlife management this project is well rounded and allows volunteers to get hands on experience in a range of different areas. There are no qualifications necessary for this project just a positive and energetic attitude, a thirst for adventure and a passion for animals- wild and domestic!
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Learn how Southern African farmers care for their livestock
Gain invaluable knowledge and experience working with Nguni and Boran cattle
Get hands-on experience in chicken farming and flock management
Work with horses; learning to care for them with the opportunity to ride/ learn to ride (optional)
Live within a safari reserve allowing you to assist in wildlife management during your stay
Immerse yourself in the African bush while making life-long friends
Opportunities for community outreach at the local school
Over 18 000 hectares, freedom and breath-taking moments for your enjoyment
Take advantage of optional excursions to see Zimbabwe’s natural wonders and wildlife areas
Project video
During your time on the farm you will work alongside your host family and their dedicated staff in caring for their livestock including herds of Boran and Nguni cattle, chickens, and horses. You will be exposed to a range of different learning opportunities within each sector of the farm such as wound treatments, anti-parasitics, reproduction, and disease management. Depending on the time of year it is possible you will be involved in the branding and dehorning of cattle, or even witness a calf or foal being born! For those who are more adventurous there is the opportunity to learn to ride during your stay and participate in cattle round ups as well as trail rides within the property. Please note this project has a 80kg weight limit in line with the wellbeing and safety of the horses.
If anyone is passionate about community outreach, the local rural school is very run down and delapitated- the owners of the farm are doing all that they can to support them. Every Wednesday (during school terms) farm staff and the farm game scouts run the school’s “Eco-Club” where they teach the children about nature, conservation and wildlife. Volunteers are very welcome to get involved in these classes as well.
As with every project that revolves around animals please be aware that all procedures and activities are directly influenced by the need of the animals at the time. The farm’s main source of income is through their crops. During your stay you will have the opportunity to assist in the cropping. Working side by side with the local farmer in the field planting or harvesting fresh produce under the Zimbabwean sun! This is an amazing way to learn more about the Zimbabwean farming culture and practices. The host Sindy describes harvesting potatoes: “it looks like dinosaur eggs in the soil“.
What a unique experience!
KEY VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
With any project surrounding animals please understand that the activities revolve around the animals’ needs and as such may vary slightly during your stay.
As a volunteer you will undertake a variety of activities, such as:
CATTLE
Antiparasitics - dipping for ticks
Wound treatments including antibiotics
Pregnancy diagnosis
Branding
De-horning boron
Multivitamin injections when required
Deworming
HORSES
Dipping
Deworming
Foot care
Wound care
Bandaging legs
Basic stretching
Learn to handle horses and ride (optional)
CHICKENS
Vaccinations in water
Antibiotic treatments
Monitor and rear day old chicks
Diagnosis of sick chicks and altering management plans based on findings
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Buffalo feeding
Tracks and signs
Going on game viewing drives
Tracking the leopards and spotted hyenas
Snare sweeps
Project Photos
ACCOMMODATION
Your accommodation will be within an authentic African thatched lodge, sharing either a twin or quad room with shared ablutions with hot water. Rooms are single sex and all of your bedding and towels are included. If you want to find out about upgrading to a couples room, or even a private room, just ask us.
You will be waking up to the sounds of the African bush, and when the African sun is beating down on you later in the day, you can cool off by the dam or relax with a cold drink at our "lapa" area.
LOCATION
Situated in the heart of Zimbabwe, near the city of Bulawayo , the 45 000 acre reserve is teaming with African wildlife, including leopards, hyena, zebra and antelope. Past volunteers will tell you this is a very special place, where friends are made for life and the pace of living, the friendly staff and the beautiful animals will create memories that will stay with your forever.
PROJECT COST
2 weeks: £1,824
3 weeks: £2,477
4 weeks: £3,109
5 weeks: £3,683
6 weeks: £3,275
7 weeks: £4,830
8 weeks: £5,404
9 weeks: £5,978
10 weeks: £6,552
Want to know what’s included in the cost? Great news, it is pretty much everything! Including your:
Pre departure assistance with planning and flights from one of our destination specialists
Shared accommodation (upgrades on request)
Airport pick-up and drop-off from Bulawayo International Airport
3 meals a day from our team of great chefs
A fulltime housekeeping service and laundry
Onsite 24 hour volunteer coordinator
OUR PRICES EXCLUDE:
International or domestic flights to and from the project
Visas
Insurance
Extra activities/trips
Please note one week stays incur an early departure transfer fee of $190 (single person) or $250 (multi-person, which is split between 2 to 4 people). This will need to be paid for in cash on arrival to the project.
START DATES
This project starts on set Mondays of the year. Different start dates can be accommodated (extra transfer costs apply) with advance notice.
Volunteers arrive and depart from Bulawayo Airport where a member of the team will meet you from the airport and transport you to the reserve, which is a 3.5 hour drive away.
February- August is the best time to attend this project
October-December- Please note during these months we experience extreme heat in this part of the country- should you book during this time the temperatures can make your stay quite uncomfortable
Volunteer feedback
WHAT NEXT?
We want you to join us in Zimbabwe, to help the animals and have the adventure of a lifetime. Sound good? Just fill in the form below and we will be in touch with you right away.
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