fbpx

Zimbabwe

PLEASE NOTE: MINIMUM TWO PERSON REGISTRATION

Note: This is NOT the Game-Count Special program which also takes place in Zimbabwe, and occurs only once a year. Please email office@globeaware.com directly for information in regards to that specific program.

You will be staying in a rural village situated within 15-25 miles of Victoria Falls town Center. Despite the wonderful and abundant adventure activities and wildlife experiences, the area is uncrowded compared with the Serengeti or similar park in East Africa.

On the iconic River Zambezi in north-west Zimbabwe lies the world's largest waterfall - Victoria Falls. The adjacent small friendly town on the riverbanks is known as the adventure capital of Africa. Offering views of the Falls, from the "Flight of Angels" helicopter rides, microlight flights, speedboat trips below the falls and from the railway bridge, and extreme activities like bungee jumping and zip-lining across the gorges, white water rafting, and the more leisurely sunset cruises and luxury historic train dining. In addition, the nearby Zambezi National Park is home to the BIG 5 and other diverse mammals. With the present mass unemployment, accentuated by the Covid pandemic, the rural community has suffered; there is limited access to quality education and healthcare. Additionally, the national parks have been impacted by poachers. While killing wildlife for bushmeat and trading in elephant ivory are illegal in Zimbabwe, the limited means of survival has led to a rise in this activity . By offering alternative solutions we endeavor to create employment opportunities and encourage the general upliftment of locals thereby curtailing the poaching of precious wildlife, and offering a brighter future for all concerned.

Work Projects

All groups will work on a variety of projects, such as:

  1. Installing simple household Biogas systems from organic waste can be used as a clean energy source for cooking and lighting, reducing reliance on Fossil fuels.
  2. Establishing Community Pocket Forests to conserve local biodiversity and mitigate soil erosion.
  3. Planting chilli pepper bushes near farmers' crops to discourage elephant / human conflict.
  4. Coach school sports and improve facilities.
  5. Help with teaching in schools.

Larger groups will also be doing projects such as:

  1. Building a village Community Centre and Early Childhood Learning Centre for children aged 2 - 5 years old.
  2. Building a Library and Administrative block for a Primary School.
  3. Establishing Community vegetable gardens with drip irrigation piping.  (Water is an incredibly scarce commodity in this region, especially in winter)
  4. Construction of Girl-Friendly School Toilets.  To ensure the dignity of the girls and thereby encourage school attendance.

Leisure Activities

We will take you to see the baobab trees, local markets, daily options to choose from such as armed Ranger's lead Game Drives and Game Walks in the National Park. Explore the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, the world's largest waterfall, and engage in thrilling activities such as water rafting on the Zambezi River, Devils Pool, bungee jumping, and a Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi. Experience the breathtaking views with helicopter rides, microlight flights, and speedboat trips beneath the falls and from the railway bridge. For the daring, indulge in extreme activities like bungee jumping and zip-lining across the gorges, as well as white-water rafting. Alternatively, opt for more leisurely pursuits such as sunset cruises and luxury historic train dining. Moreover, the nearby Zambezi National Park is a haven for wildlife, hosting the BIG 5 and a variety of other mammals.

Game Drives and Game Walks in the National Park available daily with armed Rangers, visit magnificent Victoria Falls LEARN MORE – worlds largest waterfall, Water Rafting on River Zambezi, Bungee Jump, Sunset Cruise on River Zambezi.

Accommodations

Accommodation is organized according to the size of volunteer groups. House 1, exclusively assigned for smaller groups, offers bedrooms with twin beds (2 to a room) or bunk beds, accommodating a maximum of six people per room. This arrangement is situated 2 miles from the center of Victoria Falls. For larger groups, House 2 serves as accommodation for volunteers when substantial groups are scheduled. It is conveniently located under a mile from the Victoria Falls Center.

Arrival and Meetup

 1.  If you arrive and depart through Victoria Falls Airport (Zimbabwe), we recommend obtaining a single-entry visa. However, if you plan to visit the Zambian side as well, you should get a double entry visa upon arrival.

 2.  If you arrive and depart through Livingstone Airport (Zambia), you can obtain a single-entry visa when you cross over the bridge into Zimbabwe. This bridge offers views of the Falls on the Zambian side, through the river gorge.

Victoria Falls serves as the primary airport for this program, but Livingston in Zambia is also a viable option, located just 30 miles away. If you choose to visit Victoria Falls National park and waterfalls, you will need to pay $30 directly to the park. On the program end date, the program ends after breakfast -  LEARN MORE

Please make sure to arrive by 11 am to allow sufficient time to see Victoria Falls on our way out of town. We will pick you up at [specific location], but, if necessary, we can also make an additional stop at Shearwater Explorers Village, Adam Stander Drive, VF - close to Elephants Walk Craft. This will provide us with approximately two hours to visit the Falls. From there, we will proceed to Victoria Falls Airport to pick up anyone arriving between 1:30 and 2:30 pm. The drive duration to our program location varies from 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending mainly on the current road conditions. If you require different arrangements, please get in touch with us, but kindly inform us at least a week in advance.

Safety and Security

The Victoria Falls area is very safe, and people are very friendly. Vaccinations are not mandatory, but you should consult your doctor for guidance. Nearby clinics and hospitals are easily accessible by car if necessary. Volunteers will be part of a team led by Globe Aware personnel. For any safety-related inquiries or needs on the ground, please get in touch with our office.


Back to top