Review: Family volunteering with primates in Zimbabwe

The Millard Family – our life-changing family volunteer experience in Zimbabwe 

The following blog was written by family volunteer Craig, who joined our Primate Conservation Program in Zimbabwe with his wife, Andrea, and daughters Sarah (15) and Genevieve (6). Their family volunteer experience highlights how volunteer holidays with your family can do far more than create unforgettable wildlife encounters. They can help children grow in confidence, strengthen family bonds, and also create lifelong memories shared together.

In April 2026 we set off to Zimbabwe and our very first experience of volunteering with no idea as to what to expect. Our 6-year-old daughter was incredibly excited at the prospect of spending time with animals close up, and we thought it would be a great opportunity to spend time working together as a family.

The trip did not disappoint!

From the very first moment we arrived, we were made to feel incredibly welcome, almost part of the family. By the time we left, through the friendships we had made with the whole team at the Sanctuary, we certainly felt like family. The experience we had was everything we had hoped for, and a lot more besides. 

Our family volunteer experience – daily life

The day is broken down into distinct parts. Your time is split between feeding the animals and helping with project work, which ranged from washing blankets to clearing and tidying areas around enclosures, to helping with enrichment activities for the baboons. Additionally, the bushwalks with younger primates will live long in the memory. Such a structure, together with downtime, allowed for variety and time to reflect and relax. We felt it worked incredibly well for our family.

The team guiding us with the work and wildlife – Umile, Noellie and Trust – were incredibly passionate and knowledgeable. They were only too happy to share their knowledge, stories and experiences with no question unanswered (and no question a stupid question, no matter how much it felt like asking them at times!). Listening to Trust and his incredible knowledge and experience – we could have sat and talked to him all day!

Volunteer accommodation and meals

The accommodation far exceeded our expectations. Firstly, the house was beautiful – our room was ideal for us as a family – and secondly, the shared living and dining area was lovely, with outdoor areas at the back and front. Our toilet/shower facilities were rustic and basic, but as far as we were concerned, they were still better than we had thought. This is a volunteer experience, with the emphasis on the experience and helping out; it isn’t a hotel!

With that said, we were treated to the service of a hotel! Nomsa – the volunteer house ‘boss’ – was the most incredible lady that we have met. The meals that were cooked – three meals a day – were amazing! From fresh cooked pancakes in the mornings, to salads and fresh fruit at lunch and incredibly tasty, fresh cooked dinners of currys, pastas, burgers, the meals – and mealtimes – were special. Nothing was too much trouble for Nomsa. She catered for our children even if it meant cooking something separate – she set about wanting to ensure everyone was happy. She succeeded without question!

If having 3 cooked meals a day wasn’t enough, the washing was also done by Nomsa and Siza, three times a week. However, it wasn’t always guaranteed you would get all socks back, due to the cheeky young vervet monkey, Luca, running around!

Our highlights

There were just so many highlights for us that it was just so hard to pick any out, but it was really split into three distinct elements:

1. The change in our children. The growth in confidence in our youngest from the first to the last day was so special to see. Additionally, the engagement and interaction of our teenage daughter grew as the week went on.

2. Getting involved. As much as the week was around interactions with animals, it was the help we could give and provide that was special to us. To be able to play a small part in finishing Willow’s enclosure and then seeing her move into it was actually quite emotional, and a special experience for us. This, together with just being more hands to help with work around the sanctuary

3. Animal interactions.  We don’t think anyone could fail to be moved by the special time spent with the young troop of baboons. Of the younger ones, Marigold (a special place in Genevieve’s heart), Sapi and Jody especially. Kiki, Zoe, Cologne, Bob of the older ones – seeing the different personalities in each, and having them walk and jump all over us, as well as groom us, was indescribable.

Simply put, a week for us just wasn’t long enough, and all too soon it was time for us to leave – and to leave the friends we had made. Never before in all of the travel we have done has our daughter been upset to go home.Poor Genevieve was in tears from Bulawayo to Johannesburg, so desperate to return, so keen to see Marigold again. This said it all to us.

We will return!

Without a doubt, we shall return to the Sanctuary and without a doubt, it will be for longer. We miss everyone there, and the memories we have cannot be explained – they have to be experienced. The team there do such an incredible job, are so passionate and make volunteers so very welcome. 

We truly believe it is an experience that everyone should take – and for families to do together. We will advocate a visit to everyone we come across.

Until we return….

Craig, Andrea, Sarah & Genevieve
UK, April 2026