Community Outreach, Victoria Falls

Our Approach to Ethical Community Volunteering

This community volunteering program in Zimbabwe is intentionally small-scale, personalised, and built on long-term partnerships with local communities. Rather than offering standardised placements, each experience is carefully shaped around a volunteer’s skills, experience, and interests, and aligned with priorities identified by the community at that time. This ensures contributions are relevant, respectful, and genuinely useful.

Volunteers are hosted in a beautiful, high-quality setting overlooking the Zambezi River, providing a comfortable and inspiring base for meaningful work and reflection. You are hosted by Veronica Chapman and Charlene Hewat, the directors of Greenline Africa, whose long-standing relationships and on-the-ground presence ensure all projects are ethical, community-led, and sustainably managed.

Program fees directly support ongoing initiatives including early childhood development, women’s livelihood projects, food security, recycling and waste management, tree nurseries, and environmental education.

This is not a short-term or symbolic community volunteering program, but a considered, partnership-based approach designed to create lasting value for communities while offering volunteers a deeply rewarding and purposeful experience.

How your skills and experience are matched to the Greenline Africa Community Projects

Your community volunteering role is shaped around both your background and the priorities identified by local communities. Examples of how skills may align with current projects include:

• Teaching, early years education or childcare experience
  – Supporting local Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres through learning activities, resource development, and teacher support.

• Health, social care or community support experience
  – Working with farmer family homesteads or Gogo (grandmother-led) households to support wellbeing, nutrition, and daily care initiatives.

• Sewing, knitting, crafting or textile skills
  – Assisting Community Women’s Groups with uniform-making, handicrafts, and income-generating projects.

• Environmental, sustainability or gardening experience
  – Supporting the Community Tree Nursery, Orchard projects, recycling and waste management initiatives, or children’s Eco-Clubs.

• Practical, hands-on or logistics-based skills
  – Contributing to projects such as the Mobilised Community Bicycle Programme or homestead-based development initiatives.

All placements are flexible and responsive, ensuring community volunteering supports real needs while allowing volunteers to contribute in meaningful, appropriate ways.

Medical and Veterinary Volunteering

There are also great opportunities for volunteers with medical or veterinary backgrounds to contribute to rural communities.

Medical volunteering

The local medical centre serves a large and widespread local community. Medical volunteers can learn about common diseases affecting the local population and how they are treated using the medicines and equipment available.

• Assist with non-medical work such as taking blood pressure and temperature, and weighing babies
• Help in the pharmacy
• Observe appointments
• Work on building and maintenance projects at the clinic
• Visit rural schools and monitor children’s growth and health

Veterinary volunteering

The Trust works with the local VAWZ team (Veterinarians for Animal Welfare in Zimbabwe), a private organisation working in communities across Zimbabwe. Their inspectors work in rural areas and run vaccination and neutering programmes, plus host training and education workshops and follow up cases of animal cruelty towards both domestic and working animals).

If you are a vet student or veterinary professional and would like to volunteer, you may be given the opportunity to: 

• Shadow the local VAWZ inspectors on routine inspections
• Participate in mass vaccination and spaying programmes
• Take part in ambulatory clinic work

As far as possible, a bespoke veterinary volunteer itinerary will be created according to your specific interests.

Community volunteering activities are shaped around the priority projects identified by local communities at the time of your visit. We will also work with the Greenline team to allow you to pursue your passions and interests alongside what is needed within the community.

Your itinerary will depend on factors such as the season, weather conditions, projects already underway, and — as is often the case in Africa — unexpected events that may shift local needs.

Rather than rushing between multiple activities, the program aims to dedicate half of each day to a specific project. This allows work to be carried through to completion, or to a natural stopping point, so you can clearly see the tangible results of your contribution.

You can expect full, purposeful days focused on work that is genuinely needed and valued.

Activities are matched to your skills, interests, and experience wherever possible, while remaining responsive to community priorities. Community volunteers may be involved in the following grassroots projects:

Education & Early Childhood Development

• • Supporting community pre-school ECD centres
  • Assisting with classroom activities, reading, games, and sports
  • Helping to build or improve classrooms, toilets, playgrounds, and furniture

Livelihood Development & Women’s Projects

A key focus of the program is improving livelihoods and increasing income-generating opportunities for marginalised community members. Volunteers may assist with:

• Working with the Community Women’s Group, which could include sewing, knitting and textile projects
• Mobilised Community – bicycle project. Helping those living in rural communities reach their schools and workplaces.

Gogo (Grandmother) Projects

Many rural households are headed by grandmothers caring for grandchildren and other vulnerable children. Volunteers may:

• Deliver monthly food parcels
• Assist with basic home repairs and homestead maintenance
• Assist with planting, irrigating, harvesting, and distributing vegetables
• Visit homes, learn to cook traditional food, and gain insight into rural community life

Biodiversity & Environmental Projects

• Children’s Eco-Clubs & Tree Planting: Supporting environmental education and biodiversity awareness
• Waste Management & Recycling: Sorting, baling, and loading recyclable materials in Victoria Falls
• Invasive Species Removal: Working in the Victoria Falls Rainforest to remove invasive plant species

All activities are part of a partnership-based approach to community volunteering, designed to support long-term initiatives, strengthen local capacity, and ensure volunteers contribute in ways that are practical, respectful, and genuinely useful.

Private, luxury accommodation

The volunteer programme is based at the Greenline Africa Trust private homestead, located around 45 minutes from Victoria Falls town in a spectacular location overlooking the Zambezi River Gorge.

The volunteer accommodation is a haven, where you can enjoy your downtime with sweeping views over the gorge and the Zambezi River beyond, listening to the sounds of local birdlife. More than 50 species have been spotted in the gardens of the homestead, making it a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and birding enthusiasts alike.

Designed to offer comfort without excess, the homestead provides a calm and restorative space to reflect after purposeful days in the community. Shaded verandas, mature trees, and beautifully kept gardens create an atmosphere that feels both private and connected to the landscape. It is a place to slow down, recharge, and enjoy meaningful conversation — an inspiring base for thoughtful, community-focused travel in Zimbabwe.

You will be accommodated in one of three twin/double private rooms. Each room has:

• Private en-suite bathroom
• Private verandah area
• Tea/coffee facilities
• Fridge
• Double or twin beds with mosquito nets

Idali Boma Room

Zen Garden Room

Mopane Room

Volunteers also have use of the beautiful Boma Lookout, where you have incredible views of the Zambezi River from your viewpoint on top of the gorge.

Meals

Three home-cooked meals are provided each day.

• Breakfast: usually muesli, cereal, bread, toast, jams.
• Lunch: soup, sandwiches, pies, salads.
• Dinner: cottage pie, stews, pasta, vegetables, rice, lentils, salads.
• Drinks: tea, coffee, water, cordial and juice are provided. Other soft drinks, local beers, wines and spirits are for your own account. You may also bring supplies from Victoria Falls town if you are staying there beforehand.

Vegetarians, vegans and those with other dietary requirements can be catered for. 

Facilities

• Wifi is available.
• There is some 4G signal at home, but a SIM card is not necessary as signal in the community areas is very intermittent.
• The accommodation is off the grid and all power is via solar.
• There is a housekeeper who will make beds, clean and do laundry.

When can I volunteer on the Community Program?

Volunteers can join this Community Outreach Programme throughout the year. Arrival dates can be flexible, but we may ask you to try to arrive on the same day as other volunteers.

October and November are extremely hot in this part of Zimbabwe, with temperatures regularly reaching 40 degrees. If your dates are flexible these months are sometimes best avoided.

Project pricing (based on minimum two volunteers):

1 week: $1,330
2 weeks: $2,520

The project can also accommodate solo travellers:

1 week: $1,540
2 weeks: $2,770

Additional weeks on request.

All prices are in USD.

What’s included in the cost?

• Project contribution: this goes straight to the Greenline Africa Trust to support their running costs. It enables them to continue funding their community projects, ensuring they can continue to meet their long-term goals.
• Accommodation and three meals per day
• Return airport transfers
• Laundry and housekeeping
• Wifi
• Comprehensive orientation and supervision
• Equipment and materials required to do your work

What’s not included?

• Flights or travel to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
• Visa fees (variable depending on nationality)
• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• Admin fee ($40)

Optional expenses:

• Personal expenses such as souvenirs, drinks, 3rd party activities
• Any meals or drinks purchased in Victoria Falls
• Pre and/or post programme accommodation in Victoria Falls (if required)
• Additional excursions (transfer to Victoria Falls town is $20 each way)

Please read our booking terms and conditions.

Please note that volunteers on this project are required to bring a current (less than 12 months old) criminal record certificate (called a DBS check in the UK).

CONSERVATION & COMMUNITIES COMBINATION PROGRAM

This Community Volunteer Program is the perfect partner to our Rhino & Elephant Conservation Program. These two very different programs are combined in our Conservation & Communities combination project, enabling volunteers to participate in both wildlife and community volunteering. 

The two programs are perfect for volunteers who prefer more comfortable accommodation, including rooms with en-suite bathrooms, and smaller group sizes (less than 12). Our Rhino & Elephant Conservation Programme is situated just under two hours from Harare. In addition to having a hands-on experience with endangered black and white rhinos and elephants, you will also experience daily life living in a privately owned conservancy dedicated to wildlife and community conservation.

Click for more details of our Conservation & Communities Programme.

Who should volunteer on our Community Volunteer Program?

This community outreach volunteer project is a wonderful experience for volunteers of all ages, where you can make a positive contribution directly to the local community, live in a safe environment, and become part of a very special team. The program is particularly popular with mature volunteers, who prefer more comfortable accommodation and small group sizes (less than 4 people).

No specific skills or qualifications are required. You should be of reasonable mobility as there is often physical work to be done outside, and some walking over uneven terrain. However, volunteers can contribute as much as they are able, so there is no upper age limit. You should be able to communicate reasonably well in spoken English.

How old can I be to volunteer?

The minimum volunteering age for solo travellers is 18 years. There is no upper age limit. 

How many people will there be?

The volunteer house can sleep a maximum of 4-6 people in three or four beautiful en-suite rooms. If you have a larger group, please do let us know and we can make arrangements to accommodate you. 

When can I join the Community Volunteer Program?

Start dates are flexible, but the project is closed over Christmas and New Year. Included in the project fee is a return transfer from Victoria Falls Airport. We may ask that you try and fit your dates in with other volunteers booked around the same time.

When is the best time to volunteer in Victoria Falls?

April – October is the dry season, with the rains usually coming again in mid to late November. June – September is winter, characterised by warm, sunny days, clear blue skies and cool evenings and nights. October is the hottest month, with temperatures in the area regularly reaching 40+ degrees. November – March is summer, where rain showers are intermingled with hot, sunny days and temperatures are regularly over 32 degrees.

We suggest, if possible, avoiding October and early November as the temperatures can be debilitating.

Do I get some time off?

Volunteers normally work from Monday to Friday, but the work will depend on the projects being run at the time. There is an option to do a session with the community on a Saturday morning (optional). Sunday’s are a leisure day.

There is an option to take an additional transfer into Victoria Falls, where you can browse the markets, experience adrenaline activities, visit a local restaurant and do some shopping. Transfers to town are $20 each way (USD cash).

How long can I volunteer for?

We suggest the minimum volunteer period is one week. Stays of more than four weeks can be arranged on request, and long-term, skilled volunteers are welcome – please contact us for more details.

How much spending money should I bring?

We recommend bringing around $50 per week in USD cash to cover personal expenses such as drinks, souvenirs, snacks and tips. Entry to the Victoria Falls National Park is currently $50, payable in cash. If you want to do any activities in Victoria Falls town (e.g. bungee, helicopter ride, gorge swing etc), please budget an additional $150+, which can be paid to the operators using a Visa or Mastercard.

Do I need a visa to volunteer in Zimbabwe?

Most nationalities, including British, American, Canadian, Australian and most EU citizens, can get a tourist E-visa prior to arrival. Fees are dependent on nationality and range from $30 – $75 (paid in USD cash). We can advise on the visa process.

What should I wear to volunteer in the community?

Please bring culturally appropriate clothing. While we do not expect volunteers to adhere to strict dress codes, please be mindful of what is and is not culturally sensitive. Please ensure you bring a wide-brimmed hat or cap, and sun cream of SPF 30+.

What vaccinations do I need for Victoria Falls?

Please consult your GP or travel clinic for detailed medical advice. All volunteers should make sure their Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A and B are up to date. A rabies vaccination is recommended but not compulsory.
Malaria – the project is regarded as a medium / high risk malaria area, but please consult your GP for guidance. Please note that the project will not accept volunteers who are planning to take Lariam as a malaria preventative.
Please visit this UK government website for more details.

Do I need to bring any special equipment?

Please bring a pair of lightweight work/gardening gloves – essential for working in the veggie gardens and homesteads! If you are a skilled volunteer, please bring all the materials and equipment you need to share your talents with others.
As you will be working with children, all volunteers need to supply a current (less than 12 months old) Police Certificate from your country of permanent residence.

The vision of the Greenline Africa Trust is to create a better life for marginalised women, children and youth. The Trust works full-time with vulnerable communities to develop and implement long-term projects focusing on the four pillars of Livelihoods, Health, Education and Biodiversity Management (the protection, conservation and management of natural resources).

The goal of the community volunteer programme is to provide support for ongoing projects within the community, and to enable the Trust to sustain the projects long term, or deliver them to full completion. Many families face extreme hardship and require support that is not always adequately provided in the area, so volunteers provide assistance where it is most needed at the time.

Volunteers also play a role in motivating communities to develop a spirit of self-improvement, creating a sense of pride in their achievements. Inter-cultural exchange, international awareness and empathy all creates positivity within a community.

You can be sure on this project that your days will be filled with interesting work that is genuinely needed, and you will always be doing something purposeful.

Livelihoods: 

• Support local farmers in their community gardens.
• Support local women-headed households with homestead maintenance and agricultural assistance.
• Help develop business opportunities for community members.

Health

• Support the local clinic in the provision of medical supplies and building maintenance.
• Undertake feeding programmes for schools.
• Food intervention programmes for families under extreme hardship.

Education 

• Provide safe and adequate facilities for learning and play, focusing on ECD and pre-school.
• Maintain school gardens (an additional income stream for the school, and source of nutrition for children).
• Support teaching staff in the provision of educational materials and motivational support.

Biodiversity

• Manage invasive species and provide indigenous trees for replanting in the community.
• Address small animal and bird poaching issues through education programmes.
• Work on the project’s recycling program in Victoria Falls town.

The Greenline Africa Trust was founded in 2013 by local Zimbabwean environmentalists, Charlene Hewat, Namo Chuma and Veronica Chapman. The trust is firmly behind the philosophy of integration between wildlife, communities and sustainable poverty alleviation solutions.

Greenline Africa is focused on work within the rural areas around the Victoria Falls and Hwange Rural Districts. These areas are classed as Region 5 – with low rainfall, high temperatures and extremely poor soil. The poverty levels here are high. There are many orphaned children and many gogo and child-headed households living with HIV / AIDS. Most children have protein and vitamin deficiencies and access to water is a daily challenge.

The Trust has built a Community Training Centre in the Dibutibu rural community, around 25km south east of Victoria Falls in western Zimbabwe. The centre is the focus of all community activity. It houses a dedicated industrial sewing facility used to make uniforms for local lodges, an indigenous tree nursery and prolific community vegetable garden, maintained by two permanent employees. The centre is also a skills training facility, with a soap-making and oil producing project.

In addition to the work being done in the rural areas, the Trust has also set up Victoria Falls’s first and only recycling facility in the town. The project is now managed by a local lady, employs two permanent members of staff and takes waste from all the lodges in the town and surrounding areas. The facility will eventually become completely self-funding, with the profits used to raise local awareness of environmental issues. The centre gives residents the opportunity to easily recycle their household waste.