Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer
MALAWI
Malawi
2 - 12 weeks
Tuesday
Up to 12 people
Age 18+
From £1,500
Malawi
2 - 12 weeks
Tuesday
Tues
Up to 12 people
Max 12
Age 18+
From £1,500
What's the project about?
The wildlife centre is Malawi’s only animal sanctuary, with a focus on rescue and rehabilitation. Working alongside a resident team of expert wildlife vets, the sanctuary volunteers get involved with all aspects of animal care, learning new skills and gaining practical experience. Join the animal care team, where work covers the whole rehabilitation spectrum and a range of animals and birds.
How will I be contributing?
Sanctuary volunteer duties include animal husbandry (cleaning, feeding and enrichment), orphan care, veterinary clinic support and animal observations. Volunteers also get involved with animal integrations, reintroductions and release strategies – the most rewarding part of any stay, as wildlife are released, safe and well, back into their natural environment. Get your hands dirty, work hard and make new animal friends!
What makes this project ethical?
Join an organisation internationally recognised for its work to protect Malawi’s wildlife. Then sanctuary is focused on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation and is widely reputed to be one of the best facilities in Africa for responsible wildlife care and rehabilitation. You can be confident you are joining a genuinely ethical, high impact project, where you will learn best practice from conservation experts.
Project gallery
Project information
Join an acclaimed team, experienced in wildlife releases, live in the Warm Heart of Africa and wake up to the sounds of the African bush!
The sanctuary has the capacity to care for around 200 animals at any time, including primates, large and small carnivores, antelopes, reptiles and birds. Most of these wild animals have been orphaned, injured or affected by the illegal wildlife trade. The sanctuary team provides expert veterinary treatment and rehabilitation to give every animal a second chance at life in the wild. They release as many animals as possible into safe, protected wild habitats. Animals that can’t be released for medical or behavioural reasons find a long-term home in the sanctuary’s large, natural enclosures.
Hands-off wildlife policy
The sanctuary operates a strict hands-off policy, to give animals the best chance of release and continued life in their natural habitats. However, orphans and juveniles do need special attention until they enter the second phase of the rehabilitation and release programme, so you may well be put to use in orphan care work and providing initial care to younger animals.
This is an amazing opportunity to get hands on experience with wildlife, while working towards their eventual release back into the wild.
Animal care:
Volunteers play an essential role in the daily care of the sanctuary’s animals and may get involved with some or all of the following activities:
- Prepare meals for animals on a daily basis, and feed during the day (and night!);
- Find food for younger animals (you may need to forage for grasshoppers for a pygmy hedgehog!);
- Clean out enclosures and feeding pens;
- Learn about the human-wildlife conflict and how individual animals were brought to the sanctuary;
- Help settle newly rescued animals into groups or into their rehabilitation enclosures;
- Quietly observe sick, distressed and injured wildlife who need close monitoring.
Note that animal care activities will depend on what animals and orphans are at the sanctuary at the time.
Orphan care:
- Surrogacy work can include looking after orphaned animals such as owls, jackals, baboons, vervet monkeys, serval cats and antelopes
- Orphaned babies may also need intensive care such as bottle-feeding, observation and dedicated interaction
Behaviour and habitat enrichment:
A critical volunteer role is to enrich the lives of the animals who cannot be released, enable them to live as natural a life as possible and behave as closely as they would in the wild. Volunteer-led enrichment helps to prevent the onset of stress behaviour by keeping animals stimulated. Enrichment can also help animals to practice wild behaviours like hunting and foraging.
- Build activity centres for animals (e.g. primates) to enable them to run, jump and climb;
- Make toys for animals to stimulate foraging;
- Observe and record animal interactions with the enrichment items;
- Work with animals who are not current candidates for release due to mental or physical issues.
Rehabilitation and release:
Releases done by this sanctuary have been highly acclaimed, thanks to the expertise and effort which goes into the rehabilitation process and subsequent release. Volunteers are crucial to these processes from rehabilitation through monitoring, integrations and pre-release support.
- Help with pre-release monitoring to ensure animals are fit to be released back to the wild;
- Settle new arrivals and rehabilitated animals into new groups and monitor their progress;
- Learn about successful rehabilitation and release methods.
Activities around the sanctuary and game reserve:
- Monitor free-roaming animals within the 70 hectare reserve;
- Build and repair enclosures and fences;
- Dig new waterholes, build and maintain roads and paths, make signs and other building work around the sanctuary.
Your days will be full and activities will depend on how long you are staying and what animals are at the sanctuary.
Wildlife sanctuary volunteers live in the heart of the wildlife sanctuary, which means that you’ll experience the magic of bush life after a hard day or work – spending evenings by the fire listening to the sounds of the forest.
The on-site accommodation building can host up to 17 people at a time across six bedrooms. It also includes a lounge, kitchen, inside and outside dining spaces, two bathrooms, laundry space, an outdoor deck and garden.
The house has electricity and hot and cold running water. There is a housekeeper who will do your laundry for you as well.
Meals are cooked by the local Malawian chef every day except on Sunday. The menu is vegetarian with a mix of international and local dishes. Special dietary requirements can be catered for and volunteers are welcome to buy in other luxuries or meat if they wish.
Volunteers will be issued a Malawian SIM card upon arrival, and you can then purchase data bundles for using the internet. There is Wi-Fi at the volunteer house.
When can I volunteer?
Arrivals at the Malawi Wildlife Sanctuary are on Tuesdays, although arrivals outside of these days are possible upon payment of a transfer supplement. The project is open year-round.
Project pricing:
SPECIAL OFFER! Take 15% off all rates for projects starting before 31st December 2024!
2 weeks: £1,500 – special offer price £1,275
3 weeks: £1,942 – special offer price £1,650
4 weeks: £2,445 – special offer price £2,078
5 weeks: £2,817 – special offer price £2,395
6 weeks: £3,155 – special offer price £2,682
7 weeks: £3,477 – special offer price £2,955
8 weeks: £3,769 – special offer price £3,204
9 weeks: £4,044 – special offer price £3,437
10 weeks: £4,287 – special offer price £3,644
11 weeks: £4,527 – special offer price £3,848
12 weeks: £4,744 – special offer price £4,032
All prices are in GBP.
Feedback from volunteers suggests that a 2 week programme is just not long enough to experience the project to its fullest. We highly recommend a minimum 4-6 week stay if possible!
What’s included in the cost?
- Project contribution: this goes directly to our project partner, and provides funding to ensure the programme can continue to meet its goals. For this project it will cover things like staff costs, equipment purchases, maintenance of buildings, equipment and vehicles, veterinary fees, animal feed, fencing, funding for community projects etc.
- Accommodation and three meals per day.
- Return airport transfers (Tuesdays).
- Volunteer t-shirt and local SIM card.
- Comprehensive orientation and supervision.
- Practical instruction by experienced staff members.
- Equipment and materials required to do your work.
What’s not included?
- Flights or travel to Lilongwe, Malawi.
- Visa fees (if applicable).
- Travel insurance (compulsory).
- Personal expenses such as souvenirs, drinks, snacks.
- Additional excursions.
- Administration fee (£40).
View our booking terms and conditions.
The project has a research site in the heart of beautiful Liwonde National Park, home to large populations of elephants, rhinos, lions, cheetahs and plains game. Volunteers have the opportunity to spend a week or more monitoring species of special concern in the Park. You’ll work with iconic species such as lions and cheetahs, collecting data that will directly inform conservation strategies.
Volunteers participating in the programme in Liwonde will improve their conservation knowledge and develop practical research skills. You will not only have the opportunity to spend time out in the field learning new skills, but also contribute to research that makes a real difference to the knowledge and health of Malawi’s key animal populations.
Who should join?
No specific skills are required, just an interest in field research and amazing wildlife!
What activities will I be doing?
Activities include
- Radio tracking of targeted animals
- Checking camera traps
- Recording opportunistic sightings.
- VHF radio tracking
- Animal identification
- Data entry.
You’ll also experience some truly unique moments as you learn more about the dynamics of animal groups and individual wild animals during your placement. This may include moments such as witnessing the take-over of a pride by a new male, watching a female cheetah teaching her cubs how to hunt or observing the dynamics between vultures and mammalian predators at a carcass.
How much does it cost?
Fees for the Wildlife Research Programme are the same as the Wildlife Sanctuary.
Click for more details of our Wildlife Research & Monitoring Programme and see the Rates and Dates tab for pricing details.
A Veterinary Internship is also available for those studying Veterinary Medicine or related Veterinary degrees.
This placement will give you a real insight into sanctuary-based vet work. The specific tasks will vary according to the types of animals that the sanctuary are caring for at any particular time, but you can expect to get involved in a mix of clinical work and wider welfare activities, including enrichment, integrations, observations and animal husbandry.
Who should join?
This veterinary internship is for vet students – those already studying a vet science degree or similar. The internship can count for EMS credits towards your course.
How long can I join for?
2-12 weeks
What activities will I be doing?
The vet internship is ideal for those looking to gain broad, real-world experience in sanctuary-based vet work, which also includes other aspects of animal rehabilitation, as per the responsibilities of the sanctuary volunteer. Clinical work varies but can include diagnostics, lab work and procedures. Interns will also be expected to get stuck into the day-to-day care of the sanctuary’s animal residents.
How much does it cost?
Fees for the Veterinary Internship are the same as the Wildlife Sanctuary.
Click for more details on the Veterinary Internship and see the Rates and Dates tab for pricing details.
Also taking bookings! Our Wildlife Vet Medicine Course 2024 is now accepting applications from vet students and those studying for a vet-related qualification. Find out more!
For the latest travel updates, please visit our Malawi destination page.
Who should volunteer on this project?
This programme is a wonderful experience for volunteers of all ages, where you can experience Africa is a safe environment, work hard and see the impact that your contribution is having. Volunteers come from all backgrounds and nationalities, with varied animal and wildlife experience – from none to experienced vets. What all volunteers have in common is a love of wildlife and a passion for helping Africa’s threatened animals.
You should be able to communicate reasonably well in spoken English.
How old do I need to be?
The minimum volunteering age for solo travellers is 18 years. There is no upper age limit.
How many people will there be?
The volunteer programme takes up to 17 people at a time.
When can I join?
Volunteers should aim to arrive and depart on a Tuesday, although start dates can sometimes be flexible depending on availability and the payment of a transfer supplement. The project is open year-round.
When is the best time to come?
Lilongwe has a temperate climate for Africa. Wet season is from November/December to February/March, but it is actually very pleasant as rains last only an hour or so in the afternoons and make the country lush and green! Temperatures reach around 32oC in the hot months of October and November, and the coolest month is July, at around 25 oC, but still bright and sunny.
Do I get some time off?
Volunteers are kept very busy during their stay on the project and you will work 6 days a week from 8am until 5pm. Volunteers who stay for longer than four weeks will be given a long weekend off every month (if you want!). Volunteers should try and be flexible with their working hours as some will be required to take night shift duty with injured and orphaned animals who often need round the clock care.
Lilongwe is a clean and relatively quiet and safe African city with just the right amount of nightlife and restaurants, which you are more than welcome to visit! There are craft and food markets within walking distance for buying curios and haggling for vegetables!
What excursions can I join?
It is well worth considering spending some time either before or after your programme exploring Malawi. Car hire is very affordable, and Lake Malawi is a short drive away, where you can swim, snorkel and relax on the beach!
You could also organise an excursion into the stunning South Luangwa National Park in Zambia for after your project – the perfect ending to your African adventure!
How long can I volunteer for?
The minimum project length is two weeks, and the maximum stay is three months.
How much spending money should I bring?
We recommend allowing £50 per week to cover personal expenses such as drinks, souvenirs, snacks, tips and internet usage. There are ATM machines at the airport and we suggest you withdraw cash there for your time at the sanctuary.
Do I need a visa?
Most nationalities can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival into Lilongwe. The cost of this is usually around $75 payable in cash. It is your responsibility to check your visa eligibility prior to arrival.
What animals will I encounter?
The sanctuary is home to almost 200 animals at any given time. The types of animals that are rescued at the sanctuary can include monkeys, baboons, antelopes, hyenas, serval cats and other small carnivores, reptiles and birds. The sanctuary does not have the space to care for large animals such as lions, elephants or rhinos.
Please note that activities will vary according to what animals are at the project at the time and what their needs are. Be flexible and bear in mind that the variety and number of animals can change daily. The only thing we can guarantee is that you will have an amazing time!
Can I touch the animals?
The goal of the sanctuary is to release as many animals as possible back into the wild. It is very important not to habituate or humanise the animals, as this puts them at greater risk of poaching or capture after their release. With that in mind, the sanctuary operates a hands-off policy. Some orphans will need special attention and round-the-clock care to promote their chances of survival and rehabilitation, and in these cases volunteers may be asked to step in as surrogates. It is an especially rewarding experience to see animals progress and know that you have helped them journey back to health and release.
What vaccinations do I need?
A rabies vaccination is compulsory as you will be working closely with animals. You must also undertake a TB test prior to travel. Even if you have been vaccinated against TB, you must take a new one for this project. A Mantoux test, blood test or chest x-ray is most appropriate. You must email your TB-negative test to the project and carry the results with you. All volunteers should make sure their Tetanus is up to date, or get a booster.
You must bring your vaccination certificates with you!
Lilongwe is regarded as a high-risk malaria area, so anti-malarial prophylaxis must be taken. Consult your GP or travel clinic for further detailed medical advice. Please visit this UK government website for more details.
Support a high-impact organisation
The project started off as just a wildlife sanctuary but has grown to span wildlife rescue (of large and small animals), animal welfare, education, advocacy, justice and research. Trust staff work with local community leaders, wildlife departments and law enforcement agencies and plays a role in Malawi’s fight to protect its wildlife and habitats.
The sanctuary has won awards for its efforts to promote, address and resolve the human-wildlife conflict in Malawi.
Hands-off for the best care
The sanctuary can care for around 200 animals at any given time, including primates, small carnivores, antelopes, reptiles and birds. Most will have been rescued as orphans or been victims of the illegal bushmeat and pet trade, others have been injured in snares, hit by cars or stoned by local villagers. Thanks to the state-of-the-art vet clinic, orphan care programme, experienced animal care team and dedicated volunteers, the majority of intakes can be managed on site.
Whilst the sanctuary operates a strict hands-off policy, orphans and juveniles do need special attention so there is a chance you will be put to use in surrogacy work and providing initial care to younger animals until they enter the second phase of the rehabilitation and release programme.
Conserve Malawi’s wildlife heritage
Malawi’s wildlife and biodiversity face a number of threats, with habitat loss being one of the most serious. Wild animals are sometimes illegally kept or traded as pets, hunted for their meat, skin or scales, or injured through human-wildlife conflict. Environmental decline in Malawi has been hastened by rapid population growth, high poverty levels and a changing climate.
Be part of the bigger picture
However, Malawi is in the grip of a conservation revolution. In recent years, the Government has clamped down on wildlife criminals by passing tough laws and disrupting organised crime syndicates. Greater investment in protected areas has led to a boom in wildlife populations and the return to some areas of the ‘Big Five’.
Wildlife sanctuary volunteers work directly with animals rescued from the bushmeat and exotic pet trades and become part of human-wildlife conflict resolution.
The volunteer programme teaches best practices in animal care and rehabilitation, allowing volunteers to acquire new skills and gain practical experience, in a positive learning environment. Volunteers who have specific goals and ambitions in the animal care field, can work with sanctuary staff to achieve their own personal objectives, and get as much as possible out of their volunteer experience.
Volunteering in Malawi is a chance to be part of this fascinating conservation success story.
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