| |
 Zimbabwe
has an impressive collection of natural wonders that continually
stun visitors. The country's border with neighboring Zambia
is home to the largest waterfall in the world, Victoria
Falls. The wildlife in Zimbabwe is also a privilege to
behold, as safaris bring visitors to the midland plains
to see such animals as lions, giraffes, rhinoceros, birds,
cheetahs, and wild dogs.
Why volunteer in Zimbabwe?
Sadly, Zimbabwe's tumultuous political history over the
past decade has taken a toll on its economy, its people,
and its environment. Negatively affected by financial
setbacks, local farmers have been forced to abandon their
land in droves. Governmental mismanagement has also had
adverse effects on the environment. Because of unregulated
hunting and an atmosphere of ecological disregard, several
breeds of animals are now endangered, including lions,
black rhinoceros, and a variety of African birds. Countless
animals are trapped or injured every day, falling victim
to hunting snares.
Our partner organizations in Zimbabwe see the destruction
of these natural treasures as a glaring affront to their
heritage. They have dedicated themselves to rescuing
safari animals that have been trapped and injured by
illegal hunters. They bought a land reserve and began
breeding lions in captivity with hopes of restoring
them to their natural habitat. Through these efforts,
our partners help promote sustainable tourism while
giving visitors from all over the world the unforgettable
experience of helping protect safari animals.
Project
Location: Victoria Falls
Dubbed the “Adrenaline Capital
of Africa,” Victoria Falls is an adventure-packed
village carved out of the African bush—as well as
the base camp for our Lion Camp & Park Conservation
Project. Idyllically located within jungle-like Victoria
Falls National Park (5,780 acres) and at the doorstep
of 56,000-acre Zambezi National Park, the town of Victoria
Falls offers incredible access to wildlife viewing and
a variety of conservation opportunities.
The town and the national park share their name with the
area’s greatest highlight: the actual Victoria Falls.
Spanning the entire one-mile width of the Zambezi River,
which serves as the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe,
this ferocious curtain of water plunges more than 300
feet into the spray-filled Zambezi Gorge. To the locals,
the waterfall is known as Mosi-Oa-Tynya, the “Smoke
That Thunders.” To visitors it’s the perfect
spot to bungee-jump, river board, whitewater raft, enjoy
a river cruise, or participate in any number of wild encounters.
 Project Location:
Hwange National Park
Located on the country's western border, Hwange is the
largest national park in Zimbabwe. This wildlife sanctuary
is home to more than 40,000 elephants, hundreds of species
of birds, and the nearly extinct black and white rhinoceros.
The park covers almost 6,000 square miles of land between
the city of Bulawayo and the extraordinary Victoria Falls.
A testament to the natural beauty of Zimbabwe, it offers
visitors the opportunity to see elephants, giraffes, zebras,
baboons, lions, cheetahs, and one of the largest surviving
populations of wild dogs in Africa.
Project Location: Zimbabwe
Midlands
The Midlands is a province stretching from the center
of Zimbabwe to its eastern border with Mozambique. The
area is known for being rich in natural resources, and
much of it is mining territory. Some of the land has also
been reserved for wildlife sanctuaries and conservation
efforts. Volunteers on our Lion Breeding Project will
be based 12km west of Gweru, the province’s capital.
Here you will see the animals that make African wildlife
famous, such as lions, giraffes, zebras, antelope, and
elephants, as well as more unique animals like wildebeest,
kudu, waterbuck, impala, and more.
 Project Location: Matobo National Park
Steeped in tribal history and brimming with life, Matobo
National Park is extraordinary, even for Africa. The park’s
strange, sometimes haunting rock formations are covered
in some of the continent’s most astonishing and
ancient cave paintings, or pictographs. Situated on the
southwestern plateau of Zimbabwe, the region is also home
to a wide array of animal life, including the elusive
black rhino.
|
