Volunteer program
Since the
beginning of the Thuma Project
the Wildlife Action Group in Malawi has been
assisted by volunteers from all over the world.
Volunteers participating in the program all have a common ambition: to see and feel, the African bush, to develop a practical knowledge of wildlife and life in the bush and to have a lasting positive impact on the environment. It is an excellent opportunity to have an adventurous stay in Malawi and contribute to the conservation of wildlife in Africa!
There is plenty of time available to do relaxing (day) trips to near Lake Malawi and/or into Lilongwe (transport is provided for free; any additional costs (i.e. food and/or accommodation) are not included in the volunteer fee).
No previous experience is required, however all prospective volunteers should have a real love of nature and bush camping, a positive, pro-active and independent attitude, a good level of physical and mental fitness, an openness towards and respect for people of other cultures, a willingness to help and learn, able to communicate well in English and a good sense of humor.
Your stay: The preferred minimum duration of your stay in Thuma should be 3 weeks; the maximum duration we can offer is 2 months. The reservation for your stay as a volunteer is confirmed when you e-mail the Wildlife Action Group a scan of your flight ticket/documents.
The volunteers are welcomed in Lilongwe (International Airport) and transferred to Thuma F.R.. You will stay in the base camp (grass-huts, bush-toilet, bush-shower, fire place for cooking, solar power, water from a natural spring) in the Thuma Forest Reserve, in other words: the real bush experience!
Volunteer contribution: The daily volunteer contribution is Euro 25 per night.
Note: Euro can be exchanged in Malawi Kwacha (the local currency) throughout Malawi so there is no particular need to bring US$. This is to cover all costs during the volunteer's stay in the project, including transfers from/to Lilongwe Airport, accommodation, meals (breakfast, lunch and diner), except alcoholic and soft drinks. Click here for the conditions of payment.
Travelling to Malawi: The Wildlife Action Group advises to get informed on the latest health requirements (vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis) for Malawi at your local health care centre or physician. The Wildlife Action Group recommends a comprehensive travel insurance to cover medical and any other unforeseen costs or expenses. The Wildlife Action Group will not be liable for any costs of any nature.
The journey
to and from Malawi has to be paid by the volunteer.
There are several airlines flying from Europe to Malawi.
Those include:
- Ethiopian
Airways (note: EA has a luggage allowance of 45kg)
- KLM/Kenya Airways
- South African Airways
Ticket prices vary significantly between airlines and the time of the year: ask your travel agency for the best option for you. At departure from Malawi, a "Departure tax" of 30 US$ (note: for this no other currencies are accepted) has to be paid at Lilongwe International Airport. It is however possible that this tax is already included in the price of your ticket and therefore already paid: check with your travel agency.
When entering Malawi, you get a free tourist visa which is valid for 1 month and which can be extended twice (with effect of June 2008 an extension of a tourist visa costs 5000.-- Malawi Kwacha which is currently (November 2008) about 24 Euro).
Note: for citizens from certain countries the visa regulations might be different: please check with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
What to take: Actually, a trip to Malawi is not much different than a trip to, for example, the South of Europe. However, to assist you a bit, click here for a list on what to take.
Responsible for this volunteer program is the Wildlife Action Group Malawi. Please contact them (thuma@wag-malawi.org), if you have any more questions or send your application from here:
