Volunteer in Malawi!

Apply to volunteer!

04/04/08

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We help people to protect nature 

20 years experience in nature conservation are our reference!

Volunteer in Wildlife Projects

in Malawi 

 Experience the African bush and  contribute to the conservation of wildlife and the welfare of people at the same time! An unforgettable experience... 

Professional, locally-based staff provides supervision, assistance and guidance throughout your stay.

No previous experience is required, but a good level of physical fitness, a sensitivity and respect for other cultures, the willingness to help, learn, listen and follow instructions, which are important for your own safety and the safety of the team!

You have to be able to communicate in English.

If you get upset about a spider-web or insist in tiled bathrooms, better forget it!

Volunteer contribution

This is to cover cost during the volunteer's stay in the project, including transfers from/to Lilongwe Airport, accommodation and meals.

The daily volunteer contribution is Euro 25,-- per night.

The remaining part of your paid contribution, after deducting expenses, will be used directly for conservation work of the project. 

Note: Not included are health, accident or travel insurances.

The total costs of the volunteers stay shall be paid after arrival to the project-coordinator of the respective project.
In case, a volunteer decides to leave the project before the agreed end-date, 50% of the daily fees for the remaining days will be refunded.

Note: Euro's can be exchanged into Malawi Kwacha (the local currency) throughout Malawi so there is no need to bring US$, except for the 30 US$ airport tax you need to pay at the airport on departure.

Your stay

The preferred minimum duration of your stay should be 3 weeks; the maximum duration, depending on the project, is 2 - 3 months. 

All volunteers are welcomed in Lilongwe (International Airport) and transferred to the project area.

Thuma Forest Reserve volunteer program:

Thuma Forest Reserve is a true wilderness area. You will stay in the base camp in very basic grass-huts with bush-toilet, bush-shower, open fire place for cooking, solar power, paraffin lanterns and the water comes from a natural spring, in other words: the real bush experience! 

Kuti Community Wildlife Park volunteer program:

Specific volunteer programmes 2008 are:

• Wildlife and animal management (f. e. Training of staff, doing game counts, anti poaching patrols, setting up walking trails, running livestock units)

• Arts and crafts training like setting up and running of Arts -and Craft Centre, training of women from the village to fabric paint, do pottery etc. (Some of this activities are out of the park)

• Working with orphans in the surrounding villages

• Working with women and children in the surrounding villages on nutrition, first aid etc.

• Working with farmers on more efficient ways to use their resources.

• Training of Tourist Camp staff on day-to-day management of restaurant and kitchen, catering, how to deal with guests, organize school children educational visits etc.

You will be introduced, advised and work under the supervision of the coordinator who will allocate either a staff member or member of the villages who speaks English for interpretation and guide as to culture etc. 

Accommodation will be either in staff cottages (2 per bedroom) with basic shower and toilet or in an A-frame cottage (sharing) with ablution block nearby with shower and toilets. There is no electricity and no e-mail access at the camp, but there is a cell phone signal.

Meals will be provided during working days at Sanga Camp as follows: Continental breakfast, lunch (with lunch parcels for those working in the community), and simple cooked suppers with an traditional meal once a week. Special dietary requirements can be catered for, if advised in advance.

You will have 2 days off per week. These may be during the week, because the park is most busy over the weekend as this is the time when there are most visitors. 

Days off are to be agreed with the coordinator.

For your off-days: Salima town (approx. 8 km from the park) has grocery shops, a traditional market, Post Office and a Internet Cafe.

Senga Bay at Lake Malawi, 20 km from Kuti, offers all kinds of accommodation and resorts, boat hire, a Tropical Fish farm,  a Crocodile Farm and the Hippo Sanctuary Project.

Traveling to Malawi

We advise to get informed on the latest health requirements (vaccinations) for Malawi and recommend a travel insurance to cover medical expenses. The Wildlife Action Group International and its partners in Malawi will not be responsible for any costs of this 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.

When entering Malawi, you get a free tourist visa which is valid for 1 months and which can be extended twice. After three months one has to apply for an additional "Temporary Resident Permit" (which is not for free). Note: for citizens from certain countries (non-EU), the regulations might be different: check with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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.

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. 

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Apply by sending us your

Volunteer application form

Applicants need to agree to our Volunteer Program Indemnity Form. Download here.