Umfurudzi Park is one of Zimbabwe’s emerging conservation landscapes. Situated in the rugged wilderness north-east of Harare (2-hour drive), the park is undergoing an ambitious restoration programme aimed at protecting wildlife populations, restoring habitats and strengthening community-based conservation initiatives. This unique volunteer project will play an important role in supporting field operations and helping gather the information required for effective wildlife management.
Umfurudzi offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to make genuine long-lasting contributions to the African wilderness. Experience Africa at its most raw and untamed, whilst safe in the knowledge you’re helping to rehabilitate and restore a premier wildlife destination.
There are a diverse range of wildlife monitoring activities one can experience at Umfurduzi, these typically depend on the time of year and season.
1 Daily drive
You will experience the untamed beauty and breathtaking landscape around Umfurudzi. Drives are often conducted to encounter animals, recording their location, the species and number, as well as the herd structure/composition.
2 Bushwalks
Bushwalks provide the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the wilderness of the African bush. However, these are not your typical bushwalks, you will be assigned patrolling duties with experienced wildlife rangers, assisting them in sweeping for snares, identifying human tracks, as well as collecting valuable ecological data such as recording animal sightings, predator tracking and locating birds of prey nests.
3 Camera trapping
The field of ecology is ever evolving, as such we adopt increasingly modern technologies to monitor wildlife species and human activities. Be a part of
Umfurudzi’s monitoring team, helping to set up cameras to monitor wildlife hotspots and human activities across the park.
4 Bird surveys
Umfurudzi boasts a wonderful diversity of bird species, spend time getting to know the bountiful bird’s species present. Contributing to wider bird monitoring initiatives by recording species diversity and abundance.
5 Community outreach
Local communities surrounding Umfurudzi form an essential element of our conservation strategy. You will participate in community outreach programs and education initiatives, alongside our community engagement officer. This helps strengthen our partnership with local stakeholders and allows the younger generation to see the benefits of wildlife and its conservation.
Conservation areas do not only encompass wildlife monitoring activities, as a part of this restoration program you will be involved in hands on management activities behind the scenes. Without such management related conservation tasks, healthy ecosystems and the animals that live within them, cannot thrive.
Activities include:
Conservation work is dynamic with weather, wildlife movements and operational priorities that may require adjustments to planned activities. Flexibility is therefore an important part of the volunteer experience. Whilst every day presents new opportunities and experiences a typical week includes:
Day 1
Airport pickup and arrival
Orientation and safety brief
Evening braai and socializing
Day 2 – 7
Activities will include a daily game drive
Either a wildlife monitoring activity or conservation activity
Volunteers also have the chance to relax at the pool
Additional activities may include:
Volunteers stay in comfortable self-contained chalets overlooking the Umfurudzi river. Accommodation is shared, creating a social and collaborative environment while maintaining comfort after a day in the field. Chalets consist of:
Volunteers also have access to a swimming pool and Wi-Fi at the main office. Accommodation is provided on a single sex basis, with a maximum of 4 people sharing each chalet (x2 single beds per room).
All meals are provided during your stay, with an assortment of basic drinks supplied (alcohol can be purchased at your own request). Meals are served buffet style and include:
Breakfast – Tea & coffee
-Oats porridge
-Seasonal fruit
-Toast & preserves
Lunch – Simple light lunches are provided and vary depending on field work and excursions into the bush. Lunches include pies, sandwiches, wraps.
Dinner – Stew
– Braai
– Curry
– Rice
– Sadza (a local maize staple)
– Potatoes
-Vegetables provided as sides
-Dessert
This experience is suitable for:
No previous experience is required.
2-week experience (please contact us if you would like a longer stay). All dates are subject to availability and minimum participant numbers:
20-07-2026 – 03-08-2026
10-08-2026 – 24-08-2026
31-08-2026 – 07-09-2026
14-09-2026 – 28-09-2026
05-10-2026 – 19-10-2026
$1250 USD for a 2-week experience
(Includes airport transfer, accommodation, 3 meals a day and all activities.
Excludes flights, medical aid/insurance (mandatory), alcoholic beverages).