Just a quick note to say that I am
having a wonderful time here. The volunteer programme
here is just what I was after – plenty of hands-on activities, working
closely with animals and helping in the conservation of a species.
There are 5 volunteers here at present (there were 7 until this morning)
but there is plenty of work for everyone. The work is varied and
enjoyable, and the staff here are very friendly.
The owner of the
park makes an
effort to speak to the volunteers and to thank them for the work they are
doing, which is really nice to hear. He also listens to volunteers’ views
and suggestions and encourages feedback on every aspect, from the work to
the food to our accommodation. I have only taken half a day off, to do
some shopping, in the 3 weeks I have been here because I enjoy the work so
much and want to make the most of my time here.
Di Hanson, Lion Project
I gained a greater confidence when working with animals and
also a greater respect for them. The best thing was meeting new people,
comparing and sharing experiences and being able to work so closely with
the lion cubs.I would definitely recommend this placement. The staff here
are very supportive and helpful. Volunteers worked well as a team and made
new volunteers feel very welcome. Facilities are excellentand extra spending money is very minimal.
A typical day would consist of the following:
6.30 feeding bottles to cubs.
7.00 activity - often lion walk
with or without clients, grooming
horses, assisting elephant training etc.
8.30 breakfast.
9.30 / 10.00 walking / horse riding / drive /
elephant ride - boundary patrol, checking fences, snare sweep, game
count, cleaning enclosures. rotated duties depending on what needed
doing. feeding small cubs and playing with them. Also canoes available
to check around the edges of the lake.
13.00 lunch
14.00 similar to morning activities.
16.00 walking cubs +/- clients.
17.00 dinner
18.00 feeding older cubs bottles, meat alternate days
Evenings usually free -
could attend on night drives if room or if someone was needed to hold
spot light. TV lounge.
Although we were
busy all the time the work was relaxed and fun. Mostly there was someone
else to work with rather than alone. It was not a problem taking time off
if wanted but most people joined in every day!
Neil Munro
Neil Munro, on his Walk with Lions placement, 2004/2005
Neil is one of our older volunteers and this email was received after he
had been on his place for a couple of weeks
My flight to Jo'burg and
Bulawayo were interesting as we flew lower than usual so could see the
ground the whole way.There was a 'to do'at J'burg when my pliers/Swiss army knife
showed up on the x-ray of my hand baggage! I
spent a night in Bulawayo so arrived here last Wednesday after an 8-10am
bus ride to Gweru where I was picked up.
By 11:30,
Cleo (a 3 month old cub) had completed my initiation with an impressive
inch and a half claw gash across the back of my right hand.(She did have reason)It's healing well
though . Lions' claws are certainly impressive -worse than their teeth
when they are young.After lunch I spoke to the
elephants then watched them swimming with guests and finally chasing a
crocodile from the lake.Amazing stuff!
I have done a boundary fence check on horse back and
the next day had a riding lesson.Now my nights are set on the Grand National in April!
Had a day trip to Great Zimbabwe Ruins with 3 girls and a guide driving
.They are fascinating structures-a fortress on huge rocks reminiscent of Edinburgh Castle and
massive stone structures.One of the
girls, Suzanne, is from Edinburgh so we
are becoming good friends ... Iam by far the oldest volunteer,the next
one,A.P(for Accident
Prone)is 35.They are all good fun and we get
along well.The guides,administrators and staff are all super and easy to get on with.Bobbie (male)the head
guide is amazing with the lions and was teaching me today to bond with 4
lions about 1 year old - 2M,2F & about the height of big Alsatian dogs,
but with much bigger heads,legs and paws.Iam losing my apprehension as
I am working with them and indeed have some
confidence now.
It is amazing to cuff alion across the nose or paw and have it lower and back off.Our hands equate to their teeth and claws.I hope always to follow the rules and avoid damage.
I spend most time with 6 week old quads who don't see properly yet nor
co-ordinate too well.They
are very sweet.Also Casper and Cleo,
who are 3 months &also still bottle fed.These two are devoted to each other,
having lost 3 siblings.This devotion is
touching but is making it difficult to bond with them.I hope I am making progress,
though.
So it's all go and most of the nights I am in
bed early then up at 5:30 or 6am.I am beginning to adjust to the heat and altitude(3000 feet)so the daily exhaustion is
easing off.Iam
trying to phone but either getting 'no reception'or BANNED, so the mobile is US.The phone lines here at the camp seldom work,hence my need of help from the ladies up the hill.Electricity also shuts off fairly often but that is more fun than
anything.
Everything is great,food,accommodation,laundry,
with mostly comfortable temperatures.It
is hot for a couple of hours a day but that is easy to bear.Everyone is waiting for rain so that will be interesting.I will try to get to Gweru soon to see what is on the go there.
Never has so much been crammed into 7 days.It
is certainly hard to believe.I will try to
report again soon.
.
+44 01903 502595
