Malawi
Volunteers spend 2 weeks at the wildlife centre caring for rescued animals, then 2 – 10 weeks on the monkey research project.
Taking a scientific approach to the domain of conservation management, this Wildlife Reserve is home to Ocean 2 Earth Volunteer’s Primate Bush Academy, at the heart of primate conservation. Originally established in 2013 in the National Park, our team tracks the progress of rescued yellow baboons and vervet monkeys through a comprehensive census – the first and only of its kind anywhere in the world. By applying your skills and acumen to this venture, you will be making a tangible contribution to these endangered species as you enjoy the experience of a lifetime. The project is proudly partnered with the Department of National Parks & Wildlife.
There are 4 key domains in which volunteers contribute:
*Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation
*Education and Community Outreach
*Communications and Campaigns
*Research
The site in particular focuses on the domain of research. Volunteers will obtain an up close and personal view of the yellow baboons and vervet monkeys both before and after reintroduction into the wild. Following on from the Primate Reintroduction Program, your endeavours will help Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers gauge the success of those species rescued and rehabilitated from the Wildlife Centre, informing practices and guidelines regarding future captures.
The project helps to form part of the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA), a key international migratory habitat connecting both countries across a landmass of 30,621km2. Without boots on the ground, researches lose vital data to monitor gene flow patterns that can have an incredibly detrimental long-term affect.
No two days in the Northern District will be exactly alike. Whether you arrive as a volunteer or a student, you will embark on any number of the following activities:
*Population census surveys using standardised foot transects
*Individual identification (based on age and sex classes)
*Behavioural observations (seasonal)
*Radio telemetry and GPS use (seasonal)
*Habitat assessments using vegetation surveys
*Behavioural observations (feeding, group composition etc)
*Learning about the surrounding plant and animal ecology
*Gaining field experience with an expert team Data entry and GIS (using QGIS)
Minimum age requirement is 18 years of age.
*Enthusiasm for environmental conservation
*Great work ethic
*Willingness to learn
*Ability to work within a team environment
*Ability to work in a remote area
*Capacity to translate newly acquired skills across to others
*Previous conservation experience helpful Enthusiasm for the project.
While the luxurious and exotic surrounds of Africa will provide an experience you will never forget, there are some obvious challenges that some volunteers will encounter. Removed from a comfortable first world environment, volunteers can be confronted by the state of some of the animals in the park given their circumstances. Those that arrive in the warmer months will also be exposed to a hot and unforgiving climate, making it imperative to come prepared.
All year.
Volunteers work 2 shifts a day, morning and early evening with the afternoon to relax.
Working hours vary depending on the animals at the reserve at the time. A standard day will run from 8am to 5pm, but some times may change depending upon the species of animal being monitored.
A long-term research camp is located on the edge of Lake Kazuni, close to the main gate of the park. Volunteers and students will stay within the research camp in large shared tents. The ablutions block in the camp comes complete with a dining and lounge area with a kitchen. Water is provided daily from a borehole tap situated across the road as well as a long-drop toiler and bucket showers.
Visitors have access to a teaching space, office, storage space and lab for education and research purposes.
Breakfast supplies are available to all volunteers. Meals are cooked by our local chef each day except on Sunday when extra food is given to our dedicated volunteers. The vegetarian menu catered by chef Joseph is a mix of local and international cuisine, but we are flexible enough to cater to most dietary requirements. Visitors are welcome to bring their own meats or other luxuries if they wish.
From AUD $132 a day
| Duration | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks | $4715 |
| 5 weeks | $5440 |
| 6 weeks | $6105 |
| 7 weeks | $6750 |
| 8 weeks | $7345 |
| More than 8 weeks | Price on application |
What’s included:
- Pre departure support
- Project Information Pack
- Return airport transfers
- Accommodation
- Meals, tea/coffee and bottled water
- Orientation & training
- Local SIM card
- O2E t-shirt (if travelling from Australia)
- 24 hour in country support
- 24 hour O2E emergency phone
- Certificate of participation, if requested
*Please note some items are not included in the project fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country tours and return airport transfer (unless mentioned above). Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the O2E Volunteers Terms and Conditions.
Alisha G.
United States
"The staff there were always cheerful and helpful.
I really, really appreciate what they are doing and
how going there has helped me view conservation and
my future career goals. "
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