Hands-on Lion Rehabilitation & Release Programme, Livingstone Zambia

Experience incredible hands-on work with lions in their natural environment. Contribute to the welfare and rehabilitation of the cubs as they undertake pre-release training in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park; take part in a research program to better understand the ecology of elephants in the Park and join our conservation education and community programs to involve communities in conservation as part of our holistic approach.

Enjoy time spent walking with the lions along the banks of the mighty and beautiful Zambezi river, with the potential of witnessing them chasing down game in the National Park as well as getting involved in important tasks related to the conservation and preservation of this noble beast.

The highlights

• Walk alongside lions as part of the pride and enjoy the exhilaration of being part of a hunt as the young cubs learn to stalk their prey
• Work on the world’s leading programme for the release of lions back into the wild
• Experience the African bush in a very special way as you spend time out in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. You will be actively involved in a number of conservation activities
• Join the conservation education team in local schools giving you a wonderful insight into the community, as well as giving you a chance to help save the future of the Zambian environment by educating the local children
• Immerse yourself in local Zambian culture
• Enjoy the many adventure activities available from white water rafting on the mighty Zambezi River; bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge or taking to the air for a helicopter flight over the Falls giving a bird’s eye view of this natural wonder
• Take advantage of optional trips to see more of the areas spectacular wildlife areas in neighbouring Botswana or Zimbabwe including the enormous Hwange National Park, Chobe National Park, the chance to walk with rhino at Matopos National Park and visit the lion rehabilitation programme’s breeding base at Antelope Park
• You have the option to spend a night on our very own island in the centre of the Zambezi River and wake to the sounds of hippos
• Make friends for life with the other international volunteers on the programme

What's included

• Project Fee: This entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as food for lions, management and maintenance of parks infrastructure, and the development of the lion breeding and rehabilitation programme
• All transfers to and from Livingstone Airport upon your arrival and departure
• Assistance in your projects by various trained guides, ecologists and field staff during your stay
• Any wildlife education talks that take place during your stay and that you might wish to partake in
• Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day and unlimited tea, coffee and juice throughout the day
• Laundry service during your stay and the service of a cleaner to attend to your room each day

Where will I sleep?

You will be staying at our volunteer house in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park a stone’s throw from the lion enclosures and the mighty Zambezi River. Rooming will be sharing with up to 3 others although we try and make sure you do not share a room with more than 2 other volunteers. We can also arrange for couples or groups of friends to share rooms. The accommodation is simple but comfortable and completely suited to your needs.

Unless you happen to take a packed breakfast into the park on a long lion walk, will be served at the house and are prepared by our chefs. The house has running hot and cold water and electricity although this is Africa so there are occasional lapses of both!