Africas Volunteer

Volunteer in Africa | Pathfinders

On our Big 5 wildlife safari experience, you’ll get in close proximity to Africa’s Big 5 animals – Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo.

Our big five safari will teach you about and gain hands-on experience with these powerful animals. Our experienced Pathfinders guides will share with you their knowledge of the big 5 as well as other surrounding African fauna and flora.

Get close to Africa’s Big five animals

Africa Wildlife Volunteer Adventure - Botswana

For the competitive traveller this is the chance to tick off a surprisingly high number of Africa’s must-see destinations. The dramatic waterways of the Okavango Delta offer breathtaking wildlife experiences. Chobe National Park in Botswana boasts Africa’s highest elephant population, which you will have the chance to experience by langurous boat cruise on the Chobe River. The Victoira Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and our volunteer experience in Livingstone will give you the chance to contribute to their educational heritage.

Volunteer Adventures details - Volunteering & African Wildlife in Botswana - Adventure Travel and Volunteer Safari in Botswana & Zambia

Africa Wildlife Volunteer Adventure Travel in Botswana

Day 1: As your flight prepares to land, be on the lookout for the breathtaking view of ‘Mosi oa Tunya’ – The Smoke that Thunders – this is what many call the mist that rises up from the thundering waters of the Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Land in Livingstone and welcome the warm, humid African air. Our staff will be on hand to meet you at the airport. Once you’ve settled into your accommodation you will have an afternoon orientation meeting.

Day 2-3: Livingstone Volunteer Projects. You will spend the next two days participating in the Livingstone community volunteer projects, which are facilitated by our sister organisation, African Impact. During our stay we will have the chance to interact with children and other community members while assisting in local orphanages, schools, building/refurbishment projects and local sports development initiatives.

Day 4-5: Chobe National Park, Botswana. Cross over the border a short drive from Livingstone into Botswana, and you will find Chobe National Park, one of Africa’s greatest elephant sanctuaries. En Route we will cross the mighty Zambezi River at the unique meeting point of four countries (Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana). Activities include a Chobe Game Drive and River Cruise.

Day 6: Nata. We continue South to Nata home to the unusual salt pans which are known to attract a huge variety of exotic birds. Optional activities include quad biking on the moonscape like  environment.

Days 7-10: Maun/Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is the largest freshwater wetland in Africa; in Botswana’s arid and unforgiving bush, it’s an oasis where you’ll find one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Today we travel to Maun, gateway to the world famous Okavango Delta. We will enjoy a two night Okavango Delta Safari. Boarding dugout canoes we make our way deep into the delta on the lookout for wildlife while navigating the many channels and sand bars of this wilderness water wonderland. At night we will camp on one of the many islands, sleeping under the stars.

Day 11: Palapye. Today we travel overland to Palapye. This camp in Palapye is a popular overnight stop where we can sit around the fire and exchange stories of Africa deep into the night.

Day 12: Johannesburg. Making an early start we cross into South Africa to Johannesburg for our farewell dinner.

Day 13: Depart Johannesburg

Adventure activities

The Volunteering & African Wildlife in Botswana - Adventure Travel and Volunteer Safari in Botswana & Zambia includes the following adventure activities:

The Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and volunteer experience in Livingstone

Included in your Volunteer Adventures cost

Wondering what is included in your Africa Wildlife tour? Check out the list below.

• 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 teaching materials, sports equipment, supplies, etc. as well as the development of the actual programme.
• Transfer from Livingstone Airport to the project accommodation in Livingstone and transfer to Johannesburg International Airport on departure from Africa
• Orientation and introductions to project work upon your arrival
• All daily transportation whilst on the tour, including to Chobe National Park and other safari areas
• Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day
• Assistance from various staff and project managers

Excluded from your Volunteer Adventures cost

While planning your Volunteering & African Wildlife in Botswana - Adventure Travel and Volunteer Safari in Botswana & Zambia trip, take note of the following excludes:

• Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement (expected to include cover for repatriation)
• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
• Email/Internet and telephone calls
• Soft drinks, wines and spirits
• All visas for border crossings (on extra excursions)
• Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary with us in Zambia and Botswana

Orientation & arrival

Upon your arrival in Livingstone your Pathfinders crew will give you a detailed introduction and orientation of what your Zambian and Botswana Experience entails.

Support

Throughout your Experience, you will have the full support and guidance of our coordinators and professional guides, who will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance.

Accommodation

During your stay in Livingstone you will be accommodated either in volunteer accommodation at the project base, or at a comfortable backpackers nearby in Livingstone town, depending on availability at the time. During the Botswana tour portion of the trip you will be staying in comfortable and organised tents with all equipment provided (except sleeping bags).

Meals

Meals for the Africa Wildlife Volunteer Adventures are as follows:

You will be provided with three wholesome meals a day. 
Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereals/porridge, toast, fruit, tea and coffee. Lunch and dinner are full meals, and will be cooked for you by our volunteer cook at the volunteer base

Note: Please advise us of any specific dietary requirements before you arrive! Please also remember that you will be on a rural placement during the volunteer portion of your trip, and food will be quite simple, though plentiful and nutritious.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

How to get there

Participants to arrive in Livingstone on the first Sunday of the month.

Popular search terms

Africa Wildlife, Volunteering & African Wildlife in Botswana - Adventure Travel and Volunteer Safari in Botswana & Zambia Botswana , The Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and volunteer experience in Livingstone

Volunteer in Africa | Pathfinders

Although Pathfinders expeditions run all year round, many of the expeditions we offer are weather-dependent since they take place outdoors. It is therefore useful to plan your expedition around the time of year that is most likely to be best in terms of suitable weather. Below are the main expected weather conditions throughout the year that can be expected in the countries to where we offer expeditions.

When to go to Kenya?

Kenya stretches over the equatorial belt and seasons therefore seem to merge into each other.
September-January: Summer season – Hottest temperatures in September cooling off to January
March-May: Rainy season – Hot tropical thunderstorms – humid days – warm nights
Kenya Expeditions, About Kenya, Kenya Photos

When to go to Tanzania?

Tropical climate with hot and humid weather.
Coastal areas receive rain in December, January, April, May and early June.
Inland, there is one wet season: from November to January
Tanzania Expeditions, About Tanzania, Tanzania Photos

When to go to Uganda?

Summer and winter seasons in Uganda do not have distinct differences.
Dry months: December to late February offers the driest and warmest temperatures.
June – September is dry and pleasantly warm.
Wet months: Generally March – April, and November.
Uganda Expeditions, About Uganda, Uganda Photos

When to go to Mozambique?

The best time of year to go to Mozambique is March-September when you can avoid heavy rainfall and very hot weather.
Rainfall and hottest months are from November – March (most rain falls on Southern region)
Mozambique Expeditions, About Mozambique, Mozambique Photos

When to go to Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe has a tropical inland climate that is dominated by wet and dry seasons. April through to August is generally cooler, with temperature drops in the evening and early mornings. September through to November, is hot and dry, while December until early April has hot, humid and wet weather.
Zimbabwe Expeditions, About Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Photos

When to go to Botswana?

Botswana is an arid bushveld area with large of semi desert. Because of this, weather is generally hot and dry.
November – March: Rainy season - very hot, humid weather with regular afternoon downpours
April-September: Slightly cooler weather with chilly mornings and evenings.
Botswana Expeditions, About Botswana, Botswana Photos

When to go to South Africa?

South Africa has a diverse climate which differs in each region. In the North Eastern region, the climate is typically tropical, i.e. with high temperatures and high humidity levels.
The Cape coastal region has a Mediterranean climate with high temperatures in summer (October-March) and cold and very wet winters (May-August).
Eastern coastal areas such as near Durban experience the wettest months in October and April and experience both high temperatures and high humidity.
Central/Eastern areas around Johannesburg experience warm but rainy summers. Winter sees remarkable drops in temperature during the nights and early mornings. Winter months also have pleasantly low humidity levels.
South Africa Expeditions, About South Africa, South Africa Photos

• Monday, 18 December 2006 15:56
• Source: http://www.blueventures.org
  

Survey reveals how conservation can benefit business and biodiversity

Marine protected areas may hold the key to keeping global fishing industries healthy and profitable, a new scientific study in Madagascar reveals.

The study looked at a community-run marine protected area (MPA) in southwest Madagascar that implemented seasonal fishing closures for octopus, the major economic resource for villagers in the region.  When the closed areas were reopened to fishing after seven months, the study found, the number of octopus caught by villagers increased 13 times while the total weight of octopus caught jumped 25 times.

“The increase in octopus numbers and weight was far greater than we ever expected,” said Alasdair Harris, scientific director of Blue Ventures, the marine conservation group that conducted the study. “This study shows that MPAs not only serve as a powerful conservation tool helping species thrive, but can also be a powerful economic tool helping fisheries remain productive and profitable.”

Overfishing poses a major threat to the world’s oceans, causing many economically-important marine species to disappear. Various studies have estimated that between 60 to 70 percent of the world’s fisheries are depleted or nearly depleted even as more and more people depend on fish stocks for food and livelihoods.

The study, authored by Blue Ventures scientist Frances Humber, looked at an MPA that was launched in 2004 in coordination with Blue Ventures, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the village of Andavadoaka and the IHSM, Madagascar’s principle marine institute.

The groups worked together to implement the MPA after local fishermen reported drops in their octopus catch in the wake of the arrival of international fishing companies that were collecting octopus for the global market.

The study looked at the size of octopus caught by villagers following the reopening of two closed fishing periods implemented by the MPA, the first between November 2004 and June 2005, the second between December 2005 and April 2006.

The increase in octopus catch following the opening of the second closure more than quadrupled compared to the number caught immediately before the second closure.  The weight of octopus caught after the second closure was seven times greater.

The increased size and weight of octopus catch continued for one month following the opening of the first closure and for two months following the opening of the second closure, before dropping to pre-closure levels.

“While the results of the MPA were extraordinary in the initial months, local fishermen also turned out in greater numbers on the opening day of the closures, reducing the long-term benefits,” Harris said. “This shows the need for ongoing management plans in addition to MPAs in order to reap continuing benefits.”

Harris said village leaders from Andavadoaka placed tighter restrictions on the amount of fishing following the second reopening, which resulted in longer-term benefits. Andavadoaka is still developing plans to ensure long-term benefits from future closures on octopus fishing.

African nations are increasingly becoming major suppliers of octopus to the global market.  But as international demand continues to grows, many of Africa’s octopus fisheries have peaked and are beginning to decline. For example, the artisanal fishery of Mauritania exported 9,000 tonnes of octopus in 1993, but only 4,500 tonnes in 2001, despite twice as many active boats within the fishery.

Madagascar’s fishing industry is relatively undeveloped compared to other countries in East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean region. But the country has seen a rapid increase in fisheries production and export over the last 20 years with a doubling in the number of fishers in Madagascar.

While there are growing threats from overfishing, Madagascar currently is one of the few African nations that are increasing its octopus fishery output. Between 2002 and 2003 there was a 35 percent increase in octopus exports to France.

“The success of Andavadoaka’s MPA shows there is hope that well-managed fishery practices, such as MPAs, can prevent Madagascar from suffering the damaging effects of overfishing that so many other African nations are dealing with today,” Harris said.

To see the entire study, visit http://www.blueventures.org/research/BV%20report%20Frans%20Octopus_web.pdf