Volunteer Support Info...

Three week to three month volunteer experiences available to those with a passion for wildlife.

Background to the Project

In June 2006, Land and Lake Safaris was awarded the concession for Zone B, a 90 hectare portion of land within the Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary. Land and Lake Safaris in conjunction with many local and International organisations, embassies and companies, is currently developing a facility that will provide a haven for the countries orphaned and injured animals. In addition to a modern day rehabilitation and education facility, the new Centre shall offer a 60 hectare Wilderness Zone, in which animals unable to be returned to the wild can be released. And we need your help!!

What will volunteers be involved in?

Volunteers shall be given the opportunity of getting involved in a variety of activities at the new Sanctuary, activities that will include the rehabilitating of orphaned and injured animals, designing and constructing of animals enclosures, plant and animal inventories of the Wilderness Zone, producing educational material for the Centre and Wilderness Zone, fund-raising, fence monitoring and training. Volunteers shall also be involved in the feeding and veterinary care of a small number of animals that remain in the Lilongwe Zoo, including hyena, leopard and primates. The Zoo can literally be found across the road from the new Sanctuary. In time, it is hoped that these animals can enjoy the freedom of the new Sanctuary rather than the cells in which they are currently kept in. Every new day offers volunteers a new and exciting challenge. Get in touch using the details on the Contact Us page for for information.

Visas

No Visas are required to enter Malawi for British Nationals. On arrival please state that you are visiting Malawi as a TOURIST and that you will be staying at the Sanctuary Campsite. There is nothing illegal about this, it is just easier this way. They will give you a one month tourist visa, which can be extended free of charge up until three months.

Flights

If you are coming from the UK, or even through Heathrow airport from some other destination, you may want to look at the following routes.

• South African Airways - via Johannesburg
• Kenya Airways - via Nairobi
• Ethiopian - via Addis Ababa

US$30 is required at the airport on departure from Lilongwe. Air Malawi are in the process of taking direct flights so you may want to check them out as well.

What your contribution includes

Your financial contribution, of which 100% is used to help develop the new Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, includes accommodation and all in-country transport to and from the airport and to your additional excursions. It excludes food and drink which you should budget at between US$ 50-100 / week, depending upon how much you drink!! Accommodation at the Centre will be in traditional up-market Safari Tents as of 2007….at a house in town up until then.

Important Equipment

Basic equipment needed includes sleeping bag, good comfortable walking boots and mosquito net. You may need a waterproof jacket if you are coming in the rainy season, which is late November to early March and a warm fleece for May-August. Other than that, appropriate clothes for the time of year.

Money – what currency to bring

How you chose to bring money is completely up to you and there are “Pros” and “Cons” to each. Travelers cheques are sometimes harder to change, usually a charge is involved and you get a lower exchange rate, however, they are safe. Dollars and Pounds are both ok. If bringing dollars please make sure they are dated past 1999 otherwise we (as in banks) cannot accept them here.

Credit cards are an excellent option – make sure it is a Visa! This in my opinion is your best option, although you can only withdraw kwacha. Previous volunteers have had major problems withdrawing cash on Mastercards. There are many ATM machines in the city, it is therefore easy to withdraw money on a visa card.

So, I would say bring the volunteer payment in post-1999 dollar (large head) notes, and then US$ in cash and then a credit card for your upkeep. PLEASE NOTE: US$ 20, 10, 5 and 1’s get a lower exchange rate than 50’s and 100’s so keep that in mind.

Security within Malawi

Malawi, in particular Lilongwe, is friendly and inviting. There is very little violence and thefts are petty, i.e. pickpockets, so it is important that volunteers be careful when walking around town.

Malarial prophylaxis and additional vaccination requirements

Please seek medical advice from your local practitioner. Rabies and Tetanus are a must when working with animals. Yellow fever certificates can be arranged here with getting the injection as although it is not recommended by Doctors you will require it if you want to go on the S. Luangwa trip.

Insurance

Full medical Insurance is advised and it is important that you mention that you are working with animals. One contact for you to look at on this is ace.traveluk@ace-ina.com. £39 for three weeks all inclusive and covers you for working with animals. Longer insurance periods can be arranged.

Some useful e-mail addresses of previous volunteers

Travel documents

You will need to provide a copy of your passport and insurance details on arrival at the Lilongwe Sanctuary, in case there are any problems during your stay with us.

Night-life

Lilongwe is a quiet African city but which is nice in many respects. The Wildlife Center is in the centre of town and so is easy to move around the bars and restaurants.

Cell phones and internet

Cell phone sim cards can be bought on arrival and used in un-blocked phones only. Internet is readily available in Internet cafes and limited time will be given to volunteers in the Centre’s Office.

Postal address

Lilongwe Sanctuary Project
Land and Lake Safaris
P.O. Box 2140
Lilongwe

Further Reading on Malawi

Lonely Planet (Malawi) or Bradt’s guide to Malawi.

PLEASE NOTE: - Our project is based within the Nature Sanctuary following the signing of an agreement between the new Trust and National Parks. The existing zoo that the above guides talk about is now closed. The next versions of guides will tell the true story regarding the development of the new Centre, the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre

If you have any further questions, please send us an email

Lilongwe Wildlife Centre - Volunteer contributions