• Address real community needs (defined by the community)
• Use volunteers with relevant skills
• Prioritize local employment
• Have long-term presence and commitment
• Transparent about finances
• Don’t displace local workers
• Measure and share impact

• Large fees with unclear benefit to community
• Short-term orphanage or childcare placements
• Direct animal contact with wildlife
• No skills required for skilled work
• “Feel-good” focus over actual impact
• Founded/run entirely by foreigners
• No local staff in leadership
• Vague about outcomes

• Creates demand for children to be in institutions
• Attachment issues from rotating caregivers
• Children kept in orphanages unnecessarily
• Often exploitative
• Avoid all orphanage volunteering

• “Cub petting” often feeds canned hunting industry
• Walking with lions is not conservation
• Wild animals should remain wild
• Rehabilitation centers don’t need unqualified help
• Avoid programs with direct wild animal contact

• Building projects by unskilled volunteers may be poor quality
• Takes jobs from local workers
• Creates dependency
• May be demolished and rebuilt for next group
• Question whether your skills are actually needed

• Apply your professional skills
• Support local organizations
• Consider donating money instead
• Short visits rarely help—commit longer if volunteering

• Location: Hwange area
• Focus: African wild dog conservation
• Opportunities: Long-term volunteers with relevant skills
• What they need: Vets, researchers, educators
• Website: painteddog.org

• Location: Victoria Falls
• Focus: Wildlife rescue, research, education
• Opportunities: Veterinary professionals, researchers
• What they need: Skilled volunteers, longer commitments
• Website: vicfallswildlifetrust.org

• Location: Lowveld
• Focus: Rhino conservation, wildlife management
• Opportunities: Research assistance
• What they need: Relevant qualifications

• Location: Near Harare
• Focus: Black rhino conservation
• Opportunities: Limited volunteer positions
• What they need: Specific skills, longer commitments

• Data collection
• Camera trap maintenance
• Research assistance
• Anti-poaching support (administrative)
• Community education
• Not: Petting animals, walking with predators

• Teacher training (if you’re a qualified teacher)
• School infrastructure (if you’re a skilled builder)
• Educational material development
• Scholarship fund administration

• Medical missions (qualified professionals only)
• Health education (with training)
• Infrastructure support

• Business mentoring (if you have relevant experience)
• Agricultural training (with expertise)
• Skills transfer programs

• Research organizations with long-term presence
• Look for local leadership
• Check for measurable outcomes
• Ask hard questions about impact
• Consider longer commitments (3+ months)

• Who leads the organization locally?
• How are projects determined?
• What happens when volunteers leave?
• Can you share outcome data?
• Why can’t this be done by locals?

• Wildlife surveys
• Biodiversity monitoring
• Conservation research
• Archaeological fieldwork

• University partnerships
• Conservation organizations
• Research institutions

• Often require relevant degree
• Longer-term commitment
• May involve fees for participation
• Actual contribution to science

• Elephant research projects
• Bird surveys (BirdLife Zimbabwe)
• Vegetation monitoring
• Climate research

• Contact Zimbabwean organizations directly
• Check their websites for volunteer pages
• Be patient—they may not respond quickly

• Study abroad with volunteer component
• Research partnerships
• Academic exchanges

• VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas)
• Peace Corps (US citizens)
• Australian Volunteers International
• Skillshare opportunities

• Generic “volunteer abroad” agencies with high fees
• Programs that promise animal contact
• Very short programs (1-2 weeks rarely help)
• Organizations that can’t explain where money goes

• How long have you operated in Zimbabwe?
• Who are your local partners/staff?
• What are your measurable outcomes?
• Can you provide references from past volunteers?
• Where does my fee go? (detailed breakdown)

• Why can’t a local person do this job?
• What specific skills do you need?
• What training will I receive?
• What’s the minimum time commitment?
• Who will supervise me?

• How do you measure success?
• What happens when I leave?
• How does this benefit the community/wildlife?
• What’s your long-term plan?

• Vague answers
• Defensive reactions
• No local staff mentioned
• Can’t provide references
• Unclear finances

• Tourist visa doesn’t allow paid work
• Volunteer work is a gray area
• Long-term may need different visa
• Check with immigration

• Many programs charge fees
• Understand what’s covered
• Budget for personal expenses
• Travel and insurance additional

• Travel insurance essential
• Vaccinations required
• Remote locations may lack medical facilities
• Mental health support important

• Learn about Zimbabwean culture
• Basic Shona phrases helpful
• Manage expectations
• Prepare for culture shock

• Short visits (1-2 weeks): Limited impact
• Medium (1-3 months): Can contribute
• Long-term (6+ months): Most meaningful

• Direct to established organizations
• They know how to use it best
• Funds local employment
• No travel footprint
• Can give ongoing

• Tourism employs thousands
• Choose community-owned lodges
• Support local businesses
• Tip generously
• Buy local crafts

• Share Zimbabwe’s story positively
• Counter negative stereotypes
• Encourage others to visit
• Support conservation causes

• Remote consulting
• Pro bono professional services
• Board membership (long-term)
• Fundraising from home

• Sponsor students
• Fund teacher training
• Support school resources
• Scholarships

• Lodge and camp employment
• Guide income and tips
• Conservation fees
• Community levy payments
• Local business support
• Park management funding

• Choose lodges with community partnerships
• Book directly or through local agents
• Tip generously (see tipping guide)
• Buy from local artisans
• Respect environment and culture
• Share positive experiences

• Focus: African wild dog research and conservation
• Location: Hwange area
• Volunteer needs: Long-term, skilled volunteers
• Contact: Through website
• Website: painteddog.org

• Focus: Wildlife rescue, research, education
• Location: Victoria Falls
• Volunteer needs: Vets, researchers, longer-term
• Website: vicfallswildlifetrust.org

• Focus: Conservation leadership training
• Location: Various
• Volunteer needs: Professional mentors
• Website: tashinga.org

• Focus: National park management
• Volunteer opportunities: Limited, specific projects
• Contact: Through official channels

• Specific skills (veterinary, research, education)
• Longer-term commitment
• Financial self-sufficiency
• Flexibility and resilience

• Research organizations operating in Zimbabwe
• Look for established track record
• Check for Zimbabwean leadership
• Verify registration/legitimacy

• Health organizations
• Educational charities
• Women’s empowerment
• Agricultural development
• Skills training

• Research thoroughly
• Ask hard questions
• Start with donations
• Build relationship first
• Consider if volunteering adds value

• Research Zimbabwe thoroughly
• Learn about the organization’s work
• Get appropriate training
• Arrange proper insurance
• Prepare mentally for challenges
• Learn some Shona
• Understand your role clearly

• See travel doctor
• Get vaccinations
• Arrange medications
• Understand medical access
• Have evacuation insurance

• You’re there to help, not lead
• Listen more than speak
• Expect challenges
• Be flexible
• It’s not about you

• Follow local leadership
• Complete your commitment
• Be reliable and consistent
• Learn continuously
• Share skills genuinely
• Document and report
• Stay in your lane

• Respect local customs (see customs guide)
• Dress appropriately
• Learn greetings
• Be patient
• Don’t assume you know better
• Build genuine relationships

• Maintain boundaries
• Stay healthy
• Connect with other volunteers
• Take breaks
• Process experiences

• Stay connected with organization
• Share their work (not your photos of yourself)
• Continue supporting financially
• Don’t exaggerate your impact
• Advocate for causes
• Encourage others appropriately
• Reflect honestly on experience

• Research organizations thoroughly
• Apply relevant skills you have
• Commit for meaningful duration
• Support local leadership
• Consider alternatives (donating, responsible tourism)
• Ask hard questions before committing
• Approach with humility

• Volunteer at orphanages
• Seek direct wildlife contact
• Do work locals could do
• Prioritize your experience over impact
• Volunteer for very short periods
• Ignore red flags
• Assume you know best

Help us connect you with legitimate, ethical volunteer opportunities in Zimbabwe. Your information helps us understand your background and match you with meaningful programs.