Malawi (Sanctuary Placement & Research Placement)
Location
Malawi
Ideal Duration
2-13 weeks
Start of Program
Mondays
About the Program
We offer 2 programmes in Malawi - Volunteers can choose both / each
1) Sanctuary Placement
2) Research Placement
Sanctuary Placement
This hands-on wildlife rehabilitation program takes place at one of Malawi's leading rescue and rehabilitation centres, recognised for its ethical approach to animal care, rescue, and release. The centre works closely with Malawian and international conservation specialists and follows a strict hands-off philosophy to give animals the best possible chance of returning to the wild. In the past year alone, 94 animals were rescued and 48 were successfully rehabilitated and released.
Program overview
This program focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation, and long-term care of injured, orphaned, and confiscated wildlife. Volunteers work mainly with birds, reptiles, primates, hyenas, small carnivores, and other wildlife affected by injury, abandonment, illegal trade, or human-wildlife conflict.
What volunteers will do
Volunteers play an important role in the daily running of the wildlife centre and may assist with:
Preparing food and feeding schedules
Cleaning and maintaining enclosures
Creating enrichment activities for animals
Observing animal behaviour and welfare
Recording animal data and monitoring progress
Supporting orphan care when required
Assisting with general sanctuary maintenance and welfare support
This is a physically active program involving early mornings, outdoor work, and practical tasks in varying weather conditions.
Accommodation & meals
Volunteers stay at the wildlife centre in shared but comfortable accommodation with communal living areas, kitchen facilities, laundry areas, and outdoor social spaces. Wildlife is often present nearby, creating a truly immersive conservation experience.
Meals are provided Monday to Saturday, with volunteers preparing their own meals on Sundays using ingredients supplied by the project. Most dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Program duration
Minimum stay: 2 weeks
Maximum stay: 12 weeks
Arrival day: Monday only
Airport transfers are arranged from the designated arrival airport
For volunteers wishing to combine this placement with the Liwonde National Park program, a minimum stay of 3 weeks is recommended.
What's included
Accommodation
Meals – chef cooks Sunday to Friday; volunteers cook on Saturdays with provided ingredients
Airport transfers
Orientation and training
Daily project supervision
Transport for project activities
Local SIM card
Volunteer T-shirt
What's not included
International and domestic flights
Visa costs
Vaccinations and medical requirements
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Optional excursions
Requirements
Minimum age: 18 years
Basic English communication skills
No formal qualifications required
Travel insurance required before arrival
TB test (skin/Mantoux, blood test, or X-ray), rabies vaccination, and malaria prophylaxis are mandatory
Program costs
Duration | Cost |
|---|---|
2 weeks | £1,500 |
3 weeks | £1,942 |
4 weeks | £2,445 |
6 weeks | £3,155 |
8 weeks | £3,769 |
10 weeks | £4,287 |
12 weeks | £4,744 |
We offer 2 programmes in Malawi - Volunteers can choose both / each
1) Sanctuary Placement
2) Research Placement
Sanctuary Placement
This hands-on wildlife rehabilitation program takes place at one of Malawi's leading rescue and rehabilitation centres, recognised for its ethical approach to animal care, rescue, and release. The centre works closely with Malawian and international conservation specialists and follows a strict hands-off philosophy to give animals the best possible chance of returning to the wild. In the past year alone, 94 animals were rescued and 48 were successfully rehabilitated and released.
Program overview
This program focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation, and long-term care of injured, orphaned, and confiscated wildlife. Volunteers work mainly with birds, reptiles, primates, hyenas, small carnivores, and other wildlife affected by injury, abandonment, illegal trade, or human-wildlife conflict.
What volunteers will do
Volunteers play an important role in the daily running of the wildlife centre and may assist with:
Preparing food and feeding schedules
Cleaning and maintaining enclosures
Creating enrichment activities for animals
Observing animal behaviour and welfare
Recording animal data and monitoring progress
Supporting orphan care when required
Assisting with general sanctuary maintenance and welfare support
This is a physically active program involving early mornings, outdoor work, and practical tasks in varying weather conditions.
Accommodation & meals
Volunteers stay at the wildlife centre in shared but comfortable accommodation with communal living areas, kitchen facilities, laundry areas, and outdoor social spaces. Wildlife is often present nearby, creating a truly immersive conservation experience.
Meals are provided Monday to Saturday, with volunteers preparing their own meals on Sundays using ingredients supplied by the project. Most dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Program duration
Minimum stay: 2 weeks
Maximum stay: 12 weeks
Arrival day: Monday only
Airport transfers are arranged from the designated arrival airport
For volunteers wishing to combine this placement with the Liwonde National Park program, a minimum stay of 3 weeks is recommended.
What's included
Accommodation
Meals – chef cooks Sunday to Friday; volunteers cook on Saturdays with provided ingredients
Airport transfers
Orientation and training
Daily project supervision
Transport for project activities
Local SIM card
Volunteer T-shirt
What's not included
International and domestic flights
Visa costs
Vaccinations and medical requirements
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Optional excursions
Requirements
Minimum age: 18 years
Basic English communication skills
No formal qualifications required
Travel insurance required before arrival
TB test (skin/Mantoux, blood test, or X-ray), rabies vaccination, and malaria prophylaxis are mandatory
Program costs
Duration | Cost |
|---|---|
2 weeks | £1,500 |
3 weeks | £1,942 |
4 weeks | £2,445 |
6 weeks | £3,155 |
8 weeks | £3,769 |
10 weeks | £4,287 |
12 weeks | £4,744 |
Details
Research Placement
This field-based conservation program takes place in a remote national park environment and focuses on larger wildlife species, conservation research, and ecological monitoring. Volunteers support ongoing fieldwork while experiencing life in one of Malawi's most important protected areas. The program follows a strict hands-off approach, ensuring wildlife welfare remains the priority.
Program overview
This placement is designed for volunteers interested in wildlife tracking, ecological research, and conservation fieldwork. The focus is on monitoring larger species and collecting valuable data to support conservation efforts within the park.|
What volunteers will do
Volunteers may assist with:
Wildlife tracking and monitoring
Radio tracking using specialised equipment
Recording sightings and ecological data
Monitoring camera traps
Wildlife identification and reporting
Supporting data entry and basic analysis
Behavioural observation of larger animals
Fieldwork takes place in remote environments and requires long periods outdoors, travel over uneven terrain, and extended time in vehicles.
Accommodation & meals
Accommodation in the national park is more basic and remote than at the wildlife centre, creating a more immersive wilderness experience. Volunteers stay in shared accommodation with communal living spaces, kitchen facilities, laundry areas, and outdoor social areas.
Meals are provided by a chef 2 days a week, while volunteers prepare their own meals during the rest of the week using ingredients supplied by the project. Due to the remote location, food variety may be more limited than in urban areas.
Program duration
Minimum stay: 2 weeks
Maximum stay: 12 weeks
Arrival day: Monday only
Airport transfers are arranged from the designated arrival airport
For volunteers wanting to combine this placement with the Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Program, a minimum stay of 3 weeks is recommended.
What's included
Accommodation
Meals
Airport transfers
Orientation and training
Daily project supervision
Transport for project activities
Local SIM card
Volunteer T-shirt
What's not included
International and domestic flights
Visa costs
Vaccinations and medical requirements
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Optional excursions
Requirements
Minimum age: 18 years
Basic English communication skills
No formal qualifications required
Travel insurance required before arrival
TB test (skin/Mantoux, blood test, or X-ray), rabies vaccination, and malaria prophylaxis are mandatory
Program costs
Duration | Cost |
|---|---|
2 weeks | £1,500 |
3 weeks | £1,942 |
4 weeks | £2,445 |
6 weeks | £3,155 |
8 weeks | £3,769 |
10 weeks | £4,287 |
12 weeks | £4,744 |
Research Placement
This field-based conservation program takes place in a remote national park environment and focuses on larger wildlife species, conservation research, and ecological monitoring. Volunteers support ongoing fieldwork while experiencing life in one of Malawi's most important protected areas. The program follows a strict hands-off approach, ensuring wildlife welfare remains the priority.
Program overview
This placement is designed for volunteers interested in wildlife tracking, ecological research, and conservation fieldwork. The focus is on monitoring larger species and collecting valuable data to support conservation efforts within the park.|
What volunteers will do
Volunteers may assist with:
Wildlife tracking and monitoring
Radio tracking using specialised equipment
Recording sightings and ecological data
Monitoring camera traps
Wildlife identification and reporting
Supporting data entry and basic analysis
Behavioural observation of larger animals
Fieldwork takes place in remote environments and requires long periods outdoors, travel over uneven terrain, and extended time in vehicles.
Accommodation & meals
Accommodation in the national park is more basic and remote than at the wildlife centre, creating a more immersive wilderness experience. Volunteers stay in shared accommodation with communal living spaces, kitchen facilities, laundry areas, and outdoor social areas.
Meals are provided by a chef 2 days a week, while volunteers prepare their own meals during the rest of the week using ingredients supplied by the project. Due to the remote location, food variety may be more limited than in urban areas.
Program duration
Minimum stay: 2 weeks
Maximum stay: 12 weeks
Arrival day: Monday only
Airport transfers are arranged from the designated arrival airport
For volunteers wanting to combine this placement with the Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Program, a minimum stay of 3 weeks is recommended.
What's included
Accommodation
Meals
Airport transfers
Orientation and training
Daily project supervision
Transport for project activities
Local SIM card
Volunteer T-shirt
What's not included
International and domestic flights
Visa costs
Vaccinations and medical requirements
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Optional excursions
Requirements
Minimum age: 18 years
Basic English communication skills
No formal qualifications required
Travel insurance required before arrival
TB test (skin/Mantoux, blood test, or X-ray), rabies vaccination, and malaria prophylaxis are mandatory
Program costs
Duration | Cost |
|---|---|
2 weeks | £1,500 |
3 weeks | £1,942 |
4 weeks | £2,445 |
6 weeks | £3,155 |
8 weeks | £3,769 |
10 weeks | £4,287 |
12 weeks | £4,744 |
