3 independent reviews for Malawi wildlife sanctuary volunteering holiday
Reviews for Malawi wildlife sanctuary volunteering holiday
Caroline Sweeting review 30 Apr 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hand feeding the baby animals.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring high strength insect repellent and wear long trousers as a couple of us got badly bitten.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The project provider employs a lot of local people and engages with local schools through visits to the centre. Their rehabilitation of rescued animals supports conservation, but I think their waste management could do with improving to reduce environmental impacts.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Good experience with a variety of tasks related to animal husbandry, rehabilitation and conservation.Chris Wade review 2 Jul 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Waking up to the monkeys chattering in the morning, hanging out with the animal carers, I went to the lake for a weekend too, which was awesome fun.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just do it, you won't regret it! You're part of a working sanctuary, so be aware that you won't just be cuddling animals all day, but if you love wildlife then you'll want to see all the animals get back into the wild, and being a part of that process is really fulfilling.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. I was only there for a short time and worked only on animal care in the end, by my own choice. But you really feel part of the team and the bigger picture e.g. fighting ivory trafficking which is a big story for Malawi at the moment. It seems that the charity is very well respected and making a big impact overall so I felt honoured to be a part of it.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Definitely a working holiday, but it certainly beats lying on the beach all day and lifelong memories! I shall be back!Kat Wendels review 24 Mar 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Great from start to finish - the staff, the country, the project, the work - I was sad to leave and hope to go back. I went for the animal work which I really enjoyed but an unexpected highlight of the trip was getting out into the community to see one of their fuel briquette projects.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I still enjoyed my short stay but go for longer if you can. They have rules on working with some of the orphans who are more sensitive and this work is reserved for longer term volunteers. You can also get involved in more of the wider charity work that way.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely. As a volunteer you tend to focus on the rescue and rehabilitation work, but it was great to hear about everything else the charity is doing and feel that you are contributing to the bigger picture.They run the only wildlife sanctuary in the country as well as the government's wildlife emergency response unit so they're doing a lot to help wild animals in need. I also learnt about all their work with the government on things like setting up a new wildlife crime investigations unit and updating the wildlife act. I only saw a bit of the education work but what I did was very encouraging, the kids loved it and the educators were really passionate.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
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