Pre-Vet Program - Zimbabwe | Veterinary & Conservation Experiences

Volunteer in our two-week, pre-veterinary focused itinerary at one of Africa’s longest-running wildlife sanctuaries and rescue centers. This itinerary is designed to integrate pre-vet educational activities into the wildlife volunteer work throughout your experience. This special program emphasizes hands-on experiences in pre-veterinary care and education, allowing volunteers to work closely with a diverse range of animals, from monkeys to lions. Immerse yourself in Zimbabwe’s natural beauty, contributing positively to the delicate African ecosystem while gaining an invaluable introduction into the Pre-Vet Wildlife World.

Program Highlights:

Participate hands on in pre-veterinary focused activities
Suitable for students with or without experience
Provide care for injured wildlife that cannot be released into the wild and assist with releases whenever possible
Ethical wildlife interactions and volunteer tasks

‍

Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):

Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Bulawayo Airport (BUQ). You will be picked up by the local team and taken to your accommodation in Bulawayo. If you arrive on an early flight, you will be taken on a tour of the Orphanage after settling in, otherwise you will have the opportunity to rest and then meet the rest of the crew at dinner.

Days 1-2, Sunday-Monday: You will typically have Sunday afternoon and Monday off to rest, explore and enjoy your Zimbabwean experience. Mondays feature a trip into the town of Bulawayo for any personal shopping, eating out at local restaurants, a museum visit or any other group activity agreed upon by the group of volunteers there at the time.

Days 3-7: Tuesday-Saturday: Expect to dedicate around seven hours daily to volunteering. Your day will typically include engaging in the sanctuary’s routine activities, such as feeding the animals and tidying their enclosures in the morning. Before lunch, you’ll have the opportunity for ‘Animal Time’ to bond with and learn about the birds and animals. Afternoon tasks then pick up where the morning left off. It’s important to be aware that during fire season and when there are young animals at the sanctuary, you’ll need to be available on call. However, the responsibility of caring for the babies overnight will be divided among volunteers, so you won’t be required to stay awake all night. Pre-veterinary activities are woven into your daily schedule, potentially involving shadowing during medical examinations, administering necessary medications or treatments, assisting in sedating animals for medical procedures, supporting ultrasounds, participating in micro-chipping, and helping with the capture and release of wildlife, among other tasks.

Remaining Weeks: The pre-vet activities are planned within designated 2 week period throughout the year (see below start dates). Pre-vet volunteers are encouraged to extend their stay for 3 or more weeks to have a chance to participate fully in the volunteer program afterwards. If you stay 4 weeks you’ll have the opportunity to join the Rhino Conservation Educational excursion day which would be included in your 4 week program fee only. Departures are on a Sunday.

Stay for four weeks with the Rhino Conservation Excursion! All new applicants for 4 weeks will have included in their program a captivating Rhino Conservation Walking Safari tour in the Matobos National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the vital issues surrounding the endangered White and Black Rhino species in Africa during a dedicated day of education. This must-see conservation tour offers valuable insights, with only about 600 black rhinos and 400 white rhinos left in Zimbabwe. Learn about the challenges these magnificent creatures face and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting these iconic species in the region.

‍

Start Dates:

This program runs for 2-week periods on set dates throughout the year. // 2026: June 21st - July 5th // 2027: 17th - 31st January / 20th June - 4th July / 28th November - 12 December // Spots are limited. We recommend booking in advance to save your spot.

Program Fees:

from Jan 01, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026

Duration / Program Fee (USD)

2 weeks: $ 1,750

3 weeks: $ 2,590

4 weeks: $ 3,290

5 weeks: $ 3,990

6 weeks: $ 4,690

7 weeks: $ 5,390

8 weeks: $ 6,090

Program Fees:

from Jan 01, 2027 to Dec 31, 2027

Duration / Program Fee (USD)
‍
2 weeks: $ 1,850
‍
3 weeks: $ 2,720

4 weeks: $ 3,450

5 weeks: $ 4,180

6 weeks: $ 4,910

7 weeks: $ 5,640

8 weeks: $ 6,370

9 weeks: $ 7,100

10 weeks $ 7,830

11 weeks: $ 8,560

12 weeks: $ 9,290

‍

Accommodations: Includes shared housing in cabins

Food: Three meals per day are provided

Airport Transfers: Airport pickup and airport drop off is included included

Orientation: Participants attend a pre-arrival video meeting with the local coordinator and receive comprehensive training and introductions during the on-site orientation.

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights, entry visa (between $50-$100 USD depending on nationality), travel health insurance, personal expenses, expenses for all excursions. *You will need a double-entry visa if you plan to visit Zambia.

‍