Aufnahme von drei hintereinander laufenden Elefanten im Kafue Nationalpark in Sambia

Your trip at a glance

Highlights

  • Gain insight into real species conser­va­tion
  • Commit yourself to protecting orphaned elephants
  • Visit an Elephant Nursery in Lusaka
  • Experi­ence spectac­ular Kafue National Park
  • Witness Zambia's incred­ible biodi­ver­sity
  • Hands-off Policy: for ethical reasons only profes­sional employees are allowed direct contact with the elephants

Locations

reiseorte-sambia-kafue-nationalpark-elefanten-natucate
Kafue National Park

Plan your trip

  • Included in the programme fee
    • Placement in the programme
    • Assistance with travel arrangements
    • Assistance with selecting travel insurance
    • Assistance with booking flights
    • Risk coverage certificate
Terry

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Terry, your travel agent for Zambia

Don't hesitate to contact me if you would like to learn more about this journey! I answer all of your questions and assist you before, during and after your adventure abroad.

Ein Artenschutz-Volunteer des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia steht im Feld und beobachtet einen Elefanten
Aufnahme eines Elefanten in einem sambischen Naturreservat
Zwei Volunteers und ein Teamleiter des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia stehen zusammen und beobachten Elefanten
Zwei Freiwillige des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia installieren eine Kamerafalle im Kafue Nationalpark
Eine Freiwillige und ein Teamleiter des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia stehen zusammen und beobachten einen Elefanten
Ein Artenschutz-Volunteer und ein Teamleiter des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia stehen zusammen im Feld
Nahaufnahme eines Elefanten, der in der Wildnis Sambias steht und frisst
Zwei Freiwilligenhelfer des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia stehen zusammen und beobachten mehrere Elefanten
Zwei Freiwillige des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia widmen sich Arbeiten im Kafue Nationalpark
Zwei Volunteers des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia stehen zusammen und lachen; im Hintergrund laeuft ein Elefant
Aufnahme eines Elefanten in einem Game Reserve Sambias
Eine Freiwillige und ein Teamleiter des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia sitzen zusammen im Camp-Buero und arbeiten
Blick auf den Lagerfeuer-Platz im Camp des Elefantenprojekts in Sambias Kafue Nationalpark
Zwei Volunteers des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia lernen von einem Teamleiter, wie Bush Buns gemacht werden
Aufnahme eines Elefanten, der am Ufer eines Flusses in einem sambischen Game Reserve steht und frisst
Die untergehende Sonne in Sambia; der Himmel ist rot gefaerbt, im Vordergrund sind Silhouetten von Baeumen und Bueschen
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Volunteering in elephant conservation in Zambia

As a conservation volunteer in this project you will have the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to the protection of orphaned elephants in Zambia and, at the same time, discover the breathtaking wilderness of mighty Kafue National Park.

Zwei Volunteers des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia stehen zusammen und lachen; im Hintergrund laeuft ein Elefant

Arrival and orien­ta­tion in Zambia

On the first day of your project, you will arrive at Lusaka International Airport, where a project team member will meet you and accompany you to the programme’s Elephant Nursery located just outside the city.

You’ll spend your first day and night there, getting to know the nursery, learning about the project’s mission and getting comfortable in your new project area.

Die untergehende Sonne in Sambia; der Himmel ist rot gefaerbt, im Vordergrund sind Silhouetten von Baeumen und Bueschen

The following morning, you’ll travel to your main camp in the southern region of Kafue National Park. There may be an opportunity to visit the primate release facility, depending on the schedule and logistics.

At some point during your stay in Kafue – either on the way to camp or on another day – you may get the opportunity to stop at Musa Camp to gain valuable insights into resource protection and anti-poaching initiatives.

Zwei Freiwillige des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia installieren eine Kamerafalle im Kafue Nationalpark

Elephant conser­va­tion: your volunteer tasks

The tasks that await you as a volunteer in Kafue National Park focus on the protection and research of elephants and other wild animals in the region.

You will be involved in tracking collared elephant orphans in the national park, investigating the feeding behaviour of the animals, creating a database of the local elephant population using camera traps and transects and tracking down other wildlife using footprints and droppings.

Eine Freiwillige und ein Teamleiter des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia sitzen zusammen im Camp-Buero und arbeiten

This collected data, as well as that which is regularly obtained by the professional animal keepers, is then stored by you in a database.

Filming and observing the older calves to learn more about their behaviour, herd structure, health and interactions may also fall within your field of activity. By working with the local population and implementing certain mitigation methods, you will also help to mitigate the human-wildlife conflict.

Nahaufnahme eines Elefanten, der in der Wildnis Sambias steht und frisst

It should be noted that your work plan is subject to change depending on the work that needs to done. Sudden "elephant emergencies" always come first and stand above all other activities. A typical volunteer day starts at around 06:00 AM and ends around 06:00 PM.

Important note: An ethical way of working has the highest priority. Therefore, only veterinarians and professional keepers are allowed to have direct contact with the elephants, but not the volunteers. This is to ensure that the programme limits contact between humans and elephants as much as possible.

Eine Freiwillige und ein Teamleiter des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia sitzen zusammen im Camp und kochen

Accom­mo­da­tion in Kafue National Park

Most of your time as a volunteer will be spent at the remote, unfenced Kafue Release Facility on the banks of the Nkala River. You’ll stay in a canvas tent with beds, solar light, and shared yet private bathroom pods. A communal kitchen with fridge and storage is available. As a volunteer you will receive three meals a day, which will be prepared together as a team. Despite its simplicity, the camp offers stunning scenery, wildlife encounters, and a truly rewarding experience.

Das Team aus Artenschutz-Volunteers und Instructors des Elefantenprojekts in Sambia zusammen im Camp

Small electronic devices such as laptops, mobile phones etc. can be charged to a limited extent using solar energy. After purchasing a Zambian SIM card, you may contact family and friends at home from camp during the day.

You will also be accommodated in your own tent and use the shared sanitary facilities in the Elephant Nursery near Lusaka.

Freiwilligenhelfer des Elefantenprojekts in Sambias Kafue Nationalpark spielen im Camp zusammen Fussball

Free time as a volunteer in Zambia

At the end of each working day, there will be time for your own activities such as reading, board games, handicrafts as well as spending time with fellow participants.

Towards the end of your project stay, you will probably have a day off on which you will travel back to Lusaka on a transfer, among other things. However, we ask you to be flexible with regard to the schedule and logistics.

FAQ – Learn more about this trip



Learn what others say about their Natucate adventure.

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Review Volunteering Namibia – Tobias

“I will never forget my time there and I hope that I will be able to take part in the project again.”

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Review Volunteering South Africa Zululand – Mario

“I really loved being in nature/in the bush each day and being able to enjoy so many unforgettable animal sightings – and, of course, meeting so many nice people and learning a lot of new things.”

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Review Volunteering Namibia – Sabrina

“Of course, observing the desert elephants was a great experience. However, I will never forget falling asleep under the incredibly beautiful starry sky, which was an absolute highlight for me.”

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  • reiseorte-sambia-kafue-nationalpark-elefanten-natucate
    1. Kafue National Park

    The Kafue National Park covers an area of about 22.400 km² and is Zambia's largest national park. The oldest protected area in the country is characterized by secluded, untouched and diverse expanses of land, which are home to an abundance of wild animals. With elephants, buffalos, leopards and lions, four of the Big Five can be found here, as well as wild dogs, hippos, cheetahs, more than 20 different antelope species and nearly 500 bird species.

    The landscape is characterized by the numerous arms of the Kafue River, wetland biotopes, Miombo forests, vast savannahs, thickets and floodplains – including the spectacular Busanga floodplains. Game drives, bush walks and boat trips allow you to explore this special place up close.

Background of the conser­va­tion project in Zambia

Poaching, but also habitat loss and thus human wildlife conflict pose a serious threat to the populations of African elephants. Our partner’s elephant project aims to help victims of poaching through rehabilitating orphans, but it also targets the underlying causes of poaching through conservation education and learning how to resolve human wildlife conflict.

Young elephants often become tragic victims of poaching and human wildlife conflicts. The programme takes in orphaned or abandoned young elephants in its Elephant Nursery near Lusaka, founded in 2007, and ensures 24/7 care of the animals. Up to the age of two, elephants are highly vulnerable and completely dependent on their mothers. Regular feeding with special milk (every three hours!) and extensive care are indispensable for the survival of the calves.

As soon as the animals no longer depend on the milk, they are resettled in the project’s release station in southern Kafue National Park. Here, they gradually develop their independence from humans and spend a large part of their time roaming the depths of the national park. The station is adjacent to Ngoma Teak Forest, which is home to a local elephant population of around 1000 individuals, providing elephant orphans with an excellent opportunity to connect with wild herds and return to the wild.

If you are interested in a combined project of Elephant Nursery in Lusaka and the stay in Kafue National Park, you can find more information here.

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