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Volunteer Programme

The main project of the Wildlife Action Group is the "Thuma Forest Reserve Eco-system Rehabilitation Project".

There is a lot of work involved in managing a reserve. Since the beginning of the Thuma Project, the Wildlife Action Group has started a volunteer programme and in the last years many volunteers have assisted us. Volunteers participating in the programme all have a common ambition: to see, feel, hear and smell the African bush, to develop a practical knowledge of wildlife and life in the bush and to have a lasting positive impact on the environment. 

It is an excellent opportunity to have an adventurous stay in Malawi 
and contribute to the conservation of wildlife in Africa!

VOLUNTEER WORK

Specific tasks and work may depend on seasonal or other circumstances, but include:
  • Participating in the annual Mammal Survey (June-November).
  • In 2008: construction of accommodation and a heritage centre using local methods and techniques.
  • Data collection on the history of Thuma Forest Reserve by conducting interviews in the local communities.
  • Road construction and maintenance.
  • Participating in snare removal patrols.
  • For people with specific skills and/or knowledge (i.e. (conservation) education, botany, reptiles, amphibians, insects etc.), we can put together a special assignment.
Note 1: Participating in the annual mammal survey, means that one regularly has to camp in the bush. One also needs to possess a reasonable good physical fitness since it requires significant walking.
Note 2: we hardly do any hands-on work with animals (i.e.: animal health care, catch, release and so on).

The Wildlife Action Group will try to meet the interest of the volunteer as much as possible and suggestions from your side are most welcome.

Scout and volunteer in the field during the Mammal Survey.

The volunteer

No previous experience is required, however all prospective volunteers should have a real love of nature and bush camping, a positive, active and independent attitude, a good level of physical and mental fitness, a sensitivity and respect for other cultures, a willingness to help and learn, able to communicate well in English and a good sense of humour.


Your stay

The preferred minimum duration of your stay in Thuma should be 3 weeks; the maximum duration we can offer is 2 months.

The volunteers are welcomed in Lilongwe (International Airport) and transferred to Thuma F.R..

You will stay in the base camp (grass-huts, bush-toilet, bush-shower, fire place for cooking, solar power, water from a natural spring) in the Thuma Forest Reserve so at night you will enjoy the call of the bushbaby, the hyena and the night birds and hear the breaking of trees when the elephants are passing the camp..., in other words: the real bush experience!


Volunteer contribution

The daily volunteer contribution is Euro 25,-- per night. Note: the Euro can be exchanged in Malawi Kwachas (the local currency) throughout Malawi so there is no particular need to bring US$.
This is to cover all costs during the volunteer's stay in the project, including transfers from/to Lilongwe Airport, accommodation, meals (breakfast, lunch and diner) and drinks, except alcoholic and soft drinks.
Click here for the conditions of payment.


Traveling to Malawi

The Wildlife Action Group advises to get informed on the latest health requirements (vaccinations) for Malawi and recommends a travel insurance to cover medical expenses. The Wildlife Action Group will not be responsible for any costs of this nature.

The journey to and from Malawi has to be paid by the volunteer.
There are several airlines flying from Europe to Malawi. 
Those include:

- Ethiopian Airways (note: EA has a luggage allowance of 45kg)
- KLM/Kenya Airways
- South African Airways

Ticket prices vary significantly between airlines and the time of the year: ask your travel agency for the best option for you.

At departure from Malawi, a "Departure tax" of 30,-- US$ (note: for this no other currencies are accepted) has to be paid at Lilongwe International Airport.
When entering Malawi, you get a free tourist visa which is valid for 1 month and which can be extended twice. Note: for citizens from certain countries (non-EU), the regulations might be different: check with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs.


What to take

Actually, a trip to Malawi is not much different than a trip to, for example, the South of Europe. 
However, to assist you a bit, click here for a list on what to take. 

VOLUNTEER - APPLICATION:

When interested, please send your application with the following information to Albert Schenk, Field Manager Wildlife Action Group:

Name:

Address:

Tel. nr. and e-mail address:

Date of birth:

Occupation:

Planned duration of stay in Thuma (days):

Planned date of arrival:

Planned date of departure:

Personal interests:

Personal relevant skills:

Have you worked in similar projects before?

Have you been to Africa before? If yes, where?

Motivation:

Please send your application (and/or questions) to:

e-mail Albert Schenk: thuma_forest_reserve@yahoo.com

Note: since we don't have daily access to internet and e-mail, please allow us some time to reply.