<h4>What inspired you to work for <a title="undefined" href=https://www.goabroad.com/providers/cawston-encounters rel="" target="_self" class="clickTracker" rev="domainID=undefined&amp;refererType=1&amp;refererID=3425&amp;abbreviation=CSCT&amp;clientID=63462" data-ga-client="Cawston Encounters" data-contentlink=""><ins>Cawston Encounters</ins></a>?</h4>
<p>I established a relationship with the organization when I first came to volunteer, keeping in mind that I would be there for 6 weeks, and ended up staying for 6 months.</p>
<p>My boss stands out as one of the biggest role models in my life, and I aspire to be a badass boss lady like her one day! The other driving factor was that I realized I would get to do what I love every day and call it work. This includes working with horses, people, and in nature, and living on a farm!</p>
<h4>Describe a typical day at work.</h4>
<div class="awesome-image right-aligned wrap-mobile" ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1769593728/images2/interviews/hS4LT1yaQeAqUUJsnQgIZ70rNiVVMngTDXH11Ca6.jpg" alt="Three people standing near horse riding equipment."><div class="caption"><p>Donations kindly brought for us by one of our volunteers- Pia</p></div></div>
<p>My days are very varied, which I love. My main focus is with the horses—keeping them exercised, looked after, and well loved! I also do a lot of natural horsemanship with them and back all the young horses that we breed here.</p>
<p>I have taught many people to ride, including my grooms, local students, my boss's niece and nephews, and game scouts.</p>
<p>Some days, I work closely with the livestock, doing routine check-ins, dipping and pest control, deworming, wound treatment, tagging, and pregnancy checks on the cattle.</p>
<p>I spend a lot of time with the volunteers who come, especially the equine-focused ones, coordinating their days and the work they will do with the horses. I share my knowledge with them about natural horsemanship and my training methods, and have in turn learnt a lot from them about different methods of working and riding horses.</p>
<p>I help my boss with the marketing as well, mainly running the social media and putting together content.</p>
<p>Some days when things are quieter I like to go on drives around the ranch helping check in on waterholes, boreholes or visiting the elephants.</p>
<h4>What is your favorite part of your job?</h4>
<p>Each one of the horses feels like my own, and I love them as if they were mine. I have a special bond with each one and have the opportunity to compete with them in my showjumping and endurance competitions!</p>
<p>This is closely followed by being able to live in the bush, away from city life. Life is simple, the food is farm fresh, and every morning I get to have my tea looking out at the waterhole with wildlife coming in to drink.</p>
<h4>How do you use your education and international background in your current role?</h4>
<p>My degree in marketing has helped me assist with the marketing decisions that we make within the company, as well as make helpful contributions to business and management discussions.</p>
<p>My international travel helps me communicate with guests and volunteers visiting, as we can almost always find common ground to talk about.</p>
<p>My current diploma in equine nutrition is helping me better understand horse care, not only nutritionally but also from an anatomy perspective as well.</p>
<h4>What challenges do you often face, and how do you overcome them?</h4>
<p>Sometimes I can feel overwhelmed when there are too many things on my plate, as being involved in so many facets can sometimes make me feel pulled apart by all the limbs. To overcome this, I set goals, even if they are small, so that instead of feeling overwhelmed by something big, I can see all the little achievements I have made towards making the big thing happen.</p>
<p>I also had the opportunity to study in the US, but now that I am home in Zimbabwe, I leave many good friends and family behind, whom I miss. I try to visit them as often as I can and call them regularly so they remain a part of my life.</p>
<h4>What are some current projects you are working on?</h4>
<p>As mentioned in my bio, I am striving to get endurance as a sport established in Zimbabwe and hope to ride under the Zimbabwean flag next year.</p>
<p>Another project where I feel as though I give back is working with mounted police and prison units in Zimbabwe—securing donations for them and providing extra training, as I can see their passion for working with their horses, but I know they sometimes struggle to provide.</p>
<p>I am also within myself working on setting monthly goals, physical and emotional goals that help me stay focused on the things that I want to work on, even if it means only moving forward step by step.</p>
<h4>What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?</h4>
<p>That the world is waiting for you—all you have to do is take that leap.</p>
<p>Growing up on a farm and in a small town where so many people never leave, it can be easy to be sucked into "small town syndrome," where people are scared to leave what they know.</p>
<p>I would tell myself not to be scared and take every opportunity that comes my way with an open heart, and not to be scared to fail because there's always something to learn from failure.</p>
<h4>What makes Cawston Encounters special?</h4>
<p>You really do end your stay here feeling as though you were part of the family. Whether as a guest or volunteer, we eat meals together and share stories, and get into meaningful discussions every day.</p>
<p>Many of our guests and volunteers come back to visit us, and some of the volunteers I have worked with over the years really do feel like best friends to me. Genuine connection, I think, is something most visitors leave feeling they have made.</p>
<h4>Why should someone choose Cawston Encounters over competitors?</h4>
<p>I think our organization is a worthy choice over any other because of its authenticity and commitment to ethical wildlife conservation. It goes to great lengths to protect the wildlife and nature that cover it, which is often overlooked as just a day-to-day procedure. It is a working ranch with many facets that make it thrive.</p>
<p>It is also set in a beautiful area of Zimbabwe where, when you visi,t you get to experience a blend of culture and nature. You interact with the people who run it and work on it closely, and you are immersing yourself in the bush every day.</p>
<p>The warthogs are on the lawn eating with the chickens!? Where else do you get to see that?!</p>
<h4>What hopes do you have for the future of Cawston Encounters?</h4>
<p>I hope to see our volunteer program grow so we can share what we do with more people, especially young people. I think we set a good example of what ethical wildlife conservation and management look like, and I would like to see this idea imprinted on our volunteers.</p>
<p>I also hope to see the populations of species across the property grow!</p>
<h4>Are there any developments with Cawston Encounters that you would like to share with us?</h4>
<p>Our equine herd has 5 youngsters, of which three are coming on under saddle and will be ready for safari work by 2027!</p>
<p>We have an anti-poaching manager who started this year and is making huge leaps in controlling poaching. He is also running a regenerative cattle-grazing scheme alongside his work, which integrates well with habitat management for wildlife.</p>
<h4>What makes Cawston Encounters easy to market to potential participants?</h4>
<p>We have something for everyone! It is family-friendly, and there are so many activities to get involved in. Someone of any age, gender, or skill set could get involved.</p>
<p>It is also beautiful! For someone who wants to experience Africa, they really get a taste of Africa and all it has to offer—culture, food, sunsets, and animals</p>
<h4>What is Cawston Encounters’ mission, and how do you continue to work toward it?</h4>
<p>Our mission is to continue protecting the land and the creatures that live upon it. This is achieved in so many ways, including anti-poaching, education to surrounding locals about the importance of conservation, and maintaining the land's health through erosion control, invasive species control, water control and maintenance, and parasite control.</p>
<h4>What do you hope participants take away from your programs?</h4>
<p>I hope participants have a better understanding of how conservation management works and its importance. I also hope they leave feeling they have put their time and effort into something that really matters.</p>
<p>I hope the equine program participants leave with a special bond with at least one horse and feel they made improvements in how the horses work.</p>
<p>I also hope each participant leaves feeling they learned at least one new thing or skill!</p>
<h4>How do you help support participants?</h4>
<p>I am the person that volunteers can speak to on a deeper level. If they have a problem or need advice, they typically come to me first to talk it out.</p>
<p>For younger participants who have just left school and never worked, I "hold their hand" where necessary and encourage them to get fully immersed in the experience.</p>
<h4>Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?</h4>
<p>I think travelling teaches you a lot about perspective and opens your mind to seeing things in different ways. Every culture you get to immerse yourself in teaches you something different.</p>
<p>For example, in Mongolia, the culture taught me about being welcoming, and people want to share with you, but in America, the culture was much more fast-paced and focused on putting oneself first.</p>
<p>Neither is right nor long, but you can learn from both and let certain places and people mold you into who you want to be.</p>
<div class="awesome-image centered " ><img src="https://images.goabroad.com/image/upload/v1769593729/images2/interviews/dmRFLA08Ma8hUq8mYLNDt4HfBmE4HnPPcy2TnOQ6.jpg" alt="woman posing for a photo with a horse"><div class="caption"><p>Me and my favorite boy Copali</p></div></div>
<h4>What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?</h4>
<p>Try not to be too structured in planning your trip. Plans change, and different opportunities may arise. Don't try to stick to an itinerary just to stick to it, because opportunities may come up on the ground. Go with the flow and be open to new experiences and listening to local advice!</p>
<h4>What does meaningful travel mean to you?</h4>
<p>Meaningful travel is about how your soul feels when you are there and when you return. It should feel positive energy, whether it be in the form of excitement or peace, and your heart should feel fuller at the end.</p>
<p>You might pick a place to travel with a goal in mind, such as to see something specific or do something specific, but it's all the learning about the place that you do along the way that matters, and it's the locals who are your best teachers.</p>


Georgina Smith	

Get to know the people behind Cawston Encounters! Check out this GoAbroad Staff Interview with Georgina Smith	.

Georgina Smith	 | Cawston Encounters Staff Interview

Cawston Encounters Staff Interview with Georgina Smith	

This livestock management volunteer program is designed for those interested in agriculture, animal husbandry, or future veterinary-related studies who want practical, on-the-ground experience from a working farmer’s perspective.  Volunteers take part in the daily care of livestock, gaining practical experience in routine health checks, parasite control, vaccinations, and basic treatments for common ailments. The focus is on recognizing early signs of illness and understanding practical, farmer-led decision-making in livestock management

The program also covers breeding practices, handling young stock, and seasonal feeding strategies. From August through November, volunteers assist with supplementary feeding, including mixing some feeds on-site. General farm work forms part of the experience, such as fence repairs, learning to operate a tractor, and in late summer, assisting with grass baling.

In addition, volunteers may join elephant care and enrichment routines. Where time, interest, and space allow, participants can also enjoy horse riding and assist with activities linked to the wildlife conservation program, offering a broader understanding of land and animal management.

Livestock Health Management

Our wildlife volunteers are involved in the real, day-to-day work that keeps the reserve healthy and functioning. No two days are the same, and this program is ideal for those who want first-hand experience in wildlife reserve management and conservation.  This is not a training program. 

Volunteers contribute to maintaining and improving habitat across the entire ecosystem, focusing on three key areas: reserve maintenance, anti-poaching, and research.

Maintenance activities may include checking and pumping waterholes, placing mineral licks, erosion control, road repairs, invasive plant management, and inspecting and repairing boundary fences.

Anti-poaching exposure includes assisting with snare sweeps, drone operations, moving camera traps, and recording data on poaching activity. Volunteers also learn to identify common spoor and gain basic tracking skills.

Wildlife research support involves setting up and monitoring trail cameras and assisting with data analysis. Cameras are used for purposes such as carnivore assessments and monitoring wildlife movement in specific areas or in reaction to specific management tasks.

Wildlife Reserve Management

Our Equestrian program is set on our large wildlife reserve close to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.  Our horses are free living, only being paddocked when not well, lame or needed for very early morning rides.  Mornings consist of bringing in the horses to the stables for grooming and health checks, after which it's time to work with them.  

Utilizing natural horsemanship methods is key with all our horses and we are always keen to share and exchange skills.  Join us as we work through the process of backing our up-and-coming safari horses, teach others jumping, dressage or work through issues.  Round off the morning with a safari ride and see some wildlife!

Afternoons are for more horse work, a safari ride if we missed it in the morning, a session through our cross-country course, or doing some odd-jobs around the stables & arenas.  

All our volunteers are very welcome to see what else happens on the reserve and you'll be offered a chance to check out what's happening in our livestock herds or even tag along with the Wildlife Management volunteers and learn a bit about what we do to keep the reserve running.
Finish the day with a cooling swim, a warming fire and always a beautiful sunset!

Volunteer: Natural Horsemanship and Wildlife

Cawston Encounters

Sales Wolves

Cawston Encounters is a family-run conservation and land management operation based on a private wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe. We work at the intersection of wildlife conservation, sustainable agriculture, and community coexistence, managing a diverse landscape that supports wildlife, livestock, and people within a rapidly changing rural environment.

Our focus is on practical, hands-on conservation. We manage and protect habitat, run active anti-poaching operations, support wildlife research, and maintain working livestock and horse operations that contribute to the long-term sustainability of the reserve. Our approach reflects the realities of conservation in southern Africa, where limited resources require adaptable, on-the-ground solutions.

Cawston Encounters offers immersive volu...

Cawston Encounters is a family-run conservation and land management operation based on a private wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe. We work at the intersection of wildlife conservation, sustainable agriculture, and community coexistence, managing a diverse landscape that supports wildlife, livestock, and people within a rapidly changing rural environment.

Our focus is on practical, hands-on conservation. We manage and protect habitat, run active anti-poaching operations, support wildlife research, and maintain working livestock and horse operations that contribute to the long-term sustainability of the reserve. Our approach reflects the realities of conservation in southern Africa, where limited resources require adaptable, on-the-ground solutions.

Cawston Encounters offers immersive volunteer programs that prioritise learning by doing. Volunteers work alongside experienced local staff and land managers, gaining insight into real-world conservation, wildlife protection, and livestock management in a rural African context. Our programs are designed for small groups and emphasise meaningful contribution, skills development, and responsible, ethical engagement with both wildlife and local communities.

Cawston Encounters is a family-run conservation and land management operation based on a private wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe. We work at the intersection of wildlife conservation, sustainable agriculture, and community coexistence, managing a diverse landscape that supports wildlife, livestock, and people within a rapidly changing rural environment.

Our focus is on practical, hands-on conserva...

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