Wildlife Conservation with IVHQ in Victoria Falls

This was my first trip to Africa. I travelled solo and am over 60. The pre trip communication was excellent with everything covered from travel, visa’s, health and safety, dietary requirements, e sims, insurance, nothing was left out. The accommodation was made up of comfortable single rooms with shared bathrooms and hot showers. The kitchen facilities provided plenty of fridge storage and wonderful accommodating chefs. The pool area overlooks the reserve where you can watch wildlife wander past every day. In the park we got to see Black Rhinos close up without feeling invasive. They gave us permission to photograph them! As did the Giraffe, Zebra, buffalo, Kudo, Crocodiles, Hippos, and even a leopard and painted dogs, and hyena. The bush babies are a bit harder to spot. The work is short and fun but can be strenuous, removing invasive plants (lantana) clearing tracks and scrub for a football pitch at the local school but all very rewarding. Weekends are free time to explore. The gorge at Victoria falls offers zip wires, and swings, horse riding safari in Zambia, and Chobe national park in Botswana to name a few. The Nakavango project is an amazing experience!

l loved my time at the Nakavango Private Game Reserve. The wildlife was incredible; I saw a leopard on my last day. It was a joy to participate in meaningful activities that contribute to long term conservation efforts while also supporting the local population. The work was physically hard sometimes but our safety was a top priority for the staff. The staff, what can I say, "gracious, fun, informative." I met wonderful volunteers of all ages from around the world and look forward to seeing many of them again. I highly recommend this program. It was my first time in Africa, but it will not be my last.

This was one of the best experiences of my life! IVHQ helped me all the way through, providing me with all the information I needed before I left and ensuring everything was going well while I was there. All the staff were super kind and accommodating from the moment I got there. The work was really rewarding and the local community was also wonderful. I felt super safe and taken care of all the way through my stay, not once did I feel unsafe. Anyone who has the opportunity to do this should do it and I would recommend this experience with IVHQ to anyone!