Volunteer Encounter

I did the compilation project of Wildlife and stables and it was amazing! There we so many activities and communities to choose from and I meet so many people along the way, making plenty of life long friends

Had the time of my life at Antelope Park! Such nice people there, very warm and welcoming and so fun! Found friends for a lifetime from all over the world. The horses are so sweet and it was the perfect combo of work and fun - whereas the work was as fun as the activities in the afternoon. All in all I'd wish for everyone to experience this once in their life, it is truly unreal!

I had the most amazing week ever and wish I could have stayed longer! The staff are all lovely and couldn’t be anymore helpful and the other volunteers were all lovely to. The animals are so well cared for and it was great to learn so much about them and be hands on. Highly recommend if you are thinking about it, book it! You will have the best experience.

I had such an incredible time at antelope park on the stables project (with a couple days on wildlife). Everyone was so friendly, it felt like one big family and have definitely made friends for life. The project was run so well, with Martha as the Vol coordinator she was so organised and very very lovely!! Skye and Ted who ran the stables project were just so great. I learnt so much from them and they are the kindest people. The food that we had was so good! I will definitely be returning.

My stay with Volunteer Encounter in Zimbabwe Antelope Park this summer was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. I joined the wildlife conservation program, which was already incredible, but there was so much more to the experience than I expected. Seeing wildlife almost every day was surreal. It’s not an exaggeration! You regularly see rhinos, elephants, lions, zebras, and wildebeest. I even saw a kudu, which was really special. One of the absolute highlights for me were the sunrise rides with Ted. Those mornings were unforgettable. Ted is genuinely one of the nicest, most wonderful people I’ve ever met. Sky, one of the interns, was also fantastic, and honestly all the interns were amazing such fun, kind people who really make the whole experience even better. Massima is amazing and Marta is fantastic as well. There are also many opportunities to get involved with the local community. You can teach at the school, help with the soup kitchen, or join other community activities. Dancing with Sue and Tana during the community moments was such a fun experience. Tana is basically the community queen! Another huge highlight for me were the friendships I made there. In just the first few weeks I met people who became friends for life. We all live in different parts of the world now, but we still see each other and stay in touch, which makes the experience even more special. I would recommend Volunteer Encounter to anyone. It’s an unforgettable experience! Incredible wildlife, amazing people, and a community that welcomes you with open arms.

I had a fantastic 3 weeks at Antelope Park on Stables and Wildlife in Sept 2025. I thoroughly enjoyed all activities, especially sunrise and safari rides. I also enjoyed the optional activities on offer, e.g. Matopos. Antelope Park is a very special place, and all the people are amazing.

So everyday I tell my mum about my day and everyday I say the same thing “I’ve had the most amazing day” because everyday here is so magical I don’t think there has ever been a day where there’s not a smile on my face. Every single intern, member of staff and volunteer has been so welcoming and I’ve gotten on so well with every single person it feels like a family. I am volunteering on the stables and not only are all the horses so patient and so talented at what they can do from doing safari rides to polocross and cross country but all the stable staff like Skye and Ted are incredible too they’ve helped me grow as a person an become such a better rider teaching me so many things and growing my confidence. My highlight is the morning rides waking up in the morning and schooling the horses and going for a ride in the park whilst the sun is rising and all the animals are waking up the world feels quiet and so peaceful. I have learnt polo cross here which I never thought I would love as much it’s so much fun and so nice to get a bit competitive. I also really enjoy the parties we have on the weekends everyone getting together and having a few drinks and playing games together. I have loved every minute here and never want to leave it has truly been the best 4 weeks of my life and I wish I could never leave

The horses were great, the work was fun and meaningful. The accommodations were very good, the food was nice and the housing perfect. The people who were in charge were great. Il loved doing soup kitchen for the homeless and going to the orphanage was very sad but it made so much sense. Overall I felt like I was on another planet than mine, completely overwhelmed by Zimbabwe and it’s reality. I definitely recommend this trip.

I’ve been to AntelopePark for two weeks and they have been life changing. Truly one of the best experiences of my life. The staff is amazing, you have 24h assistance and they will make sure everything is fine. The horses are angels, you will fall in love with all of them

Antelope Park is truly one of the most memorable places I have ever experienced, and I can honestly say it changed me as a person. I was mainly involved in the community projects and wildlife work, and both were incredibly rewarding. The community initiatives felt impactful and well thought-out, and it was great to be part of projects that genuinely support local people rather than just observing from the outside. The wildlife side was equally memorable, giving real insight into conservation work and the challenges involved. I originally went for three weeks and ended up extending my stay for an extra week, which says a lot about how much I was enjoying the experience. I met some amazing people and made some amazing friendships. I also had some horse riding lessons with Ted, and I can't thank him enough for his patience - especially for putting up with me and the diva I definitely was at times. The staff I worked with on these projects were knowledgeable, supportive, and clearly passionate about what they do, which made a big difference to the overall experience. There's a real sense of purpose at Antelope Park, and you really feel that your time there is being used well. Since getting home, I've realised just how much I miss Antelope Park — the lifestyle, the environment, and especially the people. I left feeling like l'd gained a lot personally, and I already know I'll be back so I can get even more involved. Thank you for an incredible experience!

Almost a year after returning to the US, I'm still trying to hold on to Africa and relive the amazing experience I had at Antelope Park with some of the best people know. The staff at Antelope Park are truly wonderful people and care deeply about the work they are doing in their local community and with lion conservation. As Rosine says, "this isn't just a job, it's a calling". I'm so grateful that I had the rare opportunities to interact with African wildlife that I did, but also, to experience the love and hospitality of the people of Zimbabwe. I was also VERY fortunate to share this experience with some other amazing volunteers who made my time at Antelope Park so much fun! 10/10 recommend to anyone thinking of doing this, don't wait, just go!

The whole idea of volunteering with animals right outside your room was amazing! The property was huge and beautiful. The food was delicious (especially surprising for us because we were vegetarians). The staff and volunteers made the whole experience even better. 0 complaints! I would really go back if I had the chance to!

My week in Zimbabwe on the horse project was nothing short of incredible… short but so, so sweet. One week honestly wasn’t long enough; I’d recommend at least 2–3 weeks to truly soak it all in. Working alongside such amazing people made it even more special. Skye and Ted were the dream team - a wonderful duo who made sure every volunteer was involved in the care, the daily jobs, and the full experience. The variety of activities each day kept things exciting, and my confidence grew, whilst doing XC, more than I expected. I even got to try PoloX, which I absolutely loved. Seeing the safari animals up close was surreal such a special experience and I’ll never forget everyone going out of their way to make sure I saw a giraffe before I left. The evenings were just as memorable, especially the scavenger hunt and spontaneously jumping into the pool fully clothed (maybe not the wisest choice the night before a flight!). Missing the horses, the people, and the feeling of being there. I’ll cherish that time forever. I truly hope one day I’ll be back to make even more memories.

I truly had the time of my life at Antelope Park. From the beginning I knew this would be an experience I would never forget, and it turned out to be even better than I imagined. The staff were an absolute delight to work with, the volunteers were the most vibrant group of people I’ve ever been around, and the wildlife and horses were breathtaking. I don’t know any other place quite like Antelope Park. I would recommend it to anyone looking for adventure and one hell of a time :))

My experience at Antelope Park was nothing short of amazing. I was able to engage in various projects, meet wonderful people, and learn so much about the African culture and about myself as well. I enjoyed every minute of my stay there and cannot wait to come back soon!

I had the greatest time of my life! I have travelled a lot and never experienced a place that makes my heart feel fuller or been happier than AP! The staff the place the animals everything is incredible! I met the most amazing people and contributing to the program was an experience I will cherish for life!

Great place run by a team of amazing people passionate about what they do. Overall definitely recommend! Fantastic experience! While the horse programme does not include active daily engagement with the local community or focus on the wildlife, one is frequently given opportunity to participate in community projects and wildlife observation should this be one’s preference! I would certainly recommend this part as it is highly rewarding.

I loved this trip so much I was so gutted to go home I wish I could have stayed longer. From the activities, people, wildlife everything was amazing I had so much fun. The AP team were so good at looking after us and putting in effort to ensure we had the best time possible. I had to pinch myself on a daily basis ! I couldn’t recommend this trip more, I’m already planning to come back. If you’re someone looking for new experiences, loves horses, loves adventures and meeting some incredible people this is the place for you x

If you're considering the trip just do it. Don't overthink it, it was the best trip I've been on and I'm already planning to save and go back. I'm still in contact with some of the best people I met on the trip and the interns really helped the place feel like home. Riding everyday was such a gift and all the activities varied day to day, (show-jumping, safari rides, Polocrosse, cross country, horse swim, drop off ride, boundary patrol, carriage ride etc. ) I was never bored. I thought I'd be ready to go home after a month but I definitely wasn't, there was still so much to experience there. The atmosphere at AP is incomparable and the pool is such a luxury after stable chores. The cafe also saved me so many times when I needed a coffee or sugar fix and I spent way too much as the gift shop is so so lovely. The optional wildlife and community activities were a bonus I wasn't expecting - I did the lion encounter which was so fun and a day at the orphanage. The horses at AP also suit everyone from beginners to very advanced riders and I learnt so much from being able to ride different horses (I rode about 12 different horses whilst there). You can go into town and see the flee markets and I'm craving the bubble tea shop there, it was just a complete all round experience, it has culture, adventure (Vic falls trip), relaxation, so much laughter and beautiful sights to wake up to every morning. I cannot recommend this trip enough!

Visiting Antelope Park was truly an experience that I’ll never forget. Coming from Canada I wanted to see some nature and wildlife that may not be visible from where I live and I was amazed by the beauty of the park, definitely a once in a lifetime experience. What made it even more special was the warmth and dedication of the staff. Everyone went out of their way to make me feel welcome and cared for. Although it is nerve-wracking going to a new place with people you don’t know, I felt like I was at home within the first day of arriving. I was on the wildlife program and Jono was not only incredibly knowledgeable about wildlife but also had a great sense of humour that kept the energy high and the group engaged. Whether he was sharing stories, teaching us something new, or just cracking a well-timed joke, he made every day fun and memorable. His enthusiasm for the animals and the work being done at the park was contagious, and it made the whole experience that much more rewarding. Pip, who was also absolutely wonderful — so organized, approachable, and genuinely kind. Her passion for the park and the people in it really showed, and her presence made a huge difference in making my stay smooth. Antelope Park isn’t just a place to visit — it’s a place that stays with you with memories that will last a lifetime. I’m so grateful for the experience.

I had an amazing two weeks at Antelope Park. Everyone there is incredible and I wish I could have extended my stay!!! Met the most amazing people and the horses and hospitality was incredible! After not riding properly for a few years I felt so much more confident after two weeks here😊

I had a great time on stables and wild life. The staff were nice and I learned lots of new skills. Went on lots of safari rides and was caught in a thunderstorm once and Martha was amazing at guiding the group back to camp. Ted gave valuable riding lessons. Sky was great at organizing things.

Welcoming people and an amazing place! definitely more focused on having a fun experience then actual hands on volunteering work. The animals around the park are all so beautiful and well taken care of! Every day was exciting and gave me a memory that lasts forever

The entire experience was ao amazing you'd think it's too good to be true. All of the people and animals were really wonderful. It was really cool to experience Africa up close and I will definitely be coming back.

Wauw! The only word I can use, wauw wauw wauw! I had a lovely experience for 2 weeks at the antelope park. I was surprised about this country. The people were so lovely! Always hey how are you, you can ask whatever you want and they will help you! I have meet so many people and made a lot of new friends?? the horses they have are so lovely and living there best life. You will do a lot of activities. You go on safari rides, you jump, dressage, sunrise rides, swims, I loved it. This is a once in a life time experience! The staff is amazing and so lovely. I loved them all. It feels like home. The house where you sleep is good! The food is good and the animals around the park are stunning. I’m still in shock about my last to weeks in a good way. I loved It and definitely will go back one day! Thanx team!

I’ve been here for 7 weeks now and everyday is different, I really enjoy how tiny and intimate the groups are and how you get to know everyone. The people that work at horses are so sweet and really know what they are doing. Wildlife is a bit unorganised but that is not the vault of the interns. Overall everything is amazing, the evening activities too!

My two weeks at Antelope Park did not disappoint. The staff, volunteers and experiences, particularly the close encounters with wildlife far surpassed my expectations! It was an incredible experience. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

AP offers an amazing space to meet people, ride beautiful horses, see amazing wildlife and engage the community. The accommodation could be improved with mosquito nets and lunches as well. But other than that I had the time of my life

My time at Antelope Park was nothing short of amazing and a once in a life-time experience. The stables are run to a T by Ted and his girls, the horses so well behaved and not a day is the same. You get the chance to see some of the most popular wildlife so up close. Having the ability to connect with locals and community and see the real Zimbabwe is en eye opener on how lucky we are. The park location is absolutely beautiful and the people very accommodating and lovely. Can definitely recommend for those wanting to experience wildlife, get a taste of Zimbabwe and have a great time.

I had my best time during my volunteering in Wildlife and Communities. The combination of both programmes gave me the chance to get to know and interact everyday with some amazing animals and at the same time to learn about the life in Zimbabwe for less fortunate people. I would definitely define this time spent here as the most enlightening of my life and would recommend it to everyone to try it, you will love it for sure!

I had the absolute best time ever and absolutely loved the experience. I have met the most amazing people and I will never forget it. Everyone was so friendly and I had such a laugh the whole time. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience and I will definitely be back!!!

I have had the most amazing time at Antelope Park. It has been incredible to see all the animals up close, I especially enjoyed the lion walk and elephant walk. Spending everyday with the horses has been so fun and I have learnt so many new skills like jumping.

I am 21 from England, and having just graduated university I was looking for something to bridge the gap between finishing and starting my career. I wanted to do something which would be making a difference and allow me to give back, while experiencing something new and out of my comfort zone. I came across Antelope Park and was immediately amazed at what the projects entailed. I decided to come as a volunteer with my mum in August and it was the best decision ever. From the moment I got there we felt at home as everyone was super helpful and accommodating. I mainly did the stables project which was incredible, all the horses were such a high standard and all were able to do every activity, from polo cross to horse swimming, so I could ride as many difference horses as I wanted. I loved how every single day was different and it was so easy to adapt to everything due to the staff and other volunteers being so helpful and friendly the whole time. The safari rides were beautiful seeing all the animals up close while on horse back in the bush, including giraffes, zebras and wildebeest. I learnt so much during the wildlife program as well, with every question being answered, so I came away feeling like I had a deep understanding of both the wildlife and the conservation of animals in Africa. I enjoyed getting up close and personal to incredible animals like the elephants and rhinos, which was truly breathtaking. I felt like every activity we did , we were making a difference in some way, which is so rewarding. I did some activities in the communities as well, for example going to the orphanage, which was so rewarding again and really shifted my mindset for the better. The evening and weekend activities were fun, with just the right balance of being busy enough but also enough time to relax and recharge, in such a beautiful location. I will definitely be returning to AP in the future and I recommend it to everyone, whatever age or stage of life you are in!

My name is Meghan and I am 19. I decided to take a trip to Zimbabwe in my gap year and it was absolutely incredible. My flights all got messed up but everyone at antelope park was very accommodating in rearranging my transportation and getting me situated even though I got there very late. The whole experience was absolutely amazing. The other volunteers were so kind and helpful and I seriously wish I had stayed longer. I only was there for 2 weeks but it was the best two weeks ever. From riding horses every day, to safari drives, to taking care of the baby lion cub, to learning about the history of zimbabwe and everything in-between it was incredible. I was really nervous about going but everyone took very good care of each other and it was well worth the time and money.

I had such an amazing time at Antelope Park! I love how we were able to combine the working horse holiday with other volunteer programs such as community and wildlife. We had the opportunity to rescue some baby elephants from Hwange national park. I had a wonderful time camping and seeing so much wildlife while also learning more about the endangered species. The food was exceptional and I could not recommend this volunteer working holiday more.

My experience at Antelope Park was nothing less than incredible. I would 100% recommend anyone to volunteer at the stables at antelope park. I arrived with very little experience on a horse and by the time my volunteering experience was over I achieved so many amazing skills and experiences on a horse that I would never imagine I would ever achieve. All the guides were very patient, very knowledgeable and amazing at coaching. An experience of a life time.

my favourite experience was The community project at antelope park. Rosine and Stefan were incredible with teaching us about the community side of Zimbabwe. Throughout the community program we spent a day at a primary school with helping the kids practice for there exam. We also visited the local church and soup kitchen where we cooked and served food to the homeless. We also went shopping and brought lots of gifts and treats and took them to the orphanage to give to the kids. These experiences definitely impacted my life in the best way, as much as the community project is about helping others in the community, these experiences helped me in so many ways regarding understanding how much I appreciate my life and how good it is to know that there are good people in the world like Antelope park, Rosine, Stefan, Johnathan and Katie who are making a difference in the world where it matters. The community project was incredible in every way. I would 10/10 recommend it. From Dan

The wild life program at Antelope park was amazing in every way. I have been lucky enough to experience many incredible things around the world And nothing compares to Antelope Parks wild life program. There is no experience like it. From feeding elephants with my hands, Watching lions eat from 1 metre away, from spending time with a lion cub, Interactions with zebras, giraffes, rhinos and monkeys, you name it AP has it. Johnathan, Katie and Malcolm along with the rest of the staff at AP was super welcoming from the very start. They make it very clear from the start that antelope park is one big family with the same goal, to help, learn and experience as much as possible with the most incredible animals in the world. The food at the camp was 5 star! And the accommodation rooms were very very comfortable. The whole experience was amazing, I would Recommend this program to anyone, from any age, and from anywhere in the world. It’s an experience like no other. From Dan

Awesome experience , the team was friendly and made me feel welcome and loved getting to meet other volunteers from all over the world. The riding experience was incredible and the amount of house I had the opportunity to ride was amazing Definitely would recommend visiting !

My stay was everything I wanted it to be and more. I did so much in the time that I was there (horse swimming, game drives, polo cross, cross country, safari rides and visiting Hwange national park) but it still felt relaxing and like a break from normal life. I’ve made friends for life and already know that I will be coming back. AP really is a special place with the most incredible people, animals and surroundings.

I went to AP for 2 weeks and honestly I wish I would‘ve stayed longer. It was an amazing time with so many things to do. I was in the Horse Project, so I got to experience amazing safari rides, showjumping, dressage, polocrosse and much more. Waking up to feed and groom the horses to later mock their stables to then do something fun with them in the afternoon was just the perfect day. In addition, there were so many other things that one could do. Every week we could decide if we wanted to do a special trip to various, beautiful destinations in Zimbabwe and if one was interested to work with the community one could go help in the soupkitchen, orphanage, etc. - endless possibilities. And also the staff and everyone at AP was so friendly and everyday was so much fun. I made a lot of friends, who I‘ll hopefully see again and I‘ll definetely come back to AP.

I went to antelope park for 2 weeks in July 2024 and it was one of the best trips I made so far, maybe even the best. There was never a boring day and even though you had stable chores every morning it was still fun and worth it because of all the other things you would experience there (e.g sunset rides, horse swimming, show jumping and much more). I met so many amazing people and made some really good friends!! 10/10 would recommend going to the antelope park and I can’t wait to come back!

I was very happy to get the opportunity to shoot in the wild and be in the Victoria Falls area! The game drives were a great experience, along with all the other activities. The instructors were always happy to help and answer any questions, both with shooting and editing. I am so happy to have done this program!

I had an amazing experience for my 4 weeks out here, everyone was so lovely and very welcoming when I arrived. It was beyond expectations in day to day experiences with wildlife the communities and activities available to me during my time here.

I booked to come to AP for 5 weeks not really knowing what to expect, and I’m so glad I came. We would groom, feed, muck out and do other stable chores in the morning and then ride in the afternoon. The riding activities were so varied which was lovely - we did showjumping, dressage, safari rides, mounted games, cross country, swimming, sunrise rides and polocross (which was a lot of fun and got very competitive). All the horses were very well cared for and got any medical attention / individual care that they needed. There were also loads of opportunities to help out the local community, we could go to the soup kitchen, orphanage, and an animal rescue centre which were all extremely insightful. The people and staff are all very welcoming and friendly, and I’ve made friends that I’ll stay in touch with even though we’re from completely different parts of the world! If I had the chance I’d love to come back to AP in the future!! :)

I volunteered at Antelope Park for a month in October 2023, and it was by far the best thing i have ever done in my entire life! The people, the place, the country, all have a special place in my heart and i couldn’t have asked for a better experience! The horses are beautiful and the wildlife is amazing, to see it all up close is a once in a life time experience and i will never forget it!

I loved helping out painting the enclosure for the baboon and the Monkey I loved cleaning and feeding the ostriches Gloria and Flame the vultures and the crown eagle never had this chance before to see these birds so close I loved going to all the parks filming and photographing the elephants and birds and lots of other types of animals I wiould love to come back

Antelope Park really is the most special and amazing place! I can honestly say I really did have the best time. I met friends for life and learn’t so so much! It’s an incredible place with incredible people and really does make you fall in love with Africa.

I've spent three full month in Antelope Park. Mostly at the stable project, but I loved the possibility to switch to the wildlife project somedays! The safari rides in the park are amazing, getting so close to the wildlife and being able to experience that is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Being able to learn polo crosse was one of my favourite things to do. I really enjoyed playing the games and learning something new with the horses. The horses are very well cared for, and we spent the mornings taking care of them and the stable and then enjoy the afternoon with whatever was on the program with the horses. Because I stayed for such a long time I was assigned a "project horse": One of the horses who needs some more (dressage) training. I loved doing this, and having the opportunity to teach and feel the improvement of the horse. The evening activity's were one of my favourite of my whole stay here. It's nice to get to know the other volunteers and spent time off the project together. Our eventing were filled with game drives, movie night, games and chill nights at the bar. I was pleasantly surprised about the food and accommodation. The accommodation was clean and had enough space, food was very good as well. Recommended to everyone who wants to do an unique working holiday and make some memories and friends for life!

I have spent 4 weeks in Antelope Park and I don't even know where to start because I've experienced so many incredible thing! Besides all the incredible animals like the rhinos, the lions, the giraffes, the impalas, the wildebeest and my personal favourites - the elephants that you get to meet, it's also about the people. No matter who you meet here on the reserve, everyone is super friendly and helpful and they made me felt at home and part of the 'Antelope Park Family' very quickly! I really enjoyed trying all the different horses in all the different disciplines. My personal highlights were the polocrosse games and the evening activities with the other volunteers like the game drives etc.

I learned a lot more than anticipated during this experience. Ain De Perez gave me a front row seat into how the 2024 El Niño and drought are affecting the food needed to support the elephant population and the large likelihood of several elephants dying due to the drought. Then I learned how the cattle and crops will be affected. Finally learning the intense impact the drought will have on the local population where the cows are considered their bank and the crops their livelihood. Seeing the drought and the conditions while learning from experts and discussing with locals was a sobering experience. I am grateful for learning this and much more. The experience feeding the lions was very interesting. Liki is the guide for the lions and his long knowledge of them was a treat. Tay and Tanaka made everyone feel welcomed and Liver produced tasty meals. I could write a lot more about what I learned.

It’s a great program with lots of opportunities of learning all about animals. The staff is friendly and always concerned about your wellbeing and safety. There’s always new things to do and different activities.

The Volunteer Encounter program in Victoria Falls turned out to be an exceptional experience. The experts who spent time with us tending to the animals, going on game drives discussing multiple conservation issues, etc.were extremely knowledgable. The administrative staff went out of their way to be accessible and respond to our nèeds. We learned a great deal about the community center and social needs of the the community. It would have been nice to have more exposure to other programs in the community but some bad weather we experienced made it difficult to be out and about for a few days.

At first I was a bit hesitant as I was the only volunteer in camp, but after the first few days I noticed that that was actually a benefit!! That way I could spend a lot of quality time with all the amazing people that work there. Everyone made me feel so welcome and made sure I had an amazing time. Also the photography course with Hanna was excellent. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun while doing it!! Thanks for everything, will miss you all like crazy and hope to return to Vic Falls one day ❤️

Volunteering at the Vic Falls area Lion sanctuary was a rich educational, cultural, interactive experience. The work details were reasonable and achievable. We had insight into what it takes to care for the great lions and lionesses along with Safari drives thru the Zambezi National Park to view other wildlife. A trip to the local community to see the jewelry making was quite memorable and eye opening to the challenges of making a living locally. Our photos are fabulous and the memories are many. Great staff at the camp in all areas. Camp needs more resources to work with for basic supplies, working tools, and safety items. Vehicles need upgraded.

I recently had the pleasure of participating in a volunteering camp in Zimbabwe, specifically the Wildlife Photography program. From the very beginning, Marleen, the booking agent, was incredibly kind and patient, providing me with all the necessary information and answering all my questions right away. Upon arriving in this beautiful but unfamiliar country, I was greeted by Nigel, a talented videographer as I found out later. He greeted me with the phrase "welcome to the family," and he happened to be right. The camp itself was peaceful, nestled against the stunning backdrop of Zambezi National Park. The sense of tranquility was exactly what I was looking for. What made this volunteering camp truly special was its focus on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Learning that they rescue and release animals harmed by humans back into the wild added a meaningful dimension to my experience. Each day was filled with unique activities, ranging from feeding lions, hyenas, ostriches, and vultures to doing litter picking in Victoria Falls road. One of the highlights was going on walks with Milo, the local Mongoose, accompanied by the mischievous monkey Soko and baboon Kiki. Of course, my focus was photography and I had plenty of opportunities to learn theory and use my skills in practice guided by Tay, Photography coordinator and Nigel. But i really enjoyed other activities as was happy to help when I could. As I mentioned earlier, the camp offered valuable opportunities to explore wildlife photography and editing. With the guidance of Tay and Nigel, I exelled my skills and had amazing opportunities to capture breathtaking moments during game drives in Zambezi National Park, as well as visits to Victoria Waterfalls and various enclosures. Tanaka, the wildlife coordinator, and the knowledgeable staff such as Tay and Ian, were always there to provide support and share their expertise. I particularly cherished my morning conversations with Ian, the ecologist, as he passionately discussed the impact of elephants and patiently answered my countless questions. It wasn't just the amazing experiences and educational opportunities that made this volunteering camp exceptional; it was also the incredible people I had the pleasure of meeting. Vidji, Sha, Liky, and Levi were all kind, friendly, and shared a deep passion for wildlife conservation. I am so thankful for this opportunity to meet these wonderful people. Zimbabwe and its people will forever hold a special place in my heart.

After 4 weeks, Zimbabwe felt like home. The people at Wildlife Encounter were amazing and I made some cool friends. I would highly recommend the Wildlife program to anyone who doesnt mind some dirty work and early mornings.

My Volunteer Encounter in Vic Falls was incredible. The people were great, both before and during my time there. They made sure that everything was properly arranged in advance (and didn't complain when I arrived late to our meeting point as I was taking photos on the bridge connecting Zambia and Zimbabwe!), and ensured that I got to experience and get involved in as much as possible. Their passion for the project was obvious, and it was clear how much they care about it, and how worthwhile what they are doing is. On my first afternoon I visited a local school to assist in a wildlife photography course. A fantastic immediate immersion into the local community. And then came the animals. It was amazing to get so close to the wildlife (even if it involved cleaning up after lions and hyenas!), and seeing an hour old elephant falling over while trying to walk is a memory that will stay with me forever. The food was great and the living arrangements were basic but comfortable and safe. It's indescribable waking up in the middle of the night to the roar of lions. The showers had hot water and there was even time for one or two Zambezi beers in the evenings! Sadly my time there was too short and I'm excited to return. I would highly recommend this project to anyone looking to get close to and deepen their understanding of nature and wildlife, and to contribute to these protection and conservation efforts.

My time in Victoria Falls with Volunteer Encounters was very enjoyable. Everyone involved, from the agent I talked with to the people that were there, was very personable. Not only was I able to have a nice vacation and do tourist activities, I was also able to donate my time to this amazing organization and get more involved in the community while I was there. I would most definitely recommend this to anyone traveling to Victoria Falls, and I sincerely want to do this again sometime in the future!

This was my first time in Victoria Falls so I wasn’t sure of what to expect. The two weeks that I spent here just blew me away. Each day was different and full of new experiences and opportunities. Having done quite a bit of photography at home, it was great to have advice from Tay, Nigel, and Hanna who gave a new perspective on not only how to edit, but what to look out for when photographing wildlife. Everyone at Victoria Falls is very friendly and approachable with whatever needs you may have. They also cater for different dietary requirements! The choice of excursions is vast, I only wish I had more time to do them all! I shall miss everyone at Vic Falls and will definitely look at returning in the future.

This was my 3rd time in Victoria Falls so I had pretty high expectations for my 2 weeks here. I came here hoping to experience wildlife, learn new photography skills and expand my knowledge with editing. With Tay and Nigels expertise, I can confidently say I did that! I finally understand my camera and can capture beautiful moments while traveling. The wildlife photos I was able to capture during my time here were far better than anything I thought I could do. The classes help you understand composition, editing techniques, and how to properly capture different wildlife. I’m excited to continue my photography journey thanks to the team here.

Africa has held a place in my heart since before I could remember,I got the chance to join volunteer encounter In Vic falls ,zimbabwe. It was truly the most amazing volunteer group. I’ve met the most amazing people and made lifelong friends, I’ve gotten to see so many wild animals that I love, I’ve gotten to see happiness from different ways of life and living and I’ve learned so much in just such a short time. so many memories I will remember for the rest of my life. Their will never be enough words to describe how amazing this experience was ,so many dreams came true, if you ever get the chance in this life time I think everyone should go<3

My recent trip to Vic Falls was my first time in Africa and travelling solo. I felt I was very welcome and comfortable on-site where I was staying, the staff were absolutely a delight to be around. They looked after you, made sure everything ran smoothly, always happy to help and answer any queries. I did the photography project and spent 2 weeks in Vic Falls at Fuller Forest, I have learnt so much and definitely improved with my photography skills and that’s thanks to the staff on project. The accommodation I found fun, everybody else that was also staying onsite were so lovely and everybody got on like we’d known each other for a long time. I honestly hope I will be lucky enough to one day come back to Vic Falls and I would definitely stay at Fuller Forest again. I would definitely recommend Fuller Forest and the photography project to anyone.

I spent 3 weeks with Volunteer Encounters and had plenty of opportunities to see and learn more about African flora and fauna and measures taken to protect them. In addition, there were game drives and other adventures that made this a fun time.

Being a volunteer at Wildlife Encounter was an experience of a lifetime...one I will never forget!! The opportunity to engage and be close to animals is an experience that is unexplainable... you must experience!!! The staff were knowledgeable friendly and engaging... truly genuine people... everyone made me feel at home and safe. This is an experience I will return too, as it never gets old.. always something different and exciting to experience. Thank you Wildlife Encounter for an unforgettable experience!!!! See you again soon Angela ♥️❤️

I participated in the Photography Internship in 2022 and enjoyed it so much I came back again this year. I stayed for two weeks from October 1 - 15, 2023. The program was slightly different than last year in that there were different activities and community projects. Still many, many wildlife photography opportunites. The primary photo ops in camp were the Lions...with Feast of the Beast the main attraction...not to be forgotten were the Hyena encounters, Ostrich encounters and a session with the local Raptor experts, Reg and Martha. The game drives were offered only once a week this year. Last year we had two major overnight camping trips to local National Parks and I hope they bring that back again. Around camp there is an abundance of wildlife and bird photography opportunities. Kudo and Elephants were seen from the dining area visiting the water hole on the property. I was able to photograph a Bird of Paradise Flycatcher, a Brown Headed Kingfisher, Red Headed Weaver, a Woodpecker and several other rare birds from the dining area. Milo, the resident Mongoose, Kiki, the Baboon and Soku, the Vervet monkey were available for photos as well. Some improvements include the meals which were much better than last year. My dietary limitations were acknowledged and there was always something I could eat. The addition of soft drinks for sale was a nice touch as well. In the past we had to stock up durning grocery runs into town. Some participants were not prepared for the bugs in the tents, but we didn't notice any in ours. There were some in the washrooms, but usually because people didn't turn out the lights in the evenings when they were done. Understand that the accommodations are very basic, but for the cost and for the photo opportunities, I found everything very satisfactory. I learned a lot and had many new experiences and saw new birds and wildlife...the highlights included seeing a leopard and a Malachite Kingfisher on one of my weekend excursions. I highly recommend planning to take advantage of the weekends to participate in the many local activities. These activities cost extra but are well worth the expense having travelled all the way here. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful. They help make the experiences memorable....If anyone wants more insight feel free to contact me through the program...I would be more than happy to provide additional information...

I had an amazing time at Antelope park. Highly recommended for anyone who wants the time of their life. You get to meet amazing people and new friends from all over the world and spend your days with beautiful animals. You get to experience so much.

Lots to see in terms of wildlife and to photograph. Really enjoyed the programme. The game drive was amazing and also Victoria Falls trip. pack your bags and enjoy an experience of a lifetime. Thank you!

Tucked away in Fuller Forest is a camp with a mission. The tents were large and comfortable, the staff friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, and the wildlife exquisite. Many will say this is a “once in a lifetime trip”, but I hope to be back again one day for more adventures.

My time volunteering at antelope Park enabled me to experience so many new things, from watching lion feeds, to swimming with horses, feeding elephants and going bush baby hunting at night. The African sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking and a definite highlight for me! If you’re prepared to work hard as a team with other volunteers, all while experiencing some amazing wildlife then this is the trip for you!

Looking back on my few weeks before this trip, it seems almost ridiculous that I was so nervous and worried about what activities actually went on the camp. It turned out I had a very friendly and warm welcome from WE staff and other volunteers. I had an opportunity right away on the first day of arrival: Feast of Beast! What was a lifetime activity to witness the power of one of the big five in Zimbabwe? I appreciate everything that was offered to us. The program is very well-organized and there was interaction between volunteers and WE staff. I learned so much in wildlife photography, lightroom editing and understood more about the ecosystem in Zimbabwe. Whenever opportunity comes, I will be back! Miss you all!

Missed the first day due to travel problems so missed the first intro to photography and lightroom, but soon caught up. Had some great game drives (although some not so, due to wild animals not cooperating). Had good interaction with the pupils at the local school. Some fun times with animal enrichment and fantastic photographic shots at " Feast of the Beasts".

There were ups and downs. I saw nothing of the community that the project is supporting, the one visit we had programmed didn't go ahead due to a train across the line. My programme consisted of helping to clean out the lions, hyenas, and other animals on site. There were 2 game drives which were very good, with the driver even managing to spot a leopard in a tree. There was none of the other activities mentioned in the mock programme, such as litter picking and road improvement. I was the only person on the animal encounter experience and I seem to have been forgotten and it was biased towards those on the photography experience. I was disappointed not to have been so involved and active and there was a huge amount of down time, time which could have been used more wisely, with perhaps more simple data imputting etc. I hope that the programme can be developed more. There were no photos of me taking part in the activities I was involved with for me to show my friends back home, who donated a huge amount of items for the project.

Good program. Living quarter needs improved ie newer sheets, blanket, bath towels. Needs more vegetables. I have enjoyed all activities and also learned some techniques of birds photography and Lightroom Classic.

For the last two weeks I had involve with behaved animals in wild. The program of wildlife encounter is very interesting and I have a chance to get close to the animal, had come to visit the village and help children to learn about photography. For my opinion the program need more involve with community to help out children and their need beside animals rescue. Thanks for having me in two weeks

This is my first actual wildlife experience. This photography internship is perfect for me with the right length, content, experience, combination of photoshoot outing and editing, staff knowledge, wonderfully people. I love it. Thank you for all the cares you gave to us.

Antelope Park stables project offers a great environment and unique opportunity to grow horsemanship skills away from home. Their policies are incredibly kind to the horses and the riders. I was happy to support the work being done here.

The team at Wildlife Encounter will do an amazing job of making you feel at home during your volunteer stay. They are friendly, energetic, accommodating and above all extremely fun. The photographers are highly skilled at their craft and happy to share their knowledge and give feedback to make your wildlife photos pop. This experience is a great introduction to wildlife photography, Zimbabwe and Africa.

I spent 2 weeks in this beautiful place, where wildlife is at your doorstep and you get to learn about how to photograph animals. The staff is amazing and experienced, and they help with any request we have. Thank you again and I’ll definitely come back ❤️

The staff are all amazing, so supportive, so friendly and I really feel like we have become the best of friends. Their photography skills are unquestionably exceptional and they ensure that you get the assistance you need to excel alongside them. They are really organised, great activities planned and the experience overall is something I want to do all over again!

Visiting Vic Falls and being a part of your program was one of the nicest experienced I've had in my life. I have met incredible people and made some memories I will never forget. I would definitely come back and recommend the program! I must say I think the photography internship is more suitable for biginners rather than advanced photographers.

I stayed at Antelope Park for 3 weeks and I loved every minute of it. I loved working with the horses and getting to know all the other animals here. Every day was different and we did so much fun things. It didn’t feel like I was working at all. I loved taking care of the horses, swimming with them , jumping them and loved learning how to play polocross. All the staff members are so friendly and really go all the way to give you the best experience possible. I can’t thank them enough! I am really going to miss this place and all the people I got to meet and will cherish all the memories I’ve made these last past weeks forever! Thank you so so much!

I’d never done anything like this before. Totally enjoyed the experience with the children. The animals are wonderful to interact with. I would definitely do something like this again. I wish I had known about these types of programs when I was younger

There was opportunity to experience many things and things to do when not immersed in the volunteer projects. You learn many things that you would not be exposed to in your normal safari tours. The knowledge gained in photography was wonderful. Even the experienced photographer can gain new skills. It is a great opportunity for anyone interested in traveling to Africa.

Only here for a week but I wished I could have stayed longer! The people here are very friendly, love hanging out and playing games together! Also got my hands on many of the behind the scenes of how they take care of the animals here, overall really enjoy my volunteering experience here, hope to come back again one day!

I have been there for 2 weeks. As a volunteer, I was surprised by the number of lions raised in captivity and present on the site (25 lions in enclosure in the sanctuary and 59 lions in enclosure in Antelop Park, the second place (same owner)). The reason by the locals is a reintroduction of the lions which did not work in 2019. Even if this is true (research in progress), only 10 or 20 lions maximum could have been released. I sincerely hope that this is not a lion breeding farm and that lion walking will not start again. However, the staff is kind to animals. The animals are also in good shape.

I had the best time visiting this place. Great wildlife encounter, learning about the animals their behaviour, sighting different species of birds, participating in animal welfare, reasearch based projects and many more. It’s a mist visit place. Highly recommended!!!

I recently had the privilege of participating in a wildlife photography internship in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and I can confidently say that it was an unforgettable experience that exceeded my expectations in many ways. The internship was well-organized and structured, allowing me to learn from seasoned wildlife photographers who shared valuable insights into the art and technique of capturing animals in their natural habitats. The photography instructors were knowledgeable, patient, and passionate about their craft, always eager to provide guidance and feedback. From mastering the art of composition to understanding lighting techniques, I felt my skills improve significantly throughout the program. Moreover, the encounters with wildlife were nothing short of extraordinary. The game drives afforded numerous opportunities to photograph elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, jackals, painted dogs and an array of bird species, among countless others. The guides' extensive knowledge of the animals and their habitats ensured that we were in safe and respectful proximity for incredible shots, while prioritizing the animals' well-being at all times. The overall experience was heightened by the warm hospitality and friendly demeanor of the local people. Their deep connection to their land and passion for conservation enriched the experience, fostering a sense of appreciation for Zimbabwean culture and the importance of preserving its natural wonders. In conclusion, the wildlife photography internship in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, offered an incredible opportunity to immerse myself in the world of African wildlife while enhancing my photography skills. I would highly recommend this program to any aspiring wildlife photographer or nature enthusiast seeking a remarkable and educational adventure.

I spent 3 weeks at Antelope Park and had a wonderful time. Whether it was with the horses or the wildlife program, we had a great program every day and the staff is always looking to improve things. The horses are wonderful and all have very different characters and abilities. Whether polocross, hacking out, show jumping or swimming with the horses.... One highlight after the other. The stuff and the other volunteers become your family very quick. It's definitely hard to leave after some weeks

From the second at arriving at the airport I was greeted with a sign and a big smile, that made me instantly feel safe and in good hands. The whole journey over I was so excited for what the next weeks would bring! All I can say is WOW! Every second was incredible! Ever since I was very young (I’m talking about 3 ish) I always wanted to work with African wildlife, especially the lions!! And my time at Antelope park has made that dream come true, so THANK YOU!! From my whole heart! Honestly being on the wildlife project didn’t feel like real life, I felt like I was in this bubble! I was beyond happy and loved every moment! The wildlife project it’s self was SO fun, no day was the same! Our leader Noxy was the best!! Beyond lovely and made the experience more special!! Every day was action packed, providing care for the most incredible animals! You work so closely along side them, especially the lions, elephants and the rhino’s you learn their personalities and now that’s so special!! I feel so lucky to know these incredible animals and how they behave! We would also always see the other animals too such as zebras, giraffes, impalas and many more! These guys were equally incredible and was so exciting every time we would see them, especially doing a game feed as they would be SO close! Gosh they are all just so beautiful. Everyone around the park is incredibly friendly and always makes sure to wave and say hello! It really does feel like one big happy family, that I feel so lucky to be a part of! I have made such lovely friends along the way too! It’s so nice to have communal areas for us to chill out in all together! The accommodation was kept clean and the lovely ladies would change our beds too (I haven’t experienced this much when volunteering, so was a nice little surprise)! There was a free laundry service, which may I add was SO quick, I had some items come back the same day!!! We also had free wifi, so we could keep in contact with everyone at home and tell them about our adventures!! All meals were provided too! Breakfast, lunch and dinner! It was always so nice to sit with all the other volunteers and catch up with everyone on other projects over a yummy meal! There was also a little coffee shop, ( with the worlds BEST milkshakes!!!) that served food If you fancied something different at a very low price! I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone at Antelope park, you all have all made my trip a memory I’ll never forget! It’s been perfect, honestly my biggest dream come true!! All I can say is if you are ever considering coming, please just book the trip!! You won’t regret it I promise!! This isn’t a goodbye, it will be a see you soon! Big hugs! Thank you again for absolutely everything ❤️

I had an amazing time volunteering at Vic Falls!! Highlights for me were definitely taking Milo the Mongoose for a walk with the monkeys (that were basically my adopted children)! I loved feeding the lions with the guys as well. Definitely an experience to remember with lifelong memories made! 2 weeks is not long enough to volunteer here and I would love to come back again :)

Wildlife encounter was an amazing experience. I was able to travel to a new continent, meet incredible people, and some intriguing wildlife. I was immersed in the local culture, and was able to learn first hand about conservation. The experience has made me realize that we have much work to do to making our world a sustainable one for all that live here.

It was amazing experience. Everyone were so nice and friendly to me..... always smiling. Big thanks to Zenzo, Vusa, Nox, Courtney and William for everything!!! Here I met amazing volunteers all around the world. It was fun to share 16 days full with amazing activities with them. I was volunteer in wild life program and it was very exciting to see lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes and etc so close to me. To take care for this animals was dream come true for me. Thank you Antelope park for the best 16 days of my life. ?????

My journey was just perfect! Everything was very well organised, the staff is so friendly and polite. I experienced so many thing for first time in my life. I saw there so many animals and had learned so many new facts about their life behaviour. Oh my they have like 56 lions! I really recommend this place and I want to say THANK YOU again to the staff there and all my new friends from there. ❤️?

Antelope park is a special place with incredible people. Every single staff member is friendly, knowledgeable, and just overall a delight to be around. The other volunteers are all amazing people with amazing stories. Special shout out to Willem and Dani for always making sure everyone felt a part of the AP family.

This experience was life changing, definitely something that i will never forget. The staff was welcoming and helpful through the whole time, we all became close and where able to build bonds both socially and work wise. Tanaka, Tay, and Hannah really were key parts in making my experience amazing and non forgetful.

I signed up for this trip really not sure what to expect, all I can say it exceeded all expectations. Loved every single day of this project, met some amazing people (a new best friend!) and made some memories that I’ll never forget. The weekend actives are awesome and allow you to see more of the country.

As a student, Internships are something that are really important for my career, and in my opinion a wildlife internship as a volunteer is something really incredible. At the initial stage I personally felt that the amount I am investing into this was actually worth it or not. However, During my stay at ALERT I have met many new people and have done a lot activities which were very new to me, but the best part was I was always guided by our managers and even by my fellow volunteers. There was always something new that made me feel exited about the day. By the time I was leaving, the one important thing I have learnt was to appreciate and learn about my surroundings, my country and the wildlife. I have personally learnt a lot from IAN and Hanna, maybe its due to the expertise they have in the field they are working but they were amazing. and they really have some very good initiatives taken up. I have personally felt it was not about all about the knowledge I have gained at ALERT, it was the people I have met and the experience I gained. I was happy, Thanks a lot and cheers for the ALERT team.

Volunteering at the Lion & Wildlife Sanctuary, Victoria Falls was truly an amazing experience. From tending to lions, hyenas, ostriches, etc., to visiting local Zimbabwean homesteads, conservation seminars and weekly game drives, this place has it all. Located 20 minutes from Victoria Falls with all its activities make this the perfect place to volunteer/vacation. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the other volunteers were great.

Unforgettable memories. Experiences that were unique and exciting. I can’t say enough good things about the staff at Antelope Park. They truly go out of their way to make the experience so special. The park is beautiful and is clearly loved by all who work and visit.

I knew going in that I would see some wonderful things and do a lot of adventurous activities, but I was really impressed with the quality of people - both staff and other volunteers - with whom I interacted. The staff were professional, engaging, and informative. The other volunteers likewise were a pleasure tk work with. Over all, this experience was more than I expected and allowed me to create memories that will last for a lifetime.

The professional photographers, Hanna and Tay, the team workers such as Pure are nice and very helpful. I have learned a lot about shooting wildlife animals and birds and the most, I have a great time with work with all other volunteers. It's one of my best volunteering trip. Miss you all the wonderful people in the program!

This was a very good experience and I will always cherish the time that I spent here! The staff was amazing and I always felt supported. I would definitely love to come back someday and work on other projects!

Durant 3 semaines ici, je n'ai passé que des bons moments. Les personnels des écuries sont des passionnés, à l'écoute, de très bons conseils et très encourageants! On voit qu'ils connaissent et aiment leurs chevaux. Les activités proposées sont incroyables et très amusantes !! Les personnels de la faune sauvage sont également passionnés et très intéressants à écouter et suivre dans le quotidien! Le personnel du parc est très accueillant et souriant! Ce parc est un superbe endroit pour nous faire découvrir l'Afrique et le Zimbabwé ainsi que ses belles ressources, tout en nous sensibilisant à la protection et la conservation de l'environnement. Je recommande cette expérience à 200% et j'espère pouvoir revenir un jour!

Had so much fun in a new and welcoming environment. Highly recommend to all equestrians to try this new experience and learn about the equine world on the other side of the planet. Thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

An idyllic setting, attentive and very friendly staff. If you want to give meaning to your holidays by working in Africa to help take care of Wild animals, horses or visit local schools to meet children this is the trip you need.

It was truly an experience of a lifetime. All the activites were interesting, interactive and you knew in what way you were helping the wildlife. The activites were more than I could ever imagine I would be doing. You get to learn so much about wildlife from an experienced group of people. It was also great to meet amazing people from all over the world and form friendships. The activites that you are able to do in your free time are once in a lifetime experiences which I would highly recommend doing. The staff are super helpful and friendly. They make you feel right at home and they really do a superb job. Sending a big thank you to all the staff involved in making this the best holiday/experince of my lifetime. I am sure I will be back one day :)

My journey here has been absolutely amazing from start to finish. I’ve made a whole lot of new friends and learnt a lot of new skills and knowledge. Everything I had done here was incredible and nothing I had ever done before. I will definitely be back in the future.

My time at AP is something I will treasure forever. Zimbabwe is a country everyone must visit, I was lucky enough to experience every aspect of it through AP. Such as the natural beauty (& night life !!) of Victoria falls, an excursion which will stick with me for a long time. The vast open land scapes of parks like AP, including animals I may only ever see once. We went into schools and the community, visited towns and historical important sites. There was always something for you to do at the weekends if you didn’t want to relax by the pool. I have recommend AP and Zimbabwe to all of my friends as simply a must do experience. I grew as a person in so many ways in the short time I was there. I always tell people I want to be back there right now!! If you want to see the real Zimbabwe, Antelope Park the place to be.

I have really loves being at antelope park for seven weeks, the people and horses and wild life where amazing. I would recommend everyone to go there to improve their English of just to learn and see more from zimbabwe.

I’ve just finished my second visit to the Antelope park stables project for 4 weeks, and the experience is still 10/10. The variety of different opportunities this project gives you with horses, wildlife and communities is amazing. You immediately feel like part of the Antelope Park family and all the staff who work there are fantastic and make the experience amazing. Special recognition is needed to Dani (Volunteer Manager) and Willem (Stables and Wildlife Manager) who continually go above and beyond to provide new experiences whilst on project. They make everyone feel welcome and you will struggle to find 2 people anywhere who do their job better. They are both so approachable and are happy to immediately sort any concerns or requests you may have. On the stables project, there is a perfect variety of horses to suit all riders regardless of experience, and getting to ride almost all of them has been a pleasure. Activities such are horse swims, polocrosse, community rides and canter rides through the African bush are unmatched. The weekly schedule is effectively planned and organised to make each day a new adventure. The food and accommodation on project is fantastic, and the environment creates a great social atmosphere to meet likeminded people from around the world. 10/10 would recommend to anyone, a life changing experience.

I came for my AHEMS veterinary medicine placement and it was amazing. I got to interact with wildlife I would never be able to in the UK. The volunteering programme is ran so well! I met amazing people and was able to do great excursions. I wish I could have stayed longer, I did not want to leave at all. The food we got there was great. We were able to get our clothes washed and the shower facility was really good. Would love to return.

A chance to do something completely opposite of everyday life. The staff is loveable and makes boring tasks funny, the entire trip is well organized and the weekends are a nice contrast to the busy week. I especially appreciated how knowledgeable some of the staff are when it comes to everything nature related.

Loved every second of it. All the people are so nice, and there is really good problem-solving. There was a bit of a struggle with food allergies since the kitchen didn’t really understand the importance and severity. Other than that the stay was amazing. Thank you for having us!

I had an amazing time at AP all the staff were so lovely and welcoming. I made some amazing friends that I’m sure I will keep in touch with. It was so inclusive and I felt like I always had the opportunity and choice to do whatever was available.

The wildlife photography program was everything and more than I expected. I was genuinely upset to leave! Tay, Hanna and all of the staff on site were so friendly and did everything they could to make us feel welcome. Experienced and knowledgable in their fields, but also approachable and easy to spend down time with. I feel like I learned so much from them and always appreciated their patience with my questions and their feedback - I feel like I made progress with my photos fast! Ian and Mike and their teams were wealths of knowledge and I wish I could've absorbed everything they know. I can sometimes feel awkward with new people but as well as learning from them I also felt relaxed, like I was hanging out with friends sharing interests. They are all truly dedicated to running the program as well as taking care of the wildlife in their care; spending extra hours from their own time making sure that injured animals got the attention they needed and springing into action when the local community brought abandoned animals into camp on short notice and making fast repairs to enclosures too. I was fortunate enough to experience the program with both a very small group of volunteers and a larger group and I always felt involved and supported. The program itself was incredible - a game drive every week (and Aaron was an excellent guide), a trip to the falls, spending time on the welfare and enrichment of the resident animals, surveys of the local area and time to work on your editing skills. You also have free time to visit town or explore Vic Falls on separate excursions. The crocodile cage diving is certainly an up close experience, and the Chobe and Stanley & Livingstone game drives excursions were fantastic extras to add to our experience. We had some great chances to try out different skills with long exposure photography at the Falls and astro photography when the skies finally allowed for it! In our free time as a group, we watched sunsets on the hillside and saw live music in town (which I'm still listening to at home!). It is amazing how fast you settle in - my tent soon felt like home and my body was fully in the mealtime routine. We all looked forward to seeing what Shar had made for dinner every day! I hit a personal wall dealing with mosquitoes after a week or so but Tay was so helpful and reassuring and made me feel comfortable again. Even I thought I was being a bit dramatic but Tay was gentle with me and did everything she could to make me feel better, without feeling like a burden. If you're nervous about that sort of thing, definitely pack a mosquito net, but generally it's not a problem. Grace kept the tents and the facilities clean and I was very grateful having laundry done twice a week but also the fresh blankets for the animals when they were needed too. If anyone has ever thought about visiting Zimbabwe or taking part in either the Wildlife or Photography programs, I'd urge you to book it as soon as possible! You won't regret it.

I love it. The program with communities at first was not what I expected. I thought that we were doing more and more than 3 days a week and just half of the days, so of course it changed after Covid they said so it was more before covid. But wonderful staff, they always try to do the best of a situation. And the place Antelope park is just so beautiful and the activities was so worth to do and get to know the volunteers better. I really going to miss this place, staff and volunteers a lot. DO IT, you will love it!!!

I liked it a lot! It’s my first time traveling alone. But this is a great place to start. The people who works here are so nice and helpful. Plus I got new friends. Who I got to know well, since we are together all the time. And I loved the weekdays here. I like having a lot to do. So the routine suited me well. The weekend was maybe a little too quiet, but it was nice to have some time to relax. And I understand that the horses can’t be used every day. All in all a great program and I will definitely recommend it to friends.

I've had the most unforgettable 3 weeks on the Stable Management programme at Antelope Park. Everyone has been extremely friendly and welcoming, I've felt at home right from the start and have never wanted my time here to come to an end! Every day has been so different and interesting, doing such unique things such as horse swims, community rides, polocrosse and rides alongside giraffes, wildebeest and zebras. The atmosphere is so chilled and laid-back which I love, it really gives you a break from 'normal' life. The staff here are all incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, always willing to help. It is a magical place and I will definitely be back!!

To put this in words is almost impossible because it was just so beautiful. I had an imagination of how it would be. But I didn't know that it was going to be that good. I had my best time I will NEVER EVER forget it. Because this experience thought be so much, everyday was a joy to experience. I still think about it everyday and i miss it very much. I miss everyone and everything because it is was it is amazing. Thank you for this time. I have so many emotions right now but i can't explain it. I think this is the case because it was ineffable (too beautiful to ever describe in words). That may sound funny or stupid but I enjoy the little things and one of my favorite moments where when we drove with the open car through the bush. In the day and especially in the night. The stars where unbelievable. At the beginning i was afraid because i heard the lions but at the end it was calming. I miss feeding them i miss spending time with kiki, soko and the mongus. I miss sha (i hope i spelled it right if not I'm so sorry). I miss everything. The sun was one of the most amazing things iv ever seen. I even miss to look under my bead to check for any spiders (i never thought i would say that). Everyday was something different and that was really really good. I learned so much from the animals and about the culture. The people where amazing. Everyone was so nice and caring. It was like a little family for a time. Everyday i woke up i was excited even if it was early but it was worth it, it was all worth it. I even miss Helga. So whoever is reading this I'm sorry you have to read all this but I'm a Person when I'm experienced stuff like this I just can't write 1 sentence I'm sorry. This time teached me so much about life and myself and before that honestly I was so done I was a mess because I lost the purpose. I needed this and it came at the right point. Those 2 weeks brought me back to life you can say. It made me appreciate life just a little bit more. I'm forever thankful to have experience this and it will always have a special place in my heart. Albert Einstein said something like this"here are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” and i do that all the time and everything was magic at this place not because of imagination because that's the truth. But again this is nothing in comparison what I have in my mind but I just cant describe it because we humans actually cant describe our emotions i always found that interesting. I hope you have/ had a wonderful day. And just take a second to look around and take it all in to just enjoy life:) Thank you

Overall, a great program. Had initial training on camera settings for wildlife photography, with later instruction on photo processing. Personal and group reviews of processed images helped reinforce the training. Interaction with other photographers in the group resulted in other tips, as well as help with equipment. Ample opportunities for wildlife photography, including a weekly all-day game drive at Zambezi National Park. Went on optional game drives at Chobe National Park, and early morning birdwatching cruises on the Zambezi River. Lived in a 4-person wall tent with 2 others, with laundry service twice a week. Community restroom. Well worth the experience.

This program was a wonderful way for me to see Africa for the first time. The volunteer opportunities, community visits and resource management discussions were unique learning opportunities that I really enjoyed.

I really enjoyed the experience. There were alot of different experiences and I learned alot about photography. The game drives were excellent and the photography experiences were great including astrophotography, bird photography, and and wildlife photography. Tay and Tanaka were amazing, well organized and made sure we were well taken care of. I really enjoyed the school photography project and my only comment was that I wish we did more community projects. Ian was amazing and his insights and knowledge of African wildlife, conservation, and wildlife issues were invaluable. His talks and what I learned were some of the best moments. I highly Recommend this experience and would like to come back.

This experience was incredible. The staff foresaw our needs on a daily basis and provided clear, friendly guidance for projects. For a photography intern, we were encouraged by photography experts. The photographic opportunities are second to none. I consider myself an intermediate level photographer.... I learned many things that I will carry with me the rest of my life. I am better for coming here. Also, we learned many things culturally and with conservation that I will take back home to share.

I had the best trip ever with Volunteer encounter in Vic Falls! When I booked the trip back in October, I was apprehensive about travelling and partaking in something like this as it’s so far out of my comfort zone. But I’m so glad I did and would not have changed a thing! Zimbabwe is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve visited, everyone from the staff and fellow volunteers, to the locals were super friendly and the wildlife is simply spectacular. I was instantly infatuated with the local animal residents on site which were amazing to interact with and surprisingly photogenic.. especially the adorable baboon Rafiki! I have definitely learnt a lot about photography and my camera in particular, from the - what felt like - infinite wisdom from Hanna & Tay, who were very friendly and approachable if you have any queries about camera settings or photography technique. The agenda every day was very diverse from Lion/Hyena Enrichment to full day game drives and astrophotography, which left you satisfied come the evening as no day felt the same as the one before! We actually missed Astrophotography due to the moon cycle on the first two weeks and a bush fire on the third which I was sad about due to it being a key interest of mine. But I was surprised by everyone with a last minute session on our last evening together, which was the perfect send off for such an incredible trip! (Again - Thank you Tay, Hanna and Prince!!) We weren’t required to work on the weekends, which meant we could partake in any of the excursions that were available from 3rd party companies. They are rather pricey which was the only downside, but Tay & Hanna were always on hand to give any opinions on what they heard are the best ones to do, so you are confident in spending the money. (Big up the Bamba Tram!) The canopy tour and Chobe trip were my personal favourites, but there was a lot of variety to choose from, so there was definitely something for everyone. The facilities were very pleasant to use, plenty of hot water for the showers, and the bathrooms were always kept in a very satisfactory state. The accommodation was also very pleasant; with regular sheet changes for the beds to make the nights as comfortable as possible. After a long day shooting, it was very much needed! The food was exceptional by the two chefs on site, serving three meals a day and catered perfectly for any volunteers with special dietary requirements. Overall - I had the time of my life across the three weeks I spent with the team at Wildlife Encounter. I’ve made unforgettable memories seen anazing wildlife and learnt so much to help become a better photographer. My only regret is that I didn’t stay for another week. Can’t wait to do it all again!

Loved my experience! Got to go on a few game drives and saw some amazing animals. Was taught how to photograph wildlife and was able to apply it. Got to work with some people who worked on this Wildlife Encounter site as well as helping out with some duties/activities we did with the Lions and Hyenas. Learned a lot, wishing I was still there!

This was the month I needed! I’ve traveled over the whole world, and this is the place I felt at home short after arriving. Thanks to the staff that works there and the amazing animal life n the park. The surroundings of the park is beautiful as well! Grateful for the people I met and what I got to experience while visiting.

Antelope Park is a wonderful destination, I highly recommend going there, words can't describe how amazing my experience was! I spent two weeks there, which is honestly not enough, I could totally spend months in that gorgeous place! The horses were fantastic, so many different personalities and lots of opportunities to ride! And the wildlife... such close encounters that I didn't even dare to dream of! The team is super nice, very helpful and flexible! I definitely made friends for life and came home with memories i'll never forget!

Antelope park was absolutely amazing! Interacting and being in the presence of such magnificent animals if a feeling that you can’t describe! All the people there were so lovely and helpful and I have definitely made friends for life with the other girls on the projects from around the world. It is definitely an experience I will remember for the rest of my life!

From the get go, everyone at Volunteer Encounter were so helpful and sent me so many documents with everything i'd need to know - from packing lists and advice for vaccines to insurance suggestions. I felt so supported and prepared before I had even arrived. Once arrived, my luggage didn't follow me. Luckily I was already prepared for this, as another note from the various documents was to bring spare clothes in your hand luggage. Thank goodness I did! However, Volunteer Encounter had spare clothes and toiletries and the other volunteers were so generous too. The next day, my lugagge had arrived and luckily the airport is only a short drive away so Tay took me to pick it up. From then on my experience officially started! The variety of activities was amazing - from giving the mongoose a walk to the ostrich a bath, game drives to bird surveys, collecting camera trap photos to meeting chiefs and headmans of local communities. Every day was exciting and new and it was never boring. We do get a lot of relaxation too in the evenings (when we're not doing a nocturnal survey or joining the photography course on astro photography!) so I never felt overwhelmed or stressed. It was so chilled out and that was also down to all the staff working there. Tay and Hanna were fantastic at organising our schedule and even on weekends they were there to help us with excursions and days out. I worked very closely with Ian who was like an encyclopedia of knowledge! There was no uncomfortable hierarchy which was really nice, everyone felt approachable and we'd all eat meals together and had a campfire with popcorn one of the nights. It was nice to learn about all the work Volunteer Encounter are doing as well as the individuals within the organisation. The animals at the Sanctuary too are so well looked after and are genuinely happy. This organisation does not exploit these animals or any local communities. They are genuinely and authentically there for the better of Zimbabwean Wildlife and Communities. I would urge you, if you're on the fence about doing this experience, GO FOR IT! I did two weeks which I think is the perfect length of time but whatever length you stay for, you won't regret it.

A dedicated, enthusiastic and knowledgeable team make this project a successful and immersive experience . All aspects of the photography internship were well constructed/executed, although the amount of editing time may need to be revised as in my opinion, it was excessive in week 2. The food was varied and excellent (even accommodated my limited palette), which was prepared and served with a smile. The animal enrichment and encounters were very educational as well as enjoyable. Overall an enjoyable time and would recommend it.

I Thoroughly enjoyed my time here. A great team that made every effort to meet all needs. Even went out of their way for my partners birthday celebrations and made a great day. I learnt a lot about wildlife, cultures and photography. There was a lot of photography support from the team from camera settings and composition right up to editing and final image. Great for all levels. The first week was packed full of activities with a bit too much editing time in the 2nd week in my opinion. Suppose I wanted to see and do as much as possible in the time I was there. The animal encounters were a priceless experience. Would definately recommend and visit again!

Wildlife photography is an artform. And the guys at Wildlife Encounter are at the top of their game. Their knowledge of cameras, desire to help you improve as you go, as well as their unwavering calm & coolness around camp and the game drives meant I got an experience like no other and left with skills I genuinely didn't know I could gain in two weeks. Settings, angles, and finding personality in your shots became second nature. And it truly is a wild encounter! A really special one. I mean, you'll be hard pressed to find a place where you are discussing aperture settings and getting real time feedback whilst a hyena is sitting across from you. The game drives were well managed, it meant that we could stop and really see the animals, birds and flora around us - it wasn't your usual tourist game drive. Our driver would slowly back up the vehicle so we were all positioned nicely to get the best shots! On top of that, we explored so many options of photography from astrophotography of the African night sky, blended shots of the Victoria falls, to rapid shutter speeds of a vulture feed. The variety meant each day there was something new, and getting up early was far from a burden. Actually the earlier you got up, the more exciting the day was going to be! You felt safe & the flexibility of the staff was amazing. I left with a deeper understanding of Zimbabwe thanks to the staff and the curriculum, something I will hold dear for a long, long time. I was also a beginner! And trust me, being around experts and lifelong photographers is not intimidating, it's amazing because you learn from your peers as you go. It's the most unique experience I've ever had - if you're umming and aahhing - just go, you won't regret a second.

From the very first moment I arrived antelope park I felt so welcome and safe by the volunteer manager and people in the park. It was incredible getting so close to the animals, getting to know them, watch them in the wild, learn about them and walk with them. During my four weeks I got to spend time with some amazing volunteers from all over the world, and I've gotten friends for life. The people, the project, the food, the facilities, the excursions and overall the whole experience was just amazing, and a month I will remember for the rest of my life.

Myself and my husband had 4 weeks with Antelope Park and had an amazing time. I did the horses and he did wildlife - but volunteers can dip into both projects- which is brilliant! Where else can you check on lions, walk with elephants and canter past wild zebra, impalas, wildebeest and giraffes all in the same day? Fantastic! The horses are beautiful and very well looked after and there are lots of opportunities to learn about horse care and a special thank you to both Willem and Dani who made the whole stay well organised and totally fantastic! Accommodation was great - food (I am vegetarian) is out of this world and the only problem was having to come home at the end of our stay! - but I am sure we will be back xxx Ps - we are in our 50’s - and had an absolute ball - so if you are thinking about booking - do it ?

Really good experience, which started before we arrived into Zimbabwe - very good engagement in terms of what we needed to do. Varied days, big focus on learning and great engagement with the team. Would definitely recommend and would be interested in coming back again. And a fantastic experience in learning about the local environment.

I don't even know where to begin. My time at Antelope Park and in Zimbabwe gave me memories and experiences that I will never forget. From the time I inquired about the opportunity to the time I left I felt like I was family. Dani was instrumental in helping me organize my trip and accommodating my crazy travel schedule. Rosine made sure that all the scheduling was done so our time in Zimbabwe was safe and comfortable, and the rest of the AP staff were nothing short of amazing. I wish I could list all of the amazing people I was able to get to know during my time in Africa. This trip ended up being so much more than just a volunteer project. This program gives you the opportunity to work on any of the projects as you see fit which made every day different, new and exciting. Even with my time at AP being short I was able to take advantage of the opportunity to go to Victoria Falls and Matobo National Park. All I can say about these two excursions is they are 100% worth it. Victoria Falls is like walking into a completely different world. While I was there I was able to bungee jump off of the Victoria Falls Bridge, take a dip in Angel's Pool on the edge of the falls, and take a sunset cruise down the Zambezi River. Matobo National Park is an adventure all in itself. We spent the morning tracking the Rhinos on foot with a professional tracker, and then had a wonderful picnic within the park all while learning about its history and the conservation efforts of African wildlife. Long story short if there's any doubt in your mind about going on this trip, DO IT. It will be a trip you never forget.

I went to volunteer for just two weeks. I wish I could have stayed longer! There was a lot of stress because it was my first trip alone, but even before departure when I received detailed information about everything I calmed down a little. The schedule was quite tight but the activities were very varied. In short, I spent the winter break in a wonderful place with great people and certainly gained a lot of knowledge and experience from it.

Antelope Park was a fantastic experience! The staff were so friendly and welcoming. Supporting the children in the local schools through the community project was a humbling and meaningful experience that will always stick with me. The horse project is great fun and Willem clearly really cares about the horses, they are well looked after. A personal highlight was playing polo-crosse and cross country schooling. Riding alongside zebras and giraffes is breathtaking! My ultimate, favourite part of the project was the work with the elephants, they are so gentle and majestic, walking alongside them and just being present in their company is a once in a lifetime opportunity and something I’ll never forget. We also went on a trip to the Victoria Falls which is highly recommended and great fun, the volunteer encounter sister camp was so welcoming, the staff were so happy to have us there. Listening to the lions at night and getting up close to they hyenas is amazing! If you’re considering booking a trip to AP then don’t wait any longer, you won’t regret it!!

We stayed at Antelope Park for 2 weeks on the volunteer project and it wasn’t long enough! There was so much to do, our 2 weeks were jam packed! On our first weekend we did the Victoria Falls trip which was amazing! Itai was our driver, who made the trip easy and relaxed he knew exactly where to go! Plenty to do at Victoria Falls including bunjee, devils pool and much more! Vic falls encounter camp was so friendly and welcoming, giving a completely different experience to Antelope park - but both just as good! The Motopas Rhino Trek was also brilliant - Andy knew his stuff! At Antelope Park you were made to feel at home the minute you arrived! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming, you never walked past anyone without a hello or a chat! There is a really relaxed vibe with everyone just wanting to have fun and enjoy themselves! Plenty to do with the horses and wildlife and great you had the choice daily what you wanted to do! Willem, Jess, Cecilia, Lenny, Felix and Tom were great at the stables. A good variety of horses to suit everyone! Whilst I arrived at antelope park with a love for horses, my heart got left behind with the elephants! A fantastic hands on experience that you can only dream of! Dani, Rosine and Winnie were so helpful and accommodating too, making the whole booking process and trip/community booking process whilst we were there seamless! Don’t think about this experience for a minute, just book it! You won’t regret it!

From the minute we got off the plane everyone was so welcoming!! We went for 2 weeks doing a mixture of wildlife and horses. Wildlife was amazing so friendly and knowledgeable, absolute dream spending time and getting so close with the elephants. We had a trip to Victoria falls with itai and he was fantastic!! Definitely recommend the Vic falls trip sooo much to do there and so much fun! Stables were great fun and loved getting to know the horses including some of the quirky ones! Staff were lovely Willam, Jess and Cecilia. Absolutely loved the horse swim and the Polocrosse training- This was one of my favourite afternoons everyone had a great fun! The staff at antelope park were all really friendly, food was great, accommodation was nice had everything you needed. Trip of a lifetime and would recommend anyone to go!

I spent 3 weeks on the photography program at Vic falls with Wildlife Encounter. From the moment I got picked up at the airport I knew I was going to have the time of my life! The staff were so welcoming and we all became close friends. The camp is amazing, lovely accommodation, with everything you need right in the bush. So fun! They have fun activities like camp fires in the evenings which are great. The food was lovely great chefs, that cater to your dietary requirements! The staff are so passionate about everything they do, which is very inspirational! The photography project itself was amazing. I learnt so much; from taking the actual picture to editing. They also helped me with my confidence in photography, which I will always be grateful for! Anyone from beginner to advanced can join this program, and I think that’s totally awesome. During the week you will join in photographing projects around camp, the animals and communities. They also take you on 2 game drives a week! Which is incredible! Alongside, other fun activities like going to photograph Vic Falls itself! Pretty cool! Then Saturday afternoons and Sundays are free days to do what you want in town, so many fun activities to partake in! Genuinely if you are thinking about having the best experience of your life and are passionate about photography or want ti learn you should go for it! I couldn’t recommend it more!

My month at Antelope Park has been nothing but fun and excitement. It has provided me with lifelong friends and memories that I will never forget and cherish forever. The staff at Antelope Park are very nice and made my experience in Zimbabwe very memorable. Abisha the Stable Supervisor made working at the stables a lot of fun, it never felt like work with all the stable staff around. Staben, our driver to Victoria Falls made our trip unforgettable, without him the trip wouldn’t have been the same! I couldn’t have asked for a better volunteering experience abroad

I can quite honestly say that my trip to Antelope Park has been an experience of a lifetime. From making life long friends, to having amazing opportunities such as visiting Victoria Falls (which our trip was only amplified by our incredible personal tour guide Staben!) to the every day yard chores which never truly seemed like work due to the atmosphere here at Antelope Park, there really is nothing I would change about my time here.

Volunteering at antelope park was the most amazing experience. I enjoyed every minute. The staff were very friendly and always willing to help. I made memories and friends that will last a lifetime. Would definitely recommend, best month yet!

My stay at antelope park was nothing but pleasant. I enjoyed every second. The staff were always willing to help and friendly. The activities were fun and the volunteering was worth every Penny. I highly recommend with program/ volunteering

My time at Antelope Park is one I will never forget. I had the best four weeks of my life and would go back in a heartbeat. Dani and Willem made the experience as amazing as they could by organising specific rides we wanted to do, any other activities we were interested in and creating an overall welcoming and supportive environment. Very quickly Antelope Park became a second home to me, with the friendliness and kindness of both staff and other volunteers making the adjustment easy. The people I met and friendships I made are going to stay with me for my life. I got the opportunity to learn about life in Zimbabwe, not just in terms of horses and stables but I had the opportunity to go visit the local school and help teach the kids there. It was an unforgettable experience. The horses at the stables were all wonderful, easy to work with and I learnt a lot from them. Being able to play my first polocrosse match and competing in a mock event, I had experiences here that I would never have had at home! I could not fault my trip, I stayed for four weeks and wished I could've stayed longer. I loved every minute of my trip. A big thank you to everyone who was there during my time and to Dani and Willem for being so wonderful

I really did have the trip of a lifetime during my 6 week stay at Antelope Park. Horse project activities ranged from horse swims and safari rides to polocrosse and cross country, as well as helping out on the ground making improvements to the cross country course, giving medical care to the horses, and so much more. Even though I was only booked on for the horse project everything was so flexible and we got the chance to work on the the wildlife project with the lions and elephants and the community project as well, going to the primary schools to help teach the students was definitely a highlight. The excursions offered by Antelope park are amazing. The 4 days we spent at Victoria Falls were some of the most fun days I've ever had and Staben was so helpful, especially when trying to fit about a weeks worth of activities into 2 days! I also went to the Matobo National Park for rhino tracking, sitting 10m away from dozing rhinos was a very surreal experience! Everyone at AP was so helpful and friendly and looked after us no matter what we needed and it's safe to say we were never bored. Weekends by the pool were very welcomed and we spent many hours above the coffee shop playing card games with milkshakes or hot chocolates depending on the weather! I met some of the most amazing people who I miss so much, a massive thank you to everyone who made my trip what it was, I would highly recommend Antelope park to anyone!

Volunteering at Antelope Park was the most unbelievable 6 weeks of my life, making endless memories and friends of a lifetime. My expectations were massively exceeded within even just the first week of being on project; swimming with the horses in the dam, learning the ropes of polocrosse and many more! Having ridden 27 of the horses at Antelope Park, I can certainly vouch for there being a horse to suit any riding ability. Many of us on project were experienced riders, having ridden since before we could walk, while others hadn't even sat on a horse before, so being able to help and support each other was invaluable! What surprised me about Antelope Park was the flexibility of the project... Even if you had just signed up for the Horse Management project, you were able to partake in wildlife projects, including lion enrichment, elephant interactions and many more activities, as well as community interaction within the local primary schools. The time I spent in the two primary schools was an experience of a lifetime, getting to know the children and seeing the impact you could have in such a short space of time. All the staff at AP are so friendly, kind and helpful! From teaching me basic Shona phrases, to chatting about our lives and discussing random topics, the staff are always so happy and willing to chat to you whenever. The food at AP was always excellent, with big portions so you definitely never go hungry (breakfast was a key highlight)!! The excursions organised by Antelope Park were second to none, from the magical overnight safari sleeping out under the stars, to Victoria Falls and Matopos. Victoria Falls was a trip of a lifetime, with the most breath-taking scenery, unbelievable food (including crocodile and warthog!) as well as indescribable experiences including the infamous gorge swing! Matopos, was equally a very special day, with the rhino tracking being particularly fascinating and sitting 10m away from wild rhinos being the cherry on top! Overall, I will never forget my time at Antelope Park... They say you have to adapt to the unpredictability of Africa and that is certainly true, from having an orphan monkey dropped off at the park for us to look after, to sharing your shower (or shoes!) with frogs or experiencing the horrendous African storms, you never know what is going to happen next but that is just what I loved about Zim! I think I lost count of the amount of times I said "this is the best day of my life" and referred to Antelope Park as "home", it truly was the most incredible place. I'm so grateful for everyone who made my trip so special and I'm certain I'll be back to Antelope Park very soon! Tatenda Zimbabwe, toonana!

Being a volunteer at Antelope Park through the safari stables project was an amazing experience! For someone who has had a little to no horse riding experience I was helped the entire time I was there and even given a riding lesson. I was still given the same opportunities to participate in, that more experienced riders were given. All staff members were friendly and happy to lend a hand. Dani and Willem our managers, were extremely helpful and are great people. They helped make the experience so much better. I would highly recommend this program to everybody, no matter your level of riding experience. I stayed for 2 weeks, but wished I booked for even longer. It was an unforgettable experience and I made some maxing friends while being there.

Volunteering through the Safari Stables project at Antelope Park was one of the most amazing experiences i’ve had! The horses are treated amazingly and are super fun to ride. Everyone is friendly and willing to help! I made the most amazing friends and had an unforgettable experience that I wouldn't change for the world

My experience in Antelope Park was incredible! The horses are treated particularly well and are really well looked after. Almost every day we go into the bush and see wild animals in the wild, there are also other activities that are great to experience like polocross, overnighters after a sunset ride, and cross country. Willem and Dani our managers are sensational in trying to give us the best experience possible. We also have the flexibility to discover the wildlife side of things and deal with elephants, lions, snakes, ... I had an amazing time. I highly recommend it, I stayed there for 3 weeks and I think that 3 weeks or 1 month is the minimum to enjoy almost everything!

I had the best time during my volunteer encounter at antelope park! Every member of staff I met were so welcoming from the start and it wasn’t long until I felt at home. The amazing team of people that I worked with immediately made me feel like part of their team. I was at antelope park for 2 months and enjoyed every second of my stay. Each day I worked so closely with the incredible horses and wildlife that antelope park have to offer. Working with these animals was everything I dreamt of and more. Each day was a whole new adventure and I have memories that will last a life time! From walking with elephants to hanging over the edge of devils pool, I did it all with this volunteer encounter! As well as the amazing park itself, this volunteer encounter also offers the chance to experience incredible excursions during your stay. Such as Victoria Falls, Free to be Wild Animal Sanctuary, Great Zimbabwe, rhino tracking at Matobo National Park, and more fun activities on camp. This experience has helped me develop in so many ways and I am so grateful to have met so many amazing people that I will consider friends for life. It is a perfect way to gain experience and have the time of your life all at once. I would truly recommend this volunteer encounter to anyone!

I spent the best time in my Wildlife Encounter program: I learnt so much about environment and animals living in Vic Falls area and african wilderness in general It was so exciting to get so close to lions and learn about their life and habits. I also met special people that made this amazing experience possible: all the staff at the camp was super-nice e and helpful and made me feel like I’ ve always been part time of it!

I had the most amazing time at antelope park, where I met great people and friends for life. Working with the horses was always fun and I would definitely recommend this project to experienced riders. The horse swims were definitely a highlight for me and trail riding in the bush with the zebras, antelope, giraffes etc was such an incredible experience. The staff at antelope Park are all amazing and extremely welcoming. Everyone is always happy and there is always someone to chat to! Even if you are just working on the horse project you still have the chance to work with the elephants or lions if you would like. I would highly recommend the elephant walks and the lion feeding!! There is also the opportunity to do an excursion to Victoria Falls, which was another highlight of my trip to Zimbabwe. The falls were beautiful and the activities we did were all incredible, especially the gorge swing! Our guide and driver, Staben, was amazing and toured us around the falls, showing us the best viewpoints and helping us with whatever we needed while we were there! 3 weeks at antelope Park was definitely too short and I will be coming back again!! Definitely the best way to start off my gap year!

Working at Antelope Park (“AP”) was a truly an amazing experience. The Park hosts such a lovely community of local staff, managers and volunteers. It’s like a big family. I was part of the horse and stables programme and having such a limited experience with horses prior, the team really guided me so well in learning about horses, stable management and of course riding. After just two weeks I felt comfortable working in the stables and going on steady trail rides, swims and playing polocrosse. It was the perfect way to pick up riding in a fun and intense experience. I was very grateful to the trainers, stable managers, grooms and other volunteers who were always so helpful with me coming from a beginner background. They would help with any questions, tacking up and checking I had done things correctly and of course riding lessons. There was always someone to help. Lessons and riding were a mix of in the arena, outside in the park (with all the game!), on the polocrosse field and a reservoir for the swims. So it was a really nice to have that variety. The horses were very well taken care of and their care and concern was always paramount. In addition to the stables programme the AP team was always happy to allow us volunteer in other aspects of the park ie wildlife and community work. That could include cleaning out animal enclosures, feeding and food prep as well as taking them for walks (elephants specifically) and teaching in schools for the community work. There was lots of supplementary activities and excursion we could always take also which helped get a wider Zimbabwean experience. The staff were so very friendly and kind. From the receptionists, guides, kitchen staff, grooms, laundry and the general management and volunteer programme management. It was such a kind and caring place. For example, I had a specific dietary requirement which I included on the sign up form and the management and kitchen staff were all made aware before I came and they would always go out of their way (without my request) each day to give me confirmation and reassurance that each meal was fine. I have never had that kind of reassurance my whole life! Thank you so much to the AP team! Truly all spectacular. Bravo!

At Antelope Park I experienced many pinch-me moments, most notably my daily walks with the Elephants, introducing enrichment ideas to the lions, swimming with the horses and riding close to wild Zebra and Impala in the park. The park is stunning, the facilities and accommodation are all fantastic. The staff are all welcoming, friendly and eager to help. I couldn’t fault a thing! The excursions available are varied and culturally enriching. I went rhino tracking in Matopos National Park with a tracking expert. All in all, what an experience!

My trip to AP was the first trip I did on my own, so I was a bit stressed before a left. But the first minute I arrived at AP, I felt at home! The staff is amazing and makes you immediately feel comfortable. The horses are amazing and Willem knows exactly which horse will suite you. He comforts you, but also will help you to try something new. Beside the work at the stables you also have the opportunity to work with the various wildlife. Imagine waking up and have a walk with the elephants, amazing!! I’m going to miss this place so much…

The last 4 weeks were just fantastic! For anyone who wants to combine horses and safari, a volunteer at antelope park is the perfect thing. From the first day you feel like part of the family and are warmly welcomed. As a volunteer you live and work together with other like-minded people. Work and vacation are nicely balanced! From stable work, different riding disciplines, wildlife activities with elephants and lions, great excursions and relaxing weekends at the pool, everything was there. The coolest horsey activity, besides watching the wildlife while riding out, was definitely the cross-country course and swimming with the horses! Everything you do is about having fun, which makes this trip a great experience as a whole. Dani always tried to offer us the maximum of experiences, was always there for us and always had an open ear for us. A big shoutout to her!!! The trip to Victoria Falls, which is offered, was one of my highlights. A special shoutout also to our driver and guide Staben, who made both the long car ride and each of our activities a memorable experience. I was able to go bungee jumping, chill at the edge of the vic falls in the devil's pool or end the evening with a traditional boma dinner or the sunset cruise. Abisha, Amber and the grooms were always helpful with the stable work and also with the riding and always explained everything calmly so that you were never overwhelmed. Amber deserves special praise here, because she always encouraged me and and has helped me to trust in my abilities. Also Abisha was always very helpful, especially when I had to catch my favorite, my bush pony Freyer ;). But the entire staff of the AP are very friendly and always helpful. The food was excellent and was cooked fresh every day. The laundry and cleaning ladies were also super friendly and did an impeccable job. Although 4 weeks is a great duration to take all the experiences and trips, I would have liked to stay longer. I can highly recommend the whole program!!!!

The first day you feel welcome, the second day you feel at home. A perfect equestrian holiday under the African sun! I had a lovely three week stay at Antelope Park as volunteer. Stable chores, horseriding, wildlife it is all part of the deal. Dani, the volunteer manager, made sure there was lots of variation in the weekly schedule, so something fun for everyone to do. All of the staff is amazing, you are well taken care off. Lovely food from the kitchen staff, housekeeping/laundry service, wildlife employees who love to share all their knowledge of the animals. You can ask anything and they love to help you. A big shout out to Amber the stable manager. Her happiness and enthusiasm about everybodys riding makes you feel a good rider and will give you the confidence to try something new. She knows exactly witch horse will suit you. So happy with all the nice horses I've got to work with. I can only strongly recommend to visit Antelope Park. I wish I could have stayed longer, it was an amazing journey. Thank you all so much!

Just arrived home from an amazing experience. This place is such a safe and wonderful place to be. The people there is so kind and sweet. Everyone is so happy. You feel so welcome and safe from the first day. I was there as a volunteer, both with horses and wildlife. This is an unforgettable experience if you like horses and want to see wildlife in the bush. You ride around in the bush on horseback, watching both the amazing sunsets and the animals. I was there for 6 weeks and after a while it just become your second home and family. You meet such great people, and many new people as well from all around the world. There is also some excursions you can choose to do. I chose to go to Victoria falls, which was a really great experience, you see so much when you are there. At antelope you do volunteer to do some work and help taking care of the place and the animals, but it’s a great combo between having lots of fun and doing working stuff. You also are extremely close to the lions which is a ones in a lifetime experience to be so close to these dangerous animals. One of my favorite things to do was being around the elephant, they are so kind and had their own personalities. It was so nice to work so close with them. I would like to say thanks to every single one in Antelope park, for creating such a nice place for us to visit. Your happiness and kind personalities is so appreciated. You guys really made my trip. Specially Amber. Her kindness, responsibility and amazing work doing the stable was amazing. Such an amazing women to be around. Also Dani make you felt heard, safe and welcomed. She was always there if there was something you needed to talk about. She made me feel so safe and also wanted. You can tell that the people there really appreciate you for being there and help. I will really recommend going here if you want to help and at the same time have the best time with these incredible animals and people. I already miss it so much.

I was at AP for 7 week and every week being there was truly amazing. All the staff are so friendly and welcoming. The other volunteer you meet along the journey become such amazing friends and I have had so much fun with them all. I went to volunteer with the horse project and was given the opportunity to take part in the other projects that take place at AP so I never had a boring day. I got to take part in elephant walks and watch the elephants swim, I also got to go and clean out the elephant which meant we got to spend time with the elephant in there homes being very close and interacting with them. I leant lots about the lion we got to go and watch the lion feeds and leant about there behaviour. I took part in the community project where I got teach the local children English and maths, this was a very special experience as you get to lean the different ways they get taught, you get to experience the local community’s and see the schools and building they get taught in. They are very great full for the help you give them and they treat you like VIPS which is very emotional. The excursion that are put on are all well organisers. I took part in the Metopes where I got to get up close to wild white rhinos. I went to Victoria falls which was the most beautiful place, there was so much to do and Staben the driver made sure we fit in everything we wanted to do and made sure we had the best time when we were there. He went above and beyond to make are trip the best. I would like to say a massive thank you to Rosine and Staben as they went above and beyond to help me extend my visa and book all the trips away. I also have to say a massive thanks to Dani and Amber they made me feel so welcome and comfortable and really helped me rebuild my confidence riding. They both are just the most amazing people This trip was truly amazing and I highly recommend. (But You need to make sure you stay for longer than 2 weeks as you can’t fit in all the amazing experiences in such a short time.)

I had a great experience at Antelope park. You have a lot to do and will see as much as possible. Feed the lions, meet the elephants, ride the horses, jumping, Polo Cross, Cross Country, and the horses are fantastic! They take a really good care of the horses at the stables. Only one thing about the volunteers, don’t have to many vols at the same time. But a big compliment for the whole staff, cooking, laundry, the caffe, animals, everything is fantastic! If you have the chance to go to Antelope park, go for it! It will be one of the best experience in your life.

The Photography Crew was very helpful and explained everything with pation and Patience. Tay and Hanna are awesome photographers, Always with a Smile and joy! Beside, I met awesome people from all over the world and in all ages. I never came so Close the the Wildlife as in the volontier Project. Dreams really came true! Thanks a Lot!

I was initially quite stressed to come here, but I am leaving 100% happy in my decision to participate. The staff not only in the stables but throughout the entire park are incredible. Dani is always there to help and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face with her positive and welcoming energy. Amber is amazing with the horses and is so helpful and really good at making you feel like more of a confident rider. There are so many opportunities to work with amazing people, horses, and other various wildlife. It is truly a beautiful place that I will miss dearly

What a Wonderful & Inspiring experience! This program is great even for people without much photography experience. The two on-site photographers, Hanna and Tay are so professional and patient showing all the photograph skills and photo editing knowledge. They are really helpful and do inspire me in advancing my photography skills. Thank you to both of them.

Two weeks has flown by and it is hardly enough time to fully grasp the full beauty of this place! I cannot applaud the amazing employees and management who cocreate this wonderful place/experience enough. This was a double 30th birthday trip with my friend, Addy, and we both wished we had more time to appreciate all that this place has to offer. I volunteered at the stables and had plenty of opportunities to also volunteer with the wildlife projects. Every day, volunteers are given the choice on how to spend each part of their day be it doing horse activities, wildlife projects, or volunteering in the community. With this many choices there is bound to always be something to suit each person’s preference. This definitely made this trip one of a kind and tailorable to my mood, day by day. Some of my favorite experiences were the elephant walks, lion enrichment and feeds, sunset rides, overnight safari, and snake induction. However, far out the best experiences were the horse swims and learning how to jump, both of which I’d never had the chance to try before this trip! Shout out to Flame the horse for taking care of me and showing me how to fly over jumps!! One excursion I went on that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend is the visit to Motopos park, where we saw wild white rhino among other wildlife. Shout out to our amazing guide Andy whose passion and fervor for preserving the beauty of this place and its wildlife is infectious. Big thanks to him for sharing his knowledge on the local fauna with us! I truly felt overwhelmed with joy and immense gratitude to have the chance to share space with these magnificent creatures. Thanks also to our driver Staben for keeping us on schedule! Also thanks to our airport PU driver Zenzo for being our first contact on the ground and whose kindness and excitement made for a welcome reception! Other personell who deserve a shout out are Milia,Prudence, Chef Clive from the dining rm. Their smiles and small talk created a welcoming environment, that I looked forward to every day. Itai who we spent much time with as he led us on a vegetation survey and bush walk, among other activities. His knowledge knows no bounds and his humor makes learning fun! Darlington and Maxwell with the elephants shared their passion for these glorious animals with us and I valued their willingness to answer our many questions, let alone always offering to be our photographers!! Makeyi,Tino, Timothy made the lions even more exciting and engaging! It was so much fun learning and working with them. Ida the masseuse rounded out my trip with a relaxing deep tissue massage. At the barn, all the grooms were so supportive, helpful, and hardworking, thanks for sharing the load Lenny and Tom, as well as taking us in fun trail rides. Abisha you kept us safe and turned up the fun on many of our fun cantering trail rides. Your humorous company was a welcome addition on rides and on the overnight safari. Now I’ve saved the best for last. Dani and Amber I cannot sing my praises high enough for these two amazing powerhouse women!!! GIVE THESE LADIES A RAISE

Wow two weeks just flew by in front of my eyes. What an amazing program which had even more then I was expecting. Here are some of the key parts that is making it really hard to leave. First the camaraderie being surrounded by people who are passionate about horses and excited about life. This is not just the other volunteers but the staff as well. Second the amazing amount of option you have each day to do. Maybe your riding a horse through a lake or you are making a poop ball for the lions to play with. Each options as a staff member that is knowledgeable a great to be around. Three the food and the facilities. Wow I couldn’t believe it but there wasn’t a day where I didn’t enjoy my food. And that’s saying something. You enjoy the food with all your volunteers buddies and drink lots of water. You look out over a beautiful lake with wild birds and monkeys. The accommodations are not bad especially when you consider how hard it is to get things out here. At times I did have some concerns of safety when the horses were involved. However the staff were open to suggestions and I think the whole program is only going to keep getting better. I know I will be in tears as I leave tomorrow. Thinking about the friendly staff who great me each breakfast, the funny and kind laundry/house keeping staff, and best of all Amber and Dani who’s joy and warmth made the program great to be part of. Shout out to Abisha for keeping us safe as well as the horses! And another to Ita for some much knowledge I will take with me for ever.

The team at AP has put together an excellent program for their volunteers. Dani, Amber, Abisha and the rest of the staff are so lovely and continuously go above and beyond to make sure everyone is happy, comfortable and enjoying their stay. The horse activities are loads of fun and provide for such unique experiences out in the bush. There is a horse for everyone at the stables and lots of opportunity to enjoy them or expand your skill set and try new things. The horse projects are well balanced with the wildlife project options, giving the day to day lots of variety. The wildlife staff are so knowledgeable and passionate, making each experience so fun and educational. 2 weeks went by way too fast!

I stayed for two weeks and had an incredible time. The staff make you feel so welcome and everyone is always so lovely. There are so many activities to join in with such as bush walks, elephant walks and making toys for the lions. The horses are also all great and there is a horse for every type of rider, and learning to play polo cross was amazing too. Everything is run incredibly well and you are always looked after, with help always being available when needed.

My two week stay was one of the best experiences ever. First of all, I met so many amazing people and everybody is so nice and kind! The horses are amazing, I had the best rides of my life. The most beautiful sunset and sunrise rides, meeting the giraffes from the back of a horse and play polocrosse for the first time! It was amazing!! The excursions are great as well, my trip to Victoria Falls was so well organized and unforgettable. Besides the horse riding there were so many options, like teaching at the community school and helping with the elephants and lions!! I want to thank the whole team for this amazing experience!!

Volunteering at Antelope Park is such an amazing and unforgettable experience. The staff is incredibly nice and I felt so welcome and safe around everyone. The Horses are treated so well and get so much love and attention. The Park and it's wildlife is beautiful and so incredibly interesting. I loved every sunset ride, Horseswim, Bushwalk and all the other amazing experiences I was able to have. I have learned so much in just the six weeks of volunteering. And feel so blessed to have met so many amazing people. You really make friends for live! Dany, Amber, Lili, Willem and Cecilia: thank you so much for everything! I'll miss you guys so much. Thanks to everyone else for making my time at AP so wonderful! I will never forget it and I will come back!

I have been at AP for 3 week in total and I loved every second of it. I was involved in the horse management program and had the opportunity to visit Victoria Falls as well. Thanks to Dani, Amber and Lily I had a great experience and I have done everything I wanted to do. Program is flexible, so you can give your input. Everything was taken care off, thank you guys so much!

I took part in the horse management project at Antelope Park and this was such an amazing experience. I really liked the fact that you were able to take part in the wildlife activities as well. All the staff were so friendly and chatty. Also, nothing was ever a problem and all staff memebers were happy to help. I have learnt so much about horse care here, and I will take this knowledge back to the UK. However, if you are a novice rider I would not recommend the horse management project.

Had the absolute best time here, you get thrown in at the deep end and get to be involved in everything but there is always someone around to help if you need it. Lily and Amber did such a great job of organising everything and all of the grooms were lovely. Loved how the week was arranged to suit what you enjoyed doing and that you could choose to have a go at everything or sit out if you didn’t feel comfortable. Would definitely recommend having at least some experience of riding before hand so you are not completely overwhelmed but all of the activities like polocrosse, cross country and sunset rides were so much fun. Dani and the whole team were super welcoming and friendly and the food, accomodation and setting of the park was great. Would definitely recommend to anyone and do a similar experience in the future!

Such an amazing experience! The whole AP team were so welcoming and supportive which made it so easy to settle in! I was worried about food and accommodation before arrival however there was nothing to worry about at all! Both food and accommodation facilities were great. Dani was very flexible when planning the week and days ahead allowing you to get involved in as many activities as possible to get the most out of the trip! Amber and Lily were incredible at running the stables. They were so supportive and encouraging to the volunteers and it was so clear that the well-being of the horses was top priority. I’ve never known two people so suited to their role. All of the grooming staff were great! Whether they were chatting us through a boundary patrol, helping us catch certain ponies or telling scary stories round the fire, they were always so involved with the project and happy to help. Nga, Desire and Iri definitely brought some knowledge, as well as laughter, into the snare sweeps and bush walks, making them as interesting as possible. I have used my three weeks at AP to count towards my placement requirements for vet school. Every day was spent with animals, improving confidence in many areas. Definitely my favourite placement and a once in a lifetime experience!

The project for volunteers with horses at Antelope Park has been a great experience for me. I am a beginner/intermediate rider, and before Antelope Park I hadn't been around horses for many years, but even this wasn't a problem because at Antelope P. you can find any level horses, and you can still do all the activities, just maybe on a different pace, and specialists do take care of you if needed to experience and get some training. While I was there, for example, I got to jump for the first time, and it felt amazing, also because I made a horse, who had never jumped a specific cross-country jump, jump that obstacle (I felt a hero lol). While here, I did a little bit of everything in terms of programs, beside community unfortunately, because I was there for a short period of time. But overall is amazing, a well organised project and all your time there will be super busy, which is great! I would definitely come back maybe with family, cause it's also a great place for families to get involved.

Wow where do I even begin?! This has been some of my best weeks in my life! I’ll never forget all the nice people and beautiful animals I’ve met at this place! Antelope park delievered above all expectations! It was my first time travelling alone and I could never get a better experience. The staff and the volunteers here are so nice and makes you feel like home

This trip was truly a once in a lifetime trip (I'm hoping to come again!). It was wonderful being able to spend time with Elephants & Lions, it was a true dream come true. All the wildlife around the park was also amazing to experience and view. Tino & the lion team really made it for me and I feel if I didn't work as much as I did with them it wouldn't of been the same. Osca especially made it so much fun! The Elephant handlers (apologies I don't remember names) were also so lovely, knowledgeable and were always happy to answer any questions. Ngaa & Desire were also great during this trip, they were always happy to help and you could tell they enjoyed teaching us about the Bush and all the different animals and creatures you have here in Antelope Park. I had my own room and the volunteer team were kind enough to upgrade me with a room with my own bathroom on my arrival which was a great surprise. All the volunteers were lovely as well as the management team. My only negative for me on the trip was the food, potatoes with every meal was truly too much and some food was too heavy in this kind of heat. I also didn't appreciate that guests had different food from the volunteers (As a lot of the time it was significantly nicer). BUT barbeque nights on Fridays were awesome. Other than that, I can't wait to return :)

The people, horses, wildlife and whole environment are really special. The days are busy and you get the chance to be involved in work across the park and in the community. Dani is great at providing flexibility so you can get involved in different activities. Everyone made me feel so welcome; from the stables team to the kitchen staff, and Staben our driver and guide - they all want to make your volunteer experience a great one. And I've made some great friends too. There's so many opportunities to ride and try different things or master your skills e.g. polocrosse, jumping, medicals. Amber was great, and helped build my confidence with some of the stable management that was new to me, so you can learn whilst there. The food is also great and quite varied. Three full meals a day plus dessert at dinner. There's no way you'll go hungry! There can't be many places in the world that you can go to and get an experience as great as this.

It’s hard to describe Antelope Park in words but the days have been nothing short of incredible. So well organised and the option to spend time with the animals and in the community, no matter what programme you’re on. The team really try and cater to your every wish! The horses are lovely, it was amazing to jump, gallop, swim and hack through the reserve seeing the wildlife along the way. Food was fantastic! 3 hearty meals a day. I’m so glad I came and would recommend it to anyone. 2 weeks was just about enough but I’d recommend 3+! X

Such an incredible experience! Our days were so well organised. Every member of staff was so friendly and helpful. Everyday was so enjoyable. We met such great people and animals. 3 big meals a day, comfortable accommodation. I will be recommending Antelope Park to everyone!

Antelope Park is honestly such an incredible place! Whether you come alone or with a friend, everyone is so friendly and welcoming, and we’re already planning meet-ups for once we’re home! The team at the stables I think it is fair to say absolutely made this trip; they all do such an excellent job, being flexible enough to ensure enjoyment for all abilities and ages, while still making sure we get to do our favourite activities such as polocrosse and the horse swim! Likewise, Dani does such an excellent job, organising us all and going through the coming day at the vol meetings each evening, making sure to check in frequently and being super helpful if we ever had any issues! I will definitely be recommending this trip to anyone who will listen, although I would recommend at least 3 weeks as it takes two to get to know all the ponies and really learn your way round the place!

I have had the most amazing time at Antelope Park. It’s been absolutely incredible and i highly recommend it! The staff are all so lovely and welcoming and the experiences here are amazing. There’s so much to do and see and along with the horses i’ve really enjoyed my time with the elephants - watching them swim was so special My time at the stables has also been wonderful - there are so many horses that cater to all level of experience and everything is very flexible when it comes to riding ability. I’ve truly had the best time and can’t recommend it enough!

The photography internship was superb. Very knowledgeable people and exciting outings. I have never been anywhere on my own before and the staff made me feel so welcome and I learnt so much and met so many different people. I have vastly improved my photography skills and learnt how to edit the photos with fabulous outcomes. I'm so pleased I went to volunteer encounter in Victoria falls and I definitely want to go back and learn more.

An amazing 3 weeks of my life. There is such a range of activities that can be altered to suit all riding levels. The program and staff are incredibly flexible and work amazingly to accommodate as many if the requests as they can. They are great at receiving and acting on feedback given by the volunteers. On the social side, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people and all the staff are so friendly. It’s an incredibly welcoming environment. The location is beautiful and the food is incredible. I honestly believe the only way you could find a negative is if you are negative.

Volunteering at volunteer encounter was a wonderful experience. You will get to know people from all over the world while working very close to nature. And the work is really diversified, you will enjoy your stay!

I joined a friend who had booked this experience. I do really like horses and Love anything with animals and decided to join. This way beyond what I thought it was going to be. The effort that the staff goes to, to make sure you are getting a beyond excellent experience is amazing. Dani,the main coordinator, puts in so much effort to make sure you are able to experience everything. I am gluten free and Walter, one of the head cook/kitchen coordinators took so much care to make special things for me every day. Horse back riding...private lessons to help me become a much better rider..overnight camping safari in the bush, swimming with the horses

My time at Antelope Park has been amazing. The team here go above and beyond to accommodate all volunteers, the staff at the park are all so friendly and there to help anyone. This experience is perfect for a solo traveller as you meet other solo friends within the group. Working at the stables has given me more of an insight to horse care and management. A great experience meeting so many other animals at the park, the horse safaris and rides out in the bush are unforgettable. A must to visit here!

My time at Antelope Park has been amazing through and through! From the stables project to the wildlife you learn so much and both projects are equally as fun!! Swimming with the horse and seeing the elephants swim, trying polocross, walking with the elephants, going cross country jumping, seeing lion feeds, sunrise/sunset rides. You learn so much and I’m so pleased I got more out of it then just a great experience!

The daily routine for stables volunteers during weekdays is a 7am start to groom/feed horses. Other work is completed as needed throughout the days. The weekends are free to rest and enjoy. Riding x2 most weekdays (doing safari rides, sunrise/sunset rides, polocrosse, cross-country/show jumping, horse swimming or schooling the horses). On top of this we had opportunity to work with the lions and elephants. The food here is fantastic with cooked breakfasts and 3 course dinners everyday. The staff work amazingly hard. Stables staff: Abisha, Lily, Willem (plus Tom, Vusa, Lenny and Alan) work hard to make the experience incredible. Dani took any feedback/recommendations on board and acted quickly on all of these. She arranged activities last minute and made sure no one missed out on something they wanted to do. My trip would not have been the same without Staben (who drove us during trips). His taste in music is impeccable and he made our trips with recommendations and his knowledge. I travelled solo but have made lots of friends. I highly recommend this.

The park is wonderful, the experience with the elephants and the lions was amazing. Regarding the experience with horses, I had a bit of mix feelings. The team shared with us very special setting, and organized amazing opportunities, polo cross, cross country, show jumping. However, I am afraid I was not at the level to take full advantage of all of it. I wish that on the first day after the evaluation that we would have had a talk to discuss lesson opportunities and discuss skills. I also wish each task around the ranch would have been clearly explained so I could be more independent. Instead, had to ask other volunteers and felt I was bothering them. Lastly, I was not expecting such a young group of volunteers and did not feel welcomed. I think the team could help more to integrate everyone. I also felt the horses were a bit advanced and were not always the safest (not giving their feet as easily as they could, missing some « brakes ». But overall, I had an amazing experience. Horse swimming, learning and participating about the daily life, around the park, horse camping, everything about the elephants, all the safari, sunrise, sunset rides and polo cross was really fun too. May this program continue to flourish. Special thanks to Willem, Dani, Abisha and Winnie for the special connection.

This program has been a really amazing experience. The staff and other volunteers really make this program one to remember. There really is never a dull moment, but the balance between free time and work is really great. The program is a great opportunity to improve your riding skills and try new activities like horse swims and polocrosse matches. I definitely recommend this program!

The photography course was excellent. The two photography instructors had a huge amount of knowledge and personal experience that they were able to pass on to the interns. The trips out to Victoria for the game is a very well organised and we have high value. Other activities such as the snare sweep and other surveys were less productive and less beneficial. The variety in the photography program was excellent hearing from animals to Astro photography. I learnt a huge amount on editing photographs in light room as well.

These were 2 amazing weeks, filled with great activities all day long. From photographing birds, to lions up close. Fro documenting the impact in the community to game drives and Milky Way and star photography. It just had it all!! And the team, oh my God, the best people in the world! Everyone worked so hard for me to have the best experience possible, it was amazing!

Great experience. Totally recommended it . i have a great experience with wildlife and other volunteers. The project is great and i learn a lot. Looking forward to repeat it. The accomodation and food are great, and everybody is so friendly

Amazing. Days so packed that everything blended into one. Definitely made the most of every minute. Such a variety of activities to do within the photography internship. The team are SO supportive and make everything an experience. The staff make you feel safe even in the most unexpected situations! Milo the camp mongoose is the best. I love him. I'll definitely be returning at some point.

I had no expectations when I came, but some of the activities will definitely remain as the strangest I've ever done (making toys for the lions, for example) and that I will never forget. Seeing elephants bath was an absolutely stunning thing! So was swimming on a horse. I arrived here thinking mainly of riding, and my riding skills imroved a lot during these two weeks, but somehow the most striking moments were mainly connected to wildlife. And it was utterly amazing!

The Safari Stables project has been fantastic, and I am not ready to go home! The opportunities range from taking part in polocrosse, showjumping and cross country, fast paced canter rides and swimming with the horses which is incredible. Every time we ride we see incredible wildlife from Zebra to Giraffe! You also have the opportunity to work with the elephants and the lions which is also great fun! The staff here are lovely and it is so good to meet and work with different people from all over the world and learn about African culture!

I had very great 3 weeks at Antelope Park. I met a bunch of funny and very openminded people there, so don‘t worry of travelling alone, you get integratet in a great group of other volunteers and staff. I did the stables project and there were a lot of fun activities we did after finishing our chores, for example fast canter rides, showjumping, cross country, horse swims and polocrosse. Polocrosse became one of my favorite things and I’ll try to play it in Germany too. Don‘t worry about the chores, you work in a team everytime so even this is great fun most of the time. You also get the chance to do excursions, e.g. to Victoria Falls or the Matobos National Park, wich are both things I will never forget. Even when you are on the stables project, you can keep in contact with the wildlife project, elephants and lions a lot. So I would definetly do it again if I find time for it.

I had an amazing 4 weeks at Antelope Park on the stables project. During my time I took part in so many different riding activities, even trying some things I had not done before such as horse swimming and polocrosse. Lily, the main groom while we were there, was great at listening to what we wanted to do and planned the week’s schedule around this. She was super helpful and approachable with all elements whether it be riding or just general stable management. She was knowledgeable about all the horses and could always recommend a horse to ride for each activity depending on what your preference/ experience was. The project is super flexible and if you want to do some wildlife and spend time with the elephants and lions it is easily arranged! A good part of the weekly schedule was when everyone did a morning at wildlife, this gave the horses some time off and also gave you the opportunity to experience something different without feeling like you were missing some riding. I went on the trip to Victoria Falls during my stay and can’t praise Staben enough. We had a jam packed schedule and he ensured we achieved everything we wanted in the time that we had- he was a great guide! All the staff that work at AP are great and I can’t thank the kitchen staff enough for meeting my dietary requirements so easily! I am sad to be going home and would have stayed longer if I could have! It was an amazing experience and I wouldn’t hesitate to come back again!

I had such an amazing experience at antelope park. This was my first solo adventure and I could not have chosen a better place to start! Everyone was so welcoming and made me feel so comfortable from the minute I arrived. I was booked in for 3 weeks of the stable project but once here they are really flexible and encourage you to get involved with their other projects (wildlife and community). Unfortunately I arrived just as schools were breaking up for summer so was unable to be involved with any community activities but was able to get involved with plenty of wildlife activities (lion enrichment and feeding, elephant interactions, snare sweeps). This flexibility was great as I really felt if gave me the opportunity to experience the whole park and not be purely confined to stables. The project was very well organised and I was doing far more in a day than I expected. Some days were harder work than others and it very much depends on what jobs need doing that week. Though some days were hard work, I felt useful and appreciated. During my stay, Lily was the main stable manager and I cannot praise her enough! She worked so hard to fit in all our requests into the weeks schedules and was always checking in to make sure we were happy and having a good time. She had the perfect balance of being approachable and friendly while not being overbearing. She was also ways very considerate of people's riding abilities and always made sure everyone felt comfortable and safe. It was obvious all the horses were loved and cared for. It was a joy to ride such a variety of lovely horses and get to know all their unique individual personalities. The riding activities involved schooling, hacking, jumping, cross country, polocrosse and swimming. There are also lots of excursions that volunteers can go on. These are a great way to explore Zimbabwe outside of antelope park. I went to Motopo to see the rhinos and I would highly recommend this trip to anyone. Overall I had absolutely loved my time at Antelope Park. I met some amazing people and animals. This was an amazing experience and one I will never forget.

The volunteer program went above expectations. The staff were welcoming and so friendly. I worked closely on the horse project with a little wildlife spotted into it and Lily - main groom - had the perfect balance of guiding us for what was needed to be done but didn’t baby us. The lion program was insightful with Its giving lovely “Bush Talks” as we called them in the end. So knowledgeable and can tell they are passionate about the program they run. The only thing I can critique on is the group sizing for some of the rides were too much with a boundary patrol being 16 which was too much. On my first week it was good when the groups were split especially for ability as my sister and I can ride competently in walk, trot and canter were as some of our fellow vols were less experienced but still got to enjoy a bush hack out at a slower pace. I’d recommend to horse lovers but would advise to be a confident rider in walk, trot and canter as I feel you get the most out of the horse volunteering because a lot of the horses are young ex-racers who are still learning.

The volunteer program was exceptional. The Staff were very welcoming and friendly. I felt for the first couple of days Lily- head groom was very friendly and approachable, she saw how we ride and knew exactly what horses suit us from our ability. I liked how we got stuck in straight away in the program and got to ride on the first full day. I liked how the program wasn’t just full on work, we got to do any rides we could fit in e.g. sunrise, jumping, canter rides and it was nice how when we did wildlife they horses could have a break. One thing I could comment on was the exposure to the horses was overwhelming to begin with. I know the week we left, Lily and Cecila had character sheets made for each horse which is a great touch as even I - being an experienced groom - was nervous around some of the horses at the start because I didn’t know them and felt I had to ask a lot if I had to be careful for certain personalities. Overall, the project was outstanding and everything and more of what I expected. I would recommend to experienced horse lovers as I do thing a lot of the horses are not for novices as they are young and still learning.

I cannot even begin to explain how great of a time I had! I learned so much, weather that be tips to survive out in the African bush, things about specific species that are found in Africa, or techniques on how to conduct camera trapping and avian point count surveys. I enjoyed that I was able to pick projects and stick with the ones I was passionate about, and that I could ask any questions along the way. Before going abroad was I wasn’t sure if I would be able to because I didn’t know if proper accommodations could be made from my dietary restrictions. However wildlife encounter made the process easy and they made sure to communicate with me about all of it. I enjoyed my time on project and all my free time getting to go on excursions as well. Overall it was a great location, with amazing staff and guides, and I want to go back already!

Was so happy to come to Wildlife Encounter. I learnt so much about animals and feel I made life long friendships. Absolutely loved the work with the lions and hyenas. The staff were so great and so helpful. The activities were great and I enjoyed everyone single one. I cannot wait to be back.

Very high professionalism, friendliness, fun. A wonderful place, in full contact with nature. Interesting activities, excellent staff, very kind and with an excellent knowledge of the topics of nature and zoology. I highly recommend.

I had an absolutely wonderful time at Antelope Park! The staff were amazing; the kitchen staff, the laundry staff, reception staff and all the staff on the stables, wildlife and community projects. Every single member of staff was warm, welcoming and helpful. At the evening meetings, the project leaders communicated openly to ensure that everyone had a chance to voice their opinions on how their project was going. I was so delighted that the projects were so flexible; I got a chance to experience days in stables, wildlife and community, which helped to give me a greater appreciation and understanding for how the horse project operates within the wider community. I learned so much about horses, wildlife and the African culture during my 3 weeks here. Every single day was exciting, and I did things I never expected I would get the chance to do! The wide variety of horses really helped me to improve my riding, while having lots of fun doing horse swims, polocrosse, cross country and of course, the incredible sunrise and sunset rides in the bush. I would highly recommend this programme to anyone, not just those who love horses.

My stay has been a very valuable experience. Enjoyed every minute. Everything went smoothly after arriving in Harrare. I value wildlife very much and felt like i needed to experience it first hand. This was provided in a great fashion. The employees at the park is very welcoming and nice to talk to. You also have the opportunity to try different activities, which is great.

The stay was great and everyone is so nice! it is easy so get the help that is needed, and when ever we wantet to do something that wasn't part of the original part, they will try to make it happen anywat. The staff is nice and friendly and very helpfull as well. Also most of the hrses are great and we had some wunderfull trailrides.

My stay at AP has been amazing. It was s0 much m0re than I expected. It has been s0 nice t0 see s0me 0f the african cu;ture but it w0uld be amazing t0 interact even m0re with the staff. The h0rses has been great, it is great that their are multiple 0pti0ns. Als0 the team with all the v0lunters is great - yu get t kn0w s many different nati0natlites and find friends frm all 0ver the w0rld

I had the best time, I really l0ved the wildlife pr0ject because 0f all the differents activities we did such as feeding the li0ns r cleaning the elephant`s enclsure. The staff w0rking there is als0 really nice, they knw lts ab0ut the animals present there. I als0 had a great time at the c0mmumity prject where we culd helps kids in maths amd english and m0re imp0rtantly play s0ccer with them. The kids are all s0 nice and keen t0 learn new things.

The time I spent at Antelope Park taking part in the safari stables project was by far one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I’m so grateful that I was able to do this and make so many amazing memories. Not only did we get to work with the horses but we also took part in wildlife activities such as meeting and walking with the elephants and experiencing the lion feeding and enrichment. This was another amazing part of the trip as I was able to get closer to these animals than I ever have been before and it was definitely such a cool addition. I also had the opportunity to go on a couple of days trip to Victoria falls which I highly recommend to anyone considering going as there are so many crazy activities to take part in which I loved which all just made the whole experience even better. Thank you so much to all the other volunteers I was on the project with and especially to the staff who really make the experience worthwhile. My only regret is that I didn’t stay longer!

Volunteering at Antelope Park was one of the best decisions I’ve made. From the minute I arrived, I felt at home and part of the AP family. The different experiences with the horses, whether that be a sunset or sunrise safari ride through the bush, cross country, a horse swim, showjumping, dressage, polocrosse, you name it we’re all fantastic and well organized. During my 5 weeks, I constantly got different opportunities and always felt like I was experiencing new things. All ranges of different riding experiences were also catered for and the atmosphere was always positive and encouraging. The horses are also all amazing, all different with their own little quirks and there is definitely a horse for everyone. They are also very well cared for by the stables team. I need to give a massive shout-out to all the staff at Antelope Park who were all amazing, but especially to a few specific people: Willem for running the stables project so well and always making everyone feel included. Also for constantly coming up with new experiences such as cops and robbers on horses to keep every day exciting and fun; Dani who not only is fantastic at her job at content creation, by getting the most amazing photos of us while we are having the time of our lives on the horses but also for just always being upbeat, funny and just an all-round lovely person who made me feel instantly welcome; also to Rosine who is always there to help out with any queries or problems, and always does her upmost to make the whole experience seamless; and finally to Abisha and Colleen too for being fantastic at your jobs and helping make the experience great. The trip to Victoria Falls was another highlight for me that was organized so well by AP and allowed us to have a brilliant time at one of the natural wonders of the world. My only criticism would be that when the group size gets over 10-12 volunteers then sometimes the opportunity for new experiences becomes reduced, due to limited horses. However this was minor and overall this was a life-changing 10/10 experience that was expertly run, and I will definitely be back ASAP to make more horsey memories at Antelope Park!

Had an amazing time learning and observing the native wildlife Zimbabwe has to offer. Caring for the captive and the animals going through rehabilitation was also interesting to be involved in. Met a great group of people which made carrying out day-to-day tasks more enjoyable.

I had the most amazing time with volunteer encounter at Victoria falls. The team were a group of truly fabulous people who not only made sure we had the best time but we were looked after and could experience as much as possible during our time there. Having been around horses all my life I learnt more in a few weeks with Lisa than I had in years here, the care and passion that goes into the horses is very special and the rides around the forest got better every time. I am still pinching myself at how hands on we were able to be working with the wildlife and seeing the lions up close from weekly feeds and enclosure cleans to general checks. I was gutted to leave and am already counting down till I can go back.

Had a wonderful, hectic full of challenging time during my stay. There was so much to learn and participate in with so many volunteers carrying out so many tasks, my task was to photograph as much as possible during these activities. There were camping activities, Game drives searching Fuller forest for illegal snares, litter picking animal welfare, in all a fully immersive experience. It was great to interact with the locals, the team that arranged everything, the activities and the wildlife. This was full on but incredibly enjoyable and rewarding

I can’t explain how much I loved AP from the loveliest staff to some truly unforgettable experiences. Everyday was different and we were treated to so many unique experiences. The cross-country and hacks were some of my favourites. I can’t get over galloping alongside a herd of wildebeest and doing a super fun cross country course with a Zebra watching you! Amazing. The horses are fabulous- well cared for and there is a horse for everyone. You will also get hands on veterinary experience! However, AP wouldn’t be the same without the incredible people who work there. Willem did a fantastic job in running the stables, catering for all riding abilities. He was also always open to suggestions. If you wanted to do a certain ride, he would make it happen! I will never forget some of the rides with him. Dani was the kindest soul always looking out for everyone’s best interest and taking some beautiful photos- my Instagram has thrived since being here! Colleen made sure everything ran smoothly and helped out with any queries alongside Rosine. Any hiccups were quickly resolved. I can’t recommend enough going on the Victoria Falls excursions. I am still awestruck by the sheer power of the place- if you go, you must ride the helicopter! I will never forget it! Staben, our driver, made the trip being a fantastic guide and showing us all the secret spots! If I had one criticism of AP it would be the need for smaller groups. It can get difficult having too many volunteers. A solution could be more horses ;). I loved my stay so much that I extended by another 4 weeks. I can’t wait to visit again soon and look forward to experiencing all the great things you guys are doing at AP. Thank you!!!!

I've had the best time here - 2 weeks is NOT long enough. Everyone is so friendly and the horses are amazing, there's one for everyone. You're thrown right into everything which works well as you're soon in the swing of everything. There is also always someone willing to help but you're also left to it when appropriate. There have been opportunities here you just would not get anywhere else.

I really enjoyed my stay at antelope park. I made so many great memories and met wonderful people. Especially the people responsible for the volunteers and the stables are really kind and help whenever you need them. I just think that there were too many volunteers at some points. I understand that the park needs the money for all their wonderful projects especially after Covid but I think every volunteer should have the same experience and if there are too many people the experience definitely changes.

The people here really make your experience! The horses are so well taken care of and so amazing so much so that I can’t choose a favourite as they all have areas they are good at. The range of activities you can do on horseback and just round the park is so vast. You can ride up close to the wild animals, learn to play polocrosse there is something for everyone here no matter your ability. The food here is unbelievable meaning you never go hungry. And the staff here are so friendly, welcoming and kind and always go the extra mile. The ladies in laundry are so lovely and helpful. The grooms care for the horses so much and are so hardworking and will help you with anything worries and query. The whole atmosphere here created by the staff is safe, welcoming and fun! Dani and Willem really made my experience here, being so caring and they really make an effort to get to know you. Which means you really trust them with every activity you do! They help you to try new things and really make full use of your time here! The excursions AP runs are unbelievably incredible and the guides that take you make your experience so much better! This place is really what you want out of it as the staff here are so accommodating to every person. Due to the environment the staff create you can make friends of a lifetime here doing so many fun filled activities. I really can’t think of enough words to describe how much I have enjoyed my 8 weeks here, thanks to everyone here at AP!

The people here really make your experience! The horses are so well taken care of and so amazing so much so that I can’t choose a favourite as they all have areas they are good at. The range of activities you can do on horseback and just round the park is so vast. You can ride up close to the wild animals, learn to play polocrosse there is something for everyone here no matter your ability. The food here is unbelievable meaning you never go hungry. And the staff here are so friendly, welcoming and kind and always go the extra mile. The ladies in laundry are so lovely and helpful. The grooms care for the horses so much and are so hardworking and will help you with anything worries and query. The whole atmosphere here created by the staff is safe, welcoming and fun! Dani and Willem really made my experience here, being so caring and they really make an effort to get to know you. Which means you really trust them with every activity you do! They help you to try new things and really make full use of your time here! The excursions AP runs are unbelievably incredible and the guides that take you make your experience so much better! This place is really what you want out of it as the staff here are so accommodating to every person. Due to the environment the staff create you can make friends of a lifetime here doing so many fun filled activities. I really can’t think of enough words to describe how much I have enjoyed my 8 weeks here, thanks to everyone here at AP!

I cannot put into words how incredible this programme is, but I will do my best!! My time at AP was utterly amazing and I cannot express how happy I was throughout my whole time there. I ended up extending as I just couldn't bear to leave. The stables are run with so much love and attention and the other volunteers are incredible. I really have made some lifelong friends from all over! All of the horses are incredible and have such unique personalities - They will make sure that you get the most out of your experience, whether it is the horse swim, trying polocrosse or even just a ride through the bush. My riding skills have improved so much and my confidence as a rider has increased tenfold. The staff around the park are all so friendly and always take the time to ask you how you are - they always have a smile on their face and they really do make you feel at home. A huge huge huge shout-out and thank you to Willem, Dani, Rosine and Colleen - honestly you guys are the kindest, most genuine and just overall stunning human beings - my experience would not have been the same without you guys! Abisha, Lenny, Vusa, Alan and Tom - I cannot thank you enough for all the help around the stables and you really are all a credit to the park! It is definitely a WHEN I return to Antelope park and not an IF

I absolutely loved my time at AP from beginning to end. I’ve never experienced such love and passion shown towards the horses and people involved in this program. I learnt so much from the other volunteers and Willem and believe I’m a much more confident rider and person for having had this experience. I loved my time at AP so much I had to extend my stay not once, but twice! I made life long friends who I had the privilege of making amazing memories with, from cantering through herds of wildebeest and zebra while watching the sunset to jumping a cross country course we all helped build. The staff at AP are incredible and treat everyone with such respect and kindness. A special shout-out to Dani, the marketing coordinator, for always being there for the vols no matter what. Having such a happy and kind person you can talk to really makes a big different during your stay here. I have learnt so much from Willem, the stables and wildlife coordinator, his positive outlook and determined nature really inspired me! Colleen and Rosine were always there to help me without hesitation, they look after volunteers as though they are family. The horses are in immaculate condition and are so well cared for. I was so impressed with the holistic way in which the stable was run, the staff is made up of the most amazing people who really care for the horses and volunteers. They’re always happy to lend a helping hand, shout out to Abisha, Lenny, Vusa, Allan and Tom! AP is such a special place that will always have a place in my heart. I will definitely return to visit all the amazing horses and friends I’ve made here.

I loved my stay in Vic Falls. Everybody was very nice and welcoming. I had amazing experiences everyday and I enjoyed the work, the wildlife and the beauty of this country. It has been an incredible experience that I would recommend to everyone interested in animals, wildlife and nature!

Im really happy that I got to experience this place, and would love to come back later. Every day was different, and we had so much fun the whole time. Not one boring day while being here. The people here is really nice, and the staff were always there to help if you needed something.

I was surprised by the whole experience, the staff and everyone around you take such good care of you the whole stay. you will experience and learn so much about the animals, the place and yourself. I would absolutely come back in the future.

I really love that antelope Park has the possibility to be involved in the other projects, walking with the elephants, working with wildlife, and going to the school with the kids that have special needs. I really love knowing a little bit more about the stables, and the horse riding. I think our beginning was difficult, but we had a conversation about it and I decide to give this place an opportunity, I am really glad I did it because I could do many activities that were great.

Friendly people can't do enough to help, lots of activities, and so much to see and do. loved my time with the elephants. So much fun with the horses, loved the sunset ride the most. Would highly recommend it.

I came to see and interact with the lions and I did just that. It was absolutely amazing to see them in a natural habitat and learn how they live. It was so rewarding learning all of the care and effort that goes into their well-being (along with that of all of the animals at camp) and being thrown into the lion's den to feed them and make sure they are taken care of. I loved lions before coming here and I love them even more after this experience.

I absolutely loved spending time at Antelope Park working as a stables project volunteer. The horses we worked with were excellent - well mannered and so much fun to ride. The AP team is incredibly thoughtful and friendly, and are always looking for ways to improve the experience both for guests and to increase the impact of the projects. I would come back in a heartbeat and encourage anyone who is "on the fence" to just go for it. You won't regret it!

I completed ten weeks of an amazing internship in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and have enjoyed every minute of it. I have been very well helped in conducting research and collecting data for the bachelor thesis I have to write. I had the great opportunity to do a game drive every week in the National park with the organization where I have seen the most amazing animals. The organization was located close to the city of Victoria falls. Everyone is incredibly warm and welcoming. This makes the transition abroad so much easier. This was an experience I will cherish for the rest for my life.

I had such a warm welkom when I arrived! The staff, the food, the housing, the horses and excursions were great. Even better then expected. Though horselife here in Zimbabwe is different then in Europe, the horses are defenitely well taken care of. And their characters are lovely. I had expected a bit more the feel of trail riding and a little less 'normal' riding like the jumping or cross coountry, but still enjoyed al the activities. What made the biggest impression on me were the elefants. So huge when you stand next to them. I'm sure I will visit again someday.

It's been a great three weeks here in this "bubble" in Antelope Park. I'll be very sad to leave here, even though I have a wonderful family waiting for me to come back home. I came for the horses and they're very nice, but it's the people that made this a truly wonderful experience. Welcoming, friendly and cheerful, quite the contrast to what I'm used to at home, where people are much more on their own, the mind-your-own-business type. The food has been wonderful (I'd hoped to maybe lose some weight with all the physical stuff going on here, but I don't think that happened :D). The mattresses could have been maybe a bit more firm in the middle (it does make a cosy nest though) but I was happy with our accommodation. I'm glad I took good-weather-stuff as well as bad-weather-stuff because April turned out to be hot and cold, dry and wet, and I've used it all! We've experienced so many things here, from practical field medicine and training young horses (making Ember go was definitely interesting) to doing my first cross country course (thank you Duke) and my first polocrosse experience with Dippy (which was way more fun than I'd anticipated). Thank you Willem (you were definitely missed when you were gone), Dani, Colleen, Rosine, Abisha, Sharai and everybody else I'm forgetting to mention here. You made this an unforgettable experience and I will seriously consider coming back at some point.

I enjoyed the experience to the fullest and would have loved to stay longer. Everything was well organised and the booking process was very easy. I loved the project and working with this beautiful animals was amazing

It is quite difficult to put into words just how wonderful my time here at Antelope Park has been! I have been here for a month and everyday has felt magical. No day is the same and it really has been like living a dream, I am still letting it all sink in! My time here has exceeded my expectations in everyway possible! I want to thank the fantastic staff here, they have all gone out of their way to make every individual feel very welcome and part of the african family out here. I would like to particularly thank Itai for being a fantastic guide on our Vic Falls trip, Sharai at the restaurant for being one of the sweetest ladies, Dani for being so fun to be around, Collen for being so caring and Willem for introducing me to Polocrosse! I have also met some incredible people from around the world that I now see as wonderful friends that I will certainly be keeping in touch with. It is a bye for now to Antelope Park but certainly not forever!

I spent four weeks at AP and I wish I could have stayed longer. The people are so kind, the horses are amazing, the food delicious and every activity brought a big smile on my face. This trip went above all expextations. The friends and memories I have made will stay with me forever. AP really becomes a home away from home and I can't wait to come back.

Having come back for a second time to AP was the best decision, seeing all the wonderful people again and all the changes that happened aroynd stables and in the park has been fascinating. Unfortunately 5 weeks flew by and i wish i could stay for another month. Spending almost everyday at stables is a dream come true, from daily tasks such as grooming and feeding to fun activities such as cross coountry, horse swims, polocrosse or just a beautiful sunset ride in the park. The horses themselves are all fantastic and looked after very well. There is a large variety of horses to pick from to match the different riders abilities. From very calm and gentle horses to some more spicey ex-racers. You can try each horse in different settings whether in the arena, for jumping or out in the park and see what you feel most comfortable with. I am so grateful for the time i get to spend here and all the amazing people i got to see again such as Willem, Dani, Collen, Abisha, and Rosine as well as all of the rest of the AP staff. They become family in a matter of days! I want to give a special thanks to Willem and Dani who both make this stay just that extra bit special due to their fun and easy goin nature. Their constant joy and laughter is contagious, and it will be very missed! Willem is so passionate about his horses and truly happy with his work that he brings such a positive energy to stables and always ensures that we are having a fantastic time. He teaches us so many different skills, from basic horsemanship to medical treatments and much more. I am so thankful to have gottent to spend more time with him and learn many new skills. Dani is one of a kind, one of the sweetest people i have met, always there to help and support with anything. She is someone you can turn to with any issue you have. She is always up for a fun night whether it's movie night, camping or simply having a drink! She also joins in on other fun activities such as horse swims, cross country or polocrosse to take beautiful pictures of us volunteers and the horses. She is an extremely talented and creative individual and i will miss her kind and good-humored nature. I also want to give a shout-out to Rosine for always helping us out with any issues we may have and organizing all of our great excursions for us. Her door is always open to us with a shoulder to turn to whenever we need it! I am so grateful to have stumbled upon Antelope Park some years ago and to be able to come down to Zimbabwe and have all of these great experiences and meet such fantastic people. I can't wait to come back one day soon and to see all of the new amazing changes that will have occured here.

I have spent the best time of my life here at Antelope Park. I have been dreaming about this trip for months and everything was above all expectations. The horses have an amazing life: they live in herd and in the most amazing natural environmet. They all have unique personalities and I felt safe with all of them. The food is really good (as an Italian I am usually really hard to please) and the people who work at the park are so kind and smiling. I am not ready to go home; I feel like this is the place I would love to wake up in every day for the rest of my life. The atmosphere of Antelope Park is magical, almost unreal. It is absolutly a dream! I think that our purpose in life is to create memories, help each other and appreciate nature; and I had never found a better place than Antelope Park to do all of this. I really need to thank all the members of the staff and the new amazing friends I have found here. I can not wait to be back. Three weeks were not enough and I will make it up for this as soon as I can. I am going back to Italy but part of me will always be here. Flaminia

Going on a trip by yourself for the first time can be really scary but as soon as I arrived I didn't feel like I was by myself. All the workers were friendly and helpful, and I made some great friends with the other volunteers. The experiences you get to have here are so amazing and although I was only here two weeks I did everything from Rhino tracking, horse swimming, polocrosse AND Victoria Falls! Its the best trip I have ever done and will be coming back in the future.

I have spent 12 weeks on the stables project and I can't even begin to descsribe how amazing it has been. From the moment I arrived I felt like I was home. Every member of staff is welcoming and are always making sure you are happy. The rooms are comfortable, clean and secure, which adds to the homely feel you have here. The food is always delicious and there is plenty of it so you will never go hungry! The kitchen staff really take pride in all their meals and are happy to accommodate everyone. The project itself is so varied, theres always something to do making everyday different and exciting. From looking after the horses to building a cross country course, you can never be bored. The horses are all cared for incredibly well, it is obvious the stable manager and all the stable staff love the horses and their job. With such a range of horses, every riding ability is catered for making every ride enjoyable. I have loved getting to experience new things like horse swims and polocrosse - which quickly became a favourite of mine. Riding out alongside the wild animals is just surreal and I will never get tired of looking at those pictures. A special thank you is needed for Willem, not only does he look after all the volunteers during the day but he truly treats us like family. Inviting us for movie nights, driving us to town and just being there for us when we needed him. Willem brings such a positive and enthusiastic approach to his role and it simply wouldn't be Antelope Park without him. I have leant so much from Willem and I can't thank him enough for sharing that knowledge with me. I am leaving AP with such a variety of skills and wisdom thanks to Willem and I know I will carry it with me forever. Another thank you is needed for Dani. Who always takes the time to get amzing photos of the volunteers, always capturing those special moments for us. Dani is one of the most amazing people I have met, a true friend who was always available for a chat. I will miss hearing her laugh everyday, Thank you for being my road trip buddy! My decision to come to AP has definitely been one of the best decisions of my life, not a day went by where I wasnt laughing. The memories and friendships I have made will stay with me forever.

Where to even begin with AP? Fom the moment you arrive at Antelope Park you instantly feel at home. Every member of staff is friendly, warm and welcoming. The accommodiation is clean, bright and comfortable. The food is brilliant and the kitchen staff have been so wonderful taking our many requests for the amzing chocolate mousse! The project itself is so much fun, it is stimulating and exciting, no two days are ever the same! The rides are just brillant whether it's polocrosse, horse swims, cross country, showjumping or just riding out in the park with the wildlife there is so much to see and learn. The horses are wonderfully well cared for and there are such a diverse group of horses catering to every riding ability. I have learnt so much more on project than I thought possible! Willem the stables manager creates an exceptionally positive environment, he brings a genuine passion for his role as well as such a joyous energy to the stables each day. He is exceptionally generous with his time and his knowledge whilst also being open to learning from his volunteers, I have never met anyone so perfectly suited to their job. Willem is a true asset to AP and every volunteer. I am so exceptionally grateful to all the fantastic staff at AP they really do make this experience what it is. With special thanks to Dani who takes the most incredible photos and is such a compasionate and hillarious individual, I spent my time at AP knowing I could speak to Dani if I ever had an issue, her kidness is unmatched. Not to mention Rosine, who works hard to ensure the whole experience flows as smoothly as it does. There are really not enough words to describe the staff at Antelope Park every single person I have met here is so very proud to be a part of the AP family and this really shows. It's safe to say there is truly no where else on the planet as welcoming and wonderful. The seven weeks i have spent here have been incredible and undoubtedly some of the best times of my life. Forget Disney World, Antelope Park is definatly the happiest place on earth. I will be hurrying back at my earliest opportunity.

This was my first time volunteering but definetly not my last! I stayed for 8 weeks and it was the best 8 weeks of my life. The staff and everyone at camp is super friendly and it didn't take me long to feel right at home. The food is good and the tents are cozy. There are different activities every day so you never get bored. In the weekends we usually either go out, have a sundowner or have a movie night in the evenings which is super fun! I never expected to get such good friends and im definetly coming back as soon as i can!

Coming to Antelope Park was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I felt at home from the first day, the people here are always helpful and caring and I really enjoyed spending time with them. The horse project is amazing, they have so many lovely horses and you'll never get bored of them. I learned so much new stuff about horses in the time I've spent here thanks to Willem and the other volunteers and I can't thank them enough for that. Also special thanks to: Marleen, who always made sure that we had somthing eat on our plate Dani, who took the best pictures of us Rosine and Colleen, who always looked after us and Willem, who taught me so much and always thought of ways to make our time here special. All in all I had a great time and I will recommend the project to my friends. The only thing left to say is, see you next time

I have spent 4 weeks on the stables project at Antelope Park and it has been better than I could have ever imagined. Everyone at Antelope park is so kind a welcoming, really going out of their way to make me feel comfortable and helping me to feel at home. The food has been great and the kitchen staff are very accommodating of dietary requirements. The stables are absolutely fantastic and there is a range of horses so there is something to suit all riding abilities. There is a huge variety of activities available to take part in such as horse swims, sunset and sunrise rides, polocrosse and jumping as well as trips out and other fun activities around the park. Everyday here is different and there is always something exciting going on, there is something for everyone no matter what your interests are and there are plenty of opportunities to try new things. I have absolutely loved my time at Antelope Park and cannot wait to come back as soon as possible!!

My experience at Antelope Park on the Volunteer with Horses program was good. I was only here for two weeks and I think really you need a longer stay to fully experience it as I didn't have a chance to participate in all of the activities. The weather was not so good on the 2nd week so this didn't help. However, the horses are nice and there is a wide variety of types and personalities. The food was also very nice during my stay despite my dietary requirements (gluten free / vegetarian).

I had an absolutely amazing experience at Antelope Park, the staff were very friendly and helpul, the food was really tasty catering to many different diety requirements and the faciliaites were great - I loved relaxing by the pool in my free time. I loved that the horses are well kept and lovely to ride, and it was amazing riding out and seeing the wildlife, playing polocross, swimming with the horses and camping over night in the bush. My one bit of constructive feedback would be that sometimes it felt like there could have been more organization around what we were doing throughout the day so that we could add as much value as possible. I was also under the impression that we would spend more time with the horses, either riding them or having a more active part in their upkeep. It is fine that this was not the case but perhaps should be reflected in the welcome information to manage expectations before vols come out.

Where do I begin... I've been mulling over this review since returning home because I've been trying to find the right words to express how incredible of an experience this was!! Before leaving for Zimbabwe, friends and family would express to me that this trip would be "a life changing experience". As an animal person, I expected the "life changing" experiences to come from being immersed in the southern African wildlife. After my two weeks, I realized that this was only partially true. Seeing the animals in person thriving in their natural environment was extremely emotional for me, and it is certainly an experience I will never forget. What had an even bigger impact on me, however, was the incredible people I met during my stay. The Antelope Park staff are, without a doubt, the most beautiful humans I have ever met. They welcome you with open arms and immerse you into their family, making Antelope Park feel like home away from home. Aside from being a wealth of knowledge and passion for environmental conservation, their big personalities means there's never a dull moment!! The Stables Project in itself is fantastic (in my opinion the best way to experience Zimbabwe!!). From sunrise rides, swimming on the horses, polocrosse, cantering in the bush, the list goes on. The excursions are also a must- Wildlife Encounter at Victoria Falls blew me away!! This trip also wouldn't be the same without my fellow volunteers. It's so refreshing meeting like-minded people from all over the world, I absolutely adore you guys!! This was, without a doubt, the best 2 weeks of my life. My only regret is that I didn't stay longer!!!!! Dani, Willem, Marleen, Colleen, and everyone at Antelope Park, thank you for everything that you do, I cannot express how much you've inspired me and I am forever grateful to have met you. Hoping to see you again soon- and this time for longer than 2 weeks!! -Sarah (ps I cried writing this)

A very nice stay, with beautiful People that I learned alot from! The camp was just as i expected, and i got the real feeling of Africa. Meals was awsome ! And Victoria Falls are really the right place for cool activities on the weekends.

Since I’ve been home, I have been asked constantly what was the best part of the trip… and so far I haven’t been able to answer other than to say “all of it!!” I spent 3 weeks volunteering with the stable project and I’m so glad I didn’t opt for a shorter time. It takes about a week to feel like you know what you’re doing and in all honesty, I could have stayed so much longer! Every fear I had before I arrived was so quickly laid to rest. Is it safe?! Yes, absolutely. There was not a second where I felt unsafe Have I got the confidence to ride new horses? Yes-there is a range of very well cared for horses that really do suit everyone. Will the horses be boring? Ha nope!! I loved that these are real horses with real personalities and quirks! Will there be other people there? Honestly, the best group of people you could imagine! It was the riding and the horses that got me onto this trip but it was the people that not only made it, but made it so difficult to leave!! The staff were just incredibly welcoming and I was fortunate to join a large group of volunteers who, along with the staff, became so close. Thank you so much to Willem, Dani, Marleen and Colleen in particular who go out of the way to make sure everyone feels part of the team. I look back at my time at Antelope Park and have to pinch myself that it was my real life for a short amount of time. If you are considering whether to do it, stop thinking and just book it. This is not something that you will ever experience anywhere else!

I have spent an amaizing month in the stable management in Antelope Park. The daily life and activities were great, i enjoyed a lot all the rides we have been doing, but also spending time with the horses taking care of them etc ... All the staff around the project are fully commited and place the horse care at first, which was great. The horses are all different and everyone can find the one that fits him or her the best, in order to enjoy every moment of this experience. The staff is also very caring and pays attention to every request or problems we could face. The food was also really great, and Marleen took any proposition in account to make us happy. THANK YOU ALL for this amaizing experience. Thank you Willhem for all the rides, all the moments we have spent with the horses, and the discover of polocross, Thank you Marleen for all the food and looking after us everyday, Thank you Coleen for all the organisation you do and ally our work here, Thank you Dani for all the picture you have taken and all the grea moments we spent together, and thank you Rosine for all the organisation and all the help for everything. Thank you all for all the great memories i have built here, and i will never forget. I had an amaizing time being part of the AP Familly. You are ALL the bests !!!

I couldn't have expected a better experience for a first volunteering experience. Taking care of the horses was very nice and it permits to the volunteer to create a link with them. You enjoy even more the rides. I really enjoyed the autonomy we had. It is super nice to be free when you ride and during different activities. All the other volunteers are very kind and the staff is very welcoming. You really feel like home and I will really miss it. The food was amazing !!! Thank you Marleen. It is amaizing to work with others animals such as elephants. Walking them home is very impressive. I am not very good at writting reviews but I sincerly had an amazing time that i will never forget. Thank you all for the good memories. I will miss sunrise ride at 5 !

My stay at Antelope Park has for the third time moved my heart and my soul. The volunteer projects combine the people, animals and the nature in the most beautiful way. The activities on both the wildlife and horse project, are interesting and life changing, as a volunteer you get the chance to spend lot of the time close up to all sorts of animals, and gain experience far from what you could ever imange. The fellow volunteers you'll meet upon your stay, can end up being your freinds forever, and take you new places around the world to visit and share memories from the experience here in AP. The accomadation and meals is by far the greatest compared to other volunteer programs I've done. The food is amazing and beds super comftable.

I dont want to leave!! 2 weeks isnt long enough, I have had the best time and experianced things that I could only dream of doing. Since I was tiny I have dreamed of doing a horseback safari and what a way to do it here at AP. Being a part of the AP family has been incredible, Willam,Marleen and Dani welcomed me into the group instantly and I felt straight at home, coming into a group of already made friends can be daunting but there was not time to feel that way here at AP. Marleen and Willam opened their home to us hosing great partys and movie nights to get to know the group better, which was incredibly kind of them. The food has been amazing, with such a good selection to choose from at breakfast lunch and dinner, I have definatly not gone hungry this week. Dessert every night is such a treat after a long hot day, and allways the highlight of the meal. However it could be nice to have a little more variety it dishes, I feel like I have eaten ALOT of Rice, Potato and squash ( allthough all very tasty) The social side to the project has been limited, this could be down to the group of Vols that have been here, however it would be nice to have a bar in the evening where we can have drinks as a group to make it more social (I have missed my glass of wine or G&T in the evenings!), I have got alot of sleep by going to bed at 8pm at night!! The project has been wonderful, I have got involved with so many differnet activitys, the sunset and sunrise rides have been mindblowing and swimming with the horses is something I have dreamed of doing, Thanks to Dani for taking some amazing photos so I can share this memory with everyone at home. However there has been many times where we have been left on our own with nothing to do, making the days very long and slightly boring, we diddnt stick to the itinery set out and left without a member of staff for a few hours where I then felt useless, more structure to the day would help here and make the project more fulfilling for the Vols. I really enjoyed that I was able to spend 1 day doing the widlife project so I could spend some time getting to know the ellies and the lions, and see what the others were getting up to on a day to day basis :) Over all I have had an unforgettable experiance here at AP and met friends for life, I most definately will be returning some time soon in the future. Huge Thanks to all the staff at AP for making me feel at home and comfortable in my stay. I am going to miss this friendly charming community here (that we dont get in London!!) x x x

My first time solo-travelling and volunteering couldn't be better. I felt so welcome since the beginning and that lasted till the very end! I am so happy I met so many people, enjoyed every bit of it. Other volunteers but also staff who was always very open en interested. I could ask as many questions as I wanted to and they were always happy to join me out. For me the stables project was something I always wanted to do and I couldn't have imagend on forehand that it would be this amaizng. Many trailrides in the bush, polocrosse, horse swims, overnights, you name it. And all of that with amazing horses wich are very well taking care of. Only positivity!

I recently returned for my third time at Antelope Park. While a lot has changed here since COVID, as has happened everywhere else in the world, AP is still a magical place to be. The scenery, the animals, the riding, the accomodation, and the people are all wonderful. I wouldn't trade my time here for the world.

My time at Antelope park has been extraordinary. From the amazing variety of horses to the exceptional loving staff and amazingly experienced stable manager, I couldn't have had a better time. Staying here for 2 months has been life-changing and I made friends for a lifetime. I will definitely come back. The day-to-day stable life is a perfect combination of hard work, taking care of the horses, riding in nature, and the chance to challenge your own boundaries. waking up starts with getting the horses out of the beautiful bush, feeding and grooming them. After that, we all sit together for a delicious English breakfast. with a full belly, we proceed to go for a canter in the bush or jump/train in the arena. when we come back the horses get all the love and medical attention they need. We proceed to do tasks around the stables, enjoy the sun, have lunch, and in general just have an amazing fun time. The rest of the afternoon and evening is filled with more horses, rides, swimming, polo-cross, etc. There is also a lot of space for your own input. Just request and there is always a way to make it happen. Besides the stable management, you also have the chance to tag along with the lion and game park management program. No day is the same. For example; we tagged along to save a baby zebra, we went to the capital to watch a horserace, and we had a game night and sleepover in the bush under the stars. All these experiences shaped an all-around feeling of the Zimbabwean lifestyle at Antelope Park. The hospitality is extraordinary and you get submerged in their life, which makes you feel like you are part of the antelope park family. they look after you very well. I have never felt unsafe and if there are problems, everybody is well experienced and very willing to help. All in all, I would recommend this horse-stable volunteering experience to everybody. From beginner to very experienced rider!

I volunteered for 4 weeks on the stables management program at Antelope Park. These 4 weeks flew by and were filled with wonderful experiences I will cherish forever. The stables at Antelope Park are home to incredible horses, each with their own personality you will get to learn and love! There are horses suited for every riding level, as well as any activity you’d like to partake in (swimming with horses, jumping, morning canter in the bush, polocrosse, you name it!). The accommodation is very comfortable and spacious. The food is also delicious and made me feel enveloped in a big hug! After a long working day, I could always count on a hearty meal prepared with care that would comfort me. Finally, the people working here truly make Antelope Park exceptional. Their kindness and grace make you feel part of a big family. We laughed a lot, shared a lot, and made life long friendships! I am certain that the people I have met here will stay with me, as well as the lessons they have taught me. I would recommend this experience to anyone, it is truly life-changing and I hope to come back soon!

As a considerably "less youthful" volunteer, I naturally had some trepidation about signing up for a month at Antelope Park. My concerns were completely unfounded. I was quickly welcomed into the Antelope Park family of staff and volunteers and made to feel right at home. I experienced so many amazing adventures and I leave a truly changed person forever with Antelope Park and Africa in my heart forever. In addition to being encouraged to try new things, including delicious African foods and encounters of all kind, I had the pleasure of meeting warm, caring, fun people with "Great Big African" hearts. Thank you all for this life altering experience and for your commitment to the love, care and prosperity of all the creatures and communities which make Africa great. Tatenda!

It has been a wonderful experience, rich and full of learning. The whole staff is truly welcoming, always available to help and enthusiastic to answer every questions with the most accurate answers. You imediately feel a part of the AP's family, in a safe and caring environment. More than an experience or adventure, you get the chance to be a part of a lifestyle and share it by bringing your qualities and willingness to learn and exchange on a daily basis. Thank you for the awareness, lessons and knowledge you gave me. Tatenda to all the AP's mambo and mambo kadzi !

Overall I have enjoyed my time at Antelope Park, the Lion and Elephant handlers have been so friendly, kind, clear and shared there experiences with me. I really enjoyed the vulture count, snake handling and elephant feeding! I do feel they're too many lions here that need more enrichment and that they were bred for the purpose of 'walking with the lions' without a more detailed plan of there lives after and how to enrich them especially since they can't be released. I think there welfare is taken care of but there could be more to enrich them, I did bring this up with a few different people and was informed that they have seized breeding which is the right thing so that was comforting. I really enjoyed a lot of experiences and activities but there were days I was the only wildlife vol and therefore spent a few hours either coming back early or waiting at the tent as there wasn't further plans for after the scheduled jobs were complete. I would have liked to of done more game drive activties and wildlife counts if I had more time here. I would recommend Antelope Park to visit for zoological experience however I feel there could be more wildlife activites.

I had really great time with great people. From the first day until the last I enjoied staying at the Antelop park. The staff is great and always helfull when you need. I am so happy to see them again in the future.

This was my second time joining Antelope Park to volunteer, that itself is proof that this is a great experience and something I wanted to keep supporting! The two volunteering periods have been very different, this one being during a pandemic and the number of volunteers has been very low. But I can assure you that it doesn't matter if you're alone on project or of you're here with forty other volunteers, I've loved these periods equally as much! The staff here is amazing and I feel so welcome, appreciated and seen. Everyone is always doing everything they can to make sure you are enjoying your stay here. (You can even get the chance to learn some new languages, they'll be happy to teach you!) I had been longing to come back to Antelope Park for four years, and it was worth every second of waiting!

This is my second time at Antelope Park and I can't wait to come back again! The people here are wonderful and make it feel like a second home. I've learned so much working in the stables and have loved getting to know all the incredible horses! Riding through the game park with all of the animals is an amazing experience. Every day here is exciting and brings something new.

I spent 2 weeks at Antelope Park, I was dedicated to the Stables but I get the chance to do some activities with the Wildlife too. It was 2 weeks out of time which will remain engraved in my memory and I measure the immense luck that I had to meet such beautiful people, to ride on such gorgeous horses and to be very close of the wild animals. The staff takes the time to make you discover their daily life between passion and love for animals. I come back grown up.

I had the best four weeks of my life. The people here are the nicest and you feel really welcome. They are so dedicated to their work and to make sure that you are feeling good. It's like a family! The horses are incredible. They all have different characters and levels so there is horses for every level. It's an amazing experience to work in stables. You learn a lot! I can really recommend this trip. You get to o so many things, and i never had a dull day.

I visited Antelope Park to volunteer on the Wildlife Management Programme for only one week; which was far too short! The team at the park, from administration, guides, kitchen staff, cafe staff, groundskeepers, carpenters - EVERYONE were so welcoming, friendly, helpful and pure. I had the pleasure of interacting with as many long term staff members as possible as well as some of the team who had recently joined. Regardless of how long they have been here their knowledge was so comprehensive and they were so happy to share it with me; no such thing as a silly question at AP! In terms of the work and experience undertaken I covered so much in my short time, and the team were so happy to try and meet my requests and have me experience as much as possible; from foraging for and feeding the elephants, then cleaning up the after-mess, cleaning, feeding and wellbeing checks for the lions, interacting with the reptiles, driving through the pastures of free roaming kudas, impalas, wildebeasts, giraffes, zebras, guinea foul, vultures and Maribou storks, helping out in the stables, riding the horses, building fencing, sawing, digging, bush walks, talks and everything in between. I can't wait to come back and help out some more, and get to experience more of what AP are all about.

This was amazing. Being so close to the lions was just wow, I am going to miss them and the rest of the animals and people and Bex! I want to really thank everyone, as all tried to make me feel at home. Bex is UNIQUE, really, she has so much knowledge, and always willing to help, she does her job way beyond the expectations. I really want to thank also Mike to share his house with us to celebrate my birthday, was so amazing. Nathan in our camping trip uffff expectacular. And Martha and Reg, incredible sweet people. Thank you very much all for such a lovely time of peace and relaxation in the wild. Bex thank you for really giving me the best break and take care of everything for me, you rock and I will miss you so so much. I hope you can share with me the pictures taken by Hanna of our daily work.

This program was the best way in which I could have had my first introduction to Southern Africa. I am so glad I found a program that allowed me to explore the horse culture in a new country and continent. And getting to combine horse work with excursions and seeing wild animals was beyond my wildest expectations. By doing a working holiday/volunteer work (instead of a full holiday), I had the money to spend more time in Zimbabwe as well, getting a better feel of everything about it here.

Loved my experience here at AP! Everyone is so helpful and kind! Absolutely loved being part of the stables and spending time riding the horses! Thank you for everything! I fell in love with this country!

My time here has been nothing short of amazing. The days are filled with multiple opportunities to interact with the wildlife and get a good understanding of the behind the scenes of running a conservation park. There were only a couple rough days (personally, I am not as tolerable about the heat, but they immediately worked with me on that to help me out) out of the entire month I was here, but that's expected. The employees are kind, and treat the volunteers as part of a family, and are willing to work with you to sort out the best itinerary possible. I'd recommend bringing lots of change and having an open mind--you never know what will happen. Flexibility is key, and the wifi gave us a couple problems, but they were fixed quickly and the staff was incredibly helpful. The other volunteers were awesome, and it was very nice to have the evenings to be able to relax and have some personal time (especially after a hot day). Overall, I would recommend this program to any friend or family that asks about it-my only warning would be to come in with a volunteer headspace instead of a 'vacation' headspace since there is a lot of work that gets done. I'm glad I came, went on some amazing excursions, and got a real taste of wildlife care while I was here. The only thing I wouldn't recommend as far as the wildlife program goes would be for a medicine or vet student (there wasn't too much on the biology education side) but it was a great learning experience. Thank you Antelope Park! I will be back (hopefully sooner rather than later) :)

Coming here I didn't have any experience in volunteer work at all or going on a journey on my own for that matter, so you could say that I was quite nervous about it. You read these amazing stories about others that have been there, telling you that "It is the best thing they've ever done" and "That it was such a life changing experience", and you wonder if and how much of this will apply to you. So, you are now reading this review just as I did with others a couple of weeks ago and I am going to say the exact same thing: It really ís one of the best things I've ever done and it really hás been a life changer for me. The Antelope Park is very well organized, and they will do everything in their power to help and support you in any way they can. Especially Rosine, the volunteer and community’s manager, made sure that I had the time of my life and that I got to make the trips that I really wanted! All the staff with whom I had the pleasure of meeting and working with are also such nice and amazing people. They really made me, and the other volunteer’s part of the big and warm AP family and I want to thank every single one for that! Besides working with these lovely people, I also got the chance to work and interact with the incredible African Wildlife that I adore so much. During your stay it feels like you are on a nonstop safari! Herding the Elephants was jaw-droppingly amazing and one of my favorite activities next to the lion hunt and watching the lion feed!! This experience has brought me so much. Aside from the extra set of laugh lines (I just couldn't stop smiling), I also learned a lot about myself as a person and for that I am forever grateful.

From elephant walks to lion feedings to practicing riding skills, my time at Antelope Park was simply amazing. Everything I experienced was one of a kind and left me wanting so much more. I was especially happy to learn how to play polocrosse and practice my horsemanship. I learned so much about so many things, and I gained friendships that will last a lifetime. Two weeks simply just wasn't enough!

Volunteering here is an amazing experience. Antelope Park is like a huge family. The people here are really friendly so don't hesitate to talk to them and get to know each other. They will also be there for you if you need help. My 3 weeks in the project with the horses were really amazing, we did lots of activities like sunset ride, jumping or even going swimming with the horses. The horses are super adorable and it's super cool to go for a ride with them. I wish this experience to everyone. You will discover a beautiful country with a huge African bush where you will certainly be able to see lots of wild animals. You will also learn and share their culture by getting to know the people of the park.

Stayed for 2 weeks - I was ill for a couple of days but overall experience disappointment. All the volunteers seem exhausted from the lack of work/life balance - no social activities besides a movie night which might happen tonight. So far I've only ridden 3 times, despite being eager to ride more. I'm disheartened by the lack or absence of activities that were advertised, such as no polocrosse, no sundowners, no showjumping or cross country and no offer of the overnight horse safari - particularly as I am a confident and capable rider with many years experience. I haven't been offered any excursions or options to leave the site besides going to Pick n Pay. Stables very unorganised and I understand the manager is away but I have expressed concerns for the welfare of multiple horses - feet overgrown from overdue farriery, lack of basic horse first aid such as oxytetracycline spray or powder, no bute granules, no appropriate needles to administer IM drugs. A lot of responsibility has been placed on a volunteer with a slim amount of experience and their judgement and decisions of issues that have been presented has concerned me, namely around temperatures, injuries and as a whole said responsibility should never have been placed on them. They are stressed out and exhausted. Tack is of poor quality, resulting in one person falling when a girth broke. A lot of fixing required and certainly some tack is unsafe or ill fitting beyond the adjustable possibilties, namely bridles. I'm also concerned of saddle fit on a number of horses, whichh results in sore backs for the horses. The grooms seem either lazy or uneducated and unable to recognise or raise concern over a horse with a severely swollen leg (even after grooming him), there have been many occassions where horses on box rest don't have any hay or water and also checks are not made to ensure they have these basic necessities before leaving for lunch or the evening - only when myself and another volunteer have returned to check on them have we found they don't have a water bucket or a suitable amount of hay. I understand the stables manager has been absent, as has the assistant, however I'm disappointed to have been told multiple times that it would be different and better is Willem was here. Unfortunately, I regret paying for this experience, and in comparison to similar volunteer programmes within the country and also elsewhere it's been a mediocre experience - outlined by my concern for the welfare of the horses. To improve, I recommend further training, assigned checks on the horses physical wellbeing and water/hay checks. Also recap the importance of picking out hooves atleast once daily, preferably twice as this has also not occured on multiple occasisions. Perhaps rearranging the feeding schedule to twice a day, ensuring more availability of shade in the turn out paddocks and easier access to water would allow more time for the volunteers to be able to ride. Also, the farrier needs to be visiting more frequently as there are horses that really need attention. It would be nice for more variation in the day, social activities to be organised or suggested for vols on camp and make more use of the game park. The food is very good though and the staff in camp are friendly, the internet is reliable and there are few powercuts/water cuts in comparison to the rest of the country, which makes a nice experience. In all, I'm disappointed by the lack of organisation at the stables and consequently the lack of riding opportunities. I also have not been on any snare sweeps or boundary patrols, which were also advertised as activities I'd be taking part in. I see a lot of potential for this place and I understand COVID brings many difficulties for all businesses, however my stay here so far doesn't meet up to what is advertised or what I'd hoped.

Antelope Park welcomed me with open arms from the moment i arrived. After a day of learning about how Antelope Park runs and what they do here i went straight into the daily life at stables. From taking care of the horses, to usual stable tasks, going on horse swims or a simple sunset ride, every single activity was amazing and we always had fun. There where always good vibes at stables which just increased with Willems and Danis good mood and jokes. Having spent 5 weeks at this amazing place i can honestly say that i have learned a lot about horses and horse care but also about myself and what i want for my future. My time here has given me a lot of clarity and determination for my future career goals and to ensure that i enjoy what i do everyday. This is largely due to the people i met during my time here and the fun times we had together. Within just a few days you meet everbody at Antelope Park some of which you interact with on a daily basis such as Daleen, Jimmy and the rest of the kitchen staff, or Willem and Sam and the other stable guys, as well as Dani and Colleen and all the guides while others you only see during certain activities. Friendliness at Antelope Park takes on a whole other meaning and i will miss everbody dearly. I know that i will come back one day soon to this amazing place that has taught me so much and through which i met so many amazing people.

Such a great camp! All the staff were so friendly and I got on with everyone so well. Had so much fun working with the wildlife and filling the weekends with activities and seeing the local town. 3 weeks went by sooo fast and I will definitely miss this place!

Great time, 3 weeks of exitement and very nice people. Good accomodation and lots of activities. Almost every day working whit lions and door many other animals. No worries about food, water or safety. Just go! And find out by yourself

I have had the best time of my life. The people of Antelope Park are all so nice! We interacted with them, got to know them. And they take good care of you, like you are part of the family. For example when you hurt yourself, they keep asking how you are and what they can do to make you feel better. That's why this place feels like a second home already, after 4 weeks of being here. Aside from the people in AP, the people here in Zimbabwe are nice as well. They start a conversation and you can have a little laugh with them. Besides of the people, I had a great time with the animals. The lions were lovely and sweet and it is amazing to see them eat. The giraffes were impressive to see, so tall they are. But the elephants are my favorites. They are really gentle giants. We walked with them a few times and hugged them a lot. We danced with the staff while they were eating branches. Besides the wild life project, I also did the horse project. Antelope Park has de best horses in the world. They are all so lovable and nice to ride. I loved the horse swims and the polocross activities. A special thanks to Willem telling his great stories about his life and the fun jokes he made. And also a thanks to Dani, who makes me laugh every time and took the best pictures.

My time here has been one of the most life-changing experiences I have ever experienced. Meeting all the people and interacting with the wildlife has been incredible. I personally also learned a lot about myself here. The people here are really open-minded, helpful and flexible. I really want to thank everyone that has made it possible for me to get the most out of this experience.

It is hard to describe in words how much this experience has brought me. I learnt so much about this amazing nature, culture and wildlife. Spending a lot of time with the animals made me find mypeace and even a bit of my personality. The fun extra activities we did created a perfect balance between excitement and peacefulness. But most importantly by talking to all the amazing, kind and open-minded people here I learnt so many valuable life lessons and it feels like I have not only made new friends, but also family. With a head full of perfect memories and a heart full of love I return back to my homecountry, ready to plan my next trip to this wonderful place again!

This was my first time in Africa, and amazing it was! Everyone was so kind, they made me feel so welcome upon my arrival in Zimbabwe. Each day I learned something new, it was so fun and exciting. The most exciting thing for me was spending time with the lions, in all sorts of ways. I loved every single minute of the days I had there. Being there for 3 weeks makes you want to return there for another time. I hope I get to return someday :)

I was nervous traveling to another country alone for the first time, but I met amazing people who made me feel welcome upon my arrival in Zimbabwe. All of us felt like a family, and it made trying new things exciting. Each day was something new and fun, and everything was an opportunity to learn more about wildlife. The time we spent in the national parks were my favorite, but in close second was lion enrichment. I loved being able to interact with wildlife in different forms every day and contributing to their well-being and even research for the organization! Even 4 weeks in this program felt like it wasn’t enough. I hope I get the chance to return!

Volunteering Antelope Park has been one of the most enlightening experiences of my life, from being able to distinct important plants for survival in the wild, to being able to track and distinguish different types of animals by age and gender, Antelope Park guides are some of the most kind, intelligent, and hardworking people I have ever met. Regardless of whether you want to pursure an animal related career, you will have many opportunities to safely interact with animals such as horses and elephants. Antelope Park has been extremely welcoming and accomadating operation, that makes sure you priotritize both your and the animals best interests. This is a great opportunity to experience unique activities that you would otherwise rarely get to partake in other places of the world. Truly some of the most exciting weeks of my life. I will dearly miss my new family at Antelope park.

This is a first-class operation that provided a first-class experience for my daughter and me. It is instructive, enjoyable, safe, and valuable. It is clear that there is an organized, yet flexible plan in place so that volunteers derive optimal benefit and enjoyment from their stay at the Antelope Park. I would definitely consider returning for a second experience in the future.

Coming to Antelope Park was not "just" a holiday but a lifetime changing experience. Here I got everything I was expecting and much more. I was expecting beutiful lendscapes and they were indeed amazing but I think the highlight of the program were the people I met here. They made everything special, they have aways a smile on theyr face, always willing to help and flexible with your needs/wish in order to make you happy. In the camp you can chose avariety of activity you can do: feeding lions, interacting with elephants, daily trip in other areas of Zimbabwe, horse riding, polocross, swimming with horses an manz more. During my stay they have also organized a Treasure Hunting Game with horses and it really was the time of my life. While having fun you also learn a lot about wildlife and culture. This has been one of the best experience in my life and I hughly reccomend it to anyone.

Trough volunteer program you can really get involved in daily routine of african way of living in beutiful farm - especially for horse lovers. Sunset rides are best part of camp. People here are very nice and food is great.

I was deeply involved in African style of life. The game is great, especially if you approach it on the back of the horses. Horses are nice and you can connect with them super easily. Staff is warm, friendly and very helpful. Food is very very good. :)

Where to begin... I simply had the time of my life! Antelope park's biggest triumph for me is their people. I have made such deep and meaningful connections here that resulted in making some life long friends. During your stay here you will get to experience everything from lovely sunset rides and campfire gamenights to horse swimming and learning about the bush and its wildlife. We even did a paperchase/treasure hunt through the park, on horseback! The possibilities are endless and you will NEVER experience a dull day. You'll be jumping at the bit every morning to get up and go fetch the horses during sunrise to bring them home for breakfast. The volunteer sleeping accommodations are so comfortable that you will rarely experience a bad night sleep. Don't even get me started on the food but I'll keep it short, it was GREAT! If you ever get the chance to experience something like this, take it. It will change (and enrich) your life... I know I will be leaving a piece of me here! I'll be back for sure!

I really had the the of my life here, being able to woke up and be around horses all day until night is just a dream. The life condition here are perfect, I feel at home. Everyone is so kind and everything is made for you to have the best time of your life. I don t want to go home and I will definitely come back here.

Really really nice and fun lots to do which is really nice and the staff are very good at planning everything for you if u want to do specific activities, very welcoming and friendly the photographer course was informative i leant a lot :)

It was great to gain an in-depth understanding of the bush and the animals within it. The lions are a great bonus, it will be hard to find a place where u can interact and learn about them more. I have had a great time and hopefully I will return.

I learnt a tonne of things about lions and how there personalities differ from each other and how their behaviour changes in relation to different events. I also thoroughly enjoyed learning about the ostriches, trees, wildlife, grass, birds, and I loved our general morning routine, especially the morning checks with Lloyd. A time to remember forever and come back to visit next year. Thank you!

I loved everything about my trip. Everyone was so polite and welcoming, and I felt like I fit right in. There was so much to do and all the animals were so beautiful and well looked after. There were so many opportunities to learn and gain experience. Bex was an amazing volunteer manager and she was always so organized and happy. I loved my trip very much, thank you for having me

I had a great experience at Antelope Park! Though there was not much going on in terms of socialising with other volunteers (first week we were 3 vols, the last two weeks we were only 2) we had a great time! I could choose from a lot of activities, not only from the horse programme, so there was lots of fun stuff to do! Sometimes we couldnt do anything due to the rains, but I guess thats just something that happens :) I loved the sunrise ride and horse swims! It was fantastic!! Apart from all the wild animals I saw for the first time in my life (zebra, giraffe, etc.) I guess my highlight was the insights I got into natural horsemanship. I definitely recommend visiting Antelope Park!

I spent 2 weeks at AP and had such a wonderful time. It is a rarity that you get to interact with the animals as much as we did and to the extent that we did. You get down and dirty with the animals and have an opportunities of a lifetime. They also have such genuine people as well which you cannot find in all countries in Africa. They are so open and want to get to know you and your culture/history/traditions. The program coordination was very hands on and they really try to give you all the opportunities they can for your trip - I was able to go on a few day trips and they also have experiences that are at the reserve as well as outside (ex: polocrosse lesson).

My stay at AP was wonderful! Best was the interaction with the elephants and really every time spent with them! Staff and animal handlers were very nice, food was amazing (vegetarian) and had such a nice time with the other volunteers.