Unfortunately, between 2001 and 2014, the number of elephants was dramatically reduced by 36 percent. Join the Rhino and Elephant Conservation Project, witnessing the legendary ‘Big Five’ in their native homes.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority works hand in hand with some of the above-mentioned organisations by offering support, manpower where possible, guidance, access to certain areas and so forth to assist in conservation efforts. We built a rapid response unit, trained rangers in advanced ecological monitoring with CyberTracker and SMART, and installed a full-time anti-poaching specialist within the park. Thinking of working more closely with nature? However, elephants aren’t the only iconic species suffering at the hands of poachers. This, in turn, has caused soil erosion, destroying what fertile farming land there is.Deforestation has accelerated, as rural communities use firewood for fuel as well as the high demand for wood fuel used in tobacco — particularly in the Hurungwe communal lands of Zimbabwe. AWF works with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, and other key partners to strengthen the capacity and management of rangers throughout the landscape. In only five years, about 500 rhinos were lost to poaching in Zimbabwe.Effective communication is one of the simplest and key deterrents to poaching; however, many parks suffer from a lack of funding, which results in rangers using outdated equipment and radios that poachers can hack, accessing sensitive communication among anti-poaching units.Our solutions to protecting Zimbabwe's unique biodiversity:Within the Lower Zambezi Valley is one of Zimbabwe’s most ecologically significant national parks — Mana Pools National Park.Mana Pools is home to critical populations of elephants, lions, and other wildlife that congregate on the floodplains of the Zambezi River.African Wildlife Foundation is working to protect the park’s incredible biodiversity. Zimbabwe’s food, forests, and wildlife are declining. However you choose to travel, our volunteer programs in Zimbabwe are sure to be some of the most memorable experiences of your life!Help make a difference to Zimbabwe's incredible wildlife and follow in the footsteps of explorer David Livingstone set against the backdrop of the beautiful Victoria Falls.Zimbabwe is home to a wealth of botanical gardens, safari areas, national parks and sanctuaries – collectively, these sites are known as the ‘Wildlife Estate’. The rate at which the impoverished communities are collecting firewood is unsustainable, and their actions are creating food-security issues. While Zimbabwe is a highly educated country, training opportunities are needed for Zimbabweans to learn new skills that aid in conservation and help better the lives of all. km.) Why not add some of the following to your itinerary: African wildlife is some of the most iconic on earth, and by aiding conservation work you could help to preserve it. See how you can help on an animal conservation project in Zimbabwe!Zimbabwe’s cultural history is certainly a rich one, consisting of numerous beliefs and religious ceremonies. As well as being known for its vibrant cities and ancient kingdoms, the country is arguably most famous for its incredible natural landscapes, which serve as a stunning backdrop to Zimbabwe’s volunteer projects!The Great Projects are proud to offer volunteer opportunities to those with the desire to aid Zimbabwe’s conservation efforts while enjoying an unforgettable experience in this most iconic of countries. Nyangani and Victoria Falls, one of the biggest waterfalls in the world. We are also equipping the wildlife authority with an upgraded digital radio system, which not only provides secure and encrypted radio communications but also allows easy communication between the rangers in Mana Pools and their colleagues at the Zambezi Valley Reaction Unit — an anti-poaching base.Increased security provided by improved technology and better coordination of operations between rangers and reaction units is key to fighting Zimbabwe’s poaching crisis.Illegal settlements, wood traders, and poachers come to areas right outside of protected parks, like Mana Pools and Chewore Safari Area, and illegally cut down tree species resulting in increasingly deforested areas outside of protected areas.

Zimbabwe is home to a wealth of botanical gardens, safari areas, national parks and sanctuaries – collectively, these sites are known as the ‘Wildlife Estate’. The ‘Shona’ people are the country’s largest ethnic group, and they are well-known for their impressive arts and crafts – particularly their stone sculptures, which are revered around the globe.There are many elements of culture to enjoy in Zimbabwe: alongside arts and crafts, theatre has something of a following, as does song and dance. At one time, Zimbabwe had an abundance of forests and wildlife and was the leading destination for wildlife-based tourism; however, political instability is threatening the country’s wildlife and tourism industry. The estate is home to a majority of Zimbabwe’s wildlife species, covering a staggering 12.5% of the country’s overall landmass! With the damaged soil unable to grow crops, people continue to turn to poaching as a way to eat and earn income.Conservation intervention is critical to ensuring Zimbabwe’s natural resources persist for generations to come. The preliminary groundwork included mapping boundaries of protected areas, distinguishing major migratory corridors, and locating deforestation hotspots and trends.