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Posts Tagged ‘Conservation Work’

Lion Country – Where To Help Lion Conservation In Africa

January 10th, 2010

Arn

Does the idea of working in “lion country” appeal to you? Well do you know you can spend anything from two to eight weeks helping with vital lion conservation work in Africa?

The well-known Antelope Park in Zimbabwe, which runs a lion breeding and rehabilitation project of international reputation, is just one of several place that you could help with these magnificent creatures. It’s not just throwing a few bits of meat into a cage either, when they say “hands-on” they really mean it. You could be helping with delightful lion cubs just a few weeks old or be out in the African bush walking right alongside young adults as they become acclimatized in advance of their release back into the wild.

Other lion conservation centers can be found set against the stunning backdrop of Victoria Falls and in Livingstone, Zambia, where you could be taking that lion walk along the banks of the mighty Zambezi River.

Each of these very special lion conservation projects is run under the guidance of ALERT, the African Lion & Environmental Research Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the African lion. They ensure that strict guidelines are adhered to and that the very best is done for these wonderful creatures. The captive breeding program isn’t used to provide animals for other captivity, but to help with the re-population in areas which have seen an 80 to 90% decline in lion numbers in the last 30 years.

Of course it’s not all hard work – if you can call spending every day in the company of lions hard work! There are also opportunities for you to visit national parks and track other African wildlife, to go bungee jumping near the famous Falls if that’s your thing, or white water rafting or taking a safari on the back of an elephant, the possibilities are as vast as the African landscape!

Your time spent volunteering in lion country will be of incredible value to the preservation and protection of these iconic creatures. As an added bonus it will give you memories you will never forget and new friendships that will last a lifetime.

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Tags: African Bush, African Landscape, African Lion, African Wildlife, Antelope Park, Conservation Centers, Conservation Projects, Conservation Work, International Reputation, Lion Country, Lion Cubs, Livingstone Zambia, Magnificent Creatures, Rehabilitation Project, Research Trust, Stunning Backdrop, Victoria Falls, White Water Rafting, Work In Africa, Zambezi River

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Gap Year Abroad – Adventure Volunteering In Africa

January 9th, 2010

Arn

Many students spend some part of their gap year abroad and if that’s you then I have a challenge for you. Instead of spending your time getting sunburned and bored, why not have the adventure of your life volunteering in Africa!

People say it’s a small world, and these days traveling to Africa is much easier than when Livingstone got himself lost up the Zambezi! Flights are frequent from most parts of the world and getting around inside Africa might be a constant adventure but mostly now it’s in comfortable four wheel drive vehicles. Trekking is, of course, open to those who want it, but it’s entirely up to you.

But why volunteering in Africa for your gap year abroad?

For many it’s the huge range of choices. If you are a keen photographer then photographing African wildlife will appeal to you. Far from being just a safari holiday, this is important conservation work and you will have the help of highly skilled professional photographers and specialist African guides with you in the bush.

What about walking with the African lion? I don’t mean looking at one through bars, I mean actually walking with young rescued and captive-bred lions as they learn to hunt before being re-introduced to the wild.

The African people need your help too. There are teaching opportunities, chances to help with African orphans, medical assistance in a variety of situations, the chance to help with infrastructure in African townships, building schools for African children. If gardening is your thing then you can help with establishing crops. Whatever your particular skill or passion African volunteer organizations will find a way for you to make the biggest impact in the shortest time.

Let’s not forget the adventure part of volunteering in Africa though. Yes, there’s work to do, but there are also the opportunities to go bungee jumping near Victoria Falls, white water rafting on the Zambezi, big game fishing of the Cape, elephant riding through the bush, surfing, snorkeling and horse riding, not forgetting the fabulous food and sampling the world-renowned South African wines. Your gap year abroad could find you sleeping on a beach somewhere, and we’re not suggesting there’s anything wrong with that some of the time, but you might want to add an adventure in Africa while you are at it!

Posted in News