Horse riding & training in Zimbabwe
Live, volunteer and work at a horse and wildlife centre in Zimbabwe, open to every level of rider, from beginner to advance, take part in regular horse care, rehabilitation work and training. Use existing knowledge of horse behaviour or build and grow skills working with animals.
Volunteers or horse trainers can join various projects to support with the ongoing running of the centre, work with horses in Africa and ride horses in a safari setting, you’ll also support various none horse related initiatives focused on wildlife research, habitat management and tree protection.
This placement is perfect for those wanting to explore Africa on horseback, gain skills related to equine care, riding skills and even ecology and conservation.
Become a volunteer
Volunteer information
African wildlife vet and vet nurse training and projects
Horse rehabilitation and care
The horse and wildlife centre you’ll be based at homes many horses, some of them are rescue horses brought to the centre from working or private stables, each has its own personality and needs you’ll get to know as you support them.
Work as a team and with onsite experts, you’ll use or develop skills in equestrianism, animal care, behaviour and physiotherapy that ensure that every animal has the best life possible, rely on love and empathy to help you care for and understand them all.
From this bond, you’ll gain while you give and rely on the horses as you travel and explore Zimbabwe together.
What will you be doing?
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Help with regular therapy or rehabilitation
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Support any animal care, grooming or treatment
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Support any nutritional or dietary supplements
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Support animal behaviour & build confidence
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Take part in activities that promote animal mental and physical health
Horse conditioning and training
Horses are active animals and need regular practice and opportunities to exercise, explore environments, have new experiences and meet new people.
This happiness from an understanding of physical and mental well-being helps ensure calm and healthy animals that live comfortably around other horses, wildlife and people.
As there are multiple horses at the centre, each with their own needs and personalities, you’ll take part in regular scheduled training routines, this could mean rides around a track or course to release energy, even helping teach new commands or skills.
What will you be doing?
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Help with training & exercises that promote health
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Help with teaching or practice skills with animals that build confidence & ability
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Complete regular rides-outs or rehearsals on obstacle courses at the centre
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Work with staff to build & run training schedules
Horse ride-outs through the forest
Once you know the horses at the centre and build a bond with them, you'll take part in regular rides through lush local forests and woodlands that surround Victoria falls in Zimbabwe, these area’s are home to many incredible locations to explore as well as wildlife to meet on horseback.
You’ll also have a chance to get to know the locals in the surrounding community as you travel through new or old riding routes. Teams are set by your & the horses experience or confidence level with groups led by local riding guides.
What will you be doing?
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Horse rides through the Zimbabwean forest complex
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Build horse skills and confidence during riding
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Meet local wildlife and community members
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Patrol & record rare species or data for research
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Help patrol & look for signs of poaching activity
Stable upkeep, feeding & grooming
A horse centre & stable has regular tasks & duties needing to be preformed to ensure successful operation & animal health. Expect to help with cleaning stables & equipment, bedding & food preparation, plus regular feeding and grooming.
During these typical and daily requirements, you’ll often have a chance to observe or interact with horses more and get to learn more about their personalities or needs.
What will you be doing?
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Help clean stables and equipment
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Help Food preparation and feeding of animals
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Help groom & wash animals regularly or after riding & training
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Support with behavioural observations for care and enrichment
Wildlife monitoring & reserve maintenance
In addition to the daily horse work and interactions at the centre, you’ll also be supporting wider conservation duties as the centre has a responsibility to the environment its based in.
From tracking wildlife animals as they move through the area’s you’ll explore during horse rides, to removing invasive plants for habitat management, even placing camera traps or helping gather scientific data during research.
Look after the rich habitat and of the Zimbabwe wilderness and forests.
What you'll be doing
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Help monitor & record any wildlife sightings
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Help track & determine movements of wildlife
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Reserve management & maintenance
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Support with research or conservation projects
Assist with wildlife research projects
The wilderness area you are based in has many species big and small, ach species has a vital role in the ecosystem. Some effects are know, others and which species are found in the area and how they effect it is still a mystery.
Take part in research lead by local ecologists, from monitoring the movements of elephants through the area you are based in, how they feed or change the environment to regular bird surveys.
You’ll use tools like camera traps, understand study principles and methods from local experts and learn lots about ecosystems and help contribute to scientific and conservation projects.
What you'll be doing
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Support scientific research projects
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Help monitor & track elephant movements or behaviour in the forest
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Help study rehabilitated lions to understand behaviour and support their health
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Help with regular ecological surveys on birds or biodiversity
Wildlife rehabilitation and care
The horse centre has inherited various wildlife species that are being rescued or rehabilitated, these animals a housed at the centre from legacy projects in the area, others have arrived as donations with injuries or sickness that needs supporting.
Help with the regular feeding, cleaning and care work that goes into keeping these animals happy and health. Species include lions, hyena, birds of prey and various animals that pass through the rehabilitation facilities before being return to the wild.
What you'll be doing
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Help provide rehabilitation and care to rescue or rehabilitated wildlife
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Help feed, clean & enrich the lives of captive animals
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Help with research and study to observe how to support captive species
Assist with tree and vegetation projects
Vegetation and trees are the bases for the forest and woodland habitat you are working in, some of these tree’s like the Baobab are under threat from both climate change or habitat pressures.
Other important plant species are relied on by species of mammal for homes or food, ensuring these species are protected and flourishing means a more resilient and diverse ecosystem.
What you'll be doing
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Help locate & record vulnerable or important trees
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Help locate & record endangered or important species
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Help protect key tree’s from habitat pressure
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Help monitor grazing or feeding pressure from local species
Trips and exploring Victoria falls
Outside of your duties and responsibilities while volunteering at the horse centre, you’ll also have the chance to explore the Victoria Falls region in Zimbabwe.
This area is home to world wonders, incredible safari and wildlife locations, view points and landscapes, incredible outdoor adventure activities from white water rafting to mountain biking, local lodges or restaurants and much more that make it Africa’s adventure capital.
What you'll be doing
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Take part in tours, helicopter rides, boat trips and much more to discover the area
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Try outdoor and adventure activities by land, water and air.
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Explore an incredible region of waterfalls, canyons, savannahs and natural wonders
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Experience the culture and history of Zimbabwe
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Discover African wildlife during safari drives on near-by reserves
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Day trips to explore neighbouring Botswana
