Nakavango Conservation Centre
- 20x Single rooms, with built-in cupboard and desk
- Shared ablutions (1-4 volunteers sharing a bathroom with shower, toilet, basin)
- Lecture room – fully equipped with resource library and presentation equipment
- Kitchen and open air dining areas – 3 meals per day provided
- Entertainment area with barbeque facilities
- Swimming pool
- Vehicles (game viewers) and necessary equipment for field activities
Volunteers are accommodated in our purpose-built volunteer programme facility, called Nakavango Conservation Centre, at Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve. Each participant is allocated their own room with bedding provided for you, and bathrooms are shared between only two to three volunteers. The facility also boasts a spacious, fully- equipped kitchen and canteen area where all meals are prepared and served.
Please note that some meals may be packed and taken out into the field for consumption.
There is a safe on the premises for cash and small valuables. The lecture room at the Nakavango Centre is well equipped with presentation equipment and a comprehensive book library. One of the features of the Nakavango Centre is the open-air entertainment area, including a deck, bar facility and swimming pool, all overlooking the riverbed with waterholes along the Masuwe River’s ancient “oxbow”. It should be kept in mind at all times that the centre is in the middle of a “dangerous game area” and volunteers are not permitted to exit the centre grounds unless accompanied by one of the volunteer guides.
Meals
Volunteers can enjoy three meals a day, prepared for you by the centre’s cook. Meals are simple, yet tasty and nutritious. If volunteers wish to eat food different than the food provided, you are welcome to buy your own ingredients from the supermarket at your own cost during weekends or town trips. Any meals eaten at restaurants and other places will be for your own cost. Please note that on some days, meals (especially lunches) will be pre-made and packed, and taken out into the field, giving our volunteers the opportunity to make the most of your time in African bush, while applying yourselves to conservation and community activities.
Please ensure that any information regarding special dietary requirements is included in the relevant space on your booking form.
Laundry
Laundry is done weekly for you at the Nakavango Centre by our friendly housekeeping staff. Please ensure that all your items of clothing and towels are labelled with your name to prevent confusion and to ensure that you receive all your laundry back in your own laundry bag. Laundry bags are provided.
Communication
The Nakavango Centre is connected to the internet via fibre optics. Volunteers have access to internet using Wi-Fi and can also buy local sim cards for cell phones in town or at the airport.
Working Hours
The amount of working hours in an average day is 7-9 hours. However, some days may end up being longer due to the type of activity. Evenings are generally at leisure, unless nocturnal activities have been arranged by the volunteer guides – these nocturnal activities are generally very popular with our volunteers!
Leisure
Weekends are off-time, when volunteers can choose to either stay at the centre, or explore the surrounding area of Victoria Falls and enjoy some of the diverse activities on offer. Should our volunteers wish to book an activity in Victoria Falls, your volunteer guides and operations manager will be happy to advise you and assist you with the booking/s.
Discounted rates on activities are arranged for our volunteers through specific operators! The following are just some of the activities on offer at Victoria Falls:
- White water rafting
- River-boarding
- Upper Zambezi canoe trails (day trails or overnight trails)
- Boat cruises
- Livingstone Island tours
- Micro light flights (operate from Zambian side)
- Bungee jumping
- Helicopter flights
- Hi-Wire activities such as the gorge swing, zip line, flying fox
- Horse trails
- Village and township tour
- Vic Falls cycle tours
- Chobe day trips into Botswana
- Fishing safaris
- Victoria Falls Steam train rides
