Guestateering in Hwange

This is a great opportunity for those who want to spend longer in Zimbabwe. Live, play and work in Zimbabwe. Aimed at older volunteers (30 – 65) it’s perfect for those who seek adventure and want to give back in a meaningful way. This is wild Africa, so you do need to come with an open mind, a sense of adventure and be willing to get stuck in. It’s an incredible place to really experience life with horses in Africa, and perfect for those who want to experience life at a slower pace.

This is for intermediate plus or above riders only as you’ll be riding in areas with wildlife where you can come across wildlife such as elephant and big cats on horseback. Besides incredible trail rides, you’ll also be part of anti-poaching snare patrols which require long hours in the saddle. It’s an incredible way to see the ever-changing landscapes, surrounded by nature, while directly contributing to conservation. And for those who wish, you can also help schooling some of the younger safari horses.

During your stay, you can also dedicate time to volunteer work such as working with the anti-poaching team, starting a vegetable garden, setting up the recycling centre, or teaching the team new cooking skills. The tasks are designed to match your skills and interests, ensuring that your contributions are both enjoyable and impactful.

This is an example only – It will be tailored to the guestateers and horses in camp, the weather and the wildlife in the area.

MONDAYS: Week 1 – Arrival and Transfer from Victoria Falls to Dete. Settle into camp and have a briefing about what to expect for the next 2 weeks. Enjoy your first trail ride and a pizza night around the fire. Week 2 – Morning Schooling Session or Community work. Afternoon trail ride

TUESDAYS: Morning Snare Sweep with the Anti-poaching team. Afternoon trail ride with sundowner drinks

WEDNESDAYS: Full day ride with picnic lunch

THURSDAYS: Morning schooling session or community work. Afternoon trail ride to the sleepout platform. Evening sleepout with the horses

FRIDAYS: Morning ride back to camp. Afternoon bush walk.

SATURDAYS: Full day game drive to Hwange National Park with picnic lunch

SUNDAYS: Rest day. You’re free to ride, visit one of the wildlife centres, get involved in any of the community projects or just relax at the camp

Situated near Hwange National Park, one of Zimbabwe’s largest and most diverse protected areas, this is a nature enthusiast’s paradise. The area was previously heavily poached, but now the wildlife is moving back into the area from the National Park as there are no fences. The open plains and woodlands are home to the variety of incredible wildlife. While out on trail rides, you may see giraffes gracefully browsing the treetops, zebras grazing in the grasslands, and various antelope species such as impalas, kudus, and elands. If you’re lucky, you might even see elephants or big cats from a distance. Birdwatchers will be thrilled with the diversity of birdlife, including iconic species like the African fish eagle, martial eagle, and various vultures. The area is also home to smaller yet equally fascinating creatures such as warthogs, mongoose, and an array of reptiles. Exploring the area on horseback allows for a unique and intimate wildlife viewing experience, as horses can often approach wildlife more closely than vehicles, providing a quieter and more immersive adventure.

A snare sweep is a crucial conservation activity conducted to remove illegal wire snares set by poachers to catch wildlife. This method involves carefully patrolling known poaching hotspots and animal trails, searching for and dismantling these traps. On horseback, rangers and volunteers can cover larger areas more efficiently than on foot, navigating through dense bush and rough terrain where vehicles cannot reach. The horses provide a different viewpoint for spotting snares hidden in the bushes and trees. This proactive approach helps safeguard wildlife from the destructive impacts of poaching, contributing to the overall conservation efforts in the region.

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserve, offers an extraordinary safari experience that guests can explore on game drives with Kerri du Preez or with James Varden. Every Saturday you’ll head off into the park for the day, complete with a packed lunch. It’s always exciting heading into the park as you never know what you might see. And with the whole day at your disposal, you can easily spend a whole morning just sitting at one of the waterholes watching the animals come to drink. Spanning nearly 14,650 square kilometres, the park is renowned for its diverse landscapes, from sprawling savannahs and woodlands to wetlands and salt pans. This varied habitat supports an incredible array of wildlife, including some of the largest herds of elephants in the world. You’ve also got great chances to see lions, leopards, and buffalo—along with giraffes, zebras, and numerous antelope species. With over 400 bird species, it’s a prime destination for birdwatching. With Kerri’s expert guidance, you will gain fascinating insights into animal behaviour, local flora, and the park’s conservation efforts, ensuring a rich and immersive safari experience in one of Africa’s premier wildlife sanctuaries.

Kerri du Preez is born and bred in Zimbabwe, raised in the African Bush. She has extensive experience and deep knowledge of the country’s wildlife and ecosystems. She’s been a guide for 8 years, and has been riding since before she could walk. As a guide she’s been to some really special places including Congo, Brazaville, Central Africa, South Africa and of course, Zimbabwe keeps caller her home.

With a background in wildlife conservation, she has spent many years working in national parks and private reserves, gaining invaluable expertise. Known for her engaging and educational guiding style, Kerri provides guests with a deeper appreciation of the natural world, emphasizing conservation. She specializes in game drives, walking safaris, and bird watching, ensuring informative and memorable experiences.

Dete Animal Rescue Trust (DART) is a dedicated wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organisation and is where the camp is based. The trust focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured and orphaned wildlife, with a mission to protect endangered species and educate the local community about wildlife conservation.

Waiting for you at camp is quirky camp owner, Paul De Montiel who is a Professional Zimbabwe guide, and is filled with laughs and great stories. As the passionate founder of DART, he has dedicated his life to wildlife conservation, playing a significant role in protecting and rehabilitating wildlife in the Hwange region. With a background in wildlife management and conservation, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Paul is heavily involved in community outreach, to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and encouraging their active participation in protecting the natural environment.

HWANGE 7-NIGHT HORSE SAFARI

If you wish to add on a 7-night safari, you can book a 7 night safari which begins with 2 nights at Iganyana Tented Camp, just 40 minutes away from Waterhole Camp. Then you’ll head into the National Park, exploring the area on horseback and sleeping in a mobile tented camp set out in the wilderness. Then enjoy one last night in luxury at Iganyana before heading home.

VICTORIA FALLS

Those who want to spend more time in Zimbabwe can visit Victoria Falls, one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. Known locally as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” or “The Smoke that Thunders,” this majestic waterfall spans approximately 1,700 metres wide and plunges over 100 metres into the Zambezi Gorge. Here, you can enjoy a variety of activities, including guided tours, helicopter flights, white-water rafting and bungee jumping. We can book a 3-5 night stay in Victoria Falls and there are a number of accommodation options, from Bed & Breakfasts, to luxury riverside lodges.

During your stay, you can visit the Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) project in Hwange and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of African painted dogs, also known as African wild dogs. You can tour their rehabilitation facility, where injured and orphaned painted dogs receive medical care and are prepared for reintroduction into the wild. Engage with educational programs designed to raise awareness about the ecological importance of painted dogs and discover how PDC works with local communities to foster harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife. By visiting the PDC, you’ll gain insight into the critical efforts being made to protect one of Africa’s most endangered predators and understand the vital role that conservation plays in preserving biodiversity.