Medical Volunteer Program in Livingstone - Zambia

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The IVHQ Zambia volunteer program is based in the laid-back tourist town of Livingstone, Zambia. Volunteers are required to fly into Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI), which is a 12 to 14 hour flight from most major airports in Australia. Volunteer placements are located in Livingstone and surrounding rural areas. On the Rural Teaching project, volunteers are placed and accommodated in the Makumba village, which is located 40 miles from Livingstone.

Volunteers can begin the IVHQ Zambia volunteer program on the first and third Monday of every month. Volunteers can choose to volunteer for periods ranging from 1 week to 16 weeks. The first day of your volunteer program will be orientation, after which you will begin your volunteer placement.

The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month, and volunteers need to arrive in Livingstone on the Sunday before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Livingstone. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Livingstone. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are travelling in Zambia prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Livingstone on the day before your program orientation.

Orientation is hosted by our Zambia team at the volunteer house in Livingstone. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Zambia – Introduction to Zambia, Culture and Customs, Rules and Expectations, Safety, Travel Opportunities, Introduction to Project and Placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.

First Day: On your first day of volunteering (the day after your orientation), you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays: A typical volunteer day is as follows:

7.00 AM Breakfast at the volunteer house.

8.00 AM Volunteers travel to their placements to join local placement staff and begin work on their project.

1.00 PM Work at the placement usually breaks for lunch. Most volunteers will receive a packed lunch. After lunch, volunteers continue with their volunteer work.

3.30 PM/4.00 PM Work at the placement usually ends and volunteers return to the volunteer house or spend their free time as they wish.

7.00 PM Dinner at the volunteer house.

​​Volunteers are accommodated in a dormitory-style volunteer​ ​house, approximately 10 minutes outside of Livingstone town.​ You can expect to share a bedroom and bathroom​ ​with 2 to 7 other volunteers of the same gender. The volunteer house has electricity, running water, western bathrooms, a​ ​​communal lounge and a garden area for relaxing and socialising.​ ​It is important to note that power cuts are common in Zambia ​in times of drought, which in turn affects the running water supply.

If you would like to keep connected during your stay, we recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone and purchasing a local SIM card when you arrive in Zambia. The local team can assist you with purchasing a SIM card during your program orientation. You can also access WiFi from cafes and restaurants located within walking distance of the volunteer house.

Private rooms can​ ​be arranged at an additional cost (see upgrade options below) and are subject to availability. This can be​ ​arranged directly through ​​the local team once you have registered for the program. Bed linens are provided and during the hot months, a sheet​ ​should be adequate cover in the evenings. During the cooler​ ​months, you may wish to bring a sleeping bag for an​ ​extra layer of warmth. Volunteers are also asked to bring their​ ​own towels. The volunteer accommodation has a nighttime​ ​​security guard and is located in a safe area protected by​ ​an electric fence. On-site staff clean the accommodation​ ​throughout the week, however​ ​volunteers are also required​ ​to keep their rooms and common areas tidy.​

Volunteers who choose to join the Rural Teaching placement are​ ​accommodated in a basic homestay with no electricity​ or running water ​in the village. The village is around 2 miles from the school and a 1 hour in a car from Livingstone. Volunteers will help with the general running of the home stay, including gardening, moulding bricks, milking cattle, collecting firewood, collecting water from the well, feeding chickens and collecting eggs, harvesting crops, cooking and cleaning.

Accommodation upgrades Upgrade to a private room with ensuite for the duration of your time on the program for only US$55 per week. The local team have both double and twin rooms available, both with en suite bathrooms.

Extra nights of accommodation If you would like to arrive a day earlier than your recommended arrival date, or wish to spend a few extra nights after finishing your program, we can arrange extra nights of accommodation for you for US$35 per person, per night, meals included, subject to availability.

If you would like to arrange an upgrade or extra nights of accommodation, just contact your IVHQ Program Manager who will be happy to assist you.

Volunteers are served three meals per day, prepared by an on-site local cook. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) will be a mix of western and traditional Zambian food. Breakfast may include fruit, toast, spreads and cereal with tea, coffee and juice. Lunch is usually provided in the volunteer accommodation, although packed lunches of sandwiches and fruit are provided if requested for those who choose to remain at their placement. Dinners will commonly comprise of a combination of meat, starches and vegetables. The local staff are happy to accommodate special dietary requests (vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, gluten free etc). Please let an IVHQ staff member know of any special dietary requirements in advance, so we can ensure the local staff are prepared for you.

“My husband and I had a great volunteer experience at the Elderly Care placement in Livingstone. It was very challenging as these are individuals who don’t have any family to care for them and have very little means. The staff and elderly people warmed up to us quickly and even though we learned a handful of Nyanja, communication was not an issue. We shared many laughs and a few tears. We will miss the smiles and characters and hope to return some day. Our advice would be to future volunteers to keep an open mind and your heart will be filled to the brim before you leave.” - Diane Newman (Elderly Care Volunteer in Zambia)

Read more reviews from IVHQ volunteers in Zambia here

Return transport to the airport

Book your return transport to the airport before you even arrive for peace of mind. Local taxis charge up to US$20 for travel from the volunteer accommodation to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) but our local team can offer this for US$15 regardless of the time of day or day of the week you need the transfer.

If you would like to arrange your return transport, just make a note in your application or contact your IVHQ Program Manager who will assist you.

During the weekend, volunteers in Zambia have an endless list of activities to join. The area’s major attraction, Victoria Falls, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. In addition to the wealth of nearby national parks, nature lovers have the opportunity to experience a range of safaris and tours in Zambia, as well as in other neighbouring countries, such as Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Thrill seekers are also well catered to in Zambia, with an abundance of activities, such as bungee jumping, devil’s pool, white water rafting, abseiling, gorge swinging, zip lining and microlight flights. Within Livingstone itself, a range of restaurants, curio markets and various cultural activities offer a lot to take in for those wish to stay around town.

See our Zambia Travel and Tours page for more volunteer travel options in Zambia!

Weather and climate: There are three seasons in Zambia: the dry season (mid-April to August), when temperatures drop at night, but the landscape is green and lush; the hot season (September to mid-November), when the best time to see wildlife as flora is sparse; and, the wet season (mid-November to mid-April), which is ideal for bird-watching.

Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate on this program, unless volunteering with a parent or guardian. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.

All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ’s local team on arrival in Zambia.

Volunteers on the Medical project must be fully qualified doctors or nurses, or be studying nursing or medicine, and must supply proof of relevant qualifications, training or certification.

Free Interactive Volunteer Training - All volunteers are encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training, which is available exclusively to registered IVHQ volunteers. The training is designed to build an understanding of important aspects that need to be considered before embarking on an IVHQ program. It helps volunteers to prepare in the right way by providing advice on what it takes to be a safe, responsible and valuable volunteer. Try a sample of the training here.