Located on the banks of the Zambezi River, playing home to one of the Natural Wonders of the World and the African ‘Big Five’, Victoria Falls is a dream destination for our nature-loving volunteers. We’ve listed below some of the popular destinations and activities that IVHQ volunteers can experience while on the IVHQ Victoria Falls program.
In and Around Victoria Falls
The IVHQ Victoria Falls program is based in a private game reserve, just 10 minutes from the vibrant tourist town of Victoria Falls and the world-renowned waterfall. Boasting an array of cultural and adventurous activities, Victoria Falls is a popular destination for travelers in Africa to explore.
Victoria Falls
As one of the largest and most magnificent waterfalls on the planet, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Victoria Falls is an un-missable destination for all IVHQers in Victoria Falls!
Zambezi National Park
Setting off in the early morning or afternoon, join professional and highly knowledgeable guides for a game drive through the expansive Zambezi National Park. Explore the 57,000 hectares in an open four wheel drive vehicle and be prepared to encounter elephant, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, lion, kudu, sable and other African wildlife!
Zambezi River
Whether you’re into whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, abseiling, zip lining, or gorge swinging, there is no shortage of extreme sports on offer with the Zambezi River as your backyard! Or if river cruising is more your thing, you can settle for a sunset cruise along the river, capturing a spectacular African sunset, while observing an abundance of native wildlife, including hippo and crocodile.
The Boma
Prepare yourself for an evening of lively local entertainment, complete with a fabulous feast of traditional Zimbabwean cuisine. Opening for dinner at 7.00pm every night, you will be welcomed to The Boma with a traditional greeting in the local languages (Shona and Ndebele) and dressed in traditional robes (chitenges). You will then be invited to sample traditional beer and snacks at your table, as a prelude to dinner. The four-course BBQ buffet dinner is enjoyed alongside an array of traditional Amakwezi dancers, a local story teller, witchdoctor and hair braiders. After dinner, you are invited to join the interactive drumming and dancing show before treating yourself to dessert!
Further Afield
While volunteering in Victoria Falls, volunteers can take advantage of the opportunity to travel further afield to see more of what the area has to offer. We have highlighted just some popular weekend destinations for volunteers in Victoria Falls and our local staff are always willing to share with you the many other locations well worth exploring when you arrive in country.
Great Zimbabwe
Venture to the south-eastern hills of Zimbabwe and visit the ruins of Great Zimbabwe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was constructed between 1100AD and 1450AD and served as a royal palace for the Zimbabwean monarch. According to ancient legend, Great Zimbabwe, which stretches across 800 almost hectares, is the capital city of the Queen of Sheba and was an important trading center from the Middle Ages onwards.
Matobo Hills National Park
Famed for its balancing rock formations, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matobo Hills National Park is a hiker’s paradise and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including black and white rhinoceros, leopard, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, eland, sable, klipspringer, hyena, hippo, warthog, rock dassies, waterbuck, wildcat, springhare, common duiker, crocodile, baboon and monkey! Within the park, there are also numerous sites which were once occupied by the San hunter-gatherers, marked by fine rock paintings of native animals. The park also encompasses an Intensive Protection Zone, fostering a successful breeding program of black and white rhino.
Chinhoyi Caves
Believed by diving enthusiasts to offer some of the most spectacular diving opportunities on earth, Chinhoyi Caves compromise a system of limestone caverns and tunnels formed from rainwater over millions of years. While the diving opportunities within the park are plentiful, non-divers can still explore some of the caves by foot.
Zambia
Based on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, one of the highlights of staying in Victoria Falls is the ability to cross the border to Zambia and spend a day exploring life on the other side of the falls. Just keep in mind that you will need to purchase a day visa at the border and a re-entry visa to re-enter Zimbabwe.
If you would like more details on any of these locations or activities, our local team in Victoria Falls can assist you once you are registered onto the IVHQ Victoria Falls program.
To apply for the program or explore the volunteering opportunities available in Victoria Falls, visit our Volunteer in Victoria Falls page.
