The capital city of Zimbabwe sits high on the central plateau, surrounded by game parks, nature reserves and recreational lakes. High-rise office blocks stand alongside beautifully preserved historic buildings, and the city has a distinctively European flavour, offering all the conveniences of a developed nation.
There are plenty of large open spaces, including the National Botanic Garden, which is 68 sq. hectares, and holds over 900 species of wild trees and shrubs, as well as the Mukuvisi Woodlands. For a traditional shopping experience visitors can try the bustling open flea market at Mbare, a marked contrast to the sophisticated high street stores.
Previously known as Salisbury, the city was founded by the British in 1897, and has been transformed since independence in 1980 from a colonial outpost to a bustling metropolis. Cecil Rhodes originally connected the city via his enormous railway, and visitors can now travel to destinations all over Africa from this point.
The Kopje to the south-west offers a fantastic view over the city, which really is an advertisement for an African success story.
Set off on the adventure of a lifetime through Africa’s wide and varied landscape! Get up close to big game, take a trip to Kruger National Park and help to preserve the continent’s most iconic wildlife. Zimbabwe - Namibia - South Africa.
On an epic journey across Thailand, China, Malaysia, Africa and Australia, the ultimate wildlife experience gives you the chance to see some of the world’s rarest and most incredible animals and contribute to their preservation. Zimbabwe - Thailand - China - Malaysia - Australia - USA.
A fantastic opportunity to work on a pioneering lion breeding and rehabilitation programme supported by some of the world’s leading ecologists. Walk and work alongside lion cubs and take part in research activities, facilitating the lions’ safe release back into the wild.
As seen on ITV’s incredible Lion Country series, meet the stars of the show yourself!
Zimbabwe is a well-established country for voluntary work in conservation, especially for working with wildlife in Africa. At this project, volunteers actively participate in lion conservation practices, working closely with the lions and wildlife re-introduction programmes.
As seen on ITV’s incredible Lion Country series, meet the stars of the show yourself!
Live and work on a safari ranch, helping with efforts to protect black rhino, elephants, buffalo and more. Assist with anti-poaching measures, look after rhino, help with training elephants and get a feel for the real Africa.
Janet Horsley had an incredible time on her tailor-made gap year, blazing a trail through Africa, Asia, Australia and Latin America, read her story here.
Gap Year for Grown Ups have many Career Break Voluntary Projects in Africa for grown up gappers. Because Gap Year for Grown Ups is the leading authority and only specialist source of ideas and options for grown up gap years, it has the widest range of volunteering programmes in Africa. These include animal/wildlife conservation, teaching English in Africa, community volunteering in Africa and Voluntary work with children in Africa.
Visit the 
