Mozambique

Mozambique

How this holiday makes a difference

Dolphin Conservation Mozambique:
Growing exploitation of marine resources is threatening biodiversity along the stunning Mozambique coastline. Our volunteers are involved in scientific research and monitoring of dolphins, turtles and coral reefs. This exciting research is run in collaboration with Dolphin Encounters and Devocean diving, both based in Ponta d Ouro, as well as the Natural History Museum of Mozambique based in Maputo and a number of international marine research bodies. The research contributes greatly to the current knowledge of Mozambique’s marine environment. Through this fascinating project our volunteers get to swim with wild dolphins while helping to study them. We also work with local community and schools on environmental education doing beach cleanups and awareness creation. We have built valuable and positive working relationships with the local community and have already generated useful information to help conserve this marine environment.

Whaleshark Conservation Mozambique:
Whalesharks are the worlds largest fish and are a threatened species that is particularly conspicuous along the Mozambique coastline. Our volunteers are involved in scientific research and monitoring of whalesharks, manta rays and coral reefs. This exciting research is run in collaboration with the Whale shark and Manta Ray Trust based in Tofo, as well as a number of international marine research bodies. The research contributes greatly to the current knowledge of these creatures and Mozambique’s marine environment. Our monitoring work is providing valuable information to help understand and conserve these species. We also work with the local community and schools on environmental education and beach cleanups.

Economic responsibility:

We are committed to using locally owned and operated suppliers and we employ local people as field staff, guides and expedition leaders wherever possible. We ensure that our guides and expedition leaders are in full time employment and that staff are treated as equals.

By sending volunteers to work in and with local communities we contribute to the local economies. We encourage volunteers to raise money in conjunction with local communities to purchase essential good and services for the schools and neighbour hood care points.

We focus on visiting and working in national parks and reserves providing access revenue toward their management. Our aim is to support the existing established reserves and new parks through tourism and project work.

Environmental responsibility:

We carry out research endorsed by the National Biodiversity Program Implementation Committee including studies on bats in Mozambique, elephant, rhino and lion studies on habitat, dolphin and whale shark research in Mozambique, and coral reef and turtle research.

We spread awareness of the need for conserving wildlife through discussions, presentations, printed material and publications. We arrange presentations for our volunteers and our staff participate in conferences on specific research and biodiversity and conservation.

Biodegradable waste is composted, energy saving light globes, etc are used and we use environmentally friendly cleaning products. We use public transport where possible and provide bicycles for volunteers to use. We provide guidelines for volunteers' interactions with wildlife.

Social responsibility:

We aim to provide employment for local people by using local guides and locally owned and operated services. All our field staff are from the local communities where we are based and the organisation is run and staffed by local people.

Volunteers are given an induction into African culture lifestyle and information on how to interpret local customs. They are taken to areas of cultural significance such as the cultural village, bushman paintings, national museum, and the Reed dance and Incwala.

Our projects directly involve the local communities and schools through skill sharing, training, and infrastructure and curriculum development. We have a children’s fund for donations to specific projects and school fees for underprivileged children.

Mozambique