Malawi volunteering holiday
Highlights
Lilongwe | volunteering at wildlife centre | participate in community projects or join bush research projects | volunteer discount available towards safari in Zambia’s South LuangwaTravel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comDeparture information
Volunteer travel - what's it all about
Are you looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world.Edward Abbey said 'sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul'.
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.

We work to protect Malawi’s wildlife & habitats. Since our inception in 2007, we have rehabilitation over 800 animals, with more than half released back into the wild. Our programmes have evolved in response to local needs, working with wildlife as well as people and approaching the issues from all angles. Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is the only sanctuary in the world to have obtained all three accreditations from PASA, GFAS and the Born Free Foundation's PAW scheme and are Malawi's only member of the Species Survival Network.
We rescue and rehabilitate wildlife in distress and conduct scientific research to better inform both our welfare and conservation projects. We’re working with the highest levels of Government to tackle wildlife crime through advocacy and enforcement initiatives, tens of thousands of school children are engaged in our environmental education programmes across the country and our community conservation projects are helping people to live more sustainably.
We owe a great deal to those partners, volunteers and generous donors who have helped make our work possible. Thanks for your support and for others interested in joining our cause, please do get in touch.
The Impacts of this Trip
We believe we can make a real difference working with the local communities in terms of raising awareness of the importance of respecting our environment and keeping wildlife in the wild, whilst also providing alternatives to practices such as deforestation and the illegal bush meat trade.
The sanctuary provides jobs for over 60 local Malawian staff, and as a ‘centre for the people’ make every effort to ensure that the less privileged people in the communities benefit from the facility. For example, we organise wild picnics for local orphanages to come on a wildlife tour and enjoy the local playground, or run training scholarships for a number of children from the poorer local schools.
As a pilot ‘People and Wildlife’ project we also hope that our success will be used as a model for others around the world. In years to come we will be able to showcase the benefits of addressing conservation issues in partnership with the local communities through education and outreach, and become a true centre for the people and wildlife of Malawi.


We work to protect Malawi’s wildlife & habitats. Since our inception in 2007, we have rehabilitation over 800 animals, with more than half released back into the wild. Our programmes have evolved in response to local needs, working with wildlife as well as people and approaching the issues from all angles. Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is the only sanctuary in the world to have obtained all three accreditations from PASA, GFAS and the Born Free Foundation's PAW scheme and are Malawi's only member of the Species Survival Network.
We rescue and rehabilitate wildlife in distress and conduct scientific research to better inform both our welfare and conservation projects. We’re working with the highest levels of Government to tackle wildlife crime through advocacy and enforcement initiatives, tens of thousands of school children are engaged in our environmental education programmes across the country and our community conservation projects are helping people to live more sustainably.
We owe a great deal to those partners, volunteers and generous donors who have helped make our work possible. Thanks for your support and for others interested in joining our cause, please do get in touch.

The Impacts of this Trip
We believe we can make a real difference working with the local communities in terms of raising awareness of the importance of respecting our environment and keeping wildlife in the wild, whilst also providing alternatives to practices such as deforestation and the illegal bush meat trade.
The sanctuary provides jobs for over 60 local Malawian staff, and as a ‘centre for the people’ make every effort to ensure that the less privileged people in the communities benefit from the facility. For example, we organise wild picnics for local orphanages to come on a wildlife tour and enjoy the local playground, or run training scholarships for a number of children from the poorer local schools.
As a pilot ‘People and Wildlife’ project we also hope that our success will be used as a model for others around the world. In years to come we will be able to showcase the benefits of addressing conservation issues in partnership with the local communities through education and outreach, and become a true centre for the people and wildlife of Malawi.

16 Reviews of Malawi volunteering holiday
Reviewed on 24 Mar 2016 by Kat Wendels
Great from start to finish - the staff, the country, the project, the work - I was sad to leave and hope to go back. I went for the animal work which I really enjoyed but an unexpected highlight of the trip was getting out into the community to see one of their fuel briquette projects. Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Oct 2014 by Steve Boud
A great experience. I got to know some local people and volunteers from different countries and I learned about animal conservation and the social/ economic situation in Malawi. Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Sep 2013 by Emma Daw
The most memorable part of the holiday has got to be the people. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly throughout my stay. You were made to feel at home as soon as you arrived which is just what you need after a long flight and arriving in a new country! The most exciting part was riding in the local buses, you get to see the city, meet local people and really immerse yourself in Malawi! Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Sep 2012 by Diana Fentiman
It was so good to get the chance to meet so many local people and the most exciting part of the whole thing for me was helping to bring in an orphaned yellow baboon who was being sold on the street, and she was later named after me! Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Sep 2012 by Melanie Boler
to name but a few... hearing Bella the lion's roar all the way from the volunteer house and seeing her purrs and rolls of pleasure when you visit her enclosure. Watching the monkeys playing around right outside the volunteer house door and being able to bottle feed the baby baboons were the most memorable parts of the holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Jul 2012 by Christina Schrotzhammer
the most memorable part was the family feeling at the centre, although lots of different ages and backgrounds, it really felt like coming home from short trips away. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Mar 2012 by Geraldine Seguret
I think the most exciting part of the stay was to meet all these amazing people, working and living in Malawi. And more precisely, my most memorable part was visiting children at an orphanage to give them a little Christmas party. Read full reviewReviewed on 26 Jan 2012 by Dawn Clark
Meeting all the amazing people, working along side the animals, being involved in community projects and the range of work available...Brilliant!! Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Jun 2012 by Catharine Coleman
The most memorable part was the moment when baby vervet monkey Boo was accepted by his new monkey mum i'd had the chance to care for him as surrogate mother and was part of the introductions - amazing! Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Apr 2012 by Sue Noble
The most memorable part was the opportunity to act as foster mother to a baby baboon for a few days. Read full reviewReviewed on 30 Mar 2012 by Michelle Round
Going to the orphanage and giving the children the books, crayons and clothes I'd took over, they were so happy. All the locals who work at the centre are very helpful and hard working, the work the centre itself carries out is great for Malawi. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Jul 2011 by Vanessa Head
Safari, arranged through the Wildlife Centre, to Zambia was fantastic! But there were many moments at the Wildlife Centre too! Night safaris, exploring wilderness trails, working with the animals, visiting schools etc. Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Jun 2011 by Sarah Brown
My most memorable moment was when our Hyena was ill and I was allowed to join the vet when he was darted so we could take a better look. I have never been that close to a wild animal and I even got to hold its mouth open!...Brilliant, itching to go back and do it all again! Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Jul 2011 by Frances Jones
My trip had so many memorable moments, too many to write down here. My volunteering at Lilongwe wildlife centre was great, it was all planned well and I met some amazing people and animals of course!! Everyone works very hard for the animals and the community, it was inspiring. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Jul 2011 by Sophie Tanner
It is wonderful to be able to immerse yourself in this truly unique and tranquil wildlife setting in the middle of the bustling, colourful city of Lilongwe. Read full reviewOur travel guides
Our travel guides
Popular similar holidays
Veterinary externship in Malawi
Gain veterinary experience at Africa's top sanctuary
From £1370 - £4350 14 days excluding flights
Malawi conservation volunteering experience
2-12 weeks exploring and researching the Wild Heart of Africa
From £1370 - £4350 14 days excluding flights
7 day veterinary medicine course in Malawi
Wildlife veterinary course at top African sanctuary
From £1000 8 days excluding flights
Student research placement in Malawi
Conduct your own independent research in beautiful Malawi
From £1360 - £6970 4 weeks excluding flights