Development in the area started around 1950 when 12 wildlife outposts were set up. Infrastructure and real development then started by 1951. We are in the early stages of developing our Volunteer program which will aim at reducing to a minimum, the illegal hunting and exploitation of the wildlife and natural resources of the project area to enable it’s rapid recovery as basis for environmental and financial sustainability. Supporting th livelihoods of the local communities, and promoting regional economic development.

Volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities can come and share their skills, experiences and enthusiasm with Mufungata and enjoy the past and present history that this great National Park (GMA) has to offer. Mufungata is currently looking for volunteers to assist with many aspects of the camp’s daily operations, as well as focused project works within the various running projects.

All volunteers will stay in camp located in the game management area of the Kafue National Park, Zambia for the duration of their placement.

 

Volunteers help Mufungata by:

  • Raising awareness and valuable funds.
  • Becoming global advocates for MUFUNGATA AND THE GREATER KAFUE NATIONAL PARK.
  • Assisting MUFUNGATA to successfully run the many necessary projects and helping keep this great area of Zambia pristine with our own conservation projects.
  • Bringing fresh ideas, skills and enthusiasm to MUFUNGATA's projects.

Volunteers’ working schedule will allow some degree of flexibility and will generally be based on current project needs as well as an individual’s specific area of skills and interests. The volunteer programs we offer are a unique opportunity to experience living and working in the African Zambian bush. You will be placed upon your choice in one of the following projects or courses that are on offer. Projects may change depending on the sightings from day to day as in the wild bush, nothing is a guarantee: 

  • Hotel management internship
  • Local village projects
  • Lion research
  • Elephant research
  • Local fish research
  • Bird research
  • Spoor Tracking

Mufungata is a company trying to help wildlife in their natural habitat. Their habitat is being threatened and without your help and input in this pristine area will become nothing but a past story for visitors to mention in their photographs.

Mufungata is totally Zambian owned which one day will rise above all and be proud that not only is it a lodge, but a community of people from all walks of life who have come to learn and share their knowledge with our fellow Zambians.

Our motto is to Embrace Wildlife and we need help in various capacities on all of our projects. Each volunteers’ working schedule will be unique and requires some degree of flexibility. Volunteers will be assigned to a project based on the applicant’s specific skills and interests.

 

We do need assistance, apart from the programs, with: 

  • Teaching support in nearby villages
  • Training and capacity building of local staff • Mechanical support to the project workshop
  • Field Research Assistants working within KNP (GMA)
  • Hands-on camp development
  • Community development and outreach initiatives

 

In addition, volunteers may be required to assist with: 

  • Administration, which may include: computer based data entry, photo management, equipment inventories, etc.
  • General Camp living duties, which may include: cooking, washing up, cleaning your own living area and bathroom, assisting with weekly works, etc. Volunteer requirements:
  • Mufungata is looking for motivated and conscientious individuals with a genuine interest in conservation, who would be willing to assist with various aspects of this unique camp and the fauna and flora of this great national park.
  • No specific qualifications are required to become a volunteer, although knowledge and experience in all aspects to do with wildlife would be very useful.
  • Volunteers must be self-supporting
  • Volunteers need to be practical in nature and content to live in a remote bush camp environment

Paying to volunteer with Mufungata is only to cover costs incurred with your stay and contributing to conservation and protection of the Fauna and Flora.

Volunteering for Mufungata will be a great adventure and learning curve, raising awareness and helping with one of the most important things; wildlife preservation. The cost of joining a volunteer project might seem like a big deterrent, but don’t just discard the idea right away after one look at the price tag. 

For one, there are good reasons for spending money on volunteering - your money will go a long way towards funding vital conservation work in the Kafue National Park Game Management Area (GMA), while you yourself will gain invaluable experience and knowledge. Your donation will be used to cover most of your in-country expenses, with the remainder being used to directly support conservation in action through Mufungata projects, as you will see for yourself!

 

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for a position, please complete the question application and email it to us. If your application is successful, we take into account current project needs as well as your skills & interests and return this to you as: a Placement Offer, with a Volunteer Handbook and Project Disclaimer. 

 

What is Included?

  • All project related domestic transfers will be arranged and facilitated by Mufungata
  • All accommodation, within Kafue National Park (GMA), will be provided by Mufungata for the duration of your stay
  • Three basic meals per day are included
  • The documentation necessary for your visa applications
  • Relevant in-house training
  • Opportunistic project game drives within Kafue National Park and game management areas trips.
  • Entry permits for Kafue National Park for the duration of your placement

 

What is excluded?

  • International flights to and from Zambia
  • Payment of Zambian entry Visas • Volunteers must be responsible for obtaining their own malaria prophylaxis.
  • Volunteers must organize their own fully comprehensive medical insurance* prior to travel
  • Along with personal items volunteers will be required to bring with them some basic equipment for camp life (e.g. a head-torch, water bottle, etc.), although any equipment required directly relating to project work will be provided once on site. A more extensive equipment list will be issued within the Volunteer Handbook
  • Transport for personal use – you will be living inside the Game Management Area, wherever possible, arrangements will be made for you to visit local areas of interest subject to availability of project vehicles and resources
  • Any meals out of Mufungata camp
  • Personal items of any nature
  • Personal beverages
  • Entry fees to any other tourist attraction / adventure activity

*N.B. Please make sure your insurance provider is aware of the activities and tasks which you may be undertaking during your participation in the programs. Please ensure that your insurance package covers emergency medical evacuation and repatriation.

 

Additional information:

Volunteer placements are available from 2 weeks up to three months only, and positions are limited with a maximum of 10 volunteers per project (6 projects in total), at any one period of time. MUFUNGATA’S camp is remote and basic therefore all volunteers are required to submit a detailed medical history prior to confirmation. This will be kept confidential.