Volunteer | Mozambique

DATES AND RATES VALID FROM January 1st 2018 to January 2nd 2019

Volunteer in Mozambique at Vilanculos Wildlife and Coastal sanctuary.

Volunteers will stay at a house on the sanctuary, which accommodates a maximum of four volunteers at a time. It is comfortable and has a spectacular view.
You will have free time where you will be able to catch a lift with the boat which departs from the lodge to Vilanculos on a regular basis.
This will give you the opportunity to visit local markets, and do your food shopping.
Meals are prepared by the volunteers themselves.
Should you not want to go to town, food from town can be arranged by the lodge at your expense.
The beached are endless, so you will spend lots of time swimming with the horses and relaxing on the beach. There are some local villages on the sanctuary as well, which are worth a visit. Even if it is only to try a coconut from the tree!
It is not unusual to see wildlife roaming free. All non dangerous game, so we encourage you to approach respectfully with the horses and enjoy those special sightings!

A DAY IN THE LIFE

(Note this is a sample day, and can change depending on a variety of factors)

7:00 you will be transferred to the horses.
Feed, groom and check temperatures. It is important to have a count on each horses temperature, to detect the horse possibly not being well.
9:00 work on a weekly exercise plan per horse – schooling, lunging, hacking. You will excersize 3 horses in the morning.
11:00 Lunch/transfer home from stables. You will have time to spend at leisure.
14:00 back at the stables. Check water and grass is available for the horses.
Ride or do ground work according to your plan.
The afternoon is a beautiful time to ride on the coast, swim the horses or watch the sunset form a high up lookout point.

After riding, check the stable yard is clean. Specially of weeds and croteleria dura which is very toxic to horses. When feeding the grass make sure there are no leaves and roots in the grass. The horses are to eat only grass and no broad leaved plants.
Clean down tack and oil the leather (specially if you have been swimming with the bridle on) It will be your responsibility to keep tack in good condition and clean.

17:30 Feed and water horses, stable them for the night. Hang a hay nets up for the night. Make sure the sand is clean, and free of droppings. You will help change the sand in the stables as needed.

SAFETY TIPS:
We will give you a complete guide to caring for the horses upon arrival.
You will also have. list of Do’s and Dont’s with the horses as well as safety tips when around them.

HOUSE RULES AND GENERAL RULES:

Be respectful of the person sharing your accommodation. Keep your room tidy
Laundry/housekeeping can be done at the lodge at an additional charge. Please speak to the manager should you wish to do that.

Keep a tidy and clean appearance specially when around guests
Be conservative when dressing. No crop tops, or open tshirts. Shorts not to be too short while working.
No heavy consumption of alcohol
No visits at the volunteer house from persons who are not authorised.
Town trips will be done once a week. The transfers are free of charge on set days and weekly. Would you wish to go to town on an alternative day there is a charge of 85 USD for the boat trip (guest rate)
If you would like to have dinner at the lodge, and enjoy the surroundings you are welcome to book with the manager and he will give you the rate per meal or day visit (standard rates apply)
Remember to always ride with a cell phone on you.
Do not ride out alone.

WHEN RIDING WITH GUESTS

Depending on the number of volunteers/guests at any given moment, you will have the opportunity to ride with the guests.You will be expected to help when tethering horses, and un-tacking/tacking up.
Assisting guests is priority.
You will at times be assisting in the logistical department rather than riding.