Malawi Community Program

  Malawi

Lilongwe

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Anytime of year

Description: A more involved 5 night program where clients live and work in community based projects - the length of stay at the projects can easily be decreased or increased to suit individual client requirements. We can also add on a "holiday" element to the itinerary and extend it for clients to go on safari or visit Lake Malawi.

Please note that the following itinerary is subject to availability, reservations will be made on acceptance of the itinerary by agent.

Day 1: Kumbali Cultural Village, Lilongwe

Arrive into Lilongwe International Airport where clients will be met and assisted to transfer vehicle. Road transfer from airport to Kumbali Cultural Village for their overnight stay - accommodation here is in simple traditional style thatched huts (not ensuite) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. In the evening clients will enjoy a traditional Malawian style meal around an open fire. Clients will receive an informal induction into Malawian culture and the projects they will be involved in.

Day 2-5: Kuti Community Wildlife Ranch, Salima District

After breakfast road transfer from Lilongwe to Kuti Community Wildlife Ranch (2h). Accommodation will be in simple thatched chalets at Sanga Camp. These have shared ablutions facilities (hot and cold water). Mosquito nets are provided in the rooms. Electricity (from a generator) is very limited so paraffin lamps and candles are provided at night.

Simple meals (full board) are prepared at the camp (continental breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and 1 course dinner) with drinks available at extra cost.

Clients will be met by staff from Kuti who will give them a full briefing and orientation on their time at the ranch. Their daily schedule and the community programs that they will be assisting with will be discussed in full - there are several different areas that clients can help with including assisting at a local school (in term time) or orphanage, building and agricultural projects. If clients have a specific skill or area of interest they can inform us of this at the time of booking so that where possible this can be considered when organising their program.

Each day clients will be hosted by a local member of the community who will act as a translator and be on hand to assist them when necessary.

Day 6: Departure
After breakfast clients will depart for Lilongwe airport in time to connect with international flight.

Highlights: Information on Kuti Community Wildlife Ranch:

Kuti Community Wildlife Ranch comprises of 3,000 ha of natural bush, forest, grassland and wetlands with animals, trees and other flora which is protected and fenced. Kuti Community Wildlife Ranch is a non-profit NGO run by an elected committee of members on a voluntary basis and involving 13,000 local villagers surrounding the borders of the ranch. Profits generated by the activities of the ranch are invested in community projects such as the rehabilitation of boreholes, schools and clinics, improvement of orphan care, micro-projects for sustainable income generation and education about responsible use of natural resources.

The project is dedicated to creating a successful model of how a game ranch, managed on business terms, in a co-management arrangement with bordering communities can contribute to improvements in community livelihoods. The project show cases how community and conservation can co-habit and generate a positive outcome, for all involved.

Qualifications: none

Cost in US$: From USD 660. Single supplement available on request.

Cost excludes: Immigration visa fees if applicable, drinks, personal travel & medical insurance, gratuities, additional activities not stated in the itinerary, items of a personal nature.

Standard Terms & Conditions apply.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Malawi Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Disciplinary Clearance Form
• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

MTC Experience Abroad's Mission Statement: Experience Abroad is the first professional and dedicated educational youth travel consultant in Botswana. Our credibility is backed up by our membership to the largest youth travel association in the world; WYSETC (World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation - established by FIYTO & ISTC) linked to over 450 international youth organizations across the world. Our Objectives are to enable young people/students to experience an international environment surrounded by people from a different culture and point of view through our working holidays like the Jewel of Africa Volunteer Program. Botswana is home of the famous Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert, Chobe and Tuli Block. It's capital city Gaborone, is featured in the best selling novels by Alexander MCCal Smith - The #1 Ladies Detective Agency. Our mission is to help participants discover a new country and learn its culture, language, history, inhabitants and other contemporary aspects. Botswana - a land of majestic scenery and a profusion of wildlife waiting to be discovered!

Year Founded: 1997