Host and Volunteer, Traditional African Homestead Stay
Wild Bhiza Community & Horse Volunteer Experience
About Us
Wild Bhiza is a community-driven horse riding and volunteer initiative based in the heart of rural Zimbabwe, just 25 km from Victoria Falls. Founded by passionate horse lovers and local leaders, our mission is to create meaningful connections between people, animals, and community—while celebrating the beauty and culture of village life.....
Why to Choose Us?
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- Typical Day
- Accommodation
- Meals Provided
- Fee per Day
- Requirements
- Include in fee
- Not include in fee
- Free Time Activities
● Every day at Wild Bhiza is unique, but here’s what a typical day might look like for our volunteers:
● Early Morning: Start the day with a light breakfast, then head to the stables for morning horse care—feeding, grooming, mucking out, and preparing for the day’s rides.
● Morning Ride or Lesson: Enjoy a sunrise ride through the village and countryside, or participate in a horsemanship lesson with our experienced guides.
● Late Morning: Continue with stable duties, training, or assist with community projects such as animal welfare outreach, horticulture, or youth education.
● Lunch: Return to the homestead for a self-catered lunch using fresh produce and pantry staples provided.
● Afternoon: Take part in more stable work, horse training, or help with village activities and development projects. There’s often time to relax, read, or socialize during the hottest part of the day.
● Evening: Gather for a delicious, home-cooked dinner in the rondavel, followed by time around the fire pit—sharing stories, relaxing, and enjoying the peaceful rural atmosphere.
● Weekends & Days Off:
● On weekends, volunteers can stay at the homestead or transfer to Victoria Falls for sightseeing and adventure activities. Schedules are flexible and adapt to the needs of the horses, weather, and local community events.
● At Wild Bhiza, no two days are exactly the same, but every day offers meaningful work, new skills, and a true sense of community.
● Volunteers are hosted in a welcoming, traditional African homestead in Chisuma Village, just outside Victoria Falls. Accommodation includes three bedrooms with six single beds (shared twin rooms), mosquito nets, fans, plug points, secure storage, and solar-powered lighting. The homestead features a rustic outdoor kitchen, rondavel dining area, and two shared outhouse toilets and showers.
● Each morning starts with a light breakfast, and evenings include a delicious, home-cooked dinner featuring local Zimbabwean dishes around the fire pit. Drinking water and juice are provided. Lunch is self-catered, with groceries supplied so volunteers can prepare their own midday meals. All bedding, towels, and basic laundry supplies are included.
● We currently offer 2, 3, and 4 week volunteer placements:
– 2 weeks – US $2,205
– 3 weeks – US $2,990
– 4 weeks – US $3,755
– Age range: 18–65 years
– Group size: Maximum 4 volunteers at a time.
● To join the Wild Bhiza Volunteer Programme, volunteers must meet the following requirements:
● Age: 18+ years old (exceptions may be considered by arrangement)
● Riding Experience: All levels welcome, including beginners—just bring a willingness to learn and help
● Weight Limit: Maximum 80kg for horse riding activities
● Health & Fitness: Reasonable level of physical fitness and good general health (some stable and farm work is physically demanding)
● Language: Conversational English
● Insurance: Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is mandatory for all volunteers
● Visa: Valid visa for entry to Zimbabwe (if required)
● Documentation: Willingness to sign an indemnity form and comply with all safety protocols
● Mindset: Open-minded, adaptable, and ready to embrace rural village life, work as part of a small team, and respect local culture and customs.
● No prior horse experience is required—just a genuine passion for animals, people, and making a difference!
● The following are not covered by your programme fee:
– Park fees (e.g. Zambezi National Park)
– Entrance fees to Victoria Falls
– Snacks, fizzy drinks, and alcoholic beverages
– Extra transfers to town outside the normal programme schedule
– Extra activities in Victoria Falls (rafting, bungee, helicopter flights, etc.)
– International and local flights
– Zimbabwe entry visa
– Meals, drinks, and snacks purchased in Victoria Falls on days off
– Professional laundry services (beyond what you wash by hand)
– Comprehensive travel and medical insurance – this is mandatory and must be arranged by you before travel
● During your stay at Wild Bhiza, your free time can be as relaxing or adventurous as you wish! On weekends or days off, you have the option to relax at the homestead—enjoying the veranda, reading by the fire pit, or exploring the peaceful surroundings of Banko Farm and Chisuma Village.
● For those who want to explore further, you can head into Victoria Falls town and stay at a lively backpackers hostel (optional, extra cost). Here, you can:
– Visit the world-famous Victoria Falls—”The Smoke that Thunders”
– Try thrilling activities like white-water rafting, bungee jumping, gorge swings, or scenic helicopter flights (at your own expense).
– Browse local markets, cafés, and craft stalls.
– Relax by the pool, meet other travelers, and enjoy the vibrant local nightlife.
– Back at the homestead, evenings are spent sharing home-cooked dinners and stories around the campfire. Volunteers can also join an optional overnight camping trip in Zambezi National Park (extra cost), which includes a game drive and dinner under the stars.
● Please note:
– Food, drinks, activities, and taxis in Victoria Falls are not included in your volunteer package.
– Local shops in Chisuma Village stock basic supplies, but most volunteers buy extras on weekly trips to Victoria Falls.
– One game drive is included in your programme; additional park activities are available at extra cost.
– Whether you prefer quiet evenings at the homestead or adventures in Victoria Falls, there’s plenty to make your free time memorable.
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My time with Wild Bhiza exceeded any expectations I had going in! From the activities I was involved in - the rides, animal interactions, community and conservation initiatives - to the everyday stuff like seeing the sights of Victoria Falls, the team made sure I was well taken care of and the people in general were welcoming and friendly. Would definitely recommend it to a friend!
Lisa and team were very informative and helpful with my volunteer experience. I learnt a lot about the horses, improving my knowledge of horses and natural bridal techniques. I also had a great time taking people out for hacks which improved my people skills. I would definitely recommend Wild Bhiza Stables for a volunteer experience, very friendly, supportive people!
The staff at Wild Bhiza Stables are very friendly and knowledgeable, they really make you feel welcomed and apart of the team. We really loved the riding adventures along the beautiful landscape. Seeing the locals excitement when we rode past them was priceless. If you are soul searching and need some time away from your usual routine we would highly recommend Wild Bhiza Stables. It is a once in a lifetime experience and you would not regret it.
Wild Bhiza Stables is a great place for anyone who loves horses and wants to work with them. The staff are super friendly, helpful, and truly care for the horses. The horses themselves are in excellent condition and are gentle and easy to ride. The team uses natural horsemanship so no bridles are used (halters are used instead) and it is amazing to see how relaxed the horses are as a result. Riding through the African bush is a beautiful and relaxing experience. I would highly recommend doing it!