The Responsible Safari Company - African Safaris in Malawi and Zambia
Get Involved - Volunteer For Community Projects
Discover More From Africa
Community projects are a fantastic way to explore Malawi. Volunteer in a rural community, take a day trip to a village project, spend a few hours making recycled paper- create unforgettable memories!
With more and more people looking for adventurous and unique holidays, The Responsible Safari Company offers overnight and day visits to a variety of community projects giving visitors the opportunity to delve deeper into Malawian culture. We can arrange visits to projects that suit your skills, experiences and interests. You can help teach in a rural school, spend a night within a local village, help at an orphan care project or visit a medical clinic, amongst others. Or if you have a particular project in mind we would be more than happy to build links with new projects and ensure your time in Malawi is a mutually beneficial experience for you and the project.
By spending time immersed in another culture it will change the way you look at life.
RSC's linked community projects have been chosen to be a part of a fantastic new programme which aims to promote pro-poor tourism and we believe could be the future of tourism within developing countries. See here for more information.
Looking for a community build project or interested in bringing a group out to work on a community project, see our School Travel Page.
Visiting Rural Communities: By providing a practical, educational and `get your hands dirty` approach in a well structured environment, our clients have the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of Africa and its people. More than anything, we feel that Africa is enjoyed most by speaking to the people who live there, taking time away from the comfort of your safari vehicle to integrate with the people and immerse yourself within the local culture. By seeing under the skin of Africa, we hope that each and every visitor will see why so many people have fallen in love with Africa more than any other continent on the planet.
'We had a great day out in the village, saw several projects, met lots of people and lots of children, and had a brilliant Nsima cookery course with two local women. All of this felt like a genuine non-touristy meaningful experience and we’re very grateful for the opportunity' Emma-Jane Watchorn writing about her experience with a small rural community near Ntchisi Forest. June 2010
Eco-Tourism The Responsible Safari Company has linked up with various fantastic community run projects to offer visitors a chance to get under the skin of Africa. With our company aims rooted in sustainably supporting both the social and economic development of Malawi we aim to offer exciting opportunities and provide unforgettable travel experiences for both yourselves and the people you meet. This model of combing tourism with community visits is known as eco-tourism and is seen as a way to make sure local communities benefit from visitors coming to their country. Over 75% of your project visit cost gets returned to the community initiative you visit via sustainable bank transfers or through resource donations. We also can suggest some useful donated items you could bring to the project and many of guests have continued to support the projects they have visited on returning home.
`A truly singular experience that anyone visiting Africa should experience.` Gary Wood writing about his volunteer experience at a cultural education village in Zambia. August 2009.
How to get involved- Community Projects in Malawi.
Skills exchange, donate resources, sponsor a child through their education, share stories and exchange cultural traditions; a visit to a community project can be an incredibly rewarding and educational experience. Visitors can stop for a few hours or even spend a few days within a community. Use their skills to teach in a rural school, learn to cook Malawian food, help out on a village project or take a traditional lunch with a group of local Malawian ladies. The opportunities are endless!
Mulanje Orphan Care Project: Set in the foothills of the majestic Mulanje Mountain is a string of community based orphan care centres.
Specialist Skills Needed: IT Specialists, Doctors, Nurses, Artists.
Donations: Educational Resources, soap, footballs and netballs.
Find out more: Email kate@responsiblesafaricompany.com
Make a donation to this project: Orphan Care Project Just Giving Link
Blantyre Community Project: Community based Secondary School, Resource Centre, Medical Clinic and Income Generating Community Initiatives.
Specialist Skills Needed: Teacher Trainers, Science and Maths Teachers.
Donations: Secondary School Child Sponsorship Scheme.
Find out more: Email kate@responsiblesafaricompany.com
Make a donation to this project: Blantyre Community Project Just Giving Link
Blantyre Day Trip Community Project: A wonderful experience to interact with children in the highly populated township of Ndirande in Blantyre. Spend a day, teaching orphans and getting to experience more about life in Ndirande.
Specialist Skills Needed: Nursery Teacher Trainers
Donations: Educational Resources
Find our more: Email chimwemwe@responsiblesafaricompany.com
AIDS/HIV community network organisation: A Lakeside Community Based Organization that was started by 2 brothers as a response to a sick family member with AIDS. Community members play active roles in assisting local villagers and neighbours with HIV/AIDS education, home based care, and other vital assistance. The group has expanded to include orphan housing and day care for vulnerable children.
Specialist Skills Needed: Builders, Electricians, Agriculturalist, Teacher Trainers.
Donations: Orphanage and Day Care Centre Fund.
For further information about these community projects or information regarding our other community projects or day visits within Malawi please contact Kate