Malawi: Camp Vwaza

Update from our Malawi expedition volunteering with elephants, hippo, cats, pangolins and African biodiversity

We’re up and running at Camp Vwaza. The citizen scientist arrived on Saturday evening – 13 people from six different countries and a good mix of science backgrounds, travellers and conservation enthusiasts.

Sunday was our first of two training days. Lea, our resident scientist introduced the team to the expedition’s citizen science tasks and the work of the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT). We had a presentation from John Stuart of the Malawi Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), which really helped in understanding where our work fits in with LWT and DNPW goals. In the afternoon we switched to more practical training, introducing the team to our survey equipment. Simon taught the navigation and range-finding skills our expeditioners need to support data collection.

We finished off the day with a short game drive as dusk approached, before Luka, our chef, produced another superb dinner. Topping of the day was a spectacular lunar eclipse. We can’t promise one every year!

Wildlife photo of the day goes to Uwe for his beautiful capture of a martial eagle. Other sightings included warthog, elephants, hippos and various antelope.

Update from our Malawi volunteer expedition including elephant volunteer Africa and lion volunteer Africa