LIFE IN MOZAMBIQUE
Mozambique is one of Africa's most up and coming places to travel. Located in southeastern Africa, is a vibrant and diverse country with a rich cultural heritage. Bordered by the Indian Ocean, its stunning coastline stretches for over 2,500 kilometers, offering breathtaking beaches and opportunities for water sports and diving. Mozambique is home to abundant wildlife, with national parks and reserves showcasing its diverse ecosystems and providing a haven for elephants, lions, and other iconic African species. Mozambique also is a great location for scuba diving as the abundance of magical offshore islands have the ability to captivate and inspire just about anyone. The country's bustling capital, Maputo, reflects a blend of Portuguese colonial influences and indigenous traditions, evident in its architecture, cuisine, and vibrant music and art scene. Despite the challenges it has faced, Mozambique's warm and resilient people continue to embrace their cultural diversity and work towards economic growth and stability, making it a compelling destination for adventure seekers and those interested in experiencing authentic African culture.
MAKE YOUR NEXT VOLUNTEER TRIP COUNT BY BECOMING PART OF A WORTHWHILE CAUSE AND JOINING OUR TEAM IN mozambique TODAY!
ISSUES FACING MOZAMBIQUE
Mozambique, a southeastern African nation, is grappling with numerous pressing issues that demand immediate attention. One notable challenge is the recurring natural disasters, including cyclones and flooding, that have devastated the country in recent years. These disasters have taken a toll on infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods, exacerbating food insecurity and poverty levels. Additionally, Mozambique faces significant socio-economic inequalities, with a large proportion of the population living in extreme poverty and lacking access to basic services such as healthcare and education. The country also confronts political instability and frequent incidents of armed conflict, particularly in the northern regions, which pose serious threats to peace and security. Addressing these multifaceted challenges requires comprehensive solutions and international support to uplift Mozambique's vulnerable communities and lay the groundwork for sustainable development.
how you can help
Volunteer efforts in Mozambique have played a crucial role in helping uplift communities and address pressing social and economic challenges. The resilience and dedication of volunteers have made a significant impact in a variety of sectors. In Mozambique, volunteers have been actively involved in providing access to quality education by teaching at local schools and organizing training programs. Their efforts have also been instrumental in promoting healthcare awareness and providing medical assistance to underprivileged populations. Additionally, volunteers have worked towards improving agricultural practices, empowering farmers, and enhancing food security in rural areas. Through their commitment and selflessness, volunteers have become catalysts for positive change, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of Mozambicans.
ESSENTIAL COUNTRY INFORMATION:
CAPITAL CITY: Maputo
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 34
TIME ZONE: UTC +02:00
LITERACY PERCENT: 48
POPULATION: 19.42 million
CURRENCY: Mozambican Meticais (MZN)
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE(S): Portuguese, Indigenous dialects
RELIGION: Muslim, Christian, Indigenous beliefs
WEATHER AND CLIMATE: Mozambique Climate is warm and tropical with average temperatures of 28° C. The weather along the coast of Mozambique is sunny and warm even during the winter season where temperatures tend to drop elsewhere. The summer season is through the months of October to April. During this season, it can often rain, high humidity, with very hot temperatures. The winter season is through the months of April to September. During this season, temperatures are cooler and drier and thus provide the most comfortable tenure for travel.
BOTTLE NOSED DOLPHIN MARINE CONSERVATION PROGRAM
OBSERVATION, MONITORING, FIN ID, BEACH CLEAN UPS, STRANDING & ADOPTION
Location: Southern Mozambique (Santa Maria Region)
We offer a unique volunteer, or internship placement, in Southern Mozambique in marine conservation with the main focus of research being on wild Bottle nosed Dolphins. Become involved in this once in a lifetime opportunity to explore the realm of the wild Bottle nosed Dolphins together with a group of dedicated individuals who have been studying and interacting with the resident bottle nosed dolphins since 1994. The Volunteer programs we offer are based on two to four-week duration and are designed for those who would like to gain more knowledge and field experience in the marine environment with a focus on wild dolphins. The program is an extended stay with the dolphins, whales and turtles (depending on your chosen period) and incorporates ethical marine mammal tourism protocols as standard practice. Accommodation is provided, and you will be living in the same house as the crew. This program will only accept two volunteers, or interns, at any given time. The primary focus of the volunteer is working together with participants and the dolphins. Your time will be spent working on board Avalon, and ensuring all participants get the best possible experience. Volunteers help out with educational briefings, field questions, preparing and assisting participants in the water and working closely with our focal species. Avalon launches one to five times a day depending on the season. During the launches, volunteers will have the opportunity to collect data, take fin identification pictures, enter data and work with the reconstruction of cetaceans that have been collected. Volunteers may also be called upon to assist interns on their specific field of research. As a volunteer on this program, you will be required to assist in the following:
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(Dolphins, Whale Sharks, Sea Turtles)
In-water monitoring is performed on all launches. As volunteers spend more time in the water and the dolphins become more comfortable with them, they will get some close encounters. When this begins, they may be asked to fulfill specific tasks while in the water with the dolphins (mother and calf counts). During each swim, information and data are collected for every cetacean and sighting. The information is in regards to abundance, location, behaviour, identification, associations, weather and water conditions. Land-based observations are also conducted to gather information about the dolphin’s travel patterns (when we cannot view them at sea). Information collected includes direction of travel, area observed, behaviour, group size, etc. Whenever possible, the Whale Shark is monitored for individual sex, scars or unusual markings, left/right side pigmentation patterns are photographed. Data and photographs are recorded and sent to an international database. Between November - March, Sea turtles inhabit the coastline and monitor nesting females and hatch ling sites. Locals monitor and volunteers ensure the collection of data and tagging of nesting females. Working closely together with WWF Mozambique and the Turtle Working Group. Species monitored include Loggerhead and Leather back Turtles.
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The wild dolphins that reside in this area have been photographed and documented since 1996, resulting in a catalogue of some 200 individuals spanning a 40 km area. The project allows researchers to determine abundance, movement, behaviours and social structures of this population. Photos are taken while at sea, then moving them into the image bank where they are clipped, saved, matched to the id catalogue and filed accordingly. This process is a long and laborious task, requiring time and patience. All data obtained in the field needs to be entered into a central database.
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After years of observing the dolphins and local marine life, a program was established to allow local people, volunteers or anyone internationally to adopt one the Dolphins. By joining the adoption program, updated records and images are sent to adoptees which gives individuals a unique opportunity to get closer connected to the dolphin they adopt as well as regular newsletters.
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One of tasks is to handle any stranded animals that come ashore. Once a report is received, the crew contacts the relevant authorities and surveys the site. At the site, the animal is measured and all the relevant data is collected. Depending on the size, the animal is then removed to a site for further specimen sampling and de-boning. The animal is then buried for a set period of time and later excavated for reconstruction. In the past, we have worked with striped dolphins, humpback whales, true beaked whales, whale sharks, pygmy sperm whales, spotted dolphins, melon headed whales, spotted dolphins and turtles.
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Regular clean-ups are conducted. All debris is collected, recorded and counted. During 2009, the project collected an impressive 341 bags which added up to a total weight of 1,749 kg. It was estimated that 12,509 individual items were collected. During this year, locals and volunteers spent approximately 17.5 hours conducting these beach cleanups.
Bottle nosed Dolphin Conservation Program Fee
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$1,105.00 CAD
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$2,275.00 CAD
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$3,390.00 CAD
PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers are required to pay a Registration Fee of $225.00 CAD, which will be added to the program fee. This fee helps to cover the registration, enrolment, administration and processing costs. To find out what’s included in the program fees, scroll down for additional details.
To convert these prices to your currency click here. Fees may vary depending on the USD exchange rate.
OUR PROGRAM FEES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
Registration Fee - (refundable if you cancel your program), ongoing support from VWB staff, program marketing costs, digital information package, administration costs, travel costs to develop additional programs as well as ongoing costs to sustain programs.
Program Fee – accommodation provided with the dolphin crew, basic meals (assistance with food prep is encouraged), gift Pack (t-shirts to be worn on duty, certificate of attendance, DVD with pictures and dolphin diaries during your stay, DVD with information on our dolphins), research projects and reference papers, tour of the surrounding area, participation in a three-launch dolphin tour, training for specific tasks, field trips: three per week weather dependent, field experience working at sea (behavioural observations, data collection, photographic identification), research contribution, mentoring duties include but are not limited to: educational briefings and turtle walks, boat based data capture (photographic, behavioural), land based data (observations: three per week, data entry, fin identification), preparation of educational/information boards, marine stranding, bone/skeleton prep, catalogue and reconstruction.
Additional Costs to the Volunteer - visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), immunizations / vaccinations, in-country trips or tours, transfer to other areas and spending money.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Our enrolment and registration process begin by applying online. Once you have filled out and submitted the online application form, you will receive a confirmation email. To continue on in our enrolment process, all volunteers will be required to pay a Registration Fee of $225.00 CAD, which will be added to the Program Fee. This fee helps to cover the administration and processing costs. Once we receive both the registration and program fee payment, we will send you a confirmation email with the program details and encourage you to book your flight at that time. Our team will be readily available to correspond with you and answer any questions you might have from the time you apply until you reach the project. If you have any further questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact us at: info@vwbinternational.org.