Your generous donation helps to save and change lives every day.
Your charitable investment will go toward ongoing global relief to care for the underserved and vulnerable people of this community. As a member of this medical mission team, you will elevate the long-term impact of sustainable, capacity-building efforts that improve the health, wellness, and quality of life of those most in need.
Overview
The Need
Formerly a part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Zambia is now a democratic republic located in the heart of Africa. While the tourism economy in Zambia is thriving, the quality of living for the country’s native ethnic groups is suffering. Life expectancy at birth is <50 years and 1.2 million children are orphans, primarily due to parental death from AIDS. Zambia has the nineteenth highest death rate in the world, due as much to dismal sanitation as infectious disease and autoimmune disorders. In the rural areas, less than 50% of the population has access to safe drinking water, and only 3.2% of rural families have electricity. Children average seven years of school, much of it missed due to diarrhea and other common illnesses.
In our experience, clinic in Zambia is one of the busiest trips that our volunteers work. At clinic, you will treat entire family units, elderly patients, expectant mothers, and orphans. Because Zambia has the nineteenth highest death rate in the world, you can expect to care for many ailing patients. Common diseases that you will treat include conditions related to AIDS, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and diarrhea.
You and the rest of the volunteer team will also educate locals on how to stay healthy and how to care for their loved ones. One of the main focuses of this mission is dentistry. Because dental pain is common here and because all community members are encouraged to attend, the demand for dental care will be high. We will have many local dental students and a professor at the dental school available to help translate and provide oral care.
Our Work
International Medical Relief first served Zambia in 2016. Since then, IMR has served approximately 6,000 patients through nearly 200 staff and volunteers. IMR plans to continue to provide community health training, medical treatments, medical supplies and equipment, and clinic operations in order to provide sustainable health care to Zambia.
With diligent planning and preparation, IMR is dedicated to ensuring that specific goals are met on our missions, each in correlation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 17.
IMR works to elevate vulnerable populations through shoulder-to-shoulder care with our local partners, creating workforce density, and a cadre of future healthcare and public health leaders in association to UNSDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing.
In correlation with UNSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, our organization works in collaboration and at the request of local hosts where we are under their direct influence and affluence. IMR never goes into a country without a formal invitation where there is a great community need for medical or dental care, and health education.
This Mission
International Medical Relief has organized several trips to Zambia in the past. In our experience, clinic in Zambia is one of the busiest trips that our volunteers work. At clinic, you will treat entire family units, elderly patients, expectant mothers, and orphans. On your special clinic day, you will have the opportunity to work with prison or elderly populations. Because Zambia has the nineteenth highest death rate in the world, you can expect to care for many ailing patients. Common diseases that you will treat include conditions related to AIDS, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and diarrhea.
You and the rest of the volunteer team will also educate locals on how to stay healthy and how to care for their loved ones. One of the main focuses of this mission is dentistry. Because dental pain is common here and because all community members are encouraged to attend, the demand for dental care will be high. We will have many local dental students and a professor at the dental school available to help translate and provide oral care.
Lodging/Transportation
You will be staying in comfortable accommodations for this trip with modern amenities. IMR will arrange safe and reliable transportation for the team to and from the airport and clinic. Although your car rides will be short, there will be ample scenery for you to enjoy!
Highlights
The highlight of this trip is serving patients who, without you and your team, would not have access to healthcare. In this humbling but rewarding service opportunity, you will work with isolated communities who will be eager to connect with you. Aside from clinic, seeing Victoria Falls, spotting the Big Five on a safari, and walking alongside lions and cheetahs. For the safari and walk, be sure you pack binoculars, camera, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and an area guidebook!
Extend Your Stay
Join IMR on an exclusive extension to Chobe National Park and have the opportunity to spend additional time “where the smoke thunders” – Victoria Falls! Stand in awe of your surroundings while you experience the wonderland sculpted by Earth’s natural elements. Victoria Falls is classified as the largest sheet of falling water in the world and is roughly twice the height and width of Niagara Falls.
Livingstone also cites the older name of Seongo, which translates to “the place of the rainbow” as a result of the immense and constant spray. If you’re lucky you may spot one of the many hippopotamus or crocodile that call the river home.
Since you’re already halfway around the world it would be a shame to miss on neighboring Botswana’s first and most biologically diverse national park. Chobe National Park has one the the greatest concentrations of game in all of Africa. Keep your eyes peeled on your private safari in search for the park’s noted population of lions and African elephants!
See the Extensions tab on this page for details on these amazing experiences!
Itinerary at a Glance
Arrivals
Orientation & Training Day
Clinic & Victoria Falls
Clinic
Clinic
Safari Day!
Departures
Please View Full Itinerary in the Next Tab
Sustainable Impact
Your Journey
Clinic Photos
Gallery
Full Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change without notice.
You will need to arrange your flight destination to be Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Livingstone, Zambia. If you need assistance booking flights, please contact Worldwide Navigators, our preferred travel agency, at travel@worldwidenavigators.com. You may also choose to arrange transportation from the airport to your accommodation, which you may purchase from within your portal under Trip Add-Ons.
Arrivals
You and the rest of your volunteer team will land at the Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone, Zambia. If you are traveling on the group flight or are purchasing airport transportation a la carte, you will board the transportation that will take you to your hotel to check-in by 5 PM for a team dinner. After dinner, your team leader will provide a general overview of the incredible days you have ahead!
Meals: Dinner,
Orientation & Training Day
Once you have socialized and dined with your team during breakfast, your team leader will dive right into orientation. During orientation, your leader will assign roles for the clinic, present IMR’s clinic protocols, and provide an overview of the many communities your team will serve. You will also review the supplies, laboratory-testing protocols, and educational materials that you will need to understand for clinic.
You and your team will provide training for local healthcare providers to continue IMR’s long-term, sustainable education efforts. Education is as important as medical and dental care for our patients. Each clinic includes basic health education according to the specialties and skills of the IMR volunteers, as well as the needs of the local people. When communities become empowered to take health and wellness issues into their own hands, they become self-sufficient. IMR provides learning opportunities for the local communities through classes and hands-on learning to sustain their well-being beyond our visit.
After training, you will have the rest of the day to explore Livingstone Falls, shop, or walk with the lions!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic and Victoria Falls
Once you have indulged in a tasty and nutritious breakfast at your hotel, you will meet with the other volunteers assigned to your clinic. Today, you will travel for about one hour to reach the rural communities of Zambia. After a long but rewarding morning, your team will regroup for a transfer to the famous Victoria Falls! Here, you will pay witness to the Zambezi River’s raging waters as they crash down into the beautiful Batoka Gorge. After walking through the rainforest, you will arrive at cliffs that overlook the truly stunning cascade.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
For your second day of clinic, you will return to the outskirts of Livingstone to treat even more patients than you did yesterday. By now, word of your team’s great work will have spread and villagers will have traveled a long way to receive your medical treatment.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Clinic
Because dental pain is common here and because all community members are encouraged to attend, the demand for dental care will be high. We will have many local dental students and a professor at the dental school available to help translate and provide oral care.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Safari!
As a reward for your dedication to humanitarian aid, this day in Zambia has been reserved for a fantastic, guided safari in Chobe National Park! Since the park lies across the border in Botswana, you will need to have a visa ready. While on safari, keep your eyes peeled for buffalo herds, hippos, elephants, leopards, giraffes, and more! The park features a wonderful on-site restaurant, which will be the perfect spot to stop for lunch during your expedition through the park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Departures
You will enjoy one final meal with your volunteer team before departing home. Return flights are available throughout the day, so you will want to budget your time accordingly.
If you’re interested in extending your stay in Zambia, our partner Worldwide Navigators offers exclusive trip extensions just for IMR volunteers! See the Extensions tab on this page for details.
Meals: Breakfast,
Your Journey
Clinic Photos
Extension Photos
Extensions
You’re journeying halfway across the globe. Why not extend your stay in Zambia to experience some of its top tourist attractions? Join us on an exclusive trip extension to visit some of the area’s highlights.
Livingstone, Zambia
You got a taste of the highlights around Zambia. This extension lets you experience even more!
Highlights:
- Visit one of the world’s seven wonders, Victoria Falls in Livingstone
- Explore Botswana’s famous Chobe National Park by safari
- Experience drumming in the rural African village, Mukuni, and more!
Itinerary:
Day 1: Travel to Livingstone (Victoria Falls)
Located near the Zambezi River in southwestern Zambia, the bustling town of Livingstone is famous as the home of the magnificent Victoria Falls. One of the original natural wonders of the world, the World Heritage Site is known locally as The Smoke that Thunders. This spectacle is accessible from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and is an ideal place to combine game viewing and water sports. There is much to do including excellent fishing, a thrilling bungee jump and arguably the best commercial whitewater rafting in the world. You can hike around the falls, try zip lining, or enjoy the incredible bridge swing.
Those seeking more leisurely activities can take sunset cruises along the river with champagne and snacks included, meander through the vibrant local Livingstone Market, or discover the region’s history and archaeology at the Livingstone Museum.
On arrival at Livingstone airport, your driver will meet you and transfer you to Protea Hotel where you will stay for three nights. On the outskirts of Livingstone lies a hotel that is just as worthy of marvel as the epic natural wonder that lies next to it. Here, you’ll find Protea Hotel by Marriott Livingstone, and if you travel just 10 km from this stunning hotel, you’ll find the epic Victoria Falls or, as the locals affectionately call it, Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders.” It’s a hotel that complements your travel style. Protea Hotel by Marriott Livingstone has deluxe rooms with electronic door locks, digital safe, writing desk, free Wi-Fi access, international plug points, hair dryer, satellite television, direct dial telephones and more.
Day 2: Botswana! Chobe National Park
The ultimate safari experience unfolds on a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana, which boasts the world’s largest elephant population. The game cruise on the Chobe River brings you close to brilliant bird life, pods of wallowing hippos, primeval crocodiles, and elephants in their sheer number. The afternoon land-based safari heads deeper into the Park to spot the elusive big cats that call Chobe their home. A buffet lunch is included today.
Day 3: Mukuni Village Tour, Victoria Falls & Sunset Cruise
Mukuni Village is close to the border gate and is home to about 6,000 people from the Leya community, who have lived in the Falls area for many generations. Guides are available to take you through the village to get an insight into the traditional lifestyle of rural Africans.
You will also enjoy a guided tour of Victoria Falls today. A view of the Victoria Falls is something you will never forget, and the best way to see them is on a guided tour. Discover how the Falls were formed and what local customs and traditions surround them. These tours are extremely informative and end with a visit to the local arts and crafts center.
In the evening, your group will experience an African Queen Sunset Cruise. The African Cruise Company fleet is made up of the impressive African Queen, a triple deck 70-foot catamaran and the slightly smaller, but equally luxurious, African Princess. Both offer the charming combination of panoramic views of the mighty Zambezi River at various times of the day, gracious hospitality and great river and birdlife sightings – creating unforgettable experiences that will take you back to an era when time stood still.
Day 4: Departure Home
Today marks the end of your stay in Livingstone. You will be transferred back to the airport for your onward journey and international departure home.
What’s Included:
- 4-Day, 3-Night Tour
- Ground Transportation
- 2.5 to 3-Star Accommodations
- Daily Activities & Excursions
- 2 Meals Per Day
- Tours & Entrance Fees
- 24-Hour Emergency Service
You Will Need to Provide:
- Customary Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Souvenirs/Gifts
- Currency Exchange Fees
4-Day, 3-Night All-Inclusive Tour starts at $1,100. Contact Worldwide Navigators to book this extension or get more information.
Minimum Donation
Your generous donation of $3500 will go toward the ongoing global relief to care for the underserved and vulnerable people of this community. As a member of this medical mission team, you will elevate the long-term impact of sustainable, capacity-building efforts that improve the health, wellness, and quality of life of those most in need. A small portion of your donation includes:
- Clinic supplies and medications for patients
- Clinic participation
- Transportation, accommodations, and meals as outlined in the itinerary
Donation Payment Deadlines
$3300 due by November 27, 2023
$3500 due by January 28, 2024
Early Bird Savings Opportunity
To be eligible, the participant must upload ALL your required documents and forms, sign their liability form and make your 50% donation including your $35 application fee by November 27, 2023. This savings opportunity does not apply to disaster relief missions.
Featured Enhancements
**To purchase any of the above Featured Enhancements for your mission, please contact our office at office@imrus.org or call at (970) 635-0110.
Your Donation to IMR for Your Mission Cost Includes:
All group costs from the time you arrive at the team meeting point in country until you separate from the team or when the team arrives at the departure airport, including:
- Transportation
- Lodging
- Costs associated with the clinic
- Food
- Tips for services provided to the IMR team
- All logistics, including translation services and security as needed
Additional Costs That You Are Responsible For:
All group costs from the time you arrive at the team meeting point in country until you separate from the team or when the team arrives at the departure airport, including:
- International and Domestic flights to the country.
- Passport fees, visa fees, and transit fees, including baggage or overnight accommodations/meals while in transit
- Required or recommended insurance
- Vaccinations and medications common for travel
- Spending money for souvenirs and personal purchases
- Required or desired mission supplies, personal equipment, or small gifts for the special people you meet
- Any lodging, meals, and transportation outside of the scheduled team mission, payable at the time of service to the local vendor
- COVID-related fees such as testing, vaccinations, and quarantines as required by in-country arrival/departure or USA arrival/departure
- Each team member is responsible for carrying medical supplies for the deployment. All fees associated with transport are the responsibility of the volunteer.
Financial FAQs
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A Walk Through Clinic
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