Wildlife and Animal Caretaker
Coordinator | Patrick
Coordinator | Patrick
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Help at our Wildlife Conservation project based in Namibia and get an opportunity to bond with the animals!
Work alongside an amazing team of staff and other volunteers to care for baby animals of the Sanctuary!
Learn how to care and rehabilitate animals.
Work and interact with a wide range of Native Namibian wildlife
Make unforgettable memories and see all the Namibia has to offer!
Do you have a passion for animals and caretaking? Then your search is over as we have for you our Wildlife Caretaker program done in Namibia!
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+
Do you have a passion for animals and caretaking? Are you looking for an immersive wildlife care program but is unsure of where to search? Then your search is over as we have for you our Wildlife Caretaker program done in Namibia!
This program is designed for volunteers whom may wish to learn and experience the caretaking of animals. Said caretaking may range from the small and helpless to the big and mighty of animals. The program is geared to give the volunteer the ability to care for infant animals, injured animals, abused animals as well as the healthy and large animals. Volunteers will be involved in many of the core activities as wildlife volunteers with the added layer of responsibility and oversight. The caretaker volunteers are intensively trained in the daily care for animals in a wildlife sanctuary. Part of the training will include educational tutorials by Marieta van der Merwe (owner of the project) as to the standard of care for each animal. Caretaker volunteers will be responsible for overseeing the standard of care for their assigned animals and will be required to keep detailed records of the wellbeing of animals in their care. It is also important to keep in mind that this program is based on the Wildlife Conservation program and joins the activates some of the time. The difference is, that the caretaker is the one taking care of the baby animals and would most work on this.
Volunteers will be required to commit to a minimum of 4 weeks! The work with the wildlife at the project is physically demanding, yet very rewarding. Seize this amazing opportunity to do something worthwhile!
Typical day
It is important to keep in mind that as a volunteer you must undergo training to learn the basics of the Sanctuary. Once trained your daily tasks would entail:
- Food preparation
- Feeding big carnivores and animals walks
- Animal interaction
- Taking care of Babies
- Record keeping
- Caretakers will be responsible for overseeing the standard of care given to their assigned animals
- They will be leaders amongst the other volunteers with regard to the functioning of their team, and how their team cares for and interacts with their animals.
- Caretakers will make sure that their animals have enough blankets, water, the proper food, are eating well and behaving normally.
- They are to ensure that sick animals are treated regularly and are observed for any changes for better or worse and more tasks in the same vein.
- It is important to note that more will be expected of Caretaker volunteers should one of their animals be injured or ill or should there be another (non-assigned) animal that requires extra observation and care.
Medical & health
You are responsible to ensure you have adequate health insurance along with any necessary vaccinations needed for your trip. Please seek advice from your local doctor or travel clinic for any requirements. The project has an on-site clinic stocked with extensive first-aid supplies, as well as other basic necessities such as antibiotics etc. They recently installed a defibrillator and a nebulizer. Volunteer Coordinators and other staff are trained in First Aid and CPR. There is a hospital with full facilities just one hour away. There are also physicians available in town for less urgent concerns. Should a volunteer require a visit to the doctor for any reason, the project can coordinate transport for that volunteer into town to obtain care. We urge volunteers to please inform us of any medical information/condition they might have such as: allergies, prescribed medication and any known medical conditions.
Free-time activities
There may not be much time for any leisure time activity. The volunteers work every day, because the animals need feeding and caretaking every day, this means 8-9 hours per day. But Saturdays and Sunday are a bit slower and on Sundays there are no activities besides feeding. That way the volunteers can get some time to rest and recharge. Any activities you'd like to do such as hiking, sightseeing, etc. we recommend doing so before or after completing the project.
Sightseeing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (basic level)
required
CV, Letter of motivation, Application Form, 2 pictures and Liability Waiver and Volunteer Policy forms
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
from
08:00
- 17:00
What's Included
What's Included in the Fee:
- Placement
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transportation
- Ongoing service
- Tours
- 24/7 Emergency contact
The programs start on a
Friday and end on a Thursday. If you are flying into Namibia, please arrange
for a flight to Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek. As our
transport leaves very early Friday morning, we ask volunteers to arrive in
Windhoek on the Thursday. You are responsible for arranging your own
accommodation for that night. The project’s shuttle bus will pick you up at
your accommodation establishment strictly at 09h00. Please remain at your
accommodation establishment. Please ensure that we have received the necessary
information about your pick-up spot at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival in
Namibia.
Volunteers will be placed in the project’s volunteer village. There are several wooden cabins, communal showers, toilet facilities, and a bar/eating area where you will have all your meals. There is also a small swimming pool. You will share a cabin with up to three other volunteers of the same gender. Bed linen is provided as well as a towel. You will have a shelving unit for your clothes and other stuff. Toilet and showering facilities are located in the middle of the cabin area.
You will receive three meals per day which include breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meals are generally basic but tasty and filling. Breakfast can be porridge, cereal, eggs or pancakes. Common dishes for lunch and dinner include burgers, goulash, pasta with meat sauces, rice, sauce and potatoes. There is also an afternoon snack/cake and juice. Namibia is a meat-eating country and this you will notice as many of your meals will contain meat. However, we can accommodate vegetarians, as well as other dietary requirements. We have experience catering for lactose-free and gluten-free diets, as well as for other intolerances. Please be aware though that the project is located in a relatively remote part of Namibia. If you have extensive dietary requirements, please coordinate with us in advance to ensure that we are prepared for your arrival and we are aware of exactly what you require.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek. We assist you to find cheap flights to Namibia.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Namibia provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Namibia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Namibia.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
The project prefers applicants starting on Fridays so they would need volunteers to arrive a day before as pick ups are done early Friday morning, do keep in mind that we would not be arranging your stay for the night in Windhoek. The airport that volunteers would need to fly to is in Namibia, Windhoek. The airport is called Hosea Kutako. We will arrange pickup and drop off from the airport or from the accommodation in Windhoek to the project. Contact us for recommendations!
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
4 - 6 weeks
Program fees
4 weeks
(min. stay)
$3,395
5 weeks
$3,995
6 weeks
(max. stay)
$4,595
Average fees
$807
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Fronteering Travel
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Fronteering Travel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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What are people saying about Volunteer World?
Wildlife and Animal Caretaker
Do you have a passion for animals and caretaking? Then your search is over as we have for you our Wildlife Caretaker program done in Namibia!
$807/week
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