About The Project
Situated in the heart of the African savannah, this sanctuary serves as a refuge for Namibia’s injured and orphaned wildlife. Many of these animals have been relocated away from local farms as they are seen as ‘problem animals’, deemed to be a risk to livestock and crops and are therefore targeted by farmers. Additionally, the wildlife trade in Africa is rife, and many animals (such as baboons) are forcibly separated from their mothers at a young age, which in turn results in them missing out on developing the important skills which would aid their lives in the wild.
While the sanctuary does carry out vital work in order to protect Namibia’s wildlife, it is the help of volunteers which keeps its doors open for many more in-need animals. The primary aim of this project is to release many of these animals into safe conservation areas where possible, but for those which have become too habituated and are therefore unable to be released, they will instead be provided with a suitable, caring home at the sanctuary. As a volunteer, you will help to support all areas of the sanctuary’s efforts as you take part in a range of exciting and fulfilling activities: from engaging in baboon and cheetah walks in the bush to helping to prepare food and enrichment for all of the animals at the sanctuary, your assistance in keeping the project running as smoothly as possible will surely be worthwhile!
Prior to Arrival
Citizens of most countries (including the UK, Germany, USA, Canada, Australia and most of Europe) do not need to obtain a visa to enter Namibia and are granted entry for up to 90 days upon arrival. You will, however, need at least 2 blank pages in your passport for the immigration officials to use and your passport must be valid for a period of at least 6 months from your date of entry. Please note that visas are of your own responsibility.
You will need to fly into Windhoek International Airport (also known as Hosea Kutako International Airport) on your project start date between 7am - 5pm. There are several daily flights here from the South African hub cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as daily flights from a range of international destinations.
A typical working week runs from Monday to Friday, with each day beginning at 7am and ending around 5pm/6pm. During this time, you will take part in a combination of the activities found below.
Baboon Walk
The sanctuary is home to a number of baboons which have been orphaned as a result of the human-animal conflict. Baboons are often thought of as pests, which in turn sees them shot by farmers. The injured or orphaned baboons are taken in by the sanctuary, and as a volunteer you will help to care for these social animals by accompanying them on enrichment walks, allowing them to exercise their innate abilities such as running and climbing.
Cheetah Walk
Much like baboons, cheetahs have often fallen victim to the human-animal conflict: by venturing onto farms in search of food, these beautiful big cats have inadvertently become targets of angry farmers and are sometimes shot at, resulting in injury or even death. Those which survive their injuries are taken in by the sanctuary and are provided with large enclosures, while volunteers help to aid their enrichment by taking them out on walks.
Carnivore Feeding
Take a front-row seat and witness the sanctuary’s resident carnivores at their most ‘wild’ during their feeding time! You will help to prepare and throw food to leopards, cheetahs and wild dogs, whilst the project facilitator shares their impressive carnivore knowledge with you.
Enrichment
This is a particularly important element of the sanctuary’s efforts, as enrichment helps to stimulate the animals and therefore will improve their quality of life. You will be tasked with creating an array of activities designed to provoke their senses, such as introducing scented or puzzle-type toys. One example can be found in a previous volunteer group's creation of papier-mâché 'animals': since the 'animals' resembled something the carnivores may have witnessed in the wild, they were quick to tear the creation open. This is a great opportunity to put your creativity to good use!
Food Preparation
Keeping a sanctuary running can be hungry work, and that goes for the animals, too! You will help to prepare a range of meals for the sanctuary’s resident animals, such as a platter of vegetables or large chunks of meat for the carnivores. All meals must provide the correct nutrition to the animals at the project, so this certainly is an important part of your efforts.
Enclosure Cleaning & Animal Feeding
The sanctuary is ever-growing, which means the need to keep on top of animal care and the cleaning of enclosures becomes all the more demanding. You will distribute food amongst the animals, and you will also assist in making each enclosure as comfortable as possible for those who reside there. Meerkats, lambs and warthogs are just a handful of the animals you may encounter during this activity, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to what could otherwise be thought of as dirty work!
Horseback Riding
During the project, you may be invited to help feed, clean or exercise the sanctuary’s resident horses. You will learn how to canter and gallop as you explore a more scenic side to Namibia, taking the time to observe the local wildlife as you go.
Reserve Research
You will join the project team in retrieving camera traps from the neighbouring reserve, helping to sort through and analyse the data gathered. This data will help to provide a clearer understanding of the animals in the region. Additionally, you will head out in search of a number of free-roaming elephants, rhinos and wild dogs (amongst other species) which have previously been released by the project; this will be done by GPS tracking.
Night Watch
Every two weeks, you will have the opportunity to take on a new role as a member of the project’s anti-poaching team, heading up to a viewing platform where you will keep an eye out for any unusual activity. This activity will be undertaken in shifts, and even if the night turns out to be uneventful, this is an excellent opportunity to partake in a little star gazing under the magnificent African sky.
Project Work
Building and maintenance are both necessary aspects of keeping the sanctuary running as smoothly as possible, and you will help to construct new enclosures and fences whilst also taking the time to remove alien plants from the reserve. These activities will go a long way towards providing a safe and comfortable home for all of the sanctuary’s animals, and are a continuous element of the project.
Clever Cubs School
The project site is not only home to a wildlife sanctuary, but to an education centre called the Clever Cubs School. Here, the children of the local bushmen come to gain an education, and should you wish to exchange five of your days at the sanctuary in order to help out here instead, you will most likely be welcome to do so! This activity only takes place during term time, but it is certainly a fun and rewarding experience.
Whilst on the project, you will have the weekday evenings and all weekend to relax (please note, however, that the animals do still need to be fed on the weekends, therefore a small amount of time may be set aside for this). You are welcome to spend your free time as you please: head out on a nature walk, go swimming in the onsite pool, or play football against the bushman workers at the site! Additionally, a braai (traditional African barbeque) typically takes place once a week, offering the perfect opportunity for you to sit back and relax with your fellow volunteers.
Should you wish to spend a little time away from the project site during your downtime, we do offer a number of trips at an additional cost.
Ancient San Skills
Nobody knows and understands the vast southern African landscape quite how the San people do: their expertise in understanding their native flora and fauna is unparalleled, so why not see what you can learn by spending some time with them? This activity is dependent on whether enough volunteers wish to take part and is also subject to availability, but should you wish to take part, you can do so for N$250 (approximately £12.50).
Neuras Conservation and Research Site
For an additional £130, you may wish to swap out one of your weeks at the sanctuary for a week exploring the mountainous Neuras region. Here, you can take part in data and research analysis as you explore the region’s rocky landscape, also helping to set up camera traps as you go. A week at this research site may even see you paying a visit to the world-famous Sossusvlei region, which is home to one of the world’s tallest sand dunes: Big Daddy.
Kanaan Conservation and Research Site
Not interested in Neuras? Perhaps Kanaan is more your kind of thing: surrounded by red sand dunes, this research site offers an insight to the lives of Namibia’s desert-dwelling wildlife, including (but not limited to) a range of beautiful big cats! Take part in the recording of statistical data and mapping of this unique region, ultimately aiding the research team in improving their understanding of the wildlife found here. This costs an additional £130 per week.
You should arrive into Windhoek Airport on your project start date between 7am - 5pm, where you will be met on arrival and transferred to the project site. This transfer will take approximately 45 minutes.
During your time on the project, you will stay in a fixed cabin/tent alongside one other volunteer of the same gender. If, however, you are joining this project as a couple, you will be accommodated together.
Each cabin has an adjoining, open-roofed bathroom, complete with a western-style toilet and a hot water shower (please note that the water is heated by solar energy, and therefore may be intermittent). Plug sockets and electric lighting are also available.
There is also a luxury lodge on site where you may wish to spend a night or two. The lodge is comprised of multiple chalets, each with a private veranda which overlooks the bushveld, an en-suite bathroom and air conditioning. The lodge also has its own pool, a tranquil dining area with stunning views, and a bar. Please note that the chalet is subject to an additional charge per night; please speak to a member of our travel team for more information.
Three meals per day are provided for you at the sanctuary, with water, tea and coffee freely available throughout the day. Breakfast consists of toast, cereal, fruit and juice, whilst lunch typically includes burgers, pasta, wraps or stir-fry. Dinner is served in a buffet style and consists of meat, fish, vegetables, potatoes and pasta, whilst on weekends you may be treated to a braai (traditional African barbeque)! A vegetarian option is always available, whilst those with other dietary requirements or preferences (such as veganism) can be catered for, should the project team know in advance. Finally, a range of snacks and drinks (including alcoholic beverages) can be purchased at the sanctuary.
You can choose to arrive on any Monday or Thursday throughout the year (subject to availability). Please contact us to check whether your preferred start date is still available!
Wildlife Sanctuary Supporter
Here you'll direct all of your efforts towards the long term rehabilitation of animals. Experience hands-on volunteering with cheetahs, baboons, big cats and much more!
$463/week
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