Namibian Wildlife Sanctuary

Experience hands-on volunteering with cheetahs, baboons, African wild dogs and many more animals in the stunning destination of Namibia.

This project is the perfect opportunity to combine travelling and making a difference. As a volunteer at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary you are given the to care for, feed and rehabilitate a variety of amazing animals such as baboons, cheetahs, lions, leopards and many more incredible creatures.

Alongside animal care, take a walk on the wild side in the stunning surrounds of the sanctuary, take part in Clever Cubs School and help with maintenance and project work to ensure the site are providing the best possible environments for these beautiful animals.

Volunteers are involved in all aspects of the sanctuary work, so it is a fantastic opportunity for you to take a hands-on approach to wildlife conservation efforts in Namibia. The project aims to release as many animals as possible and has had great success in doing so. Animals are taken to safe relocation sites to be reintroduced to the wild as soon as they are ready to avoid too much human familiarity. Since opening in 2008 hundreds of animals, including over 80 canivores, have been released and the number is evergrowing. For a chance to work at the release site please see our Carnivore Conservation and Research Project.

 

Itinerary

Day 1

You will arrive at Windhoek Airport and then transfer to the Project site, a drive of approximately 45 minutes. You'll spend rest of the day meeting other volunteers and volunteer co-ordinators and relaxing before your first busy day of volunteering.

Day 2-14

These are your project days. You'll rise early and eat breakfast before the 8am meeting with volunteers and the volunteer co-ordinators. Morning activities begin after the briefing, and are distributed on a rotational basis. There is usually a morning break at 10:30am before your second morning activity, with lunch commencing at 1pm. Afternoon activities begin at 2:30pm running until roughly 5pm. Dinner is set for 6pm, and evenings are free for volunteers to spend as they please. We recommend you rest up as you will have had a very busy day!

Day 15

This is your unfortunately your final day. You will be transferred from the project site to Windhoek airport for your return flight, or will commence your independent travel plans.

 

Project Activities

Animal Feeding

Volunteers are responsible for preparing the food for and feeding all of the animals every day. Vegetables, fruit, and mieliepap (a kind of porridge) are used to feed the baboons and farm animals and is a fantastic chance to get to see the animals up close.

Volunteers are also able to experience regular carnivore-feeds with lions, leopards, semi-tame and wild cheetahs, and even with rare African wild dogs! You may even get the chance to hand-feed the resident meerkats.

Baboon Care

Volunteers are encouraged to help look after resident baboons, and this will almost definitely include taking a walk across the beautiful veldt with the baby and junior baboons. Volunteers also feed them, bathe baby baboons and take them to bed so they have someone to cuddle with at night. It is the highlight of many people's time here but is not a mandatory activity. (Please note this is not a guaranteed part of your itinerary.)

Maintenance

Volunteers are involved in the clearing out of food and bones from animal enclosures, the cleaning of waterholes and the fixing of any damage to the animal enclosures.

Animal Time

Volunteers get to spend part of each day playing with and looking after some of the animals on the farm. These interactions include taking a walk with the gorgeous caracals spending one on one time with the semi-tame cheetahs and meeting the resident pack of African Wild Dogs (also known as painted dogs); one of the rarest carnivores in the whole of Africa.

Wildlife Education

Volunteers receive a daily educational talk on various topics including the proliferation of local game, species resident within the Namibia wildlife sanctuary, and the science of wildlife immobilisation.

Local School Visits

Volunteers will spend one afternoon a week working with the schoolchildren in the on-site school, helping to teach them English and games!

 

Start Dates

Mondays and Thursdays.

Costs / Benefits

Prices from £935

What's included in the price of the project?
• A contribution to the project itself including funding for items such as building materials, food, animal medications
• Transfers to and from the Windhoek International Airport or Windhoek City
• Full orientation and support from the project managers for the duration of your project
• Accommodation, three meals per day and tea and coffee

What's not included?
• Any flights
• Travel insurance to include cover for repatriation
• Visas
• Soft and alcoholic beverages
• Any extra activities not within the itinerary

Requirements

As you will be involved in all aspects of the project, including construction and maintenance of enclosures, we recommend that volunteers come with at least a moderate level of fitness. No specific skills are required - all we ask is that you arrive with a willingness to get involved with every activity, have a respect for the wildlife and sanctuary staff with whom you’ll be working, and aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty!