Located in the heart of the Okonjima Game Reserve this project works alongside the world's largest Big Cat Welfare Programme, committed to the long term conservation and release of Namibia's large carnivores, especially cheetahs and leopards. By choosing this project volunteers will be undertaking reserve maintenance tasks including dismantling fence-lines, bush-clearing tasks, repairing waterholes and dam and bridge maintenance, with the ultimate aim of allowing the animals cared for to run around more freely in a balanced ecosystem. Volunteers also have the opportunity of working directly at the Big Cat Welfare Programme where they will take part in a multitude of activities. Also, on occasions, cheetahs and leopards need to be rescued from surrounding farms and re-released back into the wild. Each afternoon, volunteers go out on a game drive including leopard tracking, cheetah and hyena tracking by foot, bushman walks, birding and sleeping out under the stars.
Duration & Fees
- £875 - 2 weeks
- £1,495 - 4 weeks
Start Dates
2012 Start Dates: 28 Jan | 11 Feb | 25 Feb | 10 Mar | 24 Mar | 7 Apr | 21 Apr | 5 May | 19 May | 2 Jun | 16 Jun | 30 Jun | 14 Jul | 28 Jul | 11 Aug | 25 Aug | 8 Sept | 22 Sept | 6 Oct | 20 Oct | 3 Nov | 17 Nov
Payment
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
What's Included
- Transfers to and from the project
- Full orientation by staff on arrival
- Support from the Project Managers
- Accommodation and three meals a day
- All daily activities
What's not included
- International and domestic flight costs
- Travel insurance to cover the project (including cover for repatriation)
- Tourist Visas
- Personal Items
- Refreshments etc that can be purchased on site
This conservation project offers volunteers the chance to be a part of a truly unique and amazing bush experience in Namibia. Okonjima, where this project is based, encompasses a 22,000 hectare (55,000 acre) private nature reserve, and is full of game, including giraffe, oryx, kudu, zebra, impala, eland, wildebeest, red hartebeest, duiker, steenbok, dik-dik, and warthog. At night it is possible to spot nocturnal animals such as porcupine, honey badger, brown hyena, spotted genet, and aardvark, and the reserve also boasts over 200 bird species.
Background
Okonjima, meaning ‘place of the baboon,’ launched its Big Cat Welfare Programme in 1993 and prior to this time the land was used for cattle farming. The reserve offers captive cheetahs an opportunity to return to their natural environment in the 5,000 hectare area. Although hunting in carnivores is instinctive many of the cheetahs at the foundation lack experience due to being orphaned and this rehabilitation reserve area provides these cheetahs with a chance to hone their hunting skills and become self sustaining and able to be returned to the wild. This is an incredible programme that gives previously non-releasable cats a second chance to be wild and free!
This programme has rescued and released over 900 cheetah and leopard back into the wild since its inception. Approximately 80 of the rescued large carnivores were not able to be released (mostly orphaned cubs) and they have found a caring home at the foundation.
Volunteer Programme
Volunteers are essential to the smooth running of this worthwhile project. One activity that volunteers will be involved in is the eradication of the sickle bush, thus allowing the land to be opened up once more. Okonjima was dedicated to cattle farming up until relatively recently and as with vast areas of Namibia, the last 150 years of cattle farming has left its scar. Bush encroachment is destroying Namibian flora and fauna, and over-grazing has led to topsoil erosion decreasing the survival of natural plants and grasses and therefore the game dependent on them. Sickle bush (Dichrostachys Cinerea), previously limited to mountain fringes, is particularly pernicious and has encroached onto the plains over the years and taken over. Once this Sickle bush is romoved the indigenous plants and grasses will recover and the game will return. The task may be challenging at times but it will be highly rewarding and satisfying to know that you’ve been part of the team helping to restore the local ecology back to its natural and original state. Team members will use a wide range of hand tools including axes, picks, saws, rakes and some machine operated tools for which instruction and safety advice will be given. A reasonable level of fitness is required as it can get very hot during the day time.
Volunteers will not only be contributing to the important work of making the land habitable for these beautiful animals but will also get to work with the team that care for the animals at the Big Cat Welfare & Rehabilitation Foundation including feeding runs, bone collecting in cheetah camps, fence maintenance and perhaps the opportunity to rescue a leopard or cheetah in distress!
The feeding run lasts for approximately two hours, depending on the big cats! Volunteers will follow behind the vehicle which will stop to feed more than 80 cheetahs, leopards, lions, caracals and hyenas. Every single cat needs to be found and fed so this is why the run can sometimes take a little longer, particularly if some of the cats don’t come to be fed. Staff will do their best to explain to the volunteers the history of each cat, why and where they came from and volunteers are obviously very welcome to ask any questions they may have.
A normal working day will start as the sun rises over the horizon. Following coffee and breakfast it is off to the work site. Teams will work, with breaks, until midday, and then stop for a well-earned lunch and a siesta in the heat of the day until 3.30pm when volunteers will start one of the afternoon activities (as below) Volunteers will spend approximately 3 hours on each of these afternoon activities. This project is flexible and timings and duties may change from time to time.
The evenings will be based around the campfire listening to the sounds of the wild and reliving the day.
Afternoon Activities include:
- Cheetah and leopard tracking and monitoring for research
Volunteers will be taken out to track either leopard or cheetah using “telemetry system and antennae” in order to pick up the radio signals from the collars worn by the big cats. The signals give a good indication of where the cat is located but certainly not the exact spot. The guide, accompanied by the volunteers, will then need to use valuable tracking skills such as checking for paw prints, broken branches, drag marks, smell etc in order to locate the animal precisely. It is essential for their welfare that the cats are seen regularly in order to check for injuries, problems, unusual behaviour etc. The leopard tracking is always vehicle based but the cheetah tracking is done on foot with the guide plus an additional tracker (one at each end of the group). It is so exciting to be viewing the cheetahs on foot – a truly unforgettable experience!
- Accompanying Project Managers for the Collection and Release of Leopard and Cheetah
Project staff may, from time to time, need to fly or drive to reach a cat in distress or danger and some volunteers may get the opportunity to accompany staff on these trips. If a cat is brought to the clinic, volunteers will be invited to see the cat arrive, follow through the treatment that follows and also the re-release of the big cat back into the reserve.
- Wild Dog Tracking and monitoring for research
With the aid of a telemetry system and antennae your guide will use all his valuable skills to track and search for these magnificent and elusive creature. Wild Dog tracking is always vehicle based and once located the dogs must be checked for any visible signs of injury, unusual behaviour, problems etc and reported immediately to the Foundation as necessary. Volunteers will also be shown how to use the telemetry equipment and given the opportunity to track for themselves
- Bushman Walks
The guide for these walks, Clive, is an FGASA trained guide and has extensive knowledge of Africa and all the incredible animals and plants that live there. The bushwalks and time on this project will be a real educational experience as volunteers will learn all about this beautiful continent and the animals that inhabit it. Volunteers will be shown how to make rope and fire and how the animal traps work. They will also learn all about the lives and traditions of the bushman tribes.
- Cheetah Welfare Programme
Volunteers will be taken into one of the cheetah rehabilitation enclosures where they will witness these cheetahs at very close proximity surrounding the game vehicle. The guide will explain the important and essential work of the cheetah welfare side of the foundation. The volunteers will be given a history of these individual cheetahs and will get to understand exactly why they are here, where they have come from and their individual circumstances.. This activity will give volunteers a true insight into the work of the foundation and the goals it’s trying to achieve.
- Sleeping Out Under The Stars
Camping out in the river bed. A bi-weekly event and an absolute must! Join us roasting marshmallows on the fire and witness the magnificent stars above you whilst lying in your sleeping bags. A most beautiful and quite magical way to spend your night.
- Game Drives
- Birding Walks
- Sundowners
- Tracking and bush crafts
- Soil erosion control
- Star gazing
Other aspects you may be involved in depending on your length of stay are :
- Game counts at waterholes
- General reserve maintenance
- Fence patrols
- Plant and animal studies
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Accommodation is comfortable but simplistic. The camp is situated in the heart of the Namibian bush, and consists of thatched/tented hut accommodation, surrounding a central eating and socialising area. There are 2 single beds provided in each tent plus 2 lockable trunks for your belongings. Hot and cold running showers and western style toilets are provided, and there is an electricity supply in the main socialising area for the charging of cameras etc. The aim is that volunteers get back to their roots during their stay in the wild and feel part of the natural world they are aiming to help. There is a real community feel to the project, with daily rotas put in place to ensure that everyone gets involved in the day-to-day running of the camp including wake-up calls and the preparation of all meals.
Three meals a day are included in the cost of the project. These will include a cereal breakfast, prepared at the campsite before work commences; sandwiches and fruit for lunch, and a hot nutritious meal prepared each evening back at the base campsite. Refreshments such as tea, coffee, squash are provided during meal times only and the water is safe to drink straight from the tap. All vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be catered for if advised in advance on the booking form. Other refreshments such as soft drinks, alcohol, or snacks, can be purchased from the camp shop.
Due to the location of the camp there is no laundry service and hand washing powder can be purchased from the camp store.
There is a signal for mobile phones, although this signal can sometimes be a little temperamental. Internet access is available at a small local charge and a laptop is provided at camp. Connection can sometimes be temperamental so volunteers will need to be patient.
Namibia
Why visit Namibia?
Namibia is one of those dreamlike places that makes one question whether something so visually fabulous could actually exist. It is characterised by vast open spaces, with breathtaking scenery and great contrasts – ocean, dunes, mountains and deserts. A predominantly arid country, Namibia can be divided into four main regions. The Namib Desert and vast plains of the Skeleton Coast in the west; the eastward-sloping Central Plateau; the Kalahari desert along the borders with South Africa and Botswana; and the densely wooded bushveld of the Kavango and Caprivi regions – a magical undeveloped oasis of waterways and wildlife, providing abundant game and birdlife viewing opportunities. Despite its harsh climate, Namibia has some of the world’s grandest national parks, ranging from the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park, to the dune fields and desert plains of the Namib-Naukluft Park. The Namib-Naukluft Park is superb for hiking, with a number of spectacular trails. It is also home to the renowned dunes of Sossusvlei - said to be the highest in the world - and the fascinating Sesriem Canyon. Windhoek is the country’s geographical heart and commercial nerve centre, with an ethnic mix of people, while surfers, anglers and beach-lovers won’t want to miss Swakopmund, with its lively entertainment and sporting activities.
Highlights
- Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s finest parks, both in size and diversity of wildlife.
- The Namib-Naukluft Park is the largest conservation area in Namibia and one of the largest in the world.
- Two spectacular deserts - the Kalahari and Namib - each with distinctive wildlife and scenery.
- The Namib, at 80 million years, is the world's oldest desert. Namib means “open space”.
- The Namib and Damaraland offer remarkably clear skies for astronomers and keen star gazers.
- Stunning Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon – it is 161km long, up to 27km wide and 550m deep.
- Sossusvlei are said to be the highest sand-dunes in the world.
- Superb birding and good fishing is available from the banks of the Kavango and Kunene Rivers on the northern border.
- Popular self-drive destination with excellent infrastructure.
- Largely malaria-free.
- More than 300 days of sunshine per year.
Climate
| Seasons | Max | Min |
| Summer/wet (October - April) |
40 °C |
20 °C |
| Winter/dry (May - September) |
25 °C |
0 °C |
| Rainfall: October – December “little rains”, January to April more stormy period |
The winter months (May - September) range from 25 to 30°C during the day but night temperatures may drop to below freezing. June to August is the dry season with very little rain. This can be a good time for game viewing as wildlife converge at the waterholes.
The summer months (October - April) can reach highs of over 40°C and nights in the 20°C range (in the arid central Namib Desert temperatures can fall to below freezing during the night). This is a summer rainfall area, but overcast and rainy days are few and far between. Welcome thundershowers may occur in the late afternoon, bringing relief to flora and fauna. In October and November, large herds of blue wildebeest, zebra, springbok and oryx migrate from the Namutoni area to Okaukuejo, where they remain until May.
Rainfall is heaviest in the northeast, which enjoys a sub-tropical climate, and reaches over 600mm annually along the Okavango River. The northern and interior regions experience ‘little rains’ between October and December, while the main stormy period occurs from January to April.
Key Facts
Population – 2.1 million
Capital - Windhoek
Currency - Namibian dollar
Language – official language English; most widely spoken is Afrikaans; half of all Namibians speak Oshiwambo as their first language. German is also widely spoken, plus some Portuguese.
Namib – means “open space”
Etosha – means “great white place”
Time difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 264, international access code 00
It was my first time in Africa and what an experience. A normal day consisted of getting up at 6.00, breakfast at 6.30 and out on the trucks at 7.15 to be taken to the location for the mornings work, which was varied - removing old cattle fences so that Kudu and co wouldn't get tangled up in them was most rewarding, even though it was hard work. Back to camp at 12 for lunch and a well earned break until 3 and then it ws pure safari, tracking hyena, leopard and cheetah and seein various other animals in between. Back to camp again for dinner at 7, which was cooked on an open fire by us volunteers. In the evenings it was amazing how many stars could be seen, it felt as if you could reach out and touch them. Would I recommend the Namibia Conservation and Big Cat Program - absolutely!
David, Germany, aged 43 (Big Cat and Namibia Conservation Volunteer)
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This camp is located smack in the heart of Okonjima. It’s a 55,000 acre area of bush – and only bush. When I arrived at my bush camp I did get quite a shock but, and big but, was that I was there for a month and had the time of my life. I met some super people who I will keep in touch with as it was the “experience of a lifetime”. I am 63 years of age (knocking on 64), registered disabled and would recommend anyone to go out there. The work is hard and accommodation very basic but what fun when you are in the bush and helping nature not to get trapped and die a very sad death. Clive and Roma are two of the most dedicated people I have ever met and very, very passionate about what they do. The game drives you go out on with Clive who is so knowledgeable and finds all the animals there are to see. There is a terrific supply of many different animals and fantastic to see. There are two super lads out there who work for Clive and Roma and they are very, very hard working, very polite and helpful. I could write pages but got to keep it short. Anyone who is bored, go out to Africa and help keep the wild animals running free and keep a lot of them from becoming extinct. Join this wonderful project – it’s worth every single penny. Also enjoy all the fun – its superb.
Anne, UK, aged 63 (Big Cat and Namibia Conservation Volunteer)
We were very excited, but also very nervous, about doing our first voluntary work abroad. We were not really sure what would be expected of us. I spoke to Gemma who answered my initial questions, like what facilities there were and whether I would be able to do it being nearer 50 than I would like!! She totally put my mind at ease and made me feel so excited about going. She helped me with the same enthusiasm throughout the whole process and never did I feel that I was asking too many questions. She also helped with our trip at the end of the project...
Clive and Roma, the project managers were so warm and welcoming and gave us so much in return for the work that we did for them. Clive with his love of Africa and his passion for the project and Roma who was there to look after us for everything else we might need. They educated us on the project and the area and what they are hoping to achieve. We were totally informed on the daily work that we had to do and why we were doing it.
A typical day would be to start work in the mornings at about 7am and returned for lunch by 12 noon. We then rested for a few hours and in the afternoon Clive took us on a variety of "treats" as a thankyou. Treats would include leopard and hyena tracking, night safari, sleepout, bush walk and following the cats feed run. We were lucky enough to watch the vet operate on the cheetahs' teeth. We would then return to camp by about 6pm and would have the evening meal together.
Our work included clearing fence wire so that animals would not get caught up in it and then die. After a morning of doing this work we saw a kudu walk passed and to think that it would now be safe to walk that way was very rewarding. We did bush clearing in order to clear an area that the reserve was going to build a primary school on. This was a good morning to take it out on the sickle bushes for all the scraches they had previously inflicted on us! We also cleared up the poo and old food bones from the cheetah enclosures to prevent the spread of disease. This was an awesome experience as you are clearing up their mess to walk straight into a wild cheetah. We did this one morning and a cheetah that was sitting under the tree just got up and walked passed us about 3m away. We stood silently and just watched as it passed us by. How many times in your lifetime can you say you experienced such a wonderful thing. We also took it in turns to be on duty to prepare the meals. This did seem a bit dauting at first but Clive was always there to support you, after all he wanted to eat too. It all added to being part of a team. A team of like minded people who loved Africa and wanted to give something back.
For us this was an awesome experience and one that we can not really put into words but one that we are sure to repeat.
Chris & Siobhan, UK, aged 49 and 19 (Big Cat and Namibia Conservation Volunteer)
I spent two wonderful weeks volunteering on this project. I was given the opportunity to take part in a huge variety of activities, from bush chopping which was incredibly hard work to enclosure maintenance and cleaning and even the rescue and release of wild cheetahs. This in particular was a rare and unique privilege which I will remember always – especially the four hour drive with a wild cheetah on my knee! I had an amazing time on the project. The hard work was more than worth it and it was fantastic to stay in such a beautiful and natural camp in the heart of the African bush. Clive and Roma, who manage the project, are very welcoming and knowledgeable. Throughout my stay they ensured I got the best possible experience with numerous chances to view and track game. The project is excellent value and I am very grateful for the unique experiences and the extraordinary memories which will always be with me.
Jo, UK, aged 18 (Big Cat and Namibia Conservation Volunteer)
After everyone arrived in the project, we went on a game drive to see how the reserve looks like and how incredible large it is! We learned immediately about the problems of overgrazing in the past and the thorny bushes making it impossible for cheetahs to hunt and so threatening the continued existence of cheetahs in the reserve. The next day we learned how “thorny” these bushes really are… we started chopping these bushes and in a few days time we cleared a large area. After these days we got more involved with the Big Cat Foundation and went with them to fetch cheetahs trapped on a farm near Hochfeld (3,5 hours by car). It was a great experience to work with these animals, assist with the health checks and release the healthy ones the next day! Unfortunately, two cheetahs could not be released into the wild again due to health problems, so we made a new enclosure for these animals to live in until the veterinarian will arrive. I had a great time in this project: working with the cheetahs was great to do, we saw a lot wild life during game-drives in the afternoon and I think this camp (and even better sleeping out in the river bed) is the best way to experience the reserve. And... of course, we had a lot of fun together!
Hjalmar, Holland, aged 22 (Big Cat and Namibia Conservation Volunteer)
As this was our first time doing Wildlife Volunteering, the time taken by Amanzi to answer our questions about the project, wildlife volunteering and Namibia was very much appreciated. Speaking to people who have actually been to these projects and hearing about their experiences (what they did and did not like etc) is very valuable and certainly helped us make a choice for a certain project a lot easier.
We had an excellent time... One of the things we really appreciated was all the time the project leaders took to explain to us about the wildlife, the project and Namibia. This way we came back feeling that we had actually learnt something. It was really good being out in the Namibian nature and feeling that what we were doing added value to the project. Raising awareness, protecting the animals is such good work.
What a beautiful country, with such abundant wildlife! We did not have a single boring day: going out into the savannah, doing game counts, searching for animal tracks, looking for “marking” threes, setting the traps etc. And whilst being on these trips, the staff educates you about all the animals, the project and Namibia. Even when you are at base camp there is so much fun stuff to do, such as going on baboon walks, playing with the tame cheetahs and the caracals and feeding the lions, leopards and cheetahs! It was amazing being part of a project which aims to preserve this paradise for future generations!
Maarten & Mica, UK, aged 27 (Big Cat and Namibia Conservation Volunteer)
Could not have asked for more from Gemma. We had asked several organisations about voluntary projects, but Gemma’s first reply sold it to us. Professional, friendly, quick, always responding to any little silly question – and I had lots of them. All great and will be checking out website for future holidays!
The project was very valuable. Majority of staff were from the local village and a school had been set up for the local children. The project seems to be doing a tremendous amount for the local wildlife by research and rehabilitation and by working with local farmers to inform and educate.
Sonja, UK, aged 32 (Namibia South - 7 days, Namibia South - 7 Days, Big Cat and Namibia Conservation Volunteer)