NAMIBIA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY AND BUSHMAN MEDICAL CLINIC
NEAR WINDHOEK AND GOBABIS, NAMIBIA

Volunteers on this combined medical/wildlife conservation project will gain firsthand experience of healthcare in a developing country together with the opportunity to care for and protect wildlife in trouble from all over Namibia that find a safe haven at this sanctuary.  Volunteers will help staff at the remote outreach clinic for the Bushman people, a deprived community in the Gobabis region.  The wildlife conservation element of the programme takes place at an internationally renowned wildlife project where volunteers will work up close with a wide range of African wildlife, including lions, leopards and the beautiful tame cheetahs! 

	Location:	NEAR WINDHOEK AND GOBABIS, NAMIBIA	Dates:	Volunteers should arrive, if possible, on either the 1st or 3rd Thursday of the month
	Fees:	£955 - 2 weeks (Medical Only) £1,255 - 3 weeks (combined - 2 weeks medical /1 week wildlife) £1,585 - 4 weeks (combined) £1,685 - 4 weeks (Medical Only) £2,155 - 6 weeks (combined - 4 weeks wildlife/2 weeks medical) £2,255 - 6 weeks (combined - 2 weeks wildife/4 weeks Medical) £2,795 - 8 weeks (combined) £2,885 - 8 weeks (Medical Only)	Payment:	£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
	Reference:	AV020

General Information

Medical Project

This project is ideal for volunteers with have some medical experience or who are currently working within the profession.  It may be of particular interest to medical students wanting to do their electives in a developing country.  Volunteers with no medical experience are also welcome.

At the Bushman Medical Clinic (Epukiro) volunteers will assist the local staff in offering healthcare to the Bushman people who are a deprived indigenous people inhabiting the desert areas of Namibia as well as Botswana and Angola.  The people have often been neglected, if not discriminated against, when it comes to medical care.  The project was set up in 2003 with the aid of overseas investment and is now run as a charitable extension of the Windhoek clinic.  The clinic has literally become a lifeline for the local people and an established part of a colourful community.  Volunteers may assist the staff in routine tasks such as: taking and recording observations, keeping notes, checking medicines, cleaning the clinic, wound care and dressings, monitoring pregnancies and participating in home visits and outreach clinics.  There will also be the opportunity to do some investigative research whilst at the clinic. 

The Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary

The location for this amazing project is a peaceful farm situated in a 1500 hectare game camp within striking distance of Namibia's capital Windhoek.  The reserve is set in the majestic savanna of the region with lush areas of vegetation extending up to a beautiful mountain backdrop.  The Otjihase River cuts through the farm in the summer months and hartebeest, oryx, springbok, kudu and occasional cheetah and leopard roam freely across the land.  The reserve serves as a home for those animals who are not suitable for release or have not yet been rehabilitated for release back into the wild. Animals from all over Namibia have found a safe haven at the santuary and volunteers have helped the dedicated staff to rescue, care for and rehabilitate these wonderful animals.  The proximity of the farm to Windhoek allows the animals to have access, when required, to the excellent veterinary care available there. 

This wildlife project was born out of its owners' involvement with the more remote sister project based in the Gobabis Region of Namibia.  It became apparent during the running of the Gobabis animal release sanctuary that sometimes a more contained environment and more immediate access to expert veterinary care was required in order to provide the best chances for the animals in its care.  The Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary was therefore established and animals that are suitable for rehabilitation are subsequently released into the sister site (10,000 hectare) or other protected sites in Namibia.

Volunteers are key to the success of the wildlife sanctuary - participation in the programme ensures the rescue, survival and rehabilitation of the animals which have found a safe home at the Reserve.  These animals are housed in large natural enclosures throughout the Reserve which replicate, as closely as possible, their natural habitat.

This project offers a great opportunity for those volunteers with a general interest in wildlife and a real love of animals.  The animals at the sanctuary include lions, leopards, wild dogs and cheetah.  There may also baby baboons, african wild cats, caracals, jackals, pigs, mongeese, meerkat, horses, dogs, cats and many more - any animal in trouble is taken in and offered a home.  There are always new additions who find a safe home at the sanctuary - volunteers may be lucky enough to go on a rescue mission and bring an animal in distress back to the Reserve!  Please bear in mind that this information is meant as a guide as the very nature of a wildlife sanctuary means the mix of wildlife can change at any time.

In addition to caring for the animals at the Wildlife Sanctuary volunteers may also have the opportunity to get involved in valuable predator research where they may be involved in tracking and monitoring wild cheetahs and leopards.

Please note that we also offer a dedicated research volunteer programme at the sanctuary:  The Namibia Big Cat Research Programme  

There may also be opportunities for volunteers to help out some mornings in the local schools, working with the bushmen children.

Volunteer Activities

Medical Project

General tasks

Volunteers will provide invaluable help in the day-to-day running of this outreach clinic where the patients that walk through the door each day will dictate the daily activities and may have the opportunity to observe and help the project doctors at work.  Volunteers can assist in the pharmacy with the dispensing of medications and stock checks, work on the clinic reception and at quiet times, help with maintenance of the clinic.

Clinical work

Those with no previous medical experience will be given teaching by project doctors, nurses and pharmacists on basic medical skills, history taking and examination of patients. Volunteers will then be encouraged to and supported in:

• Running supervised consultations
• Conducting patient observations eg. blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturations, urine dip, blood glucose monitoring
• Pregnancy tests and monitoring (including performing prenatal ultrasounds)
• Family planning consultations
• Wound care and dressings

Other activities

The nature and activities of the project are constantly growing and evolving in order to best address the needs of the community they serve. Volunteers may be asked to assist with the development of such developments by aiding with data capture and analysis, financial planning and the development of new educational tools and projects.

Wildlife Sanctuary

Food preparation and Feeding

Daily feeding is essential for the survival of the animals and is always the first priority of the day.  Feeding of the larger animals has to be kept as natural as possible. The smaller animals are fed slices of raw meat, vegetables and in some cases bottle fed with milk.  Volunteers should be prepared to handle and prepare meat.

Grooming, de-ticking and socialising with the animals

Volunteers will have the unique opportunity to work up close with the incredible African wildlife at the sanctuary and one of the most important activities is spending quality time with the animals - grooming, de-ticking and socialising are all important daily tasks.  A real highlight for volunteers is spending time with the tame cheetahs! Volunteers will also join baboon and caracal walks on the reserve, these take place at least every other day and if there are baby baboons volunteers will take turns in caring for them overnight in their rooms (bottle feeding, changing nappies etc).

Care for sick or injured animals

If required volunteers may assist staff and veterinary staff in caring for sick and injured animals.

Enclosure patrol

All larger animals are housed in purpose built extensive enclosures, surrounded by electric fencing which is powered by solar panels and which needs to be checked daily.  Volunteers will be selected to walk around the enclosures checking for animal digging activity and where necessary filling in holes made overnight.

Building and maintenance of the surrounding farm land

As new animals arrive on the farm new enclosures have to be built.  Volunteers will assist the Bushmen with the preparation of materials, digging foundations and waterholes and the erection of the enclosures.  Existing enclosures have to be maintained to a high standard and waterholes cleaned regularly.  The building of tree houses and look-out spots for game and bird counting are also activities in which volunteers may have the opportunity to partake.  Volunteers may also assist with clearing and maintaining roads and pathways across the farm.

Fun activities

Volunteers may participate in nature walks across the reserve where wild animals roam followed by camping out overnight and watching the sun set before sleeping under the stars.  A trip to the Arnhem Caves, where volunteers will come face to face with various species of bats is not to be missed and playing football with the local bushman children is always enjoyed.  There may also be an opportunity to visit Windhoek,Namibia's capital city, which is a vibrant place with lots of nice shops and cafes.

I spent four weeks in Namibia spending most of my time volunteering in two different medical clinics.  I also spent some time working on the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary.

I spent two weeks in a small town called Epikuro working at the Bushman Medical Clinic for the very poor and neglected Bushman people.  During my time there I helped provide basic treatment for patients that came to the clinic as well as spent a lot of time with the Bushman people in the community.  I especially enjoyed playing with all the Bushman kids.  They loved all the attention we gave them (especially taking their picture).  Hopefully I brightened their lives as much as they did for me.  Spending time with them and seeing their smiling faces despite the conditions they live in made me greatly appreciate the life I have.

After returning to the sanctuary from Epikuro, I spent the rest of my time working in a clinic in the city of Windhoek with the doctor there.  During this time I learned a lot about basic medicine.  As a future medical student I was glad to get a chance to take patient histories as well as administer injections and draw blood.  I was also lucky enough to observe one of the doctors surgeries and I spent a night at one of the local hospitals in the maternity ward watching deliveries.  Rudie, the Doctor was an excellent teacher and an amazing person in general.  I learned a lot and it was very satisfying to help the people in any way I could.

When I was not working at one of the two clinics, I worked at the wildlife sanctuary.  This was also an amazing experience.  This farm takes in animals that would not make it in the wild because of various reasons such as they have been orphaned or removed from their families by farmers.  The farm has 5 lions, 4 leopards, 3 tame cheetahs, 2 wild dogs, 16 baby babboons and many more.  I did such things as feed the animals, go on enclosure patrols to check all the fences, and basic jobs around the farm that needed to be done.  The highlight of my time there was getting to go into the cheetah enclosure and petting them.  It was incredible!

During my time on this project I met a lot of interesting people from all over the world.  There were many other volunteers that I worked with and I made many new friends.  I miss the people I worked with already and will definitley keep in touch with them.  When I first arrived I thought four weeks would be a long time but it went by way too fast.  I wish I could have stayed longer!

All in all this was probably the best trip I have ever been on.  This is an amazing project that has some amazing people running it.  I was so happy to be involved in such a worth-while project.  Obviously the medical care was needed, but what is happening at the sanctuary for the animals is extremely important as well.  I recommend this trip to anybody who loves animals or would like to get involved in medical volunteering and learn from a great doctor.  I hope I am blessed with the opportunity to return in the future.

Mark - USA - 2008

Support

Support and advice is available from the local Project Managers whilst on the project and from the UK Amanzi Travel Team.
Find out more about Amanzi Travel support

Orientation

A comprehensive information pack will be sent to volunteers upon booking their placement and further advice and information will be provided via telephone and email before departure.  A full orientation will be provided on arriveal at the project by the project coordinator.

Accommodation and Meals

Wildlife Sanctuary

Comfortable and clean shared accommodation including three meals a day is provided. Rooms are single sex and generally three volunteers per room however it may be possible to accommodate couples together if there is availability on the project on arrival.

Medical Project (Epukiro outreach clinic)

Facilities at the outreach clinic are very basic.  Accommodation is in a shared four-room house with two to three people sharing a room.  Volunteers will have the chance to buy supplies and will cater for themselves whilst at the clinic. 

Getting There

Volunteers should fly directly into Windhoek International Airport where they will be met on arrival and transferred to the project (approximately 45 minutes).  

Transfer up to the outreach clinic is either by road or light aircraft depending upon availability.  If the volunteer wishes to travel by light aircraft there will be a supplemental charge.

(There may be a number of ways to reach your destination airport - for further information or advice please contact Amanzi Travel)
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Fees

What is included

• A contribution to the project for items such as medical supplies, food the animals etc
• Daily transfers for your activities and road transfer to and from the outreach medical clinic
• Orientation and introduction to the project.
• "On-the-job" educational activities and support from local staff
• Accommodation including 3 meals a day

What is excluded

• Travel insurance (to include cover for repatriation)
• Return flights to Windhoek Airport
• Visas (if required)
• Optional light aircraft transfer to Epukiro outreach clinic
• Personal items eg clothes, travel goods
• Use of internet and telephone
• Beers, wines and spirits
• Any trips undertaken other than in the planned programme