NAMIBIA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
NEAR WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA

Volunteer on this internationally renowned wildlife project in the breath-taking surroundings of the Khomas region of Namibia. This incredible wildlife sanctuary was set up to care for and protect wildlife (mainly big cats) in trouble from all over the country. Volunteers will work up close with a wide range of African wildlife, including the beautiful tame cheetahs!  Take advantage of this unique opportunity to help care for lions, leopards, cheetahs, and much more. 

	Location:	NEAR WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA	Dates:	Any date throughout the year. Volunteers should arrive, if possible, on either the 1st or 3rd Thursday of the month
	Fees:	£795 - 2 weeks £1,155 - 3 weeks £1,455 - 4 weeks £1,755 - 5 weeks £2,055 - 6 weeks £2,255 - 7 weeks £2,455 - 8 weeks	Payment:	£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
	Reference:	AV001

General Information

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.

Volunteer Programme

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.

Volunteers may also have the opportunity to help the children at the local school some mornings. 

Volunteer Activities

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.

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 volunteer programme at the sanctuary:  The Namibia Big Cat Research Programme

"What can I say about the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary that will really give a picture of the most memorable and enjoyable time I spent there?  For a start, all the staff are extra friendly, helpful - and make you feel welcome from the moment you arrive to the sad day when you have to leave. The feeding of, and caring for the animals are everyday jobs that need to be done, spending time with the baboons were some of my favourite times there. Then there’s the more labour intensive work that needs doing, fixing of enclosures, levelling surrounding roads, etc - it all helps with the upkeep and running of the project for the welfare of the various animals that make up the sanctuary. Finishing off  building a shaded area for the horse enclosure, building and erecting a play/swing area for the baboon enclosure, are both projects that I was lucky enough to have played a small part in, and in doing so give you a real sense of achievement. The food is more than satisfactory, the facilities there are more than adequate, in fact, I’m trying hard to think of anything I didn’t truly love about my time on the project! I loved it there so much in fact, that after my initial four weeks there (which is all I had booked for), I returned after only two weeks on my next placement, cutting it short by two weeks, so that I could spend my final fortnight in Namibia, back at the sanctuary. It’s a family, and I am privileged to say that I was made to feel a special part of it - as I’m sure everyone who has visited would say!"

Graham Litchfield 2008

Support

Support and advice is available from the Project Managers whilst on the placement 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. An orientation will be provided on arrival at the project from the project coordinator including information on the current status of the projects and familiarisation with the local surroundings.

Accommodation and Meals

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.

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).  

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

Fees

What is included

• A contribution to the project itself including funding for items such as building materials, food, animal medications etc
• Transfers to and from the airport
• Full orientation and support from the project managers
• Accommodation and meals as indicated above

What is excluded

• Return flights to Windhoek Airport
• Travel insurance to include cover for repatriation
• Visas
• Personal items eg clothes, travel goods etc
• Use of internet and telephone
• Soft drinks, wines and spirits
• Trips undertaken other than in the planned itinerary