The Volunteer Project
Based in a reserve of around 55,000 acres, the project area was converted, in 1993, from a cattle farm to a destination for tourists. There is a big variety of wonderful wildlife in the reserve ranging from leopard to warthog and everything inbetween such as dik-dik, eland, giraffe, oryx, duiker, kudu, wildebeest, impala, steenbok, red hartebeest, zebra and such nocturnal beasties as aardvarks, honey badgers, porcupines and brown hyena. There are also over 200 different bird species to be spotted during your visit!
Shortly after the foundation of the reserve, the animal welfare foundation was also launched to become the largest big cat conservation programme in the world. With a long term objective to preserve the Namibian populations of cheetahs and leopards, this non-profit organisation runs a 10,000 acre reserve solely for the rehabilitation of these cats, giving them a renewed chance of freedom.
Over the last 150 years cattle farming has been a major cause of degradation to the areas native grasses and plants as well as to the game that are reliant on them. In particular, sickle bush, a plant previously restricted to the nearby mountain fringes has taken over the plains. Another of the projects major objectives is to both rehabilitate and develop the environment, with long term structures that will allow the land to flourish naturally again. The dedication and commitment that you give this programme will be in direct support of the foundation’s aim of creating employment opportunities for the local people, which will in term, enable the future success of the project.
Volunteer Role
Being part of this project will mean taking part in essential reserve maintenance such as; dam and bridge maintenance, repairing waterholes, bush clearing and dismantling fence lines, windmills, old water troughs and so on. There are also opportunities to work directly at the Foundation, which would involve doing things like bone collecting within the cheetah camps, cleaning out the Wild Dogs water hole, repairing and putting up fences and netting and fence maintenance.
In the afternoons there are a multitude of other exciting activities to get involved in:
Leopard tracking and monitoring - Leopard tracking and monitoring will take place from within a vehicle. You’ll learn about using technology such as antennae and telemetry equipment to track these beautiful creatures as well learning how to spot unusual behaviours, signs of injury and other problems and reporting any findings to the foundation project managers.
Cheetah welfare programme - This is the opportunity to get close to the cheetahs by entering the rehabilitation enclosures. You will be accompanied by a guide who will feed the resident cheetahs and talk to you about the fantastic work that the foundation does. You’ll have the chance to learn the cheetahs’ individual stories, giving a good insight into what the foundation is looking to achieve.
Cheetah tracking and monitoring on foot - You will head out with a guide and the telemetry equipment to locate cheetahs in the area. You’ll walk through the bush for up to 1 hour at a time- every time you venture out is different to the next! The main aim of the walks are to check the cheetahs are in good health and you will have to report your findings.
Behind the scenes feeding run - This activity involves joining the staff of the foundation on a ‘feeding run’, feeding over 100 of the big cats in the welfare programme. You will be required to follow the vehicles for up to 2 hours depending on the cats. You will get to spot all sorts of big cats; leopards, lions, cheetahs and caracals and the staff will be able to explain the history of each of the cats for you. This is another way to get a great insight into all the essential work that is taking place at the programme and how it is helping not only the cats but the locals to. Depending on how long your stay on the programme is, you will get to do this feeding run at least once.
Rescue and release of leopards and cheetahs - If it is necessary on your stay in Namibia for one of the big cats to be rescued or released, you will be in for the unique experience of accompanying the team to witness a remarkable and highly organised operation.
Bushman walk - This activity gives you the chance to learn all about the daily lives, culture and traditions of the disappearing bushman tribes. These people live in harmony with nature so you will be able to master skills such as making rope from plants, lighting a fire with sticks and the innovative man made traps used for hunting.
Visiting the wild dogs - There is also the opportunity for you to get within a close range of a pack of hunting dogs at the foundation. The pack were rescued as puppies when they were only a few days old so they have grown up at the foundation.
You can also head out and take part in game drives, birding walks, sundowners as well as the unique experience of sleeping out under the stars Namibia style during your time on this project.
You’ll be working a six day week. Saturdays will be your day off to hang around the pool and relax or head out walking the trails.
What’s Included in the Programme
- Project Fee
- Airport Transfers
- Arrival Orientation
- All accommodation during your project
- All daily game/animal welfare activities during your project
- Three meals a day
- Tea, coffee and squash
- Full support and assistance from the on-site staff
What’s Not Included in the Programme
- Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement, which should include cover for repatriation
- All flights
- All visas
- All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
- E-mail/Internet and telephone calls
- Soft drinks, wines and spirits
- Any excursions over and above those included in the itinerary
Prices and Durations
Namibia Environmental and Cheetah Conservation - 2 weeks £769
Namibia Environmental and Cheetah Conservation - 4 weeks £1,499
Namibia Environmental and Cheetah Conservation - 8 weeks £2,759
