The Volunteer Project
The project is situated on a reserve around 22,000 hectares (55,000 acres) in size, which in 1993 was converted from cattle farming to tourism. The wide variety of wildlife species at the reserve include dik-dik, duiker, eland, giraffe, impala, kudu, leopard, oryx, red hartebeest, steenbok, warthog, wildebeest and zebra, and nocturnal animals including aardvark, brown hyena, honey badger and porcupine. In addition to this array of wildlife, you may see over 200 bird species during your trip.
A short time later the animal welfare foundation was launched, becoming the world’s largest big cat conservation programme. This is a non-profit organisation with a long-term objective to primarily preserve the cheetahs and leopards of Namibia, housing a 10,000-acre rehabilitation reserve giving these cats a renewed chance of freedom.
For the last 150 years cattle farming has been the major cause of environmental degradation, hindering the survival of the land’s natural grasses and plants and in turn the game reliant on them. Sickle bush (Dichrostachys Cinerea) has encroached on to the plains having previously been restricted to mountain fringes near the area. The project’s objective is develop and rehabilitate this environment, and implement long-term structures which will allow the natural land to continue to flourish. Your commitment and dedication to this programme will support the foundation’s aim to create employment opportunities for local people, enabling the future success of the project.
Volunteer Role
By choosing this project you will be undertaking essential reserve maintenance tasks which include; dismantling windmills, fence lines, old water troughs, bush clearing tasks, repairing waterholes, and dam & bridge maintenance. You will also have the fantastic opportunity of working directly at the Foundation itself, which may include; bone collecting within the cheetah camps, cleaning out the Wild Dogs water hole and erecting and repairing fences and netting.
Later in the day you will take part in a multitude of exciting activities including:
Leopard tracking and monitoring
The tracking of this magnificent creature will always take place from within a vehicle. You will be shown how to use the antennae and telemetry equipment and how to spot signs of injury, unusual behaviour and problems and report your finding to the cheetah foundation project mangers.
Cheetah welfare programme
You have the opportunity to work within close proximity to the cheetahs when taken into he rehabilitation enclosures. A guide will always accompany you and will feed the cheetahs whilst explaining the essential work taken place at the foundation. You will learn all about the cheetahs individual stories and why they are there which will provide a good insight into the foundation’s goals and achievements.
Cheetah tracking and monitoring on foot
You will accompany a guide and together use the telemetry system, this time to locate cheetahs. This may involve walking in the bush for up to an hour at a time, with each venture being completely different. You will ensure the cheetahs that you locate are in good health and report you findings.
Behind the scenes feeding run
You will join the foundation staff at a ‘behind the scenes’ feeding run of over 100 big cats in the welfare programme. Volunteers will follow behind the vehicle for a bout two hours depending on the big cats. The staff point out the cheetahs, leopards, lions and caracals and explain the history of each cat. This will really help you understand the work taking place at the foundation and how it is helping the cats and farmers like. Depending on the length of stay, you can expect to take part in the feeding run at least once.
Rescue and release of leopards and cheetahs
Should the event arise whilst you are in Namibia that one of these big cats needs rescuing or releasing, you will be given the unique experience to accompany the team and witness the highly organised operation.
Bushman walk
During this activity you will learn about the lives and the traditions of the fast-disappearing bushman tribes. The tribes live in harmony with nature and you will be shown how to make rope from plants, make fire from sticks, and how the tribes made traps for hunting. You will get to try out these ancient skills too!
Visiting the wild dogs
You will have the chance to see these pack hunting dogs at close range. They were rescued as puppies at just a few days old and have lived at the foundation ever since.
There will also be the opportunity to take part in birding walks, game drives, sundowners and a night sleeping under the stars during your time in Namibia.
You will work a six-day week with Saturdays off to relax around the pool or enjoy the walking 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 & 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 £2,639
