african wildlife sanctuary, namibia - totally travel · tracking techniques. this research project...

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African Wildlife Sanctuary, Namibia

"There are no words to describe my time in Namibia - I had the best 3 weeks of my life at the

wildlife sanctuary" Maddy

“If you not only love African Animals but truly care about their conservation and want to see

them rehabilitated and thrive in their natural habitats- then this is the experience for you”

Michaela

At this exciting wildlife sanctuary volunteers have a rare opportunity to actively participate

in the conservation, rehabilitation and research of African wildlife.

The award-winning sanctuary relies on volunteers to help achieve its mission to provide a

safe refuge for orphaned, injured or ‘problem’ wildlife. They specialise in rescue and

rehabilitation so that individuals, once ready, and where possible, are able to be returned to

the wild – where this is not possible, they get to live out their days at the sanctuary in a safe

and caring environment.

With guests and residents including cheetahs, baboons, leopards, lions and a host of smaller

mammals and birds, this is an exceptional opportunity to get hands on with African wildlife

and many aspects of their care. Volunteers play an important role, helping with feeding and

cleaning duties as well as maintenance and development of the sanctuary. For a complete

African wildlife experience, spend an additional week with conservationists at one of the

remote research sites, monitoring elephants, carnivores and other animals in the wild.

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Trip Highlights:

• Huge variety of native African animals and birds

• Getting a friendly mauling from the playful baboons whilst out on a stroll !

• Walking with the cheetahs

• Horseback rides out in the sanctuary

• Optional week at a remote research station tracking animals in the wild

Snapshot

• Start Dates : Mondays and Thursdays year-round (arrive any other day and just add

$60 / £35 for private airport pickup)

• Pricing:

o 2 weeks AU$2,095 / £1,209 3 weeks AU$2,995 / £1,749



• Minimum Age : 18 if solo, children accepted if accompanied by parent/guardian

• Fly In/Out : Windhoek (WDH)

• What’s included: All meals, accommodation, return airport transfers, 24/7 support

• What’s not included: Flights, work visa (AU$185 / £106, we handle – all very easy !)

• Accommodation: Twin-share rooms or safari tents (with proper beds)

• Food: All meals are provided




Itinerary

Day 1 (Monday or Thursday) Arrive into Windhoek Airport (airport code WDH) and you’ll be

met by our staff and taken straight to the sanctuary – your home for the duration of your trip.

Settle in and get to know your fellow volunteers, the permanent members of staff and the

animals who also call this place home.

Day 2 (Tuesday or Friday) After breakfast on day 1 all new arrivals will come together for

orientation – this important session will talk you through the history of the sanctuary, its aims

and the important program rules to keep you safe. Then you’ll get stuck in ! Duties begin

around 8am and tasks at the sanctuary are varied, with all aspects of the program carried

out on rotation to ensure that everybody gets involved in the full range of experiences

available.

• Food prep and feeding the animals, inc the Big Cats

• Lion guard – group sleep-out near lion enclosure to act as night security

• Baboon walk – escorting baboon troup out into the bush reserve

• Cheetah walk – accompany rangers into the reserve, to provide open exercise for the

captive cheetahs

• Enrichment – creation of objects to stimulate natural behaviours

• Intensive care for juvenile wildlife, which may include overnight care for young

baboons and other animals

• Research activities inc camera traps, game counts, footprint identifications, etc

• Horse riding and stable maintenance (no experience required)

• Cleaning and maintenance of animal enclosures

• Other project work




You may also choose to be involved with the kinder or primary school which are located

within the grounds of the sanctuary. These facilities have been established to provide free

education to the San Bushman children whose parents work on site and who would

otherwise not have access to schooling. As well as learning how to read and write, the

children enjoy dancing, singing and playing. The children are extremely friendly and love

meeting new people – their enthusiasm and smiles are infectious to all !

Weekends During your free time there’s lots to do…or do nothing at all! Take a nature walk

across the farm, swim in the pool, play football or even go paintballing – but always make

time for the beautiful African sunsets. Saturday afternoons are set aside for fun and games

as a group followed by a braai (BBQ) for dinner. You may have chance to join a trip into

Windhoek or to visit the ancient San skills academy to try your hand at a range of tribal skills

including fire-making with traditional San fire sticks, making bows and arrows and jewellery.

Last day – (Monday or Thursday) On your last day with us at the sanctuary, having said

goodbye and packed your bags, we’ll whisk you off to the airport in plenty of time for your

flight onwards, or home.

Accommodation and meals : There are two accommodation styles, allocated on arrival – these are standard rooms or large, raised safari tents with proper beds. Both types are very comfortable and twin/triple-share – if travelling solo you’ll be paired with another volunteer (same-gender). Showers and toilet facilities are communal, though some have private.

Three delicious meals a day are included so you’ll enjoy the luxury of having your breakfast,

lunch and dinner prepared for you. You can look forward to some authentic African braais

(BBQ) on a weekend too !




Other information A work visa is required for this project, which we facilitate on your behalf

through our visa agency partner in Windhoek. It is all very straightforward and because it is

done electronically there is no need to send your passport away.

As a desert country, Namibia experiences an average of 300 days of sunshine in the year with hot summers and mild winters. There is no bad time to visit Namibia.The sanctuary does have mosquitoes but no malaria. A net is not a necessity, but do bring insect repellent.

Internet access is very patchy in Namibia – you may be able to purchase access while at the sanctuary, but please don’t count on it as it may not be available – if not, you’ll get the chance to get online in the city on days off.




Wildlife Research options

As part of your stay, we recommend you combine time at the sanctuary with a stint at one of

the remote research projects, a fantastic way to have a complete African wildlife experience.

We do recommend a total stay of 3 weeks or more to do this. Research weeks are

undertaken as a small group, escorted by members of the sanctuary team. All transport,

accommodation, meals and training are provided, and it’s just an extra $150 / £86 per week

over the standard sanctuary program.

A more detailed Info Pack is available for these programs, in short the options are:

Carnivore Research Volunteers have a unique opportunity to spend time at one of the

ongoing carnivore research sites in Southern Namibia. Neuras is 4-5 hours drive from the

sanctuary, Kanaan a bit further at 6-7 hours drive.

Here you will have the chance to track and monitor large carnivores and other animals in the

area, contributing to invaluable research that will help mitigate human-wildlife conflict in

Africa. Daily activities usually entail hiking in the vast outdoors of this semi-desert

landscape. Volunteers will be involved with all aspects of the research program, which

includes:

• cheetah feed

• assisting with capture and releases

• camera trapping

• night drives and sleep-outs

• radio telemetry tracking

• game count

• mapping and exploring the terrain and environment

• data processing

• maintenance and security on the reserve




Elephant & African Wild Dog Research Come and delve into the lives of the world’s

largest land animal and one of Africa’s most endangered carnivore species using GPS and

VHF monitoring technology, motion-sensitive trail cameras and traditional spoor (footprint)

tracking techniques. This research project takes place at Mangetti, 8 hours drive north from

the sanctuary. Daily activities usually entail hiking in the woodland landscapes, and program

activities include:

• collaring and tracking of wild elephants

• camera trapping

• GPS monitoring

• VHF telemetry tracking

• spoor (footprint) tracking

• conflict assessment

• community outreach


african wildlife sanctuary, namibia - totally travel · tracking techniques. this research project...

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