10 Organisations to Volunteer For in Namibia

One of the best ways to get to grips with the astounding, and sometimes overwhelmingly remote wilderness, is to join a volunteer programme. Most are centred around the protection of endangered wildlife and supporting rural villagers, attempting to earn a living out of the county’s harsh and barren environment. Here are some of the more popular options.

Namibia is home to over one-third of the world’s entire cheetah population, but due to the fact that many live outside of protected areas, their numbers are falling and cheetah are now listed as an endangered species. The Carnivore Conservation and Research Project observes and monitors these animals and other wildlife in their natural habitat, with the aim of collecting invaluable research used to help sustain and regenerate threatened species. Volunteers can actively contribute to wildlife conservation by assisting in data collection, project site maintenance and hands-on interaction with animals.

Assist in the protection of Namibia’s unique desert elephants by volunteering for this worthwhile project that seeks to conserve the desert elephants and ensure safety and security for the communities who live with the local herds. Volunteer duties include elephant-tracking and monitoring in the Namibian wilderness, the construction of walls to protect valuable water sources, and the education of the local community. The programme warns that the first week could be physically taxing, but the rewards are worth the effort, as volunteers are given the unique opportunity to embark on a truly intimate elephant experience that exceeds any wildlife safari encounter.

Receive a hands-on, practical introduction to the care and conservation of Namibian wildlife with a volunteer stint at the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Animal Care centre. Any energetic and adventurous person between the ages of 18 and 45 is invited to apply to the programme, that lists volunteer duties including the daily care of mammals, birds and primates as well as the release of rehabilitated animals back into the wild. Everything from injured dogs and tortoises to lions and jackals are cared for at this centre, providing a sanctuary for animals that would not otherwise survive in the wild. Volunteer activities range from food preparation, animal feeding and the cleaning of enclosures to animal interaction, game counts and fence patrols.

This programme gives volunteers the rare opportunity of making a difference to both Namibian children and African wildlife by combining teaching with wildlife conservation. Up to four days a week are spent assisting a teacher at a local San school. Participants are encouraged to use their own creative ideas, skills and initiative to develop the school and improve the children’s education. When not teaching, volunteers help with the care and feeding of orphaned and injured animals at a sanctuary. Wildlife varies from meerkats and baboons to lions and cheetahs and the infant baboons in particular require special attention. Volunteers act as surrogates to orphaned babies by bottle-feeding them and even sleeping with them overnight.

Helpers that sign up to this volunteer project have the opportunity to work alongside qualified wildlife researchers at three different sites in Namibia. The primary aim of the foundation is to protect and conserve the vulnerable land, cultures, and wildlife of Namibia, as well as rescue species threatened by an ever-shrinking habitat. Volunteer activities include capture-mark release studies, actively mitigating human-wildlife conflict, researching cheetah populations, and ongoing camera trapping and wildlife surveying. Key species studied are cheetah, leopard, and hyena and the programme is ideal for those wanting to become intimately involved in wildlife conservation initiatives in Namibia.

The Noah’s Ark Wildlife Centre is a family-run care and rehabilitation programme where volunteers can care for and handle African wildlife. It houses orphaned, neglected, abused and abandoned wild animals and also seeks to educate and enlighten local farmers who often resort to shooting and trapping wild animals in order to prevent livestock loss. The centre works closely with the local San community and assistants get the chance for some real hands-on experience with Namibia’s wildlife. Along with caring for the injured and abandoned wildlife, volunteers are also expected to carry out maintenance on the reserve, assist local field guides and learn how to carry out project tours.