So you have decided you want to help make a difference and spend your holiday volunteering with animals. You’ve had your heart set on travelling to Namibia and experiencing some of the incredibly diverse wildlife Africa has to offer up close and personal. But what exactly would a trip to this African gem entail? Here we are going to take a look at some of the incredible activities you can do at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary in a bit more detail!
Animal Feeding
At a sanctuary which is home to well over 100 animals at any one time, feeding is a hugely important job. You’ll be responsible for preparing food and feeding all of the animals each day. Fruit, vegetables, meat, and basically anything else that can be recycled will be here, and this is all used to feed the baboons and farm animals who call the site home.
Carnivore Feeding
It isn’t just the smaller animals at the project site you’ll be able to help feed. The carnivores are the animals people are normally most interested in, and at the sanctuary you may be able to help feed the lions, leopards, cheetahs and even the rare African wild dogs.
Whilst they may not be in quite the same league as the aforementioned animals, you’ll also have the chance to hand-feed the resident meerkats which is an amazing experience.
Baboon Care
The centre is often home to a large number of baby baboons, and whilst in Namibia you will be encouraged to help look after them. This will almost certainly involve walks across the beautiful veld with these adorable babies! As part of the project you will also feed them, bathe them, and take them to bed so they have someone to cuddle with at night and don't feel scared. It is the highlight of many people's time here and is a crucial part of the project. Please note though that this activity will only take place when there are baboons at the sanctuary that need this level of help.
This is not a mandatory activity though, so if you are adverse to the baboons cute faces you don’t have to look after them!
Clever Cubs School
It’s not all about the animals here at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary! There is an onsite school which was built to help educate the children of the local San tribe as well as the children of some of the staff who work at the sanctuary.
If you choose to volunteer here you will spend one afternoon a week (more if you want!) working with the children at the school, teaching them English and playing games. This is a high point of many volunteers time in Namibia as seeing the children’s faces light up is always fun!
Animal Time
The chances are that this will quickly become your favourite activity at the site. You will get to spend time playing with and looking after some of the animals on the sanctuary. There are many animals which will need looking after, so who knows what each day could hold on this amazing project!
Snake Awareness & Education
One of the newer additions to the activity roster at the Wildlife Sanctuary, you will have the chance to learn all about the snakes that live in the area around the sanctuary. Southern Africa is home to 143 species of snake, and in this activity you will be able to see some of these often elusive creatures close up. This is one activity you won't want to slither out of...
A Stay At A Research Site
As well as all of the amazing activities you can do when at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary itself, you also have the chance to visit one of the three uniquely beautiful research sites associated with the main project. Whether you want to explore the stunning red sand dunes of the Carnivore Conservation and Research Site in Kanaan, the imposing mountain ranges of the Neuras Research Site,or the rolling green expanses of the Mangetti Wild Dog and Elephant Project, you can be sure that all three of these trips will certainly add to your experience of this incredible country.
These are just a taster of the activities on offer at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary and if you want to find out more you can take a look here. There is so much to do, so why not sign up and experience it all first-hand?
Like what you see? This project is on sale until the end of January, with 20% off all bookings! Book your place now before the spaces sell out!
