Experience hands-on conservation efforts with big cats, baboons and much more as a volunteer at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary!
During your time on the project, you will have the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of activities. These will vary depending on the needs of the sanctuary, with other activities not listed here potentially taking place too.
You can volunteer at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary in Africa for 2 to 12 weeks. Whilst on the project, you will be divided into smaller teams to ensure variety and equal opportunity when carrying out tasks and joining activities. Below is an example of a two-week stay, which will repeat for those who stay longer.
During your time on the project, you will stay in a fixed canvas cabin/tent. Each is complete with bed linens, plug sockets, electric lighting, and an open-roofed bathroom with a Western-style toilet and shower. Hot water is available for showers, however, as it is provided by solar energy, please be aware that it cannot always be guaranteed.
The accommodation is provided on a twin or triple-share, same-sex basis (except for couples who will be accommodated together), but it is also possible to pay a single supplement to have your own room (depending on availability).
If you’d like to spend a night, a weekend or more of your volunteer experience in luxury, you can book a chalet at the beautiful on-site lodge. Each chalet boasts a private veranda overlooking the bushveld, air-conditioning and an en-suite bathroom. The lodge itself has a tranquil dining area with stunning views, a bar, and a swimming pool.
A night at the luxury lodge is charged at an additional $203 per night for a single room and $176 per night per person for a double room, and includes transfers, dinner and breakfast. For more information or to check availability, please contact our travel team.
Three meals a day are provided for you at the sanctuary, with water, tea and coffee freely available. Breakfast includes toast, cereal, fruit and juices, whilst lunch typically consists of pasta, burgers, stir-fry and wraps. Dinner includes meat, fish, vegetables, potatoes and pasta served in a buffet style, and on weekends there is often a braai (a traditional African barbeque)! A vegetarian option is always available, and vegans can be catered for too. Additionally, a range of snacks and drinks (including alcoholic beverages) can be purchased at the sanctuary.
As this project is based at a wildlife sanctuary, there are animals here year-round, meaning there is no favourable time to volunteer regarding wildlife. Weather, however, can impact some people’s decision, and there are two distinct seasons which are explained in more detail below.
October – April: The daytime temperature during these months is between 27-32°C (81-90°F), and it remains warm at night with temperatures of around 15°C (59°F). December to March is also the rainy season, with some rain expected every few days, but not too much.
May – September: This is the driest period of the year, with nearly no rain at all. It is also cooler during the day; however, temperatures still reach 28°C (82°F). The biggest difference during this season is the night-time temperature which is much colder and averages 7°C (45°F) but can drop below freezing. Therefore, if you travel during these months, you will need some warmer clothes for the evening.
Public Holidays: Throughout the year, there are certain public holidays in Namibia, such as Christmas and Easter, and on these days, the activities are limited and focused on animal feeding. Therefore, please be aware that if you join at a time when there are public holidays, your itinerary will be more limited on these days.
You will need to fly into Windhoek International Airport (also known as Hosea Kutako International Airport) on your project start date between 7am - 5pm, where you will be met on arrival and transferred to the project. This transfer will take approximately 45 minutes.
There are several daily flights here from the South African hub cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as daily flights from a range of international destinations.
Citizens of most countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Germany and most of those within the EU, will need to obtain a Visa On Arrival to enter Namibia.
This visa can be obtained online prior to travel and will permit a stay of up to 90 days. You will need at least 3 blank pages in your passport (which must be valid for a period of at least 6 months from your date of entry) for the immigration officials to use, and you must pay the visa application fee of N$1,600 (approximately $95).
If you are unsure of your individual visa requirements, we recommend speaking to your local Namibian embassy at least 2 months prior to travel.
You will take part in a range of activities on this project including construction and maintenance tasks, therefore, a moderate level of fitness is recommended. No specific skills are required; all we ask is that you arrive with a willingness to get involved with all activities and that you aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty! Respect for wildlife and the ability to work as part of a team are also important qualities for any volunteer.
There are no specific vaccination or medical requirements needed to join this project. The vaccinations required will depend on the individual medical history of each volunteer. We recommend that you consult with your doctor/GP regarding your own vaccination needs as this will ensure you are protected and prepared to travel. In conjunction with this, we also recommend that you take a look at the Fit for Travel website for more helpful information on how best to prepare for your experience.
See what you could get up to as a volunteer at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary! This volunteer project offers you the chance to get up close and personal with some of the country's most iconic species.
Meet Paulina, Liz, Tom and Laurent who review the time they spent at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary.
Spending time with the baboons is a firm favourite activity among all volunteers. Take a look and find out why!
From lions and cheetahs to African wild dogs, take a look at some of the resident carnivores you might meet at the sanctuary.
UPDATE | Aug 2025
Just look at Nana now! Years ago, his mother was caught in a trap set by a local farming community. The trauma caused her to give birth prematurely, and sadly, she began killing her cubs. The sanctuary team rescued Nana and relocated his mother to the sanctuary. Nana was hand-raised, and though unlikely to be released, he now lives the most natural life possible in a huge enclosure on-site.
UPDATE | Jul 2025
Volunteers were treated to the cutest greeting at TimBila Nature Reserve as a baby elephant came strolling over, waving its trunk at them curiously.
REVIEW | May 2025
Volunteer Lara took a chance on our Christmas social media competition and ended up winning a life-changing wildlife adventure in Namibia. Read about her unforgettable journey here!
Namibia is truly a hidden treasure in plain sight! The Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary is a wonderful organization with great people and an ambitious mission to help wildlife and preserve the various natural landscapes of Namibia. I was fortunate enough to see so many incredible animals including: lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, leopards, cheetahs, oryx, eland, springbok, and the list goes on. Equally as rewarding, I met dozens of amazing people during my six weeks with the organization - both other volunteers from around the world, and the staff members who are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. I would like to mention Romeo, Sima, Dawid, and LeeAnn specifically for their continued help and hospitality. I would highly recommend spending at least 3-4 weeks at this program so that you can include one or more of the "extra" weeks away from the main sanctuary. I did the Neuras, Kanaan, and TimBila projects in addition to 3 weeks at the sanctuary, and it was a great way to feel at home and comfortable at the program while still getting to explore different regions of the country. Neuras and Kanaan offer incredible landscapes, and peaceful, quiet weeks in the sparsely-populated desert regions of the country.... Namibia is truly a hidden treasure in plain sight! The Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary is a wonderful organization with great people and an ambitious mission to help wildlife and preserve the various natural landscapes of Namibia. I was fortunate enough to see so many incredible animals including: lions, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, leopards, cheetahs, oryx, eland, springbok, and the list goes on. Equally as rewarding, I met dozens of amazing people during my six weeks with the organization - both other volunteers from around the world, and the staff members who are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. I would like to mention Romeo, Sima, Dawid, and LeeAnn specifically for their continued help and hospitality. I would highly recommend spending at least 3-4 weeks at this program so that you can include one or more of the "extra" weeks away from the main sanctuary. I did the Neuras, Kanaan, and TimBila projects in addition to 3 weeks at the sanctuary, and it was a great way to feel at home and comfortable at the program while still getting to explore different regions of the country. Neuras and Kanaan offer incredible landscapes, and peaceful, quiet weeks in the sparsely-populated desert regions of the country. Sunrises and sunsets here are amongst the best I've ever seen in my life. Note that these areas are not as abundant in wildlife as some of the other areas (specifically large wildlife) given the aridness of the desert. TimBila is an absolute gem of a wildlife reserve. Here is where you will feel like you're sharing a home with elephants, lions, zebras, etc. TimBila is a must in my opinion. I will be forever grateful to this project for the incredible memories and the new friends I made. (Show More)
What a fab experience for a 62 year old and yes you are never to old. Great place to stay and learn about the wildlife hands on. Walking with cheetahs was my favourite. We have laughed, walked miles, got dirty, no TV and the milky way sky at night was the best I have ever seen. Bring on the next one.
I visited the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary in 2024 for 3 weeks. I enjoyed myself so much I decided to return this year and also visit two of the organizations other projects. I was amazed to see how many people remembered me. There had been a few changes during the year, the most noticeable being an extension to the Lapa giving it and indoor barbeque area and two pizza ovens. The activities remained the same, food prep and animal feeding along with Cheetah Walks and horse riding. Everyone was really friendly and helpful. I also spent a week further south at the Neuras Vineyard where I helped in the vineyard, visited the Red Dunes, did some hiking in the mountains and of course enjoyed a glass of wine or two. It was a lovely way to see a bit more of the Namibian landscape. I enjoyed my time at both these projects and am hoping to be able to return again in a couple of years’ time.