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ANIMAL CONSERVATION: The Noah’s Ark Project in Namibia

  • The best price guaranteed– starts at $1445.
  • Pay your fees directly to the project.
  • Help preserve the Big 5 wild animals of Africa.
  • Immerse in authentic local culture, travel and get an experience of a lifetime.

It’s important that we dedicate an aspect of our lives to the conservation of animals and the environment in general. For people who are looking to experience an extraordinary type of volunteer work in one of the untouched continents in the world, this project can be the best choice you can make. In the African Savannah. With its perfect setting, you will have close encounters with various wild animals and at the same time get to know people from different race and culture; as well as bond with them. Your experience with this project will teach you 2 things; first, appreciate and conserve the importance of animals, second, to be mentally and physically prepared for the unexpected.

The project aims to establish a reliable system for the preservation of animals in the savannah and the protection of the environment they live in. It provides a temporary shelter for recovering animals before they are again released to the wild; thus the project is named ‘Noah’s Ark’.

Involvement and Activities

Volunteers for this project will never run out of things to do, with their hands full of eventful activities which include preparing meals, attending to the care of animals, carpentry work on enclosures, cleaning the enclosures, building waterholes and fences, patrolling the fences, administrative works. Volunteers will also work with the local communities like day care work with the children and devising games and amusement for their entertainment. All of these activities aim to teach a volunteer, the importance of preserving and taking care of animals; opening their eyes to the conservation of their natural habitat.

Fees and Dates

Except our registration fee of $299, our fees are as affordable as $1445. The detailed fee structure of ‘The Noah’s Ark Program is as follows:

Duration Projects
1 Week N/A
2 Wks $1445
3 Wks $2065
4 Wks $2685
5 Wks $3305
6 Wks $3925
7 Wks $4545
8 Wks $5165
Extra Week $670

Volunteers should arrive Windhoek on a Thursday for the transfer out to the project the next Friday morning. Volunteers must realize that they will spend the Thursday night in Windhoek, and that transfers out to the project are done only on Friday mornings. Any volunteers arriving in Windhoek on a Friday will have to pay for their own transfer out to the project.

The return trip to Windhoek will always be on a Thursday, and flights out of Windhoek should only be booked for after 15H00 on a Thursday afternoon (or later).

Free time:

The remoteness of the area is conducive for socialization and some self-reflection. Activities may be limited because of the remoteness but that doesn’t mean that it’s not relaxing or enjoyable. Since this is a project for the conservation of animals, volunteers are encouraged to spend their free time with animals. Also, the village has an operational bar and swimming pool where volunteers can spend idle time. Radio and TV is not available in the area; hence, a good reading book is an important must-bring.

Major FAQ's

  • Where do I need to fly?
  • Volunteers must arrive in and depart from Hosea Kutako International Airport located in Windhoek. Volunteers will be responsible in booking their arrival and departure tickets.

  • How can I get to the project?
  • From Windhoek, volunteers are mandated to leave for the project site around Friday morning between the hours of 08H00 to 09H00; it would take about 3 hours time travel from Windhoek to the project site. There will be stopovers along the way for refueling or toilet breaks.

  • What vaccinations do I need?
  • The project area itself is not exposed to high malaria risk. The surrounding areas however are exposed to high risk. Hence, vaccinations are needed before you head out to Namibia. Also consider getting rabies vaccination to be safe since you will be exposed to wild animals.

  • How can I communicate with family?
  • You won’t have any problem looking for internet cafés or even reliable mobile phone reception in Windhoek. Notifying your family and friends about your whereabouts and the scheduled activities of the project where you will be participating is a must. At the end of the project, volunteers are advised to inform their respective families about their scheduled flight home. Notifying them before and after you head out from the project site is important because you have limited and no communication at all once you head out of base camp. For fast mobile reception, you can purchase local SIM card in the area.

  • How safe is the project?
  • Safety is the number one priority of the organizers of this project. However, volunteers are advised to take care of personal belongings and never to leave their travel documents behind, especially when travelling around the area outside of the project site.

  • Will there be someone to guide/supervise us?
  • Each group of volunteers is spearheaded by an experience supervisor who will be hands on in assisting the volunteers. As part of the routine, the supervisor will be meeting his volunteers every morning for the designation and distribution of tasks. Same meeting is scheduled at the end of the day’s activities for discussion on the daily progress or problems made by the volunteer.

  • Will there be other volunteers?
  • Since this is a big project, a number of volunteers from 15 to 60 people will be participating in the program.

  • Any other important information to consider?
  • With regard to transportation, always be mindful of the schedule because transportation into and out of Windhoek going to the project is by scheduled trip since constant travel using the project vehicle can be costly and far considering that the project is 300km from Windhoek. Scheduled transfer from Windhoek to the project site is every Friday morning; that’s why it’s important for volunteers to arrive no later than Thursday to catch the scheduled transfer. If you arrive early than Thursday, that’s good but you still have to wait for the scheduled transfer. On the other hand, the scheduled transfer from the project to Windhoek is also on the next Thursday around 13H0. For your flights out of Namibia, it’s important that you booked a 15H00 schedule or later since the shuttle only arrives at around 13H0. If by chance you missed out on these schedules, you will have to bear and arrange for your own transfer to the project going back to Windhoek.

    Volunteers will not be bored because they may choose to participate in the 3 day Etosha Link / Express, 3 days Sossusvlei Link / Express, 6 days Taste of Namibia tours; at their own expense of course.

NOTE:Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is derived from generic information about the country, and should not be used as a definitive travel guide. Travel information and situations abroad change constantly, and the information contained here may not be up to date. Participants should consult Helping Abroad staff or travel advisors to verify this information