top

Wildlife South Africa

The Wildlife South Africa Project is a wildlife volunteer project designed for volunteers who have an undying love for animals and wildlife, and are willing to experience the African wilderness. The volunteers will participate in activities that will make a positive difference to the local wildlife and the environment. The activities that the volunteers get involved in will depend on various other factors like the weather, and will vary daily.

This should be an experience of lifetime, as volunteers get to witness a variety of wildlife including the Big 5, variation of vegetation, water pockets and rock formations.

Goal of the Project

The project is aimed at wildlife conservation and will engage the volunteers in various activities that are directed towards bringing positive changes in the local wildlife, like fence patrolling, removing alien vegetation, patrolling, game counting etc.

Involvement and Activities

Volunteers will be involved in the following activities of the game reserve, but will not be limited to these:

  • Removal of alien vegetation in and out of the reserve.
  • Lion Tracking and monitoring
  • Wildlife Structures
  • Tree Planting and Landscapes
  • Predator interaction and caring
  • Elephant Sanctuary
  • Fauna and Flora work at the nursery
  • Wilderness trail walks and patrolling
  • Fence Patrols
  • Game counts and captures.

Fees and Dates

Except our registration fee of $299, our fees are as affordable as $1220. The detailed fee structure of ‘The Noah’s Ark Program is as follows:

Duration Projects
  1 Week   N/A
  2 Weeks   $1,220
  3 Weeks   $1,790
  4 Weeks   $2,250
  5 Weeks   $2,790
  6 Weeks   $3,340
  7 Weeks   $3,880
  8 Weeks   $4,195
  Extra Per Week   $515

Every Thursday (for the transfer out to the project on the Friday morning). Volunteers must realise that they will spend the Thursday night in Windhoek, and only transfer out to the project on the Friday morning. Any volunteers only arriving in Windhoek on the 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