Conservation Work at a Wildlife Orphanage

  Namibia

Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Arrival into Windhoek is every Thursday beginning Nov. 2008. (Project begins on Fridays.)

Description: Namibia is a technicolor dreamscape. Its major game park, which centers on the Great Etosha Pan, offers an exceptional range and abundance of wildlife and a landscape that could not provide a more striking backdrop for it. The coastal region is one of the world's most captivating desert regions, and in the south lies a canyon second in magnificence only to the Grand Canyon itself.

Daytime heat, rather than rain, is the primary concern for most travellers to Namibia. While temperatures are generally comfortable year round, the warmest season is the period extending from November to March.

This project is one of the only wildlife orphanages and welfare centers in the work. Ranging from lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog to meerkat and baboon, more than 200 wild animals have made this project their home. The project takes you 250 kms from Windhoek. The farm is set in the Amaheke Region, which covers 4.9 million hectares of farming land. During the past 30 years this family-run farm has dedicated its time to establish the most suitable and especially secure home possible for neglected or orphaned wild animals. From the time that people became aware of their dedication, not a single week has passed without a further injured or orphaned animal finding its way to the project.

Five categories of animals have found their way to this project. They are problem animals, injured animals, pets, orphaned baby animals, and animals born at the project.

Volunteers have the opportunity of: being trained to feed cheetahs and baboons; look after and hand rear baby animals; feedings 4-5 times/day; cleaning of baby animals; night duty (including having baby animals sleeping in your bed with you); building camps, erecting fences around the project; assisting with repair and building of other structures on the farm; and training to assist as field guides for daily tours of the project.

Highlights: Volunteers may have the opportunity to have baby animals sleep in bed with you and hand rear the baby animals.

Cost in US$: 1850 for 2 weeks. Please visit our website for additional information.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: There is not a typical volunteer at GeoVisions. Volunteers are college students, retired people, professionals who want to give back in volunteering for a short period of time. Volunteers are interested in conservation, children, poverty, teaching, computers, sports and so much more.

Age Range: 18-39

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Namibia Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

GeoVisions's Mission Statement: GeoVisions is committed to help individuals develop global skills to succeed in the twenty-first century. These skills will ultimately lead to greater cooperation and understanding among nations and peoples of the world. We are committed to treating every person on a GeoVisions program with respect, and devoting our energies to helping participants meet their individual and collective goals.

Year Founded: 2001