Big Cat Rehabilitation and Conservation, Namibia

  South Africa

Namibia

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: 2 - 8 weeks. Available year-round

Description: You will have the opportunity to work alongside cheetahs and leopards rescued by the AfriCat Foundation (or possibly even be called on to help rescue one from a local farm) to help rehabilitate them for release back into the wild. You will be very involved in reserve maintenance in an effort to restore the over-farmed, overgrazed landscape to its original state, with the vision to once again witness the magnificent cheetah stalking and hunting its prey in its natural environment. Located in the heart of the Okonjima Game Reserve, this exciting Eco-tourism project works alongside the AfriCat Foundation, the world's largest animal welfare program committed to the long term conservation and release of Namibia's large carnivores, especially cheetahs and leopards. Your tasks may be challenging at times but you will find it highly rewarding and satisfying to know that you have been part of the team helping to restore the local ecology back to its original natural state.

In addition, exciting afternoon activities will allow you the chance to work up close and personal with the big cat rehabilitation teams.

Highlights: - Cheetah and leopard tracking and monitoring for research
- Alien plant removal and bush chopping
- General reserve and fence maintenance
- Plant and animal studies
- Animal tracking and bush crafts
- Bone collecting in the cheetah camp
- Behind the scenes feeding run at AfriCat
- (Possible, not guaranteed) Accompanying specialised staff for the collection and release of Leopard and Cheetah through the rehabilitation programme
- The following are unlikely to be done by volunteers spending a short period of time on project:
- Game counts at the waterhole
- Fence patrols
On your day off you will have the chance to relax or continue exploring the reserve. The reserve's total expanse encompasses a 22,000 hectare (55,000 acre) operational private nature sanctuary. Game to be seen, besides the cheetahs and leopards include: giraffe, oryx, kudu, zebra, impala, eland, wildebeest, red hartebeest, duiker, steenbok, dik-dik, and warthog. Also nocturnal animals such as porcupine, honey badger, brown hyena, spotted genet, aardvark and over 200 bird species may be seen.

Qualifications: Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants' health

Cost in US$: 2 wks- USD 1200; 4 wks-USD 2400; 8 wks-USD 4800

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants' health

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to South Africa Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Written Application

African Impact's Mission Statement: African Impact facilitates cultural exchange programmes through volunteer work. We awards you the opportunity to immerse yourselves in local schools, health institutions, communities and wildlife conservation programmes. In this way as a volunteer you are able to leave your mark on a corner of Africa whilst at the same time experiencing a lifestyle that will shift your perspectives and allow you to see our world in a different light. We invite you to join us on a journey to Africa to explore, to inspire and to impact. We invite you to be more than a tourist, but to be a traveller, a conservationist and a humanitarian.

Year Founded: 1999