Conservation & Big Cat Rehabilitation

Volunteer Program
FAQ’s
Booking

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Volunteer in Namibia on a reserve and contribute to conservation by restoring and improving the habitat to its original state. This will help free roaming wildlife populations to establish themselves which in turn will support predators like big cats. Your help will also contribute to wildlife management and reserve maintenance. Experience life in the African bush and get to know these big cats at close range.

Location
The program and volunteer camp is located in central Namibia (south western Africa), approximately 225 kms (140 miles) north of the capital Windhoek and approximately 75 kms (47 miles) to the nearest town of Otjiwarongo.

The three meals a day include a cereal breakfast, prepared at the campsite before work commences; sandwiches and fruit for lunch and a hot nutritious meal prepared each evening back at the base campsite. Refreshments such as tea, coffee, juice and water are provided, and all vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be catered for if advised in advance on the booking form. Other refreshments such as soft drinks, beers and snacks (biscuits, crisps, nuts etc.) can be purchased from the camp store.

Due to the location of the camp there is no laundry service and hand washing powder can be purchased from the camp store. There is a signal for mobile phones however this signal can sometimes be a little temperamental.

Evenings will be based around the campfire listening to the sounds of the wild and reliving our day. Live the wild side for a time…get back to your roots…feel like a bushman in our own little community.

Habitat – the problem and restoration
Much of the 20 000 ha (50,000 acre) reserve still harbours the scars and remains of old commercial cattle farming land. Over-grazing has led to topsoil erosion, decline of the herbaceous layer and bush encroachment. reasing the survival of natural plants and grasses and therefore the game dependent on them. Sickle bush (Dichrostachys cinerea) previously limited to mountain fringes, and other species have over the years encroached onto the plains and taken over. Bush encroachment is destroying Namibian flora and fauna and with your help we aim to reverse man’s influence. Believe us you will be getting up close and personal to this menace! It is this land that the volunteer program aims to restore and return back into a game reserve with the ultimate goal of introducing an amazing new variety of Namibian game into the area.

Your Role
By choosing this project you will be undertaking essential reserve maintenance tasks which will include dismantling man-made structures, habitat restoration, infrastructure and general reserve maintenance. You may also have the fantastic opportunity of working directly at the nearby AfriCat Foundation itself (when projects are available) which include: bone collecting within the cheetah camps, cleaning out the wild dogs’ water trough, erecting and repairing fences, fence maintenance etc. Your task may be challenging at times but believe us it will be highly rewarding and satisfying to know that you’ve been part of the team helping to restore the local ecology back to its natural and original state.

Typical Working Day
Your normal working day will start as the sun rises over the horizon, coffee and breakfast made and then off to our work site avoiding the main heat of the day. Your morning tasks will be varied and may range from dismantling windmills, fence lines and old water troughs; bush-clearing tasks; repairing waterholes, dam and bridge maintenance etc. We will work with breaks until approx 12noon, then stop for a well-earned lunch and siesta time until about 3.30pm. We then head off for your exciting afternoon activity to witness first hand the amazing animals living within our reserve.

Afternoon Activities
You can expect to participate in a series of exciting daily activities including :

• Leopard tracking and monitoring from the safety of a vehicle
• Cheetah Welfare Program  - learn more and experience these cats at close range
• Large Carnivore Tracking & Monitoring on Foot
• Behind the scenes feeding of about 100 cheetah
• Rescue and release of leopards and cheetahs
• Bushman Walk - a highly rewarding and educational bush experience
• Visiting the wild dogs - witness these rare animals at close range
• Birding walks – familiarize yourself with the local birds
• Game drives - a chance to view and learn about all the many animals in the area
• Sun downers - unwind after your days activities and witness one of the most beautiful sunsets in Africa.
• Sleep under the stars – an absolute must. Witness the magnificent stars above you whilst lying in your sleeping bags.

Other Activities You May Be Involved In Include:

• Game counts at waterholes
• General reserve maintenance
• Fence patrols
• Plant & animal studies
• Soil erosion control
  
  

Your Day Off
Saturdays will be your well deserved day off where you are free to relax, enjoy one of our walking trails, or perhaps visit the local swimming pool to catch some rays! This is your day, enjoy it!

Equipment
Volunteers will be using a wide range of hand tools including axes, picks, saws, rakes etc. plus some machine operated tools. Machinery is in the form of a ‘bundu basher’. This is a circular saw blade powered by a lawn mower engine on a wheeled base. This will be strictly monitored and will be based away from the general work area. In order to eradicate the growth of the sickle bushes and other invaders effectively, a strong weed killer will be applied to the bush roots by the volunteers.

Everyone will have instructions on how to use these and safety talks will be given. Safety goggles will be provided but heavy duty work gloves must be provided by the volunteer. We will reserve the right to remove any person who does not adhere to safety procedures and is deemed dangerous to those around them. We want people to have fun but safety is paramount!

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FAQs

Who can participate?
Previous knowledge or experience is not required, just a willingness to work hard and enjoy every moment! The vision behind the project is for those with a passion for conservation, a lust for life and a desire to be at one with nature! You will be given the opportunity to have a life changing experience with the knowledge that through your hard work and dedication we are one step closer to giving Africa back to nature!

A reasonable level of fitness is required as much of the daily work is manual and it can get very hot in the daytime, especially during summer.

How Long Can I Stay?
The volunteer program runs on a 2 week rotation basis, typically from a Saturday to a Friday. The minimum stay is 2 weeks and the maximum stay is 8 weeks.

How Do I Get To The Volunteer Camp?
To - In order to conform with incoming flights we will arrange transportation for all volunteers to be collected from Windhoek International Airport or from a central location in Windhoek on Saturday mornings only, to be transferred directly to the volunteer camp once every 2 weeks. En-route to the volunteer camp you will be given the opportunity to stock up on any provisions from a supermarket for the duration of your stay.  Please pack for the duration of your stay as trips into town from the project are not guaranteed or scheduled.

From - We will arrange return transportation on the same basis from the volunteer camp to Windhoek on Fridays only once every 2 weeks.

Contact the office of Eko Tracks for advice on transportation from the airport to Windhoek and accommodation in Windhoek.

Personal Insurance
Volunteers are required to take out appropriate and adequate medical insurance cover including evacuation & repatriation for the duration of their stay.

Health & Safety

• First aid is available on site
• Local doctors, dentists and hospitals are available in Otjiwarongo (75 kms or 47 miles away)
• Tetanus vaccination is highly recommended, however please consult your GP for advice on immunization requirements or visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (www.cdc.gov)
• The area is generally malaria free, but it is recommended to take malaria prophylaxis
  
  

Do I Need a Passport and Visa?
Passport
The passport has to be valid 6 months after departure from the host country and has to have at least 3 blank pages (excluding the 2 endorsement pages for all US passport holders).   

Work Visa
As a volunteer, you need to be in possession of a work visa to be able to enter the country. Details will be sent to you once your booking has been confirmed.

What To Bring
Once your booking has been confirmed you will be send a Tour Dossier with a full list of items to bring with you. In addition you are required to bring a pair of heavy duty work gloves.

Communication
Internet facilities are available to volunteers at a small charge.  Land line phones are not available with the exception of emergencies. There is a signal for mobile phones, this signal can sometimes be a little temperamental but we recommend you do bring your mobile phone. Please set your phone to roaming.

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BOOKING

Price

Price Includes

• Work visa fees
• Transfers to and from the project
• Accommodation and three meals a day
• Tea, coffee and juice
• Full orientation by staff on arrival
• The project itself
• All daily activities
• Support from the project managers
  
  

Price Exncludes

• International and domestic airfares
• Travel and medical insurance to cover the duration of your stay
• Personal items
• Any expenses incurred in Windhoek or outside of the volunteer project
• Other refreshments & snacks.  Limited stocks can be purchased from the camp store.
  
  

How to Book

• Any person above the age of 18 years is encouraged to apply.
• There is no specific booking date, but read the payment policy under "Price and Payments".
• You can select any dates (minimum of 2 weeks) starting on a Saturday and ending on a Friday.
• Please complete the Booking Form electronically and send, mail or fax it to the office of Eko Tracks.
• Once we have received your booking form you will be pre-booked on the project and be sent a confirmation letter.
• After receiving the deposit, your place on the project is secured.
• You will be sent an application form for a work visa which has to be returned to the office of Eko Tracks at least 2 months prior to the start of the project.
  Note: Volunteers have to be in possession of a work visa before being allowed into the country.
• Eko Tracks will also send you a tour dossier with information about the passport, flight schedules, vaccinations, airport shuttles, accommodation, and a packing list to assist you in preparing for the trip.
  
  

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations shall only be valid if received and approved in writing.
8 – 4 weeks prior to arrival 50% refund
3 – 1 weeks prior to arrival 25% refund
Less than one week prior to arrival 0% refund