Namibia, with its vast deserts, high mountains, surreal salt pans, and diverse wildlife, offers amazing volunteering experiences to travelers. Located on the southwest coast of Africa, the country is especially interesting for those looking to make a difference in wildlife conservation. Through animal volunteering programs in Namibia, you can actively protect the habitats of numerous species, help local farmers, and explore the country’s breathtaking landscapes.
As with any type of volunteering, it’s important to choose ethical organizations when working with animals abroad. You don’t want to end up supporting a program that exploits wildlife or does more harm than good to the local communities. And that’s exactly why we wanted to cover the best tips for volunteering in Namibia with animals!
15 best tips for volunteering in Namibia with animals
Namibia has plenty of programs to work with its wildlife.
From choosing a trustworthy program provider to tips on how to be a good volunteer, here are our best tips for animal volunteering in Namibia:
1. Choose an ethical program.
First things first, choose a trustworthy organization that provides ethical wildlife volunteering experiences in Namibia. This way, you’ll make sure your experience genuinely supports conservation efforts.
Not to mention your own safety and well-being—professional organizations only take on volunteers when they are able to accommodate them. Check the organization’s website for volunteers’ tasks, accommodation information, and costs; these are good indications that the organization’s legit!
2. Look for local community involvement.
Although your primary tasks will be animal conservation, volunteering abroad is a perfect opportunity to get to know the local culture. While choosing a program, prioritize the ones that involve local communities.
For example, Natucate’s Elephant Conservation program has a five-day Building Week, where volunteers help local farmers by building protective walls and water holes so they can live peacefully alongside the animals.
3. Follow volunteer guidelines.
If you want a successful volunteer experience, take the rules and guidelines seriously.
Volunteer guidelines often include safety procedures, ethical considerations for interacting with wildlife, and best practices. Follow these guidelines and maintain a safe distance from wildlife, unless you’re told otherwise. The organization you’re volunteering with should have their own version of this relevant to your placement.
4. Do some research about Namibia.
Your volunteer experience will likely include helping to reduce human-wildlife conflict in Namibia. This is because locals often have to use the same water sources as elephants. As a result, elephants unintentionally damage the sources, and locals chase them away.
Do some quick research about Namibia’s wildlife to learn more about the reasons behind your volunteer tasks—it’ll make your work that much more impactful.
5. Keep in mind that Africa is a huge continent with 54 countries.
And Namibia is only one of them! Each country in Africa offers a unique set of landscapes, wildlife, and cultural experiences. Namibia is often confused with its neighboring country, South Africa. As a volunteer, your experience will vary in each country.
In Namibia, you’ll find volunteer programs with elephants, focused on conservation and education. Your wildlife volunteer program in South Africa will likely involve other animals, such as cheetahs, rhinoceros, African wild dogs, elephants, lions, and leopards.
6. Don’t forget that you’re there to volunteer.
There are many wonderful things to learn from the community as a volunteer.
As exciting as it is to travel to Namibia, it’s important to remember that you’re there as a volunteer. You may not have the time to both go on a safari and get some rest throughout the week. If you’re in the holiday mindset, volunteering abroad may not be the right fit. If you’re eager to learn, work, and contribute to the country in a meaningful way, you’ll love volunteering in Namibia!
7. Make sure you’re physically prepared.
Volunteering in Namibia can be quite intense—long walks, warm temperatures, and bumpy rides are all part of the experience. You’ll need to be physically fit to join most programs, but not all. If you’re worried about this aspect, be sure to reach out to your program coordinator to ask more about the physical demands of volunteering with animals in Namibia.
8. Check vaccination requirements.
The CDC recommends several vaccinations for visitors traveling to Namibia. Especially when volunteering in nature with animals, you may encounter dangerous insects and mosquitos which may carry diseases—make sure to check with your doctor that your vaccinations are up-to-date.
9. Basic survival skills will be key.
It’s important to brush up on your camping skills to volunteer with animals in Namibia!
Although you won’t be alone throughout the experience, your volunteering program will involve learning how to use a map and set up a camp. Thanks to these skills, you’ll be well-equipped for future adventures, be it camping with friends or going on a volunteer experience in another country.
10. Be open to new experiences.
When volunteering in Namibia with animals, you’ll need to be open to taking on different tasks and improving new skills! For example, you will most likely learn how to conduct elephant research and recognize their movement patterns. This is meant to be a completely new experience to you, so get ready to leap out of your comfort zone.
11. Ask questions to program coordinators.
Still trying to make up your mind about the volunteering project? Wondering if you have what it takes to work with animals? Not sure what to do when you need to communicate with the locals when in Namibia? Ask your project leaders and coordinators! They will be happy to answer your questions before, during, and after the volunteering experience.
12. Make a packing list.
Places like Namibia call for specific packing list items—so make sure to pack smart!
You’ll be expected to endure high temperatures in Namibia, so pack light clothes, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. It’s also a good idea to pack some insect repellent and long-sleeved shirts for chilly nights.
You definitely don’t want to skimp on research and proper packing for your time in Namibia, especially since your favorite toiletries and items from home may not be readily available. Don’t know where to start with your packing list? No worries! Just use ours.
13. Be a team player.
As a volunteer, you’ll need to communicate with project leaders, other volunteers, and locals. Follow the instructions, share responsibilities, and ask questions when you feel like you’re not sure what to do. You’ll make a much more significant contribution if you know your expectations and meet them!
14. Get ready for simple living conditions.
You’ll be in Namibia to volunteer with animals, so make sure you’re ready for simpler living conditions. Expect sleeping in tents, sharing your accommodation, and having limited sanitary facilities. Again, if this is a major concern for you, be sure to reach out to providers or your volunteer coordinator to learn more about what to expect.
15. Prepare for limited internet and phone connectivity.
Have a communication plan in place. Namibia sometimes has no service for wifi or data.
In conservation areas, you will rarely have an internet connection. You’ll be too busy learning about animals and admiring the vast landscapes, but your family and friends might worry! Let them know about the limited connectivity and make a plan to get in touch. It’s likely that you’ll have city days or excursions where wifi or data will be available to you from time to time.
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Next steps to secure volunteer work in Namibia with animals
Now that you’re fully prepared to volunteer in Namibia with animals, it’s time to plan the next steps!
- Decide when to go: You can find wildlife volunteer programs in Namibia throughout the year. The country’s climate is hot and dry year round, with a big temperature difference between daytime and nighttime. So feel free to plan your Namibia volunteer trip around school, work, or personal commitments.
- Decide how long you want to go: Programs usually run from 12 days up to 72 days, with the price ranging between €1,250 and €4,300 ($1340 and $4600). Depending on your other commitments and budget, decide how long you want to volunteer in Namibia.
- Pick a program: You’ll find many programs protecting desert elephants in Namibia. Read the program requirements and reviews, choose the best one, and apply if you’re a good fit!
- Book a doctor’s appointment: As you’ll need to be physically fit to work as a volunteer in Namibia, your host organization might ask for a doctor’s certificate proving your fitness level. Take the opportunity to ask your doctor about vaccination requirements as well!
- Check visa requirements: For many countries, Namibia is visa-free or requires an e-visa. Do check for your unique circumstances. Once this step is done, all you’ll have to do is pack and book your flight!
Explore ALL Animal Welfare Volunteer Programs in Namibia on GoAbroad.com!
Next stop: meaningful volunteering in Namibia!
Contribute to wildlife conservation, meet Namibia’s desert elephants, and let the beautiful African country wow you with its nature! With the right program, volunteering in Namibia will equip you with crucial conservation and life skills.
Compare Animal Volunteer Programs Side-By-Side with MyGoAbroad!
This article was written with help from Natucate. Natucate’s mission is to promote conscious travel and responsible volunteering while supporting conservation worldwide. Their programs currently run in countries across Africa, South America, and Europe.
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