Duration & Fees
| 4 weeks | £1,795 |
| 5 weeks | £2,155 |
Please note: The currency conversion is an estimate based on today's exchange rates and is to be used as a guide only. All payments to Amanzi Travel have to be made in Pounds Sterling (GBP)
Start Dates
Volunteers can join at anytime throughout the year. We ask you to arrive on a Monday or Thursday if you would like your inclusive transfers. Volunteers can join on alternative days for a small additional fee.
This project is open over Christmas and New Year.
Payment
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
What's Included
- Transfers to and from the Windhoek International Airport or Windhoek City on a Monday or Thursday
- Orientation and support from the project staff
- Accommodation and meals
What's not included
- Return flights to and from Windhoek International Airport
- Travel insurance to include cover for repatriation
- Visas if required
- Use of internet and telephone
- Soft drinks, alcohol and snacks
The Equine Experience at the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary
This new project, specifically designed for more experienced riders, is located at the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary and will enable participants to enjoy their love of horses in the surroundings of the beautiful sanctuary grounds. This sanctuary, just outside of Namibia's capital city Windhoek, provides a refuge for orphaned and injured wildlife including carnivores such as lions, leopard, cheetah and caracal; primates such as baboons and vervet monkeys; birds such as peacocks and vultures as well as various antelope, small mammals such as the meerkat and many other species including farm animals.
Volunteers, who may join at any time of the year for a minimum stay of two weeks, will spend their time working with the onsite horses. Mornings will be spent cleaning and feeding, training young and new horses, as well as taming and raising foals when needed. Training will involve the use of Natural Horsemanship and Parelli tactics. These strategies use playful work from the ground as well as longer training rides in the bush with the more experienced horses. From time to time there will be foals which will need halter training and introduction to human contact.
Afternoons will be spent feeding the horses, riding, trotting and galloping in the veldt on the sanctuary's reserve. Other activities may include herding and helping to fix and build strucures around the horse camps.
Combining the Equine Experience with the Wildlife Sanctuary Programme
Volunteers to this Equine Experience will have the option to combine their stay with one or more weeks at the Wildlife Conservation Project where they will work hands on with the many animals that have found a safe home there, including cheetahs, lions and leopards. At the Naankuse Wildlife sanctuary volunteers spend time interacting with and caring for the huge variety of sanctuary wildlife. For full details of the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary - Click Here
The minimum duration for this project is two weeks however volunteers can spend 1 week on the Equine Experience and 1 week on the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary Volunteer Project if they would like - giving them the opportunity to not only work with the horses but the many animals and wildlife that have found a safe home at this fantastic sanctuary.
The sanctuary offers two clean and comfortable accommodation options: volunteer rooms shared by up to three people (single sex) or large tents with a living and bedroom area which are shared by up to three people. Twin tents are also available for couples or friends. The rooms are basic but the beds are comfortable and bedding (duvets and pillows) are provided. There are communal showers and toilet facilities with hot water supplied by solar energy which is sometimes restricted. A few of the tents have basic en-suite facilities at the back of the tent. Power sockets for electrical items are available in communal areas.
Depending on availability we may be able to offer one of the tents on a single occupancy basis for those who would like private accommodation on their own. There is a small additional fee for this. To find out more please contact gemma@amanzitravel.co.uk
Three balanced meals are provided each day on a self-serve basis. At weekends there is often a braai (barbecue). Vegetarian options are available on request. Breakfast typically consists of cereals and toast, lunch is typically pasta, stir-fry, burgers or wraps and there is a cooked evening meal - with meat or fish, vegetables and potatoes, pasta or rice.
Volunteers with special dietary needs should ensure they include these on their applicaiton form when booking or contact Amanzi Travel before they travel.
Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary
Why visit Namibia?
Namibia is one of those dreamlike places that makes one question whether something so visually fabulous could actually exist. It is characterised by vast open spaces, with breathtaking scenery and great contrasts – ocean, dunes, mountains and deserts. A predominantly arid country, Namibia can be divided into four main regions. The Namib Desert and vast plains of the Skeleton Coast in the west; the eastward-sloping Central Plateau; the Kalahari desert along the borders with South Africa and Botswana; and the densely wooded bushveld of the Kavango and Caprivi regions – a magical undeveloped oasis of waterways and wildlife, providing abundant game and birdlife viewing opportunities. Despite its harsh climate, Namibia has some of the world’s grandest national parks, ranging from the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park, to the dune fields and desert plains of the Namib-Naukluft Park. The Namib-Naukluft Park is superb for hiking, with a number of spectacular trails. It is also home to the renowned dunes of Sossusvlei - said to be the highest in the world - and the fascinating Sesriem Canyon. Windhoek is the country’s geographical heart and commercial nerve centre, with an ethnic mix of people, while surfers, anglers and beach-lovers won’t want to miss Swakopmund, with its lively entertainment and sporting activities.
Highlights
- Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s finest parks, both in size and diversity of wildlife.
- The Namib-Naukluft Park is the largest conservation area in Namibia and one of the largest in the world.
- Two spectacular deserts - the Kalahari and Namib - each with distinctive wildlife and scenery.
- The Namib, at 80 million years, is the world's oldest desert. Namib means “open space”.
- The Namib and Damaraland offer remarkably clear skies for astronomers and keen star gazers.
- Stunning Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon – it is 161km long, up to 27km wide and 550m deep.
- Sossusvlei are said to be the highest sand-dunes in the world.
- Superb birding and good fishing is available from the banks of the Kavango and Kunene Rivers on the northern border.
- Popular self-drive destination with excellent infrastructure.
- Largely malaria-free.
- More than 300 days of sunshine per year.
Climate
| Seasons | Max | Min |
|---|
| Summer/wet (October - April) |
40 °C |
20 °C |
| Winter/dry (May - September) |
25 °C |
0 °C |
| Rainfall: October – December “little rains”, January to April more stormy period |
The winter months (May - September) range from 25 to 30°C during the day but night temperatures may drop to below freezing. June to August is the dry season with very little rain. This can be a good time for game viewing as wildlife converge at the waterholes.
The summer months (October - April) can reach highs of over 40°C and nights in the 20°C range (in the arid central Namib Desert temperatures can fall to below freezing during the night). This is a summer rainfall area, but overcast and rainy days are few and far between. Welcome thundershowers may occur in the late afternoon, bringing relief to flora and fauna. In October and November, large herds of blue wildebeest, zebra, springbok and oryx migrate from the Namutoni area to Okaukuejo, where they remain until May.
Rainfall is heaviest in the northeast, which enjoys a sub-tropical climate, and reaches over 600mm annually along the Okavango River. The northern and interior regions experience ‘little rains’ between October and December, while the main stormy period occurs from January to April.
Key Facts
Population – 2.1 million
Capital - Windhoek
Currency - Namibian dollar
Language – official language English; most widely spoken is Afrikaans; half of all Namibians speak Oshiwambo as their first language. German is also widely spoken, plus some Portuguese.
Namib – means “open space”
Etosha – means “great white place”
Time difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 264, international access code 00
Before starting my journey to Namibia, I was very anxious as I had never done anything this this before and had never travelled alone before. Gemma was quick to help settle the nerves by answering any queries that I had promptly and helped keep me informed all the way up until I departed. When I arrived at the Sanctuary, all of the staff were really friendly and helped me settle in quickly. The experiences that I had there are something that I never thought I would have done in my life and I can safely say that it was the trip of a lifetime. (especially the baboon walk!) My only issue was I only went for 2 weeks! The work that is done at the sanctuary is truly amazing and the staff make you feel part of it by involving the volunteers in all aspects of life at the sanctuary, whether it be providing enrichment to the animals or helping to build enclosures for new arrivals. I would highly recommend going to Naankuse and also booking through Amanzi as their customer service and helpful guidance helped put me at ease and make the whole experience a lot less stressful and enjoyable. I definitely plan on returning to Naankuse and Amanzi Travel in the near future!
Jordan, Scotland, aged 24
A wonderful two weeks away arranged by Gemma. Nothing was too much trouble for her - I constantly emailed her questions which she promptly and politely replied to. Naankuse was a little luxury in Namibia, but the work they do for animals, children and San people is amazing. The Namibian Highlights tour was really fun and the accommodation and food standards way above our expectations. Our driver, Gideon was very professional and informative.
Mary and Family of 13, UK (Namibia Short Tour and Naankuse Lodge)
"We certainly were making a difference to the conservation of all the beautiful animals and they made us feel like our help was very well appreciated and needed"
Kirsty, UK, aged 19 (Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary Equine Experience, Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary)