Duration & Fees
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 on any Monday throughout the year for a 14 Day period. Volunteers are asked to arrive on the Sunday before their start date and also depart on Sunday 14 days later.
Inclusive transfers are offered on the Sunday start and end date from Windhoek Airport or Town.
Payment
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
What's Included
- Windhoek Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Orientation on arrival and support from the project staff.
- Accommodation and meals
- Anti-Poaching Uniforms
What's not included
- Travel insurance (to include cover for repatriation)
- Return flights to Windhoek International Airport
- Visas (if required)
- Use of internet and telephone at main volunteer camp
- Soft drinks, beers and wine
This project is specifically tailored to emphasize the dire necessity of protecting threatened species. Rhino Rangers immerses participants in the exhilarating realm of anti-poaching methods and challenges. Learn first-hand from the valiant anti-poaching unit whilst spending two weeks with the intrepid men who have dedicated their lives to guarding the 7,600-hectare Zannier Reserve.
Located close to the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary, the Zannier Reserve is home to some of Namibia’s most threatened species – a conservation mecca, but simultaneously a magnet for potential poachers.
Rhino Rangers is a 14-day programme that can be joined on any Monday throughout the year. Participants will get to grips with the challenges of living and surviving in the bush, Namibia’s star-studded skies, the sounds of nocturnal animal activity and the roar of lions enhancing the thrill of Africa.
Join the anti-poaching team on their patrols, master firearm skills, navigation, tracking techniques and the science of poaching itself – to defeat you need to understand.
What can participants expect?
- Well, safety first. Rhino Rangers may be in the wilds of the Namibian bush but, in the hands of a highly experienced team and participants have nothing to fear.
- A bonding experience with your fellow fearless participants.
- A average of 8 participants into the anti-poaching world which are split into two groups, providing an intimate and involved experience.
- When not overnighting in the open wilds of the reserve itself at discreet observation points, rustic bush camps provide all the basic needs. Including a hot shower!
- To be supplied with the “real deal” anti-poaching unit provisions. These include two bona fide anti-poaching uniforms (shirt and trouser size will be requested upon booking.
- Food rations (everything tastes better in the bush veldt). The designated anti-poaching ranger will show participants how to prepare the food provided. Plates, cups and cutlery are all provided.
Following your 14 Days on the Rhino Rangers Experience why not join one of the other Naankuse Volunteer Projects. Please contact Amanzi Travel to put together a detailed itinerary for you.
Additional Projects you can join at Naankuse!
Why not spend one of two weeks on one of the projects below also!
Big Cat, Wild Dog & Elephant Conservation
For volunteers who wish to be more involved in the big cat, wild dog and elephant conservation research and the human-wildlife conflict resolution work, there are stunning research sites across Namibia.
Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary
Help care for the wildlife and big cats on this internationally renowned wildlife conservation project. The sanctuary never refuses an animal in need and offers a safe home too many of Namibia's injured and orphaned wildlife and where possible rehabilitates them back to the wild.
Medica Volunteer at the Namibia Lifeline Clinic - venture into the remote Gobabis region and help with the helpcare needs of the deprived bushman community.
https://www.amanzitravel.com/medical-volunteer-at-namibia-lifeline-clinic
Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary Equine Project - for those with riding and horse care experience, a great opportunity to enjoy your love of horses in the surroundings of the beautiful sanctuary grounds.
https://www.amanzitravel.com/naankuse-wildlife-sanctuary-equine-experience
Why wait? The decline in numbers of Namibia’s threatened species certainly isn’t and we need your help in protecting them.
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)