My volunteer work in the wildlife conservation project in Namibia

Arrival and arrival

The project always starts on Mondays, but for the sake of simplicity, I left Frankfurt on Saturday to protect myself against flight cancellations and delays. My driver was already waiting for me at Windhoek Airport, and he drove me to the “Chameleon Backpacker Lounge” in Windhoek.

There, too, I was warmly welcomed and soon joined one of the numerous other volunteer groups that often hang out there. A little tip: Wear your RGV shirt, so I got into direct contact with another volunteer who had already worked in my project the weeks before. The nearby craft store offers a great opportunity to bid on beautiful, handmade souvenirs to take home and support the local community.

I was supposed to be picked up the next morning, which didn't work due to a communication error, but thanks to the help of the other volunteers I was able to spend the next night on another farm.

Areas

The tasks at my place of work were very varied. Divided into fixed groups, the tasks vary every day and also change with the number of volunteers on site. The daily tasks include taking care of the animals that live directly on the farm premises (this includes, for example, the meerkats or the bat-eared foxes) and preparing food for the animals that live in the lifeline on the outskirts of the farm (lions, leopards, vervet monkeys, ... ). But also the baboon walk, where you walk with the farm's baboons, or project work, where fences are repaired or bushes are cut, are among the most important tasks. At the weekend only the feed is prepared and the farm animals are taken care of.

Accommodation and life on the farm

We lived in 4-bed cabins in the volunteer village, which were mostly very warm during the day, but still very cold, especially in the early spring nights. You shouldn't expect great luxury here, but those who are used to the simplicity of camping will quickly feel at home. The washrooms are also kept simple, but clean and fully functional. Since the hot water is heated with solar energy, you can look forward to an icy shower in the morning - or you can use the lunch break.

In the volunteer village, we also have breakfast together every morning and in the evenings we often gather around the campfire and end the day under the starry sky. On some nights you could even see the Milky Way with the naked eye.

Breakfast was basically the same every morning. From time to time there were pancakes or something similar, but the peanut butter and jelly sandwich quickly became the best friend of all volunteers. Lunch and dinner varied every day, offering a lot of variety and based on European dishes, often enhanced with an African touch (I recommend everyone to try the butternut squash...). Once a week there is a barbecue together with the coordinators, accompanied by music and dance. On request, alternatives for vegetarians, allergy sufferers, etc. can also be prepared.

Leisure time, living together and highlights

In addition to work, there was also enough free time that you could spend at the pool, in the volunteer village or at the bar. Most of the volunteers actually come from German-speaking countries, but it was great fun exchanging ideas with the international volunteers. In order to be able to communicate well, school English is completely sufficient. You quickly learn the English names of the numerous animals that live on and around the farm. Personally, I also got used to speaking English all day so quickly that many text messages back home ended up in bilingual gibberish.

Another highlight was how incredibly close you get to the animals. The village is not specially fenced. That means: On the way to breakfast, you like to meet an onyx, impala or the ostrich Rico. Numerous cats also live in the village and look forward to being cuddled together.

To draw a conclusion: It was the best time of my life and I definitely want to go back! For the time I was there in Africa, I lived a completely different life and could just forget all the worries from home. I met so many great people (and animals) and I didn't want to go back. No matter which of us volunteers had to make our way home, it was like a part of the family was leaving. You grow together with the other volunteers in such a short time, you just have to experience it yourself.

Field report by Fiona, volunteer project "Animal Welfare for African Wildlife", September/October 2022