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Come and join other Shumba volunteers at this exciting new cheetah conservation project in Namibia!! The project began in August 2008 and by joining the team, you will be assisting with the long term goal of conserving Namibia’s large carnivores, especially cheetahs and leopards. You’ll be based in a bush camp near to the 10,000 acre Cheetah Rehabilitation Reserve, which gives previously non-releasable cats a second chance to be wild and free.
Over the years, cattle farming has scarred the landscape on vast areas of Namibia. Bush encroachment is destroying Namibian flora and fauna. Over-grazing has led to topsoil erosion decreasing the survival of natural plants and grasses and therefore the game dependent on them. Our goal, with your help is to reverse mans influence and provide more habitat for the cheetah and leopard to be released into, so that future generations can enjoy these magnificent animals.
Your normal working day will start as the sun rises over the horizon, coffee and breakfast made and then off to our work site. Bush clearing, building bomas, repairing waterholes and reserve maintenance will be the daily morning activity but this will be flexible. We will work with breaks until approx midday then we stop for a well-earned lunch and siesta time.
During the afternoon, you can expect to partake in a series of exciting activities including: leopard tracking, cheetah tracking by foot, visiting the cheetah welfare programme, bushman walks, game drives, birding walks or even visiting the wild dogs!! On days off you may have the chance to visit the cheetah welfare team and help with the feeding runs of over 100 big cats. .
You’ll also be able to see a wide variety of game on the reserve during game drives, including giraffe, zebra, oryx, kudu, impala, eland, wildebeest, red hartebeest, duiker, steenbok and warthog. There are also nocturnal animals such as porcupine, honey badger, brown hyena, spotted genet, aardvark and over 200 bird species.
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The cheetah conservation project will require you to help clear bush and provide habitat for more game in the reserve. In exchange, you'll gain an understanding of cheetah conservation in Namibia whilst learning about tracking big cats in the reserve. A sample of the conservation projects and activities you will undertake are:
Bush clearance and eradication
Cheetah tracking by foot
Game counts at waterholes
Tracking and bush craftsVisits to cheetah welfare programme
Leopard monitoring for research
Bush walks around the reserve
Fixing fences and patrols
Plants and animal studiesSoil erosion control
Assisting with feeding run of over 100 big cats
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The camp is located in the heart of the Namibian bush, which is basic with grass huts made from natural materials to give you a real feel of life in the bush! There is a central eating and socialising area, showers, toilets and limited electricity. Shumba volunteers have access to a swimming pool near to the camp. Meals are included and there are daily rotas so that everyone gets involved in the day-to-day running of the camp.
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The placement begins on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month and will run all year round, so please call for availability.
**Two week programme also available**
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| Project Fees |
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| Combination of Projects |
Yes you'll be able to combine this with many other Shumba conservation projects
Please see Combo Page for exciting ideas! |
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| What's Included |
1) Accommodation, Meals & Airport Transfers
2) Pre-departure Information and Support
3) Assistance with Flights & Travel Insurance
4) Project Booklet
5) Onsite Training and Guidance
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| Accommodation |
Dome Tents |
| Food |
3 meals a day included |
| Transfer to/from airport |
Yes, in host country |
| Not Included |
Flights & travel insurance |
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