Global Philanthropy
Namibia
Africa without its wildlife - an unthinkable scenario, however environmental changes, human encroachment and lack of conservation education may drive many well-known species into extinction. Become a volunteer with a dedicated group of researchers and scientists that work tirelessly to ensure future generations are able to enjoy legendary African wildlife. You will be immersed in projects to save two endangered species; the cheetah at the Cheetah Conservation Fund and the Cape Griffon Vulture at REST. Team with local schools and communities to enhance educational output and living conditions. Waterburg Plateau and farms treat you to both indigenous and domesticated animals. Go on thrilling safaris at Etosha National Park and learn about their elephants from Dr. Conrad Brain, and Ongava's Rhino Project.
Day 1/2 - New York or Washington, D.C./Johannesburg
Board your overnight flight and arrive Johannesburg. Transfer to your hotel just over 200 feet away. INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT SUN. (Meals Aloft)
Days 3/4/5/6/7 - Windhoek/Otjiwarongo
Fly to Windhoek, where you are met by your professional guides. Drive to Otjiwarongo passing farms and ranches along the way - and the beginning of five days filled with memorable experiences.
CCF
Spend a full day at Eland's Joy farm, the home base of CCF which has grown into a sophisticated Research & Education Centre. Their mission is the conservation and management of world's cheetahs, especially working with local farmers to facilitate resolutions in order to protect the cheetah, including breeding and training of Anatolian Shepherds as guardian dogs to protect livestock. Your day may include animal care, ecosystem research, observing cheetah behavior, feeding cheetah and Anatolian Shepherds, while receiving an education about this critically endangered cat. Duties permitting, you will meet with the director of CCF - American conservationist Laurie Marker.
REST
Work for a day at REST; their objective is to research and provide logistic support for Namibia's endangered species. The Trust's primary focus is the Cape Griffon Vulture currently Namibia's most endangered species. Only one colony is left along the cliffs of the Waterberg Plateau. In the 1950's, this colony supported approximately 500 birds. Today, between six to eleven birds remain. Activities may include general animal care, monitor feeding, and observing visiting birds. Interaction with the researchers and scientists at REST will allow you to learn about their efforts to develop and facilitate solutions to aid local, national and international communities in protecting the Cape Griffon Vulture. Duties permitting, you will meet with the founder, American Maria Diekman.
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
Namibia is a vast and wild land dotted with local communities working hard to survive the sometimes harsh conditions. In order to provide stable communities, volunteers have been supporting efforts to build schools so children are able to receive an education without leaving their families behind. This will be a rewarding day where friends are made, games are played and desperately needed projects are completed, from painting, building shelves and desks, to putting together playground equipment.
Explore the Waterberg are on your last day - dominated by an almost 700 foot flat-top plateau of brick-red sandstone surrounded by lush grasses, fire lilies, and wild fig and coral trees. Hike along marked trails with or without a guide, and go on a wildlife drive for potential sightings of antelope, zebra, jackal and possibly lion. Depending on your group size, you will either stay with a local farm family or at the Frans Indonga Lodge modeled after a traditional Ovambo homestead. LOCAL FARM OR FRANS INDONGO LODGE. (B,L,D Daily)
Day 8 - Etosha National Park/Eastern Edge
Drive to the eastern edge of Etosha National Park, Namibia's premiere park and one of southern Namibia's premiere park and one of Southern Africa's most important wildlife reserves. Part of the Kalahari Basin, the Park is dominated by a massive mineral pan of flat saline desert that originated over 12 million years ago. Enter the park through the Von Lindequist Gate taking you past Fort Namutoni, a late 19th-century German fortress abandoned after WWI. Waterholes and subterranean springs are prevalent in this area drawing herds of giraffe, wildebeest, springbok and kudu with many reported sightings of the endemic black-faced impala. Watch for prides of lion moving in and dominating the waterholes. Tonight is spent in charming, thatched chalets. MOKUTI LODGE. (B,L,D)
Days 9/10 - Etosha National Park/Ongava Reserve
Travel south through the Etosha Pans to reach the Ongava Reserve - a private tract of land that has been returned to the wild. This is a big animal country where elephant, giraffe, blue wildebeest, Burchell's and Hartmann's zebra roam the forbidding terrain. Abundant antelope share the precious grasslands with ostrich and Kori Bustard. Lion, leopard and cheetah are well-hidden nearby. The reserve is home to the black and white rhino project, a custodianship in hopes of breeding more sustainable numbers to reintroduce in other areas. Dr. Conrad Brain will be joing you for dinner one evening to talk about the Etosha elephant population. An award-winning filmmaker, he was also the Park's wildlife veterinarian for 13 years. ANDERSSON CAMP. (B,L,D Daily)
Days 11/12 - Johannesburg/New or Washington, D.C.
One last wildlife run then it's time to drive back to Windhoek. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Johannesburg, where you board your overnight flight home. (B, Meals Aloft)
Optional Extensions
A Pre-Extension takes you to Sossusvlei's 80 million-year-old towering dunes sculpted by winds into sharp ridges. Enjoy unhindered views of the Milky Way from stargazing platforms above your chalets. Minimal wildlife inhabit this desolate landscape, so it's truly special to spot gemsbok trudging up a massive dune or spotted eagle owls perching on a long-dead tree. The Post-Extension journeys to Damaraland and Palmwag home to the only free-ranging wildlife, including the Hartmann's mountain zebra, desert-adapted elephant and rhino, and the largest predator population outside of Etosha. Meet with researchers from Save the Rhino Trust to learn about their mission to stop the poaching of rhino, elephant and other wildlife.
Your Safari Includes:
- Roundtrip air transportation from New York to Washington, D.C. to Windhoek.
- Superior accommodations throughout or similar.
- All meals daily.
- Conservation and service projects at CCF, REST and local school.
- Lecture by Dr. Laurie Marker at CCF, Maria Diekman at REST and Dr. Conrad Brain at Etosha National Park (all duties permitting)
- All wildlife viewing by private land rovers, driven by professional driver/guides.
- Complimentary bottled water in vehicles and at meals.
- All applicable hotel/lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
- All park entry fees.
- Complimentary baggage tags and passport wallet.