Q: Why volunteer with us?

The experiences provided at Naankuse are rare and unique. Volunteering at the Wildlife Sanctuary gives you the special opportunity to work hands-on with Namibia’s wildlife. We actively participate in conservation, which means at any time volunteers can be whisked away to assist in carnivore releases or mitigation of human-wildlife conflict. A whirlwind of exciting wildlife experiences, Naankuse provides you with the chance to make the wild your home. With their diversity of wildlife amid spectacular scenery, Kanaan and TimBila are the perfect locations to become involved firsthand with all aspects of our carnivore research programme from data collection and processing to ample field experience. You may also have the chance to be involved in humanitarian work with the San children at our Naankuse Primary School or the San at our Lifeline Clinic, providing vital education and healthcare to individuals of this ancient culture. What will you get out of it? That is entirely up to you, but many people find their experiences to be life-changing. One thing is for certain, you will leave with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Question 1

What will I contribute?

Accepted Answer

Volunteers contribute to Naankuse in two ways, physically and financially. Day to day maintenance of the Wildlife Sanctuary, as well as food preparation and feeding, is performed by our dedicated volunteers. For social animals like our baboons, volunteers provide vital daily interaction. In the case of research, volunteers join our research team to collect crucial data on Namibia’s wildlife. Financially, the volunteering fee goes towards keeping the sanctuary running. Without this stream of revenue, we could not continue to provide homes and care to injured and orphaned wildlife.

Question 2

Why volunteer with us?

Accepted Answer

The experiences provided at Naankuse are rare and unique.
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Volunteering at the Wildlife Sanctuary gives you the special opportunity to work hands-on with Namibia’s wildlife. We actively participate in conservation, which means at any time volunteers can be whisked away to assist in carnivore releases or mitigation of human-wildlife conflict. A whirlwind of exciting wildlife experiences, Naankuse provides you with the chance to make the wild your home.
​
With their diversity of wildlife amid spectacular scenery, Kanaan and TimBila are the perfect locations to become involved firsthand with all aspects of our carnivore research programme from data collection and processing to ample field experience.
​
You may also have the chance to be involved in humanitarian work with the San children at our Naankuse Primary School or the San at our Lifeline Clinic, providing vital education and healthcare to individuals of this ancient culture.
​
What will you get out of it? That is entirely up to you, but many people find their experiences to be life-changing. One thing is for certain, you will leave with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Question 3

What are the requirements to be a volunteer?

Accepted Answer

We welcome volunteers from all across the globe and from any age 18 years old and above. There is no upper age restriction to joining us, but please bear in mind you need to be fit enough for outdoor activities.
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You need to speak English while working on our sites. If English is not your first language, you should be able to speak it reasonably fluently. The Lifeline Clinic employs local people who can translate from San, Afrikaans, Otjiherero and Damara into English.
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No qualifications are necessary to volunteer and anyone can be a volunteer as long as they are prepared to work hard. Just bring a good attitude, team spirit and you are ready to go!

Question 4

How long can I volunteer?

Accepted Answer

You can stay for a minimum of two weeks up to a maximum of three months.

Question 5

What is the volunteer schedule?

Accepted Answer

The volunteering schedule works on a rotational group system, which ensures every volunteer gets to experience as many of the Naankuse activities as possible.
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The groups join two activities a day between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm. Lunch is from 1 pm to 2:30 pm.
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Weekends are not part of the rotation schedule. On Saturdays, volunteers participate in certain activities in the morning, and in the afternoon, enjoy a fun non-work-related activity. This is followed by a braai (barbecue). On Sunday, it is mainly food prep and feeding in the morning and a quick small animal feeding in the afternoon.
 
All non-working hours are free time to explore the sanctuary!

Question 6

Can I volunteer to more than one project?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! In fact, Naankuse encourages experiencing all aspects of our organisation. Tailor your trip to suit you by booking a full Naankuse experience. Explore the red dunes of Kanaan, the Naukluft Mountain range at Neuras, wildlife abundance at TimBila Nature Reserve or help clean up the coastline at our Coastal Conservation Project. Volunteer at Harnas, the oldest wildlife sanctuary in Namibia or assist in providing free healthcare to the marginalised San community at our Lifeline Clinic. And why not end your stay at our luxury charity Lodge where you can relax by the pool? Naankuse has everything you need and combining volunteer projects is recommended for a full experience.

Question 7

How many other volunteers are there?

Accepted Answer

At Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary:
Depending on the season, volunteer numbers can range from 15 to 65.
At Kanaan, Neuras, TimBila and the Coastal Conservation Project:
Kanaan:  up to 8 volunteers
Neuras: up to 8 volunteers
TimBila: up to 10 volunteers
Coastal Conservation Project: up to 9 volunteers
At the Lifeline Clinic:
Depending on the season, volunteer numbers range from 2 -6.
At Harnas:
Depending on the season, volunteer numbers range from 10-30.

Question 8

Where is the Wildlife Sanctuary? How far are other sites?

Accepted Answer

Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary is located just 45km east of Windhoek (Namibia’s capital city) and 35km from Windhoek International Airport, in the Khomas region of Namibia. The travel distances to the other sites from the sanctuary are as follows:
Neuras: 4-5 hour drive south
Kanaan: 8-10 hour drive south
TimBila: 4-5 hour drive north
Lifeline Clinic & Harnas: 4-hour drive east
Coastal Conservation Project: 5-hour drive west

Question 9

Can I volunteer with friends or partners?

Accepted Answer

If you book early enough there should be no problem in volunteering with your friends or partner. Please let us know upon booking if you wish to share a room with them. We will then also aim at putting you in the same groups for the volunteering work.

Question 10

Can I stay at the lodge and volunteer at the Sanctuary?

Accepted Answer

Yes, clearly there is a price difference, and you will need to discuss this with bookings@naankuse.com to check availability and rates.

Question 11

How much does it cost to volunteer?

Accepted Answer

Please download our rate sheet here. The prices stated are per night, so you need to multiply it by the number of nights you wish to stay. The longer you stay, the lower the nightly rate.
Naankuse solely relies on generous donations and volunteering fees. Every cent of your volunteering fee is ploughed back into our projects, allowing us to achieve our goals and continue our good work. The cost of volunteering depends on the length of your stay. For a quote, please complete the enquiry form.
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The cost we quote includes:
Transfers to and from Windhoek International Airport to the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary.
Transfers from the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary to the Lifeline Clinic or Harnas Wildlife Foundation on the set transfer days
Accommodation (includes towels and bedding)
Daily meals including breakfast, lunch and dinner
Full support and assistance from your program coordinator throughout your time at Naankuse.
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We do not cover the cost of:
Flights
Visas
Personal travel and health insurance
All items of a personal nature e.g. curios, gifts, clothing, toiletries, etc.
Snacks and alcoholic drinks

Question 12

I want to make a booking at Naankuse Ecotourism Collection for a leisure experience?

Accepted Answer

Thank you for your interest in experiencing the Naankuse Ecotourism Collection. We offer a variety of unique lodges and retreats across Namibia, each blending luxury with conservation efforts.

To make a booking for a leisure experience, please follow these steps:
Visit Our Reservations Page: Navigate to our official Naankuse Ecotourism Collection website: https://www.naankusecollection.com/our-establishments 
Choose Your Establishment: Select from our diverse range of establishments, including:

Naankuse Lodge: Located just 30 minutes from Hosea Kutako International Airport, offering tranquil bushveld accommodation amidst a 3,200-hectare nature reserve.
Kanaan Desert Retreat: A photographer’s paradise set within 35,000 hectares of the Namib Desert, featuring endless red dunes and crystal-clear night skies.
Neuras Wine & Wildlife Estate: Nestled at the foot of the Naukluft Mountains, this unique winery combines ecotourism with wine-making and wildlife conservation.
TimBila Nature Reserve: Experience luxurious safaris while engaging in conservation efforts within this expansive reserve.
Naankuse @ Utopia: A peaceful garden retreat in the heart of Windhoek, ideal for travelers seeking a serene environment.
Harnas Guest Farm: A sanctuary with roots in caring for the Ancient San people and wildlife, providing guests with memorable experiences.
Lianshulu Lodge and Bush Lodge: Located along the Kwando River in Mudumu National Park, offering authentic safari experiences.

If you have any specific questions or need assistance with your booking, feel free to contact our reservations team directly at collectioninfo@naankuse.com or call us on WhatsApp at +264 (0) 81 724 1185.

We look forward to welcoming you to one of our unique destinations in Namibia, where your visit contributes to the conservation and humanitarian efforts of the Naankuse Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions