Carnivore and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra Research, Namibia

Located in the majestic Naukluft Mountain range and the Tsauchab river system these environments along with springs provide specialised ecosystems and contain highly adapted wildlife that the Neuras team strives to protect and study. As well as protecting wildlife Neuras also produces wine on-site and volunteers can assist with harvesting, bottling, and labelling, all of which are done by hand. This novel approach helps to sustain the conservation project.

Volunteers will help the team record wildlife information from game counts, wildlife cameras, site exploration, and carnivore GPS data as well as helping with specific research on Black-backed Jackals and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. The research will also include searching for leopard scat for which to carry out a dietary analysis on, but the primary focus of the discussion and camera trapping work will be centred on Black-backed Jackals and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra. The information recorded by volunteers will contribute to the management of the estate. Volunteers will also get the opportunity to attend a day trip to the iconic red Sossusvlei Dunes. A stunning landscape in Namibia, the dunes are an absolute must-see.

Location

Namibia is located in South West Africa, bordering on South Africa, Botswana, Angola and Zambia. Home to many contrasting environments the country is known for both desert and long stretches of coastline. Conservation is a national priority and Namibia has some of the largest and most well known national parks in the region.

Located only thirty minutes from Hosea Kutako International Airport amongst camel thorn trees, riverbeds, and a stone canyon, the Wildlife Sanctuary is perfectly situated to start or finish your trip to Namibia. This is where the head office is and the main volunteer activities take place. If you choose to combine with the other sites, Neuras is 2 hours away and Kanaan a further 2 hours drive.

Accommodation

Lodging will be in the form of a new tented camp. The camp is comprised of 6 tents, each with 2 single beds, and shared bathrooms. There is also a swimming pool and a BBQ area.

Volunteers will receive three meals a day. This will include a standard breakfast, a variety of lunches such as sandwiches, burgers and salads and dinner (typically a warm meal). Once a week volunteers will be treated to a traditional Namibian braai (barbeque) as well as a Neuras favourite; brick oven pizza night! Vegetarians can be catered for.

Project Dates

You may stay from 2 weeks to 3 months at any start or end date, however, we have set induction days on Tuesdays and Fridays and thus recommend that volunteers arrive on either a Monday or Thursday.

For more details on how the programme works, dates, costs and how to apply, please visit our detailed project page here.