Dreaming of volunteering at a world-famous wildlife conservation organization in Namibia? International Volunteer HQ’s Wildlife Conservation project offers a thrilling opportunity to support the rescue, rehabilitation, and care of African animals, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, antelope, warthogs, baboons, and more. Whenever possible, the goal is to release animals back into the wild while those that are too ill, injured, or habituated find a permanent home at the sanctuary where volunteers play a vital role in their ongoing care.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

As a Wildlife Conservation volunteer, you’ll be actively involved in caring for animals undergoing rehabilitation and those permanently residing at the sanctuary. You’ll also help maintain and develop the sanctuary, ensuring a safe and enriching environment for its diverse residents. This hands-on experience in African wildlife conservation supports a refuge for orphaned, injured, or conflict-affected animals.

The sanctuary is home to a wide range of species, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, caracals, warthogs, antelope, baboons, birds, small mammals, and farm animals. Volunteers participate in:

Preparing food and feeding animals, including carnivores
Providing intensive care for juvenile wildlife
Observing cheetah physiology and their high-speed runs
Assisting with habitat construction, fence work, and road maintenance
Tracking and monitoring high-profile species
Conducting research on free-roaming carnivores, camera trap data, and GPS tracking
Taking part in game counts on horseback
Partaking in “Rhino Rangers Lite” programme activities, including tracking and overnight bush stays
Responding to conflict calls (if needed)
General sanctuary maintenance and cleaning

Tasks rotate among volunteers to provide well-rounded experience in animal care, conservation, and site upkeep. Activities vary by season and sanctuary needs, and a moderate level of fitness is recommended.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #15: Life on Land

Human activity has altered almost 75% of the earth’s surface and around 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction. Nature is critical to our survival. We must promote kindness to animals and use regenerative techniques to combat deforestation, conserve biodiversity and protect wildlife.

Why do Wildlife Conservation volunteering in Namibia with IVHQ?

As a wildlife volunteer in Namibia you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

Supporting conservation and wildlife preservation efforts
Helping care for orphaned and injured animals
Developing your communication skills
Gaining a wide range of conservation volunteer experience
Learning about wildlife and the challenges it faces
Experiencing life in the African outback

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their start date, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead.

Volunteers must have a moderate level of fitness.

Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.

All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.

Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

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Who is going?

Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.