Chameleon Holidays & Travel for Safaris & Vacations in Africa | Southern Africa | Namibia | P.A.W.S

Big Cat Rehabilitiation and Conservation Project

Aim of Project
Much of Okonjima’s reserve still harbour the scars and remains of old commercial cattle farming land.  It is this land that PAWS aims to restore and return back into a Game Reserve with the ultimate goal of introducing an amazing new variety of Namibian game into the area.  Cattle farming has left its scar.  Bush encroachment is destroying Namibian flora and fauna and with your help we aim to reverse man’s influence.  Over-grazing has led to topsoil erosion decreasing the survival of natural

plants and grasses and therefore the game dependent on them. Sickle bush (Dichrostachys Cinerea) previously limited to mountain fringes has over the years encroached onto the plains and taken over

By choosing this project you will be undertaking essential reserve maintenance tasks which include : dismantling windmills, fence lines, old water troughs, bush clearing tasks, repairing waterholes, dam and bridge maintenance etc. You will also have the fantastic opportunity of working directly at the AfriCat Foundation itself including : bone collecting within the cheetah camps, erecting and repairing fences & netting, cleaning the cheetah & wild dog water holes etc. Your task may be challenging at times but believe us it will be highly rewarding and satisfying to know that you’ve been part of the team helping to restore the local ecology back to its natural and original state.  Profits will go towards employing and training local Namibians to work alongside our volunteers 

Here's an idea of some of the activities you can enjoy

Leopard Tracking & Monitoring   
With the aid of a telemetry system and antennae your guide will use all his valuable skills to track and search for this magnificent and elusive creature. Leopard tracking is always vehicle based and once located the leopard must be checked for any visible signs of injury, unusual behaviour, problems etc and reported immediately to AfriCat as necessary. Volunteers will also be shown how to use the telemetry equipment and given the opportunity to track the leopards for themselves   

Now how about some of these activities -
Cheetah Tracking and Monitoring On Foot
Volunteers will visit AfriCat to join a ‘behind the scenes’ feeding-run of over 80 big cats  in the welfare programme. This will hopefully provide a better understanding of the aims of the project and how it helps the predator and farmer alike and lasts around 2hours. Volunteers will follow behind the vehicle which will stop to feed more than 80 cheetahs, leopards, lions and caracals. The guide will explain to the volunteers the history of each cat, why and where they came from and volunteers are obviously very welcome to ask any questions they may have. Depending on length of stay volunteers will undertake this run at least once, possibly twice or more  To experience witnessing a cheetah at close proximity and at ground level is truly amazing and very special.  This is exactly what you'll be doing on this activity. Again, a telemetry system will be sued byt he guide to locate the general area of the animal and an additional tracker will also accompany the group.  You could be walking through the bush for anything up to 1 hour, each time is different and always exciting.  Once located, the animal must be checked for any visible signs of injury, unusual behaviour, problems etc and reported to Africat as necessary

Hyena Tracking and Monitoring on Foot
To experience witnessing a hyena at close proximity and at ground level is truly amazing and very special. This is exactly what you’ll be doing on this activity. Again a telemetry system will be used by the guide to locate the general area of the hyena and an additional tracker will also accompany the group. You could be walking through the bush for anything up to 1 hour, each time is different and always very exciting. Once located the hyena must be checked for any visible signs of injury, unusual behaviour, problems etc and reported immediately to AfriCat as necessary

Bushman Walk
The bushman walk is a highly rewarding and educational experience and aims to give volunteers an insight into the traditions and lives of the fast disappearing bushman tribes. Their ability to respect, live and co-habit with nature hand-in-hand is truly inspirational. Volunteers will be shown how to make rope from plants, make fire from sticks and how the bushmen made their traps for hunting. The volunteers will get the chance to try out some of these ancient skills for themselves too!

Tracking & Monitoring the Wild Dogs on Foot

To experience witnessing the wild dogs at close proximity and at ground level is truly amazing and very special. This is exactly what you’ll be doing on this activity. Again a telemetry system will be used by the guide to locate the general area of the dogs and an additional tracker will also accompany the group. You could be walking through the bush for anything up to 1 hour, each time is different and always very exciting. Once located the wild dogs must be checked for any visible signs of injury, unusual behaviour, problems etc and reported immediately to AfriCat as necessary

There's more....
Birding Walks
With over 250 species of birds sighted at Okonjima including endemics such as Carp’s Black Tit, Hartlaub’s Francolin and the Damara Rock Runner, a real must for any bird enthusiast. Due to our bush location volunteers will have the unique opportunity of seeing and hearing many of the local birds surrounding them daily. Bird lists are also available for those keener birders. 

Game Drives 
A chance to view and learn about all the many animals that may cross your path during your drive, from dik dik to giraffe and eland to blue wildebeest. Who knows what the drive may bring but it’s guaranteed to be a fun filled and an educational afternoon.

Sun Downers
What better way to unwind after your day than to witness one of the most beautiful sunsets that Africa has to offer! Witness the colour of the sky blend from yellows, to oranges to deep reds and lose yourself in your own thoughts in this magical continent.

Where You'll Stay
The simple but comfortable accommodation consists of thatched/tented huts and is situated in the heart of the Namibian bush and surrounds a central eating and socialising area. Lockable trunks are available in each tent plus the use of a central safe for smaller valuables. Showers and toilets are provided, but water and electricity are limited. The aim is that volunteers get back to their roots during their stay in the wild and feel part of the natural world they are aiming to help. There is a real community feel to the programme, with daily rotas in place to ensure that everyone gets involved in the day-to-day running of the camp including wake-up calls and the preparation of all meals.

The three meals a day include a cereal breakfast, prepared at the campsite before work commences; sandwiches and fruit for lunch and a hot nutritious meal prepared each evening back at the base campsite. Refreshments such as tea, coffee, squash and water are provided, and all vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be catered for if advised in advance on the booking form. Other refreshments such as soft drinks, beers and snacks (biscuits, crisps, nuts etc.) can be purchased from the camp store.

Due to the location of the camp there is no laundry service and hand washing powder can be purchased from the camp store. There is a signal for mobile phones however this signal can sometimes be a little temperamental.

Evenings will be based around the campfire listening to the sounds of the wild and reliving our day. Live the wild side for a time…get back to your roots…feel like a bushman in our own little community.

Before and after your programme we recommend Chameleon Backpackers and Guesthouse in Windhoek, though there are a number of accommodation places in the city - just ask for more details