Paws Beyond Borders — Namibia 2018

Namibia — November 2018

Volunteering at a wildlife reserve in Namibia will forever be one of my favourite experiences.

One month in Namibia, life there was simple — sleeping in dorms or tents, often arriving solo, sharing space with people from all over the world, and living without everyday luxuries like reliable showers or internet. In return, you gain lifelong friendships and memories that stay with you forever.

One day might involve caring for baby baboons or walking cheetahs around the reserve. The next could be spent sorting through old fruit and vegetables, digging trenches, or helping with general maintenance — every task played its part in supporting the animals and the reserve.

One of the most memorable experiences was helping care for a rescued baby rhino called Hope, who was being rehabilitated. She was bottle-fed and kept company by two goats to help with socialisation during her recovery.

We also regularly took the "teenage" baboons out on walks. One in particular — Rafiki — was a master escape artist. If he decided to make a break for it, there was very little anyone could do. On a few occasions, we were calmly sent to our rooms while he wandered about collecting items he fancied. It was always handled safely, and thankfully nothing bad ever happened — just another reminder that animals will always be animals.

Game drives were another highlight, searching for the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant), as well as counting and monitoring other wildlife across the reserve.

At night, everyone took turns on watch to help protect the lions from poachers — a sobering but important reminder of the realities of conservation work.

Where we stayed on the reserve was also home to a few resident animals. There was Estelle the sheep, who very much ruled the area, along with porcupines and some impressively large creepy crawlies that kept everyone on their toes.

One of the most memorable residents was Mimi, the youngest baboon, who was still wearing nappies. Volunteers could sign up to care for her for the day, and I jumped at the chance.

Spending a day with Mimi was equal parts chaotic and hilarious. She played with everything, tried to steal anything she could reach, and made multiple attempts to escape — including near-misses with the pool and a few brave charges towards Estelle (who, unsurprisingly, was not amused).

And while the work was demanding, it wasn't all work. Weekends gave us time to explore the local area or relax by the pool, and evenings were often spent sharing drinks, playing pool, and swapping stories from the day.

A truly unforgettable experience — one that shaped how I view animal care, conservation, and respect for wildlife to this day.

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Location: Windhoek, Namibia Wildlife Reserve: N/a'an ku se Foundation — naankuse.com

— Sophie 🐾