The problem

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 mans 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. Believe us you will be getting up close and personal to this menace!

Your Mission

By choosing this project you will be undertaking essential reserve maintenance tasks which will include : dismantling windmills, fencelines, old water troughs, bush clearing tasks, repairing waterholes, dam and bridge maintenance etc. You may also have the fantastic opportunity of working directly at the AfriCat Foundation itself (when projects are available) which include : bone collecting within the cheetah camps, cleaning out the wild dogs’ water trough, erecting and repairing fences, fence maintenance 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.

Your Role

Your normal working day will start as the sun rises over the horizon, coffee and breakfast made and then off to our work site avoiding the main heat of the day. Your morning tasks will be varied and may range from dismantling windmills and fencelines, bush-chopping tasks to collecting bones within one of the AfriCat cheetah enclosures. We will work with breaks until approx 12noon then we stop for a well-earned lunch and siesta time until about 3.30pm. We then head off for your exciting afternoon activity to witness first hand the amazing animals living within our reserve.

Your Day Off

Saturdays will be your well deserved day off where you are free to relax, enjoy one of our walking trails, or perhaps visit the local swimming pool to catch some rays! This is your day, enjoy it!

Paws Pad

Accommodation, which is comfortable but simplistic, plus three meals a day is included in the cost of the programme. The camp is situated in the heart of the Namibian bush, and consists of thatched/tented hut accommodation, surrounding 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.

Equipment

Team members will be using a wide range of hand tools including : axes, picks, saws, rakes etc plus some machine operated tools. Everyone will have instruction on how to use these and safety talks will be given. Heavy duty work gloves must be provided by the team members and safety goggles will be provided by PAWS. Machinery is in the form of a ‘bundu basher’. This is a circular saw blade powered by a lawn mower engine on a wheeled base. This will be strictly monitored and will be based away from the general work area. In order to eradicate the growth of the sickle bushes effectively a strong weed killer will be applied to the bush roots by the team members. We will reserve the right to remove any person who does not adhere to safety procedures and is deemed dangerous to those around them. We want people to have fun but safety is paramount!