Since the environment is of the utmost importance in Namibia, many projects and volunteer opportunities in Namibia are focused on environmental preservation. However, there are a range of other ways to volunteer in Namibia too.

Wildlife Conservation. Whether you want to volunteer in the wilderness of the Namib desert or on a private game reserve or even a wildlife sanctuary, Namibia offers it all. Between elephant camps, rhino conservation programs, and wildlife research, the opportunities to work with animals as a volunteer in Namibia are seemingly limitless. On top of all the land animals you can work with, it is also possible to volunteer in marine conservation along the coast.

Teaching. A popular mode of volunteering in Namibia involves teaching subjects ranging from English to mathematics. Teaching in Namibia will allow volunteers to experience the culture, establish close relationships with locals, and empower young students with knowledge. Increasing access to education for those that wouldn’t have access otherwise is one of the best ways to make a difference as a volunteer in Namibia.

Health Care. Those with medical backgrounds can offer medical support to smaller communities within the sub-saharan area of Namibia. Although prior experience is ideal, volunteers willing to learn or help with less-skilled health care tasks are widely accepted. There is always a call to action to improve the health of locals, specifically the Bushman and Herero communities. From volunteering at medical clinics to doing general health checkups in rural villages, all the way to teaching nutrition, there are many ways to encourage healthier lifestyles as a volunteer in Namibia.

International volunteers can conduct volunteer work in Namibia for anywhere from two to 12 weeks, but it is also possible to volunteer for an even longer period. English is the official language of Namibia, but language barriers still exist in rural places where local dialects are more widely spoken. Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, that for most is a second or third language and will be heard throughout the streets. It is not necessary to know how to speak any of these languages, but learning some key words and phrases will show interest in the culture and its people, which is especially important while volunteering in Namibia.