Namibia – A New Adventure – Center for International Programs

A deep growl reverberated through the brush. Golden eyes flashed under the harsh light of the morning sun. The huge male lion shook his thick, flowing, dark mane and lunged forward towards us. I’m sure he could feel the rapid beating of our hearts through the ground as we stood, frozen in awe and admiring the grand sight of him and his regal lioness previously lounging under the acacia trees waiting for the opportunity to hunt again.

 Any person can say they have been to a zoo and seen a lion before. I have too— many times. But to be up close to one in the authentic African bush is a whole different experience. Traveling to anywhere in Africa has always been on my bucket list and many times over the past few years I have tried to go but with no success due to different challenges and timing. During December of 2023, I finally got to fulfill this dream by traveling with SPC to Namibia and residing at the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary for two weeks.

Stepping off the plane to my final destination, Windhoek— was definitely breathtaking. The idea of traveling across the globe to another country so different from my own and where I had always wanted to visit was crazy to think about in itself. Then it hit me blatantly in the face as my foot touched the ground. I was actually there.

Every day at Naankuse was a new adventure whether it was the same activity as a previous day or not. What made our trip extra special and different from the other volunteers there was getting a unique presentation from one of the veterinarians who worked at the sanctuary about the immobilization of all different species of African animals. I enjoyed this a lot because my main career goal is to become a veterinarian for wildlife. One of the most interesting facts I learned in this presentation is that there is a specific drug used for rhinos that even the tiniest scratch from a needle can put a human on death’s doorstep. It was very interesting to learn one protocol from another between all the animals. Another interesting fact that was shared with us was that just as our pets need e-collars after being spayed/neutered– after baboons are sterilized, the veterinary team will paint their nails and place random sutures on their limbs to distract these primates from messing with the actual surgical site so that it can heal properly.

Activities involved a variety of tasks. Some were definitely more interesting than others, but I could understand how all of these activities aided in the success of running the sanctuary so that the people and animals that lived there could thrive. Our group took part in animal husbandry and enrichment, learning about and experiencing being a part of the APU (anti-poaching unit), camping, project work, animal research and tracking, horseback riding,  and being up close and personal with some of the most majestic creatures.

My favorite activity was the cheetah walk. It was one of the first activities I got to do after arriving there. It was a very simple activity but absolutely on the list of most memorable moments. During the cheetah walk, our group walked along an enclosed gravel path with the sanctuary’s coalition of three cheetah brothers. They were very relaxed on their walk. You would think that being cheetahs they would be fast, but in this situation it was us waiting on them to catch up! We were closely accompanied by one of the animal handlers at the sanctuary in order for everyone to stay safe. Of course we couldn’t touch the cheetahs during this experience but I was still thrilled that I was able to walk just about side by side with not one, but three of these lanky cats.

            One might think that cleaning cages and feeding and watering animals is boring, and while it wasn’t the most exciting thing to do, I did enjoy it. It gave me a lot of time to appreciate the animals that lived there and observe their behaviors and ways of life. It made me happy to see that I could make a small difference in their day just by providing fresh snacks or enrichment for them, or to help keep the enclosure cozy and inviting.

            I also really enjoyed traipsing through the African bush with the APU team, as well as joining them on an overnight safari and camping outside. This is where I saw most of the wildlife for the first time. I didn’t expect to see so many creatures in such a small increment of time. The rangers were very knowledgeable and were able to identify tracks and droppings of one animal over another and explain these things to us.

The APU team also has a group of canines that they train daily to assist them on certain missions and tasks. It was almost amusing to see these dogs go from serious and well-disciplined in training to goofy, floppy dogs that wanted love and attention as soon as they had been released. We were able to assist in basic assistance and observe the dogs tracking down an assortment of objects or attacking a potential poacher if faced with one.

            During our stay, we were able to visit the local mall and craft market. I found that most of the residents of Namibia were very nice and welcoming. They were just as curious as we were about our way of life in the United States as we were about their life in Namibia. There were so many beautiful creations at the craft market, and the aesthetic of the mall seemed very much like the malls back at home except for a few minor differences.

            Returning home was a bittersweet feeling. I was glad to be back for the holidays, and to see my family, friends, and my beloved cats and dogs. However, I think I left a piece of my heart back in the African plains. It was my first time in Africa and abroad, but certainly won’t be the last. This trip was enlightening for me and ensured me that I still am heading in the right direction with who I want to become and for that, it will always be one of the most influential chapters of my life.

-Madeline, SPC Namibia Study Abroad Program 2023 Participant