Harnas Volunteer Project
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How to get to Harnas Volunteer Project
To get to Harnas from the Namibian capital of Windhoek, one should drive along the B6 Trans-Kalahari Highway that connects Namibia with Botswana. The town of Gobabis lies 202km from Windhoek. Upon entering Gobabis on the road from Windhoek, turn left at the first 4-way stop. Drive 8 km towards the Buitepos border post through Gobabis using the opportunity to top up your cars’ fuel and get some necessities. Continue out of Gobabis towards the Botswana border. At a distance of 5.1km from the last four way intersection the sign “Harnas Lion Farm” will be on one’s left. Take the first road immediately after this sign also to your left, this is the C22 and is 45km tarmac up to the small town of Drimiopsis. From Drimiopsis until one reaches Harnas is gravel road. The following sign “Harnas Lion Farm” will be on the left at 45.6km. Turn right immediately after this sign. Keep left at the Y junction at 53km with the Harnas sign also on the left. The entrance to Harnas is at 92.5km where a big gate and a guard will welcome you. The guard will give you a guestbook to sign-in.
Latitude / Longitude: -21.77927, 19.34967
 Harnas Volunteer Project OverviewA WILDLIFE HAVEN... More than 3 decades ago a vision and a dream were created by one man and one woman: Nick and Marieta van der Merwe. This vision became the ground stone of Harnas Wildlife Foundation: A place where people fight for the life of animals, with the main aim to protect and save those animals that could never speak for themselves in a world full of social problems and grievances that destroyed our respectful exposure to nature. Over the past 30 years lions, leopards, cheetahs and wild dogs to the smallest surricate among many more, have made Harnas their home after being neglected, abused or abandoned.
THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE!!... Are you between 18 and 40 years old and looking for an experience out of the ordinary? Are you tired of the predictable everyday life? Do you want to experience an untouched wilderness, where you can listen to silence and the lions roar? Then Harnas is the place for you. Here you can work in close contact with wild animals and people from all walks of life. You will be taken on adventures and taught how to read nature and its wildlife. You will conquer fears, the African savannah and experience the unique interaction and bonding with animals. You don’t have to be physically strong, because you will learn how to feel strong. At Harnas we only live by three things, being an animal lover, constant change and to always expect the unexpected.
WHAT YOU WILL GET UP TO... Harnas is an ever changing environment and there is always something exciting happening whether it’s with the wildlife, research, daycare centre or medical projects. As a volunteer you will be involved in all the daily activities which will include food preparation, feeding, caretaking, cleaning and building of enclosures, waterholes and fences, fence patrol on horseback, game counting, animal studies, helping in the children’s day care centre, research on rehabilitated animals, fear factor games, survivor games, dress up nights, bush walks as well as animal walks and star gazing.
A GREAT ADVENTURE... Harnas gives you the opportunity to make a difference in all animal lives, and providing the animals that cannot be released with the best living conditions and care. We believe that all animals deserve a second chance and that they are entitled to be put back into their natural habitat where they can lead a free life without human disturbance. You can make a difference in animal conservation today by joining our volunteer project.
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Harnas Volunteer Project - Reviews
Posted
October 2010 There are no words to describe it...
Lasse Abraham from Germany
...you need to experience it by yourself.
Harnas is an oasis not only for the animals who get shelter there even for the people who go there to work. You will find lots of good new friends from all over the world, not just human ones...trust me. It's an incredible experience with so many special moments that you can't stop talking about them and especially can't stop thinking about Harnas.
You will regret it if you don't take the chance to go there!!! It is a lifetime experience.
Posted
September 2010 Makes a difference
Gitte Marxen from Denmark
Harnas is making a huge difference both for humans and for the animals. At Harnas you see the truth of life. At Harnas you come to be a part of something that matters to all of us! Nothing can be compared to Harnas! the feelings, the work, the relationship between people all over the world, the handling of animals is nowhere else to find! Harnas makes you a better person and Harnas makes a difference to the animals through all of us!
I came to Harnas for the experience and excitement, but I left Harnas aware of all my weaknesses which I hope will help for the rest of my life!
Thanks to all of you
Posted
September 2010 Wanna experience live?..visit Harnas!!!!!!
Sebastian Andersen from Roskilde, Denmark
Harnas is just the place to be. It's an experience like no other. The sweet thing about Harnas, you can be skeptic, maybe you dont really care about animals? When you leave Harnas you will!! Thats for sure. If africa is your destination, you HAVE to visit Harnas. Can't think of a place on earth i would rather be. Truly amazing atmosphere and the animals will take your heart away, you will fall in love..!! Im going back in february, anyone wanna come?!? :P
Posted
August 2010 A truly incredible place
Charlotte Paddock from Kidderminster, UK
Harnas is a truly amazing place. Some of the experiences described here are impossible to imagine until you experience them for yourself. At Harnas you can spend the most incredible time with some wonderful animals. Be prepared for serious hard work, but even that is enjoyable when you know it is for the sake of the animals that you grow to love. The experiences that you have will live with you forever, be it being rugby tackled by a lion on a lion walk or cuddling with a cheetah under the stars while she licks your face clean or even becoming best friends with a talking parrot! One word of warning however, don't volunteer here if you don't wish to spend every day when you return wishing that you were back there. If you love animals and want to travel and volunteer, don't hesitate to go to Harnas. (If you have space in your suitcase, remember me!!)
Posted
August 2010 Simply awesome
Vanessa Graf from Switzerland
This was really an amazing experience! Quite nervous and unsure what will be expecting me, I went there and as they say, expect the unexpected. You get in touch with the amazing creatures of africa, learn to take responsibility and work as a team. From the beginning until I had to leave again I had an awesome time and learnt a lot for life as well. The stay was unforgettable, the animals, the people the atmosphere, these memories will never fade and I hope I will get the chance to go back there sometime!
Posted
August 2010 Where dreams come to life
Stephanie Wilson from Southampton, UK
From the excited nerves when I booked the volunteer project to the tearful goodbyes when leaving Harnas - the whole experience was a dream come to life. I was thinking about listing the highlights of my experience but the whole project was a highlight for me. I met some amazing new friends for life and got to work with very interesting characters - the animals. No day is the same at Harnas and living each day as it comes, away from the routine of my usual life, was liberating and exciting.
The Harnas volunteer project is truely a once in a lifetime experience!
Posted
August 2010 You will never forget Harnas!
Dawn Johnston from Scotland
Harnas is a place I will never forget. It's been 2 years since I left with tears in my eyes. A day has not gone by since that I haven't thought about it. The experiences you have there will live with you for the rest of your life. From lying in the dirt gazing into the eyes of an 5 weeks old lion cub to fostering a ground squirrel, taking the baboons for a walk to sleeping under the stars with a cheetah , strolling through the bush with a lion or leopard, learning the art of bush burning or cutting up donkey meat for food prep every second is special!
Yes you will get dirty and you will have to work hard. There is a good chance at some point you will get baboon pee in your hair and have to carry a bucket full of donkey heads. You will be working with wild animals and will probably learn the hard way that they have sharp claws and teeth but you know what? Every scratch, bump and dirty mark is worn as a badge of honour to be compared with other volunteers!
If you want a real African experience that you will truly never forget Harnas Wildlife Foundation is the place you need to go!
Posted
August 2010 Always back again and again...and again....
Simi Rutishauser from Switzerland
Any time at Harnas is better than no time- but you will see- any time at Harnas is too short anyway!
And for the rest: There's no words really to describe what you may experience if you open up your heart, mind, senses... Just go and live it yourself- you won't regret it ever!
And the way the family and staff is putting their energy, enthusiasm, love, passion and money into the project (that includes all beings, animals, humans, nature...) is truely amazing!
Last but not least not to forget: Its all set in a beautiful african Savanna/Bushland area, so you're in nature every day and night, surrounded by lots of wildlife...that in itself would already be worth a trip!
Posted
August 2010 Once in a life time chance
Sarah Carlsen from Copenhagen, Denmark
"once in a lifetime chance, once in a life time" This sentence was said many times by the legendary Frikkie (if you ever met him, you know why he is legendary) and it is true. You never experience the same thing twice at Harnas. You are expected to do you share of the work. Sometimes you feel like you are in over you head, like when you'r standing in an enclosure with wild dogs and nothing to protect you or walking a with the teenage baboons. But it is all worth it, the work do not feel like work and everything you give, you get back many times again. It is an amazing place, you will love it, hate to leave it and wish you could go back the same day you retunr home.
Posted
August 2010 A place that moves you each and every day... Even when you are not there anymore.
Darren De Souza from Sheffield, England
The Harnas Wildlife Foundation Volunteer Project is an absolutely amazing experience and one that should be grasped with both hands and never relinquished.
Harnas is a sanctuary of life, hope and dreams for the animals that reside there, but also for the humans who visit. It would be a hard heart indeed that failed to be moved profoundly by the experiences to be had there. Like gazing into the eyes of Squirrel Monkey you have developed a mutual unspoken bond with, realising that right there in that moment, you are both connected and there is no need for you to be anything other then yourself in life, because that is all this animal, this friend, needs to understand you and feel safe with you. These are the truly heart-warming and fulfilling experience to be had at Harnas and they really do change your perspective on life and the way you wish to approach it. Not to mention all the likeminded friends you will meet there, from all over the world and many different backgrounds, who continue to be friends many years after you have left. My advice to anyone thinking about going would be to stop thinking, start going and make the most of your time there, because believe me, when its time for you to leave, you will miss this place beyond believe.
Much love to the animals and people of Harnas.
Darren.
Posted
August 2010 The most beautiful place in the world
Marieke Leist from Germany
My time at Harnas was the best I ever had! Living with all those beautiful animals and great people from all over the world I will never forget. There's not a day I don't think of Harnas and wish I could be there. I hope I can go back next year and I can't wait.
Posted
August 2010 Helps one put life in perspective
William Dixon from US
I volunteered at Harnas for 3 weeks in May 2010. It was truly one of the greatest experiences in my life. Having the opportunity to bond with baboon, monkey, cheetah and lion was surreal to say the least. It is truly wondrous when humans and animals love one another and live in harmony. If we could only extend Harnas to include the rest of the world. If you enjoy animal interaction then you will have died and gone to heaven if you visit Harnas for the volunteer experience. You will work hard but the experiences will be life altering
Posted
August 2010 My Eden
Danielle Morris from Brisbane
I loved my time at Harnas, it felt like the place I was MEANT to be.
There is no feeling in the world that can compare to what I felt while lying with a cheetah leaning on you purring while rain falls on a tin roof and frogs start to sound.
The smells, the sounds, the physical closeness to a fully grown cheetah, these are all the ingredients for a magical night.
The first few days at Harnas are a little overwhelming, so be sure to keep your camera in hand for all the shots you'll wish you could take.
As Harnas is a working farm, do not go if you are looking for a relaxing time with drinks by the pool. You can do this but only on your free time after the animals have been cared for.
While I was there I assisted in the construction of waterholes, the clean up of animal enclosures and the building of the volunteer pool. You will be required to do physical labour.
But don't be scared there is downtime as well, walking lions, sitting and relaxing with cheetahs, baboons and other volunteers, preparing the food and feeding the animals (this was one of my favourite jobs!) and relaxing at the end of the day with a cold beer.
My only advice to anyone who goes is don't be afraid to get your hands dirty, you'll have a bucket load of fun and learn new things.
I will return.
Posted
August 2010 Absolutely amazing!!!!
Louise Hobin from Cornwall
Harnas is an amazing place like no other-I had one of the best times of my life here and cannot wait to go back. Nothing can beat sleeping under the stars with a cheetah purring at your side or waking up to the sound of lions roaring. "Expect the unexpected" is right, no day is ever the same and you will constantly find yourself prepared to do anything. Can't help but leave a little bit of your heart there.
Posted
August 2010 A PLACE WHERE ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
Nicole Dangoor from London
My time at Harnas will never be forgotten.. i cant wait to go back and be part of a wonderful place!
Harnas Volunteer Project - WRITE REVIEW
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