from 519€

Outstanding 4.9rating (9)
  • Life On Land
Reopening soon

Horse Handler & Animal Carer

location
1 - 8 weeks  ·  Age 20 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Highlights

  • Enhance your passion and love of horses and animals by working extensively with our beautiful and uniquely patterned Appaloosas and wildlife on the Ranch.
  • Help us to save neglected and abused horses and orphaned wildlife, experience that special feeling which comes from a rescued animal when they connect with you.
  • Meet people from all over the world who share your interests and gain friends for life.
  • Immerse yourself in Namibias' vastly differing landscapes from the dunes of the Skeleton Coast and Sossusvlei to the lushness and abundant wildlife of Etosha and the Caprivi in the North.

Especially suitable

Age 20+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

Work with our beautiful and unique Appaloosas. To help rehabilitate neglected horses and wildlife orphans.

Volunteering with us offers a wonderful opportunity to work with our amazingly beautiful ,friendly and intelligent Appaloosa horses and also to help us rescue abused and neglected horses and orphaned wildlife and to assist in their care and rehabilitation. 

As a volunteer you will be involved in all ...

About the program

Volunteering with us offers a wonderful opportunity to work with our amazingly beautiful ,friendly and intelligent Appaloosa horses and also to help us rescue abused and neglected horses and orphaned wildlife and to assist in their care and rehabilitation. 

As a volunteer you will be involved in all aspects of horse care from feeding to grooming, health checks, exercising and training. It will include working with some of our young untrained horses to get them used to different people and ready for trail riding. You may be required to assist in going on rescues to collect the animals and help with their subsequent care and rehabilitation. You will be able to release your inner cowboy/girl by using the horses for cattle herding and counting of game when required. Depending on the time of year you may get the chance to help us with the showing of the horses, both in hand and riding classes at various shows around the country if this interests you.The Ranch is a working farm and you will be able to help in the feeding and care of all the animals which include cattle, alpacas, ostriches, vervet monkey and sheep. Wildlife on the Ranch include families of meerkats and ground squirrels, wart hogs, steenbok and springbok, regular patrolling of the Ranch and fences is necessary to ensure the welfare of the animals. 


Typical day

Your day will start at 7.00 with feeding the horses, bottle feeding those that require it and the other animals on the farm. Breakfast will follow whilst all are happily eating. The morning will be spent first with health checks, then grooming and taking the horses out to their camps. Moving the ...

Typical day

Your day will start at 7.00 with feeding the horses, bottle feeding those that require it and the other animals on the farm. Breakfast will follow whilst all are happily eating. The morning will be spent first with health checks, then grooming and taking the horses out to their camps. Moving the cattle if needed.  Working and training with the horses will continue and finally a check of the Ranch and fences will complete the morning. Lunch is 12.00 to 2.00 (3.00) summer due to temperatures. After lunch its halter training and grooming for the babies. also spending some time with the Alpacas,  and the young ostriches. Trail riding.  After the afternoon feeding its time for you to relax before dinner. The evening is for you to enjoy as you wish. You are free to explore the Ranch and spot wildlife and birds or just chill out with a drink and watch the amazing African sunsets.



Free-time activities

There is a nearby dam and resort that you can go to on weekends where you can enjoy many water activities including swimming,  jet boat rides and water bikes, take a packed lunch or if you prefer you can buy lunch at the resorts restaurant. There are shops in the local town and usually once a week ...

Free-time activities

There is a nearby dam and resort that you can go to on weekends where you can enjoy many water activities including swimming,  jet boat rides and water bikes, take a packed lunch or if you prefer you can buy lunch at the resorts restaurant. There are shops in the local town and usually once a week we do a trip to the city if you want to visit malls or shop for some souvenirs.  There are day trips that can be arranged to places like Dusternbrook Farm where you can go for a game drive or the leopard and cheetah feeding experience. Okapuka lion farm is also reachable for a day trip. Namibia has a vast number of tourist attractions for you to visit such as Etosha National Park for a true African Safari and Sossusvlei where you can see and climb the highest sand dunes in the world, a truly unique and amazing site. We can arrange any day trip or tour you would like to do. These would be at your own expense.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 20 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 20 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Riding experience is preferred. We will tailor your programme to your riding ability .

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Apache Appaloosa Ranch

The fees you will pay will cover the costs of accommodation, three meals per day and laundry. We will include one trip per week to the nearby Oanob Dam Resort or Windhoek for shopping if preferred.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be a room in the ranch house with bathroom. Depending on the number of volunteers you may have to share two people maximum to a room.

Food & Beverages

We will provide you with a buffet style breakfast, lunch which will consist of filled bread rolls or wraps and salads. Dinner, you will be given a cooked meal and once a week, usually on the weekend we will do a  braai or (barbeque). Vegetarians can easily be catered for, please advise us in advance of any special dietary requirements.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Hosea Kutako International Airport

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek. We assist you to find cheap flights to Namibia. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Namibia provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Namibia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Namibia. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Volunteers may join us any time between March and November. We can pick  you up from the airport and bring you out to the Ranch, as we are over two hours from the airport we unfortunately have to ask a fee of R 1000 each trip to cover our diesel expenses.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 519€
3 weeks 1,558€
4 weeks 2,078€
5 weeks 2,607€
6 weeks 3,116€
7 weeks 3,636€
8 weeks (max. stay) 4,155€
Average fees 519€/week

Program fees

519€ per week 1 - 8 weeks Age 20 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 8 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Apache Appaloosa Ranch during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Apache Appaloosa Ranch

Outstanding 4.9 rating (9 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2016

Verified by Volunteer World

  Good response rate

Coordinated by

Julie

About the project

Working with our beautiful Appaloosa horses. Rescue and rehabilitation of neglected or abused horses and orphaned wildlife.

Meet your organization

Apache Appaloosa Ranch is a working farm. We do trail riding with our beautiful Appaloosa horses which in turn helps to support the work we are doing in rescuing neglected and abused horses from the streets and farms. We try to help the local community by performing health checks on their animals and giving advice on their care. Rescue horses need a lot of time spent with them in order for them to recover not just physically but mentally too, it can be a long process. We also take in wildlife orphans, feed and care for them until they are able to be returned to the wild. This year we are suffering a severe drought and many animals abandon the babies after birth for self preservation. Unfortunately not all of our orphans are able to be returned to the wild, those that can't be have free range of our farm here and are able to live out their lives in this protected environment.

9 reviews · rating4.9

Barbara Kuen rating5

2023 at Horse Handler & Animal Carer

After Julie and Martin picked me up at the airport, I stepped outside the car next to some giant ostriches. Little bit scary (especially their feet) and was then welcomed by Donkey - the Orphan-Zebra living on the farm. The naughtiest animal I ever met – but sooo cute. The surrounding is ...
Jane Keely rating5

2023 at Horse Handler & Animal Carer

Julie and Martin welcomed us into their home and beautiful ranch. They are lovely caring people giving a home to many different animals as well as the gorgeous horses! We will definitely be looking to ...
Marilies Dolezal rating4.8

2022 at Horse Handler & Animal Carer

I had a very nice time with Martin and Julie Wiese on their Apache Appaloosa Ranch! the ranch is very clean and the accommodation is clean, spacious and has its own bathroom. the farm animals, starting with chickens, alpaca, turkey babies, cows, ostriches, sheep and of course horses are well ...
Claire Sheehan rating5

2020 at Horse Handler & Animal Carer

I stayed with Julie and Martin for two weeks, and it was one of the best holiday/volunteering experiences of my life. They love their animals so much, and it's so clear in the care. The animals themselves were amazing, it was so exciting working with the horses (and other farm animals!) And Julie ...
June Murphy rating5

2019 at Horse Handler & Animal Carer

I had the most amazing time volunteering at the ranch. Julie and Martin were so welcoming and made my time there both interesting and great fun. I learnt so much working with their beautiful horses as well as with the many other animals on the ranch. I also learned many practical skills from ...
Lorna McKee rating5

2018 at Horse Handler & Animal Carer

They were very welcoming and put us at ease. It was lovely there and so many horses to help take care of as well as other animals around the ranch. Would love to come back and bring my friends along for the experience. Would definitely recommend it to ...

Location

Africa > Southern Africa > Namibia > Windhoek

You might also be interested in

Contact Julie
  Good response rate

Most volunteers ask about


Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Julie
Please do not share personal contact details for your privacy