Volunteer Programs in Namibia

It is possible to find volunteer work in Namibia all across the country, but cities are not as common for volunteer programs as rural areas. It is important to understand that cities in Namibia are very small, especially in regards to population, so volunteers shouldn’t expect “big city” life in any location.

Windhoek is the capital city of Namibia, making it the largest and most urban area in the country. Windhoek is a city that contains pedestrian friendly streets, German influenced castles, and modern high-rises, which makes the city even more enjoyable and easy to explore. With many places to eat, shop, and sightsee, volunteer opportunities in Windhoek will offer volunteers more of a social life than other cities in Namibia. While you may decide to volunteer abroad in Namibia outside of the capital, it is not uncommon for volunteers to travel to their volunteer placements from living accommodations in Windhoek each day.

Swakopmund. Known as the most adventurous city in Namibia, Swakopmund provides many volunteer opportunities for those with an adventurous spirit. This small German colonial town sits along the Atlantic Ocean, offering a beach experience to the West and desert in all other directions. With the options to sand board the tallest dunes, ride camels in the Namib desert, or go sea kayaking with seals, volunteers will find their free time can be put to good use in a place like Swakopmund.

Gobabis, another small city, provides a number of volunteer placements based on the eastern side of Namibia. Gobabis sits on the Nossob River, a river known for its strong population of elephants; this is fitting as it is common for volunteer opportunities in Gobabis and the surrounding area to involve working with animals, specifically elephants. This city is on the eastern outskirts of the country and is known as the cattle capital of Namibia, providing a unique mixture of rural and urban influences.

Rural Areas. The vast wilderness contains the majority of volunteer opportunities in Namibia. Namibia is the second least densely populated country in the world, having just over two million people in a country twice the size of California. This makes it the perfect place to volunteer for those that like to get a little dirty, appreciate nature, and get away from urban life.