answers to frequently asked questions
Can I volunteer on Harnas? If you are between 18 and 40 years you can experience life and work on Harnas within the "harnas volunteer project". It is not possible to help on a board and lodging basis or being a "normal" guest. The general public in Namibia is not allowed to touch large carnivores. As there was a lot of interest in closer contact with the animals, learning about Namibia, Africa and especially the "Harnas way of life" the working guest programme arose and was made possible after receiving a special grant from the Ministry of immigration.
If you are older than 40 but would like to join the project please look here.
Can I come as a normal guest to Harnas? Yes, you are more than welcome to visit us on the farm!
For price information please contact Marika directly. Included are: transport from the airport to the farm and back, 3 meals a day, water and tea (beverages from the bar are not included), laundry and training. The flight is not included.
How long can I stay on Harnas? The maximum duration is 3 months due to the visa you get when entering Namibia. The minimum duration is 2 weeks.
What can I expect? Here you can read reports from former volunteers.
Any special skills required? No, but we require an interest in animals (even in those you better not touch), team spirit and will to work and help. Before starting you will be teached how to behave being in contact with the animals, what to do and what not to do. The training is part of the volunteer project.
How close can I get to the animals? As a volunteer on Harnas you will among other things get in contact with "tame" animals. Please remember always that even a tame carnivore is in the first instance still a carnivore. The tame animals were raised by hand and are only a small percentage of all the animals on Harnas. For us they are ambassadors for all these who live already relatively unseen and wild in the 10.000 ha big farm area - or for e.g. the very endangered wild dogs - which don´t have a big following, but can benefit from Harnas as a secure refuge aswell.
Working with animals as direct contact and activity vary with the time of the year.
How can I help ? Harnas does not get fundings from the government and only to cover the costs for the daily amount of food is a challenge. Please click here to find out how to help.
How can I get in contact with Harnas? There is E-mail and Internet reception on the farm, but it´s not 100% reliable and does not allow to receive big files like fotos. If you don´t get an answer after sending a mail don´t hesitate to phone! Please contact us in english!
If you like like to apply for the volunteer program please mail to Marika. Here you can find details about adoptions or donations. For requests regarding filming and photographing please click here.
Do I need vaccinations? This depends on many criterions, e.g. your final route in Namibia. In any case we suggest vaccinations to protect you from tetanus and rabies. Please discuss with your general practitioner if Malaria-prophylaxis is suggestive.
Can I get in touch with other Harnas fans? If you would like to share your memories with other Harnas fans you can join the Harnas Foundation-Official Site and various other Harnas groups on "Facebook" |
