Dusternbrook is the first guest farm in Namibia, situated near Windhoek. A guest farm is not a classical lodge, but offers guests close contact with the owner and the local community. Recreational activities are mostly walking trails, horseback riding, game viewing and various site-specific attractions.

We offer lodge rooms, furnished safari tents and a small campsite to our visitors. Our guest farm is located on a mountain with a breath taking view overlooking a dry wide riverbed. The historical old farm house is built out of natural stone, in colonial style. On our farm we have an abundant diversity of wildlife, such as oryx, steenbok, cape eland, kudu, rhino, waterbok, zebra, baboon, cheetah, leopard, hippo and wildebeast. We offer special tours to see our cheetahs and leopards in their natural surroundings. The farm covers an area of 11.000 hectare.

We run this guest farm in an environmental friendly way and that is why we have received, as the only guest farm in Namibia, the newly introduced Eco Award. We make use of only local staff and train some of them, even without school education, as much as possible. We like to make sure that all the employees' children will go to school and also finish the school. Our Kindergarten for employees' children is up and running and has been since June 2006. Apart from that the farm moved away from cattle farming towards practically only game. Here we have 4 Cites listed species which are to be specially protected: cheetah, leopard, rhino and Hartmann Mountain Zebra.

1. Running the kinder garden and teaching our local staff how to run a kinder garden. Our staff children grow up with the local Damara language. When they turn 6 years old, they have to go to school in the city, where they have to speak English. We are looking for volunteers who can teach these children English and prepare them for primary school. You don't need any certifications or diplomas, our children will be happy with your presence and efforts. 
2. Teaching any other skill they are good at, an advantage would be on the computer side: Word, Excel, email, Powerpoint, Publisher, but also any other skill, anything: communication, how to answer a telephone professionally etc.anything in a business or tourist environment or even beyond, music, singing.
3. Teach local guides and other employees practical English in relation to their tourist or wildlife activity.
4. On the wildlife side: research on leopards or other animals in our area.
5. Environmental research. Fine tuning, monitoring and extending our environmental project especially in relation to waste management, water management and energy management and non indigenous plants.
6. Horse training. We have some former wild horses that we train and take care of on a daily basis so in the end they can be ridden by tourists. With horses you can get much closer to wildlife than by foot or car. The volunteer will train and look after our tame horses and work with horses coming from the wild. (western style, but any knowledge and experience is good).
7. Continue a study about bush encroachment. We have started a study, and measured the density of bushes in different areas . Last year we had a big field fire and it would be interesting to measure the effect on the density of bushes.
8. Conduct personal research for your course back home Subjects include:- Conservation of wildlife, Ecotourism in Namibia, Sustainable development, Effects of tourists on local habitats (foot impacts, horse riding, tyre impacts etc)
9. If you have special skills which can contribute to our operation in any way feel free to propose a subject for research or development project yourself.

For your application we need to know what you like to be doing and why you think you are suitable for this job. List your relevant skills and diplomas and previous africa/volunteering experience. Please be specific.

As a undergraduate or postgraduate student it is also possible to do independent research on our guest farm. You can come up with your own research subject. 

The best way to travel to Namibia is by plane to the International Airport near Windhoek. You can also travel to Windhoek by bus (Intercape) from Cape Town, Victoria Falls and several other cities in South Africa and Namibia. Travelling by bus can be cheaper if you otherwise have to take a short flight from South Africa. We are situated 50km from Windhoek and 90km from the airport. We can arrange a transfer for you to pick you up where you like around Windhoek.

Visas
All visitors require a passport to enter Namibia, which must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended stay in the country, and have sufficient pages for entry and exit stamps. All visitors must also have a valid return ticket, although we have had volunteers which haven't been asked to provide this.

Visitors from the following countries do not require visas for stays of up to 90 days: Angola, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Cuba, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, UK, USA, Mozambique, New Zealand, Portugal, Iceland, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Singapore, the Scandinavian countries, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

For visitors from other countries, please check with your nearest Namibian Consulate about obtaining a visa.

Volunteering at Duesternbrook starts at € 190,- for the first 2 weeks. Every following week will be charged € 70,- per week.

Included

• Private or shared room with bathroom.  
• Participation in tourist activities, such as game drives
• 3 meals per day
• Free use of our swimming pool
• Research expenses in consultation
• Linen, towels and laundry facilities

Excluded

• Flights and transfers to the farm
• Personal travel and medical insurance for the duration of your placement
• All visa costs for border crossings
• All items of a personal nature such as clothing (work or other), curios or gifts
• Email, internet and telephone use
• Soft drinks and alcohol; any snack foods not included on normal menu