The St. Petersburg College study abroad trip has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life! Between interacting with and caring for animals at the sanctuary, breathtaking landscapes and sunsets, unforgettable views of wildlife, and making memories and new friendships, this trip has broadened my horizons and given me a new perspective of the world as I knew it.
For me, the journey began before arriving in Namibia. I had been apprehensive about traveling this far and for this long with a group of strangers! We were able to start a group communication before leaving, getting to know each other, and helping each other navigate through questions and concerns. By the time we had met up at the airport and spent a long layover together, we were far from strangers! It was an amazing group of ladies, all with a passion for caring for animals, but each with their own unique background and personality.
We arrived in Windhoek on the morning of Thursday, December 7th. The thirty hours of traveling had me exhausted, but that didn’t last long! As soon as we left the airport and started driving to N/a’ankuse, I was wide awake in awe of the mountainous views and abundant wildlife that could be seen from the transport van. Upon arriving at the sanctuary, we were greeted by the staff and sent to settle into our accommodations, which had been upgraded to a villa instead of tents. This was amazing as it provided a common space for us to gather and connect as a group. We were then shown around the property, gathered our uniforms, and after dinner, relaxed by the pool at our villa watching the wild zebras run in the sunset in front of the mountains.
Over the next two weeks, we rotated through a variety of activities. Animals residing in the sanctuary were those that were unable to be released due to injury, disease, human conflict, or other reasons they would be unable to fend for themselves. The activities in the sanctuary involved forms of enrichment, care, and maintenance for the animals. These activities included animal walks (baboon, cheetah, and caracal), cheetah experience, animal feeding and food preparation, data entry, enclosure cleaning, and project work. Of these, the animal walks were my favorite. It was an unforgettable experience to be able to interact with these amazing creatures up close. The staff at N/a’ankuse had raised these animals and shared their stories while educating us on the challenges the different species face. One could see how much the caretakers loved these animals and it was remarkable the efforts they put in to ensure they were living their best lives at the sanctuary. Some of the other tasks, such as project work where we dug a watering hole or animal enclosure cleaning, were not as enjoyable but provided a realization as to just how much work goes into the care of captive wildlife.
We also participated in tasks in the reserve, where the wild, uncaged animals were. The tasks in the reserve consisted of research tracking the elephants, anti-poaching canine training and foot patrol, and Rhino Rangers, where we camped in the reserve overnight tracking and recording the animals. The Rhino Rangers activity was my favorite of all the tasks! While we were not able to have the up-close encounters that we did with some of the animals in the sanctuary, it was magical to see them in their natural habitats. We were able to find eleven of the fifteen rhinos, all five lions, and the three elephants on multiple occasions, as well as numerous other species. The reserve was so full of life; everywhere I turned there were more creatures to see! Words, photographs, and even videos cannot even begin to describe what it is like. The rangers were excellent guides, showing us all the species on the reserve and educating us on them. Through this experience, we not only were able to see unbelievable once-in-a-lifetime views of wildlife, but we also learned about poaching and the efforts used by the N/a’ankuse and other organizations to protect these species.
On the afternoon of Thursday, December 21st it was time to say goodbye and head home. Heading into this trip, I didn’t know what to expect. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the experiences I would have! I learned so much more than just the care of captive wildlife. I learned about the challenges both these animals and the San people face and not only about the local culture, but of the cultures of other volunteers I met at N/a’ankuse. Although in the broad scheme of things, I contributed very little, I feel pride knowing I could help this cause. It is wonderful to know there are people out there who are willing to dedicate their lives to preserving these species. I may have left Africa, but a piece of it is still with me, and I will forever be changed by this experience!
– Katie Fransen, SPC Namibia Program 2023 Participant