Namibia

Embarking on a Gap Year journey through Namibia unveils a profound opportunity to delve into a land brimming with history and cultural richness. As the sun sets over the dunes of the Namib Desert, you cannot help but feel a deep reverence for this resilient land, a sentiment that sets the stage for a journey of self-discovery, cultural immersion, and unparalleled exploration.

The landscape ranges from the rugged, unpopulated expanses of the Skeleton Coast to the sub-tropical belt of the North. With a population of just over 2 million it is one of the most sparsely populated countries on Earth and one of the most developed countries in Africa with modern towns and excellent roads. It is also one of the few countries where game roams relatively freely and wild animals by the roadside are a common sight.

Namibian culture is diverse and there are many ethnic groups, from the historically persecuted San Bushmen, to the Hereros and Ovambos, each with their own separate traditions and languages. The majority of the white population is of German or Afrikaans descent, many of whom are farmers and who still own the bulk of the agricultural land. There are, therefore, fantastic opportunities to learn about many cultures and become immersed in different ways of life.

Living in Namibia

Project Trust Volunteers are based in north-west Namibia, living in small communities consisting of the school, hostel, farm shop and farm houses. The rural setting allows Volunteers to delve into the life of the school and develop strong relationships with the teachers, farm workers and other members of the community.

The capital, Windhoek, is a developed city, showing influences in growth and development from Nama, Herero, German, Afrikaans and British cultures. The Lonely Planet guide describes Windhoek as a ‘slice of green in the desert.’ Western influences are prominent in this city with its modern buildings and a large numbers of tourists passing through. Snippets of history can be seen throughout, with German castles and the neo-Gothic ‘Christuskirche’ church, one of Windhoek’s best-recognised landmarks.

Volunteering in Namibia

When on holiday, Volunteers have opportunities to travel to the Zambezi Valley, Victoria Falls, Botswana and across southern Africa. The Namib Desert is one of the oldest deserts in the world and its sand dunes, created by the strong onshore winds, are some of the highest on Earth. Fish River Canyon is amongst the biggest in the world, and Etosha Pan is one of the great game parks of Africa. There are opportunities to go sandboarding in Swakopmund, visit the eerie ghost town of Kolmanskop and to see the 6,000 year old Bushmen paintings at Twyfelfontein.

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