Namibia
Otjozondjupa
Omambonde Tal
22.11.-31.01.2023
What to expect during the internship at "Namibia Otjozondjupa Omambonde Tal„?
Here you will find all the important information about the accommodation, the farm, meals, a typical workday, the horses, and which wild animals could be seen on the rides.
Table of Contents
General Information
By Namibia Otjozondjupa Omambonde Tal Valley, room and board were provided free of charge. In return, the intern worked with the horses. Tasks also included helping with meal preparation (setting the table, cooking, and clearing). On Saturdays, work was only in the morning. Every Sunday, the horses had a day off and were fed their grain; otherwise, Sunday was a free day. Working hours ranged from 5 to 7 hours per day.
Accommodation
The accommodation was located on the farm next to the main house. A clean guest room with a private bathroom was provided. A laundry basket was available in the bathroom.
There was no Wi-Fi in the guest room. Sometimes the laptop or phone could receive a signal, but internet speed was slower than in Germany.
During thunderstorms, the power could go out for a short time. A backup generator was available.
Farm and Meals
The farm was about 2 hours from the nearest town. It was helpful to be able to entertain oneself. If the intern needed anything, the host would bring it from shopping.
Meals were served at the same time every day. Breakfast at 6:45 a.m., lunch at 12:00 p.m., and dinner preparations started at 5:30 p.m.
Working Day
The workday started at 7:00 a.m. An employee would bring the horses from the paddock to the corral. If the employee had not done this yet, it became the intern's task. Preparing feed and feeding the horses were part of the routine. The intern would bring the horses from the corral for work. Tasks included:
· Grooming horses and treating any wounds
· Lunging or riding the horses (in the corral or on rides)
· Groundwork with the horses
· Taking temperatures (in summer)
· Returning horses to the paddock
Other tasks could include:
· Cleaning and greasing saddles and bridles
· Tidying the tack room
· Helping in the kitchen with meal prep
· Helping with cleaning
· Feeding a calf
· Sweeping, tidying, and inventory in the staff shop
Morning work was from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by lunch and a break until 4:00 p.m. From 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., work continued, either exercising horses or cleaning and greasing saddles and bridles. From 5:30 p.m., the intern helped with dinner prep before finishing the day.
Horses
There were 8 horses and 2 ponies. All horses were kept together on one paddock. The employee regularly moved them to a different paddock.
Animals in Omambonde Tal
On rides, the following animals could be observed:
· Warthogs (Pumba)
· Red-billed hornbills (Zazu)
· Ostriches
· Oryx
· Kudu
· Ibex
· Eland
· Hartebeest
· Black-backed jackals
· African wild dogs
· African hawk-eagle
· Birds of paradise
· Ground squirrels
· Hares
· Turtle
In Namibia, there are only venomous snakes. Occasionally, the host would kill a snake on the farm to ensure human safety.
My Review
I really enjoyed the internship. The Omambonde Valley is a beautiful area. Wild animals could be seen regularly, though sightings varied during rides – sometimes I saw many of the listed animals, other times none at all.
I also appreciated being allowed to ride alone when my host was busy, with the route always planned in advance. The work was varied, and we always discussed the day’s plan either the night before or in the morning.
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