The Desert Elephant project takes volunteers out to the north west region of the Namib Desert, Damaraland, one of the most scenic wilderness areas of Namibia which runs parallel to the Skeleton Coast National Park and is home to a small population of desert elephants. The project started in 2001 in response to increased competition between the desert elephants and the human inhabitants of the region for the natural resources of water and grazing. A depletion in the natural water table and increased human use has led to less water being available for the elephants. Water points have been created close to river beds and as farms are generally located close to these water sources, much damage has been done to buildings, livestock and even humans by the elephants in their search for fresh water. Volunteers help to address the conflict between these rural communities and the desert elephant with solutions that allow them to coexist peacefully. The long term welfare of these fantastic animals is addressed through safeguarding farmers water supplies, building new water points for the elephants, educating the local community and valuable elephant herd research. Volunteers will spend their time getting close to nature in stunning surroundings camping out under the stars. A very popular project appealing to volunteers wanting a truly wilderness adventure - and early booking is recommended.
Duration & Fees
- £685 - 2 weeks
- £1,185 - 4 weeks
- £1,650 - 6 weeks
- £2,195 - 8 weeks
Start Dates
2012 Start Dates: 30 Jan | 13 Feb | 27 Feb | 12 Mar | 26 Mar | 9 Apr | 23 Apr | 7 May | 21 May | 4 Jun | 18 June | 2 Jul | 16 Jul | 30 Jul | 13 Aug | 27 Aug | 10 Sep | 24 Sep | 8 Oct | 22 Oct | 5 Nov | 19 Nov
Payment
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
What's Included
- Transport from Swakopmund onwards or Airport transfer from Walvis Bay
- Orientation and introduction to the project. "On-the-job" educational activities and 24 hour support from volunteer coordinator and local staff
- Food and accommodation during the project
- A contribution to the project itself including: building materials, fuel, vehicle costs etc
What's not included
- Travel Insurance (to include cover for repatriation)
- Personal items eg clothes, travel goods
- Return flights to nearest International Airport
- Transfer from Windhoek to Swakopmund if needed. Weekend accommodation in Swakopmund if needed. Soft drinks and alcohol.
- Visas and any trips/activities undertaken other than in the planned expedition
Namibia is a rare example of a country with a growing elephant population. Concerted efforts by many organisations have seen the population of desert dwelling elephants in the region increase from a low point of 52 around 20 years ago to a current population of over 600 individuals. This rise in population has resulted in competition between the indigenous population and the elephant for water and an increasing conflict between farmers and the elephant. Expansion of farming activity has led to a fall in the natural water table, intensifying this competition. The result has been damage to windmills, dams, reservoirs, hand-pumps and wells by the elephants in their search for water. As the farmers tend to live near their water supply they have also suffered severe damage to their homesteads. The Desert Elephant project was launched in 2001 in response to this increasing conflict.
The project is part of a long-term initiative to find solutions to the problems and facilitate peaceful co-habitation between the farmers and the desert elephants and it is hoped to achieve this through research, education and development. The plan is to create protective structures around communal water points and machinery, creation of more accessible water points for the elephants, assisting the farmers, teaching them to benefit from the tourism that comes with the increasing elephant population, researching elephant movements and activities and compiling identikits for individuals and herds.
Damaraland, the north-western region of the Namib Desert, is a harsh tribal wilderness area. It is sparsely populated communal trust land that runs parallel to the Skeleton Coast National Park and due to the harsh nature of the environment it is not suitable for commercial farming. Farming activity is therefore limited to subsistence tribal farmers resulting in a large, unfenced refuge for a variety of wildlife of which the desert elephant is only one example. Other indigenous animals include lion, leopard, and cheetah, a variety of hyena, black backed jackal, black rhino, oryx, giraffe, springbuck, kudu, steenbock and baboon. This area is regarded as one of the last true wildernesses on earth.
Volunteer Programme
The most important quality volunteers on this project need is a desire to make a difference. Volunteers will need a reasonable level of fitness as the work is often heavy in the hot African sun. This is not volunteering for the light hearted; it is at the sharp end of the volunteer projects available throughout this majestic and awe inspiring continent. The project welcomes volunteers for blocks of 2 weeks - any period from 2 weeks to 3 months.
The first week is spent working with the local farmers, building protective walls around the water points and teaching them the skills needed to manage the conflict with the resident elephant population. New water points may also be created. This week will be spent working close to the mobile base camp near the Ugab River at the foot of the Brandberg. The second week will be spent out on patrol. The 4x4 vehicles are loaded with basic camping gear and the group sets off in search of the majestic desert elephants - and a chance to get closer to nature in these stunning surroundings than ever before. Areas of the desert wilderness will be explored that it is just not possible to see, even on the most adventurous of overland tours. Accommodation is either under canvas or the stars. Once the elephants are found their movements will be monitored and invaluable data collected.
The following skills will be taught:
- Camp craft - including cooking over an open fire, setting up a bush camp, safety and hygiene
- Bush craft – includes tracking skills, how to approach dangerous animals on foot, animal behavior, navigation, GPS, map reading and much more
- Compiling identification kits on elephants.
- Traditional building skills.
This two-week programme runs on a rotational basis for volunteers spending more than 2 weeks at the project.
The afternoons will be spent with activities such as compiling or updating data collection forms, kitchen or camp duty. Evening are spent around the camp fire enjoying the evening meal and discussing the events of the day. Weekends are spent relaxing at the Desert Elephant Project base camp by the Ugab River.
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Mobile base camps are set up at each project site, with every effort made to make these as comfortable as possible.
Accommodation will be in two man tents - or just under the stars.
Washing facilities are limited but a ‘bushman' shower will be available. Toilet facilities will be in the form of long drops (enclosed and private). Facilities are basic with only the minimum of equipment and supplies taken for the week.
All cooking is done over an open fire, everybody sharing camp duties. Meals are prepared by volunteers on a rotational basis and eaten around the campfire together. Three balanced meals a day are provided with adequate vegetarian options. However, anyone with specific dietary needs may need to take special food/vitamins with them to supplement their diet.
Whilst on patrol, volunteers camp wild, or sleep under the stars with bedrolls and mosquito nets. No showers or toilets out there, so be prepared to rough it! There is no electricity at the camp. Clothes can be washed by hand or on return to Swakopmund at the backpackers.
Namibia
Why visit Namibia?
Namibia is one of those dreamlike places that makes one question whether something so visually fabulous could actually exist. It is characterised by vast open spaces, with breathtaking scenery and great contrasts – ocean, dunes, mountains and deserts. A predominantly arid country, Namibia can be divided into four main regions. The Namib Desert and vast plains of the Skeleton Coast in the west; the eastward-sloping Central Plateau; the Kalahari desert along the borders with South Africa and Botswana; and the densely wooded bushveld of the Kavango and Caprivi regions – a magical undeveloped oasis of waterways and wildlife, providing abundant game and birdlife viewing opportunities. Despite its harsh climate, Namibia has some of the world’s grandest national parks, ranging from the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park, to the dune fields and desert plains of the Namib-Naukluft Park. The Namib-Naukluft Park is superb for hiking, with a number of spectacular trails. It is also home to the renowned dunes of Sossusvlei - said to be the highest in the world - and the fascinating Sesriem Canyon. Windhoek is the country’s geographical heart and commercial nerve centre, with an ethnic mix of people, while surfers, anglers and beach-lovers won’t want to miss Swakopmund, with its lively entertainment and sporting activities.
Highlights
- Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s finest parks, both in size and diversity of wildlife.
- The Namib-Naukluft Park is the largest conservation area in Namibia and one of the largest in the world.
- Two spectacular deserts - the Kalahari and Namib - each with distinctive wildlife and scenery.
- The Namib, at 80 million years, is the world's oldest desert. Namib means “open space”.
- The Namib and Damaraland offer remarkably clear skies for astronomers and keen star gazers.
- Stunning Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon – it is 161km long, up to 27km wide and 550m deep.
- Sossusvlei are said to be the highest sand-dunes in the world.
- Superb birding and good fishing is available from the banks of the Kavango and Kunene Rivers on the northern border.
- Popular self-drive destination with excellent infrastructure.
- Largely malaria-free.
- More than 300 days of sunshine per year.
Climate
| Seasons | Max | Min |
| Summer/wet (October - April) |
40 °C |
20 °C |
| Winter/dry (May - September) |
25 °C |
0 °C |
| Rainfall: October – December “little rains”, January to April more stormy period |
The winter months (May - September) range from 25 to 30°C during the day but night temperatures may drop to below freezing. June to August is the dry season with very little rain. This can be a good time for game viewing as wildlife converge at the waterholes.
The summer months (October - April) can reach highs of over 40°C and nights in the 20°C range (in the arid central Namib Desert temperatures can fall to below freezing during the night). This is a summer rainfall area, but overcast and rainy days are few and far between. Welcome thundershowers may occur in the late afternoon, bringing relief to flora and fauna. In October and November, large herds of blue wildebeest, zebra, springbok and oryx migrate from the Namutoni area to Okaukuejo, where they remain until May.
Rainfall is heaviest in the northeast, which enjoys a sub-tropical climate, and reaches over 600mm annually along the Okavango River. The northern and interior regions experience ‘little rains’ between October and December, while the main stormy period occurs from January to April.
Key Facts
Population – 2.1 million
Capital - Windhoek
Currency - Namibian dollar
Language – official language English; most widely spoken is Afrikaans; half of all Namibians speak Oshiwambo as their first language. German is also widely spoken, plus some Portuguese.
Namib – means “open space”
Etosha – means “great white place”
Time difference – GMT +2 hours
Telephone – country code 264, international access code 00
We very much enjoyed the project and felt it was very worthwhile.
Christina, NZ (Desert Elephant Volunteer)
It was a very interesting experience. The work on the farm makes sense, because the project also involves the locals, they have work. I think therefore they get more respect to their nature and to the animals living there, because they benefit from the farm.
Cornelia, Germany, aged 52 (Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary, Desert Elephant Volunteer)