Go in search of the stunning desert elephants of the Namib Desert and help reduce human-animal conflict on this incredible volunteer project.
With two main focuses of protecting the wild desert elephant population and supporting the local communities in the region, this project has been designed to work in two-week blocks. One week will focus on elephant patrols and tracking where you will gather crucial data for the project and Namibian government to utilise, and the other week will focus on construction tasks and working with the community.
The following itinerary is subject to change depending on the needs of the project and what follows is simply a rough guideline. A minimum duration of 2 weeks is required, though durations of up to 12 weeks are available. If joining for longer than 2 weeks, your itinerary will repeat.
Your time spent in the desert will see you truly immersed in the Namibian wilderness as you camp beneath the stars! Whilst at base camp, you’ll be staying in a treetop platform, and there are toilets and hot showers available. There are also two elephant drinking dams on this campsite, and the elephants often wander past so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for this! During build week, you will set up a more permanent camp where you’ll return each day after your construction tasks, and if there is enough water available, a basic shower may be set up for use. On patrol week, however, you will set up a new camp each night depending on where the elephants decide to lead you, making for a truly wild camping experience!
Your first and final night’s accommodation in Swakopmund is not included and you can book a hotel of your choosing, however, we recommend staying at the A La Mer Hotel, as this is where the briefing is held on the Sunday you arrive, and we can book a room here for you.
Whilst on the project, three meals will be provided each day which will all be cooked over the open campfire. You will be split into small groups, and each day a different group will use the recipes provided to cook for the rest of the team. You can expect to enjoy a variety of different meals varying from local cuisine to some western-style meals. Food items are purchased each week when the team travel to the town of Uis, so special dietary requirements such as vegetarian and vegan diets can be catered for. You can also purchase additional snacks and drinks when you visit Uis during your stay.
There are 2 seasons here which offer very different but incredible experiences:
January – May: This is the summer, and during these months you can expect temperatures of around 30°C (86°F) in the day and 17°C (63°F) in the evening. This is also the rainy season which is a wonderful experience in the desert as rivers can flash flood and you can see how the desert changes overnight. The elephants tend to move closer to the farms at this point which can cause a lot more conflict meaning more patrols and meetings with farmers.
June – December: During these months, the elephants go back to the riverbeds until the rains start again in January. This means patrols are mostly in this beautiful area. It must be noted that whilst daytime temperatures are still hot, the night can get rather cold, falling to around 7°C (45°F).
You will need to arrive into Swakopmund on your project start date (Sunday) and there are 2 options to do so; you can either arrive into Walvis Bay Airport and take a 20-minute transfer to your accommodation, or you can arrive into Windhoek International Airport and take a 4-hour overland transfer. If you plan to arrive into Windhoek Airport, please ensure your flight lands no later than 11:30am to ensure you have time to take the transfer to Swakopmund. Transfers from either airport are not included but can be arranged for you and be paid for on arrival.
Your first and final night’s accommodation in Swakopmund is not included. We suggest staying at the A La Mer Hotel, where the briefing will be held on the Sunday of your arrival. We can reserve a room for you, and you can pay for your room on arrival.
Citizens of most countries, including the UK, Germany, USA, Canada, Australia and most of those within the EU, do not need to obtain a visa to enter Namibia and are granted entry for up to 90 days upon arrival. You will, however, need at least 2 blank pages in your passport for the immigration officials to use and your passport must be valid for a period of at least 6 months from your date of entry. If you are unsure of your individual visa requirements, we recommend speaking to your local Namibian embassy at least 2 months prior to travel.
The construction tasks undertaken on this project involve long hours of physically demanding work, often in high temperatures. Therefore, a moderate to high level of fitness is required to take part. There are no specific skills or experience required, just a commitment to the project, a passion for elephants and a willingness to work as part of a team!
There are no specific vaccination or medical requirements needed to join this project. The vaccinations required will depend on the individual medical history of each volunteer. We recommend that you consult with your doctor/GP regarding your own vaccination needs as this will ensure you are protected and prepared to travel. In conjunction with this, we also recommend that you take a look at the Fit for Travel website for more helpful information on how best to prepare for your experience.
UPDATE | Sep 2024
Volunteers were recently rewarded with the serene sight of an elephant calmly drinking from a dam they had helped construct. This powerful scene symbolises the impact of their work. Every dam wall is built in collaboration with local communities, ensuring that elephants have safe access to water while safeguarding crucial resources like windmills and tanks. This straightforward, effective solution allows people, livestock, and wildlife to share water sources, promoting coexistence and mutual thriving!
UPDATE | Aug 2024
Volunteers have just tracked and identified a previously unknown herd of 8 elephants, including two calves and an adult female. This discovery could be linked to a group often reported to be living with another collared herd. Identifying each elephant is crucial for accurate tracking as it helps prevent double-counting and ensures the team understands numbers. This is key to managing elephant populations sustainably!
UPDATE | Aug 2024
Volunteers on a recent patrol happened across Rosa and her playful calf, Mimi, as they strolled along the Huab River on a misty morning. Mimi has captured the hearts of volunteers and us here in the office, so we'll be sure to bring you lots of updates as she grows!
Elephants plus Africa plus volunteering equals an unparalleled experience. Six weeks spent volunteering and there was not one boring day in that time. I worked, sweated, laughed, cooked, fell asleep in my sleeping bag pleasantly exhausted each night and woke with a delighted new excitement about what the day would bring. I made so many new friends including the seasoned and young, enthusiastic staff who worked tirelessly to make this experience one that I will want to relive. My time on the project taught me to be more compassionate, patient and open to an all important world which allowed elephants to live a life in tandem with humans. I will return.
I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone interested in wildlife and conservation. This is not a holiday. It is hard work. If you are not a team player or are afraid to get your hands dirty, this is not for you. Everyone has to muck in. We were up at 6.30 every day and the days were long. We were carrying rocks, mixing cement and building a wall. This is Africa. You will get hot, sweaty and dirty. You have to get used to toilets and showers in the Bush. Your hard work is paid off in the second week when you are on patrol and see the elephants. Two weeks was enough for me. Some volunteers stayed longer. It is a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. I only wish I had done it earlier.
One of the most memorable moments for me was when one of the oldest and biggest bulls walked straight towards us in the vehicle and stopped a mere two metres away. My heart stopped as the gentle giant just watched before turning away and continuing to eat. I had a truly wonderful time in such a beautiful surrounding with great people. I only wish I could have stayed longer.