Study the desert elephant and assist with community development programs in Damaraland

Previous Pause Next

Program Overview
Life on the Program
Project Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

On this program you will travel to the north-western region of the Namib Desert, also known traditionally as “Damaraland”. Deep within this majestic and arid climate lives a small population of elephants, adapted to the desert conditions that have stirred up conflict with the local human communities. The essential focus of this project is to ease the malaise between the two populations, establishing a healthy foundation for resolution.

To build a healthier relationship between the elephant and human populations you will assist farmers by building protective walls around their water sources, teaching them the necessary skills to peacefully coexist with their fellow inhabitants.

Living in the desert you will be far-removed from the average tourist locale, sleeping under the African stars and cooking your meals over an open fire.

Life on the Program

This program runs on a two-week cycle. Week One is located at a remote desert camp where volunteers construct walls protecting the extremely valuable water sources for the Damaraland homesteads. Each evening the day’s events are discussed over an open fire and warm meal.

During the weekend participants relax at home base located in the Ugab River prior to doing patrols in Week Two. This week is based on tracking and observing the elephants, sometimes for hours at a time under the desert sun. During these outings you can expect to see black rhino, ostrich, springbok, giraffe, kudu and if you’re lucky hear the roar of desert lions!

At the end of each two-week cycle volunteers go on a trip to Swakopmund to drop off/collect volunteers.

Project Details

Because of the reduction in the natural water table from human use, available surface water has been much more difficult for elephants to access, resulting in their use of local farmers’ man-made water points which are then damaged. Because the farmers’ homesteads are usually located near water points this means that the lives of humans and their livestock are increasingly threatened.

The long-term aim of this program is to assist in creating a peaceful coexistence between the farmers and elephant populations through research, education and development.

The main emphasis of the program is to build protective structures around communal water points and to create additional water points for elephants. Coupled with this effort is research conducted on elephant movements and distribution while data is also collected on herds and individuals.

How this program makes a difference:

Namibia's desert-dwelling elephants are one of only 2 populations of elephants in Africa living in a desert environment. Competition with humans over scarce water resources causes conflict, which threatens the elephant’s existence. This program aims to find simple, practical and cost effective solutions to this problem so that elephants and humans can live together.

Volunteer Testimonials

Many past volunteers have had amazing experiences traveling with GVI. Read what they have to say here.

Latest from the Base...

Wherever you travel, our bases are places of profound discovery, awe-inspiring observations, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Find yourself at home in some of the most remote and pristine environments in the world.

To learn more about the latest from this base, please feel free to contact us today.