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Botswana Okavango Wildlife and Adventure
The Okavango Delta is one of the last totally unspoiled wildlife areas in Africa. Botswana is home to the largest inland delta in the world and is a unique sight as the mighty Okavango River flows and disappears into the Central Kalahari Desert. This amazing ecosystem is teeming with wildlife, including Africa’s big five, and incredible birdlife.
The beauty of this project lies in getting completely off the beaten track and experiencing the pure wilderness of northern Botswana. However, like other remaining wilderness areas across the globe, volunteers are needed to assist in conserving and maintaining this incredible environment. By participating on this project you will part of something completely new and the first of it’s kind for Botswana!
Project Age Limit
Minimum 17 years (with parental consent), maximum dependant on potential participants health.
The Volunteer Project
In the north of this arid terrain lies the tranquil oasis of the Okavango Delta. Flowing down through Angola and Namibia, the mighty Okavango River along with some 11 million cubic meters of water each year magically drains away through a maze of lagoons, channels and islands before disappearing into the Kalahari Desert in the south. The Delta consists of an area of 15,000 square kilometres of wetland and is home to a special diversity of fauna and flora.
On this project you will have the privilege of entering one of Africa’s last untouched and pristine wildernesses. As a volunteer you will be part of some very unique and exciting projects running on the Okavango River system, the first of its kind to be introduced within Botswana. The Delta area plays an important role in wildlife migration routes and you will become a key member of a conservation project that aims to monitor and maintain the unique ecosystem of the delta.
You will have access to observe and study some of Africa’s giants – elephants, hippos, crocodiles and leopards. You may also visit areas further a field where lions, buffalo and countless others still compete for supremacy, whilst helping where possible within the local community. Your work will include the following exciting projects:
1) Elephant Migration Routes: As a volunteer in the Okavango you will be in the heart of elephant migration country. Elephants pass through the river on their way to and from water and food sources. At present, in the area, little is known of the local population. By tracking these magnificent animals you will be among the first people to record their movements on the Okavango.
Your role will include:
• Exploring whether elephant populations are stable and not in danger of over running local vegetation or farms.
• Analysing human responses to elephants in the local village where your volunteer camp is based. You will examine the ways in which the community manages to avoid conflict.
• When possible, observing herds of elephants crossing the waters on their migrations.
• You will also promote the benefits of elephant conservation to local farmers and school children who sometimes find themselves in competition over land.
• The programme keeps ongoing records of where the elephant crossings take place, how many animals are involved and where the elephants head to after crossing. 2) Hippo/Human Conflict: On both sides of the Okavango, hippos and humans often cross each other’s paths. At times, this leads to hippos being shot by farmers and villagers, as well as human deaths. With the exception of the mosquito, hippos are actually believed to be the biggest man killers in Africa. A large proportion of the peoples of Africa live on the banks of rivers, such as the Okavango and conflict is inevitable. As a volunteer you will help to develop new strategies in damage limitation between the two species. Mapping of hippo grazing sights near to human habitations (or red spots) are recorded and passed on to the local authorities.
You will help track hippos on land by:
• Taking part in day walks, which include learning to track and identify mammal spoor and other signs such as smell or waste sites.
• Recording local sightings of hippos seen by farmers and villagers.
• Talking to children form the local community, educating them on the Hippo/human conflict, through a series of conservation talks.
• Joining night drives wherever possible: This depends on floodwater levels at the time. 3) Monitoring crocodile populations on the Okavango: During the 1950’s/60’s, tens of thousands of crocodiles were shot throughout the Okavango Delta for sport, farming and trade.
You will be an important part of a monitoring programme, designed to keep ongoing records of populations in the area. Your activities will include:
• Travelling by boat to croc-spot throughout the many channels of the Okavango Panhandle. The population of an animal like this, at the top of the food chain, is vital to determine the overall health of the local ecosystem. You will record sightings and your assistance here is essential in keeping up frequent observations.
• Search results will be processed, written up and passed onto wildlife officials and university experts.
• You will also visit a nearby crocodile farm, which plays a big part in breeding crocs and the conservation of the species. Here you will be able to get close and even handle the creatures you will now be so familiar with. 4) Sepopa Community Projects: The volunteer camp is based near the rural village of Sepopa. In and around the village there are some community projects running, which you will will have the opportunity to become involved in.
Your contributions are much appreciated in the community and are often rewarded by sharing of local knowledge and customs. In order for volunteers to communicate better with the local inhabitants you will be given some basic lessons in Setswana, the local language.
Here are some of the exciting activities that you could get involved with:
• The building and monitoring of a village craft shop, so that local people can have a central area to show and sell their home made products to passing tourists.
• You will receive tutoring in the craft of basket making – a Botswana tradition.
• You will visit local school children to talk about the Okavango, its dangers and its importance in the ecosystem.
• You will help to organise football, cricket and other sports, lessons and games with the village children. Project Support
Throughout your stay in Botswana you will have the support and guidance of Andrew, the project coordinator and his other members of staff. They will provide you with competent assistance and will be able to help you with any questions you have, or advice you require. We will also provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so you can reach one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
Project Orientation
On arrival in Maun the project manager, Andrew, will give you a comprehensive orientation. Some of this will occur on the three and a half hour transfer to camp and the remainder will be completed on site. This is an important time for you to familiarise yourself with the new environment around you and ask as many questions as you like! Topics covered will include:
• Introduction to key staff and community members including village headman.
• Familiarisation of the area: Getting to know the roads, rivers, villages and local community
• Camp orientation, village walk and boat ride on the Okavango
• The basic equipment you will be using over the coming weeks and safety briefing. Accommodation and Meals
You will be staying at a campsite within a beautiful fishing lodge directly on the Okavango River, in twin share tents. It is situated about 3km from the village of Sepopa. Volunteers will be provided with your own bedroll that includes a mattress, duvet, pillow and blankets for the colder months. Mosquito nets are provided for camping excursions.
The camp has a kitchen, single sex twin share large tents (couples can be accommodated), an African fire, cooking and sitting/relaxation area. Close by, there is access to toilet facilities, including hot showers, flush toilets and clean tap water. Within the camp and lodge there is a bar and areas of decking where you can relax and chat with other volunteers and staff with a view of the river. There are also 2 small swimming pools and a volleyball court and group games such as volleyball, football and darts are often organised.
You will receive three meals a day and unlimited tea, coffee and juice. This is a ‘hands on’ project – volunteers will take it in turns to assist in cooking the evening meal, which will be traditionally cooked on fires. Breakfast consists of eggs, cereal and toast, and lunches consist of sandwiches, pastas or salads. Please note that volunteers are expected to participate in cleaning up as an important part of the daily routine!
For further information or to secure your place on this project, please call the Africa team today on 01892 516164 or email us at Africa@realgap.co.uk
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