Volunteer Role
This project works directly with the local community in protecting vulnerable structures from damage. We believe that education is an important tool in safeguarding the future of desert elephants and therefore also helps in supporting local schools with efforts ranging from rebuilding toilets and showers to building a computer network from donated computers, to educating pupils on the environment, local ecosystem and in particular the desert elephants.
Tracking and monitoring the herds is another important function performed by the project, enabling us to compile identikits of local herds and bulls and to map their movement patterns. Through this knowledge we are able to assist the Ministry of Environment and Tourism with solving problems the elephants create. Our volunteer project is real, pioneering conservation work, consisting of building defensive measures around vulnerable structures as well as joining our members out on patrol, helping monitor the elephants.
The Desert Elephant project is made up of two parts based upon 2-week rotations. These are as follows:
The Building Project: You will first join a team in building walls around vitally important water sources for Damaraland homesteads. The walls are built to protect water pumping facilities: a borehole, solar panel and pump or windmill. The elephants are given access to the water at certain points, thus preventing them from damaging the pumping mechanics and allowing the farmers access to the clean, fresh water.
You will spend one week at the building site working on the wall, which is made from local stone and cement brought in by the project. Facilities are very basic, with only the minimum of equipment and supplies for the week. You will be camping and all cooking is done over the fire, with everybody sharing camp duties. It is extremely intense work in the heat of the African sun doing hard physical labour, but you will undoubtedly finish the week with a great sense of achievement. The weekend is then spent relaxing at the base camp in the Ugab River.
The Trekking and Patrol Project: We then head off on patrol for the next week. Patrols are lead by at least one experienced guide on specialised 4x4 vehicles, again with the minimum of equipment, setting up camp at a different site every evening. You will be experiencing areas of Damaraland and surrounding desert that no safari or overland tour will ever venture into, tracking and observing our local desert-adapted elephant herds.
You will help with herd identification and data collection projects. This project is a perfect opportunity for people to really return to basic levels of living, learn simple camp-craft and survival skills and get back in touch with nature; whilst becoming directly involved in trailblazing conservation work. It is a chance to experience hard but rewarding work, witness amazing natural phenomena and escape the highly-strung world and its day-to-day routine.
What’s Included in the Programme
- Project Fee: This entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as building materials, fuel, vehicle cost etc
- All accommodation during your stay – excluding arrival and weekends in Swakopmund
- All meals on your project – excluding weekends in Swakopmund
- Briefing upon arrival
- The volunteer project
- Full support and assistance from your local co-ordinator and staff throughout your time on your placement
What’s Not Included in the Programme
- Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement, which should include cover for repatriation
- All flights
- Accommodation in Swakopmund
- Transfers from Windhoek by shuttle bus [N$300 (approx £29/39€)] or from Walvis Bay [N$150 (approx £13/18€)]
- Weekends in Swakopmund, every two weeks – approx £25/34€ per day
- All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
- E-mail/Internet and telephone calls
- Soft drinks, wines and spirits
- Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Namibia
Prices and Durations
Namibia Desert Elephant Conservation - 2 weeks £729
Namibia Desert Elephant Conservation - 4 weeks £1,499
Namibia Desert Elephant Conservation - 8 weeks £2,799
Namibia Desert Elephant Conservation - 12 weeks £3,999
