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Your trip at a glance

Highlights

  • Volunteer abroad with elephants
  • Make an active contri­bu­tion to wildlife conser­va­tion
  • Experi­ence a real outdoor adventure
  • Gain an authentic insight into Namibia’s culture
  • Live in the midst of Namibia’s wild nature
  • Be part of an inter­na­tional volunteer team

Locations

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Damar­a­land

Plan your trip

  • Included in the programme fee
    • Placement in the programme
    • Assistance with travel arrangements
    • Assistance with selecting travel insurance
    • Assistance with booking flights
    • Risk coverage certificate
Terry

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Terry, your travel agent for Namibia

You would like to learn more about this trip? Don't hesitate to contact me! Our service doesn't end with your departure: I answer all of your questions and support you before, during and after your stay abroad.

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Blick ueber die Weiten von Namibias Damaraland waehrend der Elefantenpatrouille
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Elephant volunteering in Namibia

Volunteering abroad with elephants: By participating in this wildlife conservation project you get the chance to actively contribute to protecting endangered desert elephants and, at the same time, to discover Namibia’s pristine nature.

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Arrival and orien­ta­tion in Africa

After your arrival at Walvis Bay Airport you’ll be picked up and taken to Swakopmund (for a fee). In Swakopmund you get to know your team and receive an introduction to the project and its tasks.

The following Monday morning the project finally starts, after doing some final grocery shopping and heading to base camp.

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Activ­i­ties as an elephant volunteer in Namibia

The project is divided into two parts. During the “Building Week” you help the local farmers with development aid, schooling and training and building protective walls.

You also become involved in building new water holes for the animals away from the settlements and showing the local population that living in harmony with the elephants is possible. Thereby you and your group will help to settle the human-wildlife-conflict and aim for a gentle co-existence.

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During the “Patrol Week” you dedicate yourself to researching the elephants. You will follow animal tracks throughout Damaraland, accompanying these gentle giants on their endless ramblings and observing their behaviour, their population, and their movement patterns.

You will experience the animals at close quarters and learn much about their natural habitat. It is also important to note down the specific behaviour and statistics like the size of the group etc. This way you get engaged and support the monitoring of this region's elephant population.

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Accom­mo­da­tion in Damar­a­land

During the “Building Week”, a base is usually established in close proximity to one or several farms. You will sleep in a tent for two or, if you prefer, next to the camp fire which is used for cooking and where you will eat together.

After the Building Week you will spend the weekend in the base camp, close to the Ougab River. You will sleep in tents or under Namibia's stunning night sky. If you are lucky the camp will be visited by elephants.

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During the “Patrol Week” you will be on patrol, tracking desert elephants. You will sleep under the open sky and live in a breathtaking natural environment. It is an incredible experience to spend the night sleeping under the million stars of Namibia.

Sanitary facilities are limited and most of the time you won’t be able to use a flush toilet or a real shower. During the second week, there won’t be any kind of facilities at all.

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Leisure time during the elephant conser­va­tion project

After the first 12 days of the project, your group travels back to Swakopmund together. Here you can enjoy different activities. Due to its beaches, bars, and restaurants, Swakopmund is a popular tourist destination.

Furthermore, various trips are offered which give you the chance to explore the region surrounding the city. Feel free to ask for further information in your volunteer accommodation in Swakopmund.

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During the Building and the Patrol Week you can use the evening for reading, relaxing or spending time with the other volunteers.

After the Building Week you and your group will drive to the nearest town for one day where you spend some time in a little hotel. Here you can jump into the pool, use the internet or buy some nice drinks and food.

FAQ – Learn more about this trip



Learn what others say about their Natucate adventure.

Ein Elefantenjunges hebt den Ruessel in der Wildnis Namibias
Ein afrikansicher Elefant zieht mit seinem Ruessel an dem Gestruepp eines Baumes
Review Volunteering Namibia – Tobias

“I will never forget my time there and I hope that I will be able to take part in the project again.”

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Review Volunteering Namibia – Sabrina

“Of course, observing the desert elephants was a great experience. However, I will never forget falling asleep under the incredibly beautiful starry sky, which was an absolute highlight for me.”

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Review Volunteering Namibia – Yvonne

“... the project, the landscape, the animals, the experiences, the people – everything very recommendable and certainly unique!”

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erfahrungsbericht-freiwilligenarbeit-namibia-elefantenschutz-jonas-elefanten-natucate
Review Volunteering Namibia – Jonas

“I felt so close to nature and to all the people that shared this experience with me. I have rarely been as happy as during my time as an elephant volunteer in Namibia. I dare to say that these three months have been the best three months of my life so far.”

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erfahrungsberichte-freiwilligenarbeit-elefantenschutz-namibia-theresa-teilnehmergruppe-vor-auto
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Review Volunteering Namibia – Theresa

“The places where we slept in the desert were beyond beautiful.”

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Review Volunteering Namibia – Lena

“I was thrilled from start to finish. (...) It is an unforgettable experience.”

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Auslandsaufenthalt in Namibia: Mehrere Elefanten stehen im Schatten oder gehen durch die Landschaft
Ein Elefant geht zum Sonnenuntergang durch ein altes Flussbett
Review Volunteering Namibia – Victoria

“This project really does its job and benefits the locals.”

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Ein Elefant durchquert ein Schlammgebiet
Ein Sonnenaufgang ueber eine Bergkuppe in der Wildnis Namibias
Review Volunteering Namibia – Gesa

“Wir haben Neues gelernt, unsere Grenzen übertreten und vielleicht auch ein Stückchen mehr über uns selbst erfahren.”

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    1. Damaraland

    Damaraland is located in the northwest of Namibia. Characterized by gorges, hills and table mountains, it is one of the most impressive and interesting areas of the country. The extraordinary landscapes and the fauna, which constantly need to defy the region’s drought, surely leave each visitor in awe. Particularly in the west, populations of the highly endangered black rhino can be found alongside the impressive desert elephants.

    Damaraland also has a lot to offer culturally: rock and cave paintings from thousands of years ago can be admired as part of a visit to the Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg or Twyfelfontein. Damaraland – a real highlight of a journey through the vastness of Namibia.

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Background of the elephant project in Namibia

Species conservation is frequently required in conflict situations where humans are encroaching on animal habitats. The rare African Desert elephant, which lives in Damaraland in the dry environment of Western Namibia, is the victim of one such conflict.

The local population frequently uses the same water sources as elephants, rendering them inaccessible. Driven by their natural instincts to find new water sources, they are forced deeper and deeper into human settlements, where they cause unintentional damage to infrastructure. Local people react by driving the elephants off, which frequently results in animals being injured or killed.

One aim of the project is to use construction work to prevent elephants wandering into human settlements and getting into unnecessary danger. It also aims to provide alternative water sources so that both people and elephants have consistent access to drinking water.

Support wildlife conservation in Namibia and volunteer with elephants!

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