Desert Elephants Volunteer Programme, Namibia

This project takes you to the North Western regions of the Namib Desert, traditionally known as ‘Damaraland’. This harsh tribal wilderness area, runs parallel to the Skeleton Coast National Park, and is home to a small population of desert-adapted elephants.  This project is part of a long-term initiative to find solutions to the ever-growing problem of facilitating the peaceful co-habitation between the subsistence farmers, and the desert adapted elephants. As a volunteer, you will work with the local subsistence farmers building protective walls around their water points to stop elephants causing damage.  In addition, you will take part in following and monitoring the movements of these elephants on patrol, camping wild and living close to the earth, elephants and people.  

You can join for 2 weeks up to 12 weeks maximum all year round. 

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 spearhead 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. No special skills are required, as all training is provided – however we are looking for people with an open mind and who are prepared to put in hard work, who are able to work well in a team and live close together, on the ground and with the animals.