from 2,045€

Brilliant 4.7rating (220)

Desert Elephant Conservation Support

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Building protective walls around pumps, tanks and windmills to safeguard community water sources.
  • Tracking desert elephant herds and collecting movement data.
  • Visiting local farmers to assess elephant-human conflict risk.
  • Contributing to a growing database of elephant identification kits.
  • Getting to know individual elephant personalities and monitoring their behaviour.

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+

About the program

As a volunteer with our desert elephant conservation program, you’ll contribute to meaningful projects that protect elephants and people, mitigate conflict.

In one of the world’s last remaining true wilderness areas, in Namibia’s vast Damaraland, elephants roam in constant search for water. As a volunteer with our desert elephant conservation program, you’ll contribute to meaningful projects that protect elephants and people, mitigate conflict and ...

About the program

In one of the world’s last remaining true wilderness areas, in Namibia’s vast Damaraland, elephants roam in constant search for water. As a volunteer with our desert elephant conservation program, you’ll contribute to meaningful projects that protect elephants and people, mitigate conflict and set a path towards peaceful coexistence. Project work includes construction of walls to protect water sources, tracking and identifying elephants and monitoring local herds.

Join us in Namibia’s desert, a remote wilderness area rarely seen by tourists. Witness the uniquely adapted desert elephants, lions and giraffes in their natural environment. You might also spot black rhino, oryx, brown and spotted hyena, leopard, cheetah and more. Sleep under vast starry skies, learn to cook over an open fire in traditional style, experience the local culture and explore Namibia’s wild beauty in your free time.

This program is typically run in two-week intervals, with the first week committed to building activities to protect critical water sources for local communities. During the second week, volunteers will get fieldwork experience tracking desert elephants and collecting data for conservation work. 

Species
Desert-dwelling elephants are actually the same species (known as African savannah or bush elephants, Loxodonta africana) found in many safari destinations on the continent. These elephants have made the Namib Desert their home and have developed special adaptations for surviving the extreme temperatures and terrain. With only 150 individuals estimated in this population, your contribution as a volunteer can really make a difference in their conservation. If this population doesn’t survive there won’t be any others, as it’s their unique adaptations that enable them to survive here. Additional species you might encounter include oryx, desert-adapted lions, leopards, brown hyenas and black rhinos.

Location
Our project work is based in Damaraland, a tribal wilderness area running parallel to the iconic Skeleton Coast National Park in Namibia. This area forms part of the Namib Desert, a vast and true wilderness. Because of the area’s low rainfall, farming is restricted, creating a haven for wildlife adapted to desert conditions. The desert is full of surprises, with temporary river systems dotted with large shady trees, and occasional green, lush wetland areas that emerge unexpectedly!

Typical day

The project is split into 2 parts, with week 1 being the Building week and week 2 being the Elephant Patrol week. As with any schedule, there's no standard day, and tasks may change depending on the project work required.
  • 6:30 AM: You'll have an early rise to beat the Namibian heat.
  • 7:00 AM: Generally ...

Typical day

The project is split into 2 parts, with week 1 being the Building week and week 2 being the Elephant Patrol week. As with any schedule, there's no standard day, and tasks may change depending on the project work required.
  • 6:30 AM: You'll have an early rise to beat the Namibian heat.
  • 7:00 AM: Generally you will have breakfast at the camp by 7:00 AM and then travel to the project site.
  • 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Upon arrival at the project site, you will either begin building or tracking the elephants (depending on which week you are on). You'll stop at around 12:00 PM to avoid the hottest part of the day.
  • 12:00 - 2:30 PM: Travel back to camp for a traditional African siesta and enjoy some lunch, before heading back to the project site.
  • 14:30 - 5:00 PM: Project work continues. Once project work is finished for the day, we will find a spot to set up camp for the night.
  • 6:00 PM onwards: The evenings are spent around the campfire, eating dinner and talking about the day’s events.

the first week committed to building activities to protect critical water sources for local communities. During the second week, volunteers will get fieldwork experience tracking desert elephants and collecting data for conservation work. 

Free-time activities

You are allowed to enjoy free time in the evenings during projects. You can enjoy sundowners, spend evenings conversing and relaxing around the campfire, and listen to the sounds of Africa. Additionally, you have the weekend off at the base camp before the Elephant Patrol week. During this time, you ...

Free-time activities

You are allowed to enjoy free time in the evenings during projects. You can enjoy sundowners, spend evenings conversing and relaxing around the campfire, and listen to the sounds of Africa. Additionally, you have the weekend off at the base camp before the Elephant Patrol week. During this time, you can explore, read, take a swim in the elephant drinking dam, and relax.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Education Requirements

at High School level

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 06:30 - 18:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by GVI

Program fees include:
  • Project work: Assist with practical anti-conflict solutions to help conserve the desert elephants.
  • Accommodation: You'll experience a variety of accommodations from dorm rooms in Swakopmund, to wild camping while on project.
  • Meals: Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, prepared over the campfire. Drinking water provided.
  • Airport transfer: You'll get collected from Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek and transferred to Swakopmund (4-hour drive), where you'll stay overnight.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure support: Includes a dedicated support coordinator to answer your questions, an Essential Info Pack, and a webinar to learn more about your program.
  • Comprehensive in-country support: Includes a welcome orientation, including safety, culture and environmental info. A Program Manager is there to support you.
  • Mental health support: Receive support services provided by licensed professionals.
  • Project transport: Transport during project.
  • Project materials: Project building materials.

Airport Pickup at Hosea Kutako International Airport

You'll get collected from Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek and transferred to Swakopmund (4-hour drive), where you'll stay overnight.

Accommodation

Accommodation on this project is basic, but it’s also everything you need! On our desert elephant conservation program you’ll experience different accommodation options depending on which stage of the program you’re in. 

Start your adventure with an overnight stay in comfortable dormitory-style housing in Swakopmund (upgrades available at an extra charge, availability dependent). Then make your way to our base camp, where you’ll experience our unique open-air treehouse. Listen to the night sounds of the Namib Desert from a safe, raised platform. When you’re on a project site you’ll experience our mobile camps, including tents or bed rolls under the stars. Because some days are spent wild camping, we recommend you bring biodegradable wipes.

Food & Beverages

Meals Include: 
  • breakfast 
  • lunch
  • dinner
Most meals will be prepared over the campfire, however dietary requirements can be tended to. 
Drinking water provided

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek. We assist you to find cheap flights to Namibia. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Namibia provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Namibia you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Namibia. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

2025 dates

  • 05 Jan 2025
  • 19 Jan 2025
  • 02 Feb 2025
  • 16 Feb 2025
  • 02 Mar 2025
  • 16 Mar 2025
  • 30 Mar 2025
  • 13 Apr 2025
  • 27 Apr 2025
  • 11 May 2025
  • 25 May 2025
  • 08 Jun 2025
  • 22 Jun 2025
  • 06 Jul 2025
  • 20 Jul 2025
  • 03 Aug 2025
  • 17 Aug 2025
  • 31 Aug 2025
  • 14 Sep 2025
  • 28 Sep 2025
  • 12 Oct 2025
  • 26 Oct 2025
  • 09 Nov 2025
  • 23 Nov 2025

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

2 weeks (min. stay) 2,045€
4 weeks 3,145€
6 weeks 4,145€
8 weeks 5,145€
12 weeks (max. stay) 7,745€
Average fees 833€/week

Program fees

833€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

2 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with GVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

GVI

Brilliant 4.7 rating (220 reviews)

Agency - founded in 1998

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Bianca

Spoken languages: English

About the project

GVI tackles critical local and global issues by operating award-winning education and training programs on sustainable development projects around the world.

Meet your organization

Founded in 1998, GVI runs programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world, each manned by our own staff and aligned to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs as well as the objectives of local partners. We welcome participants from all around the world and help facilitate their development into global citizens. This is how we achieve our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.


We are truly a global family brought together by our dedication to long-term positive impact. At the root of our success is our commitment to investing in authentic, meaningful connections with one another, which is why mutual respect and trust are central to our operations. Although we respond with empathy to difficult situations, we believe that most circumstances can benefit from taking a light-hearted approach. By sharing stories of local achievement with our teams worldwide we build the momentum to catapult us toward our vision for the future.

220 reviews · rating4.7

I had the opportunity to do the virtual marine conservation internship with GVI, it was super good for my work experience and academic training as I learned a lot from the courses and I was able to explore my skills in data analysis which I had not explored so far, I highly recommend this internship ...
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I really enjoyed my recent trip to Siem Reap. The accommodation was very good, I upgraded to a single room with aircon and en-suite and had a fabulous room overlooking the pool. Food was excellent with plenty of choice, both in the guest house and local restaurants where we ate in the evenings ...
Olivia Babbage rating5

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3 month English Teaching internship in Madagascar The most incredible time of my life. I feel so lucky to have experienced all that is Nosy Be, Madagascar. I chose GVI because they are so impact driven, and during my time in Madagascar that was the evident. Being able to immerse myself into such ...
Mary Christensen rating5

2024 at Community Development Internship

GVI is a passionate organization that works diligently to promote life long learners and explorers. As an intern with GVI, I was able to explore the culture of my country of choice, serve a purpose greater than myself, and meet friends all around the world. I highly recommend this program to anyone ...
GVI was one of the best experiences of my life, i was a participant on the U18 costa rica trip! This program allowed me to interact with new people and make lifelong friendships, but also i was able to experience a new culture and be up close to a wide range of wildlife. If you are reading this and ...
Tashanna Reid rating5

2024 at Marine Ecosystem Internship

I did the U18s Tenerife volunteering which was such a great experience and I will definitely do it again! It was lovely meeting new people and making friends and the staff are very welcoming and fun. It had the perfect mix of relaxing and having fun while also doing the work required and exploring ...

Location

Africa > Southern Africa > Namibia > Damaraland

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