GoAbroad

Family Volunteering in Namibia: Protecting Desert Elephants

by: Natucate

Add first reviewSince 2013

Discover Namibia with your entire family and help save endangered desert elephants as part of this fascinating species conservation project. Together, you experience an unforgettable outdoor adventure in the wilderness with the chance of unique wildlife viewings, and you get authentic insights into Namibian culture through contact with natives. In the first few days, you participate in a “Building Project” carried out at a primary school in Erongo to help contain the human-wildlife conflict. The second part of the course is spent patrolling through the Erongo region to collect important data for the protection of the endangered desert elephants. Besides these impressive animals, you get the chance to see other wild animals like rhinos, kudus, giraffes, zebras, and springboks! Gain unforgettable experiences in Namibia and discover the home of desert elephants as a volunteer, together with your family.

Program Highlights

Experi­ence a real family adventure in Namibia’s wilder­ness.

Help protect endangered desert elephants.

Learn more about essential conservation measures.

Get to know Namibia’s wild nature in an unfor­get­table way.

Grow closer as a family and return back home with unforgettable wilderness memories.

Quick Details

Locations:
  • Swakopmund, Namibia
Starts At: $1250-1500
Availability
Year(s) Offered: Year RoundDuration:
  • 1-2 Weeks
Age Requirement: All Ages
Types & Subjects
Causes:
  • Building & Construction Projects
  • Conservation
  • Environment
  • Wildlife
Guidelines:
  • All Nationalities
See all program details
Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Swakopmund, Namibia

Types and Subjects

  • Causes
  • Building & Construction Projects
  • Conservation
  • Environment
  • Wildlife

Availability

Years Offered: Year Round

Duration:
  • 1-2 Weeks

Age Requirement

Open to All Ages

Guidelines

All Nationalities

This Program is also open to Families

Starts At

$1250-1500

Program Cost Includes

  • Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
  • Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Some Equipment
  • Pre-Departure Orientation
  • In-Country Orientation
  • Training
  • Assistance Booking Travel

Accommodation Options

  • Group living
  • Other

Qualifications & Experience

    Language Skills Required

  • English

    Accepted Education Levels

  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Application Procedures

  • Phone/Video Interview
  • Physical Exam/Health Records
  • Online Application
  • Other

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after my arrival?

We recommend that you arrive in Windhoek the weekend before the project starts so you have enough time for the transfer to Swakopmund. You meet the team and get an introduction to the project on Sunday evening. Therefore, you should arrive in Swakopmund by 6:30 PM that evening at the latest. The project starts on Monday morning. You can run some errands and then get to your base camp by bus (ca. 4 hours). The project lasts ten days.

How big is the group?

To ensure the safety, learning quality, and success of the project, we try to keep the group as small as possible. In general, there won’t be more than 14 people in one group.

What are the main focuses of the project?

  1. “Building Project” at a primary school in Erongo, which helps human-wildlife-conflict and enable humans and animals to co-exist
  2. You will be on patrol and get involved with elephant research.
  3. You will help compile identification files of ‘new’ herds since they often cause a lot of damage to farms.
  4. You will perform a lot of handcraft jobs using traditional construction methods.
  5. Understand animal behavior and navigate with GPS + maps.

How can i spend my free time?

On your day off, between the two projects, you have the opportunity to participate in a guided nature walk or you may simply relax in the camp.

What is the minimum age requirement?

The minimum age is 18 years and for children 8 years. You and your family should be physically fit enough to work and hike during high outdoor temperatures. Furthermore, you might need a visa to carry out volunteer work. You can check out the foreign department’s website or ask the Natucate team directly for the visa standards.

Program Reviews

This program has no reviews

Review this Program

Related Programs

Browse programs you might like