GoAbroad

Elephant Conservation in Namibia

by: Oyster Worldwide

9.8 (5)Verified

This programme is based on the immense and spectacular desert, The Namib, home to magnificent, wild elephants. This is one of only two places in the world where elephants can be found living in the desert. Volunteers will spend the first half of the programme working with a local NGO to help resolve the conflicts existing between villagers and elephants, and building walls to protect farmers ...

Read More

Program Highlights

Take part in real grassroots conservation, which will protect a severely endangered group of desert elephants.

Live out in the desert and sleep under the stars - an unforgettable experience!

See elephants living in the wild.

See the amazing impact that the walls have on the farmers' livelihoods.

Explore areas where you will see little evidence of human existence - this is really off the beaten track!

Quick Details

Locations:
  • Rural Areas, Namibia
  • Swakopmund, Namibia
Availability
Year(s) Offered2020Duration:
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 9-12 Weeks
Age Requirement:Varies
Types & Subjects
Adventure Types:
  • Ecology
  • Vacation Packages
Causes:
  • Animal Welfare
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Conservation
  • See more
Guidelines:
  • American
  • European
  • Canadian
  • Australian
  • Asian
See all program details

Awards

Gap Year Association

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

9.8

Total Reviews

5

Super friendly and great customer service.

August 03, 2025by: Will BowenProgram: Elephant Conservation in Namibia
10

Super support from initial enquiry right up to departure. Kate was attentive and patient with my enquiries. Super friendly and great customer service. I would recommend Oyster & the Elephant conservation in Namibia

Camping under the milky way every night is legendary!

December 17, 2024by: Dan Turner - United KingdomProgram: Elephant Conservation in Namibia
9

Elephants are awesome. I travelled from the UK to Namibia by myself at just 17 years old which was awesome and I went from home sleeping to sleeping under the milky way. The first elephant herd I saw was headed by the matriarch Mathilda, and she was confident and one can never underestimate the power and beauty of nature in a perpetually hectic urban life. You don't have to go,but if you want to do something great and at the same time inspire yourself I thoroughly recommend it.

Oyster Worldwide logo
Oyster Worldwide responded to this reviewDecember 18, 2024

So glad that you enjoyed your experience Dan! What an adventure :) The Oyster Team xx

Elephants sunset

Oysters project in Namibia

July 11, 2024by: Emily OrmondProgram: Elephant Conservation in Namibia
10

I have recently come back from my gap year and while I was there I spent a month working on the relationships between humans and elephants. So why would I recommend Oyster? I am so glad I picked to do this project with Oyster because they made me feel very well taken care of and looked after me before and during the project. They talk you though everything you need to know before the project takes place and what clothes and necessities you may need to pack. So what does the project consist of? I would do this project a million times if I could, and if you don’t believe me lots of people who were doing the project had already done it before and had come back because of how much they enjoyed it. So the project is on a two week program and you have the option to stay from two weeks to 3 months. The first week is amazing because you build walls for the local community. Some days some of the locals will come and help, or a few kids will come and keep you company, that is amazing because you feel so immersed, it’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience. The second week is spent tracking elephants. This was my favourite out of the two because you learn all about the elephants foot prints. We also managed to see a two day old elephant which we were lucky enough to name !!! So why pick this project? I think this project and Oyster have a lot of selling points. For starters Oyster takes very good care of you and help you organise yourself before the project starts so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Secondly you are in the middle of the desert, I don’t think you could get anymore rural than that. You don’t really have much service so it’s lovely to disconnect for two weeks. You get to spend some time with lovely people who you may not meet on a day to day basis, people from different countries, locals, and different ages. You camp under the stars which is also amazing. Overall I would always recommend this amazing project, such a special experience!!

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Rural Areas, Namibia
  • Swakopmund, Namibia

Types and Subjects

  • Adventure Types
  • Ecology
  • Vacation Packages
  • Causes
  • Animal Welfare

Availability

Years Offered: 2020

Duration:
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 9-12 Weeks

Age Requirement

Age Requirement Varies

Guidelines

All Nationalities

This Program is also open to Couples, Families

Accommodation Options

  • Group living

Qualifications & Experience

      Accepted Education Levels

    • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

    Application Procedures

    • Phone/Video Interview
    • In-Person Interview when Feasible
    • Online Application

    Related Programs

    Browse programs you might like