Volun­teering Namibia - Loretta and Hans

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Name: Loretta and Hans

Age: 56 and 54

Project: Elephant protection

Location: Damaraland

Duration: August 2024, 2 weeks

Rating

Support from the NATUCATE team:

Arrival:

Partner on-site:

Elephant conservation in Namibia – Review: Seven questions to Hans and Loretta

1. Would you like to give us a brief overview of your tasks in the project?

The first week was ‘Building Week’, in which we erected quarry stone walls for a water tank. This involved collecting stones and sand with some team members in an off-road vehicle. We mixed the cement on site and built the wall together with the stones. ‘Duty teams took turns each day to take care of the cooking and catering.

The second week, ‘Patrol Week’, was all about observing animals. Together with the entire team, we drove through the area, focussing on the desert elephants. Here, too, the duty teams rotated.

We spent the first day, the weekend between the two weeks, and the last night at the Base Camp. The base camp had showers, toilets, an outdoor kitchen, and sleeping facilities on a high plateau. There were no sanitary facilities outside the camp.

2. Was there anything you particularly liked? Or something that you remember particularly negatively?

The landscape, nature, animals, organization, guides, sleeping under the open sky, the food, and the activities themselves were overwhelming. We were more than thrilled. The trip was a huge success for us from start to finish. Beforehand, we received an extremely friendly and helpful briefing from Natucate and a thoroughly competent introduction from Tadjara. She was there for us from the beginning, always offering advice and assistance. She arranged our transport from the airport to the hotel (both on arrival and for the return trip), the hotel itself, and even handled the missing luggage at the airport. She was always available for our needs, easy to work with, and quick to respond. In short, a true angel :-)

The Hotel à la Mer in Swakopmund was very nice and clean. The owner and her husband were also very caring and helpful. In the town itself, there are good shopping options, and you are well provided for with everything you need. The guides on-site were absolutely amazing. Always available, very friendly, excellently organized, and highly attentive and competent when it came to the social dynamics within a newly forming group.

The first week, which mainly revolved around building a protective wall for a water tank, was physically demanding for some. However, since we enjoy this type of work and specifically chose a volunteer project with some physical labor, it was the perfect balance between work and relaxation for us. (7:00 am wake-up, 8:00 am start work, around 10:30 am break, lunch from around 12:30 to about 3:00 pm, work until about 5:30 pm, followed by dinner). The work was varied, alternating between collecting stones, fetching sand, and building the wall. Since we took this trip in August, I can imagine that during a hotter time of year, it could have become quite challenging due to the temperatures.

At the campsite next to the work site, we could enjoy the company of the other team members, find peace and relaxation, or simply take in the incredibly beautiful landscape. The base camp, where we stayed on the first and last days, as well as a stopover between the first and second weeks, was very well-equipped with two outdoor showers, toilets, and washing facilities. There was also a very well-equipped information room with a small adjoining shop from the partner, which was very impressive.

During the second week, which focused primarily on observing animals, we were taught a lot about wildlife and plants. Tracking, animal behavior, and plant knowledge were conveyed to us by the guides in a very vivid and exciting way. Observing the elephants up close in their natural habitat and instinctive behavior is absolutely impressive. But seeing other animals such as ostriches, meerkats, springboks, monkeys, snake eagles, flamingos, and many more in the wild, completely untouched by human influence, is deeply moving.

The landscape is beyond impressive. You have to experience it in person!!! During the second week, we also slept under the open sky, but each day in a different, fascinating location. The food exceeded our expectations, even better than in many restaurants. It was varied and delicious, and vegetarian or vegan preferences and various other requests were accommodated.

3. Did you have certain expectations before you travelled to the project?

The expectation of being as close to nature as possible while genuinely being able to help was more than exceeded.
The landscape also overwhelmed us. The guides, Tadjara, and the entire organization were perfect.

4. Did you do anything in your free time that you could recommend to future participants?

Between the weeks, there was an opportunity to go into town to have coffee or swim in a pool. However, we chose to stay at the base camp and enjoy the peace and the landscape. We didn't regret it ;-) Unfortunately, we didn't have any time left to explore more of Namibia.

5. What tips would you give other participants?

• The Namibian dollar is the currency that will get you the furthest.
• Bring a warm sleeping bag if you're there during the "cold" season.
• Take plenty of wet wipes or moist washcloths, as there are no washing facilities outside the base camp.
• A headlamp with spare batteries.
• Good work gloves, work pants (preferably long), and work shoes.
• A well-stocked travel first-aid kit (including various wound care items, such as Betadine).
• A good pair of binoculars.
• Get an MTC SIM card locally, or, like us, enjoy the phone-free time :-)
• Shop in Swakopmund beforehand (snacks, small meals, maybe a pocket knife, etc.).
• General tip: TAKE THIS TRIP!!!

6. Can you estimate how many additional costs you had on-site?

We, two people, spent about €300 for the hotel (first day and return trip), approximately €250 for additional food, and around €60 for transport to and from the airport. Various "extras" like T-shirts and lots of other stuff, or an elephant sponsorship – well, that added up to quite a bit as well... ;-)

7. There is still room here for other questions/suggestions/ideas/reports or stories from you:

We would like to explicitly thank Tadjara and Maryna once again for their absolutely competent and caring support. We will definitely book another trip with you.