Experience, 'adopt' and protect 'desert elephants'

Camping in the wilderness, overlooking a rivier (dry river), and maybe even waking up to see elephants passing through? This is what the Eco Campsites of the Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA) organisation offer on the Ugab rivier northwest of Uis.

EHRA has recently topped off the experience with the option of comfortable glamping. There are tents with camping beds and environmentally friendly bathrooms with showers and toilets.

Guests also have access to a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and a braai (barbecue facility). If you don't fancy cooking for yourself, you can book accommodation with dinner and breakfast.

Die-hard camping fans can of course continue to camp 'down to earth' in one of the three eco campsites. The Eco Base Camp with tree top platforms on the Ugab offers space for up to 20 people. Tsaurab Valley Camps 1 and 2 are designed for around eight people. All camps overlook the rivier.
 

All about the 'desert elephant'

The main experience of EHRA's Eco Campsites continues to be the desert-adapted elephants. They roam up and down the Ugab. An information centre explains everything about the fascinating elephants and their habitat. On 'Elephant Educational Drives' you can also experience the pachyderms first-hand.

As the name suggests, EHRA's conservation work aims to promote peaceful coexistence between humans and elephants. Guests support this work with their stay. "The profits from the base camp are channelled in full into our conservation work," confirms EHRA employee Rachel Harris when asked by Namibian.org. "The two Tsaurab Valley camps donate a fixed percentage of their surpluses to us."

However, you can also support the conservation of desert-adapted elephants without stopping by and staying overnight. For a donation of 50 British pounds (currently around 1,160 Namibian Dollar), young elephants are available for adoption for one year. EHRA issues a corresponding certificate – with a photo of the adopted elephant.

Sven-Eric Stender