IRDNC Kunene Elephant Walk

The IRDNC Kunene Elephant Walk is a community-based conservation initiative operating in northwestern Namibia under the umbrella of Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), a Namibian NGO with more than 40 years of experience in sustainable natural resource management.

The program focuses on reducing human–wildlife conflict involving desert-adapted elephants, desert-adapted lions, black rhinos, and other large mammals in one of Namibia’s most arid and remote regions. At the core of the project is a locally driven protection model: community members from surrounding villages are recruited and trained as rangers who conduct regular patrols, monitor wildlife movements, protect settlements, and intervene early to prevent conflicts before they escalate.

After setting up camp on arrival you will have the chance to meet the rangers and enjoy a community meal around the fire. For the following few days, you will assist the rangers in building or fixing community water points or elephant waterholes. Volunteers will also assist in making elephant dung candles. These are a unique method to keep elephants out of community crops. The rangers will demonstrate how this is used. If there are call outs, you will assist the rangers to guard the crops and see how the elephants are safely chased away. Over the weekend you will have the chance to visit the Warmquelle Springs and the Khowarib Canyon - to swim, camp, restock on snacks and relax.

During the second week you will join the rangers who are tracking and monitoring the desert elephants in the area. You will assist the rangers in identification of each elephant and updating their logbooks. This week will also include touring of the area, meet rural communities and take part in community activities. These activities may include making Himba food and jewellery or assisting with crop planting or protection. Day tours include finding deep natural waterholes to swim in and exploring caves. Due to the distances covered this week, on certain nights you will be wild camping. Volunteers are provided with three meals per day during their stay at the project site.

This program is ideal for volunteers who are interested in wildlife conservation, community engagement, and cultural exchange, and who value learning, reflection, and long-term impact over short-term, hands-on wildlife interaction.

Confirmed volunteer start dates (2026):

• • 29 June – 12 July 2026
  • 13 July – 26 July 2026
  • 27 July – 9 August 2026
  • 10 August – 23 August 2026
  • 24 August – 6 September 2026
  • 7 September – 20 September 2026
  • 21 September – 4 October 2026
  • 5 October – 18 October 2026
  • 19 October – 1 November 2026
  • 2 November – 15 November 2026
  • 16 November – 29 November 2026
  • 30 November – 13 December 2026