Read some of our recent volunteer testimonials

Lynne Thorne: 12/10/2009 to 23/10/2009

Two treks and several volunteer projects later I still rave about EHRA and my time in Namibia in 2008 and 2009. It's hard to put into words what is so exhilarating about volunteering with EHRA. Perhaps it is the simplistic and basic way of living, only having to worry about carrying and being reliant on a small amount of possessions, sleeping under the stars under the amazing southern African sky, the beautiful sunsets, the stunning and dramatic scenery and of course the elephants.

After what can only be described as an often exhausting but rewarding building week the hard work pays off on patrol and sometimes before then. My very first afternoon in base camp Long Shanks, a wonderful bull, wandered through base camp with his back brushing the branches as we sat motionless on the platforms feet away from him.

And it's difficult to describe the emotion when privileged enough to have a herd of elephants relaxed enough to sleep surrounding you and to spend your days observing the elephants in their world. With an open mind and a sense of anything can happen (because believe me it does) this experience will not fail to make you want to return to EHRA, the desert elephants and Namibia

Tony Pateman: 12/10/2009 to 23/10/2009

I spent three wonderful weeks with EHRA. Namibia could not be a more magical place and I couldn't have chosen a better company to experience it with. No words can describe the beauty of the changing desert landscapes of the trek from vast golden plains to narrow rocky gorges. 
 
The experience of observing desert elephants at such close quarters was truly magical. The whole adventure was a life changing experience and I would absolutely recommend EHRA to anyone who wants a trip full of wonderful experiences and memories. 

Hamid Hashemi: 31/08/2009 to 11/09/2009

Volunteering with EHRA in Namibia was a completely new experience for me, however it was one of the most incredible things I have ever done. It was strange to wake up and find yourself in the middle of the African bush staring up at a clear morning sky. While the building week was very hard work and involved a lot of sweating and muscle-aching, it was so much fun. I would often stop and think where I was and exactly what I was doing, and it blew my mind.

The patrol week was awesome, getting so much contact with the desert elephants and getting to see them behave in their natural environmet was fascinating. They really are some of the most beautiful creatures on this planet. I remember one night, we were sleeping in a dried up river bed and during the night, we heard the low but loud grumble of a bull elephant. Having been woken up I looked up at the sky, and was amazed to see the dust of the milky way streaking across the sky.

This opportunity to work with EHRA is something I would recommend to anyone hard-working and passionate about helping others. Although I would advise you to take lots of wet-wipes, they're so useful.

Siggi Hosenfeld: 31/08/2009 to 25/09/2009

If you’re looking for the most rewarding experience in conservation efforts, EHRA is the place to be!! If you, on top of that, are fascinated with elephants and want to see a bit of Namibia, than there couldn’t be a better project to volunteer for! Many thanks for an
amazing time & I will be back!!

Peter Owen: 31/08/2009 to 11/09/2009

The trip was everything I was hoping for and in some instances more! The scenery and wildlife were very special, to get that close to a herd of elephants was something I will remember for a long time to come.
 
Food was great and I loved base camp, Dave, Hendrik and Rob made the weeks thoroughly enjoyable.

Sam Tilly: 31/08/2009 to 11/09/2009

My time spent with EHRA was incredible. With beautiful scenery, wonderful people and amazing wildlife it was a life changing experience. It was unreal watching the sun rise in the morning and fall every evening - revealing the beautiful nights sky. Building was hard work but satisfying, we worked as a team and had a laugh..with little help from all the goats and cattle! I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants a fantastic experience and wants to help a well deserving cause.

Rocks were heavy, rides were bumpy and the mopane were very irritating, but all this made the trip what it was...brilliant.

Gloria Percy 17/08/2009 to 23/08/2009

The first night at Base Camp will always stay with me as a family of Elephants came through the camp eating as they went. I could hear one munching away even though I couldn't see it from my place on the platform in the tree. I have done quite a bit of camping in Africa but this wild camping was fantastic as no tents and lying looking up at the stars was magic. It really is a completely unique way to help the locals and ele's a great trip.

Rob Chilton: 12/10/2009 to 04/12/2009

It is 2am. I am sleeping outdoors in the desert wilderness of Namibia under a brilliant full moon. It is a warm night, but suddenly I wake up, stone cold. I hear heavy breathing. The hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention. I get goosebumps. I slowly sit up in my sleeping bag and turn around. Standing 10 feet away and looking right at me is an elephant. A big elephant. I freeze. I am terrified and feel utterly powerless. The elephant, whose name I later find out is Matilda, looks at me for another 10 seconds and then gently scuffs her foot in my direction as if to walk towards me. She pauses. Then, with a little swish of her trunk, she turns and strolls on past our campsite. I turn to my fellow EHRA volunteers, some of whom are also sitting up and have just witnessed my close encounter, and some of whom are quietly snoring, oblivious to our nightime visitor. As Matilda silently pads away, we point, wave and giggle to each other. Our guide, Dave, walks over to me, grins, and whispers, "That was pretty cool, hey?" I lie back down and try to go back to sleep, rather difficult with three gallons of adrenaline surging through my veins.