6 May 2013

I came to Namibia because it is one of the most amazing places in the world. It is such a joy to do something sp rewarding for the farmers whilst at the same time meet new friends for life. WOW! Nothing beats lying in your bed roll having a cup of tea delivered to you and watching the sunrise.

Mattias is such an amazing character who found the elephants for us and was very special! I will always remember my special time in Namibia. It is really like being at home.

Lynne Ferguson

(Emma-Jane Mooney, London, UK)                                  May 6^th – 17^th 2013

Yes! As Everyone says, you will work hard, meet great people, marvel at the landscape, have laughs and see nature at its untamed best…..BUT – Please remember:

1. Bumper packs of wet wipes
2. Leave your attitude at home
3. in
4. ENJOY!

(And a head-net might be good, unless you want to be driven crazy by the M-bees in base camp and beyond)

Thank you to everyone I’ve met. You have no idea what these two weeks have meant to me.

EHRA, Hendrik, Matteus, Chris, - I wish you all the very best.

People - book your trip NOW. You will not regret it:)

May 5^th-18^th 2013

My two weeks with EHRA wasn’t just about building walls and tracking elephants. It was much more to do with understanding the relationship between the people of Damaraland and the elephants. Being out on patrol and seeing first hand how damaged the relationship is at times was eye opening. Education is the only way forward otherwise the two will continue to clash. And the elephants will loose! Being part of the team for just a short period of time has given me a unique insight into Africa. Wall building without the mod-cons just shovels and spades is great leveler.

Patrol week is like having your own private safari. Truly amazing, the sights sounds and simplicity is priceless.

Thank you Chris you make it real!!

Working with EHRA has been all that I expected and nothing that I expected. Before I came I knew that I was going to build walls and see elephants…and not shower!!! But over the past four weeks I have done so much more, from making new friends to learning to cook over an open fire, but most importantly being a part of repairing the strenuous relationship between elephants and the people who live here. I’ve seen the devastation that the elephants can bring, and the anger of the people and I realize that without EHRA these elephants would not be able to exist at all. It is a difficult and continuous battle here which won’t be easily fixed, but to know I have been part of bringing peace to the people and elephants makes having to deal with the stench of 9 other people who haven’t showered for 5 days all the more worth while.

Ida-May Jones (UK)

April 8^th – 17^th

I went to Namibia with the idea to build some walls and see some elephants. But my six weeks with EHRA was so much more than that. I met great people, saw a lot of different and beautiful landscapes, saw all the elephants of Mamma Afrika herd, G6 and Ugab small several times, experienced from nearby how the locals and the government react on elephants. “saved”the burned baby and last it. Learned how to cook on a open fire, watched beautifull sunrises and sunsets and loved sleeping under the stars. It was an wonderfull and impressive experience. Thank you so much, people of EHRA! You are great!

Greetings Maartje (Grasshopper)

From Dutchland

April 8^th – May 17^th

Yes it is the 2^nd time I am doing this program and it was still amazing. What a great concept. One gives a little and receives a “private safari” with also the insight of day to day struggles the locals have with living with elephants around. The elephant sightings, everyone different. I am certain it won’t be my last time. It certainly has lasting impact on my life.

Ingrid Martin

Melbourne – Australia

EHRA 8^th April, Carol Medcalf

I have had such a wonderful time on my first adventure in Africa.As a lone female traveler in my 40’s I will admit I had a lot of concerns about my safety travelling alone and my physical stamina, but my worries at home were needless. Namibia is a very safe and friendly place, and once I arrived at Walvis Bay airport I was met and escorted by the EHRA group throughout.

Build week was hard work. Working as a team to build a wall around a water pump. It was nice to feel the purpose and to be able to see the immediate results of our labours as the wall grew.

Patrol week was exhausting – following elephants to locate and observe them. We managed to see all of the elephants in the Mamma Afrika’s group, and one of Cheeky’s young bull even came up to explore our jeep.Camping out and sleeping under the stars was amazing. And the food was ….delicious.

Base camp itself is amazing – a real home away from home – far but comfortable and a lovely oasis in the middle of the desert.

I would like to thank Chris, Courtney, Matteus and their support team for making my stay so great. I have loved my first taste of Namibia and Africa, and plan to return next year, hopefully with the rest of my family.

EHRA 8de Abril

As dias sememes de Desert Elephant Foram incriveis!

Vou sentir fetta de dormer sob es ester hes J

Recommendo pra Todo mundo que estiver disposto a se tornar ume pessao mellar

Mvite obrigado!!!

Tha moving stones!!! By Mattias

(Translate)

My 2 weeks were amazing! I ‘ll miss sleep under the stars :)

I recommend Desert Elephant to everyone who wants to become a better person!

Thanks you!

Isadora Neumann, (Brazil – 18.04.2013)

EHRA, 8^th April – 19^th April

Thank you for these fantastic two weeks!

It was great experience to camp in the desert, sit around the fire and talk, and watch the stars from my sleeping bag and then to drive through this magic landscape in the hope to see elephants, to find them finally…

There are no words that can describe it. Thanks again, I am sure that I will come back!

Therese

Last year, I decided I needed to shake the dust off of my life, and get out in the world and do something. To be part of something that was bigger than myself. To experience and live in even briefly, a completely new world. The moment I came across EHRA I knew I’d found what I needed, and what I wanted, in one. Ant it ended up being so much more than I could ever have imagined. During my time with EHRA in 2012, I knew my life would never be the same. I said then that it will change your life, if you let it, and after returning to the desert less than a year later, I now realize how true that really is.

Now my second trip with EHRA has come to an end. Three months of stones, sands and elephants. Hundreds of off-road miles driving, dozens of fire lites, endless sunrises and sunsets spent with people who were strangers and became family, shooting stars, desert rains, clear blue skies and that special African sun. Countless little things have come together to, yet again, change my life and open my eyes to a whole new life, a new world. I didn’t think I’ll ever really be ready to say goodbye to EHRA, to the desert, or to the elephants. But I am so happy and grateful for the days and nights I’ve been able to spend here. I can’t help but smile and be happy about having been here. And, just like I said last year, I know I’ll be back. Someday, somehow. This place, these elephants will teach and show you things you’ve never dreamed possible. Open your eyes and your heart to it, and you’ll be forever changed.

Thank you to everyone who plays a part in making this project what it is. It’s been an incredible journey.

Until next time, Courtney Gallant, Canada

“You’ll never remember the hours you spent in the office, or mowing your lawn, so climb that goddamn mountain”- Jack Kerouac

I knew I had found what I had been hoping for the moment we arrived at EHRA base camp. To me, it immediately looked and felt like a piece of paradise. Sleeping on a platform in a huge tree, underneath the stars … cooking delicious meals over a huge open fire … showering (cold, of course) beside overtowering rocks … relaxing under the platform after the day, keeping mopane bees away by burning one piece of elephant dung after the other … and climbing up the rocky hill to take in the sunset or sunrise…. These are the things that dreams are made of; yet it also seems to me this is how life is meant to be: simple and beautiful.

So this was the framework and background for the real purpose of our trip: Helping elephants and humans to live peacefully alongside each other. I had been aware of this conflict, but I had not been prepared to see evidence of a real battle going on between the two species in some places.

The first week was dedicated to building a wall around a windmill of several farmers’ land – thus protecting their means of sourcing water from the elephants. We left base camp for a couple of nights to live and work even more improvised, e.g. without the chance of having a shower. The labour was hard but rewarding.

After a weekend back at base camp, we went on patrol to track the elephants of this region. What can I say? The experience was amazing. We had the incredible luck to see every single elephant there is in this area, and we had some very close encounters, both of the scary and of the exciting but not quite so scary kind.

However, during these days we also witnessed how cruel the fight can be between humans and elephants, and how much these elephants need EHRA and other friends to look out for them and voice their interests: About a month earlier, farmers had started a fire in a riverbed to scare away the elephants. And  possibly on purpose - a baby elephant got caught in it and was severely burnt! A month later, we saw that baby bravely but very slowly tagging behind its herd, looked after by its mother and another female. It was heart-wrenching to see it struggle, not being able to lie down due to the pain it was suffering, and still looking badly burnt and sore.

We were accompanied on this patrol by officials from the MET (Ministry of Environment and Tourism); first Victor, who is sympathetic to the elephants, but on occasions some other guys who, after only checking very briefly on the baby from afar, went all the way back to Swakopmund to fetch a gun and shoot it. Fortunately, we were able to prevent this through the joint efforts of Chris, Rachel and Betsy, who came to check on the state of the calf and who recommended to the MET not to shoot it. From what I heard, this recommendation was made mainly for the benefit of the whole herd rather than that of the calf: The calf’s state is not good, it is suffering and may die…. at present, shooting it would mean the end of its suffering. But there is some hope that it will make it, and the effects that a shooting would have on the mother and on the whole herd are inestimable and could seriously worsen the situation for the herd and the farmers. Fortunately, the MET agreed to simply observing the situation for the time being, so some good was achieved.

Back to base camp yesterday, sadly leaving the elephants and hoping for the little one to get better, but on the other hand experiencing the atmosphere of base camp once more, cooking a delicious lamb potjie and enjoying sitting together, talking, playing funny games.

The people on the project have been great, everyone in their own way. Chris and Courtney have been amazing guides: patient and tolerant, guiding but never bossing around, helpful and considerate, friendly and fun. A huge thanks to them for making these two weeks a success!

Mattias cannot go unmentioned, with his weird and funny songs and dances and his passionate racing through the bush to find “my olifant”.

But so much also depends on the group of volunteers you end up with, and I was very lucky: Carol, Ingrid, Isadora, Lilli, Maartje and Romain (in alphabetical order), were great people to share this experience with!

I am sitting in the car back to Swakopmund, happy to have been part of this project, but also sad that the two weeks are over. At the project, I was able to live in the moment for the first time in a very long time, leaving worries etc. behind… What now?

Anne Urbschat, Germany

An amazing 2 weeks not long enough. Thanks to a great team who fed, watered, and kept me/us safe.

Experience of a lifetime! :) Yvonne

Elephants- a truly amazing animal, intelligent, social and each one with distinct personality. The more you read about them and the longer you watch them, the more you will see. There is probably no other mammal that at the same time allows humans to observe from a short distance and has such a complex social behavior that you will never feel bored, even after hours of watching in the baking sun. To be in the middle of a herd of elephants, in a car in stunning scenery at night in the base camp, this induces a feeling of happiness that can’t be described with words. We should do our best to preserve this precious piece of nature for future generations.

Human-though Namibia has a small population of just 2 million people, the variety of peoples and cultures in this country is impressing. It is not easy to visit people which were decimated by the generation of my grand-parents, the first genocide in German history. But the friendliness and hospitality of the Namibians never let us feel uncomfortable. I am happy that I had the opportunity to be a guest in this wonderful country.

Relation – Being a manager used to working in an air- conditioned office in a 20…city, serving very poor farmers who have no electricity and very limited contact to the outside world – the contrast couldn’t be bigger. The EHRA – project gives people from totally different background opportunity to learn from each other. We could give the farmers examples how to handle the not easy relation with elephants in a harsh environment, and we could learn even more, the happiness of a simple lifestyle, to value simple things like piece of firewood or just a litre of warm water.

Aid – Though spending half of my life in a developing country, the poverty in this part of Namibia is shocking. Colonialization apartheid has robbed these people one whole century, 100 years without the possibility to develop. Now volunteers and EHRA- staff from all 5 continents work together to improve the life of the local residents.Though tools, financial resources and professional experience are limited, it is impressive what small group of committed people can achieve. Our contribution is small composed to that of big organization, but one wall around a well…mean access of one or more families and their livestock to clean water.- and one possible conflict less between humans and elephants.

Mi Fu (Volker)

China 2013.03.22

Had an amazing 2 weeks from the moment we left Swakopmund the scenery on the way to base camp was beautiful. I’ve previously visited many African countries, but the landscapes in Namibia are truly unique. The people have a harsh environment & climate in which to fork out a living and yet everywhere there are smiling faces happy with their lives, or so it appears.

Base camp was very well thought out in a wonderful setting.

Build week was tough, but very rewarding. I’m pleased to have played a very small part in the worthwhile cause that is EHRA. We were very lucky in build week to have seen a lot of the elephants, seeing 2 of the 3 herds that roam the region. Although I’ve been lucky enough to have seen wild elephants on numerous occasions, but these of Namibia really are unique. It would be a travesty was the remaining elephants in the region not be allowed to prosper and build their numbers. The more you observe them the more your respect builds.

Thanks to Chris who I thought managed the group very well. He was always willing to answer any questions, most I’m sure he’d been asked of numerous times before. Matteus made the trip a truly memorable one. His jovial personality really, added the atmosphere in the group and it was obvious when tracking the elephants that his knowledge of the area was second to none. Lastly the food on the trip was fantastic and a very welcome bonus from what I was expecting. I won’t hesitate to recommend EHRA to friends looking to help a very worthwhile cause looking for a fantastic experience at the same time.

Mike

22/3/13

Lizzie, March 22, 2013

I can’t believe I’m already writing my final blog. I have been with EHRA for 6 weeks and I can’t believe it’s over! I have had the most amazing time and am so pleased I chose an amazing charity to come and work for. I have heard and seen so many conflicts that EHRA continuously fight for these beautiful elephants. The work you do here as a volunteer is vital to continue to keep the elephants safe and in their true wilderness. Helping the local people to continue co-existing is also vital and I am so proud to say I have been a part of this. With some amazing elephant encounters this week and some very hard work during build week I can safely say this trip has been one of the highlights of my life. Chris is a wonderful leader, Mattias another great tracker (and excellent dancer!) and Courtney who worked tirelessly to keep us all well fed (vegetarians – the food is amazing!) and watered-an amazing team to come and work with! J I will miss them all very much, I have met wonderful people throughout my time here. Lifelong friends and wonderful memories of hard work, lots of laughs and encounters I’m sure are impossible to find anywhere else. Thank you EHRA, I hope you will be blessed with amazing volunteers to continue with your wonderful work! Oh! And thank you elephants for my farewell visit into camp last night. The best night of my life!!!

An amazing 2 weeks not long enough. Thanks to a great team who fed, watered, and kept me/us safe.

Experience of a lifetime! :) Yvonne

Elephants- a truly amazing animal, intelligent, social and each one with distinct personality. The more you read about them and the longer you watch them, the more you will see. There is probably no other mammal that at the same time allows humans to observe from a short distance and has such a complex social behavior that you will never feel bored, even after hours of watching in the baking sun. To be in the middle of a herd of elephants, in a car in stunning scenery at night in the base camp, this induces a feeling of happiness that can’t be described with words. We should do our best to preserve this precious piece of nature for future generations.

Human-though Namibia has a small population of just 2 million people, the variety of peoples and cultures in this country is impressing. It is not easy to visit people which were decimated by the generation of my grand-parents, the first genocide in German history. But the friendliness and hospitality of the Namibians never let us feel uncomfortable. I am happy that I had the opportunity to be a guest in this wonderful country.

Relation – Being a manager used to working in an air- conditioned office in a 20…city, serving very poor farmers who have no electricity and very limited contact to the outside world – the contrast couldn’t be bigger. The EHRA – project gives people from totally different background opportunity to learn from each other. We could give the farmers examples how to handle the not easy relation with elephants in a harsh environment, and we could learn even more, the happiness of a simple lifestyle, to value simple things like piece of firewood or just a litre of warm water.

Aid – Though spending half of my life in a developing country, the poverty in this part of Namibia is shocking. Colonialization apartheid has robbed these people one whole century, 100 years without the possibility to develop. Now volunteers and EHRA- staff from all 5 continents work together to improve the life of the local residents.Though tools, financial resources and professional experience are limited, it is impressive what small group of committed people can achieve. Our contribution is small composed to that of big organization, but one wall around a well…mean access of one or more families and their livestock to clean water.- and one possible conflict less between humans and elephants.

Mi Fu (Volker)

China 2013.03.22

Had an amazing 2 weeks from the moment we left Swakopmund the scenery on the way to base camp was beautiful. I’ve previously visited many African countries, but the landscapes in Namibia are truly unique. The people have a harsh environment & climate in which to fork out a living and yet everywhere there are smiling faces happy with their lives, or so it appears.

Base camp was very well thought out in a wonderful setting.

Build week was tough, but very rewarding. I’m pleased to have played a very small part in the worthwhile cause that is EHRA. We were very lucky in build week to have seen a lot of the elephants, seeing 2 of the 3 herds that roam the region. Although I’ve been lucky enough to have seen wild elephants on numerous occasions, but these of Namibia really are unique. It would be a travesty was the remaining elephants in the region not be allowed to prosper and build their numbers. The more you observe them the more your respect builds.

Thanks to Chris who I thought managed the group very well. He was always willing to answer any questions, most I’m sure he’d been asked of numerous times before. Matteus made the trip a truly memorable one. His jovial personality really, added the atmosphere in the group and it was obvious when tracking the elephants that his knowledge of the area was second to none. Lastly the food on the trip was fantastic and a very welcome bonus from what I was expecting. I won’t hesitate to recommend EHRA to friends looking to help a very worthwhile cause looking for a fantastic experience at the same time.

Mike

22/3/13

Lizzie, March 22, 2013

I can’t believe I’m already writing my final blog. I have been with EHRA for 6 weeks and I can’t believe it’s over! I have had the most amazing time and am so pleased I chose an amazing charity to come and work for. I have heard and seen so many conflicts that EHRA continuously fight for these beautiful elephants. The work you do here as a volunteer is vital to continue to keep the elephants safe and in their true wilderness. Helping the local people to continue co-existing is also vital and I am so proud to say I have been a part of this. With some amazing elephant encounters this week and some very hard work during build week I can safely say this trip has been one of the highlights of my life. Chris is a wonderful leader, Mattias another great tracker (and excellent dancer!) and Courtney who worked tirelessly to keep us all well fed (vegetarians – the food is amazing!) and watered-an amazing team to come and work with! J I will miss them all very much, I have met wonderful people throughout my time here. Lifelong friends and wonderful memories of hard work, lots of laughs and encounters I’m sure are impossible to find anywhere else. Thank you EHRA, I hope you will be blessed with amazing volunteers to continue with your wonderful work! Oh! And thank you elephants for my farewell visit into camp last night. The best night of my life!!!

Delaara Saric

9 Feb 2013

Hello everyone! After being here for one month, I will take home some of the most treasured memories, ones I will have for life! Its hard to explain the experiences that you have, the friends you make and the lessons you learn, the feeling of a great accomplishment, to travel alone, yet be at one with your surroundings and to be around like minded people is truly a special feeling. Build week is hard work, especially in the hot afternoon sun, but knowing you are making a difference in the elephants and the peoples lives, and helping the locals build a relationship with the elephants so they can both be safe, you are making a difference, and that’s something to be proud of.

My two patrol weeks have been so different, the first with a lot of elephants, the second with none, but both were so special and unique, especially the second, we saw zebras, kudus, springbok, Oryx and the rare black rhino, sooo incredible! The landscape has been the most contrasting and beautiful I have ever seen. The rivers and the rock formations and the sky, the places we have camped have been phenomenal! I also haven’t laughed this much in a long time, a huge thanks to the people I’m with! There is so much to squeeze in that I can’t even try, let alone know where to begin, but on one note, the staff has been incredible, so knowledgeable, and great to be around. I have learned so much from them and this experience, I cant wait to tell everyone of this experience, and I am so sad to leave, but I will end on the on the greatest thanks from the bottom of my heart!!!

Thank you EHRA!

When I was searching for a volunteer project to join, I never expected to find exactly what I was looking for. A project that I can work with to help elephants that remain wild and free. I fell in love with EHRA the moment I discovered them and, one month later I have continued to fall in love with the work that they and their volunteers do. I wanted to come somewhere to work hard for something bigger than myself and working hard I most definitely have done! Build week is hard work, but that is exactly what I wanted! The heat of the desert makes the physical work so much tougher but the amazing team work that is present is magical. Everyone here has come for the same reason and has the same passion for their work here which creates a great team to be with. The first build week was helping to dig a trench – shall never look at trenches in the same way again. It wouldn’t have been so bad had it not been for all the rocks in the way!!! But we had so much fun and I experienced my first of many ‘wet wipe showers’! Tracking the elephants is great fun, riding on top of the 4x4’s exploring Namibia, and it’s such an amazing and beautiful place. To ride around here, watching the very talented Mattias and Chris track the elephants is an experience all on its own. To find elephants on top of this is just another added bonus. We had our first tracking week with some amazing elephant encounters. To be able to be a part of these beautiful creatures and to be able to witness them in true wilderness, being truly wild is just such an honor. These memories will never leave me. On our second project we finished a well with a wall around it and also started and finished another smaller well. With a new team in place, I encountered the same amazing team work and enthusiasm and laughter as much as I did with the first group. On our patrol week we encountered more difficulty finding the elephants, yet again the tracking from Chris and Mattias was admirable but the elephants moved to places we just could not access, due to circumstances changing within their world beyond anyone’s control. We ended up not being able to find them, this however did not take any of the magic away from the patrol week, we saw the most beautiful scenery that we would not have seen had the elephants not moved so far and for that I am eternally grateful to the elephants for. Namibia is such a beautiful place and the landscape changes so much, you would believe you had travelled all around the world! Thanks to this opportunity we got to see a black rhino, zebras, Oryx, kudu and even a warthog. Amazing! One month in this place and EHRA have stolen my heart. I have two more weeks left and I cannot wait, how I am ever going to leave I do not know.

Hello, all of those who are reading this! I am just on my way from Base camp for the very last time. My time here has been absolutely incredible. Before this trip I had never been outside Europe and Africa was to me a distant continent. Namibia is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to, the landscape have almost brought me to tears, because of its beauty. I have fallen in love during this journey, I have fallen in love with all of the wonderful people I have met, with the surroundings and most of all the wild animals of course, build week was hard, but I discovered a side of myself that can handle hard work and enjoys it. It feels like I can push myself to do whatever I want to do. If anyone I know ever felt like they did not know what to do with themselves and was in need of inspiration, then I would recommend this exciting journey. I guess every trip is different and I have only been here for two weeks so I do not know how it is to meet a new group after two weeks, but no matter who you are, with who you are travelling with who you will meet awesome people that you never was going to meet in your everyday –life. During patrol week we did not see any elephants and I guess a part of me is disappointed, but that is wild life. Sometimes the elephants will be on base camp and sometimes they will be too far away to track. Nature is not at our service. I saw some really cool animals though, the coolest was the black rhino. I will come back and the memories I have made will be with me forever. To describe this experience with one word, I would say: Freedom. I hope you will have a good time!

Cam

When I finished my first build week five weeks ago, I wrote something for the EHRA blog about the amazing sense of accomplishment and camaraderie that I felt. I could never have guessed that after 3 very different groups of people came and went, I would feel even more strongly connected with the people I have shared this experience with. From the day to day chores around camp, to the incredible hard work of build week, to the rewards of patrol week. I have had very few experiences in my life where I have met so many awesome people and built friendships so quickly. The work that is being done by EHRA feels more important and rewarding than any job I’ve ever had. I’ve experienced more in a matter of six weeks than I ever could have imagined, from close encounters with elephants, to the stunning landscapes that seem like they’re from another planet. I will never forget this experience, or the people involved with it on every level.

Courtney Gallant

Another incredible 2 weeks with EHRA, and a completely new experience. To start our first week, we all headed out to finish a protection wall we started earlier in the year. The feeling of pride that comes finishing a wall never seems to fade and it becomes a tangible feeling as everyone stops to admire their work. Smiles, nods of approval, high-fives and cheers of approval pass between friends who days before were strangers.

We finished the wall on Thursday morning and set out to start another. The feeling of pride and accomplishment that everyone felt on Friday afternoon was even greater than before. In less than two build days, we had transformed what was a five foot slap hat in the ground that passed as a well into a flat, ground level stone well. It’s really incredible what a group of inexperienced people can accomplish in such a short time, working together. To know a few days of work can make someone’s life better is a beautiful feeling and instantly all the bruises, blisters and sore muscles make you smile, reminding you what an amazing thing you’ve helped to accomplish.

After a weekend spent relaxing at pool side in Uis and at camp, it was time to set off on patrol. And what an incredible patrol! We drove over 300km, 4x4 driving through the desert, seeing more of Namibia then I ever expected to see in one patrol week. This patrol week really opened my eyes to the stunningly diverse wilds of the area. One day we were driving through a wetland, through grass that rose above the 4x4’s, where we all certain raptors parked. We even stopped for a quick dip in a waterhole! Well, some of us did. Another day we found ourselves driving through deserts best beautiful area compressed of stones. All stones everywhere. Hills of stones twisting and turning on itself, glistering in the sun. Another night we camp at the base of the Brandberg, some of us even climbing up a little. Spending a night and morning looking up at the mountain is something I will never forget. Our week was filled with diverse wildlife, from ostrich and springbok, steenbok, kudu and Oryx to zebra and a warthog. The highlight of the week was a surprise sighting of a black rhino.

The past two weeks have been incredible and I couldn’t be happier than to have spent them with EHRA.

After 8 weeks with EHRA in 2012 and having just finished 6 of 12 weeks here for 2013, I think it’s apparent how much I love it. I fell in love the moment I stepped onto Namibia soil in 2012. And from that moment on my heart belonged more and more to this country, to this desert I feel is home to these elephants and to this cause. And there is no turning back now.

With all of the weeks I have spent with EHRA, I am still shocked by the feeling not only of friendship between everyone, but of family. In only a few days, a new group falls into an amazing family that fills our mornings with sleepy smiles and our nights with a laughter that seems to come easier in the freedom of the desert. Underneath the elephants, the walls we build, behind all of the hard work and the accomplishments, lies people. Group of strangers from all corners of the globe, coming together in a new place all with one pressing love that connects and draws us, despite our many differences. Love of the wilderness that is left in the world, and the deep desire to do something to contribute to it, and under these stunning stars, around a crackling fire, the laughter of a happy family floats across this wilderness we all love so much.

John

Feb-March 2013

Trying to snapshot my four weeks with EHRA is like trying to frame the stunning landscape here, amazing pieces you will leave out and the photo is never quite “it”- with that proviso let me try to pick a few favorite scenes. The slow changing scenery from desert to Damaraland strewn with little rock hills & still green trees that have have no rain for over a year. This is the land we patrolled in and loved. The anxious arriving in camp, what will it be like? Well thought out, at one with its surroundings and delightfully functional. Realizing one can drink 8 or 9 liters of water in a day wrestling and loading cement and juggling a wall to stand around a well we were proud to build – all in a modest 40˚c! And then the land it creeps up on you, the size, the space, the stark relief, then suddenly you are rolling carefully along a riverbed on top of a 4x4(the guys amazingly do hardcore 4x4 off road and track at the same time) and then a whisper goes up-an elephant. And the ore kicks in.  See the photos read the words, but an elephant starring at you, sometimes a car length away, then tossing its head and leading her her baby away back to the bush is an image I will keep for a long time. Thank you guys.