Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA): Protecting Desert Elephants in Namibia

For over 23 years, the organisation has led conservation efforts through education, elephant tracking, research, community engagement, and direct conflict mitigation.

Set within the rugged beauty of Namibia’s Tsaurab Valley, EHRA (Elephant Human Relations Aid) offers visitors an immersive conservation experience in one of the country’s most remote and striking desert landscapes. The Ugab River, one of Namibia’s ephemeral rivers, is mostly a dry riverbed for much of the year, flowing only during periods of heavy rainfall—yet it remains a vital lifeline for wildlife, particularly the desert-adapted elephants that roam its banks.

EHRA builds protective walls around water points to prevent damage caused by elephants, reducing conflict with farmers who rely on these vital resources. They also run the PEACE Project—an education initiative that teaches local communities about elephant behaviour and how to live alongside them safely. EHRA collects valuable data on individual elephants and herd movements, contributing to long-term research and monitoring. By empowering communities and protecting elephants, EHRA plays a vital role in preserving Namibia’s unique desert ecosystem and fostering a sustainable future for both people and wildlife.

How to get involved: 

• Join a hands-on volunteer programme (2-12 weeks) in Namibia’s breathtaking Southern Kunene region, where you’ll protect desert-adapted elephants, support local communities and experience life off the grid - sleeping under the stars, cooking over the fire and learning what it means to truly coexist with nature.
• Join the 100km fundraising trek through Namibia’s desert to support vital human-elephant conflict prevention projects - an unforgettable five-day journey that helps secure a future where people and elephants can live in harmony.
• Join a 10-day Family Volunteer Project in Namibia - tailored specifically for families, you and your children will help support communities living alongside desert elephants through hands-on conservation work, school projects, and elephant tracking - an unforgettable, educational adventure in the wild guided by experienced local conservationists.
• EHRA also runs game guard and tour guide training, partners with schools, and offers internship programmes - all funded through donations and volunteer involvement, ensuring lasting impact for both people and wildlife.

Your Visit Makes a Real Difference:

• Camping/Glamping: For a peaceful escape in nature, Tsaurab Valley offers exclusive private campsites where you can either glamp in fully equipped tents or bring your own gear. Whether cooking over the fire or having meals prepared, everything is set up for a cosy, comfortable stay. With a strong focus on sustainability, your visit also supports EHRA’s vital work in elephant conservation and community coexistence.
• Elephant Educational Drives: EHRA’s educational elephant drives begin with a guided tour of the information centre, followed by a full-day excursion to track and observe desert elephants in their natural habitat. Led by expert guides, you’ll learn about elephant behaviour, family dynamics, and the challenges of human-elephant coexistence - while visiting local communities to see EHRA’s conflict mitigation efforts in action.
• Elephant expedition: Join a 2–4 day Elephant Expedition for an unforgettable safari experience in Namibia’s desert, combining wildlife tracking with hands-on conservation insight. Stay in exclusive eco camps, enjoy fireside meals, and follow the movements of desert elephants alongside expert guides and researchers. Along the way, you’ll meet local communities and see EHRA’s mitigation work in action - contributing directly to the long-term protection of both people and elephants.

Contact us to learn more about getting involved with EHRA, from booking campsites and volunteer programmes to joining educational drives or conservation expeditions.