Since 2016 the Ugab river elephant population has decreased by 32% partially due to natural and human-caused reasons. Our guide addressed the question in everyone’s mind “why are there elephants in the desert? With only 100 Desert Elephants left, we, the Admins of this page, based in Namibia and RSA, are fighting for their lives! Although desert elephants used to roam throughout most of western Namibia, their numbers were severely reduced to just 300 during the 1980s due to rampant poaching. We’ll be having a pancake. Life for Namibia's desert-dwelling elephants is harsh. After reading the report about the hunting of Namibia’s unique population of elephants that spend most, but not all, of their lives in a true desert, I immediately requested further information and I had a chance to discuss the situation with the Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s (MET) director of parks and wildlife, Colgar Sikopo. They have even been filmed sliding down a dune face to drink at a pool in a desert oasis. This is where you'll find travel inspiration for the 50+ traveller looking for an authentic travel experience with a little luxury. The other group is in Mali. from USD 3,720.07* Namibia Camping Experience. Report inappropriate content . Is it necessary to do a guided tour to see the desert elephants, or can one find them self-driving in the area? She is like a prisoner, who cannot spend her days with her friends, roam in vast territories, and have delicious adequate food! Namibia’s desert elephants, Loxodonta Africana, are one of only two populations worldwide that have adapted to live in a desert environment.Elephants were absent from the southern Kunene region in Namibia, Africa for over 30 years as they fled due to the increase in elephant poaching and the ongoing Namibian War of Independence. And another news… I just found out that Manila Zoo has a cute elephant named Mali, and she is the only elephant in the Philippines! Can’t go out for br, Yay! Desert adapted elephants are currently found in only two places on earth. Namibia. An encounter with the desert elephants of Namibia […], […] Morocco – close to Europe but a world apart Voluntary work in Ghana, West Africa An encounter with the desert elephants of Namibia […]. Here, remote wilderness camps and lodges offer 4x4 game drives and walking safaris to spot massive bull elephants and dusty, rumbling family groups alongside desert-adapted giraffe and zebra, and the largest population of free roaming black rhino in Africa. But a surprising wealth of desert-adapted animals live here—and among them, in the dry riverbeds, we find the rare desert elephant. The Kunene Region in the northwest of Namibia is an area of mostly sandy desert, rocky mountains and stony plains which covers about 115,154 square kilometres (44,461 sq mi). This harsh tribal wilderness area, runs parallel to the Skeleton Coast National Park, and is home to a small population of desert-adapted elephants. They are one group of only two known populations of desert-dwelling elephants in the world. Since I was a child the desert elephant has been like a mythical animal, an animal I never thought I should meet. This project takes you to the northwestern regions of the Namib Desert, traditionally known as ‘Damaraland’. THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN NAMIBIA Namibia is especially famed for its now thriving population of some 600 desert-adapted elephants living in Damaraland and the Kunene Region.The Etosha National Park contains about 2 500 elephants, with some thousands more in the north-east and Zambezi Region. Since 2016 the Ugab river elephant population has decreased by 32% partially due to natural and human-caused reasons. Although not a separate species, and not much different from other Savannah elephants Loxodonta africana africana, Namibia’s desert-dwelling elephants are special nonetheless. Why does she deserve this? I just wish all other animals experience what these desert animals do. Usually elephants need plenty of water to survive, however, adaptations such as leaner bodies, larger feet (to walk easily in sand), and longer legs allow these elephants to survive for up to three days without water. ” In the 1980’s the population of desert adapted elephants in the Southern Kunene Region of Damaraland were wiped out through years of poaching and hunting. Even the words Damaraland; White lady Lodge; Elephant; seemed exciting and exotic”. This Guest post by my husband, Guy Cowper shares the excitement of an encounter with the Desert Elephants of Namibia on a recent month-long adventure trip with the school where he works. The Desert Kings: Elephants of Namibia. Is it necessary to do a guided tour to see the desert elephants, or can one find them self-driving in the area? For a more hands-on approach, consider joining an award winning desert elephant conservation programme, set up to harmonise relationships between elephants and their desert-dwelling human neighbours. We help you make the most of your time in this massive country, whether you're keen to cover as much ground as possible or focus on a few specific areas. The trip to see the Desert Elephants took a bit of a drive until they were found at which point half a dozen vehicles congregated around them. They are one of only two populations of elephants living in a desert environment and are facing threat from human-wildlife conflict and decreasing living space due to many humans and their livestock settling into their once vast ranges. A holiday to Namibia shouldnt just be about desert landscapes and Big Five safaris. When visitors to Namibia start planning their holiday, 2 things that are always on the wish list are, to see the Skeleton Coast and to track the nearly mythical desert-adapted elephant. Hello Namibia experts,. Namibia continues to sacrifice their rare desert elephants. This certainly seems to be the case and the local Damara guides took real pleasure in their elephants. Tracking and finding them is a coup for any nature lover. Wildlife lodges, mobile tented safaris & Victoria Falls! The Kunene Regionin the northwest of Namibia is an area of mostly sandy desert, rocky mountains and stony plains which covers about 115,154 square kilometres (44,461 sq mi). This article may contain affiliate links that provide commission on purchases you make at no extra cost to you. Desert elephants fell from a population of over 150 to around 30 from 1975 until the early 80’s during the Namibian War of Independence. The Ugab banks with its old trees and green bushes is home to a wide variety of game, birds, fascinating reptiles and of course elephants. Desert adapted elephants have an enormous home range of up to 2000 km2. Elephants have traditionally lived in this area and in the earlier part of the 20th century there were about 3,000 in the Kunene Region. Although not much different from other savannah Elephants Loxodonta Africana, Namibia’s desert-dwelling Elephants are special nonetheless. Their physical attributes allow them to cross miles of sand dunes to reach water. Sadly, however, they are faced with conflict, not just associated with the scarce vegetation and intense heat from their chosen environment, but from human settlements that have encroached on the land. They live in Namibia’s North West Kunene Region, encompassing 115,154 km2 of mostly sandy desert, rocky mountains and arid gravel plains. Physically, their home has left its mark too, as Namibias desert elephants are able to survive for days without water. Read about Water in the desert – A journey through Namibia’s unexpected landscapes, This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com. Namibia is a beautiful and friendly country, which is easy to navigate and well worth exploring. Permanent Secretary Dr. Malan Lindeque Namibias desert elephants are iconic – and they are highly endangered. Desert adapted elephants often have wider feet than their savannah counterparts caused by the large distances they roam. African elephants are found in most of the country’s national parks, with Etosha National Park having … ... Namibia 3 week self-drive - Desert Elephants, Desert Lions, Himba, Etosha Theme . These elephants also belong to the genus Pachyderms, meaning “thick skinned”, the genus includes rhinoceroses as well. See all . After reading the report about the hunting of Namibia’s unique population of elephants that spend most, but not all, of their lives in a true desert, I immediately requested further information and I had a chance to discuss the situation with the Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s (MET) director of parks and wildlife, Colgar Sikopo. There are just two groups of true desert-dwelling elephants in Namibia, and they live in areas receiving less than 150mm of rainfall per year. But unfortunately, sometimes the authorities grant permissions for shooting some elephants and it … Happy Monday! There is only one other group of desert-dwelling elephants in the world. Read more, Wishing you a great weekend! Since 2003, Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA) Namibia has helped build peaceful relationships between free-roaming desert elephants and local communities in Namibia, Africa. […] Read more about Guy’s Namibia Trip Not that old zebra crossing joke again! Free-roaming desert elephants in Namibia, Africa can be destructive in their search for water, and due to the devastating succession of droughts in the region, they are often competing for the same resources as other animals and humans. We arrived back tired but in awe. I wonder how these forest/desert look like a few hundreds years ago. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Desert adapted elephants are currently found in only two places on earth. Adapting to water scarcity. She even suffers from foot problems. About the Desert Elephant Project. Desert elephants in Damaraland, Namibia, Namibia. The total number of resident desert-adapted elephants living in the southern ephemeral rivers of the southern Kunene and northern Erongo region of Namibia is 62 elephants. Desert-dwelling elephants in the north-western part of Namibia are special for several reasons. Since 2003, Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA) Namibia has helped build peaceful relationships between free-roaming desert elephants and local communities in Namibia, Africa. If you'd like to chat about Namibia or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Namibia’s desert elephants, Loxodonta Africana, are one of only two populations worldwide that have adapted to live in a desert environment.Elephants were absent from the southern Kunene region in Namibia, Africa for over 30 years as they fled due to the increase in elephant poaching and the ongoing Namibian War of Independence. Report inappropriate content . We've booked our stay with the Vingerklip Lodge.However, I've realized that one of the highlights my wife and I would like to do in the area is tracking of the desert elephants, something the Vingerklip Lodge doesn't offer. I was lucky enough to be with some sixth form girls from the where I work, who were in party mood as we set off to drive along the dried up Ugab river bed that would lead us to the elephants. Like their black rhino counterparts also found in the Kunene region, desert elephants walk for hundreds of kilometers at a time. The trip to see the Desert Elephants took a bit of a drive until they were found at which point half a dozen vehicles congregated around them. Hi, I'm Heather, an award winning travel blogger based in Bristol, UK. Sometimes they must travel long distances to reach a water source. From that point other herds followed until today where there are a total of 7 elephant herds in the Ugab and Huab River vicinities. Extraordinarily these elephants have adapted to their dry, semi-desert environment by having a smaller body mass with proportionally longer legs and seemingly larger feet than other elephants. Permanent Secretary Dr. Malan Lindeque Namibias desert elephants are iconic – and they are highly endangered. It is so happy to see those elephants living in freedom. Desert elephants can drink up to 160 liters of water per day and will travel far in their quest for water. The sun-lit and magnificent Brandenburg mountains, home to Namibia’s highest mountain the Konigstein ( 2606m) provided a perfect mysterious backdrop to the forthcoming adventure. Desert adapted Elephants are found in only two locations in the world; in Mali and in the northern reaches of Namibia. Travel north in Namibia to find unique and rare desert-adapted elephants roaming dry river beds through some of the countrys most inhospitable yet beautiful landscapes. Desert elephants Desert-dwelling elephants in the north-western part of Namibia are special for several reasons. This was until 1998 when Voortrekker, a bull, lead Mama Africa’s herd back to the Ugab River. Desert adapted elephants are leaner and might look smaller, that to my knowledge is the result of their diet. Living in the heart of the Kaokoland and Damaraland regions in the far north of Namibia, one will find herds of desert adapted Elephants that survive in the harsh climate of the desert with very little water. Seeing Namibia through the eyes of adolescent girls must have been an interesting experience. It is estimated that there are approximately 600 desert elephants in Namibia today. The Hoarusib-Hoanib group and the Huab-Ugab group together only total about 200 animals, so finding these hardy pachyderms is a challenge. Otherwise the6 are exactly the same specie you will find also in Etosha . Savannah elephants tend to leave a trail of destruction in their wake, but in the desert, where all plants are precious, the elephants take care not to damage trees and bushes. Female adult elephants and infants need water every three days; males can go … Camping safari to Namib desert, Caprivi, Etosha & Okavango, Self drive trip taking in Namibia's highlights, Stunning self-drive safari through north and south Namibia, A fabulous small group guided trip in Nambia, A hidden gem of contrasting landscapes and amazing wildlife, Namibia & Botswana lodge safari Caprivi Etosha Okavango, Safari covering the highlights of Namibia & Caprivi, Camping safari from Cape Town to Namibia, Sossusvlei, Etosha, Climb the highest sand dunes in the world, 9 day safari designed to show you the best of Namibia, Lodge safari from Cape Town to Namibia, Sossusvlei Etosha, Accommodated safari through the Zambezi region & Namibia, Incomparable wildlife and landscapes in superb Namibia, Discover 'The Big 5' in a stunningly diverse landscape. Namibia’s desert elephants are facing serious threats both nationally and internationally. The Ugab River Valley is in the Kunene Region, encompassing 115,154km2 of mostly sandy desert, rocky mountains and arid gravel plains in Namibia’s northwest. Its free-roaming desert elephants are among the most special wildlife you will ever see, and their ability to survive in the harsh conditions of the Namib Desert showcase nature at its best. No hunting of iconic desert elephants in Namibia Hon. The desert elephants of Damaraland are world-famous for coping in their hostile environment, and rightly so, but these are not the only elephants that occur in Namibia. Responsible tourism in Namibia could be held up as an example for many other destinations to follow. Namibia is a beautiful part of Africa. They are of high national and international conservation priority, and have been designated as top priority for protection by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). They are one group of only two known populations of desert-dwelling elephants in the world. They survive by eating moisture-laden vegetation growing in ephemeral riverbeds and with their ability to go several days without drinking water. Desert elephants must travel long distances to reach sources of water and food. “I knew as soon as a saw the converted pickup truck outside the Brandberg White lady lodge that the drive to see Namibia’s legendary desert elephants would be fun. Whilst elephants have lived in this desert area of Namibia for many hundreds of years, they became all but extinct during the years following WWII. […] get it, here it is again.Zebra Crossing at Etosha National Park, NamibiaMore Africa storiesAn encounter with the desert elephants of Namibia The upside of low season safaris in South Africa Bungee jumping and an elephant safari in […], […] An encounter with the desert elephants of Namibia The upside of low season safaris in South Africa Bungee jumping and an elephant safari in Zimbawe #flickr_badge_source_txt {padding:0; font: 11px Arial, Helvetica, Sans serif; color:#666666;} #flickr_badge_icon {display:block !important; margin:0 !important; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0) !important;} #flickr_icon_td {padding:0 5px 0 0 !important;} .flickr_badge_image {text-align:center !important;} .flickr_badge_image img {border: 1px solid black !important;} #flickr_www {display:block; text-align:left; padding:0 10px 0 10px !important; font: 11px Arial, Helvetica, Sans serif !important; color:#3993ff !important;} #flickr_badge_uber_wrapper a:hover, #flickr_badge_uber_wrapper a:link, #flickr_badge_uber_wrapper a:active, #flickr_badge_uber_wrapper a:visited {text-decoration:none !important; background:inherit !important;color:#3993ff;} #flickr_badge_wrapper {background-color:#ffffff;border: solid 1px #000000} #flickr_badge_source {padding:0 !important; font: 11px Arial, Helvetica, Sans serif !important; color:#666666 !important;} […]. posted on 31/01/2017; by Connor Whelan; 2016 was a very busy year for everyone involved with the Desert Elephants in Namibia Project, and we wanted to take a look at exactly what they had been getting up to last year! Namibia’s unique and rare desert dwelling elephants are mainly found roaming the sandy, dry plains of the Kunene region. Private Spitzkoppe Guided Tour From Walvis Bay. By living in smaller than average family units of only two or three animals, they decrease pressure on food and water resources. One such a place is the Kunene Region in Namibia, home to the iconic Namibian Desert Elephant. Namibia is only one of two spots on Earth where Desert-adapted Elephants are known to occur, the other being Mali. But then, I read some articles in PETAAsiaPacific.com, and I noticed that Mali is in fact sad and lonely! The desert elephants of the Northern Namib Desert in Namibia’s Kunene Region live in an extremely arid environment of less than 150mm of annual rainfall and periodic drought. "Volunteering team in Namibia was one of the best experiences I have had! They are of high national and international conservation priority and have been designated as a top priority for protection by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). They are one of only two populations of “desert” elephants in the world (the other is in Mali, North Africa). Note there was no doubt, unlike many safaris, that you will see elephant and I can verify that you won’t see lots of other vehicles. This was the highlight of our stay at the Lodge and worth any discomfort.
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