Desert Elephants of Namibia Teleconference Q&A
Earthwatch staff member Tania Taranovski went on Desert Elephant of
Namibia in May of 2002, and we held a teleconference for people
interested in the project. The following is a transcript of that
session.
Desert Elephants of Namibia
Other teleconference Q&A's
Q: Do I need to get a visa ahead of time?
A: You don't need to get one ahead of time; you can get it at the airport in Namibia when you land. They call it an entry visa, but it's basically just a stamp in your passport. I don't think there's a fee for it, either.
Q: Do I have to bring a sleeping bag, or can I get one there?
A: Windhoek isn't that big a city, so they probably won't have sleeping bags to buy, and I don't think there's any place to rent them. The PI doesn't have extras, either. The best advice is to bring your own. August is warmer than May, so if you're going in August you can bring a lighter sleeping bag. I brought a 3-season bag and a silk liner, and I wore long johns to sleep in. One night it got so cold, I had on my pajamas, sweaters, and my jacket. Two-person tents and bedrolls are available and comfortable, but you should bring a camp pillow.
Q: What will the weather be like?
A: The June team will be colder; May is the end of the wet season. It's warm during the day but can be freezing at night. There are big temperature fluctuations in the desert and you're not far from the coast, so you get the 5 A.M. fog that rolls in as well as the breeze. It can get hot in August. It will be very dry during these teams, so rain is unlikely. Sunset is around 6:30 P.M., and you try to go to bed around 9:30, but it gets very cold after the sun goes down. Sweaters are a must.
Q: What kind of clothing should I pack?
A: Dress in layers! The temperature swings back and forth, and you may start in a sweater in the morning and end up in a t-shirt in the afternoon. Bring a couple extra sweaters. I brought a rain jacket, but the rain was so scarce, it was really just a waste of space. Also, you should bring sunscreen, body lotion because it's so very dry, and chap stick. Pack light, and don't bring good clothes. Keith, the PI, packs minimally. You're driving out into the desert in two 4x4's, and they have to carry the people, water, food, tents, and all your luggage. Keith will let you know if you've brought too much. If you have brought a lot, you can keep some things locked up in Outjo.
Q: Where exactly is this expedition located?
A: You start off in Outjo, where Keith Leggett lives. There you'll spend a few days learning about the project and packing. Elephants cover a lot of territory, so you'll travel north and west, and see sites and people along the way. You won't see the coastline, but you'll feel its weather effects. There are hills, desert, and sand.
Q: Do I need to bring a water filter?
A: There was plenty of clean and safe water available when I went. Nobody got sick, and the food was great for camp food. Keith doesn't bring coffee, but he brings a lot of tea. Make sure that the food you like are packed before you leave for camp. The food is very meat-based, too, and the vegetables go quick. In Outjo, there are opportunities to go out to restaurants.
Q: What kind of immunizations do I need?
A: We recommend tetanus and hepatitis. You should start the process as soon as possible and talk to your doctor or a travel clinic. If you decide to get malaria medication, do not get chloroquine, as that part of Namibia is chloroquine-resistant. Malaria medication effects people differently, and the side-effects can be challenging. You will be outside camping the whole time, and although there's a low risk of malaria, it's still present.
Q: Can we bring alcohol into the camp?
A: Keith asks that it's not a part of camping because you need your wits about you in the bush. You stay at community-run camp sites, but there are still wild animals roaming around you. In town, it's fine to have alcohol, but for everyone's safety, don't bring it into the field.
Q: Can I leave the expedition from Outjo early instead of leaving from Windhoek?
A: It may be possible; you should contact Mary, the Expedition Coordinator, and talk to her about it. You don't want to leave early and leave the rest of the volunteers with all the clean-up.
Q: What kind of electrical plug and voltage do we need?
A: I believe it's the three-prong with round pins plug, the South African plug. We can email you the answer when we find it!
Q: Will U.S. cell phones work there?
A: I can't say for sure, as it depends on your phone company. You should call them and ask if you have service in the area. There aren't a lot of landlines in Namibia, and they were just building a cell tower when I went there in 2002. The PI has a satellite phone and radio for emergencies.
Q: Are traveler's cheques a good idea?
A: You can change traveler's cheques at the airport or in a bank at Windhoek, but they're usually more problematic than cash. You'll have better luck at ATM's, so you should bring a combination of currency.
Q: How do I get from Windhoek to Outjo?
A: You can get picked up at the airport or at your hotel, but Mary and Keith need to know ahead of time so you don't get missed. There are B&B's, and I've heard the Kalahari Sands Hotel is very nice. Mary is going in May, so she may be able to follow up with this question when she returns.
Q: What really stood out about this trip that you want us to know?
A: I want to stress the weather, as the desert climate is really different. The food is different too; and you have to be prepared for culture shock. This region is incredibly poor, and they have very little. The resources are so limited for both the people and the wildlife. When the climate's been tough, you'll see animals and people in rough shape. But it's a fantastically beautiful area, and you know that you're making a difference for the people and the wildlife, and that's so special.
Q: Is it okay to take pictures of people?
A: Generally, the rule is to ask before you take pictures of people. You don't want them to feel like a tourist attraction. But at the same time, this area doesn't get a lot of tourists, so you may be as much as a novelty to them as they are to you. Keith can give guidance on what's okay and what's not. You'll see people with traditional practices, like ochre in their hair and skin, and fantastic hairstyles. You'll want to take pictures of everything, and there are plenty of opportunities to do so.
Q: What are the physical requirements of this trip?
A: You should be able to lift 50 pounds. That's just for loading and unloading the trucks, which you'll do every time you leave and arrive at camp, maybe three or four times. It's not like carrying a 50-pound pack over uneven terrain; it's just to set up your camp.
Q: What's the PI like?
A: Keith is a typical Aussie. He's brass and funny, and he says what he thinks. He's a great character, and he really knows his stuff. He spends lots of time in the bush alone and he loves it. The social aspect of the Earthwatch expedition saves his sanity; he really appreciates the volunteers and likes spending this time with them. He makes the trip a lot of fun.