Okavango Wilderness Project

Preserve one of Africa’s largest intact ecosystems

From climate change to pollution, the Okavango region is under threat from all directions. Joining this project, you’ll play a vital role in protecting the Delta and the equally important buffer zone that surrounds it for future generations.

Discover the Okavango area - one of Africa’s last true wildernesses

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and RAMSAR wetland, the Okavango region of Botswana is famous for its awe-inspiring landscapes and incredible wildlife. As well as being one of Africa’s largest intact ecosystems, it’s also one of the most biodiverse - giving you the chance to explore a beautiful and untamed wilderness.

Encounter Africa’s iconic species

The wildlife in the Okavango area is truly wild. Elephants, wild dogs, lions, giraffes, hippos and other species roam freely across vast natural environments and aren’t habituated to human observers - offering you the chance to observe their natural behaviour in truly wild settings.

A wild and remote adventure

To monitor wildlife in the great expanse of the Okavango region, you’ll travel off-road to multiple remote areas, stay in two off-grid and unfenced camps, visit the local town Maun, and have the option to see the Delta from the sky with an airplane flight and from the River Kwai on a canoe experience.

Join an expert team led by a PhD researcher

You’ll be part of a highly qualified monitoring team headed up by the leading lion ecologist in Botswana and PhD Wildlife Management Researcher, alongside Botswanan trackers and guides, who are all passionate about sharing their knowledge and expertise.

Support national government initiatives

This project supports the objectives of Botswana’s Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP). It was created in partnership with longtime Okavango Delta ecologist Christiaan Winterbach.

Protect giraffe in crisis

Giraffe population numbers have plummeted over the last 30 years in much of Africa. As a volunteer, you’ll contribute to the long-term protection of this species by proactively monitoring populations and movement patterns as well as updating and maintaining ID kits.

Pick up bushcraft skills

The experience of living in such a remote and basic bush camp wouldn’t be complete without learning a few bush survival skills. You may even learn how to make and bake bread on a fire.

Paddle a mokoro canoe down the River Kwai (optional)

Glide through the waterways of the Okavango Delta in a traditional dug-out canoe. Owned and run by the local Khwai community, this eco-friendly activity allows you to explore the beauty of the Delta while supporting the local community and conservation efforts.

Explore the famous Moremi Game Reserve (optional and at additional cost)

During your experience, you’ll get to participate in a game drive through one of Africa’s most biodiverse wildlife reserves.

You’ll get involved in every aspect of project life. Depending on the monitoring and conservation priorities at the time, this will include a range of the following activities.

Wildlife monitoring

The project’s main goal is to monitor the movement and populations of various species within the Okavango Delta. As part of the monitoring work you will get to observe or assist:

• Monitoring wildlife, including predators and antelope.
• Surveying wildlife dynamics at waterholes.
• Using line transects to collect data on wildlife in the area.
• Using GPS equipment to record transects and wildlife sightings.
• Surveying animals to gain a better understanding of the Okavango Delta ecosystem as a whole.
• Surveying predator tracks to understand population numbers of elusive species, such as leopard.

Giraffe monitoring project

Giraffe population numbers have declined over the last 30 years in much of Africa. You’ll contribute to the project’s efforts in taking proactive steps to monitor this trend. You could observe or assist:

• Monitoring giraffe population numbers and movements.
• Updating and maintaining ID kits.
• Contributing to long-term data sets and conservation strategies.

Practical conservation

The Okavango region is a true wilderness where you’ll get to roll up your sleeves and join in with all aspects of project life. You will get to assist or gain insights into:

• Maintaining the camps and your monitoring vehicle in the field.
• Bushcraft skills, including how to identify common trees and birds and wildlife tracking.

You’ll learn about the behaviour, biology, ecology, and conservation issues of species living in the Okavango region, as well as various bush skills. Depending on the project’s work at the time, this will include a range of the following topics.

Behaviour

• Natural animal behaviour in a region that is unfenced, unmanaged and has little human intervention.
• The mass migration of large herds of animals.
• Behaviour of animal groups, such as the hierarchy systems in prides of lions, troops of primates and herds of antelope.
• The relationship between predator and prey species.
• Predator hunting behaviour and the differences between social predators such as lions, hyena and African wild dogs, compared with solitary predators such as leopards and cheetah.
• Predator territorial behaviour.
• Breeding behaviour of African species including lion, African wild dog, leopard and elephant.

Biology

• The physiology and natural diets of African species including lion, leopard, African wild dog and elephant.
• Native African plants, reptiles, amphibians and birds in the Okavango Delta.

Ecology

• The natural environment of African species including elephant, African wild dog, lion, leopard and spotted hyena.
• The role of different species in the different ecosystems.
• Seasonal changes and how they affect plants and wildlife movement.
• The unique ecosystems of the Okavango Delta and how they’re created.
• The impact of wildlife population growth on the ecosystem.
• How various plant and animal species of the Okavango region interconnect to create this ecosystem.

Conservation

• Human-wildlife conflict, a growing issue in Botswana as wildlife populations continue to increase.
• Wildlife poaching, anti-poaching methods in the field, and relocation programmes.
• How and why the hunting ban was introduced in Botswana and the challenges of keeping it in place.
• Employment issues for local communities in former hunting areas.

Bush skills

• How to identify different animal tracks and signs.
• How to identify some of the many insects, reptiles and birds in the area.
• The medicinal uses of various plants and trees.

This project contributes to a variety of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. As part of the team, so will you.

No Poverty End poverty in all its forms everywhere

All volunteers acquire knowledge of practical conservation skills, how human actions can affect wildlife and how they can minimise this effect - and have access to the same standard of education regardless of sex and background.

Gender Equality Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

The Okavango Wilderness Project provides equal employment opportunities for local women and men and equal volunteering opportunities for women and men outside the local community.

Clean Water and Sanitation Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

The Okavango Wilderness Project supports the health of the dry delta ecosystem, which is intrinsically linked to the health of the wet delta - the main source of water to one million people in Botswana, Angola and Namibia.

Affordable and Clean Energy Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

The Okavango Wilderness Project has implemented a modern solar energy system to power the base camp efficiently and sustainably.

Decent Work and Economic Growth Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

The Okavango Wilderness Project routinely employs young people between 15 and 24 and provides equal employment opportunities for local men and women. Volunteers provide both economic and physical support, which directly contributes to the protection of all the species in the Okavango Delta.

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

Through the financial support generated by self-funded international volunteers, the Okavango Wilderness Project have been able to implement a solar energy system that powers the base camp - thereby developing resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure in Africa.

Sustainable Cities and Communities Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

The Okavango Wilderness Project builds sustainable and resilient buildings, such as its base camp, using materials that are locally sourced from within the local area. The project also protects natural heritage through the conservation of iconic African species.

Responsible Consumption and Production Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

The Okavango Wilderness Project promotes responsible tourism in a variety of ways: through the creation of local jobs; by educating international and local visitors how to live in harmony with nature; and in its vital conservation work.

Climate Action Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Weather systems are very important for the water cycle in this region. Lead ecologist, Christiaan Winterbach, educates volunteers on how climate change is affecting these weather systems.

Life on Land Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

The Okavango Wilderness Project takes urgent action to halt biodiversity loss and prevent the extinction of threatened species within the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, a massive area of protected habitat that is home to some of the most biodiverse populations of flora and fauna species in the world.

By monitoring and protecting a variety of species, the project prevents the degradation of ecosystems in which these animals play a crucial ecological role.

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

The activity of the research team at the Okavango Wilderness Project acts as a deterrent to poachers and helps reduce the unethical practices associated with their activities.

Partnerships for the goals Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Through the Okavango Wilderness Project’s partnership with us, they draw in financial resources that are used to fund conservation and provide support to their community partners in southern Africa.