Our favourite facts about Namibia’s desert elephants
The desert-adapted elephants in north-west Namibia are famous for their ability to survive in this harsh desert environment. Driving down the dry riverbeds looking for desert elephants and other wildlife is one of the highlights of our multi-day expeditions. Watching these incredible animals from a safe distance is a wonderful experience that we want to share with you.
Here are four of our favourite things about desert elephants that we think makes them extra special.
1. Digging for water
Desert elephant family herds stay in and around the large dry riverbeds, especially during the dry season. While there are a few artificially pumped water points near these rivers, the elephants may also access water by digging into the soft river sand with their front legs and trunks.
Using their amazing sense of smell, elephants can detect water close to the surface of the riverbed. Once they have found a promising spot, they don’t have to dig too far before a small puddle appears!
Besides quenching their thirst, the elephants will often spray themselves with water to cool off, followed by a dust bath to create a muddy layer on the skin. The mud is a form of lotion for elephants that protects their skin against the sun, insects, and other parasites.ands of accommodation options that fit every budget.
2. Reaching for Ana tree pods
Towering Ana trees provide nutritious seed pods for elephants, giraffes, and many other animals. This food source is critical during times of drought, and most antelope need to search around at the base of the trees for fallen pods. Only the elephants and giraffes are tall enough to reach the pods while they are still on the tree.
When elephants eat the seed pods and deposit them in piles of dung along the riverbed, they are effectively planting more Ana trees for future generations. The Ana trees and the elephants need each other to survive in this arid environment.
We love watching the elephants stretch as high as they can, sometimes going on three or even two legs, to reach the delicious seed pods. The Hoanib River is the best place to find elephants feeding on Ana trees, and it is often at the top of our list of destinations.
3. Raising calves against all odds
Raising an elephant calf is especially tough in the desert. Calves rely on their mother’s milk for at least two years, which can drain the mother’s own resources during the dry season.
In other parts of Africa, calves are usually weaned at 3-4 years old because they are replaced by the next calf. During extended droughts in the Kunene Region, however, female elephants do not come into oestrous as regularly as other elephants. This means that each calf may have full access to its mother’s milk for longer than those living in wetter areas.
When food is hard to come by, calves will have to rely on their mothers’ milk to survive. As a result of these factors, desert elephant researchers report seeing calves as old as six years still suckling! Desert elephant mothers are truly one of nature’s marvels.
4. Bringing prosperity through tourism
The recent prolonged drought pushed people and wildlife to their limits. In this difficult time, tourism proved to be one of the few steady sources of income for local people. As a community-owned tour operator, we stepped in to help our communities as much as possible.
Our contributions and those of other tourism operations in the Kunene Region are only possible because international visitors want to experience what this unique area has to offer. The elephants are an important part of this attraction, and the people living in communal conservancies that host elephants realise their value.
Living alongside elephants is not always easy, as humans and elephants sometimes compete for the same resources. Village water points and backyard vegetable patches can become sources of conflict, which communal conservancies work hard to resolve. Tourism contributions to these efforts are greatly appreciated and can be the difference between conflict and coexistence.
Let us introduce you to the elephants!
The drought has finally broken, and we have seen the beginning of a ‘baby boom’ among the desert elephant population. These next few months will be an excellent time to join us on a multi-day safari that takes in the dry riverbeds where the elephants spend their time. Have a look at our expeditions page to explore the options and contact us to start planning a trip of a lifetime!
