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EHRA’S TOUR GUIDE ELEPHANT TRAINING

Tourism in Namibia is growing

Tourism in Namibia is continuously growing, with international interest in the desert-adapted elephants higher than ever. The pressure through tourism on the animals also is increasing steadily, creating a challenge for sustainable elephant conservation. Uncontrolled elephant tourism in areas where elephants share their living space and natural resources with humans can have severe impacts on the relationship between the elephants and the people living with them. We train tour guides and tourism employees to be responsible and aware of the long-term effects their actions can have on elephants and the environment as a whole.

Responsible tracking

The goal is to make tour guides and tourism employees aware of the importance of responsible tourism and how bad behaviour towards elephants can have long-term effects on elephant conservation. We aim to create a network of well-trained guides who prioritize the well-being of the animals and the environment before personal gain, thereby reducing the risk of triggering further human-elephant conflicts. Being in constant touch with international visitors, tour guides play an important role in educating the public about conservation and environmental responsibilities. They can set a strong example for tourists, especially self-drivers, by encouraging them to stick to the guidelines and helping them understand why those are in place.