Love Her Wild Matriarch Adventure
15th - 24th October 2023
The Matriarch Adventure is teaming up with Love Her Wild to put together this special expedition. Spend 10 days in the heart of the Namibian wilderness tracking and collecting conservation data on elephants, and experiencing the incredible diverse landscapes of this country.
Day to day life on this expedition will be challenging. You will be far away from civilisation completely off-grid on self-contained vehicles, wild camping under the stars each night. The unpredictable nature of elephants makes it impossible to predict what the itinerary will look like, but you can expect daily yoga, beautiful scenery and some of the best sunsets on the planet.
The Backstory
I first met with Bex Band founder of Love Her Wild a few years ago, and it was clear that we had a similar outlook on the future of female adventure. I have worked with Bex on a couple of expeditions, and again this year we have decided to run an exclusive Love Her Wild Matriarch Adventure, just for ‘Wilders’. It will be led in the same way as other Matriarch Adventures, but will have the solidarity of the Love Her Wild ethos running through it.
“10 days, a group of women in the Namibian wilderness, tracking elusive desert elephants (the most iconic matriarchs there are), having an adventure, dawn yoga under huge flame-red skies, inspiration and singing round a camp fire, sleeping out under a myriad of stars, meeting with Namibian women and hearing their story.... and all else that expedition life has to offer.”
Itinerary
Day 1
Transfer from the airport, arrive in Swakopmund and settle in at Swakopmund Luxury Suites, nestled in the heart of town beside the Atlantic Ocean. Meet for a briefing, followed by an evening meal, and start to get to know each other. Get a good nights sleep, ready for the adventure ahead!
Day 2
After breakfast, head off to base camp on the Ugab River and meet the EHRA (Elephant Human Relations Aid) team who work to help conserve desert adapted elephants. Go through risk assessments, wildlife safety briefings, and overview of the week. Take an orientation nature walk through the red granite landscape, identifying animal tracks with our expert tracker. Enjoy a communal dinner round the camp fire then sleep on the tree platform under the stars.
Day 3
After dawn yoga and breakfast, pack up vehicles and head off on elephant patrol, tracking desert elephants. Lunch and relaxation in the bush, make a wild camp in the evening around a huge camp fire, and gather together as the sun sets. Embrace the simple life, and sleep under the stars.
Day 4 - 8
Due to the unpredictable nature and unknown location of the desert elephants, and in the spirit of true adventure, our next few days on expedition will combine trekking on foot and vehicle patrol, and will take us through areas of outstanding natural beauty as well as farmsteads and villages where we will have a chance to view elephants, and learn about their interaction with the local community. In addition to collecting valuable data, we will also have the chance to talk to local people, especially women, and learn a little about their lives. Some days will be less elephant focussed but allow us to experience the expansive beauty of this epic landscape as we explore its hidden treasures, and meet other iconic Namibian wildlife along the way. Treks will be challenging but rewarding, allowing us to explore incredible geological features, and witness monumental views. Every day we will either practice yoga, or meditate, and we will make time to continue our personal transformational journey. Each night we will make camp in the wilderness, eat around a camp fire, sing, share stories and sleep out under the stars.
Day 9
After watching the sunrise, and final bush breakfast, pack up camp and wend our way back to Swakopmund. Meet for final celebratory dinner at a secluded restaurant, and congratulate yourself for meeting all your challenges head on!
Day 10
Final day - spend a while exploring the quaint town of Swakopmund. Head back to the airport and begin your journey home...
Price £2,150
What’s included
All expedition costs including:
~ 7 nights sleeping under the stars
~ Delicious meals cooked on the campfire
~ Experienced elephant tracking team from EHRA
~ 4 x 4 transport in Landcruisers
~ Insight into conservation practice
~ Daily dawn yoga and mindfulness sessions
~ Meeting with Namibian women – hearing their stories
Airport transfers
2 nights’ hotel accommodation in Swakopmund
2 evening meals and breakfasts in Swakopmund
Not included
Flights
Personal travel insurance
Beverages other than tea, coffee and water
Lunches whilst in Swakopmund
Site fees for opportunistic cultural/historical visit
Tips for local staff
Cathadventure and Love Her Wild are partnered with Inspired Ventures who specialise in adventure travel to support social and environmental projects around the world. Inspired Ventures is a UK travel company that ensures our trip has all the necessary insurance and complies with the necessary standards and laws in the UK. The Matriarch Adventure benefits from ABTOT bonding.
