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In June 2024, during one of our safaris in the breathtaking region of Damaraland, Namibia, we were treated to an unforgettable sight — a tiny, desert-adapted elephant calf near Aba-Huab. It was one of those magical safari moments that stays with you forever. Small, curious, and still finding his feet, this little one instantly captured our hearts.

Our experienced guide, Stewart Matsopo, who knows Damaraland’s wild places like the back of his hand, decided to keep a special eye on this young elephant. Over time, and with much excitement, we started referring to him affectionately as Stewie, a playful nod to both Stewart and the little calf’s determined spirit.

A Year Later… Reunited with Stewie

Fast forward to today, and we’re thrilled to share that during our most recent safari, we met Stewie again! Now over a year old, Stewie is thriving, exploring the harsh yet beautiful landscapes of Damaraland alongside his family. Watching him grow and survive in this unforgiving environment is a testament to the incredible resilience of these elephants — and a highlight for our safari guests lucky enough to witness it.

Did You Know? Fascinating Facts About Damaraland’s Desert-Adapted Elephants

Desert-adapted elephants are a true wonder of nature. Here are some interesting facts about these remarkable animals:

• Unique to Namibia: These elephants are not a separate species, but they’ve adapted physically and behaviorally to survive in arid desert conditions found in northwestern Namibia.

• Bigger Feet, Softer Steps: Their feet are slightly broader than other African elephants, helping them walk more easily across soft sand and rocky terrain.

• Masters of Survival: Desert-adapted elephants can travel long distances — sometimes over 70 km in a day — in search of food and water, using ancient knowledge passed down through generations.

• Gentle Giants: They feed on drought-resistant plants, such as mopane trees and acacia, and are known for their peaceful nature, often coexisting near human settlements with minimal conflict.

• Conservation in Action: These elephants are a symbol of successful conservation in Namibia, but they still face threats from human-wildlife conflict and climate change, making responsible tourism and education vital.

Why We Keep Coming Back

Damaraland offers more than just beautiful scenery — it provides the chance to connect with wildlife in a deeply personal way. By spending time here, you start to recognize not just the landscapes, but the individuals and families that roam them — like Stewie and his herd.

Our safaris in Damaraland aren’t just about ticking boxes — they’re about slow travel, meaningful experiences, and building lasting connections with Africa’s wild places.

See the previous videos of our sightings below:

We meet again…

Our new Cape Town and Namibia adventure offers the chance to explore the beautiful mother city and surroundings and then head of to Namibia to see the best spots in this amazing country.

Wondering if you can travel to Namibia with your family, including your kids? The answer is a definite yes! In fact, you can expect a very exciting African adventure that your kids will never forget.

Let’s tell you why: 

Travel safely:  You can really feel at ease when travelling through Namibia with your family; one of the safest countries in Africa.  The country has a very low crime rate, with isolated incidents of common crime, like pickpocketing, that can be avoided by being sensible and alert when you travel.

You can also look forward to safe travels in terms of the quality of roads. You will find a lot of gravel roads, but even these are well maintained and in a good condition.  Keeping to the speed limit, looking out for animals in wildlife areas, and not driving at night is advised when travelling through Namibia.  

Best time to visit: The best time to visit is between July and August, which ideally falls over the summer school holiday for most countries.

More good news is that Namibia has no malaria in the tourist areas and you don’t have to take any malaria medication, no matter which time of the year you plan your itinerary.  The only area that has a higher risk for malaria is in the Caprivi strip in the far north.  

Medical care:  When you are travelling with kids, one of your first concerns is that you have access to reliable and quality medical care.  Namibia is a developed country where you will find excellent hospitals and doctors. However, depending on your itinerary you might travel long distances between destinations and it is advisable to have a good medical kit with you in case of a medical emergency.

Accommodation:  You can look forward to quality accommodation options. Whether you are looking to stay at a lodge, reserve, or even go camping, you can expect a high standard of hospitality all over Namibia. Remember to book child-friendly accommodation or ask for a family room where available.

Language: Namibia speaks English, making it accessible even for smaller children.

Attractions:   The attractions and ‘things to do’ in Namibia are endless and you will have to plan your trip to the T, to make sure you get to experience most of what Namibia has to offer. 

Just to name a few, you can add to your list, spending time on the sand dunes, visiting heritage and cultural destinations, going on safari in Etosha, going for a hike, riding on a fatbike in the desert, attempting a sand board, exploring the living desert, taking a trip to the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, experience the Skeleton Coast and of course, visits to the beautiful coastal towns like Swakopmund or Walvis Bay, which offer an array of activities on their own.  Add the experience of the abundance of wildlife and birds and your travel destination ticks all the boxes of an adventure destination for the whole family.

Food:  You will find delicious food anywhere in Namibia and most of the lodges offer European style cuisine.

Most of the towns throughout Namibia have westernized supermarkets or shops selling quality foods, fresh produce and meats.  Traditional German foods and treats, like the legendary apple strudel in Solitaire is a must to try. 

Climate:  Great climate with clear blue skies all year round are a bonus.  Although the evenings can be chilly in winter time, the days are still delightful and warm.

A family safari to Namibia offers you the chance to share the magic of Africa with your kids in a safe, accessible country with top attractions rating as some of the best in Africa.

For enquiries about booking a customized family safari to our home country, talk to our expert team at info@naturetravelnamibia.com.  We’ll put together a tailor-made safari, making sure you and your family have an unforgettable Namibia experience.

An astonishing collection of wildlife has adapted to the arid desert and seemingly inhospitable environment in Namibia.

Although not much different from other savannah Elephants Loxodonta Africana, Namibia’s desert-dwelling Elephants are special nonetheless.  They are of high national and international conservation priority and have been designated as a top priority for protection by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature).

In the northern Kunene Region, where rainfall averages less than 100mm annually, Desert Adapted  Elephants will migrate long distances in search of food and water. For example, some of the Elephants of the Hoarusib River migrate to the Hoanib River, a distance of over 70 km (45 miles). Typically, the Elephants will drink and eat constantly for a couple of days, then make the long journey across the barren gravel plains in one long push, usually at night when the temperature is cooler.

They have adapted to their dry, semi-desert environment by having a smaller body mass with proportionally longer legs and seemingly larger feet than other elephants. Their physical characteristics allow them to cross miles of sand dunes to reach water. They have even been filmed sliding down a dune face to drink at a pool in a desert oasis. Water, dust, and especially mud are sought out for bathing and coating the skin against the harsh sun and biting insects.

Elephants eat almost any vegetation, including grasses, herbs, shrubs, leaves, bark, seeds, and fruit. Adult bulls can consume 250kg daily, although females eat less than that. During the wet season, they prefer green shoots and buds, but in the dry season, desert elephants will eat camelthorn, mopane, and Ana trees and seedpods.

By living in smaller than average family units of only two or three animals, they decrease pressure on food and water resources. Researchers have noted that they destroy fewer trees than elephants living in higher rainfall areas in other parts of Africa.

The Namib Desert Elephant communicates in a highly intelligent way with others of their species. Many of their calls are low-frequency calls and rumbles (below the level of human hearing) that can travel 5-10km or more. They can also make a variety of other sounds and calls including trumpeting, snorting, roaring, barking and grunting.

There is only one other group of desert-dwelling Elephants in the world. They live in Mali in North Africa.

Lifespan: 40 – 50 years in the wild

Class: Mammalia

Mass: Male: 6,000 kg (Adult), Female: 3,000 kg (Adult)

Height: Male: 3.3 m (Adult, At Shoulder), Female: 2.8 m (Adult, At Shoulder)

Join Nature Travel Namibia on safari to see these amazing Desert Adapted animals!