Wildlife Conservation Botswana Project #63638

Research Camp Renovations

by Elephants for Africa

Project Report | Jun 10, 2025
Project Update: Camp Renovation Progress

By Kate Evans | Founder & Director of Research

Broken water tank

Dear Friend,

We are pleased to share that our camp renovation is nearly complete! The core upgrades have been successfully finished, creating a safer and more functional space for our team and operations.

A few minor details remain, including the installation of some additional lighting and addressing a handful of small issues, but nothing that hinders daily use and enjoyment of our new camp.

One unforeseen expense during the renovation was the urgent replacement of our water tank, which unfortunately collapsed. Thankfully, no one was underneath when it plummeted to the earth. Thanks to your support, we were able to respond quickly and install a new one, ensuring uninterrupted access to clean water. This new one has been installed on top of a metal frame, which should ensure its longevity.

Thank you so much for your contribution to making these improvements possible. We’re incredibly grateful and very happy that life is now that little bit easier in our camp by the Boteti River.

With our deepest gratitude

The Elephants for Africa Team

New water tank being installed

The Elephants for Africa camp Main are from afar

The Elephants for Africa camp Main area - closer

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Feb 12, 2025
The Progress Continues!

By Stephanie Kong | Managing Director

The main area gets a new deck and cover.

Dear Friends of EfA,

We are excited to share an update on the progress of our camp rebuild, made possible by your incredible generosity. Since our last update, our construction crew has been hard at work restoring and improving our research camp to ensure a more comfortable and productive environment for our team and collaborators.

By December 2024, the crew had made significant strides in completing several essential projects. These included:

Stabilizing the modified shipping containers that house our kitchen and storage, which had been shifting in the sand
Installing a much-needed storage unit to keep research equipment safe
Constructing an ablution block with flush toilets, showers, and sinks
Replacing the dangerous rotted wooden decking
Securing the sewage and electrical systems
Building a monkey-proof garbage cage

In mid-December, the crew paused for the festive season and to wait for building materials to come back in stock. Unfortunately, late December brought heavy, windy rainstorms to the Makgadikgadi, and some of our newly completed structures suffered damage. However, we remained resilient and determined to push forward through the repairs.

In February, the construction crew returned to camp, now working tirelessly to rebuild, repair, and complete the final touches. We are now in the home stretch and hope to fully complete the rebuild in the coming months.

None of this would have been possible without your support. Thanks to your generosity, we are on the brink of settling into a fully functional, stable, and comfortable research camp that will serve our mission for years to come.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being a crucial part of this journey. Your support has been invaluable, and we can’t wait to share the final results with you soon!

With gratitude, The Elephants for Africa Team

A beautiful new bathroom underway.

New tents are ready for researchers!

This new storage unit will keep equipment safe.

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Oct 24, 2024
Elephants for Africa Construction Kick-Off

By Stephanie | Managing Director, Elephants for Africa

Construction crews remove and replace tent decks

Dear Friends of EfA,

We are thrilled to share exciting progress on the rebuild of our Research Camp in Botswana, and it’s all thanks to your kind generosity! Your contributions have made it possible for us to move forward with much-needed repairs and upgrades, making the camp safer and more comfortable for our staff and visiting researchers.

After extensive planning, construction kicked off in October, and our building team has been hard at work, bringing our vision of a more livable camp to life! The first major task was rebuilding the tent decks, which had suffered significant damage over the years due to termite infestation and the harsh elements of the Makgadikgadi environment. The team expertly removed the rotten decks and replaced them with durable, weather-resistant materials that will serve us well for many years to come.

As the weeks progress, the team will continue working on a variety of essential projects. These include constructing an ablution block, repairing rotted wooden decking in the main area, securing the sewage and electrical system, building a monkey-proof garbage cage, and stabilizing the modified shipping containers that house our kitchen and storage, which have been shifting in the sand.

We are beyond pleased with the progress so far, and we can’t wait to share even more updates as the rebuild continues. This project will make a significant difference in the daily lives of everyone at the camp, and we couldn't have done it without your support.

From all of us at Elephants for Africa, thank you once again for your generosity and belief in our mission. We look forward to sharing more updates and progress with you soon!

Thank you,

Steph and the Elephants for Africa Team

Before and after! What a difference

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