My Elephant Conservation Project
A Cause Close to My Heart at Ines Botswana Travel
Who I Am
Hello, my name is Ines Schreckeneder. I am the founder of Ines Botswana Travel. For over 20 years, wildlife conservation and protecting Africa's animals have been my passion. I have always felt a deep, powerful connection to elephants—a bond that continues to shape my life and my work to this day.
Botswana and Its Elephants
Botswana is home to the largest elephant population in Africa. This is both a magnificent gift and a complex challenge. Where so many elephants live, human-wildlife conflict is inevitable. Elephants often wander onto farmers' fields in search of food. For the local farmers, this frequently means the loss of their crops—and with it, their very livelihood.
The Painful Conflict
When elephants raid crops, farmers sometimes resort to drastic measures to protect their food source, resulting in elephants being killed. This is a tragedy for the animals, but also for the people who feel they have no other choice in such a desperate situation. This is precisely where I want to make a difference.
Why This Matters So Much to Me
Protecting elephants is a deeply personal mission for me. No animal should have to die simply for seeking food, and no human should lose their livelihood. My goal is to find solutions where both sides win, allowing elephants and local communities to coexist peacefully.
How We Can Protect Elephants
there are several methods used to deter elephants from fields and prevent conflicts:
Chili: Elephants naturally avoid the strong smell of chili pepper
Beehives: Elephants are afraid of bees and avoid their buzzing
Solar Fences: Physical barriers powered by solar energy
Solar Lights: Solar-powered flashing strobe lights
My Approach: Solar Lights
I focus on solar-powered strobe lights. These are essentially solar-powered "disco lights" that illuminate and protect farmers' fields at night. Elephants dislike the bright, flashing light and generally avoid entering the fields altogether. It is a simple, highly effective, and sustainable solution.
How Every Booking Helps
From every booking made with Ines Botswana Travel, 2% goes directly into this Elephant Conservation Program. Every journey you take becomes an active contribution toward protecting wildlife and supporting the local community.
Working Together with the Community
This initiative benefits more than just the elephants. The solar lights and fencing systems require ongoing maintenance, which directly involves and financially supports the local population in Botswana. This creates a lasting impact for both people and wildlife:
Farmers' fields and livelihoods are protected
Elephants are saved from being killed
Local communities are empowered and financially supported
Humans and animals can coexist in peace
My Promise
"Protecting and empowering local communities in Botswana is vital to me. Wildlife conservation can only be truly sustainable when done hand-in-hand with the people who live alongside these animals. With every trip you book through Ines Botswana Travel, you are directly helping to make this possible."
Ines Schreckeneder – Founder of Ines Botswana Travel