For Heidi Dednam the founder of GAVA Explorations, the desert is a passion. She has travelled the world, exploring deserts from Africa’s Namib to the Negev Desert in Israel, and from Anza Borrega in Southern California to the frozen desserts that lie off the coast of Canada. After 10 years as a park ranger and guide in Namibia, Botswana, Tanzania and Canada, Heidi realised that there was a shortage of specialised safaris into the more remote areas of Africa. That many people were captivated by their first African visit and returned wanting something more from a safari than traditional game spotting. They wanted to experience Africa, not just see it.
And so GAVA Explorations was born, incorporated by Heidi Dednam, and Wim Dednam in 1999. A specialised company offering intense safaris that let you explore the real Africa. A team of experts that shows you the big picture, from animals to plants, from desert sands to night skies. That takes you to some of the wildest and most remote areas of Africa, while surrounding you with the comfort of lodges or more traditional bush safaris.
Code of Ethics
GAVA Explorations lives sustainable utilisation. During camping safaris: on moving from a location, the entire camp is taken away and no sign of our presence is left behind. All waste is removed and disposed of. In particularly sensitive ecosystems, such as the Namib dunes, even ashes from our fire are cleaned up. In certain regions where trees are scarce, GAVA uses gas for cooking. Furthermore, we use water with utmost care and ensure measures are in place to avoid any pollution. GAVA Explorations only employs guides who have a genuine understanding and concern for the environment and is acutely aware of the fragility of certain ecosystems that we traverse during a safari. An integral part of any safari is the education of the client and our guides strive to provide a meaningful interpretation of the environment. All visits to traditional villages are discreet and done in such a way that the privacy of the villagers is respected in every way. Regulations of National Parks and reserves are respected at all times and no artefacts are removed from archaeological sites that we visit during a safari.
Social Responsibility
GAVA Explorations has a policy of, whenever possible, only employing local staff. GAVA Explorations plays a facilitating role in the upliftment of the marginalised Topnaar/Nama/Damara communities with our GAVA Kids Education Program since 2000.
Please visit our website http://www.gavakids.com for further information and support.
