Beauvallon Farm runs an upliftment / community-development project in the Richtersveld.
The project is remote, and tends to fly under many volunteering radars.
The scope of the project is quite broad: agriculture, building/renovation, plumbing, carpentry, painting, tiling, electrical and mechanical repairs, even digital skills such as website building, social media, and administration.
Their plan also includes adding tourism components (visitor experience) to the project, to likely help make it more sustainable / self-funding.
Gemsbok Antelopes
The gemsbok is a large antelope from the dry parts of southern Africa. It has a gray-tan body, white face with bold black lines, and long straight horns on both males and females. Adults can stand about 1.2 meters at the shoulder and weigh as much as a person or two.
Gemsbok live in deserts and semi-deserts such as the Kalahari and the Richtersveld. They handle heat well. Their light coat reflects sunlight and their bodies can let temperature rise safely during the day to save water.
They eat grasses, leaves, and roots. In very dry seasons they dig for bulbs and succulents that hold moisture. This diet helps them go for long periods without drinking.
Herds are usually small groups led by females, with calves in the middle for safety. A strong male guards the group and a territory. When threatened, gemsbok face predators with their sharp horns and can run fast across open ground.
Many populations are stable, thanks to protected areas and community conservation. Respect wild herds by keeping a distance and never feeding them. If you see gemsbok near farms or towns, move slowly and give them space to graze.
Fun fact: The plural can be gemsbok or gemsbokken, and the name comes from Dutch and Afrikaans.
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Help at Beauvallon farm close to Alexander Bay (Northern Cape, South Africa).
