1. Wilderness Therapy Hiking

Wilderness Therapy Namibia takes place in the wilderness settings of the Naukluft Park, the Fish River Canyon Park and on private farms in the Khomas Hochland, Namibia.

Wilderness means an unfamiliar outdoor setting with no distraction or influence from the environment or society the participants came from. The participants are separated from the known and exposed to the unfamiliarity of wilderness and what it has in store. Exposure to nature’s elements, sleeping in the open, wild and dangerous animals, and the uncertainty of finding water, digging for water (gorras), silence and primitive living are part of the experience.

Being in the wilderness had a cleansing effect and made the participants susceptible.  The healthy and unpolluted environment helped to clean body, mind and soul.  The fresh air, fresh water and the physical exercise, helped the participants to feel better about themselves.  The wilderness environment is vast and open. There is silence and peace. The wilderness has a calming effect on those who visit it. Nature comforts and gives peace. The sense of peace and belonging that nature gives can be very healing.

As there were fewer distractions in the wilderness than the typical continuous noise and visuals at home, gave the participants the opportunity to focus on themselves and to reflect on their lives. The participants connect with themselves and became aware of their own feelings.

Hiking is the physical challenge the participants are exposed to during the eight (8) days.  The participants had to hike ± 120 km on strenuous terrain carrying a backpack on their backs with all the requirements for eight (8) days. Physical fitness is a therapeutic factor in wilderness therapy and the benefit of physical exercise can be very therapeutic.

Hiking is physically, mentally and emotionally challenging. The manner in which pressure or coping skills or lack thereof is handled becomes exposed during the hiking process. The participants have to motivate themselves to continue walking; to quit or to refuse to walk is out of the question because there is nowhere else to go.

The using of the  therapy techniques like play- and art-therapy, to stimulate the participants to think about their own life stories and to bring them in contact with themselves, their emotions and sharing it with the group, are what is understood under the topic “Sharing Stories”. Being part of a group going through the same challenges, adventure and fun creates a safe and trusting environment where the participants feel safe to share inner feelings, emotions and struggles. Sharing and listening to each other’s stories helped the participants to find answers for their own problems. By sharing and listening the participants feel relieved as they got rid of a lot of baggage.

Safety arrangements in regards to the hike

Trained therapeutic facilitators with hiking – outdoor experience take care of the emotional, physical, spiritual, social and mental safety of the participants to ensure an optimal learning and personal growth experience.

Volunteer assistant facilitators with hiking-outdoor experience to assist the trained therapeutic facilitators during the hike with the safety of the participants.

Rescue plan: In case of emergency, rescue co-ordinator identified and in place, emergency services informed, additional rescuers in place, first aid kit on hand, trained first aider on hike, safety-equipment such as GPS and Satelite phone on hike, safety procedures during hike communicated and inforced, necessary documentation obtained and completed.