Place: In a wide valley sometimes flush with grass, Desert Rhino Camp lies in the midst of the enormous Palmwag Concession, where trackers patrol and protect one of the largest free-ranging populations of the Endangered desert-adapted rhino in Africa. Rhino tracking on foot and by vehicle with this dedicated team is an original and exclusive wilderness experience; others include exploring the area on full-day outings, nature drives and guided walks.

Wildlife: Aside from the desert-adapted black rhino to be found in the area, the freshwater springs of the Palmwag Concession support healthy populations of desert-adapted elephants, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, giraffes, gemsbok, springbok, and kudu. Lions and leopards may be seen occasionally. Birdlife is prolific and diverse, with most of Namibia’s endemics present. Key species include Ruppell’s korhaan, Benguela long-billed lark, Herero chat and Verreaux’s eagle.

Accommodation: The camp has eight comfortable Meru-style tents and a main area that overlooks a sweeping plain that is dotted with Namibia’s national plant, the welwitschia. Earthy colours with hints of red are a warm, welcoming space that is open and airy to the ancient desert. The convivial camp fire is where stories. knowledge and local traditions are shared under Namibia’s extraordinary star-studded skies.

Purpose: Desert Rhino Camp is run in conjunction with the local community and Save the Rhino Trust (SRT), so, in addition to guests gaining amazing insight into the ecology and conservation of this area, a portion of their revenue goes to the Trust and its conservation operations. Our pioneering partnership ensures the ongoing conservation of one of the last free-roaming populations of black rhino on the planet.

NOTE: Rhino tracking remains the key focus and purpose at Desert Rhino Camp, a standard activity included on a FI rate basis and available to all guests.

Unique Selling Points

• The best place to see and track one of Africa’s largest free-ranging populations of Critically Endangered black rhino in Namibia
• Exclusive opportunity to track these black rhino with monitors from Wilderness’ on-site conservation partner, Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) Namibia, learning about the unique survival skills of these extraordinary pachyderms in this harsh rocky desert environment
• Stark, beautiful and remote, the area is home to other large desert-adapted mammals and special plants like welwitschia