Situated amongst the rolling, rocky hills of the 450,000 hectare Palmwag Concession in Namibia, is Desert Rhino Camp. It is made up of eight elevated Meru-style canvas tents with front decks from which to admire the expansive valley studded with euphorbia and ancient welwitschia plants, as well the impressive Etendeka Mountains. The comfy tented dining and lounge area is also raised, with slightly open sides that provide stunning 180 degree vistas. Evening meals are enjoyed around the fire pit in front of the lapa, and guests are encouraged to make use of the refreshing swimming pool available.

The freshwater springs of the Palmwag Concession support the biggest free-range population of the endangered black rhino in the whole of Africa, as well as healthy concentrations of desert-adapted elephant, Hartmann’s mountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, and kudu. Predators found here include lion, cheetah, leopard, and brown and spotted hyena. Birdlife is also abundant and diverse here, with most of Namibia’s endemics present.

The Desert Rhino Camp offers various activities, with excursions aimed at exploring this expansive, magnificent ecosystem with some of Namibia’s most knowledgeable guides. Learn more about the fascinating rhino while being educated by the Wilderness safari guides, as well as expert ‘Save the Rhino Trust’ trackers. If you’d like to know more about the plant and animal life of this intriguing environment, guided nature walks provides some fantastic insight into the desert-adaption that the wildlife here have made.

Another way to spend your time here is to spend full days out, armed with a pre-packed picnic lunch. Travel among undulating, rocky hills and make your way through isolated clumps of trees through the 450,000 hectare Palmwag Concession, spotting remarkable wildlife on the way. Bird lovers will enjoy the various avifauna spotted in the Concession, with highlights to look out for such as Rüppell’s Korhaan, Benguela Long-billed Lark, and possibly Herero Chat. Verreauxs’ Eagle is also frequently sighted around rocky hillsides.

Desert Rhino Camp works in sync with the ‘Save the Rhino Trust’, a non-profit organisation that has been crucial in the conservation of the endangered desert-adapted black rhino. The black rhino population here has more than doubled since the establishment of the SRT. The Trust concentrates on the protection, monitoring and understanding of the local black rhino population, and is funded by both donations and partnerships. This is a wonderful cause to donate to, should you have the chance.

Activities:

* Rhino tracking on foot and by vehicle

* Guided nature walks

* Full day outings with picnic lunch

* Birding