The camp has eight comfortable Meru-style tents and a main area that overlooks a sweeping plain dotted with Namibia’s national plant, the welwitschia. Earthy colours predominate, with hints of red – a warm, welcoming space, airy and open to the ancient desert.
Overview
In a wide valley sometimes flush with grass, Desert Rhino Camp lies in the enormous Palmwag Concession, where trackers patrol and protect one of Africa’s largest free-ranging populations of Critically Endangered desert-adapted black rhino. Rhino tracking on foot and by vehicle with these dedicated conservationists is a unique and exclusive wilderness experience; other activities include exploring the area on full-day outings, nature drives or walks.
Wildlife
Aside from the desert-adapted black rhino to be found in the area, Palmwag Concession's freshwater springs also support healthy populations of desert-adapted elephant, Hartmann's mountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, kudu and possibly even predators. Birdlife is prolific and diverse with most of Namibia's endemics present.
Desert Rhino Camp lies in a wide valley sometimes flush with grass, in the midst of north-west Namibia’s enormous Palmwag Concession. The Palmwag’s 550 000 hectares offer an otherworldly basalt landscape created by eruptions roughly 125 million years ago, when Africa and South America were still joined as the landmass Gondwana.
Accommodation Information
The main area of the camp overlooks a sweeping plain dotted with Namibia’s national plant, the welwitschia. The campfire inspires storytelling under Namibia’s star-studded skies.
Number of Tents
This camp can accommodate 16 guests in total, plus 02 guide/pilot/tour leaders on a shared accommodation basis, subject to concession numbers and/or concession availability.
ï‚· 08 x Tents in total comprising of:
ï‚· 08 x twin-bedded canvas tents each with two three quarter beds.
ï‚· Mattress converters are available that transforms twin beds into king-size beds. To be arranged prior to arrival.
Plus guide/pilot/tour leader accommodation comprising:
ï‚· [01 Pilot/Guide (02 beds in total, on a shared accommodation basis, with one adjoining bathroom facility - not of the same standard as guest accommodation)].
Room details
Desert Rhino Camp - Standard Tents
(8 ROOMS)
The camp comprises eight canvas tented, twin accommodation, with en-suite facilities. Each built on a raised wooden deck, with sandy and rocky pathways on the ground linking through to the main area.
Camp Design and Facilities
ï‚· Pool in main area with partially shaded deck and loungers.
ï‚· Canvas tented lounge, dining and bar areas on a raised wooden deck.
ï‚· Camp fire.
ï‚· Floodlit waterhole.
ï‚· Reading area with a selection of reference books.
ï‚· A pair of Olympus binoculars in the main area.
ï‚· Curio cupboard.
ï‚· During winter months a gas heater is stationed in the main area and chenile blankets are provided during dinner.
ï‚· Canvas blinds that roll up and down for all weather conditions.
ï‚· Guest toilet in the main area.
Tent Facilities
ï‚· Canvas tented accommodation on a raised deck, with sandy and rocky pathways on the ground (linking all the tents to the main areas).
ï‚· En-suite facilities with indoor shower, double vanity basin and separate toilet.
ï‚· Writing desk and chair, easy chair, luggage rack, mosquito net (available on request only), electronic safe, tea and coffee making facilities.
ï‚· During winter months hot water bottles and extra blankets are provided.
ï‚· No air conditioning, however, a pedestal fan is provided.
ï‚· Private viewing deck with shaded outdoor lounge area.
ï‚· Indoor lounge area.
ï‚· Complimentary in-tent Wi-Fi.
ï‚· Amenities include bath robes, liquid soap, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, body lotion, room spray, insect repellents, washing powder (for smalls), sewing kit, shower caps, cotton-tip swabs, cotton balls, tissues dispensers, umbrella and laundry basket are supplied in each tent
Room Facilities
ï‚· Electrical Outlets
ï‚·En-Suite
ï‚· Fan
ï‚· Internet Access (Complimentary)
ï‚· Laundry Service (Complimentary)
ï‚· Mosquito Nets
ï‚· Safe
ï‚· Tea / Coffee
ï‚· Verandah
Laundry Facilities
Laundry services are provided on a daily basis (weather permitting, items will be returned on the same day) and included on the FI rate basis. Laundry is dried by the sun and on most days any laundry placed out in the morning will be returned, washed, dried and ironed, by the evening.
Due to prevailing local cultural traditions, please place any underwear items in the mesh laundry bag provided, so that these can be machine washed separately. Should guests prefer to hand wash, environmentally friendly detergent is available in the tents or can be provided on request.
As an environmentally-aware company, we strive to reduce our water usage where we can. Since towel washing consumes an enormous amount of water, we follow the same policy used by most top establishments around the world: should guests want their towels washed, we request that guests please place these into the laundry basket/laundry bag supplied. Towels not in the laundry basket/laundry bag will be hung up and dried for their reuse.
Note that laundry services may be limited as a result of water shortages. We cannot be held liable for any damage to clothing
Activities details
ï‚· Day and night nature drives in 05 x 10-seater closed Land Cruises. For reasons of comfort and space, we generally do not allocate more than six or seven guests per vehicle if the numbers are made up of different booking parties at a Classic category of camp.
ï‚· During winter months hot water bottles (on early morning game drives only), blankets and lined ponchos are provided.
ï‚· Private Activities on offer (subject to vehicle availability which needs to be booked and paid for) may be requested in advance - excludes rhino tracking with “Save The Rhino Trust”.
ï‚· Birding.
ï‚· Guided nature walks and scorpion walks (weather permitting and subject to the availability of a qualified walking guide).
ï‚· Guided rhino tracking by vehicle and on foot (Due to “Save The Rhino Trust” regulations, once rhino tracking on foot commences, it will be on a shared basis in a group. A private basis is not possible regardless of whether a private vehicle and guide is booked as this only guarantees a private game drive. While there are no minimum or maximum guest numbers, please note that there is only one approach on foot permitted per rhino tracking activity. While the activity begins in the morning, the duration is solely dependent on rhino behaviour at the time, as well as the distances covered by the rhino and the tracking thereof so there is a possibility that it may continue into the afternoon).
ï‚· Full day outings with picnic lunch.
ï‚· Sundowner drives and hiking trails.
ï‚· Bush dinners.
ï‚· Stargazing with a laser pointer (weather permitting and according to the lunar phases (not offered around full moon).
ï‚· Back of house tours and discussions by camp staff on the different cultures of Namibia, the community, the black rhino and “Save The Rhino Trust”.
ï‚· Wilderness Safaris and Olympus Photo Hub experience.
Activities on Site
ï‚· Bird Watching
ï‚· Game Drives
ï‚· Night Drives
ï‚· Rhino Tracking
ï‚· Walks (Guided)
Morning wake-up and activity times vary according to the seasons, activities on offer and wildlife sightings.Example of a Typical day
ï‚· Early morning wake-up call.
ï‚· Light breakfast before departing on the morning activity.
ï‚· Return to camp for a meal and rest period.
ï‚· Meet for afternoon tea before departing on the activity.
ï‚· Return to camp - freshen up or meet for drinks, followed by dinner.
ï‚· Enjoy a nightcap or discussion around the fire before retiring.
RATING
Classic Camp
TYPE
Safari Lodge
NO. ROOMS
8
CHECK IN TIME
14h00- 17h00
(Minimum age for check-in is 18)
CHECK OUT TIME
07h00 -10h00
AVAILABLE SERVICES
Credit Card
SPOKEN LANGUAGES
English
CHILD POLICY
6 years and older are welcome
PET POLICY
Not Allowed
SPECIAL INTERESTS
Birding, Nature, Wildlife
Access
Self Drive basis
The camp is not accessible on a self-drive basis. For any self-drive itinerary, vehicles need to be parked at Twee Palms on the C43, to the North of Palmwag Lodge (signposted as “Desert Rhino Camp Pick-Up Point”). Parking at own risk. A Desert Rhino Camp representative will meet guests at Twee Palms for departure at 14:30. Guests need to arrive at Twee Palms no later than 14:00 in order to be on time for the onward scheduled road transfer to camp. It is an approximate 2.5 hour nature drive through the Palmwag Concession to Desert Rhino Camp.
On the day of departure, for the return transfers, the camp will make the necessary arrangements and advise guests of the timings for their return to the pick-up point back at Twee Palms, at no additional cost. Note that these times are not scheduled and said arrangements are to be discussed whilst in camp with camp management. Should specific times be required, these would need to be pre-arranged prior to arrival in camp with your Journey Specialist.
Closer to the time of travel, we recommend that you contact your travel consultant with regards to road conditions which may be affected by seasonal changes, e.g. high rains.
Twee Palms Coordinates 19°52'04.97"S 13°54'54.28"E.
Access
Fying Basis
Airstrip Name: Desert Rhino Airstrip
Duration to Camp: Approximate 10 minute road transfer (depending on wildlife sightings, scenery
Airstrip Surface: Compacted gravel construction surface
Airstrip Services: Desert Rhino Camp
Cherish the chance to track one of Africa’s largest free-ranging populations of Critically Endangered desert-adapted black rhino. On foot or by vehicle, led by seasoned Save the Rhino Trust monitors, follow these majestic creatures across the rocky plains, finding other wildlife along the way. On game drives look for desert-adapted lions; elephants; zebras; spotted hyaenas; giraffes; and antelopes such as oryx and springbok. Key species for birding enthusiasts include Ruppell’s korhaan; Benguela long-billed lark; Herero chat; Verreaux’s eagle. Join a guided nature walk and better understand how life survives in this arid land. Welcome the night, sitting around the campfire sharing stories; marvel at the magic of the impossibly starry sky.
Wildlife information
Damaraland(where Desert Rhino Camp is situated) is not a classic wildlife destination; wildlife is sparse and the main attraction is the arid desert environment. Desert elephant and black rhino are the animals most people come to see, but other wildlife includes gemsbok, greater kudu, eland and springbok. Giraffe and Hartmann’s mountain zebra are nomadic visitors to the area.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Damaraland can be visited any time of the year, although the Dry season (May to October) is the most productive for wildlife watching. At this time animals tend to seek out limited water sources and can be more easily seen. During the Wet season (November to April), animals tend to scatter and become harder to locate
Birding Information
Damaraland has more than 200 bird species recorded, including several arid-country specials. The area is rich in near-endemics, which are sought after because of their restricted range. These include violet wood-hoopoe, Hartlaub’s francolin, Rüppel’s parrot, Monteiro’s hornbill, Carp’s tit, bare-cheeked babbler, rockrunner and white-tailed shrike. Raptors are also well represented and the majestic Verreaux’s eagle can sometimes be seen soaring above the rocky cliffs. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Best Time for Bird Watching
Damaraland is a great birding destination year-round. A lot of the specials are resident and present throughout the year. Bird watching is at its best in the hot summer months from November to April when migrants are present.
Highlights
ï‚· Best location for viewing unique desert-adapted black rhino.
ï‚· Guests experience rhino conservation and a genuine conservation partnership.
ï‚· Stark, beautiful and remote, with desert-adapted wildlife and special plants like welwitschia
CHILD POLICY
ï‚· Children 06 years and older can be accommodated.
ï‚· For families travelling with children between 06 and 12 years, private activities need to be booked and paid for.
ï‚· Children between 06 and 16 years of age must share with at least one adult in the same tent.
ï‚· The minimum age for walking activities is 13 years.
The minimum age for rhino tracking is 16 years due to SRT regulations. While this is the norm, it is now possible for children aged between 12 and 16 years to have a similar experience, however, this is subject to certain criteria and needs to be carefully noted - a private vehicle must be booked which will follow the rest of the main group of guests (unless the size of the party has already allowed for sole use of a vehicle); if/when a rhino/s are found, the main group of guests will move out on foot with the
SRT trackers and one parent/guardian, plus the Wilderness Safaris guide, must remain on the vehicle with the young children; once the rest of the main group of guests returns, subject to the discretion of the SRT trackers and guide from Desert Rhino Camp, the behaviour/nature of the rhino/s, distance to be covered, etc. will be ascertained, and only then will the family with children aged between 12 and 16 years be taken through on foot to observe the rhino/s. There is a risk that the rhino/s may move on. Children will have to be quiet and parents/guardians/children must be aware that the activity may be hot, require some physical effort and may take a while.
Desert Rhino Airstrip is in Namibia at Desert Rhino Camp and is approximately 10 minute road transfer to the lodge (depending on wildlife sightings, scenery and photographic opportunities en-route) <<< Credit Desert Rhino Camp
