Damaraland, Namibia
Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp
An exclusive opportunity to track desert-adapted black rhino across the Damaraland plains
You’ll find Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp in a wide valley, nestled amid the undulating hills of the 450 000-hectare Palmwag Concession. This tranquil area is recognised for its minimalist beauty and the large range of desert-adapted wildlife that call the area their home, most noticeably for its free-roaming black rhino population, the largest in Africa.
Lodging at the camp is divided between eight raised Meru-style canvas tents with front verandas that take in expansive landscape of the dramatic Etendeka Mountains and the plains scattered with euphorbia and ancient welwitschia plants. The tented dining and lounge areas have also been elevated to provide panoramic views during meal times and moments of relaxation. There’s also an attractive pool to cool off in and a fire pit for enjoying nights spent stargazing and swapping tales.
During your stay, you can take part in daily rhino tracking activities on foot and by vehicle and learn about the Save the Rhino Trust with whom the lodge collaborates.
Highlights
Eight Meru-style tents with views of the rocky plains
Romantic poolside dinner
Bush lunch
A safari experience with meaningful impact on the conservation of black rhinos
The impact of your stay:
- Wilderness has left an indelible impact in Namibia, spanning a cumulative area of approximately 1,673,100 hectares. Through the Namibia Large Fauna Programme, they actively spearhead ongoing conservation initiatives for desert-adapted wildlife species. This includes a focus on large predators such as lions, leopards, brown and spotted hyenas, as well as the desert-adapted elephant and black rhinos, giraffes, and other ungulates.
- Children in the Wilderness Namibia is a testament to Wilderness’s dedication to community engagement and education. This impactful program is designed to promote sustainable conservation through leadership development and education for children in Africa. The approach is diverse, ranging from hosting Eco-Club programs at local schools to organising annual camps for children within rural communities residing on the fringes of Africa’s wild areas.
- With camps strategically positioned across the continent, Wilderness has successfully conserved over 2.3 million hectares of land. Their ambitious goal is to expand this conservation effort to 5 million hectares by 2030, reflecting their steadfast commitment to preserving and protecting vast natural landscapes for future generations.
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Places to combine Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp with
Namibia
Wilderness Serra Cafema is located in the extreme north-west of Namibia on the banks of the Kunene River in the Hartmann Valley. Undoubtedly amongst the most remote camps in Southern Africa, Serra Cafema is only reachable by light aircraft which adds to the exclusivity of this beautiful property.
Wilderness Serra Cafema is an intimate, peaceful camp with a unique mix of rustic and luxury elements nestled amongst the shady Albida trees on the banks of the Kunene. Rapids just below camp provide a calming ambiance with guests often lulled into dreamland by the gurgling waters after a day exploring one of the driest, starkly beautiful regions in the world.
Accommodation at here consists of eight riverside Meru-style canvas and thatched villas on spacious, elevated decks blended smoothly into the picturesque surroundings. Each fully furnished tent has an en-suite bathroom, ceiling fan and mosquito nets. A late afternoon spent lounging on the front deck soaking up the breathtaking vistas of this contrasting wilderness is an absolute must.
Sossusvlei
Offering more of a ‘boutique’ polish and size set in the 37,000- hectare private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, and a stone’s throw from the Sossusvlei dunes, this beautiful lodge is easily the most luxurious in the area.
Wilderness Little Kulala consists of 11 climate-controlled thatched suites, sympathetically designed so as to merge deceptively into the desert landscape. Each one is air conditioned with an en-suite bathroom, and has its own private outdoor pool and shower. The rooms are huge and with floor-to-ceiling windows designed to spoil you with the incredible views that flood in. Or take it a step further and star gaze in style on your own private rooftop.
The main lodge is built on three levels and provides an elegant entertainment area, with a spacious lounge, stylish dining area , well-stocked reference library and its own wine cellar to boot.
