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Desert Rhino Camp is set in the rolling, rocky hills which make up the stark beauty of the 450,000 hectare Palmwag Concession in Damaraland. It offers the rare opportunity of an encounter with the desert-adapted black rhino. This desert reserve has a number of fresh water springs that support healthy wildlife populations including desert-adapted elephant as well as large populations of the rare Hartman's Mountain zebra, giraffe, oryx, springbok and kudu. The predator population is the largest outside of Etosha with over 100 lions, as well as cheetah, leopard, brown and spotted hyena. Bird life is prolific and diverse with most of Namibia's endemics present.

The camp, set in a wide valley, accommodates 16 guests in eight large East Africa-styled tents all with verandas overlooking the long views of the desert and Etendeka Mountains. The en-suite bathroom has hand basin, flush toilet and a classic bucket shower that is filled with hot water whenever needed. Lights are powered by solar panels and the tented dining room offers uninterrupted views of the desert and mountains.

Activities include rhino tracking on foot or by vehicle as well as day and night nature drives. The area boasts the largest concentration of rhino anywhere on the planet outside of a national park.

Desert Rhino Camp is a joint venture between Wilderness Safaris and the Save the Rhino Trust - a non-profit conservation organization that has been working in this area for 20 years. The Trust has been singly responsible for helping to ensure that these rare, desert adapted black rhino survived the slaughter that went on throughout other parts of Africa in the 80s and 90s. Today this population of black rhino is growing in numbers. Community game scouts who were employed by the Trust to help with the patrolling and monitoring all these years are now seconded to the camp as trackers and guides.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness The rugged beauty of the Palmwag Concession sets the scene for an impactful encounter with desert-adapted rhinos.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Pre-dinner drinks in a fairytale desert setting.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Rooted in the essence of sustainability, mindful menus and indigenous ingredients are celebrated on every plate.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Guests unwind in spacious, airy tented suites that offer sweeping views of the rocky plains.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Learn from the guardians of the wild as you observe their charges, prehistoric-looking desert-adapted black rhino.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Discover one of the last untouched places on Earth in Damaraland's infinitely beautiful Palmwag Concession.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness After a morning's desert exploration, enjoy a delicious meal in camp.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness A healthy start to fuel a thrilling day's rhino tracking.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Poaching has been reduced by 80% in five years in the Kunene Region.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Guests who opt to track rhinos are provided with Sealand Explorer bags containing rhino cards for assisting the SRT tracking team with monitoring.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Inspired by the palette, textures, and wildlife of Namibia's extraordinary vistas, the main area’s décor embodies a genuine sense of place.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness An early morning coffee by the fire sets the tone for the day's adventure.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Where better to escape the heat of the day than the main area pool?

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness DRC’s wild, desert landscape informs every aspect of this camp and its profound purpose.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Family-style dining encourages an interactive storytelling atmosphere at mealtimes.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Use of natural stone found on site reinforces the camp’s connection to nature.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Welcome explorers, one and all, to our desert sanctuary.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Deep overhanging stretch fabric roof structures offer protection from the desert sun while preserving the horizon-wide views.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Shades of terracotta, sage, fern greens, and cream bring the natural world into the décor.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness DRC’s impact purpose, together with the starkly beautiful landscape naturally guided the camp design.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness The reimagined camp seamlessly embraces its spectacular Damaraland surrounds, while celebrating its remarkable conservation achievements.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness You don't even need to leave camp to find the perfect sundowner spot.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness There’s no better place to marvel at the southern hemisphere stars than from this remarkably remote Namibian camp.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Lose yourself in the quiet contemplation of the sky filled with a billion stars.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness Nature drives showcase the magnitude of the landscape.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness An infinitely gorgeous sundowner spot.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness The camp is accessed via a flight with Wilderness Air to the camp airstrip, followed by a 10-minute vehicle transfer to camp.

Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp Credit: Wilderness More than just a connection, Wilderness Air is your gateway to our remote wilderness areas.

Offering an exclusive desert sanctuary, the camp provides guests with unique opportunities to track rhinos. This immersive experience enables nature-lovers to actively support the conservation of Namibia's black rhinos while experiencing the region's diverse biodiversity.

Typically set out in the morning by vehicle, following behind the Save the Rhino (SRT) monitors as they track one of their charges – the remarkable desert-adapted black rhino. Due to the vast terrain, long distances can be covered, with other wildlife to be seen along the way. Once a rhino has been located, tracking by foot can take place depending on the position and/or location of the rhino. It is impossible to feel anything other than amazingly fortunate when in the company of such incredible Perissodactyla.

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

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