Desert Rhino Expedition
Departure Dates
An original and exciting Exploration, guests join the "ships of the desert" on a great adventure: an eight-day walk deep into the heart of the Namib Desert, where a camel train and a team of Save the Rhino trackers go in search of the rare and endangered desert-adapted black rhino.
For more than 20 years, the Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) has worked ceaselessly to protect the last free-ranging rhino population on Earth: the rare desert-adapted black rhino. In the remote, rugged Palmwag Concession, teams of local trackers use camel trains to help in researching and monitoring this animal. On this original and exciting Exploration, guests join these "ships of the desert" on a great adventure: an eight-day walk (little time is spent actually on the camels) across the oldest desert in the world, where a camel train and a team of Save the Rhino trackers take us deep into the heart of the Namib Desert in search of this rare and endangered species.
Another wonderful sight is that of the unique desert-adapted elephant - both these iconic animals being searched for in some of the most remote and inaccessible regions of the Concession. The revenues generated from this venture are channelled back into critically important rhino conservation projects.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and overnight at Palmwag Lodge
Day 2: Early morning drive north to Mbakondja Camel Camp to meet the Save the Rhino Camel Team (SRCT), then ride south to and overnight near the Aub River
Day 3: Ride out west towards the Barab River
Day 4: Ride west again towards Okomutati and Kudu Springs.
Day 5: Travel to Hunkab Spring and overnight in Adventure Camp
Day 6: Bid farewell to camels and SRCT trackers and transfer by vehicle to Hoanib Camp
Day 7: Hoanib Camp, Kaokoland
Day 8: Fly back to Palmwag Lodge in time for lunch.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Palmwag Lodge, Palmwag Concession
Palmwag Lodge, one of Namibia's oldest and most popular eco-tourist destinations, is set in spectacular palm-studded surroundings with awe-inspiring sunsets. The area is also home to the famous desert-adapted elephant and rare black rhino. The lodge offers 24 beds in 2- or 3-bed thatched bungalows, a fully licensed restaurant, swimming pool under shady palms and a small "Pool Bar". On our arrival at Palmwag Lodge, we are welcomed by the guide to the area and receive a full briefing on the tour ahead.
Day 2: Aub River, Palmwag Concession
After an early breakfast, we depart northwards by game drive to Mbakondja Camel Camp to meet the Save the Rhino Camel team. Then we ride or walk south to the Aub River, where our Adventurer camp has been erected prior to our arrival. In addition to the tracking and hopefully viewing of desert-adapted elephant and black rhino (the latter a rare subspecies of rhino), our guides reveal the sheer magnificence of nature's survival strategies in this arid environment, concentrating on a variety of topics from birds, insects, medicinal uses of plants and viewing general wildlife.
Day 3: Barab River, Palmwag Concession
Our journey continues today with a walk to the Barab River, concentrating on the tracking of the elusive desert giants through a series of hills, rocky landscapes and diverse geology. After even a little rain, the gravel plains are covered in nutritious grasses offering life-giving sustenance.
Day 4: Kudu Springs, Palmwag Concession
After an early breakfast, we ride out further west through the Okomutati Springs to Kudu Springs. This area is almost inaccessible to vehicles, a pristine wilderness area with a complete sense of remoteness. En route we also have the opportunity to see extraordinary plant life including the ancient Welwitschia plants and numerous lichens.
Day 5: Hunkab Spring, Palmwag Concession
Heading northwards, we move to the next popular drinking point for Kaokoland's diverse animal life, the Hunkab Spring. Fresh drinking water in the desert forms the basis for seasonal animal movements and a surprisingly diverse range of animal life can be seen here. Animals from Hartmann's mountain zebra to elephant and the endemic Ruppell's Korhaan come to slake their thirst.
Day 6 & 7: Hoanib Camp, Kaokoland
We bid farewell to the Save the Rhino Trust trackers and depart on game drive from Hunkab, travelling through the concession to the ephemeral river of the Hoanib Valley. Here, in an area seemingly parched and desolate, we enter one of Namibia's richest desert wildlife areas. We stay at Hoanib Camp, and enjoy game walks, rhino tracking, game drives and night drives into the Hoanib River valley.
Our Discoverer-styled tented Hoanib Camp close to the Hoanib River is a relaxed haven from which we explore this wild land on foot, or from the comfort of one of our safari vehicles. The camp is powered by solar-powered inverter systems and there are no generators or pumps running whilst guests are in camp. There are 5 walk-in hexagonal Meru-style tents with en-suite and flush toilet and bucket shower bathrooms in a separate portion of the tent. Each tent is furnished with necessary comforts and styled with burnt orange interiors, wood and brass, effectively recreating a sense of the early explorers of Africa.
Day 8: Air charter to Palmwag Lodge
After an early breakfast and game drive, we fly back to Palmwag Lodge, in time for a lunch and final farewell to the adventure.
This Exploration has the following unique features:
- Explore remote areas that are for the most part inaccessible by vehicle
- Original active adventure journey as guests join trackers in their work
- View spectacular desert life such as the desert-adapted elephant and black rhino, the latter a rare subspecies which has become a conservation success story.
- Track black rhino on foot and experience Save the Rhino Trust activities in the area.
- View extraordinary plant life, including the bizarre Welwitschia and numerous lichen fields.
- Camps situated in huge private concessions, ranging in comfort from luxury Discoverer tents to "wild camping" in basic Adventurer trails camps.
- Activities at Hoanib Camp include day and night game drives and nature walks.
- Contribution from guest fees made directly to the Save the Rhino Trust