Desert Rhino Camp lies amongst rolling, rocky hills of the 450 000-hectare Palmwag Concession. This region is marked for its tranquil, minimalist beauty, surprising wealth of arid-adapted wildlife and the largest free-roaming black rhino population in Africa.

Set in a wide valley, accommodation at Desert Rhino Camp consists of eight raised Meru-style canvas tents with front verandas to take in the sweeping views in front dotted with scattered euphorbia and ancient welwitschia plants, and the dramatic Etendeka Mountains. The comfortable tented dining and lounge area is also elevated with partially open sides offering those panoramic views while a swimming pool provides a refreshing respite during the midday heat. Evening meals are often taken around the fire pit under the starry skies, known for their clarity.

Highlights:

• Adventurous rhino tracking activities take place daily from camp
• A surprising wealth of arid-adapted wildlife in this harsh but beautiful land
• Collaborative effort between Wilderness Safaris and the Save the Rhino Trust (SRT)

We typically set out in the morning on game drive vehicles, behind the Save the Rhino trackers, who keep records on where and when previous rhino were seen. This enables them to track the rhino, although due to the vast terrain we sometimes drive long distances to view them. Once we have located an animal, tracking by foot can take place depending on the position or location of the rhino.

Game drives showcase the magnitude of the landscape and offer the best possibilities of seeing desert-adapted wildlife including rhino, elephant, giraffe, antelope, zebra and maybe even the area’s predators.

Learn more about the smaller flora and fauna that live in this incredibly harsh environment. Adaptation to the desert environment is the miracle of all that survives here.

Travel amongst rolling, rocky hills with scattered euphorbia, ancient welwitschia plants, scrubby vegetation and isolated clumps of trees through the 450 000-hectare Palmwag Concession and search out the fascinating desert-adapted wildlife of the region.

Birding enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the diverse avifauna found in the Palmwag Concession. Key species to look out for include Rüppell’s korhaan, Benguela long-billed lark and possibly Herero chat with some focused searching. Verreauxs’ eagle is often sighted around rocky hillsides.

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is scenically located in a broad valley at the confluence of two tributaries of the dry Hoanib River in the northern part of the private Palmwag Concession. Its location thus straddles the Palmwag area and the iconic Skeleton Coast National Park, in one of the most remote areas of the Kaokoveld.

The camp consists of seven large tents and one family unit, each comprising stylish en-suite bedrooms with shaded outdoor decks. Flanked to the east and west by rugged hills, the camp looks out over stunning, starkly beautiful scenery and offers guests all the luxuries and amenities for an unforgettable stay.

Highlights:

• Vast, remote, isolated wilderness offering excellent viewing of Namibia’s distinctive desert-adapted wildlife
• Diverse activities showcase spectacular scenery, unexpected oases and enormous sand dunes
• Seal colonies that line the endless dramatic shores of the Skeleton Coast are a fascinating sight

Nature drives showcase the magnitude of the landscape and offer the best possibilities of seeing desert-adapted wildlife. Morning or afternoon drives are available as well as full-day excursions.

Nature walks from camp take in the magnificent surrounds as well as glimpse the vestiges of who dwelt here hundreds of years ago: the Strandlopers (Beachcombers). It is also a good opportunity to study the smaller creatures and the fascinating plant life of the concession.

On a stay of three nights (or more) full-day excursions to the Skeleton Coast are offered. The fascinating 4×4 trip to the coast takes you via the wilderness and wildlife of the Hoanib River and floodplain, the dune fields and Klein Oasis, while the Skeleton Coast itself reveals a rocky coastline with its huge Cape fur seal colony and a few shipwreck remains. Weather dependent, a scenic flight back to camp offers a magnificent perspective of your journey from the air.

Day trips to Klein Oase and Auses Spring can be organised. These oases are a fascinating respite from the dry surrounds of the desert and offer the chance of seeing wildlife coming to drink as well as plenty of birdlife. These full-day trips are done in our semi-closed game drive vehicles, with a stop for a picnic at a scenic spot along the way.

Presentations and interaction with wildlife researchers at the Hoanib Research Centre are on offer when researchers are in camp. These cover all current research being supported at Hoanib, in particular the vital work being done by Dr Flip Stander and his team on the unique desert-adapted lion.

Little Kulala is situated in the private 37 000-hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve and consists of 11 climate-controlled, thatched “kulalas” (the word means ‘to sleep’) which merge impeccably into the desert landscape, each with private plunge pool, and both indoor and outdoor showers. An elegant entertainment area includes a library, wine cellar, craft boutique, lounge and dining areas. Little Kulala’s interiors make use of neutral colours, gorgeous textures and natural light and takes its inspiration from its surroundings, notably from the magnificent Dead Vlei.

Highlights:

• Experience the spectacular dunes of Sossusvlei via our private gate
• Each ‘kulala’ has a rooftop ‘skybed’ for stargazing
• Dining under the sparkling clear Namibian skies is a speciality here.

World-famous Sossusvlei is the name of an enormous clay pan, flanked by the famous sand dunes that flush red in the early morning sun – as well as the name of the area in general. Close to the Sossusvlei pan is Dead Vlei, another pan where water once flowed, but now all that remains are the skeletons of trees reach up out of the cracked earth.

This fascinating geographical formation is well worth a visit. The result of millions of years where water carved its way into the earth, Sesriem Canyon is today three kilometres long. Views from the top are breathtaking while walks through the canyon reveal distinct geographical layers which were laid down over aeons.

The 37,000 hectare private Kulala Wilderness Reserve offers visitors exclusive wildlife-viewing opportunities which include the likes of oryx, bat-eared fox, brown hyaena and birdlife. Drinks stops in scenic parts of the reserve are a highlight.

Walking trails focus on becoming immersed in this remote area, as well as its scenic beauty and the fascinating, and surprisingly, diverse array of insects, reptiles and rodents which make this dry and harsh region their home. The Tsauchab River Trail takes a stroll along a fascinating dry riverbed.

Eco-sensitive quad-biking through the private Kulala Wilderness Reserve will allow you to take in those incredible views and to catch a glimpse of the denizens of the desert.

Set out in the late afternoon for a nature drive and complete your excursion in a remote and dramatic spot on the reserve sipping a gin and tonic while watching the sun goes down.

After dark, another realm of the Namib awakes. Walks reveal some of these captivating critters such as dancing white lady spiders and scorpions which fluoresce under UV lights.

Sleep out under the starry starry skies of the Namib and be lulled to sleep by the sounds of Africa on the roof or your unit.

The Namib is known for its clear night skies, and with no light pollution it is the ideal spot from which to learn about the incredible formations of the stars and planets. Our guides are also known to dabble in astronomy and will point out the wonders of the southern skies to you, while our spotting scope allows a closer look.

The balloon safari on the Kulala Wilderness Reserve offers a truly unique experience to soar silently above the magnificent sand dunes and desert, with a champagne breakfast being served at your landing site.

Ride through some of the most spectacular and unusual scenery on the planet on well-schooled horses. Watch the sun go down at a beautiful spot while sipping a drink and then canter back under the stars in time for dinner.