Itineraries

After arrival in Windhoek, we are met by our guides and drive to the stunning monolith of Brandberg, on the banks of the Ugab River. We enjoy a warm-up ride of 40 kilometres to the Save the Rhino campsite, our Adventurer campsite that is pre-erected under the shade of immense Acacia trees.

On Day 2 we cycle to the old zinc mine, enjoying steep climbs, thrilling downhills and exhilarating challenges on the route. Our afternoon is spent relaxing at the camp and exploring the wildlife-rich Ugab riverbed.

Today we embark on the longest stage - a route of 90km through changing habitats to Damaraland Camp. This also creates a wonderful opportunity to find elephant and rhino en route, as well as to view gemsbok, springbok and giraffe.

Situated on the northern face of the Huab River valley and looking south toward the imposing Brandberg Mountains, Damaraland Camp offers its guests endless vistas. Early morning mists generated by the clash between the icy Atlantic Ocean and the warm desert air of the Skeleton Coast, drift inland along the river sand canyon, providing sustenance to the flora and fauna of the region. This comfortable and friendly camp offers walks and drives in one of the best wilderness areas in Namibia. Although wildlife is not concentrated, Damaraland Camp is situated where the rare desert-adapted elephant roams, alongside gemsbok (Oryx), springbok, ostrich and other hardy desert animals. Rare succulent plants somehow manage to eke out an existence in this harsh environment. Damaraland Camp accommodates guests in 10 comfortable tented rooms, with en-suite facilities including flush toilets and showers with hot and cold running water. Due to the dry desert environment, it is unfortunately not possible to offer a laundry service.

Damaraland has a desolate, volcanic landscape with small rock-strewn plains where long-ago glaciers once moved. Our 80km ride traverses this incredible panorama and is the heart of black rhino country, creating a highly rewarding ride that has the possibility of seeing this endangered animal.

After a short exciting ride of 40 kilometres through black rhino country, we then enjoy an afternoon tracking rhino on foot with the specialist Save the Rhino trackers. We end with sunset drinks, taking in the isolated beauty of Damaraland.

Desert Rhino Camp is situated in the 450 000-hectare private Palmwag Reserve in north-west Namibia, between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast - few places on the planet can offer this level of privacy and wilderness experience. This desert reserve has a number of freshwater springs that support healthy populations of animals including desert-adapted black rhino and elephants as well as large populations of the Hartmann's mountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok and kudu. The predator population is the largest outside of the Etosha National Park with over a large lion population, cheetah, leopard, and brown and spotted hyaena. Bird life is prolific and diverse, with most of Namibia's endemics present.

Desert Rhino Camp has eight large East African-styled "Meru" tents each with an en-suite bathroom comprising hand basin, flush toilet and a classic bucket shower that is filled with hot water whenever needed. The tented dining room offers uninterrupted views of the desert and mountains. Welwitschia (ancient desert-adapted plants) dot the plain in front of the camp. Guests can also enjoy full day outings, with a picnic lunch, on the reserve. Desert Rhino Camp is a joint venture between Wilderness Safaris and the "Save the Rhino Trust" - a non-profit conservation organisation 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 late 20th century. Today this population of black rhino is growing in numbers and the area boasts the largest concentration of rhino anywhere on the planet outside of a national park. 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 and are the trackers and guides.