One of the most breathtaking and beautiful camps we visited during our Wilderness Self-Drive Namibian adventure, was the Desert Rhino Camp in the Palmwag Concession of Damaraland.

Home to the largest free-roaming population of Black Rhino in all Africa, healthy populations of desert-adapted elephant, zebra, giraffe, kudu, Springbok and some predators such as lions and leopards, Desert Rhino Camp is a haven for wildlife lovers, and the wonderful staff that work there are clearly devoted to the conservation of these endangered species.

The camp itself consists of eight Meru-Style Canvas Tents, each with a front veranda and uninterrupted views of the sweeping valley ahead.  The delicious meals, all made using fresh local produce, are served in the tented dining area, which offers panoramic views and endless stargazing options under the clear night sky.

During your stay at Desert Rhino Lodge, you can take guided nature walks, go Rhino tracking on foot and by vehicle (carefully monitored by Wilderness Safari Guides and Save the Rhino Trust Trackers), enjoy full day outings with a picnic lunch in the middle of the Palmwag Concession, or go Birding for key species such as the Long-billed Lark and Verreauxs’ Eagle.

Due to its remote location, Desert Rhino Lodge is best accessed by air, but we drove to the lodge from the Wilderness Damaraland Camp.  If you are on a self-drive tour of Namibia, you can leave your vehicle at the concession gates, and a guide will collect you in an open-top vehicle and drive you to the lodge, which takes around 2-hours.

The drive is long, but there is so much wildlife around that it feels like you are on safari – and in true Wilderness style, there are plenty of chilled drinks and snacks available to make the journey a memorable one!

Shy and unassuming, the Black Rhino is a magnificent creature, but sadly, they are on the verge of extinction due to poaching – so why not treat yourself to the Desert Rhino Lodge, and help save the Black Rhino in the process!