Something Different
Rhino Tracking, Damaraland, Namibia
Africa’s black rhino population has plummeted over 90% in the four decades, a bleak situation! Out of this carnage the efforts of Namibia’s Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) are especially heart-warming. Working in close cooperation with the conservation authorities since 1982, this modest organisation has played an instrumental role in firstly the stabilising and then the subsequent turnaround of the population. Today SRT continues to perform a central role in the on-going efforts of conserving this unique desert-adapted rhinoceros.
Since Independence the population of this remarkably tough and resilient survivor has increased four-fold - unprecedented in modern times. In order to continue research, monitoring and outreach programmes SRT, a group of local people and conservationists concerned about the destruction of their country’s wildlife, began a collaborative effort to protect the dwindling black-rhino populations from poachers and threatening extinction.
In order to achieve this goal Desert Rhino Camp was established in a remote region of Namibia’s Kunene region. Not only are the rhinos thriving, entire rebound of ecosystems, along with the return of the abundant herds can been witnessed; charismatic large mammals like the Desert-adapted elephants and giraffes, plains game such as oryx, springbok and zebra – are all on the comeback. Hot on their trail the predators pick at the fringes. This is surely a particularly exceptional success story?
Desert Rhino Camp offers one of the most original and exclusive safari experiences - an encounter with the astonishing desert-adapted black rhino!
Desert Rhino Camp lies amongst rolling, rocky hills with scattered euphorbia, ancient welwitschia plants, scrubby vegetation and isolated clumps of trees of the 450 000-hectare Palmwag Concession. This region is famous for its tranquil, minimalist beauty, surprising wealth of arid-adapted wildlife and the largest free roaming black rhino population in Africa as well as a healthy number of desert adapted elephants. There are good populations of Hartmann’s mountain zebra, giraffe, oryx, springbok and ostrich. Predators like lion, cheetah, leopard, spotted and brown hyaena are seen on occasion. Bird life is diverse with several southern African endemic species present.
Set in a wide valley sometimes flush with grass, accommodation at Desert Rhino Camp is in the form of eight Meru-style canvas tents. Raised from the ground on a wooden deck, each spacious tent features an en-suite bathroom with a hand basin, flush toilet and shower. An extension of the deck functions as a front veranda where guests can relax in director's chairs to take in the magnificent vistas of the surrounding desert and Etendeka Mountains.
The tented lounge and dining area of Desert Rhino Camp is also raised on a wooden deck and has partially open sides offering panoramic views. To one side there are couches and to the other a large, simple dining table. Evening meals are taken around the fire pit, in front of the lapa, where guests can relax and socialize.
Vastly experienced community game scouts have been seconded to Desert Rhino Camp as trackers and guides. They possess an incredible wealth of knowledge on the behaviour of the rhino, conservation methodology and the wondrous desert-adapted fauna and flora of the region. Its therefore not surprising activities at Desert Rhino Camp centre on tracking black rhino!
After an early breakfast you will depart on a nature drive. Meanwhile SRT trackers are already out and about looking for rhino. The tracker is in radio contact with your guide and once he spots a rhino he will radio through to arrange a rendezvous point. SRT operate a zero disturbance policy which may mean parking up to a kilometre away from the rhino. Accompanied by your guide you will slowly approach the rhino on foot getting within a couple of hundred meters of the animal. This will give you a good view without compromising your safety or disturbing the animal. Although the walk is relatively short and not particularly strenuous the terrain is very rough and rocky which really makes one appreciate the sure footedness of the trackers as they run huge distances in search of these magnificent beasts.
A portion of every guest's revenue goes to Save The Rhino Trust