Reviews of Desert Rhino Camp
(95%) From 34 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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A wonderful experience at a wonderful camp
This was a real highlight of our trip.
This is a wonderful camp, of the highest standard in all respects. Our guides, Ali and Johann, and our Save the Rhino trackers, Martin and Denzyl, were caring, professional, knowledgeable and enthusiastic, the lodge staff were all friendly and could not have been more helpful.
Tracking black rhino on foot on 2 separate occasions was amazing, a never to be forgotten experience.
Desert Rhino Camp
This was a high point. We've been to Damaraland before (16 years ago) and it was just as we remembered it. Stunning landscape, wonderful animals and lovely people.
The staff at the camp were delightful, most helpful and efficient. The whole camp had a jolly, local air about it. Nothing too fancy or contrived.
Ali, our guide, was a delight. Very knowledgeable and utterly charming, without ever being too pushy or bossy. The other guides whom we met seemed just as friendly and informative, as were the trackers.
The only minor disappointment was the fact that, when we went before, we were able to do much more tracking on foot. We had been given to understand that this was still possible but in fact it isn't. You approach the rhino in the vehicle and only the last two or three hundred yards are on foot. This may be to reduce the impact on the rhinos, in which case fair enough, but perhaps it should have been made more clear to us so that we were prepared for it. Or was it just because we were with Mike Hearn last time that we had special treatment ?
But over all a wonderful experience.
Local lions add to the experience
Overall a very impressive camp. We were lucky enough to have a direct flight in from Damaraland which gave us plenty of time to settle in before the evening drive & take in the warnings about the lions spotted in the camp the previous day! On the evening drive we found said lions which provided an interesting talking point during our sundowner.
It is a remarkable area, very different from Damaraland but equally fascinating. In addition to seeing 2 black rhino, albeit from a very safe distance, we were fortunate enough through some very good guiding to see 2 cheetah sunning themselves.
the camp was comfortable, very well run, with good food & delightful staff.
Tracking and finding a rhino was a highlight
My stay at Desert Rhino Camp was one of the highlights of my trip. The experience of tracking and finding a rhino was wonderful, and certainly got my adrenalin going.
The room and the food were also very good, and I particularly enjoyed socialising with the assistant manager, Agnes, the guide, Raymond, and the trackers over dinner.
Desert Rhino Camp review
A fantastic place where we ended up extending our stay, could have stayed longer :-)
Read more about the whole safariDesert Rhino Camp review
The camp layout and design were fantastic, and the tents luxuriously appointed; the accommodation surpassed my highest expectations. Of all the places I stayed, this was my favourite in terms of accommodation. The tents are beautifully sited, secluded amongst the vegetation; from my private verandah I enjoyed uninterrupted views towards the mountains and I could not see another tent. A delightful pathway meandered around to the main tented buliding, which consisted of a large comfortable lounge and dining area, where refreshments were readily available throughout the day.
On arrival I had to almost immediately go out on an afternoon game drive, with another couple who had already been at the camp for a night. I was keen to go on the drive, so didn't mind heading straight out. But unfortunately I missed the usual "welcome" given by the camp manager, and failed to receive any further information other than the snippets I picked up from the guests and my guide along the way. The activities were quite different to what I expected (may be the activities would have been fully explained if I had had more time on arrival). The morning drive involves closely following the Trackers and the focus is soley on finding the rhino.
More often than not, I was told, they usually find the rhino early in the day, whilst they are still active. However, they take a packed lunch with, in case a rhino is not found, in which case you stay out until you do find a rhino (or have to give up)! If the rhino is found during the morning you will return to camp for lunch, and then the late afternoon will just be spent on a general game drive/ scenic sundowner drive. The Trackers now only track one rhino per day, and rarely track the rhinos during the afternoon, unless they have been unsuccessful in their search during the morning. So for example if they find the rhino at 8:30am, they then call it a day. You can continue on a "general game drive", and may of course be lucky enough to spot another rhino from the road, but you receive no further assistance from the trackers. However there are lots of other mammals and birds present on the concession, so it was great to be able to spend some time observing these as well. The mountain zebra were a particular highlight; I did not see them anywhere else in any great numbers. Another highlight was seeing a large herd of elephants with a young baby.
Remote or what!
Another excellent camp.
We were there for as purpose and not disappointed.
Fantastic atmosphere at Desert Rhino Camp
We loved Desert Rhino Camp.
Everyone was very welcoming and friendly. It has a great atmosphere and we enjoyed the communal dining with our guides and the camp managers. It has a very relaxed feel and the scenery is fantastic.
We enjoyed the rhino tracking immensely.
Desert Rhino Camp review
Great experience ... you need good walking shoes and brown/khaki clothing as they are very strict on their interaction with the rhinos.
Seeing black rhino in this environment was the highlight of the trip.
Desert Rhino Camp review
Stunning location, some of the best food we have had in Africa (how they do it in the middle of nowhere goodness only knows) and 7 Rhinos, one leopard and a honey badger plus lots more.
3 days would be better as then you could cover the three areas they go out to in rotation.
We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.
