Reviews of Desert Rhino Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
116 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Desert Rhino Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
29% success
11% success
11% success
100% success
100% success
89% success
54% success
53% success
50% success
27% success
22% success
12% success
"Desert Rhino Camp review"
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
3 sightings
Meerkat
1 sighting
Oryx
10 sightings
"Desert Rhino Camp review"
We stopped for an enjoyable picnic lunch under a shady tree before driving about 2 hours back to the lodge. The second morning we found a Rhino earlier in the drive which meant we returned to the lodge for lunch.
The food was very good and the organisation and all the staff were extremely professional. Our only mild criticism is that almost everyone only stays for 2 nights so we visited the ‘Scorpion Club’ twice.
I won’t remark on the tents etc as I understand the camp is closing for rebuilding in the first half of 2024.
Note: directions say after turning right onto the C43 you follow the road for 9km and turn left. You might want to note in your directions that that this turning is reassuringly sign posted Desert Rhino Camp. There is nothing at the meeting site so it’s useful to know that if you are going to arrive early you can call in at Palmwag Lodge 3km south of the Desert Rhino turning for a drink and toilet stop!" See all these reviews: 23n in Namibia
Black Rhino
2 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Oryx
5 sightings
"Desert Rhino Camp review"
So dedicated to pleasing their guests
Arrival and departure songs really performed with deep genuine commitment
Lodge charming with old style tents. True atmosphere
We also enjoyed very much the diner bbq" See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Black Rhino
2 sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Giraffe
2 sightings
"Desert Rhino Camp review"
Bons, our guide, was one of the best ever. Great fun, like the rest of the team, knowledgeable and super professional.
We happened to be the only residents after the first night. The whole camp turned out for my birthday party with cake, singing and dancing.
We saw five fabulous desert adapted black rhinos , including a calf. All looking extremely healthy and well despite the harsh conditions.
We enjoyed the long days in the desert hugely. The scenery is just breathtaking." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Oryx
4 sightings
"Desert Rhino Camp review"
I had assumed the rhino wore collars and could be located easily and electronically. Nothing of the sort. The trackers leave at first light ahead of the guests who leave at 6.30 hoping for news of a sighting. The scenery of the unfenced reserve is very varied but all of it spectacular. We got news of a sighting after about an hour, but caught only a very fleeting glimpse of a nervous animal disappearing into thick cover. Big disappointment. However the next sighting was altogether much more thrilling, lasted for at least 30 minutes or more and we ended up, out of the vehicle, on top of a high ridge standing above a very irritated rhino who clearly could not get to us, but had a very good attempt at a charge, getting to within 2-3 metres of one of the more intrepid trackers and then snorting and scuffing the ground in irritation as he could not reach us. The trackers drivers and guides were all so excited at this close encounter, as were we. Eventually he gave up and wandered off as we drove on, until we spotted what looked like a large grey rock lying in the shade, which turned out to be a female rhino with a calf no more than a month old and which had not been seen and recorded by the trackers. We got a very good view of them trotting off into cover, and again the trackers were delighted. Total: four rhino so far.
We stopped for lunch in the shade of a big tree and then set off again, to be rewarded with a fifth rhino and a good close sighting. We were out of camp for almost 10 hours, covered 140 kms on. very rough stony tracks and eventually learned that 5 in a day was a record for the year so far. Altogether a thrilling day. The next day: not a single rhino, but we saw a different part of the beautiful reserve and plenty of other animals.
Our policy is always to spend three nights in a place if at all possible and I would highly recommend that for everyone." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
"Desert Rhino Camp review"
Our only negative (which left us a bit unnerved at the beginning), was the first day when we were to leave, the Jeep would not start. With help of others, they got it started and we were off. Not too long afterwards, as we were viewing game, he turned off the engine and the Jeep wouldn’t start (in the middle of no where). Fortunately, other jeeps were not too far away. They pushed us to get it started.
Long story shortened, they finally called the camp to get a new battery, and after that we didn’t have any problems, but it left us feeling a lack of confidence in the maintenance of the vehicles in the remote bush. John did speak to the person in charge at the camp about our concern of the maintenance of the vehicles, as it leaves a terrible impression on the guests.
But all in all, we loved Desert Rhino Camp." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Desert Rhino Camp "
William took myself & husband for a sundowner drive and then we came back and had a brief chat with the Save the Rhino guys who would be out trekking with us the following day. We were then driven out along with the other ladies for a fabulous BBQ bush dinner. The staff were incredible here. They introduced dinner every night with not only their fabulous singing but watching them describe the dinner menu in English & Local was like watching a show in a theatre. Was truly spectacular and something we have never witnessed before on our travels.
The 2 of us set off the following morning along with our guide William in search of the desert adapted black rhino. After about 4 hours of hard driving the SRT team who were in another vehicle told us they had found 2 coming towards us in the distance. We got out and followed the team on foot a little way. The 2 rhino were in the very far distance but to be honest you needed binoculars to see them. We watched for a few minutes and they then ran off.
We were told that they had unfortunately smelt our vehicle which made them turn away. So we were unlucky not to have the experience of seeing them up close. Very disappointed! We then had a nice picnic lunch and a further 5 hour hard drive back to camp where no more rhino sightings occurred. We did see 3 giraffe, some springbok and a jackal.
We were told upon arrival back we were now the only 2 guests staying at the camp for the next 2 days which was very nice and they set a lovely table up for us around the pool with a delicious dinner.
The following day we opted out of another day of Rhino trekking as we found it too hard going the previous day driving for nearly 10 hours (extremely bumpy with the wind in your face) without seeing much. Instead we relaxed around the pool and enjoyed their wonderful hospitality.
William drove us the following morning back to our car (1 1/2 hours). He was a superb guide and it was just unfortunate that we didn't get to see rhino's closer, nevertheless overall it was a great experience to stay here." See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
"Desert Rhino Camp review"
The rhino tracking is great (assuming they don't run away immediately).
The staff at the camp is amazing and will do whatever is needed to give you a great stay.
Comment on private guide at Desert Rhino Camp:
Excellent guiding with a lot of patience (needed here).
We spent multiple days looking for the elephants and the guide was always willing to help and do his best (despite lack of luck right up until the end)" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Desert Rhino Camp review lovely location "
Good rhino sighting.
Saw meerkats.
Springs near camp dry now so longer drives to find wildlife." See all these reviews: 11n in Botswana; 7n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Giraffe
1 sighting
Meerkat
1 sighting
"A Thrilling Experience"
We immediately connected with our personable and knowledgeable guide Rechie, who always went above and beyond to make our time memorable. As my "birthday present," Rechie gifted us not one, but two black rhino sightings and approaches in one day. And after learning of a sighting of two lionesses (which we had previously tried to locate), Rechie quickly whisked us from camp just before our departing flight to see them; such a thrilling experience!
While the accommodations are not as luxurious as some of the other Wilderness lodges, we found the tents to be very comfortable, cozy, and perfectly situated!" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Black Rhino
2 sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
1 sighting
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