Reviews of Desert Rhino Camp

"The Grootberg Pass is potentially treacherous for drivers with limited/no experience on gravel roads. It surprised us that the speed limit was as high as it was, considering the condition of the roads (gravel/narrow/sheer/high). We would advise drivers to be more cautious, and not drive at the speed that was recommended. We saw an over turned truck among other vehicles that had come off the road and fallen down into the valleys. (We are experienced drivers who have driven on many gravel roads with divets/pot holes/ corrugations etcetera). We would recommend a 5 hour drive, rather than 4 hour from Ongava to Desert Rhino - not only due to road conditions, but also to enjoy the amazing scenery. The drive was so scenic, we would have liked to have stopped more - but we were already taking longer than anticipated...

We were met at the gate by the staff member who was expecting us. Our guide William was waiting patiently for us. He welcomed us and told us not to worry about the fact that we were late (we had apologized as we felt guilty, we hate being tardy, we had left with plenty of time to spare...). We enjoyed the beer, water and food that he had provided. The drive to the camp was great, there were a few animals spotted along the way.

Upon arrival, we had a lovely greeting. We loved the singing and the refreshing towel and beverage. We had a very warm welcome and a great introduction to the camp. The grounds were fantastic! The accommodation was clean and comfortable, we enjoyed the lounge and the pool. The service of drinks by the pool, and the entertainment/friendliness of the staff was appreciated. We had fun playing Scrabble with Selena! The setting of accommodation provided a real sense of being part of nature and being able to enjoy it to the fullest potential.

Our game drives were unreal. Seeing the rhinoceroses from such a close distance was spectacular. It is wonderful that you provide the opportunity to go out with the trackers and be part of the important conservation projects and research that you conduct. We thoroughly enjoyed the information talks that the guides provided whilst we were out. We had a Chinese visitor and his interpreter on our stay and it was great to see the staff have such patience and enthusiasm as conversations were translated for his benefit - it was a nice feeling to have see multiple languages being spoken and shared.

The sundowners with drinks and nibbles out in the amazing setting was incredible. It was really unbelievable - actually brought tears to my eyes (that's me - Tania - 'the girl'), my husband was also in awe and describes it as transcendental!

William was a thoughtful and wonderful guide. He knew that we enjoyed Gin, so he brought along some special local Gin on our second night. He also knew that we enjoyed the stargazing and laid out the blanket for us, provided an incredible torch, and knowledge!

The food was wonderful, fresh and tasty. We appreciated the fresh fruit, and the cookies that were available all of the time.

The Barman/Artist was very friendly and efficient. He was polite and it was lovely having a chat with him.

Highly recommend this location - please make time." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia

"I loved this staff who exudes joy!

Our guide and rhino trackers were the best!

Cannot say enough about our good experience here." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana

"Really nice to be in a remote location. Be prepared for an African massage, but it's well worth it. We did expect to be doing more tracking on foot, as we did on a previous visit some years ago, but I guess the abilities of other clients in camp sometimes determine the agenda.

Bons was an excellent guide and gave us a great time. His never ending enthusiasm and passion was so good to see. We were reasonably sure that during our stay we would see rhino, but seeing them on every drive was incredible. We were hopeful that we might see elephants, and although we thought it extremely unlikely, also hoped that we might see lions. We had extremely good sightings of them all, and in such an amazing environment.

Bons made our stay very memorable and enjoyable. He was always keen to get out before daybreak and last to get back in camp. It was great to be able to maximise the time game viewing. It's well worth the effort to get up in time to see the sunrise. And for us, being able to spend time watching the elephants and not rush back to camp or some shade for lunch made it even more special. Our shade from the vehicle was plenty…we can eat any time, but we can’t watch desert elephants any time!

The camp was nicely laid out with very comfortable Meru-style tents proving that rustic can feel luxurious. All the staff were very attentive and friendly, and Selma was always so happy and full of beans." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia

"This camp was the highlight of my holiday. Expert guiding in a desert environment which was stunning. This though is not an experience for those who are on a first time safari and want to see lots of animals. Although I was incredibly lucky in my experiences—see below, there are few animals given the desert, and they are hard to locate.
I had the great fortune to see desert adapted lion on two separate consecutive drives—different animals as well. Again another drive produced five black rhino, including the opportunity to approach them on foot. Desert elephant were also seen and included a close encounter at a water hole.
The camp and the team which run it deserve praise; particularly as it is in the middle of nowhere. It is also the case that guests may experience some cultural aspects of the local people." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia

"Our guide Bons was superb. Very nice helpful staff. Management was superb. Nice touches like hot water bottles when the temperature dropped.

Trying really hard." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 1n in South Africa

"This camp, of all the places we stayed in Namibia, has a truly remote feeling, which was one of its major highlights. At no point during our stay and activities, did we see any other sign of human occupation. Which makes it all the more sad that path lights are on all night, and we also had to ask for the electrical generator to be turned off on the first night. At least we could then hear the hyenas calling outside the tent later that night! Another highlight.

Another highlight is of course the rhino-tracking. We had had previous experience of tracking black rhino on foot some 30 years earlier, but it was still thrilling to have the opportunity once again, even though this time it was a much more organised, almost choreographed, encounter. As we were staying two days we had two Rhino hunts, and were successful on both occasions. However, it was sad to see Rhinos dehorned for their own protection. Something that not all Namibian guides appear to agree with.

There was a water shortage during our stay, and water was actually being brought in by tanker. We are unhappy that camps in such dry places feel it necessary to have flush toilets.

The camp itself is well laid out, with comfortable tents, and a pleasant central eating/sitting area. The staff were all extremely friendly and helpful, and gave us a great sung farewell when we left." See all these reviews: 20n in Namibia

"What an experience - a luxury tent set in a lunar landscape.

Our guide Moses was excellent and, together with a great team of trackers, we were lucky enough to get close, on foot, to a black Rhino (we made sure that we were even closer to our Safari Truck!).

Great game drives, great staff and food and we ended up with a camp fire meal out in the bush." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia

"Good rhino sightings and desert-adapted elephants but little else. Birdlife non-existent.

Eventually saw hyena den after pushing repeatedly to go having been told about it by camp manager. Guide v resistant to requests and needed clothes that didn’t show his large belly and private parts when he bent over. Lots of hard driving to get anywhere.

Camp v good and food OK but not startlingly good." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia

"This was one of the highlights of our trip. The camp is fantastic. Not the high levels of luxury that we had elsewhere but that is not a criticism. In that setting what was provided was incredible . The rooms were really lovely. We had a fabulous guide who judged us perfectly - we had impromptu drinks at sunset in the middle of nowhere to watch the sunset and a walk to the BBQ learning all the time about the local wildlife etc. We saw rhinos and mountain lions ( the lions were the first seen in five months )

It felt really good to be part of the conservation project and not just tourists. ( although that is of course what we were!!)

The service was great ." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia

"Fantastic accommodation and very attentive staff." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia