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
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"Memorable stay at Desert Rhino Camp"
On arrival we were welcomed with singing from all the staff and a welcome drink. We stayed 3 nights and went Rhino tracking on two mornings finding Rhino on both. It was well worth the early starts, one of which was in fog.
We were impressed with the care taken in minimising the impact on the Rhinos and it was a privilege to observe them in such stunning scenery. This is a lodge with a very special atmosphere and the staff here were exceptional, including the SRT trackers, making us feel very much at home.
A big thank you to Johannes, Elfreida and Ellery." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
"Desert Rhino Camp"
It was a long haul (130km roundtrip) to see black rhinos the first day, but still worth it.
The next day was shorter drive, but still saw rhinos." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa
"Great safari at Desert Rhino Camp"
The main point is that it does what it says on the tin - you get to see desert rhinos! What an experience - 0500 wake up for 0530 breakfast and 0600 start. For us a 2 hour drive west to the fog belt through a remote, harsh, spectacular landscape to the sightings area. Then a search (no radio tracking here) and eventual 600m walk up to the first sighting - a fully horned mother and calf about 200m away in a natural amphitheatre setting. Later 2 sightings at much closer quarters of de-horned males. Fantastic! Then a 90 minute drive to a great picnic spot beneath a cliff in the shade. Finally another hour’s drive back to base.
Two warnings:
- you don’t see nearly as much wildlife here as, for example, in Etosha or Okinjima but when you do the setting is much more amazing, e.g. a single large giraffe in a huge vegetation-less plain of brown boulders - what was it doing there?; and
- the 7+ hour safari was very bumpy, eventually very hot and exhausting for a 66 year old like me. Perhaps not a good choice for infirm or unfit pensioners. But what an experience.
The food was excellent, we loved the communal dining (outdoors on our first night) and drinks (excepting premium wines) were free and plentiful.
Great drive out and canyon picnic with Jeff, one of the friendly and informative guides.
Can only rate service as good because we got to the pick up point 1 minute before the deadline (didn’t realise only gravel roads for the last 125k!) to find the pick-up had left. It had to turn round to collect us, which delayed and rushed our arrival (as we wanted to go straight out on the 1630 afternoon game drive)." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
"Unique"
Highlights included the singing staff (to greet us on arrival and to wave us off at the end); Kevin the jackal who was neither tame nor wild and wandered around as if he owned the place; the 2 hyenas who came almost too close for comfort after dark; foot trekking to view the desert rhinos was very "real" and we found on both days; the "Scorpion" dinner, under the stars, entertained by singing and dancing staff. This was the hottest time on our trip - it must be almost unbearable in the summer.
There is other game to spot, but not as abundant as later in the trip. This is for rhino afficianados. Probably the most friendly staff we came across - they describe themselves as "family" and all are dedicated to the work of the Save the Rhino Trust." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Great hospitality!"
Positive: Very caring, considerate and nice staff. Guides are all very knowledgeable, caring and experienced. Thanks our guide, Johann very much and all staff. They tried their best to make us feel easy and have a nice holiday even the location is remote and inconvenience.
Great game drive." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
"Millionaire moments"
"Absolutely wonderful with amazing staff."
We were greeted upon arrival and departure with beautiful singing. At Desert Rhino, we learned first hand about the "clicks" spoken in the local languages. We especially liked the communal style dining where we got to meet other guests and which also included our guide and one of the managers. A special treat was the "bush" dinner. We also enjoyed the early morning rhino tracking.
One minor downside is the location which is 1-1/2 hours from where we had to leave our car." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 6n in South Africa
"A very special place!"
You have to leave your vehicle at a supervised shaded parking place at the entry point to the concession area about 30 miles from the camp and get picked up by one of the camp's 4x4s. The driver radios the camp when we are approaching and we were welcomed by the staff singing us a welcome song and offering us wet towels and refreshing drinks as we climbed out of the vehicle - that kind of sums up the exceptionally friendly and welcoming atmosphere at this camp. Nowhere else do you get a welcome like that!
The wooden framed safari tent was larger and better appointed than most (twin washbasins made of polished copper!) and food was always excellent - one night we had a bush supper illuminated with lanterns which is an experience to remember. The main reason for visiting is of course to track rhinos (the last part on foot) and we succeeded in tracking no less than five of the monstrous animals during our visit. The camp helps to subsidise the programme to protect and study the desert rhino.
The whole area has some of the most spectacular desert scenery in a country that is not short of spectacular scenery and we saw many other species which seem to do surprisingly well in the semi-desert conditions, especially giraffe (there are clumps of trees in water courses), elephant, many, many oryx, kudu, springbok, hyenas, etc., etc. Our guide (Jeff) and the various trackers were all experts on the wildlife, very capable and helpful.
A verdict of excellent is almost an understatement!" See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia; 10n in Rwanda; 1n in Kenya; 1n in South Africa
"The best part of our trip"
All the singing, the dancing in the evenings, and the private and really moving farewell from staff, were something that we will not forget. We were made to feel so "at home", welcomed, felt like we were amongst old friends! We also met two great new friends, with whom we did all the activities, and that also made our time even better - not to mention the excellent service and sense of humour from our guide, Erwin.
When we were leaving we had absolutely nothing negative to feedback to Eflreda, and said afterwards that it will be very hard for any other place to be better." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Desert Rhino Camp review"
The rhino treking was amazing, the trackers and our guide did a fantastic job and ensured that our experience was the best it could be. Our sightings included numerous Rhino, lion, hyena and elephants along with more general game found in an area that on first sight looked as though nothing would live there. The hot buffet lunch was good in the park. The lodge staff were really helpful and friendly offering excellent service.
Just to highlight how excellent the service was, on the full day game drive our video camera fell from the vehicle approximately a 2 hour drive from the camp. One of the trackers and our guide went back out into the park and somehow managed to locate it for which we were extremely grateful. Especially after the footage we had taken during the day of the rhinos.
We travelled to / from camp by small plane which allowed us to see the landscape from the air and offered a different perspective from the views we had seen from the ground." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
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