Natural stone found on site has inspired the colors and texture and reinforces the camp’s connection to the area. Large stretch-fabric roof structures with deep overhangs and silhouettes provide shade and protection without compromising the horizon-wide views. With details of timber and leather, the tent interiors, though modern, have been noticeably inspired by the explorer genre.
Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp, situated in Namibia’s expansive Palmwag Concession in Damaraland, will be temporarily closed from 7 December 2023 until July 2024 to undergo a complete rebuild. The new camp aims to elevate guests’ in-camp safari experience in this unique Namib Desert landscape, while simultaneously celebrating its unique conservation success story, and the ongoing protection of one of the world’s last free-roaming populations of Critically Endangered black rhino.
“Everything we do at Desert Rhino Camp (DRC) revolves around our pioneering partnership with Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) Namibia and community conservancies. Our conservation purpose is 100% why we’re here. And why we invite guests to witness, learn, and participate in our efforts to defend the desert-adapted black rhino”, noted Alex Henderson, Wilderness Namibia MD.
Built in 2003, DRC has been an enduring favorite among Wilderness guests – famed for the passion and energy of its staff as well as its meaningful guest experience, the historic conservation impact it’s had, and as a monitoring outpost for SRT. The camp serves as a base for one of SRT’s tracking teams, with the operational costs covered by Wilderness. SRT is responsible for leading all the rangers’ activities, while ensuring all data are collected, processed, and secured. In addition to contributing towards the largest, longest-running black rhino database in the world, the partnership has also enabled SRT to successfully increase its range by 20%.
By visiting DRC, each guest makes a significant contribution to the protection of this imperiled species. As part of the lease agreement, the company provides financial remuneration and employment opportunities to the conservancies, positively uplifting the local communities. Approximately 11% of the total DRC revenue is shared between the conservancies, SRT and rhino fundraising support. This contribution exceeds the total sustainable profit made by the camp in the last five years.
“Now, 20 years in, we are excited to rebuild the camp, and to offer a spectacular new design that will blend as seamlessly as possible into DRC’s magnificent desert landscape and environment; telling the unique story of the rhino, while in every way enhancing our guests’ comfort and experience”, Alex added.
“Everything we do at DRC revolves around the black rhino. It’s why we’re here: to defend, preserve, and expand these iconic Namib wilds for the resilient desert-adapted wildlife that survives in this arid environment. This camp, where it started, what it stands for, and our pioneering conservation coalition with SRT and the three conservancies, will continue to captivate and inspire all who are privileged to visit. We look forward to welcoming our guests to the stunningly reimagined new DRC in 2024”, Alex concluded.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
