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Desert
Rhino and Elephant Walking Expedition -
(8 Days)
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For more than 20 years, the
Save the
Rhino Trust (SRT) has worked ceaselessly to protect the last
free-ranging rhino population on Earth: the rare desert-adapted black
rhino. In the remote, rugged Palmwag Concession, teams of local trackers
use camel trains to help with the research and monitoring of this animal.
On this original and exciting Exploration, guests join the "ships of the
desert" on a great adventure: an eight-day walk (little time is spent
actually on the camels) across the oldest desert in the world, where a
camel train and a team of Save the Rhino trackers take us deep into the
heart of the Namib Desert in search of this rare and endangered species.
Guests thus gain access to some of the most remote and almost inaccessible
regions of the Concession.
The revenues generated by this venture are directly channeled into the
critically important conservation of the rhino population of the area.
This serviced camping safari offers a unique adventure for the traveler
seeking an authentic African experience and a means to join skilled rhino
trackers in their conservation, research and custodian work. By means of
lively camp fires, hurricane lanterns and a warm atmosphere permeating the
camp (and its simple comforts), Adventurer camping brings the guest closer
to nature. Such camps are specifically outfitted to create that sense of
wilderness with a clear emphasis on essential camp comforts and maximum
wilderness experience. |
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Guide: The entire safari
is guided and hosted by a professional and passionate guide, Gary Booth
who shares in-depth knowledge with the guests, to present a seamless,
well-rounded experience. In addition, a team of experienced Save the Rhino Trust
trackers accompany the trip, providing comprehensive interaction and valuable
experience of the positions they hold as caretakers of these magnificent
animals.
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Exclusive experience:
As the 450 000-hectare Palmwag Concession in north-west Namibia is a
private reserve, exclusivity in this pristine and unspoiled is unrivalled.
All campsite allocations are for the use of Wilderness Safaris guests
only, while at Palmwag Lodge we meet other independent guests.
Day 1: Palmwag Lodge, Palmwag Concession
Palms whispering in the wind and
spectacular surroundings (with awe-inspiring sunsets), the home of the
famous desert-adapted elephant and the rare black rhino - this is Palmwag
Lodge, one of Namibia's oldest and most popular tourist locations.
The lodge offers 24 beds in 2- or 3-bed
thatched bungalows, a fully licensed restaurant, swimming pool under shady
palms and a small "Pool Bar". On our arrival at Palmwag Lodge, we
are welcomed by the guide to the area and receive a full briefing on the
tour ahead. |
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Day 2: Aub River, Palmwag Concession
After an early breakfast, we depart northwards
by game drive to Mbakondja Camel Camp to meet the Save the Rhino Camel
team.
Then we ride/ walk south to the Aub River,
where our Adventurer camp has been erected prior to our arrival. In
addition to the tracking and hopefully viewing of desert-adapted elephant
and black rhino (the latter a rare subspecies of rhino), our guides reveal
the sheer magnificence of nature's survival strategies in this arid
environment, concentrating on a variety of topics from birds, insects,
medicinal uses of plants and viewing general wildlife.
Day 3: Barab River, Palmwag Concession
Our journey continues today with a walk to
the Barab River, concentrating on the tracking of the elusive desert
giants through a series of hills, rocky landscapes and diverse geology.
After even a little rain, the gravel plains are covered in long golden
grasses that ripple in the wind. |
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| Day 4: Kudu Springs, Palmwag Concession
After an early breakfast, we ride out
further west through the Okomutati Springs to Kudu Springs. This area is
almost inaccessible to vehicles, an area of pristine wilderness where the
sense of remoteness is complete. En route we also have the opportunity to
see extraordinary plant life including the ancient Welwitschia plants and
numerous lichens.
Day 5: Hunkab Spring, Palmwag Concession
Heading northwards, we move to the next
popular drinking point for the Kaokoland's diverse animal life, the Hunkab
Spring. Fresh drinking water in the desert forms the basis for seasonal
animal movements and a surprisingly diverse range of animal life can be
seen here. Animals from Hartmann's zebra to elephant come to slake
their thirst. |
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Day 6 & 7: Hoanib Camp, Kaokoland
We bid farewell to the Save the Rhino Trust
trackers and depart on game drive from Hunkab, travelling through the
concession to the ephemeral river of the Hoanib Valley. Here, in an area
seemingly parched and desolate, we enter one of Namibia's richest desert
wildlife areas. We stay at Hoanib Camp, and enjoy game walks, rhino
tracking, game drives and night drives into the Hoanib River valley.
Our Discoverer-styled tented Hoanib Camp
close to the Hoanib River is a relaxed haven from which we explore this
wild land on foot, or from the comfort of one of our safari vehicles.
The camp is powered by solar-powered inverter systems and there are no
generators or pumps running whilst guests are in camp. There are 5 guest
walk-in hexagonal meru-style tents with en suite and flush toilet and
bucket shower bathrooms in a separate portion of the tent. Each tent is
furnished with necessary comforts and styled with burnt orange
interiors, wood and brass, effectively recreating a sense of the early
explorers. |
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| Day 8: Air charter to Palmwag Lodge
After an early breakfast and game drive, we
fly back to Palmwag Lodge, in time for a lunch and final farewell to the
adventure.
THIS ITINERARY IS AVAILABLE ON FLEXIBLE DATES AND ITINERARIES, FOR
TAILOR-MADE SAFARIS FOR SMALL GROUPS UP TO EIGHT GUESTS, MINIMUM 4 GUESTS. |
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2009 SAFARI COST:-
USD 3,208 per person sharing
(Single Supplement:- USD315)
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African Safari
Consultants
TOLL FREE 1-866-733-4263
(1-866-SEE-GAME)
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