- Day 1:
- Arrive and overnight at Palmwag Lodge
- Day 2:
- Early morning drive north to Mbakondja Camel Camp to meet the Save the Rhino Camel Team (SRCT), then ride south to and overnight near the Aub River
- Day 3:
- Ride out west towards the Barab River
- Day 4:
- Ride west again towards Okomutati and Kudu Springs.
- Day 5:
- Travel to Hunkab Spring and overnight in Adventure Camp
- Day 6:
- Bid farewell to camels and SRCT trackers and transfer by vehicle to Hoanib Camp
- Day 7:
- Hoanib Camp, Kaokoland
- Day 8:
- Fly back to Palmwag Lodge in time for lunch.
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- Day 1:
-
Palmwag Lodge, one of Namibia's oldest and most popular eco-tourist destinations, is set in spectacular palm-studded surroundings with awe-inspiring sunsets. The area is also home to the famous desert-adapted elephant and rare black rhino. 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.
- Palmwag Lodge, Palmwag Concession
- Day 2:
-
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 or 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.
- Aub River, Palmwag Concession
- Day 3:
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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 nutritious grasses offering life-giving sustenance.
- Day 3: Barab River, Palmwag Concession
- Day 4:
-
After an early breakfast, we ride out further west through the Okomutati Springs to Kudu Springs. This area is almost inaccessible to vehicles, a pristine wilderness area with a complete sense of remoteness. En route we also have the opportunity to see extraordinary plant life including the ancient Welwitschia plants and numerous lichens.
- Kudu Springs, Palmwag Concession
- Day 5:
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Heading northwards, we move to the next popular drinking point for 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 mountain zebra to elephant and the endemic Ruppell's Korhaan come to slake their thirst.
- Hunkab Spring, Palmwag Concession
- Day 6 - 7:
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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 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 of Africa.
- Hoanib Camp, Kaokoland
- Day 8:
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After an early breakfast and game drive, we fly back to Palmwag Lodge, in time for a lunch and final farewell to the adventure.
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- Cost:
- From £2,075 per person sharing
- Notes:
- The Desert Rhino Expedition runs with a minimum of 4 guests and a maximum of 8.
- Connecting charters onto the safari aren’t included. These are provided by Sefofane Air from Windhoek to Palmwag Lodge at an additional cost.
- For departure dates in 2009 please contact Mahlatini.
- The Desert Rhino Expedition operates from 1st May to 1st Augusts 2009.
- Includes:
-
- Accommodation on a shared basis
- Meals and Beverages
- National Park Fees
- Activities
- Excludes:
-
- International flights into and out of Windhoek
- Charters from Windhoek to Palmwag Lodge
- Visas
- Compulsory Insurance
- Entry and departure government taxes
- Personal purchases
- Gratuities
contact a specialist about this trip