Namibia... best known as home to the world's oldest desert (The Namib) and some of the world's highest sand dunes. Yet, Namibia is a land of many superlatives. Namibia boasts some of the world's most successful and innovative conservation initiatives, particularly their ground-breaking community-based conservation programs, and is also the stronghold for one of Africa's most iconic and important wildlife species: the rare and critically-endangered black rhino. Namibia supports over one-third of the world's surviving black rhino and, through their pioneering efforts to integrate local ranger-based rhino monitoring and tourism, have built some of Africa's most effective efforts to combat the rampant rhino poaching.
This unique itinerary pays tribute not only to the famed, free-ranging desert black rhinos but also celebrates the brave men and women, chosen by their local community, to look after them. You will be provided with unrivaled opportunities through this unique itinerary, designed by Namibian-based rhino expert Dr Jeff Muntifering, to fully immerse yourself in all dimensions of rhino conservation and local community empowerment be it by joining real-life rhino patrols, re-hashing the days adventure around a wild campfire under the stars or sharing a traditional OvaHimba meal with one of your ranger's families. Nothing comes close to the deep primal emotions that well up when quietly and carefully approaching a completely wild prehistoric rhino in this timeless moonscape setting. Experiencing this in the presence of local Rangers is truly transformative - who will also keep you safe and savoring the experience forever!
You will leave this experience not only with incredible encounters with a critically endangered species and inspiration and hope for their brighter future from your interactions with their rangers, but also deeper connection to the conservation and culture of one of Africa's greatest wild places in north-west Namibia. All this while directly contributing towards the protection of this unique rhino population and uplifting local communities!
Due to the exclusivity and uniqueness of this itinerary, it will ONLY be offered three times per year and all interested parties must complete an application before being considered. You will be notified within two weeks should your application be successful. Upon acceptance, desired dates will then be discussed and booking availabilities confirmed. Interested parties are encouraged to apply at least 9-12 months in advance of earliest desired departure date. Please inquire for more information.
The plight of the black rhino is one of the most catastrophic human-induced species decimation stories ever told. Over the past 50 years, more than 97% of the world's black rhino were wiped out primarily to feed the illegal trade in rhino horn. Currently, just over 5,000 black rhinos survive in the 'wild' and they are all critically endangered. With the vast majority of Africa's black rhino persisting only in fenced protected areas, north-west Namibia supports Africa's most unique black rhino population as the world's largest population of truly wild black rhinos living outside of formally protected areas. Here, black rhinos roam the vast desert wilderness on the edge of their range in truly timeless, haunting beautiful yet inhospitable landscape. Encountering one of Namibia's rare desert black rhinos on foot is an incredible privilege and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you will never forget!
Formal black rhino tourism tracking on foot began at Desert Rhino Camp (DRC) in April 2003. From the very beginning, the goal at DRC has been to provide a truly unique experience by immersing guests in a real-world rhino conservation 'patrol'. Thus, the tourism element is simply the mechanism for sustaining the rhino conservation efforts led by Save the Rhino Trust (SRT). The experience is so much more than just seeing a rhino -- it is about SAVING RHINOS. Income from the camp ensures that the SRT team based at the camp are able to continue their critical monitoring and protection work across the vast landscape. Thus, a portion of every guest's payment goes directly towards supporting rhino conservation. In addition, a portion of the camp's revenue is also shared with the three neighboring Community Conservancies -- all in the name of Rhino Conservation. It is no wonder that the local communities here are Rhino Friends Forever!
When it comes to the actual rhino encounter, DRC follow strict, evidence-based viewing guidelines established over many years of carefully planned and carried out research. In contrast to many other safari lodges that habituate their resident wildlife (including rhinos, gorillas, whales, etc) for 'better' viewing purposes, you will learn that the resident rhinos at DRC are intentionally not habituated. In fact, DRC works to ensure the rhinos under their protection remain completely wild by striving for a zero disturbance policy -- both as a means to adhere to the camp's true wilderness spirit by seeking encounters with a completely wild rhino doing its wild rhino thing and to preserve the rhino's innate fear of humans as a last resort measure to keep them less vulnerable to poachers. There are many places one can see (even feed) rhinos up close and personal. There are very FEW places that offer a completely wild rhino encounter on foot that contributes directly to their protection. In fact, your local rhino expert, Dr Jeff Muntifering, lead the research as a PhD student and has since used the lessons learned at DRC to help develop a number of new rhino tourism activities within the region. Dr. Muntifering will share many of his personal stories and experiences leading this work both at DRC and beyond during your stay. Understanding and appreciating these backstories are designed specially for you to help amplify your feelings of importance and impact on the journey.
There are only a handful of truly traditional nomadic cultures left in the world. Namibia is home to one of them: the OvaHimba. The OvaHimba have largely chosen not to conform to modern society wearing their traditional clothing of loin cloths and small skirts made from animal skin. One of their most striking and distinguishable features is the bright crimson red skin color which is actually the red ochre they rub daily on their skin to help protect them from the scorching Namibian sun. They also mix in traditionally-harvested myrrh (collected sustainably from the locally abundant commiphora bushes) as a sort of 'perfume'.
Following your time tracking rhinos, you will be invited by one of the local rangers to spend completely exclusive time with their OvaHimba family at their homestead. Your guide will provide all necessary camping equipment or you may have the option of staying in a traditional Himba hut should you want to fully immerse yourself. You will learn firsthand all about OvaHimba culture, spend a full day joining the family on their daily chores followed by a traditional feast of local goat meat (vegetarian option available) to bid farewell.
Few if any people have more experience and expertise in guiding guests safely to encounter wild black rhino on foot then Johann Cloete. Hailing from Keetmanshoop in southern Namibia, Johann spent much of his free time as a child in the bush. After joining Wilderness Safaris - one of Africa's leading safari companies - in 2006, Johann spent time guiding at a number of remote lodges but his time at Desert Rhino Camp was special. Here, Johann served as assistant manager and lead guide for more than 5 years and played a major role in designing and delivering the ground-breaking rhino conservation tourism model that camp is known for. In addition to his passion and knowledge for rhinos, Johann is also an accomplished naturalist of the desert land and sky. After an unforgettable rhino tracking adventure by day, Johann will continue impressing his wisdom by night with a tour of Namibia's world-renowned dark sky-scape. Johann will be your personal, exclusive guide during your entire stay at Desert Rhino Camp under his most recent employer Ultimate Safaris.
A born and bred north-west Namibian, Boas Hambo has spent his entire life exploring his backyard desert. He learned to track animals while herding his families goats as a young boy. The years spent in the bush not only honed Boas' bush skills and traditional knowledge but inspired a career in conservation. Boas worked as a community-based natural resource management officer with a local conservation organization Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation for a number of years before shifting his focus and skill set towards guiding with Conservancy Safaris Namibia , his current employer. Boas also serves as a founding field coordinator for the Conservancy Rhino Ranger Program and heads up most of the training and capacity building efforts for the rangers. Boas will be your private guide and introduce you to the Conservancy Rhino Rangers by taking you to join a real community-led rhino patrol in the Palmwag wilderness. He will then accompany you on the Himba Homestay and escort you down the wild and scenic Hoaruseb River to your final Skeleton Coast destination. Your time in the bush with the rangers under Boas' care and curation will be truly transformation.
Born and raised in small-town Minnesota (USA), Dr. Jeff Muntifering has made Namibia his home since 1999. Jeff has served as Science Adviser to Save the Rhino Trust, a highly respected local Namibian organization, since 2003. His applied research on rhino biology, ecology, eco-tourism and incentive-based, community-led approaches to rhino conservation over the past 18 years has helped inform a variety of innovative management policies and practice including community-based monitoring programs, eco-tourism protocols and re-introduction strategies. He also co-founded and currently coordinates the award-winning Conservancy Rhino Ranger Incentive Program & Rhino Pride Campaign, a pair of highly successful community-based rhino conservation programs that have been showcased in multiple global case studies. He is also a widely published author including a number of conservation and tourism-related book chapters and over a dozen scientific articles. He continues his work at the interface of rhino conservation and tourism by recently completing a comprehensive course in Transformational Travel Design.
You will be welcomed by Dr. Muntifering upon your arrival in Namibia and personally hosted by Jeff during a portion of your journey which will include undivided conversations around the campfire about some of the more technical and complex issues surrounding rhino conservation -- of which there are plenty! You will also be working directly with Jeff on any further customizations of your itinerary.
Your lodging in Swakopmund upon arrival and departure is the Strand Hotel, Swakopmund. The Stand is ideally located along the main waterfront area of town and directly next to the main beach. A number of fine dinning spots are located just below the hotel and many others are within a short walk including the main 'curios' market positioned just behind the hotel. Rooms are standard hotel style with a marine and beach motif and the hotel boasts its own exquisite spa.
Your primary lodging while in the bush will be Wilderness Safaris' Desert Rhino Camp. Situated far off the beaten path, DRC supports only 8 guest Meru-style tents to host maximum of 16 guests - everything one might expect from a rustic yet luxury African safari camp. Each room has plenty of power outlets to charge your devices and also equipped with a solar-powered geyser for warm showers. A private spacious patio and lounge set allow you to take in the desert wildness views off your front doorstep. The main lapa contains a fully stocked bar (and a forever friendly bartender who will merrily mix your daily cocktail special) as well as handful of leather couches to relax, read or rehash the day's adventure while a humble swimming pool will cool you down after a long dusty day on rhino patrol.
Your lodging in the Skeleton Coast will be Shipwreck Lodge, one of Namibia's newest and most innovative lodging experiences. Situated in one of the most remote locales of any lodge in the country, you will feel completely isolated and immersed in the wildness of Namibia's Skeleton Coast here. Each room is carefully designed to resemble a Shipwreck although with a few more comforts! You can light up your own private cozy fire on those chilly coastal evenings or join the rest around the larger fire at the main communal area. The camp has 10 private units available.
Palmwag, Namibia 
Price Upon Request
After a good slumber and a scrumptious breakfast, you will be free to head out and explore some of Swakopmund's highlights. As there are no shortages of adventurous activities in Swakopmund, this is a good opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture as well as stretch your legs after the long flight. Some recommended activities on offer are:
Upon exiting the park, you will enter Namibia's communal land - a vast region of traditionally-managed lands under local Chiefs and Headmen and the birthplace of 
We have finally arrived! 
Time to say farewell to your DRC family and head out to get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a real-world rhino patrol led by local Conservancy Rhino Rangers far away from the comforts of a lodge. Unlike the SRT trackers who work for a not-for-profit organization, the Conservancy Rhino Rangers are appointed by and accountable to their own community Conservancy. Following a traditional DRC departure dance, you will be joined by your new local rhino expert guide, Mr. Boas Hambo. As one of the key founding partners of the award-winning 
Upon completing your patrol with the Rhino Rangers, you will be invited by one of your OvaHimba rangers to join their family to get a rare glimpse of what life is like in a OvaHimba nomadic family. As formal homestays are not typically on offer in Namibia, this is a rare and exclusive opportunity to not only have a real homestay experience but to have it with a local rhino ranger is truly special. This will allow you to form even a deeper connection to the culture and the individual rangers on a much more personal level. You will also gain insights into what it is like to live with wildlife - and how the OvaHimba coexist with dangerous animals like lions and elephants. 
After a morning traditional OvaHimba breakfast, bid farewell to your generous OvaHimba Hosts and head westward down the Hoaruseb River. The Hoaruseb, one of Namibia's renowned dry ephemeral (water flows beneath the surface) riverbeds, snakes through incredible other-worldly views of geological formations including the 'Clay Castles' - a collection of sandstone terrain - which you will explore with your guide. If you are lucky, you might even get a glimpse of the elusive desert elephants as they move up and down these linear oasis. As you re-enter the Skeleton Coast Park, you will continue on until you reach the mouth of the river and greeted once again by the wild coast. 
