Luxury Wilderness LODGE Photography at Desert Rhino Camp, Namibia
Rocks, rocks and more rocks
Damaraland is a harsh landscape strewn with rocks, dried river beds and resilient trees, and one can be fooled into assuming it to be unlivable, at first glance. This is precisely why it has become a refuge for Namibia’s rhino, who were pushed further and further into inhospitable terrain in their effort to evade human influence. This area, known as the Palmwag Concession, is now home to Africa’s largest population of wild black rhino alongside desert-adapted giraffe, elephant, ostrich and more. Wilderness Desert Rhino Camp works with local communities and Save The Rhino Trust in a partnership that’s been running for over 21 years — during which rhino numbers have increased and poaching has dropped by 80%. Every guest who stays at the camp plays a part in safeguarding these incredible animals.
On a more personal note, I was very much looking forward to this commission, planned months in advance — a journey into one of Namibia’s most remote and rugged landscapes to the renowned Desert Rhino Camp.
The Brief
Capture a full media update to Desert Rhino Camp’s image library:
- Suites and setting
- Main areas and dining
- Guest activities, including rhino tracking
- Lifestyle and Experiential images with models and staff
The Desert Rhino Camp Experience
Rhino Tracking
A good portion of our shoot was set aside for rhino tracking, with guides from Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) scoping out where rhinos might be in the very early hours of the day, while we travelled in their direction in the hopes of capturing our elusive subject in early morning light. It’s possible to approach if you’re downwind, where they can’t pick up any suspicious foreign odours, as they have an excellent sense of smell but terrible eyesight.
Lodge updates
The complete rebuild of Desert Rhino Camp addressed core issues of comfort (in a climate of extremes), sustainability (lodge impact, solar energy updates and water resource use) and narrative, amplifying the conservation story throughout guest tents and the central area. The result is a stunning tented camp, naturally an extremely comfortable base from which to explore this iconic landscape.
What I loved most about the guest suites was the outdoor, elevated stargazing area where one can lie out under the stars while in the safety and proximity of your room.
Main areas
The main lodge is open plan, making the most of the sweeping desert views, and has both indoor and outdoor dining options, including the option for star-lit private dinners. The staff here are divine; Water and Kim’s personalities quickly made me feel at home, and we had many laughs mid-setup.
As a wilderness lodge photographer, my mission is to authentically document the essence of each location. There is more to this area than just rhino. Damaraland’s stark beauty is both challenging and captivating. Red rocks glow in the late afternoon sunshine, and dusk paints the landscape in pastel hues. The quiet expanse, with no signs of humanity for mountain ranges to come, makes you feel like you are the only people on earth. As with all remote wilderness areas, it is a privilege to be here.
For another complete rebuild, have a look at my blog post about Lewa Private Wilderness
