Wilderness Namibia camp newsletters – Feb/Mar 2026

The weather in February and March at our Namibian camps created the most beautiful and vibrant landscapes. The vegetation has come alive after the recent rains, and our surroundings are a green oasis. The air is crisp, and the days calm and comfortable. Read on for more news from our wonderful camps in Namibia.

Autumn in Damaraland

The temperatures have been warm, and we still had occasional rain, creating very scenic drives. The late wet season added a unique charm to guest activities, although some roads were a bit more adventurous than usual, but that only added to the experience! 

The scenery is nothing short of breath-taking after the rains, with the usually dry terrain transformed into a mix of soft greens and earthy tones. The contrast between the rugged mountains, open plains, and scattered vegetation creates striking and ever-changing views. The light at this time of year means sunrises and sunsets paint the sky in warm, golden colours, marking every moment outdoors feel truly special.

Wildlife encounters at Damaraland Camp

Wildlife sightings were really exciting, and while out on drives, guests saw a great variety of animals, from smaller creatures to the magnificent desert-adapted elephants that roam this area. 

Community, Culture and Conservation 

In the arid Huab River Valley lies a small village called De Riet. From a distance, you first see the water tank standing on its metal legs, like a lookout watching over the village. Around it are a few homes, gardens and animals, living unassumingly in this desert landscape. In the middle of the village is the De Riet Poultry Project, a small building with big purpose. It is not just about chickens and eggs – it is about hope, work and the future. One of Children in the Wilderness’ Impact initiatives in the area, it helps families teach young people responsibility and shows that even in the desert life can grow.

Guest comments 

• Everything, but we especially liked the joy of all the people at the lodge and very experienced guiding of Rutavi
• The amazing surprise dinner at the canyon and breakfast at sunrise on the hill, open to conversation to sharing culture
• You have great staff, everything makes you feel like family, Job is an amazing guide surpasses the expectation every time
• The warm hospitality, eagerness to assist, well managed, v genial hosts

Newsletter by Ghandy | Photos by Collin, Silverster & Job

Desert Rhino Camp in March

February marks the end of summer, and March the beginning of the seasonal transition period; the weather reflected this with hot summer temperatures and intermittent rainfall. Here on the Palmwag Concession, daytime temperatures remained consistently high, with January peaking between 36°C and 40°C, while February’s were slightly more moderate, ranging between 34°C and 38°C due to increased cloud cover. Night-time temperatures remained stable, between 19°C and 24°C. 

Rainfall was sporadic yet impactful, falling in localised showers and occasional thunderstorms. The wind was light to moderate, with the occasional gusts associated with storm activity, but posing no operational disruption for the camp. 

The veld responded to the rains with some greening of the vegetation, particularly along drainage lines and low-lying areas. The fresh grass added to the available graze and stimulated increased wildlife movement.

Trees in the form of mopane woodland, and ana and camelthorns along the ephemeral river systems provide critical shade, habitat, and ecological balance. Supporting species, including shepherd’s trees and various Acacia species, are seen throughout our concession.
The rain has also encouraged the emergence of a few wildflowers across the landscape, bringing delicate colour to the greenery here and there. 

Water availability is, as ever, transient and rainfall-dependent, with no permanent flowing rivers at the moment. The temporary pools that form in the dry riverbeds and natural depressions after the rains are welcomed by the wildlife, but recede quickly.

The wildlife & birds of the Palmwag Conservancy

Sightings noted from nature drives were strong, reinforcing Desert Rhino Camp’s reputation as a premier destination for desert-adapted wildlife encounters in Namibia.

In addition to the black rhino that guests can track on foot, desert-adapted elephant, giraffe, springbok, oryx, and kudu were noted. There was even the occasional lion and spotted hyena sighting. 

Following the rainfall, we noted excellent sightings of Rüppell’s korhaan, ostrich, hornbills, and a variety of raptors across the Palmwag Concession. We were also pleased to see increased reptile and insect activity over this time. 

Camp activities & guest experiences

Our signature experience is obviously our rhino tracking excursions, but curated private dining, and other guided nature activities kept guests entertained and informed.

Guest comments

• An unforgettable rhino tracking experience unlike anywhere else
• Exceptional service and seamless attention to detail
• A truly peaceful and authentic wilderness escape
• The harmony between wildlife, landscape, and service is outstanding

Staff news

We were pleased to welcome a new team member, Vee, who joined us from Serra Cafema in the role of Waitress. Her integration into the team has been smooth, and her prior experience at Wilderness brings important insight and adaptability. 

Training initiatives over the period focused on: 

• Enhancing guest interaction and personalisation  
• Strengthening service consistency and delivery standards  
• Reinforcing team collaboration and operational discipline  

Team morale is positive and the addition of Vee further strengthens the team’s capacity to deliver consistent, high-quality guest experiences. 

Newsletter by Joseph Mwengo | Photos by Desert Rhino Camp Team 

A memory sketched in the wild

From desert horizons to elephant encounters, it’s moments like these that remind me why I love what I do. Grateful for every guest, every story, every sunset.

Weather 

Temps: max 38°C and min 20°C

Average daily high for the month: 35°C

Rainfall: 28mm in one day

Wind: south-westerly in the afternoons

Landscape on the Doro !Nawas Conservancy

Condition of the veld: grass turning green and flower plants emerging after the rain

Trees found in the area: mopane, Boscia albitrunca, Salvitora persica, camelthorn, Terminalia prunioides (pupple pod) 

Flowers found in the area: ash bush 

Water sources: Peter’s Pool is a natural spring and wildlife magnet on the conservancy

Wildlife and birds around Doro Nawas

Elephant were seen resting in the shade from our game drives, as well as around camp. Other small creatures noted included rock monitor, velvet mites, antlions, and dassie rats.

Community, Culture and Conservation 

Guests enjoyed their excursions to Twyfelfontein, and the Damara Living Museum.  

Guest comments 

• The service was wonderful, the staff & guide great and room and bed clean and comfortable 
• Food portions & flavours great, Mamii guide – being flexible to find what we wanted – she is a good guide
• Wilderness choose a beautiful site really and also the camp on the ground is very well vested in tourism 

Staff news 

We are pleased to report on two promotions over this period: Dankie, from waiter to FOH Supervisor, and Calili, from Housekeeper to Housekeeping Supervisor.

We held a staff meeting and team building on 26 March 2026.

Newsletter by Fritz Naobeb 

Autumn weather on the Kulala Wildlife Reserve

At Kulala Desert Lodge, the temperatures started at 23°C during the early morning hours, with rain showers some mornings, heading up to 34°C at night. It was very humid with partial cloud cover, and always extremely hot around midday. The rivers are flowing as heavy rain is pouring falling in the catchment areas, and Sesriem Canyon is actually filled with water, just imagine!

Wildlife around Kulala Desert Lodge 

As with all Wilderness camps, the main area deck overlooks a waterhole. Ours is across the Tsauchab River bed, and oryx, springbok, brown hyena and ostrich drink water daily, making it easy for our visitors to enjoy consistently good sightings while enjoying a refreshing glass of wine or beer at the camp fire pit. 

Camp activities

A major advantage of a stay at Kulala Desert Lodge is guests’ exclusive early access to Sossusvlei through our private park gate. They get to appreciate a beautiful Namibian sunrise over the colourful dunes and have an early start to climb Big Daddy or explore Dead Vlei.  

Our Earth Hour activity at the end of March provided the ideal opportunity for a guided stargazing evening. The guides explained the constellations of the southern hemisphere, and guests spotted the Milky Way, Orion, the Southern Cross and visible planets without a telescope. 

Kulala Desert Lodge’s diversity and prime location on the reserve means it has impressive access to and views of the Namib Sand Sea red dunes and the Namib-Naukluft Mountains, with excellent activities on offer. Dune hikes, Dead Vlei photography at the Sossusvlei clay pan, hot air ballooning and exploring (the usually dry) Sesriem Canyon on a hike though the 30-metre deep, narrow gorge carved by the Tsauchab River are just a few highlights.

Kulala Desert Lodge embracing culture

Guides enjoyed storytelling around the fire, including speaking about the mythology and other stories of indigenous San and Damara people. 

March was also a time to remember our Namibian independence, and as with every other Namibian adult and child, we marked it with cultural celebrations. Every team member dressed in cultural attire, and danced and sang about the joy of 36 years of independence. We enjoyed a Namibia-flag cake baked by our chef. This was a memorable moment.  

Guest comments

Simply can’t express my gratitude. Thank you, team, the food was very nice

Superb experience right from the beginning to the end! I am absolutely thrilled.

Everything! Staff, camp, food were top class but rooms are hot.

Staff news

‘I am pleased to be welcomed by the team in my temporary role from Serra Cafema. I am a very calm and humble person, very energetic and understanding person; my experience in the industry is quite polished and my way of communication is well observed. I am proud to be helping out here, and to see how Wilderness is building a strong foundation for its communities. So much to unwrap, to learn, to identify and to share with the team. I am looking forward to build a strong relationship with the Kulala team, both management and the entire staff.’ – Monika N. Edward

KDL Team

General Manager – Christelle Jansen, Housekeeping Manager – Rosa, Front of House Manager – Thereza Kahorongo, Food & Beverage Manager – Andreas Hidishange, Mechanics – Sem Alweendo & Ihula Hawanga, Head Chef Serien & Kitchen – Henock, Katrina, Miriam, Elizabeth, Castro, Kaly, Eben, Petronella, Elliot, veteran Erna, Housekeeping – Raymunda, Hileni, Karolina, Lentina, Cecilia, Hendrika, Talena, Betsy, Daria

Our Guides – Joas, Michael A, Castro, Vilho, Immanuel, Alfred, Mathew, Limbo & Steven

Front of House – Supervisor Donavan, Steven, Maria, Patricia, Ester, Emilia, Estella, Maureen, Senoritha & Julia 

Men in Overalls: Daniel, Rehabeam, Abednego, Joao Batista

Hygiene/Scullery – Josef & Moses

We are looking forward to our coming busy months and peak season, and stand for what we call delivering best service, focus and commitment. We strive for growth! 

Newsletter by Monika N. Edward | Pictures by The Guides

Autumn on the Kulala Wilderness Reserve

The weather is always variable during February and March, and at Wilderness Little Kulala we experienced sand storms in the late afternoons, with hot daytime temperatures. Up in the mountains the weather was beautiful. Now we are preparing for the changes to come in April.  

Landscape on the reserve

Around the camp it is still fairly green, with morning coastal fog moving across the dunes and inland, though actual graze is minimal at the moment, other than down in the river bed.  

Wildlife on the Kulala Wildlife Reserve

Oryx, springboks, and black-backed jackals were all seen around camp this month, while the guides have been seeing Hartmann’s mountain zebras around on the reserve.

Camp news and guest comments

• There was great excitement as a guest couple renewed their wedding vows in camp.
  Comments:
• The guide (OB) & staff always greeted me by my name. The Food & Beverage Manager has done a great job with all the meals.
• Attention to detail (food, cold drink upon arrival, cold clothes for face). Friendliness and kindness of staff, expertise of guides, Pride in your country.
• The camp & team are really excellent. Nothing too much trouble. Very flexible to support our dietary needs. Nice atmosphere amongst the team. Kanu excellent.  

Staff news

• We had Zara from Beverage intelligence in camp for training on wines, cocktails, service
• Mathew came in from Serra Cafema as Kulala Wilderness Reserve General Manager
• Wellen was promoted from Food & Beverage Manager to Assistant Camp Manager
• Bradwin was moved from Relief Manager to Food & Beverage Manager  

Newsletter by Wellen Rooi, Assistant Camp Manager

Weather in the Hoanib Valley

The month brought extreme and unpredictable weather conditions. We experienced intense heatwaves, with temperatures reaching up to 42°C, accompanied by strong easterly winds. This led to elephants pulling out some of our pipes to cool themselves down – kudos to our maintenance team for their quick response. 

Conditions then shifted to cooler mornings, with thunderstorms visible in the distance. We also received some welcome nighttime rainfall. The river flowed again, creating a spectacular sight that left our guests in awe as they enjoyed a scenic riverside lunch. 

The changing conditions transformed the landscape beautifully. Elephants were seen moving from dust bathing in the dry riverbed to splashing and playing in the flowing water. The younger elephants, in particular, responded with great excitement and curiosity. 

Wildlife & birds of the Hoanib Valley

Wildlife sightings were excellent and varied this month. We recorded increased sightings of rock hyraxes, as well as birds including crimson-breasted shrikes, bokmakieries, and pale chanting goshawks. 

We also had a few sightings of puff adders. 

We are happy to share that the two ‘Beach Boys’ cubs (XPL-109's offspring) have turned one year old and are reported to be healthy and strong. 

Another highlight was the appearance of a new, young and curious elephant bull from the Purros area. 

Camp news

We hosted guests celebrating Valentine’s Day, who were treated to a special surprise sorbet stop. A big thank you to our F&B Manager, Dameant, and FOH Supervisor, Joe, for creating this memorable experience. 

Guests also enjoyed a beautiful river lunch while the Hoanib River  was flowing – an unforgettable highlight of their stay. 

Staff news 

Our guides, Max Bezuidenhout and Richard Orr, attended marine training alongside guides from other camps, further expanding their expertise. 

We also said a heartfelt farewell to our dear Pilot, Armand Pienaar and Camp Manager Mr Samuel, and welcomed our new GM George.

Lastly, Lizelle Opperman was nominated for Women’s Month, proudly representing Namibia. 

Newsletter by Lizelle Opperman 

We cannot wait to share the rains of Namibia with you, after April rolled out the green carpet for everyone lucky enough to visit Wilderness Namibia this month. Dry riverbeds were flowing strong and flowers were in full bloom. Watch this space for more.