Fly over the Namib Desert for an alternative view of the dunes from the air and then due west to Meob Bay on the Skeleton Coast. The desert and Skeleton Coast scenery is spectacular, where the dunes and the desert meet the Atlantic Ocean. Your next two nights will be spent in either the Torra Conservancy based from Damaraland Camp or the Palmwag Concession based from Desert Rhino Camp.
Torra Conservancy, Damaraland Camp
The 352 200ha Torra Conservancy lies in northern Damaraland, where the landscape is characterized by hills interspersed with valleys and dry riverbeds that occasionally flow, sustaining riverine vegetation through the long dry seasons. Early morning fog provides precious water to the flora and fauna, all of which has adapted superbly to this harsh environment.
Despite its aridity, the area supports a surprisingly high diversity of wildlife including a healthy number of desert-adapted elephant and good populations of Hartmann's mountain zebra, southern giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, with occasional cheetah and black rhino as well interesting flora like euphorbias, pachypodiums and shepherd's trees. Birding is excellent with Herero Chat and Benguela Long-billed Lark common finds.
Palmwag Concession, Desert Rhino Camp
The 450 000ha Palmwag Concession situated in northern Damaraland is made up of rolling, rocky hills and flat-topped mountains with scattered euphorbia, ancient welwitschia plants, scrubby vegetation and isolated clumps of trees. The conservancy supports the largest free-roaming population of desert-adapted black rhino in Africa as well as a healthy number of desert-adapted elephants.
Thanks to the freshwater springs in the area, there is a surprising amount of life here: Hartmann's mountain zebra, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok and kudu, as well as lion, cheetah, leopard, and brown and spotted hyena. Birdlife is equally varied including endemics like Benguela Long-billed Lark, Dusky Sunbird and Bokmakierie. Palmwag holds the core of the rarely seen desert-adapted lion population of north-west Namibia.
Overnights at Damaraland Camp or Desert Rhino Camp.