Palmwag Concession | Otjiwarongo

Information

Landmark: Palmwag Concession
City: Otjiwarongo
Country: Namibia
Continent: Africa

Palmwag Concession, Otjiwarongo, Namibia, Africa

The Palmwag Concession is a 550,000-hectare joint-venture conservation area in the Kunene Region, acting as a critical buffer between communal conservancies and the Skeleton Coast National Park.

Visual Characteristics

The landscape consists of undulating basalt plains, flat-topped table mountains, and deep rocky gorges. The terrain is dominated by red volcanic rock, ancient Welwitschia mirabilis plants, and toxic Euphorbia damarana bushes. Perennial springs create localized green oases that sustain wildlife in a hyper-arid environment.

Location & Access Logistics

Access: Located on the C43 road, approximately 120 km north of Sesfontein and 180 km west of Khorixas.

Entry: Access requires a permit, available at the Palmwag Gate.

Vehicle Requirements: The main lodge is 2WD accessible, but the concession interior is strictly 4x4-only due to sharp basalt tracks and river crossings.

Fuel: A reliable fuel station (Unleaded and 50ppm Diesel) is located at the lodge entrance.

Conservation & Wildlife

The concession is a partnership between the Save the Rhino Trust (SRT), the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, and local communal conservancies (Sesfontein, Anabeb, and Torra).

Black Rhino: Custodian of the world's largest free-roaming population of desert-adapted black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis).

Desert-Adapted Species: High probability of sighting desert elephants and mountain zebra.

Predators: Supports lions, leopards, and both spotted and brown hyena.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Palmwag Lodge & Camp: Features 24 rooms (standard, comfort, and family units), two swimming pools, a restaurant, and a bar.

Camping: Includes standard campsites and Camping2Go luxury tents. Sites offer private ablutions, electricity, and barbecue areas.

Desert Rhino Camp: A high-end Wilderness camp (rebuilt in 2024) located deep within the concession. It serves as a research base for SRT and offers specialized rhino tracking on foot.

Connectivity: Stable mobile signal at the lodge; zero connectivity inside the concession.

Activities

Rhino Tracking: Guided excursions on foot or via 4WD with SRT trackers. Note: Rhino tracking is not permitted for self-drive visitors and must be booked through the lodge or specialized camps.

Nature Drives: Morning and afternoon drives focused on desert-adapted wildlife and the Uniab River delta.

Self-Drive: Over 100 km of designated 4WD tracks for independent exploration (permit and map required).