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Palmwag Concession

Introduction & planning tips

Palmwag is technically not a town or village. It is actually a concession area. It was put on the maps of Namibia as it has an oasis surrounded by large makalani palm trees, which made a useful stop for travellers.

Many travellers with an interest in conservation, ecology and wild places prefer the Palmwag Concession to Etosha, as it is a true wilderness area. In addition to the extremely wild and rugged landscape, Palmwag also offers opportunities to see the desert-dwelling black rhino, and the desert adapted elephants. Due to the extremely wild terrain and environmental sensitivity, inexperienced travellers should be discouraged from entering the area unescorted. Experienced travellers should use a 4X4 vehicle.

Note: Entry into the Palmwag Concession requires a permit, which can be obtained at the Palmwag Lodge reception.

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Planning information

* Palmwag is an excellent point to break the journey to and from Kaokoland, in which case a stay of one night is recommended.
* If the traveller wishes to go in search of the desert-dwelling black rhino or the desert-adapted elephant, a minimum stay of two nights is needed.

As Palmwag Concession is not a town, facilities are extremely limited:
* Petrol station
* No banking facilities
* No shops

Preparation for driving
Travellers should be advised to leave with a full tank and plenty of water. Read the guidelines for driving in the desert. As there are no banking facilities at Palmwag travellers should carry enough cash.

Wildlife viewing
Palmwag Concession is a wilderness area with free roaming wildlife. There are a number of interesting stories about travellers who came too close to animals with serious results. All animals are wild, and even the smaller species can inflict a bite if threatened. Please read the guidelines on wildlife saftey

Permit
Entry into the Palmwag Concession requires a permit, which can be obtained at the Palmwag Lodge reception.

Driving
Due to the extreme terrain and general isolation of the area, travellers should stay on the main routes and should not be tempted to explore. Any exploration off the main routes should be done with an experienced local operator or accommodation establishment.

Clothing
Travellers should be prepared for cold and high heat. In winter (May to September) the nights may be cold but midday may be warm to hot. In summer the temperature may rise to over 35 C.

* True wilderness area with good population of various wildlife species
* Desert-dwelling black rhino
* Desert adapted elephants
* Activities of Save the Rhino Trust

* Palmwag Concession is dominated by the ochre-brown Etendeka Mountains
* Rocky terrain, often covered with fine grasses & interspersed with Euphorbia damarana bushes
* Dry river-courses cut through the landscape and occasionally fill with water
* Several freshwater springs support healthy populations of arid-adapted wildlife

The 450,000 hectare Palmwag Concession supports a variety of arid-adapted wildlife populations such as Hartmann mountain zebra, giraffe, antelopes such as oryx, springbok and kudu and dwarf antelope such as steenbok and klipspringer.

Palmwag Concession also supports the largest free-roaming population of desert-adapted black rhino in Africa, and a healthy number of desert adapted elephants. The Palmwag Concession also holds the core of the rarely seen desert-adapted lion population of north-west Namibia. Cheetah and leopard are also sometimes seen in this area.

Birding enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the diverse avifauna found in the Palmwag Concession. Raptors include Greater Kestrel, Lanner Falcon and Booted Eagles, spotted in the sky or perching on a lonely shepherd's tree. Out on drives, it is possible to see Namaqua Sandgrouse, Burchell's Courser, the colourful Bokmakierie, Grey-backed Sparrowlark, Monteiro's Hornbill and White-backed Mousebird. Other regular endemics include Rüppell's Korhaan, Benguela Long-billed Lark and possibly Herero Chat with some focused searching. Verreauxs' Eagle is often sighted around rocky hillsides.

Travel details

* During the dry season, Palmwag can be reached in a small 2 X 4 sedan.
* Although Palmwag lies in an arid area, rain in other parts of the country can cause rivers to flow. The onset of the flow is very rapid.
* As a large part of the journey takes place on gravel roads, consultants should switch to an offroad vehicle during the rainy season (October to April).
* Palmwag Lodge is the pick-up and drop-off area for Desert Rhino Camp. Travellers to Desert Rhino Camp are transferred with Desert Rhino Camp vehicles.

* Twyfelfontein, Burnt Mountain
* Kamanjab
* Etosha National Park (Andersson Gate)
* Khorixas
* Outjo
* Otjiwarongo
* Sesfontein
* Opuwo
* Epupa Falls (very long drive)
* Cape Cross
* Swakopmund
* Omaruru

Entry into the Palmwag Concession requires a permit, which can be obtained at the Palmwag Lodge reception.

Twyfelfontein Area
Twyfelfontein to Palmwag Concession is approx. 114 km
* From Twyfelfontein take the D3214 to the D2612 turn off (approx. 10 km)
* Turn left into the D2612 and drive to the C39 turn off (approx. 15 km)
* Turn left into the C39 and drive to the C43 turn off (approx. 43 km)
* Turn right onto the C43 and drive to the Palmwag Lodge sign post (approx. 46 km)
* Follow the signs to the lodge
The entire route is on gravel road

Etosha National Park (Andersson Gate) via Kamanjab
Etosha via Kamanjab to Palmwag Concession is approx. 351 km
* From Andersson Gate drive south on the C38 to the C40 turn off (approx. 78 km)
* Turn right onto the C40 and drive to Kamanjab (approx. 155 km)
* From Kamanjab drive west on the C40 to the C43 turn off (approx. 114 km)
* Turn right onto the C43 and drive to the Palmwag Lodge sign post (approx. 4 km)
* Follow the signs to the lodge
The C38 & C40 from Adnersson Gate to Kamanjab are tar roads. All other roads are gravel roads.
En-route attractions: Grootberg pass

Opuwo via Sesfontein
Opuwo to Palmwag Concession is approx. 221 km
* From Opuwo drive south on the C43 to Sesfontein (approx. 123 km)
* From Sesfontein continue on the C43 to the Palmwag Lodge sign post (approx. 98 km)
* Follow the signs to the lodge
The entire route is on gravel road
Detour attractions: Warmquelle and Ongongo

Swakopmund via Skeleton Coast & Cape Cross
Note: a permit is required to drive through the Skeleton Coast Park. Permits must be acquired at the gate, and a certain amount of water must be carried in the vehicle before entry is permitted. Refer to your local operator for gate closing times and additional requirements.

Swakopmund via Skeleton Coast & Cape Cross to Palmwag Concession is approx. 366 km
* From Swakopmund drive north on the C34 to Henties Bay (approx. 72 km)
* From Henties Bay continue on the C34 to the Cape Cross (approx. 48 km)
* Continue north on the C34 into the Skeleton Coast Park to the C39 turn off (approx. 105 km)
* Turn right into the C39 and drive to the C43 turn off (approx. 96 km)
* Turn left onto the C43 and drive to the Palmwag Lodge sign post (approx. 45 km)
* Follow the signs to the lodge
The entire route is on gravel road

Swakopmund via Uis
Swakopmund via Uis to Palmwag Concession is approx. 428 km
* From Swakopmund drive north on the C34 to Henties Bay (approx. 72 km)
* From Henties Bay continue on the C43 to the C35 turn off (approx. 6 km)
* Turn right into the C35 and drive to Uis (approx. 114 km)
* From Uis drive north on the C35 to the D2612 turn off (approx. 70 km)
* Turn left into the D2612 and drive to the C39 turn off (approx. 77 km)
* Turn left into the C39 and continue to the C43 turn off (approx. 43 km)
* Turn right onto the C43 and drive to the Palmwag Lodge sign post (approx. 46 km)
* Follow the signs to the lodge
The entire route is on gravel road

Otjiwarongo via Outjo and Khorixas
Otjiwarongo via Outjo & Khorixas to Palmwag Concession is approx. 369 km
* From Otjiwarongo drive north on the C38 to Outjo (approx. 66 km)
* From Outjo drive west on the C39 to Khorixas (approx. 131 km)
* From Khorixas continue on the C39 to the C43 turn off (126 km)
* Turn right onto the C43 and drive to the Palmwag Lodge sign post (approx. 46 km)
* Follow the signs to the lodge
The C38 & C39 from Outjo to Khorixas are tar roads. The rest of the trip is gravel road
En-route and detour attractions: Petrified Forest & Twyfelfontein

Omaruru
Omaruru to Palmwag Concession is approx. 359 km
* From Omarur drive north west on the C36 to Uis ( approx. 123 km)
* From Uis drive north on the C35 to the D2612 turn off (approx. 70 km)
* Turn left into the D2612 and drive to the C39 turn off (approx. 77 km)
* Turn left into the C39 and drive to the C43 turn off (approx. 43 km)
* Turn right onto the C43 and drive to the Palmwag Lodge sign post (approx. 46 km)
* Follow the signs to the lodge
The entire route is on gravel road
Small detour attractions: The 'White Lady' rock painting at the Brandberg.
NOTE: A visit to the 'White Lady' requires an approx. 2 hours walk.

Palmwag Airstrip (FYPW)
South: 19 degrees 52’ 52”
East: 13 degrees 56’ 46"
Elevation: 3,200 feet
Length: 1,372 meters
Direction: 07/25
Surface: gravel / earth
Cautions/Warning: Beware of animals on the runway

Accomms Index

Marketing descriptions

Background for clients & guides

The name Palmwag refers to a stand of makalani palm trees around an oasis. The oasis can be seen in the vicinity of Palmwag Lodge.

In winter (May to September) the nights may be cold but midday may be warm to hot. In summer the temperature may rise to over 35 C.

During the 1980s, the South-western black rhinos, diceros bicornis bicornis, of the Namib Desert were hunted to the brink of extinction in the northern reaches of the Namib Desert. Establishment of Save the Rhino Trust and intercession on its part, put a rapid halt to the poaching by using the poachers themselves, and their knowledge, to halt activities. Recognising that poaching is a result of poverty, the Trust develops and maintains tourism and other income generating communities for communities in the range of the rhinos. At the time when the trust began its operations, there were 55 black rhinos. That number has doubled.

Since then, a number of other organisations have joined the initiative to protect the population of South-western black rhino.

The current estimated population of the South-western black rhino, across its ranges in Southern Africa, is approximately 940. This figure is approximately 26 per cent of the entire black rhino species population of about 3,600. Of the population of 940, approximately 890 are located in Namibia. There are no south-western black rhinos in zoos or anywhere else, so the Namibian population is vital for conservation of the subspecies and the species. The species is listed as critically endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

The south-western black rhino is also particularly interesting in light of its adaptations to the very arid conditions of the Kunene Region, known as Damaraland and Kaokoland in the tourism industry. This region straddles the northern Namib Desert.

The rhino is normally associated with plains and savannahs, however the south-western black rhino has developed mountaineering abilities, and climbs onto high mountain ledges where it can cool off in the cold wind blowing in from the Atlantic. It also browses on succulents found on these ridges.

The commonly stated upper limit of the home range of the black rhino species is less than 150 square kilometres, but the Namib range of the south-western subspecies is between 500 and 600 square kilometres. The huge home range is a result of sparse vegetation and limited water. However the subspecies often has to search for food outside of its home range and may browse over an area of 2,500 square kilometres.

Although members of the black rhino species may feed on as many as 220 plants, the south-western subspecies in the Namib favour different plants at different times of the year and will only feed on an estimated 74 of the 103 available species during the driest time of the year.

Like all members of its subspecies, the south-western black rhino can go for up to four days without water. Due to the very dry conditions, the skin of the rhino has a smooth, glossy appearance. Due to the same dry conditions, the desert-dwelling rhinos don’t suffer from lesions and parasites that are common to other black rhinos.

Euphorbia is the most valued plant species in the desert. Rhino, kudu, springbok and gemsbok often browse on euphorbia damarana for hours at a time. In addition to being a source of food, it gives shelter to small mammals, shade to rhinos and other smaller animals, and makes a good mattress for sore-footed elephants, which lie flat on the bush. The south-western subspecies in the Namib also feeds extensively on Euphorbia virosa bushes, sometimes staying to browse on one large bush until it is totally eaten up. This can take days, and the rhino will sometimes leave the bush only to drink before returning to the same bush to feed.

Although the euphorbia species is highly poisonous to humans and may cause blindness if its sap enters the eye, extracts of its chemical contents are used by the medical profession to combat certain types of cancer.

Like its neighbour, the desert elephant, the footprints (spoor) of the desert-dwelling black rhino are larger than those of other black rhino subspecies. This probably assists the rhino when walking on the soft sand of dry watercourses.

An interesting observation which has proved itself over the accumulated 16 years of studying the south-western subspecies in the Namib is that the cow spends the two to two and a half years in a specific part of her home range before the calf is weaned. The calf becomes well orientated, learning the whereabouts of water, mountain succulents and other food sources. She weans the calf and then moves out of the area to another part of her home range to give birth to the new calf. The weaned calf may join up for a while later on but soon leaves and returns to the range with which it is familiar. This is where it stays unless something, such as the first rains, urges it to move right away from the area into new territory (usually in the direction of the rain).

Although black rhino are normally a solitary species, desert rhino have sometimes been observed forming groups of six for short periods. There is seldom fighting between bulls, but occasionally, very aggressive bulls have been known to kill another bull. Cows have been observed to chase other cows with calves in overlapping home ranges.

Information on this page was provided by Save the Rhino Trust.

Note that sightings of desert-dwelling elephants are at the discretion of the elephants, and marketing material should not make hard promises.

During its long evolution, elephant species thrived in many different environments, including the icy tundras of the northern hemisphere (the mammoth). The adaptability of the elephant allowed it to spread across most of the globe.

One of the most interesting set of adaptations is found in the desert elephant, a member of the African bush elephant family, Loxodonta africana. These adaptations allow it to survive in very arid, desert and semi-desert conditions.

There are only two populations of desert elephants. One is found in Mali, and the other in the north-western province of Namibia, Kunene.

The most noted adaptation is the larger size of the foot. This allows the elephant to walk in very soft sand, often found in the desert environment. Although the desert elephant normally restricts its range to the dry watercourses of rivers, where trees grow and water can be reached by digging, desert elephants have been photographed walking on dunes.

The desert elephant has a longer trunk as well. This allows it to dig deeper in order to reach water concealed below the course of a dry river. It has longer legs, which are useful for several reasons. Firstly, it has to walk very long distances and secondly, it stands on its hind legs to reach vegetation in the upper branches of trees, as the vegetation which it would eat in other environments is sparse. One notable behavioural adaptation is the fact that desert elephants do not readily uproot trees or break branches as other African bush elephants do, probably recognising the value of preserving vegetation. Young trees are preserved as well.

Desert elephants have smaller bodies than their counterparts in more lush areas. This may be due to the fact that food sources are scarcer, but as the smaller body absorbs less heat, it also reduces the desert elephant’s dependence on water for mud baths and drinking.

The desert elephant can go for days without water. Water is stored in the pharyngeal pouch, and used sparingly. In place of mud baths, the elephant will use dry sand, and has been observed making mud baths using urine. Young elephants have also been observed eating the dung of the matriarch of the herd. This behaviour is not clearly understood, but may be to develop the gut enzymes in calves as well as an additional source of food.

Due to a lack of variety in the diet and the relative absence of minerals, desert elephants have notably shorter tusks which are more brittle.

Save the Rhino Trust was founded in August 1982 by Blythe Loutit. At that stage about 55 desert-dwelling south-western black rhinos, a subspecies of the black rhino species were left in north-western Namibia, better known as the Kunene Region, or Damaraland and Kaokoland in the tourism industry. The Kunene population has more than doubled, since then. The organisation is also actively involved in conservation of the desert adapted elephants.

One of the key factors in preventing poaching is that poaching was an economic necessity. In order to reduce poaching, Save the Rhino Trust developed a number of initiatives to provide alternative incomes to communities and to assist them to benefit from tourism and the presence of the desert-dwelling elephants and black rhinos. Sustainable streams of revenue are developing from rhino-based tourism, community tourism, crafts and patrol operations.

Save the Rhino Trust established one of the first Community Based Species Survival (CBSS) Projects for the rhino in Africa, with direct community involvement in the conservation of rhino, and benefits received through conservation and tourism going to the local population. Save the Rhino Trust built an "indaba" (meeting) centre near Palmwag at the Mai Go Ha base camp where community leaders discuss conservation matters with their colleagues.

Meetings with headmen and community groups on conservation matters are important to ensure a future for the desert wildlife.

Other forms of community involvement run by Save the Rhino Trust in conjunction with the government and traditional leaders include planning wildlife conservancies to be managed by the community, information and awareness programmes including travelling TV shows, visits to neighbouring farms and villages, showing conservation videos at schools and developing projects specially designed to involve women in self-help income generating projects.

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