For many travellers, seeing a rhino in the wild is a genuine bucket-list experience. Whether it’s the prehistoric bulk of a white rhino grazing peacefully or the more elusive black rhino browsing through thorny scrub, these rare, impressively-horned animals remain among Africa’s most awe-inspiring sights.
With rhino numbers still under pressure, choosing the right place to see them is essential, not only for your own experience but also to help support the conservation projects that safeguard their future. We can help you strike that balance.
Here are our Experts’ picks of the best safari camps where rhino sightings are superb, guiding is exceptional and your stay directly supports vital rhino conservation.
Kicheche Laikipia Camp (Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya)
© Kicheche
Kenya’s flagship rhino conservancy is home to both eastern black and southern white rhinos, including the world’s last two northern white rhinos. At the wonderful Kicheche Laikipia, you’ll enjoy close encounters on expertly guided drives and walks, and learn first-hand about the pioneering science and hands-on protection efforts that have made this conservancy world-renowned. A class-act in safari circles, Kicheche offer superb wildlife viewing form.
Kifaru House & Lewa Wilderness (Lewa Conservancy, Kenya)
Lewa is at the heart of Kenya’s rhino conservation success story and was one of the country’s earliest private conservancies. Established in 1983 with just 15 rhinos, it now protects around 273 eastern black and southern white rhinos – an extraordinary turnaround. Sightings are virtually guaranteed: to date, 100% of Expert Africa’s guests have seen both rhino species here. Choose the intimate, exclusive Kifaru House (its name means “rhino”) or the long-established Lewa Wilderness, both of which combine classic safari style with a front-row seat to this conservation triumph.
Safarihoek (Etosha Heights Private Reserve, Namibia)
This stylish yet relaxed lodge stands on an elevated site within a private reserve bordering Etosha National Park, a stronghold for both black and white rhinos. As well as excellent game drives, you can enjoy lunch at a superb photographic hide where rhinos mingle with other wildlife, while after-dark the floodlit waterholes reveal a different side to their nocturnal lives. There’s also a terrific farmhouse for exclusive-use family stays on the reserve.
Desert Rhino Camp (Palmwag Concession, Namibia)
Namibia is the stronghold for the south-western subspecies of black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis), and today the country offers arguably the best black rhino viewing in Africa. Tracking endangered black rhino on foot with expert guides from the Save the Rhino Trust is one of Namibia’s most thrilling wildlife experiences. Set amid high basalt hills and rocky desert plains, this beautiful camp offers a rare chance to encounter these desert-adapted rhinos in the wild while directly supporting their protection.
Ongava Lodge (Ongava Private Reserve, Namibia)
Bordering Etosha National Park, Ongava is renowned for reliable, relaxed sightings of both black and white rhino. You may spot them on guided drives or quietly from the lodge’s hide, a rare opportunity to watch these fascinating creatures at close quarters. There’s a superb research centre here which you can visit, and some first-class scientific work taking place….and that’s before you get to the exceptional standards of food, accommodation and hosting you’ll receive!
Camelthorn Lodge & Bomani Tented Lodge (Hwange, Zimbabwe)
In Hwange’s south-east corner, Camelthorn and neighbouring Bomani offer a powerful conservation story as well as superb rhino encounters. Here, white rhinos have been successfully reintroduced onto community-owned land through the Hwange Community Rhino Initiative, the first project of its kind in southern Africa, with 100% of the funds generated being invested in local community development. Guests here can join the Cobras Community Wildlife Protection Team, the specialist rangers who monitor the rhinos, to see the animals, learn how the local communities are directly involved in protecting them, see the K9 dog unit in action, and take some superb close-up photographs.
Amalinda Lodge (Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe)
The granite domes and ancient rock art of Matobo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in their own right, form the backdrop to one of Zimbabwe’s most effective rhino protection zones. Here you can track both black and white rhinos on foot, with highly experienced guides who know each individual animal. Amalinda Lodge, our favourite in the area, combines this exceptional wildlife experience with atmospheric stone-and-thatch suites and a deep sense of history.
All of these camps not only give you an outstanding chance of seeing rhinos in their natural habitat, they also play a crucial role in ensuring the species’ survival. By choosing a safari that supports conservation, you help make sure that future generations can continue to marvel at these remarkable animals. Speak with a specialist today.
