---
type: "Article"
title: "Stalking the Namibian rhino – on foot (seriously!)"
description: "Rhinos are actually quite shy. They scamper away when you approach them in a safari jeep. If you want to see them up close, you have to stalk them on foot."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/namibia/rhino-safari"
author: "Walter Schaerer"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 12
tags: ["Animals", "Lodge", "Safari", "Namibia"]
entities:
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/namibia"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/wildlife-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/lodge"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/safari"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culture"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/nature-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer", at: 2026-07-04T13:55:21+00:00 }
verified:
  - { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer", at: 2021-12-21T21:00:22+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: rhino-safari.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Walter Schaerer"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/walter-schaerer"
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:55:21+00:00
---

# Stalking the Namibian rhino – on foot (seriously!)

> In Namibia, a guided on-foot rhino stalk brings travellers face to face with wild white rhinos — close enough to need to back away — while armed guide Pascalis navigates the real risks of approaching animals on open ground.

## What to see
- **White rhinos on foot** — Guided stalks into the wind allow remarkably close encounters with peacefully grazing white rhinos in the Namibian bush.
- **Black rhinos** — Also present in the area but strictly avoided on foot due to their aggressive and dangerous temperament.

## What to do
- **On-foot rhino stalk** — Guides lead small groups downwind toward white rhinos on foot, stopping behind trees and bushes to stay undetected.
- **Game drive safari** — Standard open safari jeeps are used to reach rhino territory and for general wildlife viewing in the bush.

## Good to know
Rhinos have poor eyesight but excellent hearing and smell — stalks are conducted strictly into a headwind. Running away is not permitted. Guides carry rifles for emergency warning shots only. To protect rhinos from poachers, visitors are asked not to post location details of rhino encounters on social media; the article deliberately omits the exact location.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ongava-private-game-reserve-safari-44.jpg"
    caption: "Guide Pascalis und Katja auf gefährlicher Nashorn-Pirsch.Und ich hinterher"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ongava-private-game-reserve-safari-48.jpg"
    caption: "Pirschfahrt mit Guide Pascalis für Walter und Katja"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ongava-private-game-reserve-safari-12.jpg"
    caption: "Elefantenbulle mit lauter Drohgebärde. Wir machen uns besser aus dem Staub...."
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ongava-private-game-reserve-safari-45.jpg"
    caption: "Das Nashorn scheint uns zu hören, denn sehen tun sie nicht gut"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ongava-private-game-reserve-safari-47.jpg"
    caption: "Die weniger gefährlichen Breitmaulnashörner. Aus sicherer Teleobjektiv-Distanz..."
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/rhinoceros-travelmemo-4.jpg"
    caption: "Rhino-Tracker Fernando macht die Nashörner in sicherer Distanz aus"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/rhinoceros-travelmemo-8.jpg"
    caption: "… dann kommen die Rhinos immer näher und Fernando hält Ausschau nach weiterer Gefahr"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/rhinoceros-travelmemo-7.jpg"
    caption: "In dieser kurzen Distanz gelingen sogar Handy-Fotos! Man beachte die Daunenjacke über der Faserpelzjacke…"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/rhinoceros-travelmemo-5.jpg"
    caption: "Safari"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/rhinoceros-travelmemo-3.jpg"
    caption: "Auf Nashorn-Pirsch in nächster Nähe"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/rhinoceros-travelmemo-2.jpg"
    caption: "Safari"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/rhinoceros-travelmemo.jpg"
    caption: "Safari"
    credit: "Walter Schärer"
```