Namibia Photo Safari – 13-day tour of incredible wildlife and landscape

Day 1 – Arrive in Windhoek => Erindi (D)

After clearing Customs & Immigration we head straight to Erindi Private Game Reserve to start our Namibia photo safari. Upon arrival, you’re free to relax on the restaurant deck overlooking the main waterhole with a camera in hand.  We enjoy three nights here to recover from our long journey, though wildlife photography opportunities will be plentiful.

Day 2 & 3 – Erindi (B, L, D)

This morning and this afternoon we will be undertaking game-viewing excursions in the Erindi Reserve.  There are also a number of other guided tours you may wish to consider; however, these will be at an additional cost.

During the middle of the day, you will be able to relax on the viewing deck and watch the wildlife come into the waterhole to drink.

Day 4 – Erindi => Spitzkoppe (B, L, D)

This morning we depart early and head south-west to Spitzkoppe, a group of bald granite peaks or bornhardts majestically rising out of the Namib Desert.

After lunch at our lodge, we explore the magnificent rock formations concluding at a suitable location to watch and photograph the sunset.

Day 5 – Spitzkoppe => Swakopmund (B, L, D)

This morning we rise early for a sunrise shoot at Spitzkoppe as the first rays of sunlight hit the granite peaks.  After breakfast we travel south-west to the beautiful German colonial town of Swakopmund, arriving in time for lunch.

In the afternoon we will go on a living desert tour, exploring the unique wildlife adapted to the harsh desert conditions.

Day 6 – Swakopmund => Sossusvlei (B, L, D)

This morning we temporarily part with our drivers and luggage as they travel to Sossusvlei by road. We instead head south to Walvis Bay where we photograph the beautiful Flamingos in the early morning light before the wind picks up, seeking those spectacular reflection images. After a packed breakfast, we enjoy a relaxing boat cruise, providing an opportunity to see and photograph some of the local wildlife, such as pelicans, Cape Fur Seals, Dolphins and the local water birds including Flamingos.

After lunch, we head to the airport for our scenic flight to Sesriem, in an aircraft suitable for aerial photography. Initially heading down the coastline where we will see and photograph the sand dunes meeting the Atlantic Ocean, we then make our way inland over the endless dunes of the Namib desert. Upon arrival in Sesriem, we will be transferred to our lodge. For the next three nights, we will be staying at a lodge situated within the park, providing guests with the benefit of being able to reach Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei before sunrise and stay out until after sunset.

Day 7 – Sossusvlei (B, L, D)

This morning some of our photographers will be scheduled for an optional helicopter flight over the dunes of the Sossusvlei and the Dead Vlei. The remaining photographers will travel by car back through the park, photographing the sand dunes from the side of the road as shadows form in the early morning light.

This afternoon we enjoy a one-hour drive into the Sossusvlei, stopping at the end of the road where we continue by foot into the Dead Vlei, one of the most famous locations for photography in Namibia.

Our walk is around 1.5 km (each way) through pebbly and sandy dunes, and we will arrive just as the majority if not all of the tourists would have departed for their hour drive back to the gate before it closes at sunset.  We have sufficient time to explore and photograph the area, commencing our walk back to the vehicle after sunset and then returning to the lodge.

Day 8 – Sossusvlei (B, L, D)

This morning some of our photographers will be scheduled for an optional helicopter flight over the dunes of the Sossusvlei and the Dead Vlei. The remaining photographers will travel by car back through the park, photographing the sand dunes from the side of the road as shadows form in the early morning light.

Late morning, we have the option to visit Sesriem Canyon, located not too far from the Lodge. Sesriem Canyon is one kilometre long and up to 30 meters deep and was formed by the rare flow of water down the Tsauchab River over the past two million years.

In the afternoon we have one final trip back down the valley. With the light coming from the opposite direction now, we will also have more stops along the road to photograph the constantly changing shadows on the dunes. We always need to keep our eyes open for wildlife, as Gemsbok, Ostriches and Bat-eared foxes can be seen. After dinner, we will head outside with our cameras to learn about astrophotography, in preparation for our upcoming stay at Keetmanshoop.

Day 9 – Sossusvlei => Luderitz (B, L, D)

If required, a final group of photographers may be scheduled for the optional helicopter flight.  After breakfast, we depart the Sossusvlei and travel through amazing landscapes on our way southwest to Luderitz. The distance is approximately 470 km, but the majority of it is on gravel roads so it will take over 6 hours. Numerous stops will be made on the way for photos and rest breaks, and we will take a picnic lunch.

Luderitz was established in 1883 as a remote German outpost and the area is surrounded by diamond mine areas (restricted zones). The town has numerous historic buildings and a unique character, so lots of photo opportunities.  We will arrive late afternoon in time to photograph the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 10 – Luderitz => Kolmanskop => Luderitz (B, L, D)

Today is a special day as we have permits for the whole day for the abandoned mining town of Kolmanskop. Once having been home to 700 families, the buildings have stood the test of time (in an area where rain hardly falls), but the winds and sands of the Namib Desert have slowly encroached upon each dwelling and have created amazing results.

We can enter the area at sunrise and leave at sunset. You also have the opportunity to undertake the 9.30 am guided tour which will help with familiarisation. After lunch at the café within the abandoned town, we continue exploring and photographing the buildings. The public is only permitted into the area during the morning, so our special all-day permits will ensure better photographic opportunities. If you want to practice natural-looking HDR, this is the place to give it a go.

Day 11 – Luderitz => Keetmanshoop (B, L, D)

This morning we will explore and photograph the town of Luderitz before commencing our four-hour drive east to Keetmanshoop where we will stay for one night.

Late afternoon we travel a short distance to Garas Park Rest Camp to photograph sunset amongst the Quiver trees. Our entire tour has been planned around being at Keetmanshoop on a dark night, so after dinner, we again return to the rest camp to enjoy the night and to do astrophotography.

Day 12 – Keetmanshoop => Windhoek (B, L, D)

On our final morning, we enjoy a sunrise shoot whilst exploring different compositions with the Quiver trees.

After breakfast, we commence our long drive to Windhoek where the main tour concludes.

Day 13 – Windhoek (B)

For those choosing to only do the main trip, your Namibia photo safari concludes today.

Optional Extension Tour

Day 13 – Windhoek => Okonjima (B, L, D)

This morning we depart early and head north to Okonjima Nature Reserve, famed for frequent leopard, brown hyaena and pangolin sightings.  Whilst seeing a photographing a pangolin would be great, they are very shy animals. Our main goal however will be to seek out cheetahs and leopards.

Mid-afternoon we head out on a game drive to seek out cheetahs and any other wildlife we come across. In the evening we visit the camp’s nocturnal hide, where we may see some after-dinner activity from porcupines, honey badgers and caracals, among other night-time animal species.

Day 14 – Okonjima => Opuwo (B, L, D)

We rise early this morning to go for a game drive, seeking out the elusive leopard and other incredible wildlife.

Mid-morning, we continue our long journey north on good bitumen roads to Opuwo.  Upon arrival, we check into our lodge and you will have some free time to explore and photograph the lodge surroundings. If time allows, we will return to the centre of town to photograph the activities of the local Himba, Dhimba and Herero people.

We will also take the opportunity to sit down and discuss the program for the following two days, and go over how the photography will be managed.

Day 15 & 16 – Opuwo (B, L, D)

With the assistance of a local guide, over the next two days, we will be visiting Himba, Zemba and Herero villages over the course of two days to photograph the villages and their residents. In all previous tours that we have run, for many, this has been the most unforgettable highlight of the tour.

We will have lighting equipment and a backdrop to set up an outdoor studio to capture some incredibly candid portraits.

Day 17 – Opuwo => Etosha (B, L, D)

This morning we will depart fairly early for Etosha King Nehale Lodge located in the north-eastern region of Etosha National Park.

Etosha National Park is one of Southern Africa’s finest and most important Game Reserves. Etosha was declared a National Park in 1907 and covers an area of 22,270 square km, it is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species and 16 amphibian species. With a greater number of waterholes being located at the eastern end of Etosha, we will be devoting the majority of our time to that area.

After lunch at the lodge, we have the opportunity to go on a game drive, seeking out and photographing the wildlife. We will also have the opportunity to visit a private waterhole and hide in the park.

Day 18 – Etosha (B, L, D)

This morning we enter King nehale lya mpingana gate and continue to explore the local waterholes.  We continue our way south-east to the Namutoni area where there are many incredible waterholes that rightly justify multiple visits.

Today will be a great opportunity to see cheetahs, herds of elephants, herds of zebra drinking, and hopefully giraffes with reflections in the water.  One thing is for certain, this will be a big day of wildlife photography. Our accommodation for the night is at beautiful Onguma Bush Camp located a short distance outside Von Lindequist gate.

Day 19 – Etosha (B, L, D)

Today we slowly head southwest through the park towards Okaukuejo, continuing to explore many of the very best waterholes that Etosha has on offer. With each waterhole being a magnet for the local wildlife and different species that favour different locations, there will be numerous opportunities for photography. Our day will commence with revisiting some of the waterholes from the previous day, before exploring new waterholes as we make our way to Halali.

Late afternoon we will arrive at Okaukuejo Restcamp in the central part of the park. Okaukuejo, located 17 km from the southern entrance of the park is famous for its flood-lit waterhole, where visitors can observe at close quarters a spectacle of wildlife congregating and interacting.

We will be accommodating in the waterhole chalets, meaning the iconic Okaukeujo waterhole is only a few steps from your room.  You will now enjoy some downtime, however, do not miss taking your camera to the waterhole for the late light and sunset.

Day 20 – Etosha => Windhoek (B, L, D)

This morning we depart at sunrise on what will be our final game drive, heading north-west to visit some great waterholes, such as Ozonjuitji m’Bari.

It’s now time for us to bid farewell to Etosha and commence our return drive to Windhoek where our extension tour will conclude with a final dinner and night of accommodation.

Day 21 – End of Tour (B)

It’s time to say farewell to Namibia and our fellow travellers as our Namibia photo safari ends.

Transfers will be arranged as per flight schedules.

Includes

• Professional photographer and local guide for the duration of our Namibia photo safari
• Accommodation for the duration of the tour
• All tour-related ground transport
• Arrival and departure airport transfers
• Meals during the tour as indicated in the itinerary
• Aerial flight from Walvis Bay to Sesriem
• Entry fees and permits

Excludes

• Return International flights to Namibia
• Visa fees if required
• Meals not indicated in the program
• Any drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) – unless part of an organised day tour
• Activities during free time
• Any expenses of a personal nature (such as laundry, phone calls, porterage etc.)
• Tips and gratuities
• Excess Baggage Fee
• Travel Insurance
• Optional helicopter flight in Sesriem