Prime Namibia Photography safari experience
On our 14-Day Namibia Photography safari, we will focus attention on some of the most iconic and picturesque wildlife and landscape destinations that Namibia has to offer.
From the Quiver tree forests of Keetmanshoop we will explore the hidden beauties and ephemeral pans of the Namib Desert, before sinking our toes into the sands of the desolate Skeleton Coast, kept deceptively lifeless by the frigid waters of the Atlantic. With an abrupt change in scenery we will find ourselves scrambling over massive granite boulders photographing the towering “inselbergs” of the Spitzkoppe Mountains before concluding our epic journey with a four-night stay in the world-famous and incredibly photogenic Etosha National Park, where we will be dedicated to photographing the tremendous diversity of wildlife and birdlife that this park has to offer.
Highlights:
• Quivertree Forest
• Luderitz
• Etosha National Park
• Okonjima Nature Reserve
• Namib-Naukluft Park
• Walvis Bay
• Swakopmund
**View Namibia Photography Safari Gallery
Day 1: Arrival in Windhoek
Shortly after landing at Hosea Kutako International Airport you will be welcomed by your photographic guide and driven to your overnight accommodation on the outskirts of Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city. This evening we will be sitting down to dinner as a group where we will have a chance to become acquainted with one another and discuss the coming days exciting travel itinerary in more detail, answering any questions that you may have.
Day 2: Quivertree Forest
After a good night’s rest and an early breakfast, we will depart Windhoek and set off on our much-anticipated photographic journey. The first day’s travels will take us roughly 500km south from Namibia’s mother city and take approximately five and a half hours, arriving at our over-night’s accommodation for lunch. It will be a long day on the road, but we will make regular stops and there will be terrific scenery to be enjoyed.
After a brief check-in and lunch, we will have a moment to recover and to prepare our photographic gear for a late afternoon excursion to photograph the Giants Playground with its unique quiver tree forests in golden afternoon/evening light.
Day 3: Luderitz
This morning we will be up before sunrise to catch one last photo shoot of the quiver tree forests of Keetmanshoop before setting off to our next iconic destination shortly after breakfast.
We will drive the classic route from Keetmanshoop to Luderitz passing the small town of Aus with hopes of seeing our free roaming wild horses of the Namib. We will stop at the ghost town of Kolmanskop late afternoon to photograph the deserted Edwardian architecture in the area.
Upon arriving and settling into our hotel in Luderitz, we will have dinner together at one of the many seafood restaurants in town.
Day 4: Bogenfels & Pomona, Luderitz
Today we have exciting full day tour to the famous Bogenfels & Pomona. A photographer’s delight. Bogenfels is the famous rock arch with one foot in the sea and the other on land. It’s about 60 metres high. The trip is a day tour in the Sperrgebiet area where De Beers are still currently mining and the tour includes the old Ghost Towns of Pomona and Bogenfels with old mining equipment from the 1910-30’s time during which the Germans discovered the first diamonds in the area and the harsh conditions lived and operated under.
Highlights you will get to photograph:
• Grillenthal
• Dunes & Plants (Weather Permitting)
• Pomona Old Mines
• Pomona Old town provides excellent photographic opportunities.
At approximately 18h30 we will return to our Hotel in Luderitz and have a well deserved rest after an exciting day.
Day 6: Namib-Naukluft Park
Today we will be exploring and capturing the endless horizons and breath-taking landscapes of the Namib Naukluft Park. We will have the opportunity to devote our time to photographing colossal iron-rich sand dunes; the world famous Sossusvlei and Deadvlei; as well as a chance to encounter the incredible micro-fauna specially adapted to survive in this unforgiving desert wilderness.
We will return to our lodge for lunch when the sun is at it’s highest, only to return again in the late afternoon to capture the dunes as the shadows envelope them making for excellent photography.
We will return to the lodge for dinner after another successful day in the Namib Desert.
Day 7: Swakopmund
Before travelling to the sleepy coastal town of Swakopmund you will have the option of having one last sunrise photoshoot of the living desert before breakfast. Shortly after, we will embark on our journey to the coastal town of Swakopmund, which will take us approximately six hours including regular stops and a lunch along the way.
Day 8: Walvis Bay & Sandwich Harbour
This morning at 08h00 we will make our way to the coastal town of Walvis Bay to embark on the Dolphin Marine Cruise. On the cruise you will have the opportunity to capture our marine wildlife such as the Great White Pelican who frequents on the boat hoping for a treat from the skipper. Our resident Cape Fur Seals will also make an appearence by jumping on the boat as their curiosity gets the better of them.
At approximately 11h30 we will return to the harbour where our 4×4 vehicles will be waiting. Our next excursion will take us to where the desert meets the ocean. Sandwich Harbour lagoon is home to some 200,000 birds, such as terns, flamingos, pelicans & cormorants. It is a marine sanctuary and RAMSAR site supporting more than 50,000 birds in the summer and 20,000 in the winter. These wetlands are of international importance.
We will return to our hotel in Swakopmund in the late afternoon after a fun filled day of sight-seeing, sparkling wine, oysters and abundance of wildlife.
Day 9: Spitzkoppen Lodge, Spitzkoppe
This morning we can take it easy and have a leisurely breakfast. You have the opportunity to either take a stroll through the town and visit numerous German-influenced architectural sites. For the animal lovers, we can join the Living Desert Tour. We will encounter and learn more about the fascinating wildlife of the Namib Desert with the help of a local expert. We will look for geckos, scorpions, snakes, lizards, birds and beetles as well as the incredible plant life that survives in this harsh and seemingly inhospitable environment. Some of the special creatures we might see include Namib Sand Gecko, Namaqua Chameleon, Shovel-snouted Lizard, Tractrac Chat and even Peringuey’s Adder.
Day 10: Etosha South
Rising bright and early, this morning we will take one last excursion to photograph the Spitzkoppe before departing for the final highlight of our photo safari – to photograph the incredible wildlife of the renowned Etosha National Park. Here we will be spending our time searching for the astonishing variety of wildlife found in this spectacular environment, including the rare and elusive desert adapted black rhinoceros, white rhinoceros, lion, leopard, cheetah and some of the world’s largest elephants.
We will enjoy dinner and sit around the camp fire swapping tales of our adventures. Remember to look up before settling into your bed tonight – the African night sky, undisturbed by city lights out here in the bush, is truly amazing.
En-route to Etosha we have the option to stop at a Himba Village to observe their nomadic lifestyles and everyday way of life.
Day 11: Etosha East
Etosha is a photographer’s dream, with the contrasts in light, colour and textures particularly dramatic. Many a guest’s “lifer shots” of African animal and bird species were taken in this park. The sunrises and sunsets are particularly spectacular, so better get those cameras and phones ready as we make our way from Etosha south to Etosha East
Day 12: Etosha East
We will enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in Etosha today, returning to our lodge in the heat of the day for lunch and to relax.
Day 13: Okonjima Plains Camp, Okonjima Nature Reserve
After breakfast we will depart for Okonjima Lodge near Otjiwarongo in central Namibia where we will spend our first evening.
Okonjima Lodge is based at the famous Africat Foundation where you have the opportunity to learn more about the Namibian population of free-roaming predators (Lion, Leopard, Hyena and smaller species) and the way this foundation is trying to protect them living on private cattle farms. They also have a very interesting rehabilitation centre here where you can get close up views of these amazing animals. They currently focus on research on lesser known species such as Pangolin and Brown Hyena helping us getting a better understanding of these fascinating animals.
After dinner we will do a night drive where we could spot possible species like Honey Badger, Porcupine, Brown and Spotted Hyena, Lesser Bushbaby, Springhare, Aardvark, Pangolin, Black-backed Jackal and Caracal.
Day 14: End of Itinerary
Depending on your departure time and the species we might have missed we can do a short morning excursion after which we make our way to the airport for your departure home.
For more information contact the Nature Travel Namibia team at info@naturetravelnamibia.com