Overview

There is more than one Namibia

Explore a diverse set of destinations around the country on our customized journey to photograph its breadth of beauty.

Experience the haunting beauty of Namibia – Africa’s desert gem – with generous instruction by renowned photographers Michael Melford and Eddie Soloway along the way. We will explore the striking quiver tree forests and geological formations, a ghost town abandoned to drifting sands, the rugged beauty of the coast, the elegant forms of the thousand-foot red dunes of Sossusvlei, and the majestic wildlife at the waterholes around Namibia’s expansive Etosha salt pan.

A string of colonial port towns dot the coast, trapped between the South Atlantic and the dunes. Lüderitz, on the edge of the diamond-rich Sperrgebiet area, is a fascinating relic of Germany’s late 19^th-century imperial aspirations. Nearby is the otherworldly and sand-bound abandoned mining town of Kolmanskop, where dunes have invaded the abandoned buildings. With warm tints of apricot, orange, red and maroon, these dunes offer abstract beauty unseen anywhere else in the world. The photographic potential of this place is astonishing. Further north, Swakopmund brackets the southern end of the Skeleton Coast and possesses a welcoming resort town atmosphere, with easy travel to a very unique area of the nomadic Himba tribe and thriving wildlife species.

We wouldn’t let you leave Namibia without stopping for a few days at Etosha National Park. Timed to coincide when plentiful wildlife species will arrive at Lake Etosha for replenishment during the dry season, watch and photograph from special vehicles outfitted specifically for photographers. Two 4WD photo safari vehicles with innovative custom features deliver an ideal photographic experience. They seat three photographers along the centerline of the vehicle, with excellent lines of sight through pop-up hatches on either side. They also feature photographer’s chairs with fully adjustable 360-degree revolving, gas-assist-lifted Wimberley camera mounts. This makes it a breeze to work with big lenses and photograph dynamic wildlife behavior, repositioning and panning with ease.

Awe-inspiring and unrestrictive, this diverse geography leaves an impact you won’t soon forget.

Our itinerary has been designed to take maximum advantage of some of the best landscape, cultural, and wildlife photography opportunities that Namibia has to offer. In addition to attentive photographic instruction throughout by Michael and Eddie, our group of up to six photographers will be led by two excellent local guides. This trip includes excellent lodging, four private scenic light aircraft flights (Sossus Dune Lodge – Swakopmund Airport (SWP) – Okahirongo Elephant Lodge – Mokuti Etosha Lodge – Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH)), transfers and group ground transportation from start to finish, and all meals, snacks, and beverages.

ITINERARY

June 24 – Arrival day in Windhoek: Upon arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek and after clearing customs and immigration, Michael and Eddie will greet you and collect the group. Meet your expedition guides and drive together to the Hilton Hotel Windhoek, which is located in the heart of the city by the main shopping streets and pedestrian zone of Namibia’s capital. Our first dinner as a group will be held at a favorite restaurant close to the hotel. Overnight at Hilton Hotel Windhoek. (D)

June 25 – Travel to Quiver Tree Forest: Today you will drive to Quiver Tree Forest Rest Camp and have lunch together en route. Arrive at the farm Gariganus where everyone can explore the ancient and famous Quiver Tree Forest and the dolerite rock formations of the Giants Playground. The quiver tree or “Kokerboom” is one of the most interesting and characteristic plants of the very hot and dry parts of Namibia. The quiver trees can be two to three centuries old (look for the tallest ones) and are actually a species of aloe. Overnight at Quiver Tree Forest Rest Camp. (B, L, D)

June 26 – Travel to Luderitz: Early morning photography in Quiver Tree Forest and Giants Playground, followed by a late breakfast. Midday transfer from Keetmanshoop to Lüderitz. Afternoon photography in the surrounding area. Overnight at Luderitz Nest Hotel. (B, L, D)

June 27 – Kolmanskop: Early morning and afternoon photography in the Lüderitz and Kolmanskop area. Once a booking mining town, Kolmanskip faced depopulation after the diamond mine collapsed. The town is now overwhelmed with sand, around the buildings and inside them. Overnight at Luderitz Nest Hotel. (B, L, D)

June 28 – Travel to Sossusvlei: Early morning photography in Lüderitz or Kolmanskop. Then, depart in group vehicles with lunch en route to Sossusvlei, which is one of the most photographed places in Sub-Saharan Africa; however, how and when you photograph there is very important and our guides will know what to do. In fact, from the property of our overnight accommodations, you can reach Sossusvlei before sunrise, and stay until after sunset—a special and unique requirement needed to get the best photography field sessions possible. Overnight at Sossus Dune Lodge. (B, L, D)

June 29-30 – Sossusvlei: Early morning, afternoon and night photography in the Sossusvlei surroundings. Located in Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft National Park, the Sossusvlei region is a salt and clay pan famous for its sand dunes. The dunes range in color from deep orange to bright pink and are some of the largest in the world, occasionally exceeding 1,000 feet. The fascinating colors of the dunes are due to oxidation of the sand’s high iron content. The older dunes are more intensely red, and some of the more stable dunes are partially covered with vegetation. Underground and ephemeral rivers occasionally flood the pans, creating marshes known as vlei in the Afrikaans language. Overnight at Sossus Dune Lodge. (B, L, D)

July 1 – Travel to the Skeleton Coast: Today you will transfer to the airstrip for your private scenic light aircraft flight to Swakopmund
(SWP). Enjoy a relaxing group lunch and coastal breezes on the deserted beach of the Skeleton Coast—truly unique to this itinerary in an area of Namibia where driving the roads can be extremely dangerous. The Skeleton Coast is famous for its rocky coastline and remains of shipwrecks, and cannot be overlooked when visiting Namibia. Afterwards, transfer back to the airport for your private light aircraft flight to Okahirongo Elephant Lodge. Overnight at Okahirongo Elephant Lodge. (B, L, D)

July 2 – Kaokoveld: There are numerous desert-adapted mammal species that inhabit Kaokoveld including desert elephants. Along with Mali’s Sahara region, the Kaokoveld is the only place where elephants have adapted to a desert environment. The indigenous black rhino was extinguished from Kaokoveld a few decades ago but have been successfully reintroduced and now roam the land along with small herds of oryx, kudu, springbok, ostrich, giraffe, and mountain zebra. In addition to seeing more wildlife, you will visit the ancient tribe of semi-nomadic herders known as the Himba. They have attracted photographers from all over the world, particularly as the women ritually apply paste to their skin and hair to protect themselves from the sun and insects. Stay at a very serene and luxurious lodge, where vegetables come from their organic garden and chalets boast unhindered views of pristine desert landscapes. Overnight at Okahirongo Elephant Lodge. (B, L, D)

July 3 – Travel to Etosha National Park: Today you will have a private light aircraft flight to Mokuti Etosha Lodge near the legendary Etosha National Park. Arrival date is timed perfectly to line up with the onset of the dry season when wildlife as the salt pan becomes almost completely barren. Overnight at Mokuti Etosha Lodge. (B, L, D)

July 4-5 – Etosha National Park: As Namibia’s premiere wildlife destination, the park is named for and dominated by the Etosha Pan. In addition to the salt pan, the park is covered by mopane scrubland as well as tall tree forests of the unique moringa or “ghost tree.” The 850-kilometer fence surrounding the park protects the reserve’s diverse wildlife from external contamination and has resulted in many healthy populations. The park is also home to excellent concentrations of elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard and cheetah, and promises sightings of the endemic black-faced impala and endangered black rhinoceros. Mokuti Etosha Lodge is the perfect venue for exploring the famous eastern side of Etosha National Park where the best wildlife photography opportunities are guaranteed. Overnight at Mokuti Etosha Lodge. (B, L, D)

July 6 – Return to Windhoek: Wake up for breakfast at Mokuti Etosha Lodge, followed by a two-hour private light aircraft flight back to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek where you will connect to your departing commercial flights. (B)

PLEASE NOTE:

• VISA: Passports must have at least six months of validity remaining beyond your planned date of departure. At least six completely blank pages are required for entry; tourist visas are issued upon arrival at Windhoek.
• TRAVEL INSURANCE: We always strongly recommend arranging travel insurance. Travelguard.com is excellent.
• FLIGHTS: Four private flights are included (Sossus Dune Lodge – Swakopmund Airport (SWP) – Okahirongo Elephant Lodge – Mokuti Etosha Lodge – Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH)). Please contact us if you would like recommendations regarding flights to and from Windhoek, Namibia (airport code: WDH)
• GRATUITIES: Tips are included. Our local guides, drivers, and lodging staff work very hard to make our experience in Namibia be the best it can be, and Visionary Wild budgets for a healthy group tip in recognition of their services. Guests may tip additionally if they would like to recognize exceptional service.