Worldwide Photographic Journeys

South Africa

NAMIBIA – Africa’s Arid Eden

Sunday 1st September – Saturday 21st September 2024

Leaders: Sean Braine and Julie-Anne Davies

21 Days Group Size Limit 10
Monday 10th August – Sunday 30th August 2026

Leaders: Virginia Wilde and Sean Braine

21 Days Group Size Limit 10

NAMIBIA PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS WITH WILD IMAGES

Namibia offers such a rich feast of landscapes, peoples and wildlife that it is not surprising that Namibia photography tours are now considered some of the finest in Africa.

As one of the most sparsely populated countries on earth, Namibia is home to a kaleidoscope of landscapes that are home to some of Africa’s most beautiful wildlife and people.

Our Namibia photography tour is the most comprehensive trip on offer in the country, taking you from the far south to the far north, close to the border of Angola.

A Breathtaking Landscape Steeped in History

Namibia’s landscapes are dominated by a geological kaleidoscope rivalled by very few countries on earth.  Almost around every corner, the colours of the countryside change dramatically, robbing even the most jaded photographer of breath.  In Namibia, some of the world’s oldest deserts are breathed into life by beautiful ephemeral rivers, snaking like veins from rocky mesas to the sea, where the cooling Benguela creates a coastal fog unique only to its coast and, oddly, coastal South America.

We explore two of the most spectacular expanses of desert dunes in Africa on our tour.  The extraordinary sand sea at Sossusvlei is famous for its endless gigantic red sand dunes hiding clay pans dotted with ancient camel thorn trees. Then we will take an adventurous drive over the huge yellow coastal dunes of southern Namibia to Sandwich Harbour, where we will search for herds of Oryx, migratory birds and the elusive brown hyena while driving the beach where the wild Atlantic kisses Namibia’s coastline.

During our stay in Sossusvlei we will offer an optional one-hour scenic flight by helicopter for aerial photography of the region’s dunes, wildlife and clay pans.

Further north, we will drive into the remote Skeleton Coast region searching for incredibly unique wildlife, including desert-adapted elephants, lions and rhinoceros.

Finally, Etosha, the great white place that is home to a myriad of safari wildlife species, awaits us as a grand finale to our tour.

It is in this myriad of landscapes that we will learn about Namibia’s rich history through our photography visits to the ruined mining town of Kolmanskop and the deserted train station of Garub, lying like a phoenix in the lunar-like landscapes of the Tsau Khaeb National Park, where the country’s wild desert horses run free.

We will also visit shipwrecks and ruined oil rigs on remote parts of the desert coast as we journey north on our tour.

Namibia’s rich cultural history is ancient and spans centuries before the country was colonised by Germany.  During our tour we will visit a site of extremely isolated rock carvings that have been viewed by only a few outside visitors to the country.  Dating back to the 9th century, these beautiful arts were created by the country’s Damara people, whose long existence in Namibia is rivalled only by that of the San Bushmen.

Optional Scenic Flight Over Sossusvlei

One of the highlights of visiting the astonishing sand sea of Sossusvlei in the Namib Naukluft National Park is actually seeing this incredible landscape from the air.  We offer a one-hour scenic flight in a helicopter with no doors over Sossusvlei, where we search for beautiful Oryx on the dunes and other wildlife. Taking place at sunrise or sunset, this is a perfect chance to gain an unfettered view of the crescent and star dunes of Sossusvlei while the light is soft and the shadows are long. With space for only three guests in each of two helicopters (a total of six guests), the costs of this expensive flight drop considerably if we can fill each helicopter.  Due to the sublime photographic opportunities these flights offer, they are very popular with our guests, and we would suggest you register your interest in joining one of these scenic flights at the time of booking.

Africa’s Arid Wildlife

Guided by some of the leading naturalist photographers in the country, our tour will not only take you to see Namibia’s most iconic safari and desert wildlife; we will explore the southern dunes for flocks of wild flamingos and birds while looking for shy brown hyenas.

Namibia’s coastal dune systems might appear lifeless to some, but we will take you on the ultimate ‘sandbox safari’ in search of Africa’s little five – Namaqua chameleon, Peringuey’s Adder, Namib Web-footed Gecko, Namib Sand-diving Lizard and Toktokkie beetles. This fascinating part of the trip gives you the chance to photograph feeding chameleons and tame Tractrac Chats while learning about the geography of Namibia’s coastal dunes first-hand.

We will also visit the world’s largest colony of Cape Fur Seals in the rugged coastal region of Cape Cross.  Teeming with life, Cape Cross is thought to be the first place where Europeans set foot in Namibia in 1486.  Now it is a wildlife reserve that is home to almost 200,000 seals who spend their days lounging, arguing, fishing, swimming and breeding along rocky headlands and beaches.

It is close to Cape Cross that we will make a brief stop to view the jewel-like lichen fields that are unique to Namibia. These orange landscapes feature over 120 species of lichens that exist here and nowhere else.  Each plant is like a tiny desert jewel and they are wonderful for macro photography.

Supported by local experts, we will explore two of the country’s most remote and fascinating ephemeral rivers, the Hoanib and Hoarusib, searching for Namibia’s unique desert-adapted elephants, lions and rhinos. Driving through these ethereally beautiful places, we may see troupes of Chacma Baboons, flocks of ostriches, journeys of giraffes and other desert wildlife wandering between the dunes and these elongated oases of the Skeleton Coast deserts.

In southern Africa’s oldest national park of Etosha, our tour spends four days on safari in open-topped vehicles, waterhole hopping at the peak time of the year when thirsty animals teem around any sources of water to drink.  During our safaris, we will search for Africa’s largest wild elephants, prides of lions, black and white rhinoceros, and numerous species of ungulates, including Hartmann’s Mountain Zebras, listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.

The Himba – Namibia’s Red Ochre People of the Desert

Wild Images is proud to have an extremely long relationship with Namibia’s Himba, the iconic red ochre people of the Kaokoland deserts in the north of the country near Angola.

When we first created our Namibia tour, we carefully sought out a non-tourist experience for our guests that provided not only unrivalled photographic experiences through cultural immersion but also benefitted Himba communities directly at the same time.

For two incredible nights and one day of our tour, we will take you to visit several remote communities of Himba people that are hidden in a valley they deem sacred.  Staying at a secluded lodge that is run by Himba people for the communities in the valley, your room will share part of a 270 degree vista that has moved some of our previous guests to tears.  Up there, the only sounds you will hear are of the wind, the birds and the occasional cry of Himba children herding their livestock deep in the valley below.

Over one incredible day, you will learn how Himba people find water by walking with them to wells. You will be shown medicinal and perfume plants on an easy walk through the foothills before visiting ancient burial sites and traditional villages that are more or less untouched by the outside world.  Our expert guide and translator will be on hand to answer any questions you might have about these fascinating people, while our photography guides show you how to best capture portraits and village life in these remote, friendly communities.

What makes our Namibia Photography Tour different?

Given the warm, friendly nature of Namibia and its incredible diversity of photographic subjects, it is hardly surprising that many photography tour companies offer trips of various lengths in this superb country.

Our tour travels the length of this spectacular country at the absolute best time to photograph wildlife.  The main rain season in Namibia usually falls between December and April.  During this time, water is widely available across the country and the vegetation is lush.  During the rainy season and up until the end of May, wildlife photography can be difficult in these conditions.  The peak wildlife viewing in Namibia is during the months of September and October, when the waterholes are drying up and the vegetation has been grazed.  It is this time you can experience the magical golden light with less obstructed views of an abundance of wildlife congregating at waterholes.

Our tour has also been meticulously planned to take place during the new moon when Namibia’s dark night skies are at their best for celestial photography while we traverse the southern part of the country.

Through numerous visits to Namibia, we have an unparalleled level of expertise in locating the best photographic locations.  We don’t just focus on the main tour circuit with all of its iconic destinations; we go deeper into the country to find some of its most precious and hidden wildlife while showing you how to best capture it all in photos.

Our guides stem from the country’s leading natural history family and from extensive photographic visual storytelling backgrounds.  While travelling with us, we not only show you the unseen, but we help you to tell a story through your portfolio of the trip.

Accommodation and Road Transport

Accommodation during our Namibia photography tour is a mix of mid-range standard lodges and hotels.

Our itinerary in Namibia involves long distances. Transport is by custom-built, extended Landcruisers.  The vehicle configuration is that each participant will have a window seat. Each vehicle has a pop-top roof in the vehicle that can be opened in Etosha and the ephemeral rivers.

Walking

There is very little walking on this Namibia photography tour as most of it is conducted by driving.  A short walk over undulating dunes is required to reach Dead Vlei.  A boardwalk is available to view the seals at Cape Cross, and the visits to the Himba communities will also involve short walks across the sand.

Climate

Namibia and South Africa are both extremely dry, arid landscapes with very few mosquitoes.  During the day we suggest you wear neutral coloured clothing while on safari, a broad-brimmed hat and light, long-sleeved clothes to protect you from the sun.  At night and on early morning drives a warm fleece is recommended as the night-time desert temperatures can drop to below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit).

Photographic Equipment

For wildlife photography of the larger mammals and birds, a 200-300mm lens will often be the most useful lens, but we also recommend a focal length of 400-600mm for other bird shots, mammal close-ups etc. (If your budget does not run to prime lenses, high quality 100-400mm or similar zoom lenses can be a great alternative.) For landscape and night photography, we suggest you bring a wide-angle lens from 10mm upwards.

Alternatively, you can get wonderful photography results with a high-quality digital bridge camera with an 18-20x or higher optical zoom and a good wide-angle capacity (equivalent to 24-28mm).

For photography with the Himba people you may wish to have either a wide-angle lens or a travel lens similar to a 24-105 or 70-200mm.

iPhones and iPads are useful on this trip for photographing macro subjects like Peringuey’s adders and also for the tiny lichens we will view in the desert.  You may find mobile devices are also great for taking small videos of the wildlife we will encounter during our tour.

If you have questions about what equipment you ought to bring, please contact us.

 

Photographic Highlights

  • A true adventure spanning the entire country from Fish River Canyon in the south to the remote Kaokoland region near the border of Angola
  • Our tour is timed to make the most of Namibia's incredible night skies for celestial photography
  • The otherworldly Quiver Tree Forest and dolerite stacks of the Giant’s Playground for sunrise and sunset photography
  • The incredible red dune landscapes of the Sossusvlei including golden hour photography in Namibia’s most iconic destination, Dead Vlei
  • The world’s oldest plants, Welwitschia mirabilis in the stunning red granite landscapes of northern Namibia
  • A search for Africa’s “Little Five” in the dunes of Swakopmund (Namib Web-footed Gecko, Namaqua Chameleon, Peringuey's Adder, Shovel-snouted Lizard and Toktokkie Beetle)
  • Look for prowling Black-backed Jackals in the largest African Fur Seal colony in the world at Cape Cross
  • A search for prides of desert adapted lions and other creatures of the red granite desert system of Damaraland, including Black Rhinoceros, giraffes, zebra and the rare desert elephants of Namibia
  • Meet the Himba, Namibia’s red ochre people of the desert and some of the most beautiful people in southern Africa
  • Explore the second largest canyon on earth, Fish River Canyon, a paradise for landscape and night photography
  • Learn about Namibia's rich history while photographing the famous ruined mining town Kolmanskop and the abandoned train station at Garub.
  • Optional scenic helicopter flight over the red dune sand sea of Sossusvlei in search of Oryx and other desert wildlife
  • Photograph the stunning, wild desert-adapted horses of Namibia in their beautiful landscapes of Tsau Khaeb National Park
  • Explore the wreck of the Zeila and other ruined structures on Namibia's famous Skeleton Coast
  • A thrilling 4WD journey through the desert landscapes of Sandwich Harbour, searcing for elusive Brown Hyena and other desert wildlife
  • Visit ancient and unexplained petroglyphs painted by the Damara people, some dating back to the 9th century!
  • Etosha's incredible waterholes attract a huge variety of wildlife including Elephants, Giraffes, Zebra, Hartebeest, Springbok, Black and White Rhinoceros, Kori Bustards, Wildebeest, Lions and Cheetah plus so much more

OUTLINE ITINERARY

  • Day 1: Arrive in Windhoek and overnight
  • Day 2: We will drive south to the provincial town of Keetmanshoop, home to the famous Quiver Tree Forest
  • Day 3: After a sunrise photography session with the Quiver Trees we will drive to the second largest canyon on earth, Fish River canyon
  • Day 4: Sunrises in Fish River are breathtaking and we will enjoy a morning here before driving to Aus where we will enjoy our first sunset photography at Tsau Khaeb National Park
  • Day 5: An early start to Kolmanskop and a full day of photography in the region of Luderitz, Aus and Tsau Khaeb
  • Day 6: Drive a spectacular scenic route from Aus to Sossusvlei and arrive in time for sunset photos in the sand sea
  • Day 7: Dawn photography in the iconic Deadvlei and the rest of the day visiting the otherworldly dunescapes of Sossusvlei
  • Day 8: Final photography of Sossusvlei before driving to Walvis Bay for sunset
  • Day 9: Full day sand dune adventure exploring Sandwich Harbour for Brown Hyenas and other desert wildlife
  • Day 10: Namibia's Living Desert search for Africa's "Little Five" before an afternoon at rest in the pretty coastal town of Swakopmund
  • Day 11: Travel north to the Cape Fur Seal colony at Cape Cross and then into the rugged basalt landscapes of southern Kaokoland
  • Day 12: A full day on safari in the Hoanib ephemeral river searching for desert adapted rhinos, elephant, lions and other wildlife
  • Day 13: Drive north along the remote Skeleton Coast to a hidden, remote valley to meet Namibia's Himba people
  • Day 14: Full day with Himba people walking to wells, learning about medicinal plants, visiting villages and ancient burial sites
  • Day 15: Early start to drive southwards towards the beautiful Hoarusib ephemeral river where we will enjoy an afternoon of photography in sublimely beautiful landscapes
  • Day 16: Morning drive into Etosha, arriving to enjoy our first afternoon on safari in southern Africa's oldest wildlife reserve
  • Days 17, 18 and 19: Full days on safari in Etosha
  • Day 20: After a final safari in Etosha, drive back to Windhoek for a final dinner and farewell
  • Day 21: Our tour will end with a transfer to Windhoek airport

To see a larger map, click on the square-like ‘enlarge’ icon in the upper right of the map box.

To see (or hide) the ‘map legend’, click on the icon with an arrow in the upper left of the map box.

To change to a satellite view, which is great for seeing the physical terrain (and for seeing really fine details by repetitive use of the + button), click on the square ‘map view’ icon in the lower left corner of the ‘map legend’.

PRICE INFORMATION

Wild Images Inclusions: Our tour prices include surface transportation, accommodations, meals and entrance fees.

Our tour prices also include all tips for local guides, drivers, camp staff and accommodation/restaurant staff. We also include payments/gifts-in-kind to local people who are willing to be photographed.

Deposit: 20% of the total tour price. Our office will let you know what deposit amount is due, in order to confirm your booking, following receipt of your online booking form.

TO BOOK THIS TOUR: Click here (you will need the tour dates)


2024: confirmed £9290, $11990, €10910, AUD18100. Windhoek/Windhoek.
2026: provisional £9290, $11990, €10910, AUD18100. Windhoek/Windhoek.

Single Supplement: 2024: £410, $530, €480, AUD800.
Single Supplement: 2026: £420, $550, €500, AUD830.

There is a limited number of rooms at the small but wonderfully-situated lodge at Etaambura where we spend two nights. Depending on rooming needs, some participants may need to share rooms there. Anyone opting for single accommodation who has to share will receive a refund of the relevant part of the supplement.

If you are travelling alone, the single supplement will not apply if you are willing to share a room/tent and there is a room-mate of the same sex available.

This tour is priced in US Dollars. Amounts shown in other currencies are indicative.

Air Travel To & From The Tour: Our in-house IATA ticket agency will be pleased to arrange your air travel on request, or you may arrange this yourself if you prefer.

NAMIBIA PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR: DETAILED ITINERARY

 

Day 1

Our Namibia photography tour begins this evening at Windhoek, where we will stay overnight. Home to a population of around 300,000 people, Windhoek feels more like a large town than a capital city. It is a modern city whose architecture is sprinkled with colonial buildings that hark back to the time when Namibia was a German colony.

On the first night of our expedition we will enjoy a welcome dinner at the iconic restaurant ‘Joe’s’, the traditional start and end point for many a memorable photography expedition in the Kalahari and the Namib.

Day 2

Today we will drive south to the provincial town of Keetmanshoop in southern Namibia where we will spend the afternoon enjoying photography in the otherworldly Quiver Tree Forest and Giant’s Playground at sunset and at night while staying in our lodge next to the forest.

The Keetmanshoop area is home to the otherworldly Quiver Tree Forest, a stand of Aloe dichotoma trees that are scattered amongst dolerite rocks.

The quiver tree gets its name from the habit of the indigenous San Bushmen who made quivers from the branches of the plant as containers for their (poisonous) arrows.

Botanists have been unable to determine the age of the trees in this forest, and carbon dating in South Africa shows that the quiver tree does not live exceptionally long. Claims that they can attain an age of thousands of years are pure speculation and unfounded, but it is believed that large trees up to 5m in height could be some 200 years old.

We will spend the sunset wandering through this forest doing photography of both the Quiver Trees and the native African Rock Hyraxes or ‘Dassies’ that call the forest home.

The Quiver Trees of Keetmanshoop are also an ideal subject for night time photography as they rarely shiver, even in a stronger breeze, making them ideal subjects for long exposure photographs.  It is also blessed with low levels of light pollution and is an incredible place to watch the Namibian night sky. If the weather and time permits we will return to the forest after dinner to enjoy a night time photography session where our targets will be the Milky Way and doing star trail photography.

Day 3

After a sunrise photography session in the Quiver Tree Forest we will drive south to visit Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon on earth.  Our stunning lodge is perched high on the canyon rim with breathtaking views and it is from here we will enjoy desert and night photography of the lodge’s Quiver Trees and other plants including native euphorbias.

Day 4

Experiencing sunrise at our lodge is a breathtaking experience.  We will be up early to capture some golden hour images of this incredible scenery before driving westwards to the tiny town of Aus, on the edge of Namibia’s Tsau Khaeb National Park.  We will arrive in time to enjoy some sunset photography in this vast desert wilderness as we search for Namibia’s iconic desert-adapted wild horses.

Day 5

Today we will spend a full day doing photography in the historic ruined mining town of Kolmanskop, the abandoned train station at Garub and the scenery around Luderitz.  As the sun gets lower we will embark on another search for desert horses to photograph before returning to our lodge at the edge of the desert.

Day 6

Today we will drive the ‘scenic route’ from Aus to Sossusvlei searching for desert wildlife en-route.  This is our first afternoon to enjoy photography in Namibia’s stunning sand sea, the red dunes of Sossusvlei.  We stay at a lodge inside the park allowing us to extend our time for photography until sunset.

Day 7

This morning we will get up early to photograph the iconic Deadvlei at sunrise.  This famous clay pan is dotted with ancient camel thorn trees and is probably one of the most photographed locations in Africa, if not the world.  We will be there very early in order to capture it in the best light, before the crowds.  During the day we will take a break before heading into some more remote dune areas of the park when the afternoon light cast shadows on the dunes.

We will also see our first of the unexplained “Fairy Circles” in Namibia at Sossusvlei.

Day 8

This morning we will have an optional aerial flight at Sossusvlei for our guests.  Photographers not wishing to take the flight will enjoy a last morning of landscape photography in this stunning region.  We will then drive towards the bustling coastal city of Walvis Bay and visit some of the lagoons that are homes to flocks of thousands of flamingos and other migratory birds.  Our beautiful hotel is on the coast away from the noise of the city.

Day 9

Adventure beckons as we undertake a full day sand dune safari across Namibia’s coastal desert to Sandwich Harbour.  It is here we will go in search of the elusive Brown Hyena while exploring these gigantic dunes that fall into the wild Atlantic Ocean.  It is here that we will also search for other desert wildlife including Oryx, Springbok, Ostrich and Black-backed Jackals, alongside migratory birds, Cape Fur Seals and reptiles.  The drives to Sandwich Harbour are thrilling and the way the light falls on these dunes is mesmerising.  Upon our return from Sandwich Harbour we will drive north to Swakopmund for two night’s stay at our comfortable hotel.

Day 10

After breakfast, we will embark on a brilliant journey through the coastal dune systems of the Dorob National Park just south of Swakopmund. Namibia is one of two places in the world where the cold waters of the Benguela current running along the coast cool down the heat of the desert to create a coastal fog that supports an entire ecosystem of its own. The other place this occurs is the Atacama Desert of northern Chile and southern Peru in South America.

The coastal fogs of the Skeleton Coast support such a tremendous amount of life that Namibia’s dune systems are, quite literally, some of the most alive deserts on earth. We will be searching for some incredible reptiles during this excursion like Shovel-nosed Lizards, Namibian Web-footed Gecko, Namaqua Chameleons, legless lizards, and Horned Vipers. Photography opportunities should be excellent. Dorob is also a fantastic place to explore the dunes for uniquely desert adapted plants like Dollarbush and birds such as the Tractrac Chat.

We will also learn more about the origin of Namibia’s shifting sands in the reserve and the mineral make up of the different coloured sands of the dunes.

Stopping in Swakopmund for lunch, we will then enjoy an afternoon at rest in this lovely town.  It’s a great place to charge batteries, go shopping, explore some beautiful colonial architecture and even enjoy some photography on foot in the town’s gardens.

Day 11

This morning we will make a sightseeing drive north of Swakopmund to visit the town’s saltworks in search of birds to photograph.  We will then drive to the wrecked fishing trawler of the ‘Zeila’, stopping there for some scenic photography before driving north to Cape Cross.

Nearly a quarter of a million Cape Fur Seals call Cape Cross home during their peak breeding months of October and November. In the lead up to the season, well over 200,000 are present in this gargantuan coastal colony. To see Cape Cross is a visual spectacular of seals, seabirds and if we are lucky, predatory animals like Brown Hyena which take advantage of young, elderly or unwell seals as prey.  It is a seething mass of wildlife that is unrivalled anywhere in southern Africa.  It is here we will also stop to photograph the pretty lichens in the coastal rock deserts of the region.

Leaving Cape Cross, we will drive north to Torra before we travel inland to escape the fog of the Skeleton Coast.  When the dunes subside, they give way to the incredible red granite landscapes of Damaraland, one of Namibia’s most untouched and spectacular wilderness areas, and a wonderful place for landscape photography..

Our adventure inland begins here as we traverse a rugged 4WD, unmarked trail to reach our destination of Khowarib, near the headwaters of Namibia’s Hoanib ephemeral river, where we overnight at a comfortable lodge. On our drive we will see massive outcrops of Euphorbia Damarana and red mesa type mountains as we search for this region’s uniquely adapted desert wildlife that includes Black Rhinos, Elephants, zebra, giraffe, Klippspringe, Steinbok and a myriad of birds.

Damaraland is when we get our first taste of the real Africa.  It is home to two wonderful tribes of people that are distantly related – the Herero and the Himba – and on our journey into Damaraland we will begin to see the beautiful Herero women in their Victorian dresses and unique cow-horn shaped head dress.  We will also begin to see the red-ochre-coloured women of the Himba.

Day 12

Today we will spend a full day searching for the extremely rare and wild ‘Desert Lions’ of Namibia.  Under the advice of local guides we will spend a full day attempting to find prides of desert lions around the Hoanib.  While lions roam all of Africa, Namibia’s desert adapted lions are unique in that they have learned to survive in one of the harshest landscapes on earth.  There are several prides known to researchers working in this region and we will be attempting to locate one or more in their spectacular desert terrain to photograph them.

It is important to remember that the desert lions of Namibia are completely wild and not living within reserves as the lions we will see elsewhere on our trip will be. If we find a pride, to see them in this landscape will be one of the wildlife highlights of our photography expedition through Namibia.

Day 13

It is today that the expedition style of our tour begins as we drive north along a remote stretch of the Skeleton Coast to reach an extremely isolated valley of Himba communities.  Our lodge is specifically design for and run by Himba people to directly benefit the local communities.  From a distance it is barely visible but when you arrive,  you are surrounded by 270 degree views of Kaokolands incredible landscapes.  We will arrive in time to enjoy sundowners overlooking this incredible place.

Day 14

Today we will spend a full day with the famous Himba people of Namibia, visiting them in their villages, exploring ancient burial grounds, walking with them to wells and learning how these fascinating people survive in this remote desert.  These holy plains are steeped in mystery, with several different stories of why the area was consecrated by the semi-nomadic Himba herders who live here. But one thing is sure, hunting is strictly forbidden.  Tradition has it that animals on the plains are protected by the ancestral spirits.

Our lodge is the ideal place to relax and there is even some local wildlife.  You might see a Klippspringer at dusk or a Jameson’s Rock Rabbit. Tiny footprints are evidence of genets and African Wild Cats. The calls of a diversity of birds, the whispery rustle of paper-bark and other Commiphora trees, bottle trees in bloom, the rich hues of purple-pod Terminalia with unimpeded 360 degree views make this unique spot unforgettable. After a wildlife photography drive where you might be fortunate enough to see Black Rhinoceros, enjoy a stroll and explore the hill, a botanical treasure trove with its many endemic species of plants and shrubs.

Wild Images specifically chose our lodge to base our experience with the Himba because all of the profits made by the lodge are directed back to the communities it supports.

Day 15

This morning we will embark on our journey south to visit another of Namibia’s beautiful ephemeral rivers, the Hoarusib, which is home to a kaleidoscope of geology that creates stunning landscapes.  It is here we will explore the river on safari in search of more desert wildlife including giraffes, elephants and antelope, before returning to our simple guest house run by a small local community.

Day 16

Leaving the Hoarusib early, we will drive towards Etosha, arriving in time to enjoy our first afternoon on safari in southern Africa’s oldest game reserve.

Days 17 to 19

Etosha, meaning ‘Great White Place’, is dominated by a massive mineral pan. The pan is part of the Kalahari Basin, the floor of which was formed around 1000 million years ago. The Etosha Pan covers around 25% of the National Park. The pan was originally a lake fed by the Kunene River. However the course of the river changed thousands of years ago and the lake dried up. The pan now is a large dusty depression of salt and dusty clay which fills only if the rains are heavy and even then only holds water for a short time. This temporary water in the Etosha Pan attracts thousands of wading birds including impressive flocks of flamingos. The perennial springs along the edges of the Etosha Pan draw large concentrations of wildlife and birds.

A San legend about the formation of the Etosha Pan tells of how a village was raided and everyone but the women slaughtered. One woman was so upset about the death of her family she cried until her tears formed a massive lake. When the lake dried up nothing was left apart from a huge white pan.

The wildlife viewing and photography in Etosha National Park is excellent, the best time being from May to September – the cooler months in Namibia. Visitors to Etosha Game Reserve can expect to see many antelope species, African Elephant, Giraffe, White Rhinocereos and Lions. More fortunate visitors will see Leopard and Cheetah. There is a network of roads linking the five camps and subsidiary roads lead to various waterholes.

These three days will be spent on photosafari in Etosha National Park, where we will search for the largest elephants in Africa and a myriad of mammal and bird species. Stopping briefly (where allowed) to hop out for photographs, our vehicle-based exploration of Etosha will traverse many of the park’s side tracks and visit many water holes, the epicentres of Etosha’s wildlife activity. Wildlife photography opportunities simply abound here and you are sure to come away with a large number of satisfying images.

Day 20

Leaving Etosha behind, we will drive back to Windhoek for our farewell dinner at the stunning Riverview Lodge, located within its own wildlife reserve.

Day 21

Our Namibia & The Kalahari photography tour will end this morning at Windhoek.

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