Compare Namibia Photo Safari by Want Expeditions vs Namibia in 10 days - Safari, Sand Dunes & Naukluft Mountains - Charm by Exoticca
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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Duration | 14 days | 10 days |
Price From | $ 7,730 | $ 3,299 |
Price Per Day | $ 552 | $ 330 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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Countries Visited | ||
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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Meals Included | N/A | 9 breakfasts and 3 dinners. |
Description |
Join professional photographer and wildlife artist, Sharon Schafer, for an unforgettable photo safari through one of the most photogenic countries in Africa... Namibia! From wildlife, to culture, to landscapes, Namibia offers the chance to improve your skills and increase your portfolio through hands on instruction on choosing the right lenses, camera settings, and subject matter. You'll visit Etosha National Park, renown for its waterholes packed with stunning wildlife, travel via hot air balloon over massive red sand dunes in Sossusvlei, explore the bush with fascinating local tribes, visit the largest seal colony in the world, and more! Without a doubt, Namibia guarantees an unforgettable trip for any professional or aspiring photographer and artist. |
Travel to Namibia and discover the most impressive landscapes in Africa. Experience unforgettable safaris in the Etosha National Park. Enjoy the otherworldly landscape of Sesriem, the ancient rock carvings of Twyfelfontein and surprise yourself with the atmosphere of charming Swakopmund. See the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei and explore the Naukluft Mountains. |
Day 1: Arrive to Windhoek
Accommodation: Luxury hotel
Your special photography safari of Namibia commences upon international arrival at Windhoek airport. After you collect your baggage and exit the airport, you will be greeted upon arrival by our driver, and transferred to our beautiful hotel. To make sure you have time to relax and unwind, our official program doesn't begin until 7 PM, when you will gather in the hotel's gourmet restaurant for a welcome dinner and chance to discuss your photography objectives with your guide.
Day 2: Windhoek/Waterberg Plateau National Park
Accommodation: Luxury safari lodge
From Windhoek, we head north to the Waterberg Plateau National Park – our first nature stop and great introduction to African wildlife on this itinerary. Due to the distance we have to cover today, and the exciting opportunities that await, we'll have very few stops enroute, but your guide will take advantage of the time to discuss equipment, light conditions and photography techniques you can expect to utilize on this trip. With its 800 million years old rock formations and thick dry forest cover, Waterberg Plateau sticks out of the surrounding Acacia savannah, and provides safe breeding grounds for dozens of rare antelope and other mammal species, as well as over 200 varieties of birds. It's unique location is perfect for our first opportunity at night photography, so be sure to unpack those tripods.
Day 3: Waterberg Plateau NP/Kalahari Desert
Accommodation: Comfortable country lodge
Perhaps the most important component of wildlife photography, is taking advantage of the morning and evening lights. Not only is this critical for capturing golden hues, but wildlife is most active during these times, so expect an early wake-up for your first safari in the Namibian bush. Waterberg is home to giraffes, rare Roan and Sable Antelopes, but most excitingly, the White Rhino. We'll spend the morning focusing on subjects as they slowly move about the park and along the sides of this steep mountain plateau. Following a quick lunch, we'll get back on the road, and continue in a northerly direction to one of the most remote corners of Namibia -a vast area, home to the gentle, nomadic San Bushman people, to where very few dedicated travelers ever venture. We enjoy lunch at a lodge close to Grootfontein, and then travel along a wide, comfortable gravel road directly east. This road will take us almost all the way to the Botswana border, into the heartland of the endless Kalahari dry bush, where several San Bushmen villages exist in their traditional forms and lifestyles. We plan to reach our lodge just before the sun sets, so that we can enjoy the evening with a drink in our hands under the tall thatched roof of the restaurant area, followed by dinner and an early bed time.
Day 4: Kalahari Desert
Accommodation: Comfortable country lodge
Due to their gentle, nomadic nature, coupled with the discovery of diamonds in their ancestral lands, the indigenous San Bushman people have become one of the most endangered and exploited tribes of Africa. However, thanks to public awareness, and conceited efforts by the Living Culture Foundation of Namibia, we have a special opportunity to support conservation of their traditional culture, while experiencing genuine, authentic interactions with these charismatic peoples. As a living museum, we are welcomed as guests into their "homes," and will spend the morning photographing them as they go about their daily lives. While photography is our focus, we encourage your to put your cameras down and accept their invitation to partake in their daily on goings, like foraging for water sources, to preparing traditional hunting weapons, including snares, bows, and arrows, as well as making traditional jewelry from carved ostrich shells and various seed pods. From their traditional clothing, or lack thereof, their ability to survive in such a harsh environment, while maintaining a unbelievably friendly welcoming nature. An afternoon with the San Bushmen is not soon forgotten, and your photos will serve as souvenir for life. We plan to be back to our lodge for dinner, and depending on sky conditions, we'll have another opportunity for night sky photography.
Day 5: Kalahari Desert /Etosha National Park
Accommodation: Halali Park Lodge
Despite the desert landscape, our lodge is an oasis for a multitude of birds, especially sunbirds, fluttering from flower to flower, gathering nectar to power them through their day. For those of you that would like to practice your bird photography, we encourage you to wake at sunrise, and venture through the grounds to capture these beautiful birds with their elegant sickle bills contrasting against the morning sky. After breakfast, we drive to the Eastern most gates of Etosha National Park. One of the most unique features of the park is its impressive pan that stretches 130km wide and 50 km long. This flat, endless, pan provides an incredible set to capture Africa's most iconic wildlife. In addition to the pan, Etosha offers rich yellowish scrub, and dusty grey/blue skies, which create glowing orange sunsets with iconic silhouettes of the park's inhabitants like giraffe. Few people know, that Etosha is one of the best places in the world for night photography, but visitors can only take advantage of this by staying at the park lodges. For this reason, following dinner, we'll head to our lodge's waterhole to watch a theatrical wildlife performance that calls to mind The Carnival of Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns, as Elephants, Rhinos, Hyenas, and the occasional Leopard enter and exit, as if on cue, throughout the night and just meters away.
Day 6: Etosha National Park
Accommodation: Okaukeujo Park Lodge
Staying inside the park provides two critical advantages: access to the waterholes at night, and game drives that start before sunrise. Driving through the park during this period of times allows us the chance to observe and photograph nocturnal animals, particularly predators, as they move about in search of their next meal. We'll return to the lodge for breakfast, check out, then make our way further west, checking in to our next lodge for lunch and a short siesta, before starting our afternoon drive. Centrally located, our lodge gives us access in both Eastern and Western directions, and its waterhole provides the best opportunity to photograph the endangered black rhino.
Day 7: Etosha National Park
Accommodation: Okaukeujo Park Lodge
Wildlife photography is as much about patience, understanding, and anticipation of movement, as it is about good camera techniques. Today we'll dive deeper into more sophisticated methods of shooting, and for those ready to take the leap, it is a great day to practice shooting on manual following instruction from your guide. We'll spend a full day driving, returning to the lodge for lunch and siesta, followed by an afternoon drive, then dinner, and another opportunity at Okaukeujo's floodlit waterhole after sundown.
Day 8: Etosha NP/Grootberg
Accommodation: Luxury Eco-lodge
From Okaukeujo, we head towards the western most portion of the park. Along the way, we'll stop at multiple waterholes that are action packed as bachelor herds of Oryx, Springbox, Zebra, and Wildebeest spare on the dusty plains to prepare themselves for competition once mating season begins. At any given waterhole, it's not unusual to see all of these species gathering, along with Lions, Jackal, Ostrich, and many other species coming and going from this precious liquid resource. Be sure to pack extra memory cards, and bring your long lens. By noon, we'll reach Dolomite lodge, which is set atop a massive granite foundation, and is our last stop for lunch before exiting the park. Upon exiting the park, we head to Grootberg, and check-in to our eco-lodge which is perched on a plateau, and overlooks one of the most stunning valleys in Namibia. We've chosen this special place, not just because of the incredible view, and wonderful food, but Grootberg lodge focuses directly on community based eco-conservation, by working directly to protect the culture of the Himba people and the wildlife that surround their lands. Tonight we invite you to enjoy a sundowner as we gaze upon the beautiful valley below us.
Day 9: Grootberg/Damaraland
Accommodation: Luxury safari lodge
Much like the San Bushmen, The Himba people are one of the last nomadic tribes of Africa, and with their unique beauty regiment, they are easily the most beautiful to photograph. Each day, the women spend hours grinding clumps of ochre, collected from the harsh landscape, and combine it with butterfat. This lotion-like substance is then rubbed onto their skin, and elaborately braided hair. The mixture, known as otjize, serves not just as a symbol of beauty, but also a sun and insect repellent. Finding ways to meld with the arid environment, rather than a traditional water bath, Himba women perfume and deodorizes themselves with a herbal scented smoke that gives off a pleasant smell, and gives a photographer the opportunity to focus on tiny details in their beaded calfskin garments. We’ll spend the majority of the morning here before heading southeast into an area full of impressive sandstone formations that make a perfect backdrop to capture the evening lights and beautiful sunset.
Day 10: Damaraland/Skeleton Coast/Swakopmund
Accommodation: Beautiful city hotel
After breakfast, we start the morning with a visit to Twyfelfontein world heritage site, where bushman communities engraved and painted over 2500 pictures some 6000 years ago. Then, less than 15 minutes away, we will pay a visit at the Damara Living Museum. Much like our experience with the San Bushmen, this living museum provides genuine cultural interactions, while serving to protect and empower one of Namibia's native tribes. Its a quick drive back to our lodge for lunch, before heading southwest to cross the desolate ‘gravel plains’ of the Namib Desert before reaching the ‘Skeleton Coast.’ The Skeleton Coast derives its name from the various shipwrecks that dot its coastline. As we head south towards our evening's destination, Swakopmund, we'll stop to photograph the decrepit, rusting, ghost ships being slowly consumed by the ocean and sea air. As a winter resort-like destination for German nationals, Swakopmund is almost a shock to the senses with its quaint downtown, after traveling through Namibia's vast and unpopulated territory. Our goal is to reach here mid-afternoon to allow time to relax and unwind while strolling the city's streets, then we'll gather at a restaurant for good German brew's and traditional food.
Day 11: Namib Desert/Sossusvlei
Accommodation: Lodge
By now, any visitor will have a serious appreciation for Namibia's changing landscape, and how spectacular life thrives despite harsh conditions, and the Namib desert is no exception. Our morning focus will be photographing the fauna and flora that have adapted to survive in this harsh, but beautiful environment. Highlights include: snakes like, Side-winders and Horned Adders, scorpions, Namaqua Chameleons, Reticulated Lizards, legless skink, and Palmato Gecko. From here we drive straight to Sossusvlei hoping to catch the sun disappearing behind the horizon, painting the surrounding sand dunes flaming red. A nice dinner and an early bed time will endure that we have enough energies for the early start tomorrow.
Day 12: Sossusvlei
Accommodation: Lodge
Perhaps there is no other more impressive sight, and must visit for photographer's than Sossusvlei. With it's massively sweeping dunes shifting in the morning lights, we will set out to capture the dramatic contrast of shadows as the sun rises into the sky. The occasional Acacia tree or Oryx, and dune climber, serve as the perfect contrast to capture the scale of this impressive landscape. We will explore throughout the day here, and be sure to visit the famous Dead Vlei, where red dunes provide a breathtaking backdrop to centuries old, dry trees standing in a dry desert pan. For a more dramatic effect, serves as an exciting opportunity to practice black and white photography, as well as learning how to capture a single subject in an incredible landscape. Tonight we've arranged a special dinner in the bush, and will utilize the vast, clear night sky to practice night photography.
Day 13: Sossusvlei/Windhoek
Accommodation: Luxury Hotel
To photograph the Sossusvlei by land is one thing, but to really appreciate how vast and beautiful this landscape is, we've included an unforgettable hot air balloon ride for a different perspective. Well before sunrise, we head into the park where handlers are preparing hot air balloons on which we will ascend into the sky, and noiselessly drift through the park and across ancient riverbeds. From this angle, the morning lights give us the opportunity to play with scale and creativity, as animals, our balloon and the dunes themselves cast shadows at irregular angles. After touching down, we'll enjoy a delicious champagne breakfast, before heading to our vehicles for our return to Windhoek. Our hotel this evening is perched high over the city, and we can enjoy one last sundowner, while capturing the city lights, before gathering for our farewell dinner.
Day 14: Windhoek/Departure
After a relaxing breakfast you will be transferred to Windhoek International Airport for the first leg of your journey back home. This is the official end of our voyage, thank you for joining us and have a safe flight home, or a safe onward journey if you are continuing with us to Botswana.
Day 1: US - Night on board
Arrive at your US departure airport ready to board a flight to Windhoek, the Namibian capital. Night on board.* * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Day 2: Windhoek - Otjiwarongo
Touch down in Windhoek and meet your guide at the airport. If you arrive early in the day, enjoy a short city tour and stop for a coffee whilst waiting for the rest of the group to arrive before departing to Otjiwarongo. Arrive in Otjiwarongo, set in beautiful countryside and depending on your arrival time, enjoy a visit at the local wood carvers market in Okahandja. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight stay in Otjwarongo.
Day 3: Otjiwarongo - Etosha National Park
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, set off for Etosha National Park, home to a diverse array of wildlife. On the way, stop at a traditional Himba Village to experience the culture of this unique community.* Continue into the wilds of Etosha and enjoy spectacular game-viewing on the way to the lodge, admiring the landscapes dotted with wildlife such as lions, giraffes, elephants and rhinos. Arrive at the lodge and get comfortable, soaking up the amazing landscapes. Be sure to make time to watch the sunset over the vast plains of Etosha. Overnight stay in Etosha. * Important: For the visit to the Himba Village, a mandatory fee of NAD 450.00 (local currency) must be paid at the destination.
Day 4: Etosha National Park
After breakfast at the lodge, set off on an unforgettable full-day game drive through abundant Etosha National Park in a special open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle. Keep an eye out for large predators, beautiful game species as well as colorful and unique bird species. Snap photos, take in the landscapes and look out for wildlife. Etosha is home to 114 mammal species and 340 varieties of bird. Overnight stay in Etosha.
Day 5: Etosha National Park - Damaraland
Breakfast at the lodge. Continue your adventure the morning as you depart for Damaraland, an untamed, rugged and beautiful desert landscape. Known for its spectacular rock formations, see the regions most iconic sights such as the ancient rock engravings of Twyfelfontein, the granite peaks of Spitzkoppe and the huge Brandberg Mountain. Explore the impressive Petrified Forest and unearth the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Twyfelfontein. Afterwards, transfer to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Damaraland.
Day 6: Damaraland - Swakopmund
After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, set off to Swakopmund, Namibia's most famous coastal city, known for its charming German colonial architecture. Along the way, pay a visit to the settlement of Uis and continue along the coast. Arrive at the hotel in Swakopmund and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, enjoying the sandy Atlantic coastline and the colorful buildings that line the beach. Overnight stay in Swakopmund.
Day 7: Swakopmund
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure in Swakopmund. Explore this unique coastal oasis, nestled between the Atlantic and the dunes of the Namib desert. See the half-timbered Woermannhaus, a relic of German architecture, today a public library, examine precious gems at the Kristall Galerie museum, home to a huge collection of precious stones and jewels, or explore the famous Skeleton Coast. We recommend an optional Dolphin Cruise on Walvis Bay.* Overnight stay in Swakopmund. * Optional Dolphin Cruise on Walvis Bay: Experience the biodiversity of Walvis Bay on an exciting dolphin-spotting cruise. Look out for friendly seals and pods of dolphins as you cruise on Walvis Bay and enjoy fresh oysters and champagne on board.
Day 8: Swakopmund - Soussusvlei - Naukluft Mountains
Breakfast at the hotel. It's time to explore Namibia's most famous landscapes in Sossusvlei, a photographers paradise known for its huge red sand dunes. Pass through Namib Naukluft Park, between the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the edge of the Great Escarpment, and continue to the breathtaking Naukluft Mountains, known for their rich wildlife including mountain zebras and leopards. Take in the spectacular views of red sand dunes, strange welwitschia plants, endemic to the Namib desert, along the way and transfer to the lodge. Dinner and overnight stay in the Naukluft Mountains.
Day 9: Naukluft Mountains - Soussusvlei - Naukluft Mountains
After breakfast at the lodge, set off early into the vast landscapes of Soussusveli to explore the Sesriem Canyon, shaped by the Tsauchab River over millions of years. Appreciate the breathtaking rock formations and learn about how the canyon has been an important source of water in an otherwise arid region. See the gravity-defying Dune 45 and the breathtaking white clay pan of Deadvlei before returning to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in the Naukluft Mountains.
Day 10: Naukluft Mountains - Windhoek
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free morning before transferring back to the lively city of Windhoek. This afternoon, enjoy a city tour to learn more about the capital. See its most emblematic sights such as the Old Fort before visiting a local township, a vibrant neighborhood where you can experience authentic Namibian culture. Overnight stay in Windhoek.
Day 11: Windhoek - Night on board
Breakfast* at the hotel. Spend the morning at your leisure and then check-out. Transfer to the airport for a return flight back to the US. Night on board. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
Day 12: US
Arrive in the US and end your trip.