Summary

The Namibian desert is high on the bucket list for any landscape photographer: Stark desert sands, an endless sky studded with the Milky Way, stretching out over marching desert dunes. The country beckons with incredible landscape opportunities around virtually every corner! Cornelius Muller and Chris Allan will be leading the 6th Nature’s Light Namibia photographic Workshop and Tour; to five of the most spectacular of Namibia’s scenic icons. We take you to the magical Quiver Tree Forest, have you shoot the Fish River Canyon and the abandoned Kolmanskop Mining Town, then we Compose The Dunes at the world renowned Sossus & Dead Vlei in the Namib Desert, and close off by photographing the iconic Spitzkoppe Mountains. As an added bonus, we take you to photograph pelicans in flight at Swakopmund’s Sandwich Harbour, a wetland of international importance. A truly remarkable and unforgettable experience
​WHEN
Early November 2024
PRICE
EUR 7,200
FOCUS
LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP SIZE
7 MAX
INSTRUCTOR GUEST RATIO
1:3
DURATION
14 DAYS
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
MOSTLY LUXURY (4 STAR), WITH ONE 3 STAR ACCOMMODATION.
NUMBER OF DESTINATIONS
6

Guest Reviews

2019 Reviews
"Nature's Light offer outstanding experiences for serious photographers. Expert, enthusiastic tuition and access to the best photo locations at the most photogenic times of day (and night) with what must be the best tutor-client ratio available anywhere: generally 3 to 1. Emil (who led us in 2019) is a fine photographer, an inspiring tutor and an enthusiastic companion — and it's all infectious! I defy anyone to leave this trip without great pictures and better technique. You will come away tired but happy! I'm already plotting my next trip with Nature's Light, wherever it turns out to be."
– Kevin Bonnett, United Kingdom, participant in the 2019 Workshop Tour.
"I cannot say enough positive things about my workshop experience with Nature's Light. Echoing others' comments (loudly!), every aspect was absolutely superb -- shoot locations and time of day, attention/help and extremely, valuable feedback from our leader Emil, logistics, organisation, and communication. Hands down, I've never learned so much from a photo workshop before. Also, as mentioned, Emil's passion, enthusiasm, and energy are infectious and, coupled with his eagerness to share a deep knowledge of photography (creative AND technical) and of the places we visited, made the workshop an experience of a lifetime. Despite having just returned from the trip, I'm already looking forward to joining a Nature's Light workshop in the future."
– Rich Silver, United States of America, participant in the 2019 Workshop Tour.
"I have just returned from the most amazing couple of weeks in the southern part of Namibia. This was not my first visit, and it's a country that I already knew I loved. This workshop however took my appreciation of the stunning landscapes to a whole new level, and my photography developed in leaps and bounds, thanks in no small part to Emil, who led the trip. I would thoroughly recommend this workshop to the photography enthusiast of any level, with an interest in landscape photography, and Nature's Light as a provider of photography training and tuition were exceptional."
– Alison Tetley, United Kingdom, participant in the 2019 Workshop Tour.
2017 Review
"This was the most incredible photography experience ever…the professionalism and knowledge of Nature’s Light instructors is second to none. Evening sessions included making instructional training videos, critiques, and individual instruction when needed. The instructors are experts in knowing when, where and how. No time was wasted. Our accommodations were beautiful and unique. I would rank the Namibia photography workshop with Nature’s Light as a top life experience which took my photography skills to a whole new level."
– Betty J Dent, United States of America, participant in the 2017 Workshop Tour.
2014 Review
“A fan-bloody-tastic tour. The level of tuition was outstanding, with Nick and Emil making themselves always available. Nick with his unflappable attention to tour details and logistics, his concern for guests’ comfort and enjoyment. Emil with his exuberant and ever present photographer’s admiration of every vista that this magnificent country presents, his unending enthusiasm, and his phenomenal knowledge of photography. Enjoyment level 10 of out 10.”
– Mark Weaver, United Kingdom, participant in the 2014 Workshop Tour.


In Detail

Composing the dunes
Please note that this tour is not a traditional relaxing holiday! It is a serious photographic workshop with teaching sessions/lectures at locations, and photography guidance in the field. It is for those photographers/photography enthusiasts who want to take their photography to the next level, with a steep learning curve, while visiting iconic destinations with a tutor on site to help them create masterful images. 

The emphasis is very strongly on landscape photography, and teaching sessions covering both creative, technical and editing aspects. Participants can choose what topics they would like to have covered during the workshop. In doing so, teaching needs can be assessed during the workshop and tailor made to suit individuals needs. Therefore, this workshop is suitable for both beginners as well as experienced photographers, and where and when required, the group can be divided so that the two instructors and their assistant can each teach different topics and over various experience levels. 

To offer true versatility and flexibility the workshop tours the country with two four wheel drive vehicles each taking 3 or 4 people. Accommodation is varied ranging from 3 star chalets to 4 star lodges, all ensuring the best possible access to the photographic locations. Having 2 staff to 7 participants ensures the best teacher- student ratio available on the market. Good to know: The tour is pretty much all inclusive so you will have very little extra expenses! The workshop can also be extended with a safari holiday visiting the famous wildlife reserves of Namibia and surrounding countries. Talk to us for more details. 

Read on to see why we are confident that you will want to book this workshop with us! 
Key highlights
          Photograph: 
  • The magical Quiver Tree Forest 
  • The breathtaking Fish River Canyon 
  • The deserted Kolmanskop Mining Town & coastal town of Luderitz 
  • Sossus Vlei & Dead Vlei 
  • Namib Desert 
  • Pelicans in flight at Swakopmund's Sandwich Harbour
  • Spitzkoppe Mountains

          Enjoy: 
  • Probably the world’s best instructor to participant ratio, maximizing your learning 
  • Having highly experienced tutors watching over your shoulders and helping you on the spot as you craft your image of Namibia’s most iconic destinations 
  • A (optional) scenic flight over the Namib Desert, Sossus Vlei & Dead Vlei, allowing you to take truly unique images of this spectacular scenery!

          Learn about: 
  • Creative Composition: The basics and beyond, such as The Element Approach, Balancing Composition etc. 
  • Basics to advanced techniques in digital landscape photography. There are three instructors meaning that virtually all levels of photographer can be catered for. 
  • Workflow & digital asset management. 
  • How to create awe-inspiring astrophotography and star trail images. 
  • Painting with light. 
  • How to create panoramic images. 
  • How to create time lapses (optional) 
  • Post-production using Lightroom and Photo Shop
  • Emil regularly runs workshops and classes on Lightroom, Photoshop layers and masking and luminosity masking. These sessions will be included in the travel itinerary for those who want to spend more time on these aspects.
Itinerary
Day 1 - All guests arrive in windhoek
​Guests arrive and are transferred to the guest house where there is time to spend the rest of the day relaxing by the pool and resting after the long journey. 
One of the photography leaders will be there to meet the guests and can familiarize everyone with the plan for the next exciting two weeks! 
Day 2 - Afternoon shoot at keetmanshoop
After breakfast in Windhoek, our small group will start the journey through this beautiful country to Keetmanshoop where we will meet up with the other photography leader and his assistant. This afternoon we will have a short introductory lecture and a photo-shoot amongst the famous Quiver trees and dolomite rock formations. 
There are multiple locations at this phenomenal site. The advantage of multiple vehicles means that we will have ample space in which to photograph.
day 3 - shooting at quiver tree forest
On day 3 we will be up early for a dawn shoot, some relaxation time and a teaching session will follow. We will also have some guided editing time in the afternoon and of course, more photo-shoots in the evening; with an optional star-trail shoot to end the exciting day.
day 4 - fish river canyon
We start our day with an optional dawn shoot followed by breakfast and our departure. We travel to the amazing Fish River Canyon. After lunch at the lodge we will have some time to relax. In the evening we will be doing a photo-shoot of the Canyon itself. We will arrive in time to watch the light settle on the horizon and cast shadows through this giant’s playground of erosion. We watch the last of the light before heading to dinner  and a well-deserved rest ​
day 5 & 6 - luderitz and kolmanskop
We leave the magnificent Fish River Canyon after a critique session and travel to the coastal town of Luderitz. To break up the drive we will stop at an old railway house to have a short photo shoot. 

The amazing and hauntingly beautiful abandoned mining town of Kolmanskop has to be one of the highlights of your visit. We will be staying at the comfortable Luderitz Nest Hotel (with its own tidal beach and walk-on jetty). 

As photographers we are able to arrange for a special permit to enter Kolmanskop prior to dawn. This allows for a fantastic opportunity to walk through these old buildings and homes, which the desert has been slowly encroaching upon. We spend the full morning here photographing the desert and its captive buildings before returning to the Nest Hotel for lunch. We return again in the late afternoon to shoot the dying light as well as spend an evening photographing the stars.
day 7, 8 & 9 - Namib-Naukluft National Park, sand Dunes & Dead Vlei 
On the seventh day we have a relatively long travel day driving towards Sesriem Canyon and the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Although long, there will be opportunities to stop to take images of the rust coloured sands of the Namib-Naukluft Desert. In the evening we have dinner and relax at the lodge as it overlooks the start of the ‘red dunes’ into the desert. 

On day eight we are up early to get dawn shots of the famous Sossusvlei. Guests have the option to book a helicopter or plane flight over the dunes! This offers a great way to see and photograph the famous dunes from a different perspective. In 2014 we captured some great and unique images this way, and would recommend it to anyone! If all guests wish to book a flight, some will take the early morning flight while the others will take the following days late afternoon flight. After our photo shoot of Sossusvlei, or your exciting flight, we return to the lodge for a rest followed by some teaching and guided editing time. This evening we will complete a photo-shoot of Deadvlei with its iconic trees. There is time enough for trying out compositions, ask for guidance from the instructors and taking test shots etc.,. 

Day nine sees a super early start to create star trail images over the stark skeletal tree forms of Dead Vlei followed by a morning shoot in the same location. The stars are spectacular and well worth the lack of sleep! After our morning shoot it is back to the lodge for a rest. In the afternoon we will have another critique session followed by another opportunity to photograph Sossusvlei. Those who have not taken their scenic flight yet will do so in the late afternoon/evening; (NB the helicopter or plane flight will be dependent upon availability and obviously the weather).
day 10 - Travel to Swakopmund
Pre-dawn of day 10 we travel towards the dunes to be there in time for the rising sun. Allowing more time to create compelling images of the dunes near Sossusvlei. When the sun is up and the light has become harsh, we return to the lodge for breakfast, after which we check out and travel to Swakopmund on the coast.
This is a fairly long day of travel, on gravel roads for much of it. We drive around the edge of the Namib Naukluft National Park, edging our way towards the enormous dunes that march along the coastline. Our destination is Hotel Pension Rapmund, close to the Swakopmund Harbour, where we relax for the evening and get ready for a truly exciting day.​
day 11 - Pelicans and Dunes
As a break from landscape photography, our day starts by taking a small boat out onto the waters of the Swakopmund Harbour. This trip allows for unparalleled access to the population of Pink-backed Pelicans and Flamingos that abound in this area. The pelicans literally fly alongside the boat, allowing for wide-angle photography of birds in flight.
After lunch we take a guided tour into the dunes at the edge of the Skeleton Coast for a sunset shoot of the extraordinary colours of the sand as they glow pink-orange against the blue of the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 12 & 13 - Spitzkoppe
After a leisurely start to the morning we drive out north and then east towards the interior once more, heading towards the extraordinary rock monolith that is Spitzkoppe. We arrive by lunchtime allowing some much-earned rest before heading out to explore the amazing rock features of Spitzkoppe and Pontok Mountains. We finish the day with sundowners looking towards Spitzkoppe and photographing the dying light as it burns the mountain bright orange.

Our location within the park in the luxurious Spitzkoppe Lodge allows for round the clock access to the rock arches and cliffs of the mountain. Depending on the weather, we plan to head towards the arches after dinner in order to photograph the mountain against the stars.

Our last active day of shooting starts with an early morning rise for stars and then sunrise at the arch. After breakfast we spend a good deal of time finishing up with crit sessions and guided editing.
A late afternoon and sunset shoot finishes off the day before evening drinks and a last dinner together
Day 14 - Windhoek
This morning we finish our wonderful tour with a last (optional) dawn photo-shoot at this magnificent location in Spitzkoppe. Finally we make our way back to Windhoek where photographers can opt to fly out immediately or organize to stay near to the airport for a more leisurely departure the following day.
Dates
2-15th November 2024
2-15th November 2025
Price
€ 7,200 (2024)
€7,500 (2025)
Minimum 2 participants, maximum 6 participants.

(1-3 participants, only one photographic leader) 
(4-6 participants, two photographic leaders)


Single Supplement: EUR 550,00 - subject to availability 

Guided Tour Includes: 
  • Pickup and drop off from Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport
  • All lodging (based upon sharing)
  • Dinner day 1; Breakfast, lunch & dinner day 2-13; Breakfast & lunch day 14
  • Local tips for guides and for restaurants
  • Photography guidance by two professional photographers
  • All tuition including teaching material and hand-outs
  • All entrance fees and photography permits
  • All road transport in comfortable 4x4 vehicles
  • All toll and parking fees​

Guided Tour Excludes: 
  • Airfares to and from Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport
  • Single room supplement (€550,00)
  • Drinks and non-meal time snacks
  • Optional helicopter or Cessna flight over Sossus Vlei (± R2,800-5,800 pp, subject to change)
  • Possible extra excursions/activities and/or additional days
  • Travel insurances (mandatory!)
  • Photographic gear rental (if required)

Extensions: Please talk to us for possible extensions. Tailor Made Safaris is happy to arrange for additional days to Chobe, Caprivi Strip, Okavango Delta etc.! Click here for an example itinerary.

Please note: Accommodation can potentially differ from the establishments mentioned in this itinerary (if fully booked). In such cases we will look for suitable and similar accommodation, without charging an extra admin fee. Any changes will be discussed with you. 

​The Nature's Light Terms and Conditions apply to your booking with us. For more information see: 
Nature's Light Terms and Condition

Exciting news: One of Nick's images, taken on this workshop, won the landscape category in the prestigious Nature's Best Photography Africa Awards, and has been adorning the walls of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, while one of Emil's images taken on this workshop was chosen to feature on the Nikon International calendar 2016!
Check out our amazing timelapse video's from previous workshops:
Picture
Workshop 2014
Picture
Workshop 2013