Summary

Namibia's Northern area is a region of stunning natural beauty and cultural diversity, making it an ideal destination for photographers. Etosha National Park, one of Africa's largest game reserves, is home to a vast array of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and rhinos, providing incredible opportunities for wildlife photography. The Kaokoveld region is a rugged and remote area, where desert-adapted elephants, lions, and giraffes roam free. The Epupa Falls, located in the Kunene River, are a breathtaking sight, especially during sunset and sunrise when the light is perfect for capturing images of the narrow channel of water as it rushes through the gorge.  The Ruacana Falls, the largest waterfall in Namibia, is another stunning natural wonder that photographers should not miss, aprticulalrly as the workshop is geared to hit the falls at the most likely chance of flooding due to summer rains. Finally, the Brandberg Mountain, with its ancient rock paintings and unique landscapes, provides an exceptional opportunity to capture Namibia's cultural and natural heritage in a single shot. All of these sites offer endless opportunities for photographers to capture unique and stunning images of this beautiful region. Read on to discover more reason to join us exploring Namibia's North...
​WHEN
24 April-9th May 2024
PRICE
EUR 7,700
FOCUS
LANDSCAPE & WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
GROUP SIZE
6 MAX now on Waiting List
INSTRUCTOR GUEST RATIO
1:3
DURATION
15 NIGHTS
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
MOSTLY LUXURY (4 STAR), WITH ONE 3 STAR ACCOMMODATION.
NUMBER OF DESTINATIONS
8

Guest Reviews


In Detail

Namibia's North
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 6 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: 
  • Wildlife in one of Africa's largest natural reserves
  • The beautiful Epupa Falls
  • Himba people along the Kunene River
  • (Potentially...dependent on seasonal rains) The awesome power of the water at Ruacana Falls
  • The Dunes and Desert of Purros on the edge of the Skeleton Coast
  • The massive Brandberg (Burning Mountain) and it's amazing rock features (and Desert Elephant)
  • Pelicans in flight at Swakopmund's Sandwich Harbour
  • The rolling dunes of the Namib Desert as it flows up to the Atlantic Ocean

          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 
  • An extraordinary day of photographing Pelicans in flight and the vastness of the Namibian Desert

          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 2-4 - Travel to Etosha Game Reserve
After breakfast in Windhoek, our small group will start the journey to the north of this beautiful country. It's a fairly long drive to get to our destination for the next few nights, which is a private lodge on the outskirts of Etosha's eastern entrance.

Onguma Game Reserve is a private game reserve situated on the eastern border of Etosha National Park. The reserve covers an area of over 30,000 hectares and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including lions, elephants, giraffes, and numerous bird species. The reserve boasts a diverse range of habitats, including savannah grasslands, mopane forests, and thorn bushveld, providing visitors with a unique and immersive safari experience. The reserve also features luxurious accommodation options, such as lodges and tented camps, that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings and offer stunning views of the African landscape. Activities at Onguma Game Reserve include guided game drives, bush walks, and bird watching, all of which are led by experienced and knowledgeable guides who are passionate about wildlife conservation. The reserve is committed to sustainable tourism practices and works closely with local communities to promote conservation and support the development of eco-tourism in the area. Overall, Onguma Rovate Game Reserve is an exceptional destination for those seeking an authentic African safari experience in a beautiful and pristine wilderness setting. It is also a fantastic launch point to visit the northern portion of Etosha National Park.

While at the Reserve we have several private game drives booked, as well sessions at the sunken game hide which is situated on the edge of a waterhole.

day 5 - Exit to King Nehale and the cattle plains
We leave Onguma early in the morning for a game drive in Etosha National Park via the Von Lindequist Gate, the eastern entrance to Etosha.. After a few hours roaming around this portion of the reserve, we will head north towards Galton Gate, the northern entrance to the park.

From here, it is a short drive  towards King Nehale Lodge, a journey of approximately.

Overall, the drive between Onguma Game Reserve and King Nehale Lodge through Etosha National Park is a beautiful and scenic journey that provides ample opportunities for wildlife viewing.

day 6 - Ruacana Falls
Ruacana Falls is a magnificent waterfall located in the northwestern part of Namibia, close to the border with Angola. The falls are situated on the Kunene River, which forms the natural boundary between Namibia and Angola. With a height of around 120 meters and a width of approximately 700 meters, the falls are the largest in Namibia and an impressive sight to behold.
The name Ruacana comes from the local Herero language and means 'great noise', which is fitting given the roar of the falls as they cascade over the rocks. The falls are surrounded by a lush green landscape, with the river winding its way through the rocky terrain before plunging over the edge into a deep gorge below. The sheer force of the water as it falls creates a fine mist that shrouds the area in a magical veil, adding to the surreal beauty of the location.

The falls are a popular tourist destination and can be visited year-round. However, the best time to see them is during the rainy season, from December to March, when the flow of the Kunene River is at its strongest. At this time, the falls are a spectacular sight, with a thundering roar and a spray that can be seen from miles away.

day 7 - Travel to Epupa Falls
The drive from Ruacana along the Kunene River to Epupa Falls is a scenic and adventurous journey that takes the photographers through some of the most remote and beautiful parts of Namibia.

Starting from Ruacana, visitors will follow the Kunene River as it winds its way through a rugged and rocky landscape. The road is unpaved and can be challenging in places, which is why we travel in 4x4 vehicles. Along the way, visitors will pass through small villages and settlements, providing an opportunity to experience local culture and customs.

As the road continues, the landscape becomes increasingly lush and green, with towering baobab trees and dense vegetation lining the riverbanks. Visitors may catch glimpses of crocodiles or hippos in the river, or spot birds such as African fish eagles or kingfishers.

Eventually, we will arrive at Epupa Falls, a series of cascading waterfalls that drop over a distance of around 1.5 kilometers. The falls are a breathtaking sight, with water plunging over the rocks and creating a fine mist that shrouds the area in a magical veil. Here it is possible to walk along the riverbank, or simply relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Overall, the drive from Ruacana along the Kunene River to Epupa Falls is a memorable and rewarding journey that offers a glimpse into the rugged beauty and untamed wilderness of Namibia.

Day 8 - Epupa to Opuwa
This is one of our required travel days as the distnaces in northern Namibia are simply vast. An early morning dawn shoot of the Falls offers up this incredible location in an even better light than the previous dusk shoot.

After breakfast we head out along the long dusty road to our stopover for the night, Opuwa. Despite being termed predominantly a place between locations, Opuwa offers some interesting photographic opportunities for dusk.
day 9 - Travel to Purros
The road between Twyfelfontein and Purros is a scenic drive that takes visitors through the rugged and remote landscapes of northwestern Namibia. This route is known for its dramatic scenery, diverse wildlife, and unique photographic opportunities.The road is unpaved and can be challenging in places, so a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. Visitors will drive through rocky terrain, across dry riverbeds, and along winding mountain passes, with stunning vistas at every turn.

One of the highlights of this drive is the opportunity to spot desert-adapted wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, and lions. These animals have evolved to survive in the harsh desert environment and can often be seen moving across the stark landscapes.

Another photographic opportunity on this route is the chance to capture images of the unique plant life that thrives in this region. Visitors will pass by towering quiver trees, aloe plants, and other succulents that have adapted to the arid conditions.

As visitors approach Purros, they will encounter the striking red sand dunes of the Hoarusib River Valley, which offer a stunning backdrop for photos. The area is also home to the Himba people, a semi-nomadic tribe known for their distinctive clothing, hairstyles, and body paint.

Overall, the drive between Twyfelfontein and Purros is a unique and rewarding journey that offers an opportunity to explore some of the most stunning and remote landscapes of Namibia, and capture some incredible photographs along the way.

day 9 - Exploring Purros
We stay at the phenomenal Okihango Elephant Lodge on the north-eastern side of the small settlement of Purros. From here we are able to venture out to several fantastic viewpoints that take in the immensity of the mountain ringed valley as well as the tall dunes that lie up against the mountain sides.

While here, we also visit a traditional Himba settlement, giving good opportunities for close-up portraits and to see how these semi-nomadic people survice in the desert.

We also use the time and opportunity to head out at night to photograph the Milky Way in this true 'dark skies' environment.

day 10 - Travel to Twfelfontein
We start out extremely early in the dark of the pre-dawn in order to make our way along the D3707 to an area where we can capture the morning light on the tall mountains that border the Gomadommi river. After an early lunch at Sesfontein we travel south towards Twfelfontein, arriving in time for an afternoon shoot of the extraordinary rock formations of the area.

Day 12 & 13- Brandberg
Brandberg, also known as the Burning Mountain, is the highest mountain in Namibia and offers a unique landscape that provides excellent photographic opportunities. The journey from Twfelfontein is a relatively short one that we take through the park area around the mountain to the Painted Lady Lodge (which we arrive at in time for a cool drink and lunch).

There are several photographic opportunities in Brandberg that visitors can take advantage of, including:

  1. The Brandberg Mountain: The towering Brandberg Mountain provides a stunning backdrop for landscape photography. The mountain changes colors throughout the day, from warm yellows and oranges during sunrise and sunset to cool blues during the day.
  2. The rock formations: The Brandberg is also known for its unique rock formations, which provide excellent photographic opportunities. The area is home to ancient rock art, caves, and natural rock formations that are perfect for close-up and detail shots.
  3. The wildlife: Brandberg is home to a variety of desert-adapted wildlife, including elephants, mountain zebras, and leopards. Visitors can capture stunning photographs of these animals as they move through the rugged landscape.
  4. The night sky: The clear skies above Brandberg provide an ideal opportunity for astrophotography. The Milky Way is visible overhead, and visitors can capture stunning images of the stars and the surrounding landscape.



Day 14 - Sandwich Harbour
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 15 - Return from Walvis Bay to Windhoek and Departure
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.

It is also possible to book a return flight from Walvis Bay International Airport rather than traveling back to Windhoek with the photography instructors. We’ll arrange airport transport for you from the hotel when it is required.

Dates
This is an annual workshop.
The 2022 tour starts on the 24th of April and ends the 9th of May 2025.
Price
EUR 7,700
Minimum 2 participants, maximum 7 participants.

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

Discounts: 5% off for 'couple' bookings (not necessarily a couple, but any two people booking together and sharing a room)

Single Supplement: EUR 580,00 - 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 2-12; 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 (EUR 450,00)
  • Drinks and non-meal time snacks
  • 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