Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia Photography Tour

Itinerary

This landscape, culture, and wildlife photographic adventure will take you up in the air above the beautiful sand dunes of Namibia. For ease and luxury, we’ll have chartered planes to take us from location to location throughout Namibia and direct to Botswana. Complimentary aerials over the dunes by helicopter, fixed wing, or hot air balloon. Our safari time in Botswana will be by land (one seat row per guest) and by water in special boats designed for photography. We’ll stay at some beautiful boutique lodges and have a few “sundowners” to relax. Enjoy staying within walking distance to Victoria Falls while in full stream. We have arranged for extra luggage allowances throughout the trip so you can bring your gear with no stress. Fifteen nights/sixteen days…

Thursday, April 20

Depart US and fly to Johannesburg (JNB), South Africa.

Friday, April 21 (D)

Arrive any time of day in Johannesburg. Staff from the Intercontinental hotel will meet and guide you to the hotel, just a few steps away from the airport. Overnight Intercontinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport

Saturday, April 22 (B, L, D)

This morning we’ll take a domestic commercial flight from Johannesburg to Windhoek and then board a charter plane to our first destination, Fish River Canyon. Located in the northern part of the Nama Karoo, a vast, open region dominated by low-shrub vegetation, Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon on Earth!

Fascinating flora and fauna have adapted to the harsh environment of this rocky, rugged 500,000 million-year-old landscape. We’re sure to see lonely quiver trees, one of the rarest plants in the world, found only on the continent of Africa. Wildlife such as oryx, mountain zebra, giraffe, springbok, kudu, leopard, steenbok, baboon, wild horse, and ostrich are often seen throughout the canyon area.

At Fish River Lodge, we’ll have dinner and spend the night on the edge of the stunning landscape of Fish River Canyon. A memorable sunset shoot will end the evening. Overnight at Fish River Lodge

Sunday, April 23 (B, D)

A sunrise shoot of Fish River Canyon followed by a hearty breakfast. Mid-morning, we’ll board our charter flight and head to Luderitz. Luderitz is in the Succulent Karoo region, different from all other deserts in the world, not prone to prolonged drought since rainfall is reliable and predictable. The Succelent Karoo boasts the richest succulent flora in the world, harboring about one-third of the world’s 10,000 succulent species. Forty percent of the plant species here are endemic, found nowhere else in the world! A region of unparalleled botanical biodiversity, it is the only plant hot spot that is entirely arid. We’ll have dinner and overnight at the Luderitz Nest Hotel.

Monday, April 24 (L, D)

Today we’ll start our day early to visit the fascinating ghost town of Kolmanskop located in the unwelcoming land of the Namib Desert. Breakfast at leisure in the ghost town this morning at the local cafe.

In the 1900s, Kolmanskop boasted one of the richest diamond deposits on Earth. The German government declared it part of the “Sperrgebiet,” or forbidden diamond territory. This thriving and bustling town provided much needed shelter for diamond workers; opulent homes and shops protected them from an extremely harsh environment with no hint of moisture. Fresh water was hauled in by train and pumped into their storage tanks. Though isolated, the town’s residents afforded every possible luxury, however, by the early 1930s, the diamond deposits began to deplete and the area experienced decline. To add to the town’s demise, most inhabitants departed when the world’s richest diamond-bearing deposits ever were discovered south of Kolmanskop in 1928. In 1956, the few who remained left the town completely deserted.

Today, rolling drifts of knee-deep sand shape gentle curves in the abandoned houses and buildings that remain. Though a haunting monument of the day’s boom and bust, this desert ghost town provides an engrossing history along with incredible photo opportunities.

We’ll also photograph an iconic symbol of this area, the wild horse herd of Namibia. These Namib Desert “ghost” horses have miraculously learned to adapt to the extreme heat with minimal water sources, their origins shrouded in a cloud of mystery.

Like its former inhabitants, we’ll depart Kolmanskop for our next destination. A scenic five-hour drive will take us to Sossusvlei. Depending on time, we may make a stop or two for photography, and we’ll definitely stop for lunch and a slice of apple pie, claimed the best in the world by some! Well, you can decide for yourself 🙂

Overnight Sossusvlei Lodge

Tuesday, April 25 – Wednesday, April 26 (B, L, D)

For two full days, we’ll indulge in all this area has to offer.  Our lodge is near the entrance of Namib-Naukluft National Park, giving us access to the many natural wonders this park has to offer. Complimentary aerial flights over the dunes mornings and evenings by helicopter, fixed wing, or balloon. Our private bus will also go into the park daily (aerial flights are based on weather and availability, two per guest).

Here we will find Sossusvlei, a clay/salt pan, home to the highest sand dunes on the planet! Crests of vivid pink, orange, and the oldest dunes an intense red, create striking landscapes with the contrasting white vleis (clay pans) and vast blue sky. Dwarfed by the sheer size of the dunes, you may find this one of the most mind-blowing sights you will ever see!

Deadvlei, translated to “dead marsh,'” is another white clay pan known for its ancient camel thorn (acacia) tress, now only dark skeletons against the white pan floor and bright red-orange dunes. The trees thrived hundreds of years ago when the Tsauchab River flooded, however, the climate eventually changed and the sand dunes encroached, blocking the river from reaching the area. The trees remain intact, the wood does not decompose because of the dry climate, so they sit, blackened from the scorch of the sun.

The Tsauchab River also carved the Sesriem Canyon over millions of years. This is one of the few places in the area that holds water all year round. The canyon was an important source of water for early settlers in the area.

There will be free time midday, when the sun is hot and too harsh for photography. Take a nap, enjoy a dip in the sparkling pool, or have yourself an ice cold beer under the shady trees in the Acacia beer garden. Overnight Sossusvlei Lodge

Thursday, April 27 (B, L, D)

A late morning charter, and we’re off to Swankopmund. We’ll check into the hotel upon arrival, get some lunch, and then your free to explore the town’s palm-lined streets and chat and barter with the locals. Mid-afternoon, we’ll meet up and head toward Walvis Bay Lagoon, one of the most important wetlands in Africa. Walvis Bay is a protected area, a hibernation area for thousands of migratory birds. We’re especially interested in photographing the radiantly pink greater flamingos whose flocks often inundate the lagoon. A variety of marine life such as dolphins and fur seals are also commonly seen here. Dinner at the hotel tonight. Overnight at the new Strand Hotel Swakopmund

Friday, April 28 (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel and then we’ll join Tommy, an esteemed local guide, on his “Living Desert” tour. Tommy has put together a memorable 4×4 trip through the dune area just outside Swakopmund. Discover the life of this desolate landscape, the search is on for desert creatures such as the Namaqua chameleon and Peringuey’s adder! Learn of the plants and minerals that make up the “Living Desert.” Endless photographic opportunities on the excursion! It was one of Tanya’s favorite things on her scouting trip. Dinner and wine tasting at the hotel tonight. Overnight Strand Hotel Swakopmund

Saturday, April 29 (B, L, D)

Our next journey takes us on a morning charter flight to Opuwa.  Here we’ll have an opportunity to meet the local indigenous Himba people. We’ll visit their village to photograph and learn of their culture, traditions, and lifestyle. These semi-nomadic herders are striking and have become an iconic image of Africa. Overnight Opuwo Country Lodge

Sunday, April 30 (B, L, D)

We’ll eat breakfast and have one more photo shoot with the Himba people before taking our charter flight to Windhoek. Most likely, we’ll be ready for a small break at this point, so we’ll spend an evening for some R&R at The Olive Exclusive All Suite Hotel. Experience luxury in Namibia’s capital city. Each suite in the hotel reflects a different region in Namibia and has its own lounge area with fireplace and wide glass doors which open onto a spacious deck where you can relax on a shady daybed. Indulge in a bubble bath with sweeping mountain views. This is your day to relax! Or explore Windhoek on a short city tour and get in a little local shopping. We’ll meet and have dinner as a group in the hotel’s Olive Restaurant, featuring a seasonal menu with inventive signature dishes. Overnight The Olive Exclusive All Suite Hotel

Monday, May 1 – Thursday, May 4 (B, L, D)

Spend the morning enjoying the luxurious Olive hotel. We want you to be nice and relaxed for our next destination, Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero in Botswana. Midday we’ll fly to Chobe by private charter and transfer to the Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero to check-in.

We’ll spend the next few days on safari in Chobe National Park, game viewing on land in 4×4 vehicles and also by chartered boat designed for photography, get up close and personal with Chobe’s most popular resident, the elephant. Chobe is home to the largest concentration of these gentle giants in all of Africa! Along with scores of elephants, the park also has an abundance of sable and roan antelopes. Rare sitafungas and wild dog are often seen. The lush riverfront attracts giraffe, lion, cape buffalo, and is the only place in Botswana where Puku antelope can be seen. The savannah lures zebra, wildebeest, warthog, impala, and kudu. An occasional leopard may even appear 🙂

Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero is a luxurious riverside retreat in the heart of the bush, offering unparalleled panoramic views across the islands and floodplains as far across as Namibia. Full size spa, swimming pool, and inclusive beverages and gourmet food. Natural Exposures is also including a $100 credit to enjoy at the lodge spa or gift shop. We’ll stay at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero for four nights.

Friday, May 5 (B, L, D)

Breakfast and one last morning game safari in Chobe by boat or 4×4, and then we’ll take the approximate two-hour transfer to Livingstone, Zambia. Here, we’ll have the remainder of the day to explore Victoria Falls, claimed to be the largest waterfall in the world, a spectacular sight to see! This awe-inspiring World Heritage Site has much to offer, photograph to your heart’s delight while walking the trails, get a unique view from Knife Edge Bridge or Victoria Falls Bridge, head below the falls to get a river-level view and scope out this prime territory for falcons, black eagles, and other raptors, or if you’re really feeling adventurous, get an aerial view of the falls (not included). Bring your poncho! Farewell dinner tonight. Overnight Avani Victoria Falls Resort

Saturday, May 6 (B)

Morning shoot at Victoria Falls. At around noon, we’ll board a domestic commercial flight and head back to Johannesburg to connect with our evening flights home.

Sunday, May 7

Arrive home.