Photography:
May I participate even if I’m not a photographer and my interest in photography is limited?
The tour has been created as a photographic adventure and is accompanied by a professional travel photographer. However it is so unique and spectacular that also non-photographers will enjoy it fully and will be stunned by the breathtaking landscapes, the wild animals and the ancient tribes we are going to visit!
What photographic equipment is suggested?
This, of course, is very subjective and depends on many parametres. As a standard equipment we suggest in any case a (digital) SLR camera. To save weight, be as flexible as possible in most situations and don’t need to change lenses in adverse surroundings we suggest a high quality travel zoom lens (for example 24 – 120 mm) and in case a telezoom lense for the safari. Also a wide angle for landscapes is very useful. There are also opportunities for those interested in macro photography. Don’t forget to bring your travel tripod for the night pic’s and some special landscapes! It’s up to you whether to bring along even a second camera body in order not to change lenses too often. Don’t forget sufficient memory cards (2 x 32 GB, 1 x 64 GB). If you want bring also a flash. A polarizing filter for the landscapes is often useful.
What am I going to learn during this trip?
The trip is accompanied by an experience travel photographer, Catherina Unger, who will assist with every photographic problem and is always ready to give advice for picture composition, camera adjustments and some tips and tricks. The intensity of the photographic assistance depends on the interest of the group members. After the daily activities we offer some postproduction sessions (Lightroom, Photoshop) in the remaining time in the evenings. Catherina Unger has been instructed by one of the most famous Italian Adobe-Gurus and will help you to make the best of your pictures.
Do I need to bring a PC (laptop, macbook)?
No, you don’t need to. But you could do it – in order to make first copies of your memory cards and start with a postproduction.
Insurance
Health insurance:
A health insurance is compulsory for this trip, but not yet included in the price. Please let us know if you need any assistance and we will be happy to help you and suggest an appropriate travel insurance company in your country.
Insurance for photographic equipment:
In the packages of most travel insurances there is included a luggage insurance but this is limited to a certain amount and does not cover the photographic equipment. However there are existing some insurance companies that are specializing in photographic insurances.
Namibia – climate, equipment, health, general
Which climate?
Namibia is a very sunny country, that can be traveled all year round. While in Europe we start to prepare warm cloth in October, in Namibia the springtime begins.
Summertime (November to march) is wonderfully warm in Namibia. In the months December and January the temperatures can rise up to 35 °C. The months September – November are perfect, it is the end of the dry period. Because in the bush there is no water anymore the animals have to go to the waterholes in the parks. In November only in the north there are sometimes some short showers (littly raintime)
The cooles months are June and July. Especially in the mornings and evenings the temperatures can drop below zero. During daytime however they rise to 20/25 °C.
Which cloths will I need?
We suggest comfortable, light clothing made of Merino, Cotton or other breathing material that is possible to launder quickly (most lodges offer this service). For some evening and night also a warm fleece jacket or a wind jacket can be necessary. For the daily activities we suggest comfortable footwear (or even trekking sandals), for the walks in the bush sturdy shoes are more appropriete because of the thornes. Don’t forget a headgear. You will not need elegant clothing except you want to dress a little bit up for some dinner. Most lodges have a pool – don’t forget your swim wear.
Which other items are important?
A good sunscreen – the african sun burns! A torch – some lodges do not always have electric light and we will need a torch for our night walks when we take night pics.
Moisture body lotion – desert air makes dry skin!
Don’t forget any of your medicines – often we will be far away from the closest pharmacist… Insect repellent – especially in the area of the Ethosha.
Is this tour physically demanding?
Of course – this is not a relaxing holiday but it more thought for curious explorers even if we have included as much comfort as we could. However the long drives in the car or the bus on gravel roads will be tiring – but the spectacular sceneries and the breaks we will include on the most beautiful places will compensate! On some days we offer walks and hikes, normally during the most pleasant hours of the day (in the mornings or late afternoons) and the participation is optional. Of course – the climbing of the highest dune of the Namib (and the world!) will be strenuous but it is not compulsory and you may climb also a smaller one or decide to not reach the top – the views and surroundings are stunning in any case!
How are we accommodated?
Also in this respect our journey is something special! There is a wide variety of accommodations – but most of them are very special and are alone worth the journey! Often we will stay in charming boutique lodges with beautiful local architecture the matches perfectly with the surrounding landscape. They are built with natural local materials and the owners often emphasize their sustainability and environmental safety. Some of the nights we will be staying in more simple governmental run camps (in chalets), one night we stay in fixed tents with the comfort of a cozy room. Of course in all the accommodations your room will have a private ensuite bathroom. The rooms are mostly very spacious and have a terrace or a balcony. You will receive the links to every single accommodation with your travel documents.
Everything that runs with electricity will be found only seldom – you will have to live without TV and without a landline phone. Not always the lodges have airconditioning (especially the substainable ones) but very often the architecture is so smart that a breeze cools the rooms even on hot days. Of course there will be plenty possibility to charge cameras and cellphones. Not in all parts of the country you will find mobile phone reception. Some lodges have wife (not all of them).
Which kind of food should I expect?
You will be surprised how much you will feel like at home! Because of its colonial past many uses and dishes of the european kitchen are found throughout Namibia. Normally the day starts with a rich breakfast in the Lodges with toast and eggs, jam, coffee and tea. Often you will be served also fresh fruit and cereals, sometimes there are muffins, yogurt, homemade cakes…
We have included many dinners: you will find out how European meets exotic kitchen! With a bit of luck you will be served game (kudu and oryx, ostrich and springbock), aromatic sufflès but also pasta dishes and vegetables. Namibia is a country for “meat-lovers” – the game as well as the beef or chicken is of very good quality! During our days by the sea you should not miss the exquisite seafood dishes. Please let us know in any case if you are vegetarian or suffer of some allergies.
The lunches are not included – so how does this work?
It depends – we will decide together with the group: sometimes the lodge can prepare a lunch box for us, other times we will stop at a cafè/bar/roadhouse where we find salad, toast, panini or pasta dishes.
Namibia – a safe place to travel?
Namibia is one of the safest countries for travelers in Africa. We will pass much time in private reserves and Nationalparks. The whole journey is accompanied by two guides – one local, English speaking, authorized driver guide and our travel photographer Catherina Unger who has travelled Namibia many times. However we suggest to keep yourself informed before the tour by the Department of foreign affairs of your country and check the updated information about safety.
How flexible are we with the daily programs, are there options?
Yes, there are many days in our program when you have a choice between different activities (optional, not included in the price). We will send you a complete list of the activities on request. We suggest to book all the chosen activities in advance and as soon as you know you want to do it – many of them are quickly sold out (balloon ride in the desert for example…)
Which currency is used in Namibia?
Namibian Dollar = Southafrican Rand.
Exchange rate 1 Euro = 15,56 Namibian Dollar, 1 Namibian-Dollar = 0,064 Euro (August/2016)
Credit cards (Visa or Master) are accepted in many lodges and shops. ATM’s are found in the bigger towns.
How much tip should I give in Namibia?
Tips are always optional and should be given only if you are very satisfied with the received service. In the lodges normally 10-20 Namibian Dollar/per person is a good standard. In the restaurants a tip of 5/10 % is common. Also the guides and drivers of the journey will appreciate a tip at the end of the trip.
Medical issues and malaria prophylaxis
Namibia (at least the Namibia we will meet in our travel) is a rather clean and generally safe country for the health of a western traveler, the health standards in the lodges are very high. The best way for a safe journey throughout the country is a good prevention and a well-equipped first-aid kit. Don’t forget painkiller, tablets against diarrhea, disinfectant, plasters and dressing material.
Vaccinations and malaria: We will stay in a malaria risk area only during a few days of our trip (Etosha-NP, northern Namibia). Pls inform yourself with your doctor or the competent local centre for travel vaccinations which prophylaxis and vaccinations are most appropriate for you.
We will not take any responsability for the safety and health information!
Photographic Travel
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