Namibia – through the country of the wide horizons

1st day: arrival in Windhoek

arrival and transfer to a very stylish Lodge, a private reserve in the middle of incredible sceneries – the perfect start to your Namibia stay!

optional tours in the afternoon 

– meet a Bushman family (San) in their traditional village
– walk with a cheetah or a Caracal
– the carnivore feeding

During the evening presentation of the group members and dinner.

2nd day private reserve for great animal pics!
Drive to the Erongo mountains to reach a huge private reserve. It is home to more than 12 000 wild animals, among them many endangered species. This location is a perfect example of how nature conservation and tourism can be combined and it matches perfect into our photographic tour giving us lots of wonderful occasions to take close up wildlife pictures. Optional tours include the “sundowner”, game drives or the guided walks in the fascinating landscapes that take you, acompanied by an experienced San guide, to ancient rock paintings and give you an introduction into the nature, flora and fauna of Namibia.
included meals: breakfast and dinner (optional excursions not included)

3rd and 4th day ETOSHA NP
Drive towards the Etosha National Park which will be reached in the afternoon. The peculiarity of the Etosha is its vast salt pan, a huge white plain forming the background for the most stunning wildlife pictures. Infact, among professional wildlife photographers, this is one of the most favourite safari spots. Our travel period has been chosen with purpose: it’s the end of the dry period, water can be found only
in the waterholes and so chances are good for fantastic animal sightings. Among them the famous “white elephants and rhinos” whos pictures won several times the “Wildlife photographer of the year”! One of the most scenic waterholes is the one of our camp, Okaukuejo, where we observe animals during sunset and, who wants, even the whole night. We will stay here for the next two nights in the spacious chalets near the Waterhole. For optimal light conditions and sightings we get up very early and luckily we will meet groups of lions, elephants, giraffes and, of course, many antelopes. On these first two days in the Etosha Park we will explore the eastern part of the park.
included meals: breakfast. Lunch and dinner free.

5th day ETOSHA NP WESTERN PART
Safari in the Western part of the Etosha national park that only recently has been opened to the public. The landscape changes, becomes more hilly and the white background of the salt pan is replaced by the red soil and rocks of the Damaraland. This is the home to some different animals to those seen over the past days – here can be encountered, for example, the rare Hartmann-Zebra.
included meals: breakfast. Lunch and dinner free.

6th day THE BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPES OF THE DAMARALAND
On the drive towards Kamanjab there is the occasion to visit a Himba village where the photogenic women will explain their live and showcast their particular jewellery and body decoration (optional stop). On the way to the next destination breathtaking landscapes, like the Grootberg-Pass, are crossed. In the afternoon our next lodge will be reached, a spectular accommodation created in harmony with nature. It is situated in the land of the desert elephants. In this place, especially chosen for our photographic journey you will enjoy different activities to explore the environment – one of the most beautiful and wild landscapes of the country. You’ll have the choice to join one of the hikes or the game drives. The sunsets should not to be missed and the location is also perfect for astro-photography.
included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner in Etendeka as well as all offered activities.

8th day SKELETON COAST – CAPE CROSS – SWAKOPMUND
Drive along the skeleton coast, so called because of the dozens of shipwrecks that grounded here over the centuries. Around midday we will reach Cape Cross to visit one of the biggest seal reserves of Southern Africa (the number varies but it can reach up to 250.000 animals). The cubs are born in november and we will have enough time to observe these animals and their little ones. We will reach Swakopmund in the late afternoon. Our accommodation is a charming, organic guesthouse very close to the town centre.
included meals: breakfast.

9th day SWAKOPMUND – OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Day for optional tours departing from Swakopmund. Among the numerous activities offered we particularly suggest the

• the “living desert”-tour: it takes us in the dunes directly outside town, which seams, at first sight, completely uninhabited. Our guide will show us instead, in a very funny way, how populated this habitat is. Find with him geckos, lizzards, spiders and with luck also a viper or a chamaeleon. That’s the reason to carry a Macro-Lens with you even in the land of the wide landscapes!
• “the scenic flight” over the Namib-Desert, the Kuiseb-Canyon and the skeleton-coast, about 40 minutes in a small aircraft.
• “Cruise in the Lagoon of Walvis Bay” where you can observe flamingos, dolphins, whales, cormorans and sometimes even penguins or sharks.

10th day DRIVE THROUGH MOON LANDSCAPE TOWARDS THE GAMSBERG
Drive through the incredible “moon landscape” and the Kuiseb Canyon at best light in the early morning towards the Gamsberg, famous for its observatory. Infact this night has been introduced for your astrophotography- fans. Hakos farm, where we will stay, offers two private observatories and guided professional tours about the night sky. Remember – Namibia is certificated dark sky reserve for its excellent possibilities to observe the night sky without any light pollution.
included meals: breakfast and dinner.

11th – 12th day TOWARDS THE ANCIENT NAMIB DESERT
Today we move to the Namib Desert. Complementing the magnificence of a red sand sea, our Lodge lies at the foot of ancient fossilised dunes. Make some space for wonder. A sunset or early morning drive through the red dunes exploring the sand masterpiece is breath-taking. Atop the ridge as the sand begins to glow deep rich sienna, a view of utter beauty is illuminated in gold, extending from the soft dunes around you to the green ribbon of riverine trees in the distance and the purple-blue mountains. Tolkien would be taken aback – and inspired, I’m sure, by such fantastical scenery!
inlcuded meals: breakfast and dinner.
13th day SOSSUSVLEI
Very early departure for a whole day of the exploration of the dune’s landscape of Sossusvlei: climb “Big Daddy” or “Dune 45”, walk to the death vlei with the picturesque dead trees and much more. In the afternoon possibility for the exploration of the Sesriem Canyon or the Elim Dune.
inlcuded meals: breakfast and dinner. Accommodation at the Sossusvlei Lodge.
14th day NAMIB DESERT (OPTIONAL BALLOONING) – WINDHOEK
Don’t miss the ballooning over the Namib Desert and the fantastic red dunes at sunrise – a unique photographic opportunity! (optional activity)
We continue our journey in late morning and reach Windhoek in the afternoon to catch the evening flights.