Departure Dates:

April 24 – May 3, 2012    8 participants – Guided photo safari

July 10 – July 20, 2012    8 participants – Guided photo safari

*Dates are flexible when reserved exclusively for family/group needs

Duration: 10 days, 10 nights

Photo Safari Investment 

The investment for this all-inclusive, exclusive guided photo safari to Namibia is USD $ 8,900 based on 2 people sharing.

• USD $8,900 guided photo safari (find scheduled dates above)

Itinerary 

Day 1 – Arrive to Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia

Day 2 – Enjoy afternoon activities at Erindi Private Game Reserve

Day 3 – Enjoy a full day of activities at Erindi Private Game Reserve

Day 4 – Enjoy a full day of activities at Erindi Private Game Reserve

Day 5- Enjoy a full day of activities at Erindi Private Game Reserve

Day 6 – Enjoy a morning activity at Erindi Private Game Reserve before departing for Swakopmund

Day 7 – Enjoy a morning in Swakopmund before departing for Sossusvlei

Day 8 – Enjoy a full day of activities at Sossusvlei at Namib-Naukluft National Park

Day 9 – Enjoy a full day of activities at Sossusvlei at Namib-Naukluft National Park

Day 10 – Enjoy morning activities at Sossusvlei at Namib-Naukluft National Park before departing for Windhoek and preparing to leave Namibia

 

An Introduction to Your Photo Safari

Namibia has been described as the last frontier, a wild and rough country, exposed to the elements like no other southern African nation. Sandwiched between two of the world’s oldest deserts, the Namib and Kalahari, the landscapes are weathered, desolate, and exposed to some of the harshest conditions on the face of our planet. From the rolling hills of Kaokoland, to the Skeleton Coast and the misty cold blanket of the South Atlantic, to the diamond rich area of Sperrgebeit, Namibia is a diverse and contrasting place to photograph.

Join the guides of Wild Safari Africa on the ultimate photographic experience in Namibia.  Staying in the private game reserves of Erindi and Sossusvlei at the Namib-Naukluft National Park, this trip offers wildlife viewing and landscapes to satisfy any photographer.  We will be able to enter exclusive gates, participate in night game drives and game walks, which will increase our chances of capturing incredible images.

Namibia is the first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution, giving life to thousands of species and providing great photographic opportunities for tour participants.

Our photo safari provides you with an opportunity to experience and photograph Africa’s predators, the iconic elephant, giraffe, abundant plains game and incredible diversity of bird species.  We have carefully selected these camps to maximize our time and photographic opportunities.

As the groups are limited to 8 people, you are able to focus on developing your own style of photography.

We have tailored the traditional safari to meet the requirements of a photographer. There will only be 3 people in each of our private vehicles at Erindi Game Reserve giving you a chance to utilize the guide and tracker system to its fullest.

April and May is a great time of year to visit Namibia.  The rains have greened up the desert landscape and the temperatures are beginning to cool down considerably in preparation for the winter months.  The wildlife is drawn to the waterholes with great predictability and the year’s newly born make feasts to the predator populations.

July is the middle of Namibia’s winter with nights cool and days comfortably warm (some still find it hot). The years accumulated rains have dried and waterholes are becoming fewer thus bringing in wildlife to year-round waterholes with great predictability.

An exclusive group of only 8 participants, this is an excellent opportunity to improve your photography portfolio and experience one of Africa’s truly unique destinations where there are more wildlife than people.

Days 2,3,4,5 – Erindi Private Game Reserve

Erindi Private Game Reserve: Erindi, translated to “the place of water” in the indigenous Herero language, is home to over 15,000 animals of southern Africa’s best!  Endangered species such as the African wild dog have found a healthy and protected habitat needed at Erindi to ensure the survival of their species.

The experience is set on 71 000 ha of pristine wilderness with varied landscapes in a malaria-free area, from mountains to savanna to open grassland right in the heart of Namibia: Erindi Private Game Reserve is situated in the triangle between Okahandja, Otjiwarongo and Omaruru.

The pure tranquillity, abundant wildlife and distant horizons with awesome sunsets will sweep you off your feet.The Game Reserve is carefully managed, allowing for a “one-of-a-kind” experience, providing visitors with the opportunity to step back into a time when Africa was left in the undisturbed hands of nature.

(Old Traders Lodge Superior Lodging: Fully Inclusive (Luxury accommodation, Morning & afternoon game drive with snacks & drinks, Breakfast, lunch & dinner, Afternoon coffee / tea & cake)

Days 7,8,9 – Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei is one of Namibia’s top destinations. The monumental red sand and the magnificent display of different shades, colors, and depressions, fading and deepening throughout the day make Sossusvlei a place for photographers and romantics alike.

The Tsauchab River, long ago, emptied itself into the sea but gradually overtime became blocked by mountainous dunes of windblown sand, forming the marvelous end vlei as we know today.

Beginning in Sesriem, the road to Sossusvlei is lined by exotic, brightly colored dunes. Each hour of the day is unique and as the day carries on, new colors are constantly presenting themselves. The dunes display vibrant colors of orange, maroon, and pink, and the Tsaris Mountains show blue and deep purples. In addition to the yellows and tans of the dancing grasses it is easy to feel enlightened while visiting Sossusvlei.

It is also home to ostrich, springbok, and oryx who roam the area like some prehistoric creatures living on another planet.

The dunes surrounding the vlei are some 1,120 ft (350 m) high when measuring from the base up; having a reputation as some of the highest in the world.

Essentially, they are nothing more than huge piles of sand that have formed at the end of other longitudinal dune ridges bordering the erosional trough of the Tsauchab River.

Sossusvlei lies at an altitude of 1,824 ft (570 m) above sea level. Some of the dune crests stand tall at 3,072 ft (960 m) above sea level.

Sossusvlei dunes are often referred to as star dunes because of their crescent shape. Best seen from the air, the multiple merging crests meeting at the highest point are the result of multi-directional winds shifting the sand back and forth. When strong winds blow at the vlei, blankets of sand form off the crest into the air.  This is commonly termed the ‘smoking dunes.’

Your Itinerary in Detail 

Day 1 – Arrive Windhoek

Olive Grove Guesthouse

Olive Grove is a boutique establishment, located near the city centre in a quiet and peaceful area.  Its popularity makes for this to be one of the most sought after places of accommodation in all of Windhoek.  Each room caters for every need even for the most astute traveler –the guesthouse motto, simplicity and elegance.

The inside lounge has comfortable chairs and a welcoming fireplace.  Guests are free to use their computer to email and upload photographs from their digital camera.  The bar offers a large selection of drinks and beverages to choose from – beer, wine, and cool drinks.

The open-air lounge, spa bath, plunge pool and tranquil garden, all invite the visitor to unwind and relax, either under a warm Namibian afternoon or a beautiful, star-lit sky.

Receive professional services and therapies from Olive Grove’s wellness room, designed to de-stress and recuperate guests whether after a long flight to country or and the end of a thrilling adventurous holiday, the resident therapist will rejuvenate and invigorate all who seek their “magical” powers –hot stone treatments, Swedish messages, facials, manicures, reflexology, and much more balanced induced treatments!

Each room has remote controlled air-conditioning, direct dial telephones, multi-channel satellite television, tea/coffee making facilities, a mini-bar, snack bar and a private wall-mounted safe. One of Olive Grove’s main features is the large veranda in front of every room, with tables and chairs for ‘al fresco’ dining.

Residents of the guesthouse can enjoy lunch or dinner on the verandah, and meals can be complemented with a hand-picked selection of fine South African wines.

Day 2 -5 – Erindi Private Game Reserve

All nights at Erindi Old Traders Lodge:

Old Traders Lodge: Fully Inclusive -Luxury accommodation

• Double bed with crisp clean linen and warm blankets
• Luxurious en-suite bathroom with bath and shower
•  Private patio with reclining chairs and view of waterhole
• Remote controlled air-conditioning
• Fully stocked mini-bar
• Night stands, desk and cupboard
• Satellite TV, hairdryer safe

Early Morning Game Drives

The day begins before first light. Meet at the main lodge where the kitchen prepares hot brewed coffee, tea, muffins. Then we depart in the Land Rovers, the air crisp and the morning alive with the sounds of the bush. The rangers have an intimate knowledge of the environment, reading signs of last night’s activity they take us into their world. It’s not long before we pick up the spoor of a predator left not long before as the first rays of sun pierce the mountains in the distance. Communicating by radio the vehicles share information on sightings giving us a greater chance of experiencing as much as possible.

Evening Game Drives

A short trip takes a sundowner location. Intense golden hues make the evening surreal as we sip drinks and enjoy light snacks. The light softens after a magnificent sunset, as the sun dips behind the horizon, the air cools day transforms to night. Animals leave the safety of their daytime shelters. The numerous nocturnal hunters, including lion and genet pick up scent trailing the night air. Evening trips also bring incredible viewing of little creatures such as striped polecat, African wild cat, bat eared foxes, porcupine and pangolin, brown hyena, spotted hyena and jackal.

Informative & Educational

Apart from the daily game drives that are aimed at providing knowledge on the unique fauna and flora of Erindi Private Game Reserve, interactive lectures are offered to interested guests. The “Global Leopard Project” presentation focuses on the leopard research project conducted at Erindi and the “Awesome Ecology of Erindi”. Other presentations give insight into the daily fieldwork that leads to the successful functioning of one of the most amazing conservation areas on earth. Kids game drives, children under 6 can’t view any of the big 5 animals. If the lodge is full kids under 6 won’t be able to go on game drives and a baby sitter will be available.

Additional activities at Erindi (not included in safari investment):

• Bushmen Art Walk
• Wild Leopard Walk
• African bush Walk
• Leopard Project Drive
• Animal capture experience
• Private game drive