Namibia Photographic Safari
Southern and Central Namibia
May 19 - 27, 2009
Please see our Safaris and Workshops section for the 1st safari in this series: The Northern and Central Namibia safari, or for more workshop and safari dates
About The Namibia Photographic Safari
In May 2009, I will be leading 2 groups to Namibia, Africa. This safari is on the heels of my May 9-19 Namibia safari with John Paul Caponigro. If you are interested in both of these safaris, please let me know as soon as possible. The goal of this safari is to photograph the breathtaking desert landscapes of Namibia, along with the its desert wildlife. This will be a flying safari, and we will maximize our time out on safari by flying from location to location. This will enable us to carry an adequate amount of camera baggage, as well as eliminating unnecessary long drives.
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Highlights
– This private flying safari covers fascinating attractions in Namibia while enjoying much of the stunning landscape from the air.
– We will fly to three amazing destinations in central and southern Namibia: Sossusvlei, the Namib Rand and the deserted mining town of Kolmanskop.
– The Namib Desert may well be the world's oldest desert. The apricot-colored dunes at Sossusvlei are some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. Herds of mountain zebra, gemsbok and springbok roam the area.
– In all the parks you will have the opportunity to spend quality photographic time.
– Finish on a high note in the magnificent sand dunes of Sossusvlei.
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It's About Photography
This workshop will be very informal and fun. Andy Biggs will be shooting alongside you at all times. This workshop is about shooting. Lots of shooting. There will be no classroom sessions, no lectures, no slide shows, and most importantly, no unnecessary egos. We will all work closely together, sharing our knowledge and experience.
Because of the unique location of this workshop, and the comfortable accommodations, this workshop adventure is open to spouses as well as photographers. Even non-photographers will find the locales visited and the wildlife viewing opportunities to be thrilling. The cost for non-photographers is the same as for active participants.
The Namib desert may well be the world's oldest desert. The Namib-Naukluft Park has five main regions; the Namib, Sandvis, Naukluft, Sesriem and Sossusvlei. The apricot-colored dunes at Sossusvlei are breathtakingly beautiful. Herds of mountain zebra, gemsbok (desert oryx), springbok and ostrich roam the area.
The Schedule
May 19 - Windhoek, Namibia
On arrival at Windhoek you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
The Olive Grove is situated close to the city center in a quiet, peaceful area. There are 9 en-suite rooms all featuring; direct dial telephone, private safe, multi-channel satellite television, and air conditioning.
One of Olive Grove's main features is the large veranda in front of every room, with tables and chairs for al fresco dining. The open air lounge, spa bath, plunge pool and tranquil garden all invite the visitor to unwind and relax under Namibia's open skies. The inside lounge is decorated with comfortable chairs and a fireplace in front of which to relax and read a magazine. A guest computer is available, for people to check their emails and stay in touch with family and friends back home.
Services and facilities available include; laundry service, plunge pool and tranquil garden, "honor" bar, dinner and lunch on request, spa bath on open air deck.
May 20 - Windhoek to Luderitz
Today you will be transferred to the airport by road for your private charter scenic flight to Luderitz. Upon arrival you will be transferred by road to your hotel. The coastal town of Luderitz is a small enclave within the Sperrgebiet (restricted Diamond Area). An optional excursion offers visitors the unique opportunity of entering the Diamond Area, to visit Bogenfels, the 55 m high rock arch which juts into the sea, the modern diamond mine and old ghost town at Elizabeth Bay and the seal colony at Atlas Bay. Visitors can also explore the ghost town of Pomona and the legendary valley of Maerchental (fairy-tale valley), where early prospectors collected diamonds by moonlight. Afternoon at leisure, walking the town of Luderitz.
PLEASE NOTE* There is a luggage limit of 66lbs (30kg) per person on the charter flight so please pre-pack your luggage accordingly in soft-sided bags. These restrictions should be strictly adhered to. As this is primarily a landscape photography trip, you will not need a large selection of lenses. Laundry service is available at all lodges and camps on this safari.
May 21 - Luderitz
Today you take an excursion to Kolmanskop Ghost Town. Today the ghost town's crumbling ruins bear little resemblance to its former glory. The former stately homes, their grandeur now scoured and demolished by the wind, are gradually being enveloped by the encroaching sand dunes. The mining company restored a number of the buildings and established a museum for viewing by tourists.
May 22 - Luderitz to Wolwedans and the Namib Rand Reserve
After an additional early morning shoot at Kolmanskop, you will take a private charter scenic flight to Oranjemund continuing up the coast to Wolwedans in the Namib Rand Reserve. Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your lodge.
The Namib Rand Nature Reserve, situated in the pristine Namib Desert, is the largest private nature reserve in Southern Africa . It is a world of immense solitude, wind-sculpted orange dunes and jagged mountains. The Namib is known as the "living desert" because of the diversity of life existing in seemingly inhospitable conditions. In this dry place, an intriguing array of desert-adapted animals and plants are nourished by condensation from the sea mists off the distant Atlantic Ocean . Once the hunting ground of the Spotted Hyena, Wolwedans takes its name from the African for "where the wolves dance". The very words conjure up an aura of mystery! Set against a backdrop of unparalleled beauty, this magnificent desert scenery includes vast desert plains, dry riverbeds, sand dunes and rugged mountains.
Activities are many and varied. At Wolwedans you will be introduced to the exciting facets of Namib Rand's unique desert habitat and learn about the geology, the flora and the desert's fascinating creatures. Accompanied by experienced guides, scenic drives in open 4x4 land rovers or nature walks with resident field-guides, will reveal the wonders of the desert - as do picnics in the wild, sundowners on the dunes and dinners by candlelight. A hot air balloon ride is optionally scheduled for an entirely different perspective of this incredible landscape.
While this is not a game-rich area, you will find springbok, gemsbok, zebra, baboon, oryx, ostrich and more, which eke out their existence under the arid desert conditions. Across this diverse canvas of contrasting landscapes traverse an exciting variety of large and small desert creatures - as wild and ancient as their habitat.
Wolwedans Dunes Lodge is superbly situated in the heart of Namib Rand Nature Reserve nestled amidst the dunes, accommodating a maximum of 16 guests in a totally unspoiled setting. The entire lodge is constructed on wooden platforms and overlooks panoramic vistas in all directions, capturing the ambience of the desert. Each of the eight spacious and comfortable chalets is furnished with a distinct natural charm and feature a private verandah and an en-suite bathroom. The front section of each chalet can be opened allowing for magnificent 180-degree views over stretches of untouched sand.
The "lapa" area where guests meet for "sundowners", dinner and breakfast opens out onto a verandah with more superb views of the surroundings. A spacious deck with a fireplace provides a wonderful atmosphere for relaxing and stargazing.
May 23 - Wolwedans
Full day of photographic activities in the desert.
May 24 - Wolwedans to Sossusvlei
Transfer by road to the airport for your scenic private charter flight to the Namib-Naukluft National Park southwest of the Naukluft Mountains.
The Namib-Naukluft Park covers 19,215 square miles (50,000 km2) of desert savannah grasslands, gypsum and quartz plains, granite mountains, an estuarine lagoon, a canyon and huge, drifting apricot-colored dunes. The five main regions of the park are the Namib, Sandvis, Naukluft, Sesriem and Sossusvlei areas.
The Kuiseb River runs through the center of the park from east to west and acts as a natural boundary separating the northern grayish-white gravel plains from the southern deserts. Herds of mountain zebra, gemsbok, springbok and flocks of ostrich roam the region. Many small, fascinating creatures have uniquely adapted to this environment and help make this one of the most interesting deserts in the world. The dunes are home to numerous unique creatures, such as the translucent Palmato gecko, shovel-nosed lizard and Namib golden mole.
Sossusvlei, in the southern region, has the highest sand dunes in the world, exceeding 1,000 feet (300 m). The base of the second highest sand dune in the world can be closely approached by vehicle. The hike along the knife-edge rim to the top is strenuous, requiring 60–90 minutes of taking two steps up and sliding one step down. The view from the top into other valleys and of the mountains beyond is marvelous. Even up there, colorful beetles, ants and other desert critters roam about. Sunrise on these magnificent and colorful dunes is spectacular. Ballooning safaris are offered.
Kulala Desert Lodge is situated on the boundary of Sossusvlei. Each "Kulala" offers en suite facilities and a private veranda with stunning views of the famous Sossusvlei dunes. In addition, your own rooftop sleeping area allows you a unique opportunity to enjoy a night under the spectacular desert sky.
May 25 - Sossusvlei
Early entrance into Sossusvlei park for a sunrise at Dead Vlei (special early entrance to the park has been requested).
May 26 - Sossusvlei
You have the option of doing a balloon safari the morning. Those taking the balloon safari will be driven to and from the balloon launch site by the balloon operator. Those not taking the balloon safari will have another visit to Sossusvlei (early entrance has been requested).
May 27 - Sossusvlei to Windhoek
Optional hot air balloon ride for some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet. Take a flight back to Windhoek. Connect to your onward scheduled flight.
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The Cost
The cost of this all-inclusive trip is U.S. $7,990 per person (but not inclusive of airfare to Windhoek, Namibia). The same rate applies for each participant regardless of whether they are doing photography and participating in the workshop, or not. This fee includes all in-country ground and air transportation as well as hotel accommodation (double occupancy) and all meals. Accommodations are two person to a room. Hot air balloon option is $475.
Accommodations are two person to a room. If you will be traveling alone and would like a private room there will be a supplementary charge of $1750.
For an additional fee you can choose to have the both the safari *and* your flights to Namibia booked for you through the agency that we are working with. Please inquire if you would like a quote. We encourage this service if you are departing from North America, as we will all be able to arrive in Namibia on the same flight at the same time. It is our experience that this service eliminates many scheduling headaches, and the cost is at or slightly below the average market rate for such a flight.
A deposit of U.S. $1,500 (per person) will be required when you register. A second payment of $1,500 will be due on May 1, 2008 and the balance of $4,990 will be due no later than December 1, 2008. If you need to cancel before August 1, 2008, you'll get a full refund (less $750), but the refund will be possible only if a replacement for you can be found.
If we have to cancel the trip for any reason you will receive a full refund of all monies paid to that date.
Please note: This trip is designed for photographers. Though non-photographer spouses are of course welcome, and alternate activities will be scheduled if possible, our primary emphasis will be traveling to the best locations for the best light, and this will often mean long days of both travel and shooting.
You should therefore only consider joining this expedition if you are a passionate photographer willing to put yourself out a bit. This is not a vacation sightseeing trip, but rather is a safari designed for those who'll go the extra mile (or kilometer) to get the images they've been dreaming about.
We will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. We reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participant.
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What's Included?
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All Park fees
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All accommodations, based on double occupancy
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All meals inclusive of restaurant staff tips
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Services of guides and drivers
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Airport transfers to and from hotels
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Internal chartered aircraft in Namibia
What is Not Included?
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Additional tips for staff such as guides and camp staff
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Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, insurance and airport taxes
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Hot air balloon flight of $475
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Alcoholic beverages and sodas
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Laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature
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Cost of hospitalization and evacuation if necessary
What Do I Do Next?
Our groups are small, so space is limited. If this exciting trip has your name on it; if you're excited by the thought of becoming a member of this trip, then now is the time to register. Remember, there will be limited space available for this workshop. When they're spoken for, that's it. If you have any questions before registering, send us an e-mail with any inquiries to info@andybiggs.com.
Andy spends a few months each year in Africa, teaching workshops and sharing his enjoyment of the wildlife, landscapes and people of Africa. If you are interested in joining him on one of his trips, you can contact him at info@andybiggs.com, view his workshop schedule on this site, or visit his website at www.andybiggs.com.
