TUTORS

Richard Young

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Craig Potton

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Day 1: Windhoek

Day Itinerary

Windhoek, with its lingering heritage of German architecture, activities and atmosphere is a city that can be visited throughout the year. The day is spent at leisure. We are met by our guide at the hotel reception for a briefing at +-18h00. Utopia Boutique Hotel or similar (Dinner, own arrangements)

Windhoek

Windhoek is Namibia’s capital, home to an international airport and a plethora of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and accommodation options. The city is clean, safe and well-organised, with a colonial legacy that is reflected in its many German eateries and shops, and the widespread use of the German language. Windhoek has an interesting mix of historical architecture and modern buildings, many of which are worth a look, including the Alte Feste (Old Fort), the 1896 Christuskirche (Christ Church), and the more contemporary Supreme Court.

Overnight: The Utopia Boutique Hotel

The modern Utopia Boutique establishment has allied with the neighboring Pension Bougainvilla and offers serene rooms and luxurious suites situated amid beautiful, green lush gardens. The hotel is conveniently located in the tranquil suburb of Klein Windhoek. Utopia combines business and leisure in a modest manner, simultaneously welcoming modern travelers and tourists in need of relaxation. Boasting 11 standard rooms and 6 luxurious suites, the Utopia Boutique Hotel creates an ideal hideaway. The onsite Taste Academy

Day 2: Waterberg Region

Day Itinerary

We depart Windhoek after breakfast, arriving at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in time for lunch. The CCF is an incorporated association not for gain which mission is to be internationally recognized centre of excellence in the conservation of cheetahs and their environment. We visit the education centre where we can learn about the history of the cheetahs. After lunch we join the staff for the feeding of the cheetahs that stay in the centre. After the visit we continue to our overnight lodge. Frans Indongo Lodge or similar (All meals)

Waterberg Region

The Waterberg Region incorporates the Waterberg Plateau National Park and the farming districts from Outjo and Otjiwarongo in the west to Grootfontein and Tsumeb in the west.

Overnight: Frans Indongo Lodge

Is your heart yearning for Africa? For the savannah and the scent of grasses and acacias? For silence and wide horizons? And at the same time you want to enjoy all modern comforts? Then Frans Indongo Lodge warmly welcomes you.  You can truly relax with us. Let us pamper you – after all, you are on holiday. Relax on the sundeck at the swimming pool and watch a succession of Sable Antelope, Black Springbok and Nyala quench their thirst at the nearby water hole. Relish the special African atmosphere: the lodge and the interior decoration feature stylish traditional elements from the Ovambo culture in northern Namibia – the birthplace of Frans Indongo.  You can’t afford to miss this! Watch cheetahs sprinting and learn more about the fastest terrestrial animal on the planet at the nearby Cheetah Conservation Fund or explore Waterberg Plateau Park, where water is plentiful.  While staying with us you will also experience purest nature, of course. The 170 km² farm boasts an extraordinary abundance of game, including White and Black Rhino, Black Wildebeest and Hartebeest. We take you game-viewing on sundowner drives.

Day 3-5: Namutoni, Etosha National Park

Day Itinerary

This Park is one of the most important reserves and game sanctuaries in Africa. Thousands of wild animals are attracted to the area, including lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, elephant, zebra giraffe and several species of antelope. The birdlife is prolific with 326 recorded species. Early morning and late afternoon game drives are enjoyed with the evenings spent watching an amazing diversity of animals around the floodlit waterhole bordering our camps. Namutoni or similar day 3/4. (All meals)

Etosha National Park

The Etosha National Park is Namibia’s premiere game viewing experience, situated in the northwest of Namibia and is an area well known for its wildlife. Vegetation ranges from dense bush to open plains attracting a diversity of wildlife. In the heart of the Park is The Etosha Pan – a shallow depression that covers an area of 5000sq kilometres. Dry and shimmering for most of the year, the pans fill up with water after good rains to a depth which is seldom deeper than 1m. In the dry season wildlife is attracted to perennial springs and waterholes that makes for excellent game viewing.

Overnight: Namutoni Resort

The lodge centres on an old German Fort overlooking the King Nehale waterhole; an elevated decked walkway provides excellent opportunities for enjoying the surrounding scenery, wildlife and the spectacular sunsets. The Fort has been developed into a hub of activity, offering two restaurants, a relaxation lounge, a bar, crafts boutique, curio shop,The lodge centres on an old German Fort overlooking the King Nehale waterhole; an elevated decked walkway provides excellent opportunities for enjoying the surrounding scenery, wildlife and the spectacular sunsets.

Day 5: Okaukuejo, Etosha National Park

Day Itinerary

See Above – Okaukuejo or similar day 5 (All meals)

Etosha National Park

See Above

Overnight: Okaukuejo Resort

Okaukuejo is located 17 km from the southern entrance of the park, and famous for its flood-lit waterhole, where visitors can observe at close quarters a spectacle of wildlife congregating and interacting. Accommodation is provided to suit every need, in premier bush chalets overlooking the waterhole; bush chalets and double rooms; or family chalets. Other facilities include a restaurant, bar, shop, swimming pool, kiosk and camping facilities.

Day 6-8: Damaraland

Day Itinerary

An early morning drive takes us to our exclusive camp at Damaraland – one of the last true wilderness areas in Africa. En route we visit a Himba village. The Ovahimba are a semi-nomadic tribe, who live in scattered settlements throughout the region. On our visit to their traditional settlement we are able to learn more about these fascinating people and their history. The following morning, we visit the Twyfelfontein area – a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 2000 rock carvings. We visit the fascinating Organ Pipes, a peculiar geological feature with numerous dolomite columns and then see the volcanic, Burnt Mountain. During the afternoon, we enjoy a riverside drive hoping to encounter the unique desert adapted elephants. Luxury Mobile Safari (All meals)

Damaraland

Huge, untamed and ruggedly beautiful Damaraland is an exceptionally scenic landscape of open plains and spectacular rock formations.

Overnight: Mowani Mountain Campsite

Mowani offers campers 7 stunning campsites with individual bathrooms facilities; hot water provided by a ‘donkey’, flushing toilets and private kitchen wash-up areas. All sites offer stunning views of the area

Day 8-10: Swakopmund

Day Itinerary

Swakopmund, with its quaint Bavarian style architecture, is the principal coastal resort of Namibia. Time is spent at leisure to enjoy the charm of this old town. During our stay here spend a day in 4×4’s crossing the Walvis Bay Lagoon, the Saltpans and the Kuiseb River Delta to Sandwich Harbour and driving to the top of some of the mighty dunes there to photograph them descending Atlantic ocean. During our stay there will also be time for optional scenic flight (at additional cost) over spectacular desert landscapes flying along the skeleton coast. (Breakfast only)

Swakopmund

Founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa, Swakopmund is often described as being more German than Germany. Now a seaside resort, Swakopmund is the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area and has plenty to keep visitors happy. The quirky mix of German and Namibian influences, colonial-era buildings and the cool sea breeze make it very popular.

Overnight: Hansa Hotel

Centrally situated, the hotel serves as the perfect getaway to all amenities which Swakopmund and surrounding areas have to offer, from sand-boarding some of the highest dunes in the world to big game viewing in one of our country’s world-known game parks. Surrounded by local tour operators, aviation and safari offices and five minutes from the beach, the Hansa Hotel is perfect for the discerning traveler looking for an adrenaline filled holiday or merely a bit of relaxation.

Day 10-12: The Namib

Day Itinerary

We drive via Kuiseb River en route to our camp on the edge of the Namib Desert. The following morning is an early departure for Sossusvlei – situated in the oldest desert in the world, stopping in the dune belt to enjoy the changing colours of the world’s highest sand dunes. The morning is spent walking amongst the dunes of Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. En-route back to camp we enjoy a short hike through the Sesriem Canyon. Luxury Mobile Safari (All meals)

The Namib

The Namib is the world’s oldest desert, and although it stretches along the entire length of Namibia’s coastline, the Namib commonly refers to the vast sea of sand from Luderitz to Swakopmund. For a big sandy desert the scenery is remarkably varied, with the giant red dunes of Sossusvlei being the most famous part.

Because of how old it is the Namib is home to numerous species that don’t occur elsewhere and although no humans live in the desert an amazing array of flora and fauna manages to survive here. Famous species include the Welwitschia – a living fossil plant, endemic chameleons, fur seals along the coast, brown hyenas, jackals and remarkably one of Africa’s largest antelope the Gemsbok. The name Namib is of Nama origin and means “vast place” and vast it certainly is.

Overnight: Agama Private Campsite

Day 12: Departure

• Group Size

  Maxium of 6 clients.  Limiting groups size ensures we provide you with the best tour experience possible, including expert guidance, instruction and personal attention, according to your learning style.

• Itinerary

  Our exact schedule will be determined according to the whole group’s photographic objectives and the weather. We keep a flexible itinerary to accommodate this. We will spend the tour instructing and shooting, often from before dawn until after dark. At some point during the tour the tutors will give a lecture on their photographic ability and how you can apply their systems and vision to develop your own unique style.

• VEHICLE:

  4x4 Land Cruiser with sliding windows, pop-up roof.

  • Fridges and battery charging facilities on all vehicles.

• TENTS & EQUIPMENT:

  2 person spacious, comfortable Meru tent (L6m x W3.5m x H2.20m) with built-in groundsheet and carpet, 4 large aerating windows with mosquito netting.

  • Safari folding chair.

  • 2 comfortable beds (not camp) with (20cm) thick foam mattress, linen, duvets, pillows and blankets.

  • En-suite bathroom (L2m X W3.5mX H2.20m) with warm shower, towels, hand basin, mirror and flush toilet, shampoo, soap, body lotion and insect repellent.

• FOOD & DRINKS

  3 delicious wholesome meals each day when camping, with dinner served ‘Al fresco’ under the stars – bush cuisine at its best!

  • Mineral water included

  • Tea and coffee available in camp.

  • Alcoholic beverages not included and may be purchased en route and at the start of the safari.

  • South African wine is served with dinner when camping

  • Excludes lunches & dinners in Windhoek and Swakopmund

• STAFF

  Guide, Camp Manager, chef, camp assistant/s.

• Physical Difficulty

  A minimum level of physical activity is necessary to enjoy the tour. Most locations that we shoot will be within an hour’s easy walk but sometimes over rocky or rough tracks and up gentle to moderate hills carrying your own equipment. If fitness or mobility is an issue please let us know - there are often locations that offer great shooting possibilities close to the road or our accommodation, and sometimes we also have the option to split the group up.

• Equipment & Experience

  Ideally, you will have a basic knowledge of photography and be comfortable adjusting camera settings such as aperture and shutter speed. An aim of the workshop is to give you more confidence in the creative control of camera settings and shooting in manual mode. We will have a brief session at the start of the workshop, covering camera settings and controls, to be sure everyone is up to speed. We will send you a full and more detailed equipment list before the tour.

  Camera Equipment: Our workshops focus on how to use your camera, not your type of camera. A basic list of recommended camera equipment can be found here

  Clothing:A list of recommended clothing to wear on the workshop can be found here

• Booking & Payment

  Accommodation at key places needs to be booked well in advance. We start preparation for this trip a year before the departure date. A non-refundable deposit of NZD$2,500.00 is required to reserve your space for this tour. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the start of the tour. You may pay in full at time of booking, the balance (minus the deposit) will remain fully refundable until 90 days before the tour.

  Booking and Cancellation Policy: Will send on registration of interest