Photography Tours
Namibia & CAPE TOWN Photo Tour
Photography Tours
Overview
OVERVIEW
Itinerary in a Nutshell
26 Aug – Naankuse Lodge
12:50pm arrive Windhoek. Afternoon Safari Drive
27 Aug – Naankuse Lodge
Morning walk with cheetahs. Afternoon safari drive.
28 Aug – Sossus Dune Lodge
Leisurely 5- 6 hour drive to Sossusvlei.
Afternoon Sunset Dune shoot
29 Aug – Sossus Dune Lodge
Deadvlei sunrise shoot. Afternoon sunset dune shoot
30 Aug – Sossus Dune Lodge
Morning scenic flight over Sossusvlei region. Sesriem Canyon walk. Afternoon relaxation or sunset shoot.
31 Aug – Walvis Bay
Leisurely 5- 6 hour drive to Sossusvlei. Afternoon sunset shoot over the ocean with Flamingos
1 Sept – Walvis Bay
8:30am Marine cruise and 4×4 dune experience along the desert and ocean edge. Full day out.
2 Sept – Walvis Bay
9am: Living desert tour
4pm: 1hr and 30min scenic flight over oceans & dunes
3 & 4 Sept – Camp Kipwa
Leisurely 5hr drive to Camp Kipwa. Safari drive for desert adapted elephant, twyfelfontein rock art, damara culture
5 Sept –Onjowewe Lodge (Himba)
Leisurely drive to Himba Village. Himba afternoon sunset experience.
6, 7, 8 Sept Etosha (Okaukuejo Lodge)
Etosha self-drive safaris. 3 full days to explore numerous parts of the park.
9 & 10 Sept Mount Etjo
Safari Drives. Target species white rhino, time at the photographic hide.
11 & 12 Sept Okonjima
Safari Drives. Target Species cats in particular leopard
13th Sept flight to cape Town
3 hour drive to airport afternoon flight to Cape Town (Airlink 13:40pm)
CAPE TOWN
14, 15, 16 Sept Cape Town
Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope Reserve, African Penguins, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape winelands, V&A waterfront, Bokaap Colourful Cape Malay Quarters, Lions Head, Signal Hill, Camps Bay. Table Mountain postcard shot.
In contrast to the desert, Sept is spring in Cape Town, rain is possible, will plan each day accordingly to weather, prevailing winds, light etc.
17th Sept
Will tour this day. Leaving bags at reception.
7:50pm Departure Flight (United Airlines 2222)
Photography Tours
DETAILS
DETAILS
Duration: 23 days
Start: Windhoek
Finish: Cape Town
Fitness Level: Easy to moderate. The only location that is a “have-to-walk” is Deadvlei which is about 20mins over soft sand with a slight incline at the end.
Accommodations: (click to open)
Naankuse – Windhoek
Sossus Dune Lodge – Sossusvlei
Pelican Bay Marriot – Walvis Bay
Camp Kipwa – Damaraland
Onjowewe Lodge – Himba
Okaukuejo camp – Etosha
Mount Etjo Private Reserve – Erongo Region
Okonjima Private Reserve – Central Namibia
Victoria & Alfred Hotel – Cape Town
Photography Tours
ITINERARY
ITINERARY
- DAY 01: 10:40am SA Airlink Flight Joburg to Windhoek International → Meet, greet, transfer Naankuse (Drive time: ±45 minutes). Time to settle in, unpack and freshen up. Afternoon, first guided safari drive on the reserve. Excellent introduction to Namibia’s light, landscapes and wildlife.
- DAY 02: Early morning cheetah walk experience. Unique close-up photographic opportunity with Namibia’s most iconic predator. Breakfast and relax. Afternoon Safari drive.
- DAY 03: Early breakfast. Depart Naankuse → Sossusvlei (±5–6 hrs leisurely drive). Arrive early afternoon Sossus Dune Lodge. Time to rest before heading out for afternoon sunset dune shoot.
- DAY 04: Pre-dawn departure. 1hr drive for sunrise shoot at Deadvlei. Iconic petrified trees, cracked clay pan, deep red dunes. Will take breakfast packs. Return to lodge for lunch and rest. Afternoon optional dune exploration/shoot closer to lodge.
- DAY 05: Early morning scenic flight over the Sossusvlei region. Dunes, salt pans, patterns only visible from the air. Midday visit Sesriem Canyon for a guided walk. Afternoon – leisure time, editing, poolside relaxation, or short sunset shoot.
- DAY 06: Breakfast. Departure north drive west as desert gives way to Atlantic coastline. Drive time ±5–6 hours. Arrival Pelican Bay Hotel, Walvis Bay. Late afternoon sunset over the ocean with flamingos at the lagoon.
- DAY 07: 8:30am Marine cruise, dolphins, seals, pelicans, and seabirds at close range. Oysters, champayne on catamaran. Special lunch at Pelican Point followed by exhilrating 4x4 dune experience desert meets ocean. Full day excursion
- DAY 08: 9am. Living Desert Tour into permit only Namib desert around Swakopmund looking for rare little desert creatures like Namaqua chameleon, sidewinder snake, palamate gecko, trac trac chat. Duration approx. 3 hrs. Lunch Swakopmund. 16:00 1.5-hour incredible scenic flight ocean and dunes.
- DAY 09: Walvis Bay → Camp Kipwa. Scenic drive north into remote Damaraland approx 5 hours. Arrive for first game drive, searching for desert-adapted elephants. Sunset among granite koppies.
- DAY 10: Visit Twyfelfontein rock engravings. dramatic rock formation landscapes. Afternoon wildlife drive at Camp Kipwa
- DAY 11: Camp Kipwe → Onjowewe Lodge. Drive time approx 3 hours.Afternoon arrival at lodge near Himba village. Lunch. Late afternoon Himba cultural experience. Portraits, storytelling images
- DAY 12: Himba→ Etosha drive time: ±3 hours Iconic Okaukuejo waterhole arguably the most productive wildlife waterhole in Africa, Etosha has all the big game with exception of buffalo, not enough grass. The waterhole is lit at night, lions occassional visit.
- DAY 13: Full day Etosha self-drive safari. Explore western and central regions
- DAY 14: Full Day Etosha self-drive safari. Explore central and eastern regions
- DAY 15: Etosha → Mount Etjo Drive time: ±3 hours Arrival in time for safari drives. Strong focus on white rhino encounters which are rare in Namibia
- DAY 16: 2 Safari drives. Dedicated time at the photographic hide
- DAY 17: Mount Etjo → Okonjima drive time: ±3 hours Safari drives with emphasis on big cats. Excellent leopard tracking opportunities.
- DAY 18: Okonjima. 2 safari drives
- DAY 19: Okonjima → Windhoek Airport. Drive time approx 3 hours. Airlink Flight Windhoek to Cape Town at 13:40. Flight time approx 2 hours
- DAY 20: Cape Town full day. Cape Point, African Penguins, Chapmans Peak Drive
- DAY 21: Full day. Colourful Bokaap, Cape winelands with postcard shot over the ocean of Table Mountain
- DAY 22: Sunrise over city. Kirstenbosch Gardens, Scenic R44 coastal Route
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DAY 21: Leave bags at hotel. After breakfast, options of Township Tour, Table Mountain, Lions Head. Flight out at 7:50p,m United Airlines Flight 2222
* For Cape Town the route may change with weather or preferences so will keep this as a basic plan
Photography Tours
WEATHER
WEATHER CONDITIONS - LATE AUGUST TO MID SEPT
NAMIBIA
Desert & Inland Areas (Sossusvlei, Damaraland)
Days: Warm, 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) sometimes even 30C (86F).
Nights: Cool and crisp; can drop to 7–11 °C (45–52 °F) Excellent stargazing and clear skies
Rain: Virtually no rain but can be windy
Coastal Zone – Walvis Bay
Days: Mild to cool 15–20 °C (59–68 °F).
Nights: Cool, often around 10 °C (50 °F).
Rain: Negligible; coastal mist and marine fog are common especially in mornings.
Wind: Strong coastal wind is possible
Etosha & Surroundings
Days: Dry season heat. 28–30 °C (82–86 °F). can get to 33C (90F)
Nights: Cooler, dropping to 9–13 °C (48–55 °F).
Rain: Very rare (1–2 mm typical for the month).
CAPE TOWN
Temperatures
- Days: Typically 17–20 °C (63–68 °F)
- Night / early morning: Cool, generally 9–11 °C (48–52 °F) good to have warm layers for sunrise shoots and early outings.
Rainfall
- Mid-September is still within the wetter part of the year, expect a few light showers or occasional rain. Typical totals are: 30–60 mm (1-2 inches) for the month.
- Showers tend to be light to moderate, often clearing up quickly.
Daylight
- Daylight length: About 12 hours/day
- Sunrise/Sunset: 06:40–06:50 sunset ~18:35–18:40
Seasonal Highlights for Mid-September
- Spring brings early wildflower blooms around mountain foothills.
- And is great time for Whale watching.
Practical Clothing & Gear Tips
Layered clothing from cold to hot. Windbreaker, hat and rain coat are essential
Dust protection for gear: Especially in Etosha and desert regions.
Water & sunscreen: Strong sun and dry conditions.
Photography Tours
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
EXCEPTIONAL DIVERSITY IN ONE JOURNEY
- Etosha Okaukuejo one of Africa’s most prolific waterholes
- Three full days in Etosha
- Big-cat focus at Okonjima Nature Reserve
- Walking with Cheetahs
- Iconic desert photography at Deadvlei and Sossusvlei
- Aerial photography with 2 different desert flights over incredible ocean and dune landscapes
- Dedicated photographic hide at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge
- Authentic cultural immersion with the Himba
- Catamaran cruise with incredible birdlife and oysters
- Exhilarating 4×4 dune adventure
- Living Desert experience seldom seen little creatures
- Remote wilderness of Damaraland at Camp Kipwe
- Iconic Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope Reserve and Chapman’s Peak Drive
- Kirstenbosch Gardens and Table Mountain
- Cape Winelands, beautiful Coastal Drives
Photography Tours
includes/excludes
INCLUDES/EXCLUDES
Includes:
- All Accommodation
- All Meals
- All Transport (including 4×4 excursions at lodges)
- All Guided Activities and Excursions (as per itinerary)
- All Park Fees, Permits and special concession fees
- Professional photographer guide, in the field photography tips, techniques & tuition
Excludes:
International flights, drinks outside of mealtimes, snacks, gratuities, fees for passport, visas, immunizations, insurance and airport taxes. Cost of hospitalization and evacuation, if necessary, laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature, any optional activities not in itinerary
Photography Tours
Contact
CONTACT
Please contact us if you have any further questions. we’re here to help: info@photographytours.co.za