Namibia. An abstract, almost alien landscape shaped by the forces of nature and time into one of the most beautiful and photogenic places in the world. Home to the largest dunes in the world, glowing red in the rising sun, clay pans with the black skeletons of long dead trees, the deserted mining town of Kolmanskop slowly being reclaimed by sand, and some of the darkest skies on the planet for astro photography
Namibia is a landscape of space, one of the least populated countries on the planet with vast areas of remote wilderness. A place where awe at nature and the effects of time constantly surround you. These are landscapes that move our soul, the kind of scenes that landscape photographers dream of capturing
I’m excited to be partnering with Hougaard Malan, one of South Africa’s finest photographers and experienced Namibia tour guide for this really special trip. With more than a decade’s experience of photographing and leading tours here he’ll be guiding us as we visit Namibia’s photographic hotspots like Sossusvlei and Quiver Tree Forest, as well as rarely visited parts like the Skeleton Coast. We’ll have special access to many of the locations we’ll be shooting like Kolmanskop, as well as night time access to Deadvlei and exclusive night time access to the Quiver Trees for astro photography, meaning we’ll always be in the right place at the best times for making wonderful images.
Additionally, the tour includes an hour and a half helicopter trip above the dunes of Sossuvlei where you’ll get to see the dunes from a unique and spectacular view point, as well as two nights camping on the Southern Skeleton Coast, one of the most remote areas in the country where the sand dunes meet the misty ocean,
The extreme Namibian heat starts fading during April and by Junes the climate is cooler with longer nights and ideal conditions for astro photography. This tour has been planned to put us at the ideal astro destinations during the waning moon phase, when we can shoot Namibia's famous night skies after sunset and still get to bed at a normal time.
This tour is limited to 10 participants with 3 guides, and like all my workshops is designed to ensure that you can focus on photography while we take care of everything else. From the ideally located and comfortable accommodation, great food and of course a tour that’s structured to maximize your opportunities to get great images whilst improving your skills as a photographer. We use all our experience and knowledge to get you to some of Namibia’s most beautiful locations in the best light, and in the field we’re on hand to provide as much support, advice or guidance as you want.
PRICE
$9500
(price is for shared occupancy. Single room supplement $950)
GROUP SIZE
10
EXPERIENCE
Amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers.
PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY
Easy, although participants should be prepared to deal with heat
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Two persons per room (i.e. shared double occupancy), unless single supplement option is exercised and secured at the time of payment of deposit
Ground Transport for the entire duration of the tour
All tourism taxes and park entry fees
All dinners
Maximum Guide to client ratio of 1:3
All accommodation/lodging costs.
90-min Helicopter Flight at Sossusvlei
Two nights camping on the Skeleton Coast with all meals and exclusive access to one of the most remote areas of Namibia
Continuous assistance with your photography and image processing by the guides
The services of a highly experienced local guide and drivers
Highly experienced tour leaders with great knowledge and experience of landscape photography
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
Airfare to and from Windhoek
Lunches, snacks and drinks
Optional helicopter flight above Sandwich Bay
Credit Card surcharges
Travel Insurance
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
90 MINUTE HELICOPTER FLIGHT OVER SOSSUSVLEI
2 DAYS CAMPING ON THE REMOTE SKELETON COAST
SPECIAL ACCESS TO KOLMANSKOP
THE LEGENDARY GHOST TOWN
OPTIMAL MOONPHASE FOR ASTRO PHOTOGRAPHY
EXCLUSIVE NIGHT TIME ACCESS TO QUIVER TREES
Itinerary Breakdown
Arrival in Windhoek | 1 Night
Upon arrival in Windhoek, you will be received at the airport by a driver with a name sign and transferred to our lodge, which is situated in the mountains just outside Windhoek.
On the second morning, we’ll have breakfast and then hit the road South towards Quiver Tree Forest, where we’ll spend the next two days.
Quiver Tree Forest | 2 Nights
While Quiver Trees are found throughout much of Namibia, they aren’t always easy to get to as they prefer rocky high-lying terrain like mountain ridges. Quiver Tree Forest offers two locations that have a high density of Quiver trees amongst interesting rock stacks on low-lying, level ground. Both locations are within 5 minutes of our accommodation and easy to explore.
We have the locations to ourselves after sunset, ensuring that we don't have compete with other photographers and tourists or risk them ruining our photos with their lights.
Luderitz (Kolmanskop) | 2 Nights
As the view points at the Quiver Tree Forest all face west, the 3rd morning will be a rest morning. We'll aim to hit the road at 9:00 to make the 4h drive to Luderitz, stopping for lunch in Aus. Once checked into our hotel in Luderitz, we'll grab our camera gear and head to the famous Kolmanskop ghost town for an exploratory afternoon shoot.
Over the next two days, we'll help you capture the iconic ghost town's most colourful sand-filled rooms and have some creative fun.
On the 5th morning we'll do a quick sunrise shoot to capture the golden morning light at Kolmanskop, before hitting the long road to the Namib Rand.
Sperrgebiedt or Namib Rand | 1 Night
For 2024 we’re planning to spend a night in Sperrgebiedt, a vast area of land which until this year belonged to the diamond mine company for 100 years, but has now just been handed back to the Namibian government. It’s being opened up as a national park, and until now, no-one has been able to photograph it properly yet. We’ll be scouting it in early 2023 and we already know there’s a huge sea arch, as well as shipwreck, and we plan to be the first tour to take a workshop group there.
However, if this proves impossible we’ll spend a night in the Namib Rand, a panoramic landscape of rocky mountains speed across a vast desert.
Sossusvlei | 4 Nights
This is a drive of nearly 400km from Sperrgebiedt, with about 2/3rds being gravel road. With a lunch stop in Helmeringhausen, this drive usually takes about 5-6 hours and the ETA at Sossusvlei is late afternoon. Upon arrival, we'll check in, brief you on the days to come, have dinner and then get to bed early for a sunrise shoot in Deadvlei the next morning. If we spend the previous night in Namib Rand however it’s a much shorter drive and we’ll be able to get out and do an evening shoot in the Sossusvlei valley
Sossusvlei is one of the world's most photogenic landscapes and there are endless shooting options. We spread everything over our three days to ensure that you get the best possible photographic return on investment. During our time there we will shoot at least one sunrise in Deadvlei as well as the iconic towering dune spines, try to throw an Oryx in the mix for scale and also work in the helicopter flights.
Walvis Bay | 1 Night
The next morning we will do a final shoot at Sossusvlei and then head further north, back to the coast. Approximate driving time - 6 hours. On arrival in Walvis Bay we'll check into our guesthouse on the lagoon and those who want to shoot the flamingoes, can simply go for a walk along the promenade.
The next morning you can either choose to sleep in, or again shoot flamingoes and pelicans along the promenade.
Skeleton Coast | 2 Nights
The next day our skeleton coast tour operator will pick us up at a time determined by the tides. Over the next two nights we will head into the absolute wilderness of the Namib Desert. Few people ever go here and almost no photographers have ever gone into this photographic paradise and this section of coastline holds a vast treasure chest of virgin photographic subjects
To retain the exclusivity of this adventure more details will be shared upon sign up for the workshop when we will answer any questions you might have. However, what we can say is:
We camp right next to a shipwreck on the first night for seascape and astro photography
We'll take you along massive coastal dunes for an incredible view and adrenaline-pumping dune driving
We should be back in the civilization of Walvis Bay by noon and you can trust us that your jaw will be hanging on the ground after 48 hours in the desert.
Walvis Bay | 1 Night
The desert camping experience is very exhausting and you will have sand in places you didn't know you had a place. For this reason we have a rest night in Walvis Bay so you can clean up, rest, download and recharge. While we’re here we’ll also have the opportunity to take another optional helicopter flight above Sandwich harbour, where you’ll fly above dunes and huge flocks of flamingos.
End of Tour
If you would prefer to spend another night in Windhoek to remove the stress of catching your flight, we would be more than happy to arrange it for you
Dead Vlei
Quiver Tree Forest
Kolmanskop
Kolmanskop
Sossusvlei
Dead Vlei
Sossusvlei
The Skeleton Coast
Sossusvlei
The Skeleton Coast
All images © Andy Mumford & Hougaard Malan
camping on THE SKELETON COAST
This trip involves extreme dune driving all of which is done by full-time expert dune drivers who are vastly experienced at it. It is a little bit scary at first, but you'll quickly get used to it and for most people it is an incredible experience. If you find the descents on the slip face of the high dunes too scary, you are more than welcome to get out and walk down.
There are absolutely zero permanent facilities where we go, but we'll be living a luxury nomad lifestyle - You'll have your own 8x8ft canvas dome tent that is high enough to stand in, with a stretcher, bed roll, pillow and duvet. The camp is shielded by 8ft high wind sails, so if we strike it unlucky with the wind, we'll still be able to sit around a fire with a G&T and look at the stars. There is a completely private toilet tent - but you can also take a walk behind a dune if that's your preference. You will be able to take a hot shower in a private "bathroom tent".
Breakfasts will be a classic english cooked breakfast. Lunches are a make your own sandwich with a wide variety of fresh toppings. Dinners are a classic Southern African barbecue with meat, starch and salad.
There are zero telecomms in the desert. We will have a satellite phone and it’s umber will be shared with the tour participants who would like to stay in contact for emergencies.
FLYING ABOVE THE DUNES OF SOSSUSVLEI
The dunes of Sossuvlei are among the most incredible and photogenic places in the world, and when you have the chance to fly above they become even more spectacular. An aerial viewpoint gives the opportunity to both see the dunes in context with their surroundings as they extend as far as the eye can see to the horizon, while at the same time being able to create intimate abstracts from the air. The shape, tones and texture lend themselves to an endless range of images and literally anywhere you point your camera will reveal different aspect of this astonishing landscape.
During our three days in Sossusvlei each participant will have a 90 minute helicopter trip above the dunes and get to witness the kind of breath-taking views that very few people do. If weather means we can’t fit in all the flights in Sossusvlei, we’ll be able to do aerial photography flights in Walvis Bay, where you’ll fly above the dunes next to the coast and the flamingos and pelicans of Sandwich Harbour.
It’s a truly unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience!
WHAT WE DO (AND WHAT WE WANT YOU TO GET FROM this WORKSHOP)
Our aim is to take you to beautiful locations and give you every opportunity to get great images while improving your technique over the course of the workshop. We direct out time to being outdoors and we limit the number of participants on our workshop to just eight which gives us plenty of time with everyone in the field, meaning either Hougaard or myself will be close at hand to give you any advice or help you need, from composition to whether to use a filter. From the beginning of your time with us we can identify your photographic level and what you’d like to focus on, and then tailor the sessions accordingly.
We carefully select the dates of our workshops to try and make sure we are in each location at the best time of year. In Namibia, June means cooler temperatures and a respite from the searing desert heat, as well as earlier sunsets which means we have the opportunity to shoot Namibia’s incredible dark skies without having to stay awake till the middle of the night.
2024 will be Hougaard’s 12th year running photo tours to Namibia and the recipe is constantly being fine-tuned to ensure that guests have the best possible experience. Every single restaurant, lodge and shoot is meticulously planned on the back of nearly a decade of experience.
Finally, we want to share with you our passion for nature and landscape photography in this incredible place. Travelling in such small groups means we can quickly build a great learning environment where people feel comfortable together and at ease with asking questions and making the absolute most of the trip. We aim to make your experience here in the beautiful landscapes of Iceland a memorable one and a trip from which, as well as getting some great images from amazing locations, you’ll also go home having had a true adventure with great company in a very special place.
SOME OF THE PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES COVERED
- Understanding the light and choosing the best exposure
- Composition. Balance and harmony, leading lines and creating depth.
- Lens choice. From the wide-angle vista to shooting landscape abstracts with a telephoto lens
- Shooting multiple image panoramas
- Controlling light in scenes with a wide dynamic range using graduated filters and/or multiple exposures
- Astro photography, composition and exposure for images of the night sky
- Wildlife photography. Capturing images of animals in a truly wild landscape
- Creating abstract images and intimate landscapes
- Aerial photography. Tips on how to capture compelling images from an aerial perspective
- Choosing shutter times and compositions for waterscapes on the Skeleton Coast
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Namibia Safe?
Our guides have travelled Namibia extensively and never encountered any problems. The only thing to be wary of is small amounts of cash that might go missing from your room if you leave it lying around.
Do I need a VISA to enter Namibia?
Most of the major countries in the world do not require a visa to enter Namibia, please see the chart at the bottom of this page to determine if you need a visa.
Will I have cellphone reception?
You will have good cellphone reception at all the destinations for calling/texting.
Will I have Internet access?
There will be WIFI of various speeds and standards at different hotels. Before and during the trip we will keep you diligently informed of what to expect. If you’d like a sim card for the local cellphone network, we will provide one for you at no extra charge.
What about medicines, diseases and vaccinations?
We will not be visiting any Malaria risk areas, but we advise you consult with your doctor for a professional opinion. We recommend that you take the basic medical supplies like painkillers, antihistamine, insect repellant, disinfectant cream and plasters. Sun tan lotion and lip balm are crucial in the hot and dry environment.
Will there be fresh water available?
The tap water is drinkable at all destinations, but it is safer to drink bottled water as this might avoid a disagreement between your stomach and the local water supply. There will be bottled water available everywhere.
Will I be able to purchase snacks?
We will stop at grocers and cafés on a regular basis so everyone can stock up on drinks and snacks.
What food can I expect?
Namibia’s cuisine is primarily of British influence with a slight German element.
All our destinations serve a hot English breakfast and it usually accompanied by breads, cold meats, fruits, yoghurt and cereal. Most places have an a la carte lunch menu offering sandwiches, salads, burgers etc. Dinners will mostly be three courses, consisting of a salad or soup starter, a meat main course served with a starch and vegetables, followed by a sweet dessert.
What about allergies or dietary preferences?
Most of the lodges are prepared to handle basic allergies and dietary preferences like vegetarian meals. If you have a very rare allergy, please inform us so that we can make the necessary preparations.
Are there any luggage restrictions?
Not really, but please pack considerately. One large suitcase or bag, a large camera bag and tripod is the norm. Most lodges offer laundry services, so you don’t need to pack a fresh set of clothes for every day.
Do I need to bring spending money along?
Although most of your expenses are included, you will need some cash to buy snacks, drinks and souvenirs. You can use Namibian dollars or South African Rands and it is very unlikely that you’ll need more than 10 Euro per day.
Tipping
It is customary in Namibia to tip porters and guides at lodges. You can budget about USD100 for these tips
Do I need a laptop?
A laptop isn’t an absolute must. If you want to learn editing from the guides, you’ll need one. If you are happy just to look while the others practice and to store all your images on memory cards, then you can leave the laptop at home.
WHAT TO BRING
A dSLR or mirrorless camera
The criteria for the kind of work we’ll be doing is a camera that can be operated completely manually to ensure we get the best exposure with interchangeable lenses allowing us to cover a range of focal lengths
Lenses
You need to cover a focal range of 16-400mm. If you are a keen bird photographer, then it will be worth dragging your 500/600mm along for this trip as well. An astro lens like a 20mm f/1.4 is great to have for all the nighttime scenery - we recommend the Sigma Art 20mm f/1.4 or Nikon 20mm f/1.8. If you’re an APS-C shooter, the Viltrox 13mm f1.4 is a good option.
What you do NOT need is a macro or fisheye lens.
Filters
Graduated filters aren’t a necessity, but if you own a set, you can bring it along.
A circular polarizer, especially for your 70-200mm/100-400mm will help a lot. Make sure you have one in your bag that fits your wide angle and telephoto lenses.
Cleaning
Namibia is a very dusty and sandy place, so expect to clean all your lenses daily. Bring enough cleaning liquid and cloths. The best tool for getting sand off camera gear is a paintbrush.
Tripod
It is obvious that you need a tripod for a landscape photography workshop, but this is an area that a lot of people neglect. If you do not own a high quality tripod, please enquire about renting one from us. This also saves you the effort of having to fly with a tripod.
Backpack
We will be doing a lot of walking with camera gear, so it is critical that you have a comfortable backpack that can take your camera gear, a bottle of water and a warm layer of clothing.
The Guides
ANDY MUMFORD is a Lisbon based professional landscape and travel photographer. Andy grew up in the UK loving nature and travel and took up landscape photography over fifteen years ago. Since then he has travelled extensively photographing all over the world and his photography and articles have featured in publications and books worldwide. He is a passionate photographer teacher and has been leading both group and one-to-one workshops for over five years.
He is a Fuji X Photographer and a brand ambassador for Fujifilm in Portugal, although he also has extensive experience with Nikon and Canon cameras.
Hougaard Malan is an award winning South African photographer who has been guiding and organising photo tours to Nambia for a decade. He has taken people from every corner of the planet to every corner of Namibia. His own photos of Namibia have won him awards like the 2016 International Landscape Photograph of the Year and his clients have also won numerous awards with the photos captured on his tours. All the images on this page were captured by Hougaard.
Hougaard believes the essence of a landscape photograph is allowing the viewer to experience that place without ever being there. When the light, clouds and land combine to produce scenes so beautiful that they etch a profound place in viewers’ memories, and witnessing such moments unfold over earth’s most beautiful landscapes is, for me, one of the highlights of living.
Hougaard’s work has been published in countless media all over the world, from books and magazines to calendars and coffee table books by the likes of National Geographic. Licensing and commission clients include global and local corporates like Samsung, Toyota, SAB Inbev, FNB, Standard Bank and Europcar.
OUR workshop partners
For this workshop I’m partnering with Go Gravel Photo Safaris, Go Gravel is photographically oriented travel agency and tour operator run by Hougaard Malan and Jandre Germishuizen based in Namibia backed up by over 10 years of photography travel and tours in the country. Jandre studied nature conservation and guiding in South Africa and soon started leading groups all over Namibia. He is currently a full-time photography guide, accompanying some of the world’s greatest photographers like National Geographic photographer Art Wolfe and leading wildlife photographer Isak Pretorius through Namibia. Jandre has an incredible and expansive knowledge of the landscapes, wildlife, geology, history and nature of Namibia which he is happy to share and use to help his clients both capture and understand this beautiful country better. Go Gravel are extremely passionate about what they do; tours are planned to the hour around season, moonphases, angle of light and concessions. They have a policy of stress-free logistics, so every single detail of every single tour is planned more than a year in advance, based on a decade of experience. Go Gravel have built partnerships with the best suppliers in the country and consider many of the lodge owners, park managers and concession-holders good friends that they have gotten to know over the years. These relationships mean you get better access to all of Namibia's beautiful locations, and years of refining and perfecting their tours put them in a position to offer the absolute peak in photography travel in Namibia.
Go Gravel are a registered, licensed and insured tour operator in Namibia.
REGISTRATION
To register for the workshop we require a $1500 deposit. Please complete the form below to sign up or for more information, and please read the Terms & Conditions by clicking on the link below.