Namibia and South Africa Wildlife and Landscape Photo Tour

Photograph Africa with Adam Brubaker and Zack Clothier as we travel to Namibia and South Africa for a unique photography safari. Doubling up we will be spending time in two premier photo destinations to photograph both the vast landscapes and diverse wildlife that Africa has to offer.

Starting in Sossusvlei, Namibia we will focus our attention on the famous Red Dunes at such locations as Dead Vlei and Dune 45. Dead Vlei offers dark dead camel thorn trees, contrasted to a white pan floor, surrounded by huge red dunes. Dune 45 is over a 500 foot tall dunes highlighted by its long S curve that is highlighted at sunset. In Sossusvlei the highlights may be the red dunes but animals such as the oryx, bat-eared fox, and ostriches call this area home.

In South Africa we will be visiting one of the top locations in Africa for viewing leopards, Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve. Along with leopards, Sabi Sands is a great place to see the rest of the “The Big 5”, lion, rhino, elephant, and water buffalo. Here the wildlife will be the highlight but there will be opportunities to photograph the landscape that these animals call home.

Basic Itinerary

Monday, 11 September 2023

Meet in Windhoek, Namibia and transfer from Hosea Kutako International Airport to Hilton Windhoek Hotel

Overnight: Hilton Windhoek Hotel

Tuesday, 12 September 2023

Transfer from Hilton Windhoek Hotel by charter flight to Kulala Desert Lodge, Sossusvlei. Check in and lunch at the lodge before departing on an afternoon outing.

Wednesday, 13 September – Thursday, 14 September 2023

Spend time at Sossusvlei photographing the famous red dunes and the wildlife found in this unique habitat.

Friday, 15 September 2023

After a early morning outing transfer from Kulala Desert Lodge to Hilton Windhoek Hotel

Overnight: Hilton Windhoek Hotel

Saturday, 16 September 2023

Transfer from Hilton Windhoek Hotel to Skukuza Airport to Inyati Game Lodge, Sabi Sand. If time allows a late lunch will be served otherwise a light snack will be offered followed by an afternoon game drive.

Sunday, 17 September – Wednesday, 20 September 2023

Typical morning and evening game drives and walks will be offered everyday. Followed by downtime at the lodge.

Thursday, 21 September 2023

After our last early morning game drive we will transfer from Inyati Game Lodge to Skukuza Airport. Connect to international flight back to US

Detailed Itinerary

Sept 11th Arrive

Upon arrival at Windhoek International Airport we will be met by our local representative and transferred to the Hilton Windhoek Hotel. Guest Rooms at this Windhoek hotel are decorated in a warm, contemporary African style and feature spacious work areas and high-speed internet access

Sept 12th Transfer and Evening Outing

After breakfast in Windhoek, check out and transfer back to Windhoek Airport for the light aircraft flight to Sossusvlei. Upon arrival at the Kulala Airstrip, we will be met by lodge staff and transferred to the Kulala Desert Lodge. Check in and lunch at the lodge before departing on an afternoon photography outing. Return to camp for dinner and overnight.

Sept 13th – 14th Kulala Desert Lodge – Nature Drives

The 429-acre private Kulala Wilderness Reserve offers visitors exclusive wildlife-viewing opportunities which include the likes of gemsbok (oryx), bat-eared fox, brown hyaena and birdlife. World-famous Sossusvlei is both the name for the area in general as well as an enormous clay pan, flanked by immense sand dunes. Nearby, at the foot of some of these dunes the skeletons of trees dominate the landscape, where once water flowed. This is known as Dead Vlei.

During our time at the Kulala Desert Lodge we will be taking advantage of morning and evening outings focusing on landscapes and wildlife unique to Sossusvlei. During the afternoons there may be opportunities for walking trails around the lodge.

Sept 15th Morning Outing and Transfer

After our final morning outing and breakfast at the lodge, we will check out and transfer back to the Kulala Airstrip. Catch the light aircraft back to Windhoek Airport, where upon arrival we will be transferred to the Windhoek Hotel for the night.

Sept 16th Transfer and Afternoon Game Drive

After an early breakfast in Windhoek, we will check out and transfer back to Windhoek International Airport for our flight to Johannesburg, connecting to Skukuza Airport in the Kruger area. Upon arrival at Skukuza Airport, a local representative will collect us and transfer us to Inyati Game lodge, where we will enjoy five nights on a fully inclusive basis. Inyati is situated in the popular Western sector of the Sabi Sands.

You will then be shown to your room, where you can settle in and explore your surroundings before making your way to the dining area for a late lunch (if time allows – if we arrive late in the afternoon there may only be a light snack before departing on the afternoon game drive). Upon return to the lodge, you can freshen up in your room. Normally dinner is served around the fire in the traditional boma (open air dining area), weather permitting.

Sept 17th – 20th On Safari Basic Daily Itinerary

At most private game lodges, the basic itinerary is more or less the same every day. Early in the morning, you will be awoken before sunrise. Early morning is the best time for game viewing, so make the most of it! Coffee and tea with rusks (biscuits) will be served on the deck or in the lounge before departing.

After the morning game drive (which lasts about 3 hours), you will return to the lodge where a delicious spread will be laid on for breakfast (usually full English or Continental breakfast). After breakfast, you can join an armed ranger on a short guided bush walk if you wish, to explore the smaller wonders of the wild on foot.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure, watching animals from the deck, reading a book next to the pool, or perhaps taking an afternoon siesta before lunch. Lunch is normally served around 14h00, and you can relax until afternoon tea during mid-afternoon, when it is time to get ready for another game drive on an open land rover.

The afternoon game drive continues after sunset as a night drive, before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Sept 21st Morning Game Drive and Depart

After your last morning outing, return to the lodge for breakfast and check out. We will be collected and transferred to Skukuza Airport for your return flight to Johannesburg Airport, where you will connect with your international flight home.

More Information about Sossusvlei

Sossusvlei or “Dead End Marsh” is a large salt and clay pan located in the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Sossusvlei is famous for having some of the largest sand dunes in the world, including Dune 45 and Big Daddy. The characteristic red dunes of the Namib Desert have developed over many millions of years.

Some of the larger mammals you will see around Sossusvlei are the ostrich, springbok and gemsbok, each well adapted to live in their dry surroundings. Larger predators include spotted hyena and the brown hyena. As the days cool down, you will be able to spot some of the smaller mammals in the cool night air, such as bat-eared fox, black-backed jackal, porcupine, Cape fox and aardwolf.

More Information about Kulala Desert Lodge

Kulala Desert Lodge’s location at the foot of the majestic Sossusvlei dunes allows for stunning views in every direction, while its private entrance to the Namib Naukluft National Park makes it the closest location to Sossusvlei. This makes it the ideal base for photographers. Twenty-three thatched and canvas tents (including two family units), each built on raised wooden platforms make for airy, comfortable accommodation, with a rooftop area for sleep-outs under the stars. Afternoons around the pool provide relief from the heat, while the wraparound veranda at the main area overlooks a waterhole, and private tours of the dunes provide the ultimate Sossusvlei experience.

More Information about Sabi Sands

Adjacent to the Kruger National Park, the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve is South Africa’s premier game viewing destination. It was the first-ever private nature reserve established in South Africa. The landscape features 65 000 hectares of savannah-covered land interspersed with watering holes, dry river beds, Lowveld woodlands, and the perennial Sabi and Sand rivers. This spectacular reserve offers exceptional game viewing opportunities with frequent sightings of the renowned Big Five as well as cheetah, zebra, giraffe, and a variety of antelope. Visitors can enjoy excellent wildlife viewing, dining under the stars, guided bush walks and enjoying a stay in some of South Africa’s most luxurious safari lodges. The ability to go off road and get up close to Africa’s big cats makes the Sabi Sand a top destination for wildlife photographers.

More Information about Inyati

Set on the lush banks of the Sand River, Inyati Game Lodge offers the ultimate safari experience combining diverse wildlife with authentic African hospitality.

From the warm welcome you receive upon arrival, to our comfortable chalets, hearty home style cuisine and highly experienced rangers, every guest departs with unforgettable memories and the imprint of Africa in their soul.

WHAT MAKES INYATI UNIQUE?

Intimate lodge with only 11 luxury chalets. Highly experienced and knowledgeable game rangers and trackers. Big Five game viewing with unrivaled sightings of the usually elusive leopard. Perfectly positioned overlooking the lush Sand River.

Target Species

Lion
Leopard
Elephant
Water Buffalo
Rhino (both white and black can be seen white is more common)
Giraffe
Oryx
Cheetah
Zebra
Wild Dogs
Hippo
Spotted Hyena
Brown Hyena
Bat Eared Fox
Ostrich
Variety of birds species
Variety of antelope species

Trip Highlights

While many think of Africa as a wildlife destination there are great opportunities for photographing landscapes as well. We will be spending time with both.

While visiting Inyati we have arranged for three vehicles to allow everyone time with their own row. This allows greater opportunities to shoot from both sides of the vehicle.

For those that are looking to improve their photography you will be traveling with two workshop leaders with varying backgrounds.

Visiting two countries with two unique ecosystems allows us to see and photograph a variety of landscapes and wildlife.

We will be able to spend time both in vehicles and on foot as we exploring each area.

What’s Included

All transportation after arrival in Namibia on the 12th and departure on the 21st
All Lodging starting on the night of Sept 12th and ending on the 21st
Optional photo instruction from Adam Brubaker and Zack Clothier.
All meals except breakfast and lunch on the 12 and Lunch and Dinner on the 21st.
All park fees

What's Not Included

Flights to and from Namibia and South Africa.
Extra lodging before the 11th or after the 20th.
Any airline, insurance, or Visa fees.
Any extra alcohol not provided by the lodges.
Extra baggage fees.

Price

$11,995 per person based on double occupancy
30% deposit ($3600) is due at time of booking, $600 is non refundable.
Full Payment is required 120 days prior to departure (May 15th).

The 2023 Namibia and South Africa Safari is limited to a maximum of 10 participants.

Cancellation policy

10% of your deposit is non refundable.
If you cancel from 90 to 120 days prior to your trip, you will forfeit 35% of your tour cost.
If you cancel within 90 days of the trip you will forfeit the full amount.
Travel insurance is recommended no exceptions including illness will be considered.

How to Prepare

Camera Gear

Three basic lenses would be helpful on a trip like this, a 400, 70-200, and 24-70. As there is a wide variety of options for lenses ideally you would have a wide angle, mid range, and a telephoto. Extra camera batteries and memory cards are important as well as a way to back up the memory cards. A lightweight travel tripod could come in handy.

General Gear

Bring comfortable hiking shoes or boots, cool clothing for during the day, long pants and a warm jacket for the evenings and early mornings. In winter (April to September), it gets very cold during the open vehicle game drives so pack a warm windbreaker, beanie or ear-warmers and gloves.

A small carry bag is useful to keep your things with you during game drives. A light raincoat may come in handy. Most lodges have a swimming pool so bring your swimsuit (optional), hat, sunglasses and sunscreen lotion, camera equipment, enough memory cards and spare batteries, small flashlight, spending money for drinks and personal expenses, insect repellant, anti-malaria medication, other prescription medication you may need, and a pair of binoculars (important).

If you need to charge equipment, bring a 220V international travel adapter. Towels are provided but consider bringing your own small hand towel. Don’t forget your travel documents, insurance papers, valid passport (with at least two blank pages) and your flight tickets!

Preparation

We want to make sure that everyone is physically prepared for this trip. We recommend being prepared to walk a couple miles each day possibly over uneven terrain and/or on the sand. As walking will be an integral part of this trip participants that can not make the walks may be left out of some activities.

We recommend that you take anti-malarial prophylactic medication as prescribed by your doctor or travel clinic, before traveling to Africa. Also talk to your doctor or consult the CDC website for recommend vaccines.

Passports must have at least six months of validity remaining beyond your planned date of departure. At least three completely blank pages are required.

Please Note

The itinerary listed above is subject to change, due to unpredictable weather or other factors.
The majority of our exploration takes place in safari vehicles. However, during our visits to certain areas, we will be exploring on foot as well.Guests
should feel comfortable carrying their photo gear on these short excursions.
Deposits are refundable (minus 10%) up to 121 days prior to the start of the tour. Within 90 days, deposits will not be refunded unless your spot l taken
by another participant and the tour sells out. To view our complete cancellation policy, please see above.
The tour balance is due 120 days prior to the start of the tour. Failure to pay the balance in full will lead us to invite the next person on the waiting
list.
Full payment is due if booked 120 days or less in advance of the tour.
Payments may be made via Credit Card, Check, or Bank Transfer. We must wait for checks to clear before considering tour slots reserved or flled.
We reserve the right to cancel the tour for any reason, including, but not limited to, a lack of participants. In such a case, your full deposit will be
refunded. However, we are not responsible for any additional expenses incurred.

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