April 11 – 24, 2014
Northern Namibia is filled with extraordinary photographic opportunities, unique to the wilds of Namibia, surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscape in Africa, and the true spirit of its people; an experience of a lifetime. The Himba tribe is one of the most exotic tribes on the African continent. We have planned a special visit with them over several days, to ensure extraordinary photographic opportunities and an authentic experience that most will only have through the pages of a magazine. You will have a real adventure tracking the desert elephants and rhinos living completely in the wild, along with numerous opportunities to photograph Africa’s exotic wildlife, while in Etosha. Added to this experience is the rare opportunity to spend time with the world’s oldest tribe, the San Bushman, documenting their traditions and dances.
Tradition, culture and wildlife are vanishing at alarming rates, putting greater importance on experiencing and photographing them before they are gone. Most of our accommodations are community based, so the communities directly benefit from our stay. A team of talented experts have put their knowledge and passion into making this photo adventure itinerary the perfect balance of tribal life, exotic wildlife, unique dramatic landscapes, adventure and luxury.
Highlights
- A unique interactive experience with the Himba tribe, not offered on any other itinerary.
- An opportunity to photograph and experience the traditions of the San Bushman
- Tracking the rare desert-adapted elephants and rhino
- Photographing the exotic wildlife of Africa
- Small group size with two experienced and passionate guides offering both photographic and film/video instruction
- One of the top guides in Namibia and top local guide with the Himba
- Having enough time in each location to immerse yourself in the experience and capture compelling imagery.
This past May 2013, I visited Namibia to scout the more remote, wild, and less visited Northern area; Koakaland and Daramaland. My intention was to put together a special itinerary offering a unique experience not currently being offered in other more commercialized itineraries. One of the big draws to the northern area is the stunningly beautiful Himba tribe and the desert elephants and rhino; they roam completely free and not in a reserve. Critical to this goal was finding an experienced expert who had vast experience and knowledge of this remote, wild area. Chris Liebenberg, owner of Piper and Heath Travel and a native Namibian, worked extraordinarily hard to make my scouting trip a complete success!!
Through Chris, I teamed up with Piers L’Estrange, a very passionate, talented photographer, filmmaker and Namibian guide. We have teamed up again for the Namibia adventure photo Safari. Piers has been working in the Safari industry in Africa for over 20 years. His main focus has been specializing in photographic safaris and “fixing” for documentary film crews. He has worked with such luminaries as Matt Lauer, Charlie Waite and Eric Valli to name just a few. His expert knowledge and contacts in these remote regions will help provide us with unique photographic opportunities. He is also known as the “Gadget Man” and can probably give you any technical advice on most photographic gear, app, or software, on the market. He is a passionate filmmaker and will be able to help those who are starting to venture into shooting video.
Pier’s filming the Himba girls dancing
Itinerary
April 11, 2014
Arrival in Windhoek, Namibia. Transportation will be provided from the airport to the hotel. We will meet for dinner where we will have a briefing on our adventure, get to know one another, and discuss any questions.
April 12, 2014
Our wonderful guides have graciously offered to drive our excess luggage to our camp so we can comfortably fly to our first destination, and not have to stress about to the weight restrictions of the aircraft. We will settle into our Safari Camp before being introduced to the San Bushman community. We will have the afternoon and evening to get acquainted and begin this magical photographic adventure.
April 13, 2014
We will have the rare opportunity to spend the whole day with the San Bushman; gaining insights into their world. A century ago there were thousands of clans throughout the desert, now there are only a few dozen remaining. Their unique traditions and hunting skills maybe lost in the next generation. We will immerse ourselves into their culture witnessing and taking part in their daily activities as hunters and gathers. You will be able to join them tracking game with bow and arrows, looking for honey, and foraging for edible or medicinal plants. You can join in or just observe their daily activities of rope and fire making, preparing and cooking food, building their nomadic homes, enjoy their pastime activates and games; all with camera in hand.
Late afternoon, the community will come together with their traditional, story-telling dances during the golden light, continuing around the fire as the sunsets. There will also be an opportunity to photograph them at night, under the dramatic star filled sky.
Bushman trans-dancing
April 14, 2014
We will say our good bye to the San Bushmen before jumping into our extended Land Rovers and head off to Etosha; a premier destination and one of the largest game parks in Africa. We will be staying at Onkoshi, one of only five lodges, located in the Park.
April 15, 2014
Go on safari!! in search of Africa’s most exotic wildlife; lions, giraffe, elephant, gemsbok Zebra, and more. The park is named for and dominated by the Etosha Pan, a salt desert that is nearly barren in the dry winter months. Perennial springs along the edges of the pan create natural waterholes that draw daily concentrations of wildlife and wildfowl.
Morning and Afternoon game drive.
April 16-17, 2014
We will have a morning game drive on our way to our next destination. Todays journey will take you through the beautiful landscape of Namibia as we head to kaokoland, home to the exotic Himba tribe. This is a highlight of this itinerary and unique only to this itinerary!! Special arrangements have been made to set up a comfortable mobile tented camp in the heart of the Himba territory. This will allow us to spend quality time with them enabling us to capture unique, compelling and artistic photographs that are otherwise difficult to come by. We will have one of the best local guides with us who will respectfully help us communicate with the tribe. Camping in the heart of Himba land will enable you to have an extraordinary experience that few will ever have, except through the pages of an exotic travel magazine. Our stay in this location is a community-based project and our visit will directly help the local Himba people.
Himba village
April 18, 2014
We rise early for one last sunrise visit with the Himba tribe before continuing our journey to top of the mountain peaks, to a room with a view!!! There are few words for the 360 degree views. The lodge is hand crafted to blend seamlessly into the environment, built almost entirely from natural materials. The permanent tented cottage each has a private deck overlooking the valley. You could stake striking landscape photographs while lying on your bed. Our stay at Etambura is a community-based project and our visit will directly help the local Himba people.
April 19-20, 2014
Today we head to the Purros conservancy. The serenity of the landscape will be mesmerizing. As we get close to our luxury lodge, we will begin the adventure of tracking desert Elephant, lion, black rhino and giraffe. These animals roam completely in the wild; no fences or boarders. We will take advantage of the beautiful morning and afternoon light tracking the desert animals and/or making a stop by one last Himba village. In the harsh daylight hours we will enjoy the serenity of our luxury lodge, with all its outside rooms, overlooking the infinity edge pool, facing the beautiful desert landscape, each with stunning African décor.
April 21-22, 2014
We head deep into the wilds of Damaraland continuing our adventure in searching for and discovering these amazing desert-adapted animals. The rooms at our luxury lodge have a private decks were you can roll your beds out and sleep under the stars. This will be the perfect time to try your skills at star trails.
Zebra’s standing in the dramatic Namibian landscape
April 23, 2014
Today we drive back towards Windhoek and stay at a beautiful Lodge that is also a wildlife sanctuary and research center. This lodge offers numerous intimate wildlife encounters and experiences. Each traveler will be able to book individual activates that interest them, or just relax in the beauty of the environment.
April 24, 2014
Enjoy the morning and prepare for our transfers to the airport.
Is this trip for you?
This photographic adventure is for anyone who wants to have an authentic tribal experience, photograph exotic wildlife, has a sense of adventure, and enjoys driving through serene dramatic landscapes. This expedition is focused on producing high quality images of extraordinary subjects, so we will be rising very early in the morning for the best light. This expedition was created for photographers with a good working knowledge of the basics of photography, composition, and equipment. Depending on your vision, some experience working with flash is a bonus. Although this is NOT a workshop there will be constant informal instruction from two experienced photographers. Both will be available for any question you may have.
The Price
The price of this 14-day adventure photo tour is $9,700. This price is based on double occupancy.
Single supplement is $1,900.00 ” if available” and very limited on this trip.
Due to the limited number of spaces available, if a solo guest is willing to share and we can match with another guest of the same gender, we will do so. If a solo guest is unwilling to share, then a single supplement will be charged. If we are unable to match a solo guest with another guest of the same gender, then the single supplement will be charged.
What’s Included
- Accommodations
- All the 3 meals of the day with mineral water
- Extend 4X4 Land Rovers
- Guaranteed window seat
- Domestic flight in Namibia
- Entry, scout, villages, and road fees
- Two experienced guides
- Airport transfers on arrival, April 11 and departure, April 24
- Complimentary travel planning services of Piper & Heath Travel. They will assist with any auxiliary arrangements including commercial flights, insurance, travel documentation and safari extensions.
What’s NOT Included
- International airfare and/or other transportation between your home and Windhoek, Namibia
- Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Personal purchases (including shopping, spirits, liquors, laundry, telephone calls, etc )
- Gratuities
- Optional extra activities not listed in the itinerary
- Pre- and Post- expeditions tours
- Meals or accommodations before or after the expedition (except as noted in the detailed itinerary)
Desert Elephants
Please Understand
Traveling in remote locations can present challenges that may require slight changes to the itinerary. I put my heart into each and every itinerary and will always try to run the tour as the initial itinerary. In the event of situations beyond my control, such as political unrest, natural disasters, extreme drought, overbookings by the lodge, where a change is required, I will do my best to keep us close to the original shooting location. It is my intention for you to have the best possible experience. I will try to notify you of any changes as soon as I am made aware of them. If, however these changes cause an increase to the price, the increase will be passed onto the participant.
Interested in joining us?
The group size for this expedition is limited to 10 participants and will fill quickly.
Due to my intensive travel schedule, I have teamed up with Piper & Heath Travel based in San Diego, to make sure you are well taken care of by experienced hospitality experts. Piper & Heath is owned and operated by Chris Liebenberg who is a Namibian himself and has spent his life exploring the wilds of this country. His own wealth of experience, plus the over 300 years his family has been in Africa makes him an invaluable resource and the best operator for our unique safari.
To register for this unique photographic experience, please email Chris at chris@PiperHeath.com
or call 1-858-598-5559 or Toll free 1-888-897-2634
You may also email piper at info@PiperMackayPhotography.com