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Namibia through your lens - a journey of landscapes & wildlife

If you’re looking for a destination that offers both striking landscapes and close wildlife encounters, Namibia’s the place. On our Namibia Photo Tour, we’ll guide you through one of the most visually compelling countries in the world – a land where vast deserts, dramatic canyons, roaring waterfalls and thriving wildlife converge. From the sweeping salt pans of Etosha National Park and the remote dunes of the Namib Desert to the rugged beauty of the north-west and the tidal coastline of the Skeleton Coast, Namibia offers unrivalled variety – and incredible photographic potential.

Whether you’re drawn to wildlife, sweeping landscapes, cultural encounters or night-sky astrophotography, this tour delivers them all. Expect close-up encounters with elephants, giraffes, oryx and rare desert-adapted species; atmospheric shots of ancient rock formations and towering dunes; intimate portraits of local communities; and clear, star-filled skies that turn into stunning Milky Way panoramas.

With a small group of just six participants, you’ll experience unhurried shoots, expert guidance, and personalised support. Expect golden-hour landscapes, close wildlife encounters, meaningful cultural interactions, and dedicated time to refine both your technical and creative approach.

Quick Facts

Namibia
April 10 - 25, 2026
Landscape & Wildlife Photography
Photography Guides: Emil von Maltitz & Nick van de Wiel
Group Size: Max 6
All Photography Levels

Tour & Destination Highlights

  • Wildlife-rich days in Etosha National Park. Spend unhurried time at Etosha’s waterholes, where elephants, lions, rhinos, zebras, and antelopes gather against striking white-pan backdrops.
  • Photograph Epupa and Ruacana Falls. Witness the power and beauty of these spectacular waterfalls along the Kunene River, with excellent opportunities for dramatic landscape shots.
  • Explore remote Damaraland and its desert-adapted wildlife. Enjoy unique opportunities to photograph elephants, giraffes, and other species that have adapted to this rugged, ancient environment.
  • Atmospheric scenes along the Skeleton Coast. Photograph shipwrecks, coastal dunes, dramatic Atlantic weather, and the raw beauty that defines this wild stretch of coastline.
  • Cultural photography with the Himba community. Engage respectfully with one of Namibia’s most iconic cultural groups and capture thoughtful, meaningful portraiture guided by experienced instructors.
  • Small group experience for maximum shooting time. Travel with a group of max. six photographers, allowing flexibility, unhurried sessions, and access to locations at the best possible moments.

Quick Facts

Namibia
April 10 - 25, 2026
Landscape & Wildlife Photography
Photography Guides: Emil von Maltitz & Nick van de Wiel
Group Size: Max 6

PRICING OVERVIEW

USD $9,295GBP £EUR €ZAR RAUD $
USDGBPEURZARAUD

At the current exchange rate. Please note final quote might vary slightly


per person sharing

INCLUDING

  • Accommodation
  • All scheduled meals during the trip
  • All transportation & Airport Transfers
  • Entrance fees
  • Photographic tutoring

EXCLUDING

  • International flights
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Drinks
EXPLORE

Photography in Namibia

Namibia is a place of effortless beauty.

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WHAT TO EXPECT IN NAMIBIA

Your Photographic Experience

The diversity of landscapes this destination offers is nothing short of stunning. From one of Africa’s largest game reserves, Etosha National Park, to the rugged terrain of Kaokoveld region, to the impressive Epupa and Ruacana falls along the gorges of the Kunene River, all the way up to Namibia’s highest mountain, the Brandberg Mountain, Northern Namibia’s landscape photo opportunities are bountiful.  All that’s before getting to the wildlife. Etosha National Park is home to healthy populations of much of Africa’s most iconic wildlife. Expect to encounter large herds of elephants, big cats, giraffes, kudu, zebra, ostriches, and oryx. There are spectacular species of birds, too. In the Kaokoveld region, there are desert-adapted species of giraffes, lions, elephants, as well as all kinds of reptiles and insects. Along the Kunene river, we’ll find huge populations of hippos and crocodiles, and predator birds like king fishers and fish eagles. And at the end of our photo tour, we’ll venture onto a boat and out on the waters of Sandwich Harbour in Swakopmund, giving you the chance to capture shots of pelicans in flight.  Beyond this, there is ancient rock art in the Brandberg mountains, unparalleled opportunities for astrophotography, and the fascinating culture of the Himba people with their distinctive ochre body paint and elaborate hairstyles. This Namibia photo tour is designed entirely to provide you with the best photo opportunities this destination has to offer - and to sharpen your skills. We travel in small groups, and you can expect a 1:3 instructor to participant ratio. This allows for very personalized tutoring, and lets everyone work at their own level and pace.  You can expect to learn about both the creative and technical aspects of photography. Depending on the interests of the group, lectures and workshops can be on creative composition, technicalities of digital landscape photography, astrophotography, creating panoramic images, time lapses, painting with light, or post-production and editing.

Without doubt it was one of the best photographic trips and adventures that I have undertaken in the last 15 years. Emil was outstanding as the lead for the group and the other two members were really good as well so all in all it made for a fabulous journey. The variety of both animals and landscapes made the trip so interesting and we had one or two wow moments when we encountered something really special.

Mike Hall

WORKSHOP LEADER

Emil von Maltitz

Emil von Maltitz

WORKSHOP LEADER

Emil von Maltitz

Emil is an internationally recognized landscape photographer from South Africa with two decades of experience and special expertise in photo editing and production. Emil’s keenest interests lie in the application of advanced composition in landscape photography, and he runs fantastic works on this topic. He also has extensive skills and knowledge in the Adobe suites and provides invaluable guidance in photo-editing, helping you transform good shots into stunning works of art.

WORKSHOP LEADER

Nick van de Wiel

Nick van de Wiel

WORKSHOP LEADER

Nick van de Wiel

Nick, from the Netherlands, is an award-winning landscape photographer and experienced photography teacher. With extensive experience as a photographic safari guide and winner of the prestigious Nature’s Best Photography Africa award, Nick excels both as landscape photographer and a teacher. His inventive teaching methods simplify complex photography concepts, making them accessible to all skill levels. Nick’s expert guidance and personalized instruction will help you elevate your photography skills.

EXPERIENCE

Your Photo Tour Itinerary

Day 1HELLO WINDHOEK

Upon arriving at the Windhoek airport you’ll be transferred to the guest house. Here, you can spend the day resting by the pool and preparing for the journey ahead. You’ll also have the chance to meet one of the workshop leaders and the rest of your group.

Day 2TRAVEL TO ETOSHA

You’ll leave shortly after breakfast in Windhoek and begin a long drive to Etosha. Once you arrive, if there is time you will go for a short game drive, otherwise your evening will be spent on a lecture or planning activities for the coming days.

Day 3 - 4ONGUMA GAME RESERVE

You will spend the next two days on private game drives and sessions at the sunken game hide located by the edge of a waterhole. You’ll take two days at the reserve to explore the 30,000 hectares and take in all the sights it has to offer. You can expect to find an impressive cast of wildlife including lions, elephants, giraffes, and a multitude of bird species. As well as the pre-planned safari expeditions, you’ll have the chance to go on bush walks and visit prime bird-watching spots.

Day 5TRAVEL TO THE CATTLE PLAINS

You’ll depart from Onguma for an early morning game drive through Etosha National Park. The drive will enter through the eastern gate, Von Lindequist Gate, and after a few hours exploring the area, you’ll travel towards Galton Gate on the northern border. The drive will provide you with ample wildlife photo opportunities, then you will exit the park and travel to the nearby King Nehal Lodge.

Day 6RUACANA FALLS

Today will be spent exploring Ruacana Falls. Situated on the Kunene River, Ruacana Falls is Namibia’s largest waterfall with a height of 120 meters and a width of 700 meters. The river twists through a rocky landscape before plummeting into the deep gorge of Ruacana which is surrounded by lush green scenery. The contrast of terrains coupled with the surreal veil of mist from the falls that spreads for miles around make this an incredibly exciting location for landscape photography.

Day 7EPUPA FALLS

From Ruacana Falls you will follow the Kunene river through some of Namibia’s most beautiful, untouched parts of Namibia towards Epupa Falls. As you travel along the river, the scenery will grow greener and more densely vegetated providing new landscape photography possibilities. Also, you’ll stop at small villages and settlements along the way where you can experience some of Namibia’s local customs and traditions. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll spend some time walking along the river bank and taking in the series of cascading waterfalls which drop over a height of approximately 1.5 kilometers.

Day 8EPUPA & TRAVEL TO OPUWA

Your day will begin with an early morning shoot of the Epupa Falls capturing the breathtaking beauty of the site in ideal lighting. Then, after a quick breakfast, you’ll begin your long journey to Purros. The vast expanses of Namibia mean that this journey can’t be done in one day and so you’ll stopover in Opuwa for the night. Though technically a stopover, Opuwa has its own opportunities for interesting photography, especially at dusk, when you’ll arrive.

Day 9HIMBA PEOPLE IN HOARUSIB RIVER VALLEY & PURROS

Another day on the road will show yet more of the diversity that Namibia’s scenery has to offer. Terrain will get rockier as you travers unpaved roads, dry river beds and twisting mountain passes. Again, whilst this is a travel day, you’ll pass incredible vistas and unique, desert-adapted flora and fauna, providing you with exciting photo opportunities as you go. You’ll approach Purros and see the distinct red sand dunes of the Hoarusib River Valley, home to the Himba people with their visually striking customary clothing.

Day 10SCENIC DRIVE TO TWYFELFONTEIN

Having spent the night in Purros, you’ll travel along another scenic drive to Twyfelfontein providing you with more rocky and rugged landscapes to train your camera’s sights on. From arriving in Twyfelfontein, you’ll already be in the shadow of the behemothic Brandberg mountains. You’ll capture a few shots of the mountainscape from a distance before stopping here for the night.

Day 11 - 13BRANDBERG MOUNTAIN

It’s a short drive from Twyfelfontein so you’ll take a scenic detour through the park area at the base of the mountain before stopping at the Painted Lady Lodge for lunch. Brandberg Mountain, or the Burning Mountain, is Namibia’s largest and provides a host of photo ops, and so the workshop dedicates a few days to taking advantage of all the region has to offer. Primarily, there’s the mountains themselves. Set against the changing colors of the sky, the silhouette of the mountain’s peaks and valleys present the opportunity to create magnificent images. Then, there’s striking rock formations caused by erosion, a variety of endemic species of desert-adapted flora and fauna, remarkably clear views of the stars at night, and ancient artwork painted onto the rockface.

Day 14SWAKOPMUND

On the final day of photography, your day will start with a boat trip out on the waters of Sandwich Harbour in Swakopmund. This is hands-down the best way to view the huge populations of pink-backed Pelicans and Flamingos in the area as they fly alongside the boat. After lunch you’ll take a guided tour of the Skeleton Coast and then a sunset shoot of the dunes as they glow pink and orange against the deep blue of the Atlantic ocean.

Day 15Good Bye & Departure from Windhoek

Early in the morning, you’ll return from Walvis Bay, then say your final farewells before heading to the airport for your flight home.

Namibia Photo Tour

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Namibia Photo Tour FAQs

What wildlife can I photograph on the Namibia Photo Tour?

You’ll experience a diverse range of subjects: sweeping desert landscapes, dramatic rock formations, wildlife in Etosha National Park, cultural portraits with the Himba people, and night-sky astrophotography. Every day is designed to provide high-quality shooting opportunities for both landscape and wildlife photographers.

 

Do I need to be an advanced photographer to join?

No. This tour welcomes photographers of all levels. With two professional instructors and small group sizes (max six participants), we provide personalised guidance on camera settings, composition, storytelling, and advanced techniques so everyone can improve their skills.

What equipment should I bring?

A DSLR or mirrorless camera is recommended, along with a variety of lenses suitable for wildlife and landscape photography (e.g., telephoto for wildlife, wide-angle for landscapes). Tripods are essential for sunrise/sunset and night photography. We’ll provide a detailed packing and equipment guide before departure.

 

What wildlife will we see and photograph?

The tour offers excellent chances to photograph elephants, lions, rhinos, giraffes, oryx, zebras, and many antelope species, particularly in Etosha National Park. In Damaraland, you may also encounter desert-adapted elephants and other species in more remote settings.

 

How is the itinerary structured to maximise photography?

We plan the itinerary around the best light, wildlife activity, and shooting conditions. Sunrise and sunset sessions, unhurried wildlife waterhole visits, and extended stays at key locations ensure you have ample time for photography. Cultural and landscape shoots are similarly timed to take advantage of optimal lighting.

Will there be opportunities for cultural photography?

Yes. You’ll meet the Himba people and other local communities, capturing thoughtful and respectful portraits. All cultural interactions are conducted ethically, and our instructors provide guidance on creating authentic, sensitive images.

How much support and instruction will I receive?

With a maximum of six participants, you’ll receive personalised, hands-on guidance throughout the tour. This includes technical advice, creative composition, wildlife behaviour tips, and post-processing recommendations.

What type of accommodations are provided?

We select lodges and camps for their proximity to key photographic locations, comfort, and accessibility. Accommodations allow for quick access to sunrise and sunset shoots, while still providing a comfortable base for rest between long days in the field.

wildebeest captured on photo safari in namibia

At Penda, we're all about creating incredible photographic opportunities.

Our photo tours and safaris will take you to the right place, at the right time, to get that epic shot. You'll be guided by a professional photographer, who will help you take your photography to the next level, and we keep our trips exclusive by traveling in small groups. Whether it's in Kenya's sprawling savannahs, Yellowstone's snowy interior, or the jungles of India, your journey will be filled with photography magic.

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