Namibian Photo Safari
Wildlife Travel Consultant, photographer and Tour Leader Emma Healey talks us through the highlights of our new photography trip to Namibia which she cannot wait to lead.
When I hear “Namibia”, I’m immediately transported to open desert landscapes, rolling sand dunes, elephants bathing in white sand, huge expanses of scrubland bustling with different species and endless wildlife photography opportunities … and we’ve introduced a new photographic trip to capture some of the greatest wonders of this incredible country.
We begin in Erindi Private Nature Reserve which focuses on a number of conservation initiatives and is home to a tantalising variety of rare and endangered species such as cheetah, wild dog and even pangolin and aardvark. In addition to enjoying a mixed programme of photography focused game drives and bush walks, there are also two superb waterholes close to the lodge that provide a constant stream of activity.
From Erindi it’s on to Etosha National Park, a highlight for most visitors to Namibia. The word Etosha literally means ‘great white place’ and it really is great in so many ways. Visiting the area in September gives us the best chance of seeing the iconic ‘ghost elephants’ which shower themselves with white clay from Etosha Pan to protect themselves from the strong sunlight, making them look as though they’re made of marble. The striking contrast of these white elephants offset against the pink skies of the evening sun, making for some dramatic images. Observing these majestic creatures first at the waterholes and later striding purposely through the park, their white bodies contrasting starkly with the tawny colours and whites of various antelope species, is a sight you won’t forget.
As well as driving out to the salt pans, we’ll also enjoy the unique experience of photographing subjects from a ground level hide, enabling us to get a completely different perspective of our targets. Fortunately, encountering elephants on an African safari remains a common place experience, but the behaviour exhibited by Namibia’s elephants is quite unlike anything you may have experienced elsewhere.
Another highlight of Namibia is the desert and the seemingly endless backdrop of sand dunes – a landscape that is constantly changing with the wind. Travelling through the area, you can hardly believe that this barren place is home to a number of species, including elephant and rhino, which have adapted to call the desert home. We spend time in the Namib Desert to capture images of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
As well as the larger animals, we will also be on the lookout for wildlife at the other end of the spectrum. As a keen macro photographer, I drive friends and family crazy if we’re in a rainforest location, as I always have my head in the bushes looking for tiny things. This is also the case in Namibia, where a huge number of small creatures live under the safety of the sand. You would never think it was home to a dynamic ecosystem of tiny animals and resilient flora and fauna. We will spend a full day looking for treasures such as the Namib dune gecko, the Namaqua chameleon and Peringuey’s adder.
This trip features an exciting variety of habitats, wildlife and photographic opportunities and I can’t wait to explore it with you.
Contact us to find out more about this fantastic trip or to book your place on our Namibia photo safari.
