2022/06/09 – Desert Dwellers, Wildlife of the Namib Desert

• Starting and ending in Windhoek, Namiba
• Safari dates: June 9th 2022 to June 21st 2022
• 1 night in Windhoek, 3 in Sossusvlei, 1 in Swakopmund, 7 nights in Damaraland/ Kaokoland in 3 different locations
• Small group of 6 participants
• Exclusive luxury camps in excellent locations
• Guided by Federico Veronesi

This tour is dedicated to finding and photographing the desert adapted wildlife of Namibia. Animals that we are used to see in the lush grasslands of East Africa have adapted to the extremely dry climate of the Namib Desert and the Kaokoland in Namibia. We will find out how they survive in this inhospitable habitat and photograph them with the background of breathtaking desert landscapes. We will focus on two main areas, the Sossusvlei and the vast region of the Kaokoland.

Sossusvlei, Namib/Naukfluft National Park

In the heart of the Namib Desert stretches the Sossusvlei, a dry pan surrounded by gigantic red dunes which constitutes the most striking feature of this area. Nearby is the famous Deadvlei, another clay pan where Camel Thorn trees grew before a change of climate around 600/700 years ago isolated the pan from the flow of the Tsauchab river. The black skeletons of these dead trees are scattered in the pan, making a dramatic contrast with the orange of the high dunes surrounding it. Landscape photography opportunities here are amazing but not only that, as the dunes are inhabited by some desert-adapted species of wildlife, including Gemsbok, Springbok, Ostrich and Chacma Baboons. We will spend three days in this area, looking for opportunities to photograph wildlife on the dunes and the Deadvlei in the best hours of the day.

Damaraland and Kaokoland, Kunene Region

On the second part of the tour we will explore the wilderness of Damaraland and Kaokoland, where desert-adapted species of wildlife live, including Desert Elephants, Black Rhinos, Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, Giraffes and many others. Due to the extremely dry climate and habitat the concentration of game in these areas is not comparable to that found in some of the parks of East or Southern Africa. What makes these animals particularly attractive is their adaptation to survive on very limited water and food supplies in majestic desert landscapes. We will visit four areas within the region where wildlife concentrate, each with its own landscape and fauna. Desert-adapted Elephants can be found in all four areas, as are Lions, though they are rare and elusive. We will adopt a flexible approach with the possibility to cancel one of the four locations and extend the number of the days in one of the others, depending on updated reports of sightings closer to the trip date. Other wildlife includes Mountain Zebras, Springboks, Gemsbok, Chacma Baboons, Jackals, Black Rhinoceroses and Giraffes. Photographically, we will try to capture images that showcase the beauty and drama of these areas and the harshness of these animals’ lives.

Small group of keen photographers

This safari is for only a maximum of 6 guests. This means that Federico will be able to offer each guest a very personalized photographic support, both on the game drives and during the evening sessions back in the camp.

Safari vehicles

On this trip we will use the camp vehicles for our game drives and activities. These vehicles might be different from camp to camp. In Sossusvlei, where most of the activities are on foot, the whole group will sit in one vehicle. In other locations where photography happens mostly from the vehicle, we will split in two vehicles to enable everyone to have as much space and visibility as possible.

Accommodation in the heart of the parks

Our accommodation on this trip will be luxury tented camps of the highest available standards and located in the most ideal locations to reach the wildlife or the most interesting places before sunrise. Camps are beautifully built with extraordinary views on the spectacular sceneries around. All accommodation will be on full board basis with drinks included.

The camp in the Sossusvlei has its own private access gate to the Namib-Naukluft National Park, which means we will be able to be at the dunes before sunrise.

In Kaokoland, we will sleep in three different locations. The first one will be overlooking a dry river surrounded by magnificent rocky hills and outcrops.

We will then head north to a beautiful camp in the heart of a wilderness area characterized by stunning landscapes of red basalt hills and plateau.

Finally we will sleep for three nights in a stunning camp on the edge of the Skeleton Coast NP, nestled among white dunes and rocky outcrops, where an abundance of wildlife gathers through the dry months.

Photographer/guide with in-depth knowledge and experience of the parks

Federico Veronesi will be your guide for the whole safari. Where two vehicles will be used, he will share his time equally between them. Throughout the safari he will share his wildlife photography experience and skills. Through the years he learned to understand and predict animals’ behaviour, ensuring you’ll often be in the best spot for photography, all without running from one place to the other and most importantly without disturbing them or destroying their environment. Federico will provide assistance to participants on all aspects of wildlife photography, from composition and light in the field, to processing of images in the evening in camp.

The vehicles will be driven by professional local guides who have extensive knowledge of the areas visited.

Price for this safari is NAD 193,435 (equivalent to USD 12,790 on 31 Jan 2021). Single room supplement is NAD 37,214 (equivalent to USD 2,460 on 31 Jan 2021).

Please note that payments are due in US dollars but prices are quoted in the original currency, the Namibian dollar (NAD). Given possible extreme fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Namibian dollar and US dollar and the long time often between deposit and balance payment, it would be impossible to guarantee a fixed price in USD at the time of booking. We do however guarantee the above prices in NAD.
The exchange rate between NAD and USD for deposit and balance payments will be the one indicated by the Central Bank of Namibia https://www.bon.com.na on the day in which our invoice for payment is issued. Payment should then be received within one week from the invoice date.

The price includes:

• Accommodation in the parks for 10 nights on full board basis (local drinks included) as per above itinerary.
• Accommodation in Windhoek on arrival (1 night HB) and in Swakopmund (1 night B&B).
• Park and concession fees.
• Private and exclusive game viewing activities by vehicle or on foot throughout the trip.
• Guiding services by professional photographer and safari guide Federico Veronesi (Italian and English speaking) and professional local safari guides.
• Airport pick-up and drop-off in Windhoek for a total of 2 airport transfers.
• All road / air transfers as indicated in the itinerary.
• 1 lt complimentary bottled water per person per day in the vehicles during game drives.
• Government taxes and VAT where applicable.

The price does not include:

• International flights to and from Namibia.
• Entry visa to Namibia.
• Personal travel and medical insurance.
• Eventual increase in park and concession fees. These may change at a short notice and unfortunately may not be foreseen.
• Extras in the camps.
• Tipping.
• Any other item not expressly mentioned in the inclusions.