SLOW SAFARI: NAMIBIA WILD & LAND
1-20 JULY, 2022
with Jeremy Woodhouse
Trip Summary
This is a very different trip from what ANYONE is currently offering. We will enjoy six days of landscape photography in two very desirable locations, followed by eleven days of wildlife photography in one of my favorite places in the world, Etosha National Park—almost like having two trips in one—and with travel times in between destinations, the total, FULLY INCLUSIVE tour, will last 19 days.
We will be in the desert during the stage of the new moon so will have very dark skies for you to enjoy night time photography, both at the Quiver Tree Forest and at the dunes of Sossusvlei.
Our "Slow Safaris", to hand-picked destinations in Africa, will allow you to stay in one camp for anywhere up to 10 nights (or more), allowing you to immerse yourself in one place — to get to know the movement of the animals and the rhythm of the bush — to have the luxury of, let's say, being able to follow the progress of a young lion cub as it gets to know ITS environment.
The "Slow Safari" is comfortable — you will have your own space where you can unpack and spread out. You can afford to take the day off…if you want to. Our vehicles are spacious with plenty of room for cameras. The use of time is ours to plan the way WE want it.
In Feb/March 2020, June/July 2020 and December 2020 we are planning three such safaris, the first to a mobile safari camp in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, the next to one of my favorite destinations, Namibia, and finally, to a private concession on the edge of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Each of these destinations will provide superb access to the local wildlife, the accommodation will be comfortable, and the food and service will be first class.
But, as Namibia has one of the world's most barren and inhospitable coastlines, it wasnt until the middle of the nineteenth century that explorers, ivory hunters, prospectors and missionaries began to journey into its interior. Beyond these visitors, Namibia was largely spared the attentions of European powers until the end of the 19th century when it was colonized by Germany.
The colonization period was marred by many conflicts and rebellions by the pre-colonial Namibia population until WWI when it abruptly ended upon Germany's surrender to the South African expeditionary army. In effect, this transition only traded one colonial experience for another.
In 1966 the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) launched the war for liberation for the area soon-named Namibia. The struggle for independence intensified and continued until South Africa agreed in 1988 to end its Apartheid administration. After democratic elections were held in 1989, Namibia became an independent state on March 21, 1990.
To date, Namibia boasts a proud record of uninterrupted peace and stability for all to enjoy.
Today, over 43% of Namibia's surface area is under conservation management. This includes national parks and reserves, communal and commercial conservancies, community forests, and private nature reserves.
After Independence in 1990, visionary conservationists in the field and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism enacted policy changes that allowed rural communities to benefit from wildlife by forming conservancies. In 1998, the first four conservancies were registered.
Today, more than 70 registered conservancies embrace one in four rural Namibians. A sense of ownership over wildlife and other resources is encouraging people to use their resources sustainably. Wildlife is now embraced as a complimentary land use method to agriculture and livestock herding.
People are living with wildlife, including predators and large mammals, and are managing their natural resources wisely. They are also reaping the benefits. In 2009, community-based natural resource management generated over N$ 42 million in income to rural Namibians. All the while, the program is facilitating a remarkable recovery of wildlife.
Namibia now boasts the largest free-roaming population of black rhinos and cheetahs in the world and is the only country with an expanding population of free-roaming lions. Namibia's elephant population more than doubled between 1995 and 2008 from 7,500 to over 16,000 individuals. This remarkable turnaround has led some to call Namibia's conservation efforts the greatest African wildlife recovery story over told.
Our Vehicles
- 2 x 7 seater Safari Cruiser Explorers
- Gas Lift Pop-Up Roof
- Super Delux Reclining Seats
- Guaranteed Window Seat
- Aircon
- Fridge
- Electrical Charging points
Daily Itinerary
Day 1, May 15 – Arrive Windhoek. O/N Windhoek
Day 2, May 16 – Drive to Keetmanshoop O/N Quiver Tree Forest Rest Camp (498km)
Day 3, May 17 – Keetmanshoop O/N (WANING CRESCENT)
Day 4, May 18 – Drive to Sesriem O/N Sossus Dune Lodge (462km) (NEW MOON)
Day 5, May 19 – Sossusvlei O/N Sossus Dune Lodge (NEW MOON)
Day 6, May 20 – Sossusvlei O/N Sossus Dune Lodge (NEW MOON)
Day 7, May 21 – Drive to Gross Barmen O/N Gross Barmen Resort (408km) (WAXING CRESCENT)
Day 8, May 22 – Drive to Okakuejo O/N Okakuejo Resort (389km)
Day 9, May 23 – Okakuejo O/N
Day 10, May 24 – Okakuejo O/N
Day 11, May 25 – Okakuejo O/N
Day 12, May 26 – Drive to Halali O/N Halali Resort (70km)
Day 13, May 27 – Halali O/N
Day 14, May 28 – Halali O/N
Day 15, May 29 – Halali O/N
Day 16, May 30 – Drive to Namutoni O/N Namutoni Resort (70km)
Day 17, May 31 – Namutoni O/N
Day 18, June 1 – Namutoni O/N (FULL MOON)
Day 19, June 2 – Drive to Windhoek (583km) (FULL MOON)
Day 20, June 3 – Transfer to the airport
Camelthorn Tree against Namibia Dune
Itinerary
Arrival, Departure & Visa
Arrival & Meeting Place
Departure
Visa
Weather
Namibia can be visited throughout the year. The climate is generally dry and pleasant. Namibia only receives a fraction of the rain experienced by countries further east. Between December and March, some days will be humid and rain may follow, often in localized, afternoon thunderstorms. Wildlife viewing in all parks, but especially in Etosha, is best in the dry season from June to October. In the Wet season, animals move away from the waterholes and scatter around the park.
Language
English is the official language, but Namibia's relatively small population is extraordinarily diverse in language and culture. More than 11 languages are indigenous to Namibia but with its cosmopolitan society, languages from around the world are spoken in Namibia. People commonly speak two or three languages and more than 49% of the population speaks Oshiwambo. Due to the country's colonial history Afrikaans, the language of the previous South African occupiers is still widely spoken and functions as the lingua franca in Namibia. Namibia has two small groups of nomadic groups; the Khoisan speaking people, known as the Bushmen or San and the Ovahimba people, figuratively known as the red people.
Currency
The Namibian Dollar is the official currency and is fixed to and equals the South African Rand. Both these currencies can be used freely in Namibia, but the Namibian Dollar is not legal tender in South Africa. Traveler's checks and credit cards are also accepted throughout the country, though obviously not in every case. It's best to travel with multiple payment options just in case.
Currency Exchange: Foreign currency can be exchanged during normal banking hours at any of the commercial banks, or at bureau de change offices. Credit/Debit Card: American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services, which may be available.
Currency Restrictions: The import and export of local currency is limited to NAD 50,000. The import of foreign currency by visitors is unlimited, provided it is declared upon arrival. Export of foreign currency is unlimited up to the amount imported and declared as long as the departure is within 12 months. No limits exist for travel between Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland as these countries are members of the same common monetary area.
Banking Hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-15:30, Sat 09:00-11:00.
Tax and Customs: General Sales Tax (GST) in Namibia is 15% on goods and services. Bona fide tourists to Namibia are exempt from paying sales duty or excise duty on luxury items. Visitors may reclaim VAT at Hosea Kutako International Airport, Eros Airport and Walvis Bay Airport.
Fast Facts
Area: Namibia covers 824,292 sq km (318,259 sq mi)
Location: Situated on the southwestern coast of Africa, Namibia borders Angola and Zambia in the north, South Africa in the south and Botswana in the east.
Population: Slightly more than 2.3 million.
Capital City: Windhoek
Official name: Republic of Namibia
Date of Independence: 21 March 1990
System of Government: Multi-party Democracy
Head of State: President Dr Hage Geingob since 2015.
Prime Minister: Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila since 2015.
Language: English, German, Afrikaans, Oshiwambo, Rukwangari, Silozi, Otjiherero, Damara, Nama, Khisan and Setswana
Literacy: The current literacy rate in Namibia is about 83%, one of the highest in Africa.
Religion: Freedom of religion was adopted through Namibia's Bill of Fundamental Rights. About 90% of the population is Christian.
Currency: The Namibia Dollar (N$); the Namibia Dollar and South African Rand are the only legal tender in Namibia and can be used freely to purchase goods and services.
Time Zones: Summer time: GMT + 2 hours from the 1st Sunday in September to the 1st Sunday in April. Winter time: GMT + 1 hour from the 1st Sunday in April to the 1st Sunday in September.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50hz. Outlets are of the round three-pin type.
2 SPOTS OPEN
TOUR COST: $11,900
DEPOSIT: $2,000
Second Deposit: $2,000 (due by 19 Nov, 2021)
Total Balance due: $7,900 (by 1 APR, 2022)
Single Supplement: $1,200
SINGLE: $650
Tour Price Includes
- Ground Transportation and unlimited game viewing with local guide for 19 days
- All meals
- Refreshments on vehicle, Local drinks at camps (house wine, Namibian beer, soft drinks, mineral water, juices, gin & tonic etc.)
- Tour accommodation, as listed
- National Parks entry fees
Tour Price Excludes
- Arrival/departure flights
- Optional scenic flights (balloon/helicopter/light aircraft)
- Travel insurance
- Premium Alcohol
- Pre- and post-tour accommodation
- Items of a personal nature
- Gratuities
- Laundry
- Meals other than specified
- Excursions other than specified
- Flights to and from Namibia
- Personal medical insurance
Paying by check
If you would like to pay your deposit and/or balance with a check, please make the check payable to: Pixelchrome, Inc and mail it to:
Paying by Wire Transfer
If you would like to pay by Wire Transfer please contact nicole@pixelchrome.com for bank account details.
Equipment Checklist
- Bring you own laptop computer and storage media
- Camera bodie(s)
- Lenses, 16-35mm, 24-70mm zoom and 70-200mm zoom or similar lenses are very good. A super telephoto zoom up to 400 or 600mm
- Light bag for easy hiking with camera bodies and accessories
- Cleaning kit for cameras and lenses
- Rain/dust covers for cameras and lenses
- Charger for batteries
- Spare batteries
- Spare Memory cards
- Memory card reader
- USB key to exchange images
Also good to have
- Tripod
- Lens extenders
- Good quality polarizing filter