Deadvlei, Sossusvlei, Quiver Tree Forest, Kolmanskop, and Etosha

July 22 – August 3, 2024

Namibia boasts some of the most spectacular and varied landscapes on the planet. Situated along the far western edge of southern Africa, her extensive coastline is bathed by cold Atlantic Ocean currents. Raucous colonies of sea lions can be found here, as well as the wooden “bones” of shipwrecks lost in the region’s frequent dense fogs. A bit inland, onshore winds push desert sands upwards into the highest (and oldest!) dunes on Earth. This harsh environment nevertheless contains a wealth of extraordinary desert-adapted plants and animals. Rich opportunity for wildlife spotting also exists in Etosha National Park—home to many Africa’s most iconic species, including elephant, zebra, giraffe, lion, and even rhino. Farther afield, other rare landscapes, such as the bizarre Quiver Tree Forest and the ghost town of Kolmanskoop, provide additional unique photo opportunities.

We’ve been leading safaris in Africa for at least a decade and are extremely well-versed in the region. Together with local guides, we have designed an itinerary that will take you from coast to dunes and from game parks to ghost towns, covering the best that Namibia offers. You’ll travel on foot, in custom-designed game-viewing vehicles, and even by helicopter and stay in comfortable and exclusive accommodations. Days will be long and productive, and with only eight guests, you can expect plenty of instruction in the field and during our signature image reviews.

Ready for a desert adventure like no other?

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Location

Namibia

money
Tuition

$13,995

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Dates

July 22 – August 3, 2024

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Availability

Sold Out
Limited to 8 Guests

Itinerary

About the wildlife: This workshop offers significant opportunities for photographing wildlife, and while we do our best to maximize our wildlife encounters—based on past experiences, local knowledge, and the current conditions—we need to impress upon you that the wildlife really is wild and that we don’t control it.

This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.

July 22, 2024: Arrive at any time today in Windhoek, where one of our representatives will greet you and transfer you to our hotel in Windhoek. We will have a short introductory meeting, a question and answer session, and a group dinner tonight.

July 23–25, 2024: The morning journey takes us into the scenic countryside of Etosha National Park, passing small towns and communities along the way. Our camp is strategically located and a great base for our safari photographer, and we will embark on photo safaris each morning and evening with guided game drives through Etosha. The Park consists of grassland, woodland, and savannah. Game viewing centers on the numerous springs and waterholes where several species can often be seen simultaneously. The Park boasts some 114 mammals and over 340 bird species. Wildlife that one might see includes elephant, lion, giraffe, blue wildebeest, eland, kudu, gemsbok (Oryx), zebra, rhino, cheetah, leopard, hyena, honey badger, and warthog, as well as the endemic, black-faced impala. The camp has an active floodlit waterhole for photography and wildlife viewing through the night. We can expect to see lions, zebras, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, and much more wildlife. Etosha is a world-class African wildlife destination.

July 26, 2024: Today we will leave behind the bushveld of the Etosha National Park as you make your way to the desert landscape of the Spitzkoppe.

Along the way, you will visit a Himba village. You will be able to meet some of the local community who will be happy to demonstrate elements of their traditional lifestyle. The Himba are one of Namibia’s last traditional peoples and are usually nomadic. Still, those who have settled here are firmly established and unlikely to move on. They welcome visitors who want to photograph and learn about this proud nation’s customs and traditions. They are willing to offer insight into their beliefs, way of life, and everyday routine. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed en route at a scenic location before continuing to your lodge.

After dinner, explore the peculiar rock hills and their surroundings, offering spectacular scenic and starry night photographic opportunities in Spitzkoppe.

July 27, 2024: After a sunrise shoot and breakfast, we drive further to Walvis Bay. Walvis Bay is the main harbor town in Namibia and is visited by many fishing boats, cargo vessels, and an increasing number of passenger cruise liners. The main attraction here is photographing pelicans, seabirds, and the thousands of flamingos that call the area home. Overnight at the hotel in Walvis Bay.

July 28–30, 2024: We will drive into the Namib Desert, through the spectacular scenery of the Tiras Mountain Conservancy and the NamibRand Nature Reserve, before reaching our camp in Namib Naukluft National Park. Our drive is approximately 5–6 hours long with photo stops. We will explore and photograph the remarkable Namib Desert for the next three days. This most frequently visited section of the massive 50,000km² Namib Naukluft National Park has become known as Sossusvlei and is famous for its towering apricot-colored dunes, which can be penetrated by following the Tsauchab River valley. Sossusvlei is a clay pan set amidst these star-shaped dunes, which stand up to 300 meters above the surrounding plains, ranking them among the tallest dunes on earth. Our lodge affords a prime location within the boundaries of the Namib Naukluft National Park and the largest sand dunes in the world. Namib Naukluft National Park is also the home of Deadvlei and the dancing dead camel thorn trees.

** Here at Sossuvlei, there will be an opportunity to do aerial photography from a helicopter (optional and at extra cost). We’ll discuss it with you well before the safari, and you can decide if you are interested. **

July 31, 2024: We’ll travel further south in the Namib Desert to the coastal town of Lüderitz, passing through the spectacular scenery of the Tiras Mountain Conservancy and a section of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. We’ll spend the afternoon and evening photographing the famous Kolmanskop Ghost Town. Our drive today is approximately three hours, with plenty of photo stops. The houses of Kolmanskop have been slowly overtaken by the desert but are in good shape otherwise.

August 1, 2024: It’s up early this morning for another visit to the historic ghost town of Kolmanskop. The aim is to reach Kolmanskop early enough to set up your equipment to see the sunrise and capture the dunes and remnants while the light is soft and shadows accentuate their eerie shapes and curves. We’ll then travel to the Quivertree Forest for sunset and night photography. The Quiver Tree is one of Namibia’s most fascinating and characteristic plants. The name Quiver Tree refers to the traditional use of the branches by Bushmen and Hottentots tribes to make quivers for their arrows. Today is our longest drive of the safari (about five hours), but we have some photo stops and lunch along the way.

August 2, 2024: We will have a morning shoot with cheetahs before making our way back to Windhoek, with photo stops and a lunch stop along the way. We should arrive in Windhoek sometime between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Group dinner at a favorite local restaurant, where we’ll celebrate a fantastic safari.

August 3, 2024: Breakfast, airport transfers, and departures.

Safari Camp Life—What To Expect

In short, you'll feel like you're in a luxury hotel! We've hand-picked our camps for comfort, knowledgeable and friendly staff, great food, and convenience to our main objective, the wildlife. We also place a significant value on isolation and exclusivity. You won't find us in areas where there are dozens of other vehicles at a sighting—instead, you'll feel like you own the land and the animals are there just for you! Typical tented accommodations feature twin beds or a queen bed, high thread-count linens, storage for clothing, a sitting area, a verandah, and of course, en suite bathrooms with toilets, hot water, and showers. They are enormous in size, bright, open, and airy.

Our days start early, before sunrise. We'll have a quick coffee or tea, maybe a cookie, and off on our first game drive of the day. The animals start to stir as the day begins, and we want to be there in the best light. Depending on the sightings, we'll stay out for a few to several hours. After a mid-drive coffee break, we'll continue until mid to late morning. We typically have breakfast in the field to maximize our game-viewing and photographing time. Back in camp, it's time for offloading cards, one-on-one instruction, or just relaxing and doing nothing. Read a book, take a walk, or take a nap and recharge. Of course, there will be lunch, and then In the mid to late afternoon, we'll again head out for another game drive, chasing the best sightings. Enjoying your favorite drink while watching and photographing the sunset is popular. Arrive back at camp after sundown, enjoy a hot shower if you like, and then join us by the campfire or in the living area for cocktails, followed by dinner.

Food in our camps is superb—you'll be served foods that you know as well as local specialties—and of course, we can accommodate any dietary needs.

We've arranged for the best safari vehicles—custom Land Cruisers that feature ample room for you and your gear and excellent visibility. And only one photographer per row of seats (note that the front seat next to the driver counts as a row). Our camps feature optional daily laundry service (but not on days we travel between camps).

Why a Muench Workshops Safari?

We know you have choices, and yes, you can find other safaris where you'll spend less. We aim to give you the best possible experience, maximizing your time and minimizing the hassle while providing the best photographic experience and instruction available anywhere.

Photography and Safari Guiding: We've personally chosen only the best local safari guides for this photographic safari.

Details Matter: Our itinerary is set to bring you all the best the region offers. We're in areas that are not overly crowded with other safari vehicles, and we get off-road, when possible, close to the action and our subjects.

Photography Instruction: This is a workshop, not just a tour. You will work hard on this safari, with instruction in the field and camp. Many evenings feature image reviews and post-processing instruction after dinner, and during the daytime, we offer one-on-one instruction as needed. You'll come away with a wealth of new knowledge on creating great images and best processing those images in Lightroom and Photoshop.

Years of Experience—Happy Repeat Customers: We've been leading, guiding, and teaching photographers for a long time, and many of our customers come back on our workshops again and again. If you'd like to speak to someone who has been with us on a workshop or safari, just let us know—we'd be happy to arrange a phone call.

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Fitness

Moderate: You must be able to get in and out of the custom Land Cruisers and ride for several hours on possibly bumpy terrain. Optional hikes in sand up to two miles.

Flights

Arrive Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), Windhoek, Namibia before 3:00 PM on July 22, 2024. Flights out can be made anytime on August 3, 2024. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.

What to Bring

Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.

What’s Included

  • Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $1,000 supplement.
  • All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
  • All permits and park fees.
  • Internal flights during the workshop.
  • All transportation during the workshop.
  • Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
  • Guided camping with custom meals and comfortable tents.
  • English-speaking local guide throughout the workshop.
  • Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
  • Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
  • Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!

Not Included

Payment Terms

  • Your non-refundable deposit of $4,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
  • Further non-refundable payment of $5,000 is due by December 1, 2023.
  • The non-refundable balance is due not later than April 1, 2024.
  • In addition to our standard Terms and Conditions, for this workshop all payments are non-refundable, and this is why we recommend comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancelation.
  • Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.

Testimonials

“A fantastic experience I will never forget. Learned a lot--that's what I really like about the Muench trips. Frankly, I really only want to do photo workshops with the Muench group. ”

— Fred Guengerich, Namibia Safari '22

“I LOVED our holiday in Namibia and grateful to you for all you did to make it such a lovely trip. I'm very grateful for all the time and patience you both provided me as I stumble through learning photography. ”

— Diann Bustamante, Namibia Safari '22

“The workshop not only met my expectations but exceeded them. The Muench Workshops instructors gave good direction in both photography and editing and tailored it to my ability plus taking it one level up. Both had a good feel for my abilities. The instruction was perfect. The sequence of photo shoots culminated at the Eagle Festival and we were well prepared to be on our own. I learned some night photography and improved my action shots. ”

— Cat Zdeblick, Tanzania '19
Behind the Scenes
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Cyber Monday Sale!

$750 Off Any Workshop

Sign up for any workshop before midnight, November 28, 2023, and we’ll apply your $750 discount to your final balance payment.

Cyber Monday Sale!

$750 Off Any Workshop

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Sign up for any workshop before midnight, November 28, 2023, and we’ll apply your $750 discount to your final balance payment.