Namibia Photo Safari with Rikki and Jack Swenson
Namibia - Optional Photographic Pre-Trip Extension to the Cape Region
Departure Dates:
- May 16, 2008 - May 27, 2008
Departure Dates
- May 16, 2008
Trip Summary
Please note: This trip's itinerary has been revised due to flight schedule changes
Namibia is an exotic treat for photographers, with magical vistas, incredible wildlife, and remote nomadic people. It's a hidden corner of Africa where you can see the big game the continent is renowned for, and also scenery that will captivate your imagination with its photographic possibilities. You'll take some of the most memorable and dramatic photographs of your life on this Photographic Safari to Namibia.
These are small group safaris designed to delight photographers of any level of experience. You'll be traveling with professional photographers, and you'll benefit from their timely suggestions and useful insights in the field. Most importantly, these itineraries have been designed to give you more time on location for your photography. Back in camp there is time for downloading, viewing your images, one-on-one mentoring, and impromptu photo discussions.
Whether you're a beginner or a lifelong, passionate pro, join us and return home with amazing photos and experiences from some of the most dramatic scenic locales, and wildlife parks and reserves in Africa.
Itinerary
Day 1
May 16
Windhoek, Namibia
On your arrival, settle into the Hotel Heinitzburg. Perched on a hill overlooking Windhoek, the large patio gives you a great place to relax before gathering this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.
Lodging:Hotel Heinitzburg (D)
Day 2
May 17
Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, Namibia
This morning, board your private aircraft for the short flight along the northern edge of the Namib Naukluft Park to the coastal town of Swakopmund. You'll have plenty of time to explore before heading to Walvis Bay for afternoon photo opportunities - subjects include greater and lesser flamingo, white pelican, and shore birds.
Lodging:Swakopmund Hotel (B/L/D)
Days 3 - 4
May 18 & 19
Serra Cafema, Northern Namibia
Today board your private aircraft for an exciting, low-level scenic flight along the desolate Skeleton Coast, landing at one of the most remote destinations in Africa - Serra Cafema. This region is home to the nomadic Himba people, breathtaking desert landscapes, and desert wildlife such as ostriches and herds of springbok and oryx antelopes. Each day traverse the surrounding sand dunes on carefully guided quad-bike excursions that tread lightly on the dunes, and explore the Kunene river by boat. Or hike into the surrounding hills and valleys, where you can meet native Ovahimba families and learn about their traditions. Return to your luxurious tented camp, with private decks overlooking the Kunene River.
Lodging:Serra Cafema (B/L/D)
Days 5 - 6
May 20 & 21
Etosha National Park and Onguma Reserve
Fly south by private air to Etosha, Namibia’s premier game viewing destination where large herds of animals concentrate around waterholes fed by subterranean springs. On arrival, settle in to your luxurious lodge built on the private Onguma Reserve, situated on the eastern side of Etosha, bordering Fisher’s Pan. Onguma Private Nature Reserve has more than 20,000 hectares of protected land and wildlife.
The reserve boasts over 30 different animal species consisting of plains game including kudu, giraffe, eland, oryx, hartebeest, zebra, impala, as well as the predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, who are also common residents of the area. The latest addition to the already abundant wildlife at Onguma Nature Reserve is a family of black rhinos. From the Onguma Reserve, we'll explore Etosha National Park, the largest park in Namibia. Various waterholes in and around Etosha ensure fantastic photographic opportunities and the thrill of seeing some of the largest mammals in the world. Over the next two days you'll explore expansive open plains and acacia woodlands with naturalist guides in open four-wheel-drive vehicles, and photograph elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, springbok and oryx antelopes, kori bustards, and more.
Lodging:Onguma Plains Camp (B/L/D)
Days 7 - 8
May 22 & 23
Etosha National Park and Onguma Reserve
Today we will spend the day further exploring Etosha National Park with a full day game drive, stopping at numerous waterholes to photograph the variety of game found in the park. In the afternoon we'll arrive at Ongava, a private reserve on the southern edge of Etosha. Situated close to the top of a hill, the lodge has wonderful views across the plains, and you'll dine with views over a floodlit waterhole.
Here you'll have the opportunity to photograph both black and white rhino. For those who relish close wildlife encounters, tracking white rhino on foot with an armed guide could be a highlight of the trip.
Lodging:Ongava Lodge (B/L/D)
Days 9 - 11
May 24, 25 & 26
Soussusvlei and The Namib Desert
Continue south by private air to Little Kulala in the heart of the Namib desert. Here huge orange sand dunes offer unforgettable photographic opportunities, where morning and evening light create different moods and contrasts. Over the next three days you will visit some of the highest dunes in the world, and explore the environment's desert adapted flora and fauna from safari vehicles and on foot. You may choose to take an optional sunrise balloon flight over the dunes for a stunning photographic viewpoint. At night you'll see magnificent displays of stars from the lodge's sophisticated observatory, while each villa has a rooftop "skybed" for private stargazing.
Lodging:Little Kulala Lodge (B/L/D)
Day 12
May 27
Windhoek and International Flights Home
Transfer by private air to Windhoek and connect with international flights home.
Optional Photographic Pre-Trip Extension to the Cape Region
Price: $3270
Single Supplement: $310
Day 1
Cape Town, South Africa
On arrival, transfer to your hotel. If you choose, you can spend your first morning exploring with your Photo Leaders, Jack & Rikki Swenson, photographing the colorful Cape Malay district, and perhaps visit the Greenmarket Square crafts market in the center of town. Both are just blocks away from the delightful Cape Heritage Hotel. This afternoon you'll visit the thought provoking District 6 Museum. Then take an exhilarating cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain, for photography of the panoramic views of the city, bays and surrounding hills. Enjoy a Welcome Reception & Dinner.
Lodging:Cape Heritage Hotel (B/D)
Day 2
Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and Cape Winelands, South Africa
Begin the day with a visit to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, world renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora it displays and for the magnificence of its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Following a lunch break, enjoy the afternoon touring the scenic winelands of the Cape region. There will be photography stops in the picturesque town of Stellenbosch, before venturing on into the Franschhoek Valley where dramatic mountains rise above the pastoral scenes of vineyards and colonial Dutch architecture. You'll finish the afternoon with wine tasting and dinner in the heart of the winelands.
Lodging:Cape Heritage Hotel (B/L/D)
Day 3
Cape Point, South Africa
Depart on a full day tour of Cape Point, a part of the Table Mountain National Park. You'll begin with a scenic drive through the beach towns of Clifton and Camps Bay along the Atlantic Coast road and down into the beautiful fishing village of Hout Bay. Your journey then climbs up Chapman's Peak, offering breathtaking coastal views. You'll stop for lunch at the seaside village of Simon's Town. As you continue your exploration south, drive to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site recognized as one of the richest of the world's six floral kingdoms, where two thirds of its plants are found only in this region. Here you'll visit Cape Point and the fabled Cape of Good Hope. In the surrounding nature reserve you may find ostrich, eland, or even bontebok, an antelope found exclusively in this southern-most part of the Cape. You'll return to Boulders Beach where you'll stay adjacent to the famous penguin colony.
Lodging:Boulders Beach Lodge (B/L/D)
Day 4
Boulders Beach, South Africa
Awake to the sounds of braying penguins. Today you'll have the entire day to photograph African penguins up close in the Boulders Beach colony. At sunrise, you'll have the opportunity to photograph these active penguins amid the giant boulders just in front of your hotel. There will be no time constraints on your penguin photography today.
Once the main park area opens, you'll have access via the boardwalks that lead down to white sand beaches that are home to thousands of penguins. The giant boulders make a dramatic backdrop for photography of these charming birds. With the whole day to be spent as you wish, there will be time for shopping, relaxing, and more African penguin photo opportunities into the late afternoon.
Lodging:Boulders Beach Lodge (B/L/D)
Day 5
Depart for Windhoek, Namibia
This morning, transfer to Cape Town airport for a scheduled flight to Windhoek, Namibia, to meet up with the core safari travelers.
Study Leaders
Rikki Swenson
"Namibia is exquisitely unique from other destinations in Africa. It is stark and vast, yet richly alive, a place where majestic oryx wander the immense dunes. I dream of returning and sharing the beauty with you."
Since 1995, Rikki has travelled widely with Lindblad Expeditions, joining the Photo Expedition team in 2001. She now leads Photo Expedition voyages and safaris along with her husband Jack. Two-thousand-eight will be their third year leading Photographic Safari's in Africa. A former graphic designer, avid traveller, and photographer, she uses her expertise in digital photography to provide digital camera instruction and photo imaging techniques for all skill levels.
Jack Swenson
"Namibia is my idea of a photographer's dream. The thrill of Etosha's big game, and the indescribable magic of Namibian dunes will linger as smiles upon your face with each evening's star-filled sky."
A professional photographer, expedition guide, and wildlife biologist for over 25 years, Jack has worked with Lindblad Expeditions since 1988. His background in natural history, photography, and years of expedition travel experience have made him a mentor in the Photo Expedition program, helping others to capture great images from the world's wild places. He has co-authored two books and his images have appeared in publications worldwide.
Cost
Capacity: This expedition is limited to 16 guests.
Dates: May 16 – 27, 2008
Costs: $12,970 per person double occupancy; single supplement $1,590
Pre-Trip Extension: $3,270 per person double occupancy; single supplement $310
Single Accommodations: Single accommodations are limited and cannot be guaranteed throughout each trip. If a share is requested and a roommate cannot be assigned by final payment, the single supplement fee will be charged.
International Airfare: If you would like assistance in booking your air arrangements, please feel free to call Airtreks at 800-428-8735, ext. 122 or email Bushtracks@airtreks-inc.com.
Cost Includes: All private air in Africa; all accommodations, safari activities, tours, and transfers as indicated in the itinerary; all meals; all entrance fees; professional naturalist guides in each safari camp and lodge, and local tour guides; all gratuities; airport departure taxes in Africa; porterage of one soft sided checked bag and one carry-on weighing no more than 60 lbs. total; International Travel Insurance Medical Plan including medical evacuation insurance; trip bag and amenity kit.
The optional Pre Trip Extension includes accommodation, gratuities, commercial flight from Cape Town to Windhoek; some meals; all entrance fees, local tour guides, porterage of one soft-sided checked bag.
Cost Does Not Include: International airfare; personal expenses such as mini bar and room service charges; souvenirs and telephone/fax charges; drinks; laundry, excess baggage fees; travel and personal insurance; passport, visa, and inoculation fees; extra tours, meals and activities not indicated in the itinerary.
The optional Pre Trip Extension does not include laundry; drinks; personal expenses such as souvenirs and telephone/fax charges; excess baggage fees; travel and personal insurance; mini bar and room service charges; passport, visa and inoculation fees; extra tours, meals and activities not indicated in the itinerary; porterage of carry on luggage.
Deposit and Final Payment: A 20% deposit per person is due upon confirming your reservation. Final payment is due 14 weeks before departure, upon receipt of invoice, and is payable by check or credit card.
Additional Charges: Additional charges may be added should Bushtracks incur increases in charges for fuel, accommodation, park entrance fees, supplies, cost increases or other unexpected additional charges. Such additional charges will be paid at the time the cost of the trip is due, or if such date has passed, no later than 7 (seven) days after written notification of the additional charges has been received.
Booking Procedure: A 20% deposit per person, a signed Reservation Form and a signed Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk and Arbitration Agreement form are required at the time participant(s) sign(s) up for a safari.
Payment for the Tour: The deposit must be paid to confirm the booking. Full payment for the trip is required at least 14 weeks before the date of departure. In all cases, time shall be of the essence. If final payment is not made timely, the booking will cancel automatically with applicable cancellation charges imposed.
Preparing For Your Adventure
At Bushtracks, we believe that being prepared for your adventure makes a world of difference in your ability to savor your travels.
Our experienced team knows just what kind of information you'll find most valuable in your final preparations for the exciting adventure ahead. We'll include much of this in your Expedition Planner and Preparation Package, sent to you before departure. Our knowledgeable staff is on hand to answer any additional questions. So you can know before you go, you'll receive:
Detailed itinerary and typical day on safari. Learn what a "typical day" might look like, even though we all know each day holds a new adventure.
Etiquette and customs highlights. As a guest in any country it is best to be aware of local customs and expected behavior. You'll be privy to critical insights into tactful behavior and overall cultural sensitivities.
Health and insurance information. Bushtracks Expeditions automatically covers you with International Medical Evacuation Insurance and Accident/Sickness Medical Coverage. We'll also send you information on supplemental insurance and a listing of immunization requirements.
Travel tips. Keeping you safe and healthy is our number one priority. We'll help you determine food and water safety, how to avoid sun over-exposure, clothing and packing lists, tips for avoiding motion sickness, local currency exchange suggestions and much more.
Reading lists. To help you prepare for this expedition, we'll send you specially selected field guides and a comprehensive reading list.
Documents. Passport requirements and visa kits with full instructions.
Voucher wallet. Just before departure, you will receive an attractive voucher wallet holding all relevant air tickets and travel vouchers to submit to ground operators for prepaid flights, tours and accommodations.
Contact information. An extensive list of contact information so those at home can be informed on how to reach you.