Namibia Full Circle, August 10-26, 2015
SKU:
$7,600.00
$1,000.00 - $9,550.00
COMPLETED
Tour Cost $8,600 – Trip Deposit $1,000 – 2nd Trip Deposit $1,500 (Due  31 Mar 2015) Single Supplement $950
Wedged between the Kalahari and the South Atlantic, Namibia enjoys vast potential as one of the youngest countries in Africa. In addition to having a striking diversity of cultures and national origins, Namibia is a photographer’s dream – it boasts wild seascapes, rugged mountains, lonely deserts, stunning wildlife, colonial cities and nearly unlimited elbow room. Namibia also boasts the following:
Tour Cost $8,600 – Trip Deposit $1,000 – 2nd Trip Deposit $1,500 (Due  31 Mar 2015) Single Supplement $950
Wedged between the Kalahari and the South Atlantic, Namibia enjoys vast potential as one of the youngest countries in Africa. In addition to having a striking diversity of cultures and national origins, Namibia is a photographer’s dream – it boasts wild seascapes, rugged mountains, lonely deserts, stunning wildlife, colonial cities and nearly unlimited elbow room. Namibia also boasts the following:
- 42% of the land surface is under wildlife management
- Biodiversity protection is written into the constitution
- Where most countries have declining numbers of  endangered species, Namibia boasts increasing populations OUTSIDE National Parks
- Namibia is home to the most successful community-based conservation through tourism projects in the world.
NAMIBIA FULL CIRCLE, AUGUST 10-26, 2015
A predominantly arid country, Namibia can be divided into four main topographical regions: the Namib Desert and coastal plains in the west, the eastward-sloping Central Plateau, the Kalahari along the borders with South Africa and Botswana and the densely wooded bushveld of the Kavango and Caprivi regions. Despite its harsh climate, Namibia has some of the world’s grandest national parks, ranging from the wildlife-rich Etosha National Park in Northwestern Namibia, to the dune fields and desert plains of the Namib-Naukluft Park in Western Namibia. Windhoek, in the Central Highlands, is the country's geographical heart and commercial nerve centre, with an ethnic mix of people, while surfers and beach-lovers won't want to miss Swakopmund.
Namibia is one of those dreamlike places that make you question whether something so visually orgasmic could actually exist. Time and space are less defined here. Landscapes collide. Experiences pile up. Watch a lion stalking its prey on a never-ending plain in Etosha. Fly down a giant dune on a sandboard. Spend a night alone in the desert under a sky so thick with stars you can’t differentiate between constellations – Lonely Planet
Namibia is one of those dreamlike places that make you question whether something so visually orgasmic could actually exist. Time and space are less defined here. Landscapes collide. Experiences pile up. Watch a lion stalking its prey on a never-ending plain in Etosha. Fly down a giant dune on a sandboard. Spend a night alone in the desert under a sky so thick with stars you can’t differentiate between constellations – Lonely Planet
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with Jeremy Woodhouse & Martin Bailey
August 10 – 26, 2015 – Minimum 8, Maximum 12 participants. Tour starts and ends in Windhoek, Namibia Itinerary This tour starts and ends in Windhoek, Namibia. The best way to reach Windhoek is to book your flight to Africa through Johannesburg. We will meet at OR Tambo Intl Airport on the morning of the 10th where we will take the following flight to Windhoek: BA6275 operated by Comair — JNB 12:00PM - WDH 13:00PM Obviously, if you are going to spend extra time in Namibia before or after the trip, this will not be relevant. Please let us know as soon as you have flight info so that we can arrange the necessary transfers to our guest house in Windhoek You may instead choose to fly via Germany direct to Windhoek. If you need help with flights through a consolidator, please contact me. Monday, August 10 — Windhoek On arrival in Windhoek, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Villa Violet. Situated in the leafy suburb of Klein Windhoek, Villa Violet Bed & Breakfast offers a sparkling new, fresh and modern accommodation option when visiting the city centre . The en-suite rooms front onto a grassy central area. Each room has an air-conditioner/heater, flat-screen TV an a safe, Wireless Internet, secure parking and a laundry service available to guests.. One night at River Crossing Lodge in a twin bedded room with en suite facilities, on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Tuesday, August 11 — Keetmanshoop After breakfast drive south for 499 km down the B1 highway via Rehoboth, to Keetmanshoop, arriving late afternoon. You will have a boxed lunch en route. Keetmanshoop (translates from Afrikaans as 'the hope of Keetman') is the administrative centre of Namibia's largest region, Karas. It was named after the German trader Johann Keetman, who supported the mission financially. Like many missionaries of that era, they found that even though some Africans converted to Christianity, taking away their tribal beliefs was another matter. Situated 38 km north-east of the town is the Mesosaurus and Fossil and Quiver Tree (Kokerboom) Dolerite Park, set in an area that includes the Mesosaurus Fossil Site and the Quiver Tree Forest and eroded dolorite rock formations. Here you will be able to photograph the quiver tree (Kokerboom) forest scenery in pretty afternoon light. One night at Quiver Tree Forest Rest Camp, in a twin bedded room with en-suite facilities, on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Wednesday, August 12 - 13 — Kolmanskop After breakfast and a morning shoot at the Kokerboom forest, we depart along the B4 highway west to Luderitz, for 356 km En route there are with spectacular views of boulder strewn hillsides across wide open plains. You will have a picnic lunch en-route Before arriving at Luderitz we will spend the last 2-3 hours of light at Kolmanskop, the nearby ghost town, abandoned to the desert when the diamond mining became unfeasible in this area. Here you will see the fascinating old buildings, still standing in the windblown dunes. Following morning drive to and spend the day photographing at Kolmanskop. You will have lunch at Kolmanskop Two nights at the Luderitz Nest Hotel, in a twin bedded room with en suite facilities, on a dinner bed and breakfast basis. Friday, August 14 - 15 — Sesriem After breakfast depart for Sesriem along the scenic D707 route with picnic lunch en route. The drive is 470 km. The route passes through the Namib Naukluft National Park with spectacular plains and mountain scenery and there is plenty opportunity to stop and photograph en route. Arrive at Sossus Dune Lodge in the evening. Built in an environmentally sensitive manner, primarily from wood, canvas and thatch, in an attractive 'afro-village' style, Sossus Dune Lodge offers guests an evocative and life changing experience. Situated within the park, guests benefit from being able to reach Sossusvlei before sunrise, and stay until after sunset, and on their return after an exhilarating day, relax in the tranquility and splendor of the Namib Desert, under the spectacular African sky. One of the most enduring impressions of the Sossusvlei area is the early morning light on the sea of vivid orange dunes, some as high as 984 feet. Nearby world-famous Sossusvlei is an enormous clay pan, flanked by the famous red sand dunes that stand out starkly against the blue sky. These dunes – the most well-known being Big Daddy or Dune 45 – have developed over millions of years, the wind continuously refashioning the contours of this red sand sea. The 'vlei' itself only fills after rare heavy rainfall when, in a complete turnaround, it transforms into a spectacular inland lake. Photography of the dunes in the early morning and late afternoon is particularly stunning with rich reds and dark shadows completing the extraordinary vista that is the enormity of the Namib Desert. 2 nights at Sossus Dune Lodge, in a twin bedded room with en-suite facilities, on a fully inclusive basis. Sunday, August 16 — Sesriem There is an opportunity to take an optional dawn balloon flight on one of the mornings at a cost of approx US $450 per person. 1 night at Kuala Desert Lodge, in a standard room with en-suite facilities, on a fully inclusive basis. Monday, August 17 — Walvis Bay After an early breakfast, you will drive across the desert to Walvis Bay. Two nights at the Egumbo Lodge, Walvis Bay, in a twin bedded room with en suite facilities, on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Tuesday, August 18 — Sandwich Harbor The Turnstone Tour to Sandwich Harbor begins when you are collected from your hotel at about 08h45. You drive along a beautiful dune chain, adjacent the Atlantic Ocean, zigzagging the original railway line between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. This is an opportunity for a detailed look at the formation of 'the world's oldest desert' – its origins, its composition and its movements. Your first stop is at 'Bird Rock' – a guano island inhabited by 200,000 birds and one of the first examples of man's efforts to utilize the rich natural resources of the area. The Lagoons at Walvis Bay and at Sandwich Harbor have been designated as 'Wetlands of International Importance’, while the 'Bird Paradise' at Walvis Bay is also a key nesting and feeding site for thousands of visiting and resident birds. A recent bird survey, overseen by expert ornithologists from Namibia and South Africa, counted record numbers of Flamingo, Plover and Tern between Walvis Bay Lagoon and Sandwich Harbor. Other favorites, such as Pelican, Avocet, Turnstone and a huge variety of waders can be seen, with numbers peaking at around 170,000 in November. Several endemic species, such as the Dune Lark and the Damara Tern, are also found in the vicinity. Leaving Walvis Bay behind, you head for the lower reaches of the Kuiseb Delta. This unique ecosystem is dotted with archaeological sites, 450 year-old animal tracks, windblown graves and magnificent dunes. There is evidence of ancient and recent gathering, harvesting and trading by the Topnaar, an indigenous Namibian community descended from the !Khoi group, which relies on the naturally occurring Nara fruit for survival. Turning south, you begin the approach to Sandwich Harbor. This crosses barren salt pans and vegetation covered hummock dunes, which shelter small groups of Springbok, Ostrich, Jackal and Brown Hyena. Peregrine Falcons, Pale Chanting Goshawks and Black- breasted Snake Eagles can sometimes be seen hunting small mammals (such as gerbils, three-striped mice and Cape Foxes) which share the dunes with a fascinating variety of desert-adapted insects, reptiles and plants. This section of the journey is as dramatic as the landscape, and it soon becomes clear why Sandwich Harbor is often described as inaccessible! Spring tides and shifting sands ensure an unpredictable route, but as you approach the towering, wind-sculptured dunes at the edge of Sandwich Harbor, there is a sense of entering a different world. All that is left of the old whaling station and its community of traders and fishermen is the freshwater lagoon, a solitary deserted building, and the strange greenery of this unique coastal wetland. This is the setting for your picnic – a large hamper full of homemade cakes, savories, salads, fruit and drinks – and a spot of bird watching. Some 40,000 birds – 34 different species – were recorded in this area during recent surveys. Take a leisurely walk around the Lagoon (an official marine sanctuary) and you may also see seals, dolphins and even whales. The drive back home affords a last look at these haunting landscapes and a chance for reflection...you will arrive back at your hotel round about 17h00. Overnight at Egumbo Lodge Wednesday, August 19 - 20 — Fort Sesfontein After breakfast drive north to Swakopmund. Today is the longest drive of the tour. You will have a packed lunch en route. We will arrive at Fort Sesfontein by sunset. The Lodge is situated inside Fort Sesfontein which has been reestablished authentically even to details from the ruins of a historical Fort built in 1896. It is a monument providing safety and coziness but naturally fulfills the demand for modern facilities according to today’s standards. Descendants of the natives of the Damara, Herero and Himba are your hosts. They create a friendly and amiable atmosphere and allow a view into their culture by performing songs of their tribes. We will photograph in an authentic Himba Village on Friday morning and we will explore different Herero communities in the area. 2 nights at Fort Sesfontein Lodge, in a twin bedded room with en-suite facilities, on a fully inclusive basis. Friday, August 21 Purros After spending two nights in Sesfontein getting to know this community and learning about the history of the settlement, we will depart early morning to the settlement of Purros. The drive will take us across the Giribes Plains, past the small community of Tomakas and end with our descent into the Hoarusib River Valley. Purros is one of the larger Himba settlements and the Himba and Herero share the town freely. It is also the headquarters for the Purros Conservancy who have their regional conservation office in town and has historically been the gathering point for the many conservation and cultural initiatives born in this area. There is also a small school with plenty of friendly happy faces inside who will be happy to meet you. If anyone would like to bring any supplies for the school, pencils, erasers and notebooks are always needed, and color pencils are a rare treat. Simple paint sets (safe water colors please) are also a huge hit and some teaching supplies for the teacher will not go to waste. We will spend the afternoon and morning photographing in the village. One night camping in the community campsite under the huge Anna Trees that dominate these river systems. Saturday, August 22 - 23 — Kaokoveld We then head down the spectacular Hoarusib River which is a magnet for the local desert elephants and going through the narrow gorge we will enjoy spectacular scenery and rock formations that make up the ancient geology of this area. Time permitting, we may be able to visit the clay castles of this area before heading south across the gravel plains to the next river system, and our home for the next two nights, the Hoanib. We will stay a few kilometers from Governor's Waterhole close to the Hoanib Riverbed. Situated on a vast empty plain, we will have a chance to see desert-adapted elephant, giraffe, ostrich and other adapted creatures using this water source. Our days will be spent exploring the dry river course of the Hoanib river always on the lookout for desert elephant, and perhaps the resident pride of desert-adapted lions. If you have enough energy you can photograph the stars in one of the clearest, most pristine places on the planet. 2 Nights Wild Bush Camping Wild Bush Camping consists of a mobile tented camp being set up which is staffed by a chef and two camp attendants. The camp crew and equipment are transported in a separate vehicle. The camp staff set up and strikes down camp, do all the cooking, washing up and other camp chores. The camp crew and back up vehicle ensure that guests are not only comfortable but also free to do what they come on safari to do – experience Wild Africa! Accommodation is in single bed dome tents with bed rolls. Meals are as filling, tasty and variable as camping restrictions will allow, vegetarians are catered for on request and wine, beer, some spirits, soft drinks and bottled water are supplied. Monday, August 24 — Kaokoveld - Leeufontein Our fourth and final night of camping will see us move to the area just north of Palmwag most famed for its endless gravel plains and surprisingly healthy population of the desert adapted black rhino for which Namibia is famous. We will be close to a small Himba village where we will photograph for several hours in the afternoon up until sunset. 1 Night Wild Bush Camping Tuesday, August 25 — Leeufontein - Waterberg Plateau After breakfast depart south east to Waterberg You will have a picnic lunch en-route. The Waterberg is a plateau rising above the desert, and the lodge is situated on a cliff face with amazing views. Here you can see the Black Eagle and the diminutive Damara Dik Dik, which wander around the camp area. It’s a perfect overnight stop en-route from Damaraland to Windhoek. One night at Waterberg Lodge, in a twin bedded Mountain View room, with en-suite facilities on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Wednesday, August 26 — Windhoek After breakfast, drive south 290 km down the B1 highway to Windhoek International Airport. Connect to your evening flight to Europe and the USA. Onward USA flight – own arrangements. You should make sure you book BA6274 operated by Comair — WDH 13:55PM - JNB 16:50PM. You should be able to get a later connection back to the US. |
The tour fee includes
The tour fee does not include
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: Nicole Woodhouse Pixelchrome, Inc, 605 Rouen Drive, McKinney TX 75070 
Martin Bailey
Martin Bailey is a nature and wildlife photographer, born and raised in England, though now a Japanese national, based in Tokyo. Fueled by his passion for travel and nature, and a tireless desire to share his knowledge and artistic vision, Martin is a popular international tour and workshops leader, working on all seven continents.
A pioneering Podcaster and blogger, Craft & Vision author, Gura Gear Pro and X-Rite Coloratti member, he inspires and helps photographers from around the world to see and capture the wonders of this awesome planet we call home. With patience and a deep respect for his subjects, it has been said that the he captures the soul of the animals he photographs, and one can smell the air or feel the wind in his sometimes powerful, often ethereal landscapes. His work has been published by Popular Photography Magazine, X-Rite, Pomegranate, Korean Air, Creation Durable (Paris), Real Music and Light of Consciousness Magazine, among others. He had five pieces in a joint exhibit Viaggiando Immaginando, in Italy in 2005, and his first solo exhibition “The Nature of Japan” was held in Aoyama, Tokyo, in December 2010. Martin's Books with Craft & Vision
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