Namibia Photography Adventure

You'll be collected from Windhoek International Airport by a representative of Namibia Car Rental and transferred (40 minutes) to the city for your check-in at Casa Piccolo, a cosy, 16-room guesthouse with a garden and pool for you to relax in after your flight. This evening, meet the rest of the group, along with your photographer Will Gray, host Sally Gray, and our driver/guide. We'll drive 5 minutes to Joe's Beerhouse – one of Windhoek's best restaurants, renowned for its fantastic menu – for a welcome dinner, a briefing from Will and a chance to pore over a map of our route. A welcome drink is on us, but dinner at Joe's Beerhouse is at your own expense. As a guide, fillet steak served with a green peppercorn sauce, vegetable kebab and jacket potato filled with sour cream costs around £12, while a mushroom pork schnitzel with mash potato and a vegetable kebab is around £8. Overnight Casa Piccolo (breakfast included)

After an excellent cooked breakfast at Casa Piccolo (included) we'll load up our 4WD minibus and hit the road. Travelling south from Windhoek, we'll take the scenic 3-4hr drive to the western fringes of the Kalahari Desert where we'll spend the night at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch. Located on the edge of the southern Kalahari in the mixed tree and shrub savannah, the ranch is crisscrossed by huge red sand dunes. There will be time to relax by the pool and waterhole before setting out in an open-sided safari vehicle later in the afternoon for a sundowner drive into the ancient rust-red dunes for our first taste of desert photography and a chance to spot white rhino, oryx, wildebeest, zebra, ostrich and maybe meerkats. We'll enjoy the sunset (with drinks and snacks) from one of the highest dunes in the area. Namibia is renowned for its breathtaking night skies, so after dinner at the stylish ranch, we will visit its very own observatory where a local astronomer will use a state-of-the-art telescope to introduce us to the constellations of the southern hemisphere – a valuable introduction to the cosmos for the rest of the tour. Overnight at Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch in a Garden Room (dinner, bed and breakfast included)

On day 3, we'll continue our journey south, arriving around lunchtime at the Quiver Tree Forest Rest Camp (a working sheep and cattle farm near Keetmanshoop). There will be time to check in to your room and have a swim in the small pool. This afternoon we'll take our first foray in the Quiver Tree Forest, photographing these bizarre plants (a type of succulent) that sprout from a dolerite ridge near the rest camp. After dinner (included), we'll return for an astrophotography session in the forest, aiming to capture the Milky Way arching over the forest. We'll have special permits to photograph in the forest at night. Overnight at Quiver Tree Forest Restcamp (breakfast and dinner included)

Those that wish to can explore the Quiver Tree Forest at sunrise. After breakfast (included), we'll drive the short distance to the Giant's Playground, another extraordinary opportunity for landscape photography – a maze of dolerite boulders, stacked like Jenga blocks, and spiked with quiver trees and aloes. It's then time to head west towards the coast and the fascinating and remote town of Luderitz. The drive takes around 3.5 hours, but what a drive! We'll weave through arid mountains before emerging onto a vast desert grassland inhabited by wild horses. After a picnic lunch near a waterhole favoured by the horses, we continue west, following an arrow-straight road alongside a single-track railway line (another great photo opportunity!), before reaching Luderitz in the afternoon. Once we've checked in to our comfortable seafront guesthouse, Kairos Cottage, we'll stroll into town to photograph Luderitz and the coast from a hilltop near the impressive church of Felsenkirche. This evening, we'll have dinner (own expense) at an excellent seafood restaurant called the Portuguese Fisherman. Overnight at Kairos Cottage (breakfast included).

An early start this morning as we want to reach the diamond-mining ghost town of Kolmanskop at sunrise. It's only a 12km/10-minute drive from Luderitz, so we should be in position (with our special photography permits and a packed breakfast) to capture the early light as it seeps through the derelict houses – abandoned in the mid-1950s. Kolmanskop is slowly being digested by the desert. Sand oozes through windows and doors, but there’s enough left of the buildings – from fading wallpaper to rusty wash basins – to create an eerie connection to the past. We'll be hoping for optimum conditions – sun breaking through early morning fog and casting interesting shadows and patterns. It's a mesmerising place – perfect for abstract photography and zooming in on details. As the sun climbs higher and the regular tours arrive, we'll retreat to the museum to find out more about Kolmanskop history. After returning to Luderitz to collect our luggage, we'll drive inland, back to Aus and the land of wild horses, then north towards Duwisib Guestfarm on the edge of the Namib Desert. It's another spectacular drive (around 4 hours) and we'll stop for photography along the way. Duwisib is a small, friendly guestfarm where we'll experience true Namibian hospitality. This afternoon, we'll enjoy a 4x4 drive through the farm, learning about the fauna and flora of the region as well as the challenges of farming here. Overnight at Duwisib Guestfarm (dinner and breakfast included).

After breakfast, we'll walk to the incongruous Duwisib Castle, a medieval fortress which was built for the German ‘Baron’ Captain Hans Heinrich von Wolf in 1907, before continuing our journey north through the Namib Desert. We'll drive along the edge of the spectacular NamibRand Reserve before arriving at Sesriem where we'll spend the next two nights. Sesriem is the gateway to the giant sand dunes at Sossusvlei. With panoramic desert and mountain views, our base is the Sossus Dune Lodge located just inside the national park (which gives us the advantage of reaching Sossusvlei before sunrise and staying until sunset). From your private thatched chalet, you'll be able to see the towering sand dunes lining the Corridor – a 60km-long 'valley' formed by flash floods that leads into the heart of the desert. On the afternoon of our first day here, we'll drive along the Corridor for our first taste of this breathtaking desert scenery. As the sun sinks, the sinuous curves of the apricot-coloured dunes become defined by deep shadows. Lone trees and small herds of gemsbok add a sense of scale to our images, while the rich evening light is simply stunning. Because our accommodation is uniquely inside the park gates, we can linger until sunset, enjoying a fabulous photography session at Dune 40, with sundowners and snacks in the desert. After dinner at Sossus Dune Lodge, it's an early start on Day 8 for one of the highlights of the trip: a sunrise shoot at Deadvlei. Sunrise will be around 7.45am, but we need to drive 60km along the Corridor to reach Sossusvlei. From there, we'll continue a further 5km through thick sand in our 4WD minibus; then it's a 15-minute, gently uphill walk across the dunes to reach Deadvlei. The sight of dozens of skeletal camelthorn trees – starved of their water supply around 1,000 years ago – is quite extraordinary. But don’t dawdle: we need to work fast to capture the best light. As the sun rises, the Big Daddy dune to the left of the vlei casts a shadow onto the one opposite – a perfect background against which to frame the silhouettes of the ancient acacias. Sunlight seeps across the pan quickly. I'll help you with compositions and how to capture the rapidly-changing light. All too soon, it will become harsh and bleached – but what a few hours of photography! After Deadvlei, we'll visit Sossusvlei to enjoy our packed breakfasts and a fresh cup of coffee or tea. Returning to our lodge, there will be time to relax by the pool during the middle part of the day. We'll then set out to explore nearby Sesriem Canyon on foot before driving to Elim Dune for sunset. This evening, we'll review our images of Deadvlei. Tomorrow morning, we have another opportunity for a dawn shoot there, so this is a good opportunity to discuss ways of getting even better images. Two nights at Sossus Dune Lodge (dinner and breakfast included).

Day 8 starts with our optional second dawn shoot at Deadvlei (you're welcome to have a lie-in if you like!). Then, we have a 4-5hr drive to reach Walvis Bay on the coast. We'll stop at Solitaire at what must be one of the world's remotest coffee shops! The signature apple crumble and cream (our treat!) is a must! Photographically, Solitaire has an intriguing collection of old cars, tractors and trucks rusting by the roadside which make colourful abstract or close-up photographs. Further along the road, we'll make another stop at Kuiseb Pass, a rugged area of ancient, shattered mountains, studded with euphorbias. We reach the coast at Walvis Bay and, depending on the tides, may stop to photograph flocks of flamingos feeding on the mudflats right in front of the town's esplanade. During June (winter) only smaller numbers of resident greater flamingos, avocets and plovers are usually present, whereas in summer months their numbers are swelled with lesser flamingo and other waders. We will spend the next two nights at the Protea Hotel Pelican Bay, right on the waterfront. On Day 9, we have an exciting full-day tour to look forward to – sea kayaking with Cape fur seals and driving into the vast 'sand sea' of giant dunes at Sandwich Harbour. First, we'll drive by 4x4 through salt marshes and pink salt pans to reach the sand spit of Pelican Point. The bird life is incredible – and we'll also spot the resident pack of black-backed jackal. But it's the colony of 50,000 Cape fur seals that's the real eye-opener here. Launching our stable two-person kayaks (no previous experience required), we'll paddle along the shoreline – seals crammed onto the beach and swimming all around us. Don't be surprised if they surface alongside, or even bite your paddle! Dolphins and occasional humpback whales are also seen here. If you have a GoPro, this is the day to use it – but a smartphone or your normal camera with a wide-angle lens for close-ups of the inquisitive seals will also work. The excitement continues as we head south to Sandwich Harbour where the desert meets the ocean. It's a fabulous opportunity for photography, especially abstract compositions of the waves and dunes. We'll drive along the beach between the breakers and towering wall of sand, keeping watch for seabirds, jackals and oryx. Lunch is included. Returning to Walvis Bay in the late afternoon, there will be time to relax before dinner (own expense). Two nights at Protea Hotel Pelican Bay (breakfast included).

After breakfast at our hotel in Walvis Bay, we'll drive 30 minutes to Swakopmund to be met by a local safari operator in a 4WD for an exciting morning exploring the coastal dunes of Dorob National Park. It's a fascinating habitat, and our guides are experts at spotting little-seen desert critters. Top of our list will be the 'Small Five' – Namaqua chameleon, side-winder adder, Namib web-footed gecko, shovel-nosed lizard and white lady spider. A macro lens, or a lens with a macro setting, will be useful here, although smartphones achieve excellent results, particularly of the lizards. It's a rollercoaster drive through the dunes, learning about their formation and how wildlife, such as tok-tokkie beetles, survive here. After being dropped off back in Swakopmund, we're free to have a quick stroll around the shops and enjoy a relaxed lunch (own expense). I can also arrange for us to visit the gallery of some local photographers for an insight into their work. This afternoon, we head east back into the desert. It's a very different desert, though, to the sand dunes we've seen in recent days. Instead, we cross stony coastal lichen fields before reaching the impressive twin massif of Spitzkoppe. Giant granite inselbergs rearing 700m above the dusty plains of Damaraland, Spitzkoppe is a magnet to photographers, the classic shot being the rock arch framing a smouldering view of the mountains at dusk. On day 11, we have a full day to explore Spitzkoppe, starting with an early morning walk to photograph the beautiful rock formations and hardy trees. We'll also visit a 2,000-year-old rock art site at Small Bushman’s Paradise – a rocky overhang daubed with ochre paintings of hunters and wildlife. We'll spend two nights at Spitzkoppe Cabin Camp right in the shadow of the mountains. On one of the evenings, we'll cook our own braai over an open fire. The night photography here is superb. Two nights at Spitzkoppe Cabin Camp (breakfast, lunch and dinner included). This is a proper wilderness experience where we bring our own food to cook. Our cabins are extremely comfortable, but please note that they are the only accommodation on this trip that is not ensuite. Just behind the cabins is a modern, shared bathroom block with hot showers and flush toilets.

From Spitzkoppe, we travel north across the beautiful kopje-scattered plains of Damaraland, stopping for lunch at the brilliant Cactus & Coffee in the small town of Uis (own expense) before continuing to Twyfelfontein Country Lodge. Nestled in a rocky mountainside, the lodge blends with its surroundings, its design complementing the sandstone rock formations. This afternoon, we'll join a 4x4 drive into the ephemeral Aba-Huab River valley in search of desert-adapted elephants. Keep an eye out for birds of prey, antelope, fairy circles and the prehistoric, desert-adapted Welwitschia mirabilis plant. The guides have a proven history of tracking down herds of free-roaming desert-adapted elephants and will do everything possible to meet these magnificent giants. The nature drive returns through savannah lowlands, small dunes, a dry riverbed and intriguing geological structures, stopping at Welwitschia Hill for sundowners. Overnight: Twyfelfontein Country Lodge (breakfast included)

After checking out from Twyfelfontein Country Lodge, we'll visit Twyfelfontein itself. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to one of the most extensive collections of rock-art engravings in Southern Africa – a rich cultural legacy left by the Khoi-San. Some of the remarkable engravings, which we will view and photograph on a guided walking tour, are estimated to be 10,000 years old, Leaving Damaraland, we drive east and north to Etosha. Namibia's flagship reserve protects a vast salt pan fringed on its southern edge by grassy plains and patches of woodland. Etosha has large numbers of wildebeest, zebra, springbok and gemsbok, along with elephant, giraffe, both black and white rhino, lion, leopard and cheetah. We enter Etosha at its southern gate where we spend our first night in the national park at Okaukuejo Resort. Famous for its waterhole there's a great opportunity to photograph wildlife coming and going. And because it's floodlit, we can enjoy the spectacle well into the night. Early the next morning (on Day 12) we'll set off on a full-day safari through Etosha National Park in an open-sided safari vehicle for optimal wildlife photography. Stopping at waterholes along the way, we will be able to photograph the procession of animals arriving to drink. As well as mud-caked elephants, dusty herds of zebra and squabbling springbok, we'll see ostrich, Kori bustard and a variety of hornbills and raptors. With luck, we'll also see and photograph lion, cheetah and rhino. The scenery is extraordinary – especially when we venture to the very edge of the vast salt pan at the heart of Etosha. Our destination is Onguma Forest Camp (recently renamed Onguma Etosha Aoba) – a superb safari camp in a private game reserve near the western edge of Etosha, where we will spend our final two nights. One of the highlights here – and indeed of our whole trip – is the sunken Onkolo Hide, which offers incredible ground-level views of animals drinking at a waterhole. Award-winning wildlife photographs have been taken here. As well as a morning in the hide, we will enjoy a final sundowner game drive before a farewell dinner at the camp. Overnight day 13 at Okaukuejo Resort (breakfast included). Overnight days 14 and 15 at Onguma Forest Camp (dinner and breakfast included)

We'll have a relaxing morning at Onguma Forest Camp, before driving a few hours south to the Waterberg Plateau where we'll stay at the Waterberg Wilderness Valley Camp. It's the perfect spot to break the long journey between Etosha and Windhoek. Situated on a hill in a wide valley of the Waterberg plateau, the camp has spectacular views of the 150m-high cliffs of rust-red sandstone. Each canvas chalet has its own balcony and a stone-wall bathroom. There will be time to relax, enjoy a walk and go birdwatching while we're there. Overnight: Waterberg Wilderness Valley Camp (dinner and breakfast included)

After a night relaxing in the Waterberg, we have an early start to continue our journey south to Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport to say our goodbyes before homeward flights or onward travel. Those that have planned to extend their stay in Namibia will be driven to their accommodation in Windhoek.