Namibia Photography Tours FAQs

When joining a photography tour in Namibia with Will Gray during May or September/October, it’s important to prepare for varying temperatures and conditions to ensure comfort and functionality. In May, Namibia experiences cooler dry-season weather, with chilly mornings and evenings, so layering is essential. Bring lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime warmth, complemented by a warm fleece or jacket for early mornings and late afternoons. By September and October, the temperatures rise as the dry season progresses toward summer, so lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics are advisable to stay cool during daytime shoots, while a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are crucial for sun protection. Throughout both periods, neutral-coloured clothing is recommended to minimise disturbance to wildlife and enhance your photography experience. Additionally, sturdy walking shoes or boots are necessary for uneven terrain, and a waterproof jacket might be useful for unexpected weather changes. Here's a packing list you might find useful: • Windproof jacket or puffer/down jacket  • Fleece jacket or soft shell jacket for early mornings and evenings  • Long-sleeve mid-layer  • T-shirts  • Long-sleeve shirt(s) with sun protection  • Travel trousers (one warm, one cool)  • Shorts • Sturdy walking shoes or boots  • Warm hat and buff  • Wide-brimmed sunhat and sunglasses  • Socks, underwear and pyjamas  • Swimming costume  • Casual wear for evenings at camp  • Water bottle – tap water is generally safe to drink in Namibia; we will also bottled water for refills  • Personal toiletries and medication  • Lightweight travel towel for kayaking  • High SPF sunscreen and lip balm  • Small personal first aid kit (we will also have one onboard the minibus)  • Insect repellent (not usually an issue)  • Three round-pin travel plug adaptor  • Head torch with red light setting  • Camera cleaning kit  • Battery charger and spare memory cards  • Laptop with Lightroom Classic installed (not essential) • Camera, lenses, tripod, photo backpack  • Phone and charging cable (our minibus is equipped with USB-C charging points and mains sockets)  • Notebook and pencil (we will have wildlife field guides onboard the minibus)  • Cash (SA Rand) and credit card

In May, Namibia enters its autumn season, characterised by mild temperatures and minimal rainfall, making it one of the best months for travel and wildlife photography. Daytime temperatures typically range from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), while nights can fall to between 5°C and 10°C (41°F to 50°F), especially in desert regions like the Namib. Rainfall is minimal, averaging less than 5mm, with about 10 to 12 hours of sunshine per day. This dry and clear weather provides excellent visibility and vibrant landscapes, ideal for photographers seeking dramatic light. Additionally, as it is the dry season, wildlife is concentrated at water sources, making it easier to spot animals. For travellers, the pleasant climate allows for comfortable exploration of Namibia’s diverse environments – from the iconic dunes of Sossusvlei to Etosha National Park.

During September and October, travellers to Namibia can expect dry, warm weather with clear skies and minimal rainfall, as this period marks the end of the dry season transitioning into the warmer months. Average temperatures range between 15°C (59°F) during the cooler nights and up to 35°C (95°F) during the hot days. Rainfall is minimal, often less than 5mm, and there are around 10 to 12 hours of sunshine each day. These conditions are ideal for wildlife viewing since animals congregate around scarce water sources, making encounters more frequent and predictable. For photographers, the crisp, dust-free atmosphere combined with early morning and late afternoon light creates excellent opportunities for capturing vibrant landscapes and striking wildlife images.

For a photography tour in Namibia during May or September/October, I recommend packing lightweight, breathable clothing suitable for warm days and cooler nights, plus a wide-brimmed hat, UV-protective sunglasses and high SPF sunscreen to shield you from the intense sun. A lightweight buff is also useful. Don’t forget a refillable water bottle, insect repellent and a compact head torch for astrophotography sessions. Remember charging accessories – our vehicle has USB-C charging points for your phone, and there is also a large battery which you can use for charging your camera on the road. Some but not all the places we stay at will provide shower gel and shampoo, so it’s worth bringing small bottles (you can always buy more in Swakopmund if you need to). Towels will be in all the rooms – and usually for pools too. You shouldn’t get that wet while kayaking – we will be provided with warm waterproof clothing. A small travel towel would be handy to dry off feet afterwards

Please see this page (https://www.willgrayphotography.co.uk/namibia-photography-tours-wildlife)for photos and descriptions of some of the species we hope to see and photograph. Here's a checklist of the species we saw on a recent trip: Mammals African elephant, black rhino, white rhino, plains zebra, southern giraffe, warthog, blue wildebeest, black wildebeest, eland, greater kudu, springbok, oryx, steenbok, dik-dik, black-faced impala, red hartebeest, blesbok, lion, cheetah (c), black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox, baboon, yellow mongoose, dwarf mongoose, banded mongoose, scrub hare, tree squirrel, ground squirrel, rock hyrax, Cape fur seal, bottlenose dolphin, bats (?), wild horse  Birds Kelp gull, Caspian tern, white pelican, Cape cormorant, cattle egret, grey heron, marabou stork, greater flamingo, African spoonbill, glossy ibis, Egyptian goose, red-billed teal, Cape teal, little grebe, chestnut-banded plover, white-fronted plover, blacksmith plover, crowned plover, avocet, black-winged stilt, spotted dikkop, double-banded courser, black korhann, kori bustard, red-billed francolin, helmeted guineafowl, ostrich, secretary bird, bateleur, tawny eagle, pale chanting goshawk, greater kestrel, rock kestrel, double-banded sandgrouse, Cape turtle dove, laughing dove, Namaqua dove, rock pigeon, rosy-faced lovebird, grey lourie, brown throated martin, rock martin, palm swift, little swift, white-rumped swift, alpine swift white-faced mousebird, swallow-tailed bee-eater, lilac-breasted roller, hoopoe, yellow-billed hornbill, red-billed hornbill, grey hornbill, clapper lark, grassveld pipit, fork-tailed drongo, pied crow, black crow, red-eyed bulbul, mountain chat, familiar chat, trak-trak chat, Kalahari robin, desert cisticola, white-crowned shrike, fiscal shrike, crimson boubou, pale-winged starling, Cape glossy starling, dusky sunbird, house sparrow, red-billed quelea, Cape sparrow, sociable weaver, white-browed sparrow weaver, yellow canary Reptiles Namib dune gecko, Namaqua chameleon, puff adder (deceased), side-winder adder, shovel-snouted lizard, legless skink (slow worm), skink (?), gecko (?), terrapin (?) Invertebrates Corn cricket, spider-hunting wasp, white lady spider, wheel spider, tok-tokkie beetle, termite

Yes, absolutely – please click here (https://www.willgrayphotography.co.uk/photography-workshop-reviews)to see feedback from recent trips.

Travellers from the UK, Europe and the USA can reach Namibia through flights arriving at Hosea Kutako International Airport near Windhoek. From the UK, there are no direct flights; however, airlines such as British Airways and Lufthansa offer convenient connections. Prices can vary, but you can expect to pay around £800-£900 for a round trip in economy class. Flights usually connect through hubs such as Frankfurt or Amsterdam. From the USA, there are no direct flights; however, several airlines, including South African Airways and Qatar Airways, provide one-stop options via their respective hubs in Johannesburg and Doha. If you choose to travel via Johannesburg or Cape Town, there are flights connecting to Windhoek offered by airlines such as Airlink. For those of you flying to Johannesburg and connecting to an Airlink flight to Windhoek, I’ve had this confirmation from Airlink: “The minimum connecting time from an international to a regional flight is an hour. Please ensure that you inform the check-in agent at your first point of departure to check through your bag to its final destination. That way, you will check it in once in London, and you will only collect it in Windhoek.”

In and out-bound airport transfers are covered by Namibia Car Rental and your flight arrival times will have been given to them to ensure that they are waiting to collect you at Arrival. However, if you are flying out to Namibia earlier, or your flight is delayed, please email them before your arrival to confirm that you are on the schedule. info@namibiacarrental.com(mailto:info@namibiacarrental.com)

It’s a straightforward online application to obtain your visa. The cost is approximately £70. First, go to https://es(https://eWhen)ervices.mhaiss.gov.na.(https://eWhen) When you arrive on the E-Services page, go to the top left and click ‘Register’ first to create a new account. Then, back on E-Services page, scroll down to VISA ON ARRIVAL (and NOT ‘Holiday Visa’). Click the button ‘New Visa on Arrival Application’, sign in with your new account details, and follow the verification process. Then it’s just a case of completing the form. You will see that one box asks you for ‘Places to be visited in Namibia’ – please see below for a full list. Finally, you’ll need to upload a passport photo and a scan of your main passport page, before paying. You should then receive confirmation of your visa. YOU MUST PRINT THIS OUT AND BRING IT WITH YOU TO SHOW IMMIGRATION ON ARRIVAL. Here's a step-by-step summary: 1. Visit https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na/visaonarrival (https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na/visaonarrival) 2. Click ‘Register’ in top right-hand corner  3. Once registered with password etc, go to log in  4. Click on ‘New Visa on Arrival Application’  5. Complete all required details  6. Upload a scan of your passport  7. Make online payment and submit  8. You should receive your e-Visa within 24hrs  9. Print it out (you will need to bring a hard copy with you to sign at Immigration in Windhoek)  And here's a list of accommodation details for your application: Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch, Road D1268 Mariental, Kalahari, 5900 +264 63 24 0982 Casa Piccolo, 6 Barella Street, Klein Windhoek, Postfach 11728, Windhoek +264 61 22 1155 Duwisib Guestfarm +264 81 354 3619 Kairos Cottage Luderitz, Kreplin Street, Shark Island, Luderitz +264 63 203 080 Maritz Country Lodge, Keetmanshoop +264 63 22 4316 Namib Guesthouse, 61 Anton Lubowski Street, Swakopmund +264 64 407 151 Namibia Car Rental, 4 Teinert Street, Windhoek +264 82 4099 239 Okaukuejo Resort, Okaukuejo +264 61 285 7200 Onguma Forest Camp, Etosha +264 67 22 9100 Sossus Dune Lodge, Sossusvlei, Sesriem +264 63 69 3256 Spitzkoppe Cabin Camp, 13007, Road D1918, Usakos +264 81 143 5048 Twyfelfontein Country Lodge, Khorixas District +264 61 37 4750 Waterberg Valley Lodge, Waterberg +264 81 7164 056

Namibian dollars (NAD) and South African rand (ZAR) are both widely accepted (and 1:1 exchange rate). Credit cards like Visa and MasterCard are commonly used in hotels, lodges, shops and supermarkets, but carry cash for remote areas and small vendors. Cash is also useful if you wish to tip your game drive guide for example. For a hassle-free trip, get ZAR cash before arriving or NAD cash at the airport, and inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid card issues.

With a few days extra, you could visit a game reserve near Windhoek for a couple of nights. Or head a little further afield to Okonjima which is excellent for leopards. If you want to splash out, there are flying safaris (in Cessnas) up the Skeleton Coast with Skeleton Coast Safaris – I did one many years ago and it was amazing. A shortish flight with Airlink or SAA, meanwhile, will get you to Cape Town where you could spend a few days before flying home direct to London. Just a few ideas… we can help with more specific ideas of places to stay. The first night of the tour we’ll all be staying at Casa Piccolo in Windhoek, so if you want to simply add an extra night or two here, please email Claudia at casa@iafrica.com.na.(mailto:casa@iafrica.com.na) Let her know you’re on the photo tour and will be arriving earlier. Then it’s just a case of settling up with them for those two extra nights when we check out.

Sturdy, medium-sized soft-sided holdalls only please. They can have wheels. Something like the Osprey Transporter Wheeled Duffel 90 is ideal. Its dimensions are 79x47x34cm. If you can manage with something smaller, that would be very helpful! Please do not bring hard-shell suitcases as they are difficult to pack in the minibus.  There's plenty of room for luggage in the back of the minibus, and we appreciate that many photographers will want to pack their tripod in their main luggage for flights (which will dictate the size of the bag).

The Toyota Quantum 2.8L Diesel 4x4 Automatic 10-Seater is the perfect solution for our small-group photography tours, where we seek comfort, space and off-road capability in one versatile vehicle. Designed to handle both tar and gravel roads with ease, this people carrier is ideal for exploring Namibia’s top destinations – from Etosha and Sossusvlei to remote corners of Damaraland. ​ With seating for up to ten passengers, a powerful 2.8L diesel engine and a smooth automatic transmission, the Quantum offers a relaxed ride over long distances. Its 4x4 drivetrain and elevated ground clearance make it well-suited for off-the-beaten-track adventures, while the spacious interior ensures everyone travels in comfort. ​ The vehicle is equipped with jack,​ jumper cables, fire extinguisher, two spare wheels, 12V tyre compressor, DC-DC 12V battery power pack, dual luggage compartment , air intake snorkel, steel running boards, access step and USB-C charging points for every seat. For our photography adventures in Namibia, we add a large fridge to the vehicle, packed with everything we need for picnic lunches in the wilderness and sundowner drinks and snacks in prime sunset locations. ​ A battery pack can be used for charging camera batteries and laptops (using UK 3-pin plugs) on the move. ​ We also fit an onboard screen so that passengers can view images we have taken during the trip – share ideas, offer critiques and even enjoy Lightroom tutorials from Will on-the-road!

The main north-south route that passes through Windhoek is surfaced. The road from Keetmanshoop to Luderitz is also surfaced. For much of the rest of the time we will be travelling on gravel roads. These vary in condition. Most are well graded, but there may be some stretches that are corrugated. Our 4WD minibus provides a smooth ride, even on rough tracks!

Namibia is an extremely safe country to travel around, though petty crime is to be expected in Windhoek and some of the larger towns. As long as you take normal precautions, such as not wearing expensive jewellery or watches and not opening your bag or wallet to get cash out in a public place, you should be fine. We will always ensure that our minibus is locked and the windows closed when parked in towns. Keep a close eye on your camera equipment at all times. When walking around Windhoek or Swakopmund, it is a good idea to keep your camera in your camera bag until you actually want to take a photo, rather than walk around with it hanging off your shoulder.

When preparing for a trip to Namibia, it's important to be up-to-date on routine vaccinations such as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, and polio. Additionally, vaccines for hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended due to potential exposure through food and water. Namibia is generally considered a low to moderate risk area for malaria, mainly in northern regions during the rainy season (November to April). Malaria prophylaxis is advised if you plan to visit these higher-risk areas at this time, and using insect repellents, wearing long sleeves, and sleeping under mosquito nets further reduces the risk. Please visit https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/namibia (https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/namibia)for advice.

Namibia is renowned for excellent meat, while the rich coastal waters ensure plenty of fresh fish. All of the accommodation we use offers a range of local and international dishes, and there will always be a vegetarian option available. The local staple is sorghum or pearl millet porridge, while popular street food includes kapana – grilled meat with a chilli, tomato and onion sauce and deep-fried dough balls. Namibian cuisine has plenty of game meat, so don’t be surprised to see springbok, kudu and oryx on the menu. Seafood includes kabeljou, kingclip, hake, sole and lobster, while freshwater tigerfish, tilapia and bream are also available. The cuisine is also influenced by German traditions, so you’ll find Wiener schnitzel, rich cakes and coffee shops in the main towns and cities. The braai, or BBQ, is ubiquitous and perfect for carnivores with everything from boerewors sausage to steaks and lamb kebabs thrown on the coals. Tap water is generally safe in Namibia – please bring a water bottle with you to keep plastic waste to a minimum. Fruit juice is available from South African brands like Ceres and Liquifruit. There’s also no shortage of herbal rooibos (or redbush) tea and the excellent Windhoek Lager.

This is the guided excursion we’ll be doing from Swakopmund/Walvis Bay. It’s incredible – the fur seals literally come right up to us!! If you’re worried about your camera gear and sea water, don’t be. We go out in the morning when it’s usually very calm. The kayaks are all doubles which are very stable. I usually take a dry bag to put my camera in and have this on my lap, taking the camera out when I want to take a picture, and then putting it in the dry bag when I’m paddling. Just search for them on Amazon – there are lots available and they only cost around £10 and fold flat and pack away for the rest of the trip. You do not need to bring wellies (rubber boots) with you. You can hop into the kayaks on the beach and our guides will push you in! If you want to, bring a pair of lightweight neoprene wet socks/booties – but I usually go barefoot. What camera to use for the sea kayaking at Walvis Bay? As we go out in the morning the conditions are usually calm and flat. We use stable, double sit-on kayaks (no spray deck) so you can have your camera on your lap where it’s accessible. You might get the odd splash from a seal (they come right up to us) and a few drips from your paddle, so I would recommend putting your camera in a dry bag or rain cover. I usually have a towel in my lap too. Many people choose to leave their camera on the vehicle and just take phones – you’ll still get excellent shots, but again I would suggest putting it in a waterproof case with a strap around your neck. If you have a GoPro, perfect, you’ll be able to get underwater shots as well. The seals are lively, erratic and fast moving – not easy to photograph – so if you have pre-capture on your camera that is definitely an advantage. My best tip is to take it in turns for photography: one person paddles fairly swiftly – this often encourages the younger seals to give chase, porpoising in your wake and alongside you, giving the second person in the kayak a chance to get those action shots of them leaping! All great fun 😊

See this page (https://www.willgrayphotography.co.uk/namibia-photography-tours-camera-gear)for a visual guide to camera gear for Namibia. You do not need to have the latest camera and a huge arsenal of lenses. My own camera outfit is fairly modest and streamlined – that's simply because I like to travel light and have as little cumbersome gear as possible between myself and what I'm trying to photograph. It really is mainly about the light, the location and taking your time to consider viewpoint, composition and exposure.  Camera  Either a DSLR or mirrorless camera with the ability to shoot RAW format images is ideal. Which is best for you? The camera that takes the pictures you want to take. If you like it and it feels comfortable in your hand, it's not overly-intimidating, yet offers enough features to help you realise your photographic ambitions, then it's probably the right camera for you. Recommended brands include Canon, Nikon and Sony. For online shopping, try wexphotovideo.com.(http://wexphotovideo.com) They also have stores throughout the UK where you can try out gear before you buy.  Lenses  For full-frame, the following lens line-up is ideal: 24-105mm and either a 100-400mm or a 100-500mm. Desirable, but not essential, 'extras' might include a 16-35mm for wide-angle landscapes, a 100mm macro lens (for close-ups of insects, lizards etc) and a longer prime telephoto for wildlife, particularly birds. For cameras with crop sensors, remember that your focal length will effectively be magnified. One other thing to bear in mind with lenses is that, for night photography, where we aim to capture the Milky Way, a wide-angle lens with a fast maximum aperture will help you achieve better results. Essentially, maximum aperture is how wide the lens can open (letting in light for the exposure). The smaller the f-stop (ie 2.8) the bigger the aperture. So, you’ll find a 24mm f2.8 lens is better suited for night photography than, say, a 24mm f5.6 lens.  Tripod  If you can, please bring a sturdy outdoor tripod. After a camera and lenses, it's the most essential item of equipment. Benro, Manfrotto, Three-Legged Thing and Gitzo are all excellent brands, but there are many others. Camera bag  Camera bag choice is largely down to personal preference. I use a backpack-style bag so that I'm not pulled off-balance when walking across uneven ground. I sometimes use it in conjunction with a smaller, holster-style bag attached to a waistbelt – allowing me to easily and quickly access a camera without having to always remove my backpack.  Accessories  A remote cable release (or remote switch) is useful. Although most cameras have self-timers, it's still helpful to have a cable release to lock the shutter open for very long (bulb) exposures. Don't forget to bring plenty of digital memory, extra batteries and a battery charger. You will also need a lens cleaning cloth or two, and a blower brush to remove dust from lenses and cameras. A back-up camera, or smart phone, is always useful, along with a notebook and pencil. For night shoots, a small head torch is very important – both for negotiating paths to reach our viewpoint and also to find what you need in your camera bag! Please ensure it has a red light setting.  Filters  A circular polariser is highly recommended to help intensify blue skies and reduce reflections on water or shiny surfaces. I also use graduated and neutral density filters, including a LEE Big Stopper (a 10-stop neutral density filter which is a must for daytime long exposures). These aren't mandatory, but you may find them useful. I'll have some filters with me that you'll be able to experiment with, assuming our gear is compatible.  Laptop  We will hold Lightroom sessions during the tour so we can process your images and continue the editing and creative process on-screen. If you have one, please bring a laptop with a card reader for transferring your images and ideally with Lightroom Classic installed. I use the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan which costs around £10 per month and includes Photoshop as well.  See https://www.adobe.com/uk/creativecloud/photography/compare-plans.html (https://www.adobe.com/uk/creativecloud/photography/compare-plans.html)for more details.  Don't worry if you don't have a laptop. We can load a selection of your images onto mine. Even if you don't have a laptop with you, please remember to bring a suitable card reader, or the compatible cable that connects your camera to a computer (for downloading images to my laptop).  If you have any questions about your camera gear, or what to take, please don’t hesitate to email me, will.gray@me.com,(mailto:will.gray@me.com) and I’ll be happy to offer any advice I can. I use a Canon R5, RF 15-35mm f2.8 lens, RF 24-105mm f4 lens, RF 100-500mm f4.5/7.1 lens and RF 100mm f2.8 macro lens. My bag is a Lowepro Whistler backpack and my tripod is a Benro Tortoise with a geared head.

Don’t worry too much about a macro lens – you would mostly find it useful for the Living Desert tour we do from Swakopmund where local guides will show us critters like chameleons and geckos. But you should be able to get some good photographs of these using the camera on your smart phone. Canon R users are welcome to use my 100mm macro lens. The macro capability of your zoom may also be good enough for a lot of the close-up shots you’re after. Of course, if macro photography is important to you, then you will naturally get the best results from a dedicated macro lens – and even consider bringing a flash and macro flash diffuser.

Here’s a link to Ripe Insurance which I use. It gives you a 15% discount (and I get an Amazon voucher for referring you🥳), but don’t worry, there’s no obligation!! https://photography.mention-me.com/m/ol/pu2fn-600b68ec4f(https://photography.mention-me.com/m/ol/pu2fn-600b68ec4f)

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8c18e4_a7c7d1f5fbe445b1ab9b6f93a55b616b~mv2.jpg Y es, capturing the Milky Way and astrophotography in general requires a specialised lens to achieve the best results. For your photography tour in Namibia, I recommend using a fast wide-angle lens with a large maximum aperture (ideally f/2.8 or wider). This allows more light to enter the camera, essential for photographing stars and the Milky Way in low-light conditions. Popular choices include lenses such as the Canon 15-35mm f/2.8 and Sony 14mm f/1.8. These lenses offer a wide field of view to capture expansive night skies while maintaining sharpness and minimal distortion. Additionally, a sturdy tripod and a remote shutter release are indispensable tools for long exposures typical in astrophotography. On your Namibia tour, where dark skies and minimal light pollution provide excellent conditions, using the right lens will significantly enhance your ability to capture stunning celestial images – however, if you don't fancy the expense or weight of an f/2.8 lens, I have found that an f/4.0 equivalent has been perfectly good – the shot above was taken with a Canon 16-35mm f/4.0 lens. Even with a smartphone you will be able to capture surprisingly good shots of the Milky Way.

There are now new regulations including a ban on taking drones into Etosha National Park. You would have to leave your drone at the entry gate and collect it when you leave. As we are entering/exiting through different gates, this would make collecting your drone very difficult! If you are still keen on taking a drone, please contact me urgently so we can discuss this.

Yes, it will be useful for astrophotography sessions – just ensure it has a red bulb so you can preserve your (and everyone else's) night vision.

You will be able to charge your gear at all of the lodges, camps and guesthouses where we stay. Our minibus also has the following: • USB-C charging ports for every seat • USB-A charging ports upfront • Inverter with 1x three-pin (round) South African plug socket • Power pack with 2x Dual USB QuickCharge ports, 3x DC sockets and 2x 50A grey coupler plugs For charging camera batteries and laptops on the road, you can either plug your charger into the South African plug socket (please bring an appropriate plug adaptor for your country) or use a DC socket adaptor (cigarette lighter style).