These landscapes materialize for us in more dramatic visions than we had imagined and would provide the backdrop for a fortnight of incredibly diverse wildlife sightings.
Read MoreMike and I chasing Flamingos at Nata
Boulders at Spitzkoppe
Sptizkoppe
The temperature started to rise as we headed inland from Swakopmund into the surreal landscape of the Erongo Mountain region. Herds of zebra, springbok, and ostrich sporadically watched us from the side of the road as we pushed onward to the Spitzkoppen Lodge, our beds for the night. The Spitzkoppen Lodge is nestled against mounds of giant granite boulders arranged by Mother Nature a millennium ago. The lodge grounds and chalets are artfully designed to blend with the natural environment providing an aura of sustainability and relaxation. Upon our arrival we were greeted with a tray of fresh juice, reviving us for an afternoon of landscape photography.
I had briefly traveled through this region once before and looked forward to my revisit with a camera. Unfortunately the light was dull this afternoon, the sky was heavy with clouds blocking the sun entirely. We waited and waited and waited and spent most of our time climbing boulders and socializing.
We ended our evening with a delightful multi-course meal comprised of local flavors. Delicious food and good company! I was a wee bit sad that we had to leave this oasis the next morning but we were expected at our next camp in the Damaraland.
The Matterhorn of Namibia viewed from a boulder field, in morning
brief moment of morning light before our departure from Spitzkoppe
Deadvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park
Nambia: Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, Namib-Naukluft National Park
I planted the seed for a Namibian trip with a group of my photographer friends, who like to travel, over a year ago. We met on an African Safari led by Jamie Thom, owner of Conservation Safari Company, in Botswana three years back. We knew that, as a professional photographer, Jamie would take our interests to heart so we immediately contacted him to guide our next adventure. After a few communications back and forth, Jamie tailored a Namibian itinerary specifically to our group’s interests.
Photographers are a special lot with specific requirements;
A driver capable of positioning the 4x4 for optimal shots
Sufficient amount of outlets, in our vehicle, allowing everyone to charge camera batteries and various electronics
Flexible mealtimes, photographers will only return to camp when photographic opportunities are exhausted, usually after dark.
Our ten-day exploration of Namibia was filled with new experiences beginning with 3 days of camping in and around the Namib-Naukluft National Park. On our first day together we were up before dawn, downed quick cups of tea, and then hightailed it to the park to witness the sunrise over the dunes of Sossusvlei.
Here are a few of my shots from that first day out in the Namib desert concentrating on the dunes of Sossusvlei and of Deadvlei.
Our Camp outside of Sossusvlei
Namibia; Walvis Bay and Sandwich Harbour
There was a day on my last trip to Namibia in which my travel companions and I hired a guiding company to drive us from Walvis Bay to Sandwich Harbour. Our guides deftly maneuvered their Land Cruisers along the ever-shifting shoreline and then up & down massive sand dunes.
Hyena trotting along the Atlantic coastline
We were deposited on top of a sand mountain, left to witness the ancient dune sea of the Namib Desert greet the Atlantic Ocean. It was a beautiful afternoon shared with my travel companions. Here are a few of my images from that day.
Dunes
Sand
Climb
Wind
Curves
Play
safe harbour
Link here to a brief article about Sandwich Harbor by Travel News Namibia.