The true gem of Namibia is the wilds of the North, where desert-adapted lions and elephants move like ghosts across scorched earth, a rare and haunting sight few photographers ever witness. This is a land of staggering beauty and quiet resilience, where survival feels cinematic. Far from the commercial safari routes, we journey deep into the wild north through the dramatic landscapes of Damaraland and beyond, tracking wildlife shaped by wind, heat, and time.
By day, we’ll track iconic desert species through striking, cinematic landscapes. By night, we’ll shift focus to photographing under starlit skies, crafting images that blur the line between documentation and art. Woven into this raw terrain are the Himba people, whose rich traditions and visual presence create extraordinary portrait opportunities, approached with intention and respect.
On our way to the north, we will also explore Etosha National Park. Its vast salt pan and stark white terrain create an otherworldly backdrop, drawing large concentrations of wildlife to its scattered waterholes. Among the highlights are the iconic ghost elephants, their pale bodies dusted white by the mineral-rich earth, moving silently across the glowing expanse like apparitions.
For those who wish to begin their journey with something truly surreal, a pre-extension to Sossusvlei is available. Here, in the heart of the Namib Desert, towering red dunes rise above ancient pans and dead camelthorn trees, sculpted by centuries of wind and time. It is a minimalist masterpiece in light and form, offering an extraordinary opportunity for landscape photography in one of the most visually arresting environments on earth.
Itinerary
Day 1: May 20, 2027
- Upon arrival at Windhoek, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. (Check-in to the hotel is 1400hrs)
- Afternoon at leisure.
- Dinner and briefing at the hotel.
D
Day 2: May 21, 2027
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Your drivers will pick you up from the hotel and depart for Etosha.
- Lunch in route
- Late afternoon and evening around the floodlit waterhole.
- B, L & D
Day 3: May 22, 2027
- Early breakfast at the lodge.
- Full-day game drive with a Packed Lunch included in the park.
- Dinner at the Lodge
B, L & D
Day 4: May 23, 2027
- Depart Etosha after breakfast.
- Short stop at Kamanjab
- Lunch in route
- Dinner at the Lodge
B, L & D
Day 5 : May 24, 2027
- Breakfast at the Lodge
- Drive to the next location and check in at our luxury camp
- Afternoon Game drive in search of the exotic desert animals.
- Dinner in Camp
B, L &D
Day 6: May 25, 2027
- Morning and afternoon game drives in search of the exotic desert animals
- Dinner in Camp
B, L &D
Day 7 May 26, 2027
- Morning Game drive, breakfast at the camp
- Drive to the next location and check into our luxury camp
- Afternoon Game drive in search of the exotic desert animals.
- Dinner in Camp
B, L & D
Day 8 & 9: May 27 & 28, 2027
- Morning and afternoon game drives in search of the exotic desert animals
- One evening of night photography and Himba visit
- Dinner in Camp
B, L &D
Day 10, May 29 2027
- Morning game drive, breakfast at the camp
- Drive to the next location and check into our luxury camp
- Dinner in Camp
- Night photography
B, L & D
Day 11, May 30 2027
- Morning with the Himba tribe
- Lunch in camp
- Afternoon landscape and Himba tribe
- Dinner in Camp
- Night photography
B, L & D
Day 12: May 31, 2027
- Breakfast
- Transfer to the airstrip for your private charter to Windhoek
- Transfer to the Olive Grove for a dayroom or transfer to HKIA Airport (Windhoek) for your international flight home. Flights can be booked after 8 PM
B
WISH YOUR TRIP WAS LONGER – Pre-tour to Sossusvlei led by Ben McRae
Day -01: May 16, 2027
- Upon arrival at Windhoek, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the accommodation. (Check-in to the hotel is 1400hrs)
- Afternoon at leisure.
- Dinner and briefing at the hotel.
D
Day -02, : May 17, 2027
- After breakfast, depart for Sossusvlei
- Afternoon exploring and landscape photography
- Dinner at camp
- B, L & D
Day -03 & -04: May 18,19, 2027
- Morning and Afternoon exploring and landscape photography
- Dinner at camp
- B, L & D
Day 1: May 20, 2027
- Sunrise Landscape photography
- Breakfast
- Depart for Windhoek
- Dinner and briefing at the hotel.
B, D
Important Details
The Price (Main Safari)
The price of this unique safari to Northern Namibia is $18,495.00, based on double occupancy (two people sharing one room).
A private room is available in all locations except the last. All guests will be sharing a room for the two nights at the last location. A single supplement is $2,995.00 if available. Single accommodations are limited!!!!!
If a solo guest wishes to share a room, we will do our best to match them with another guest of the same gender. If we cannot match a solo guest with another guest of the same gender, then the single supplement of USD$2,995.00 will be charged.
***The cost of this safari is based on a minimum of 8 participants. Due to the shared cost, if there are fewer than 8 participants, a supplement fee of $1,295.00 will apply. The expedition needs a minimum of 5 clients to operate.
A USD $6,000.00 Non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance that will refund your deposit if you must cancel your trip for any reason.
- USD $6,000.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on this safari
- 2nd payment of USD $8,000.00 is due May 15, 2026
- Final payment/Balance is due Jan 20, 2027
******We highly urge you to protect your investment with proper trip cancellation insurance because life is unpredictable, and you never know what surprises it may have in store that might alter your plans.
********Guest MUST be in good physical condition, able to carry their own camera equipment and personal item, and must be able to comprehend all instructions.
Included:
- Accommodations on days 1 – 11
- Dayroom on day 12
- All meals from dinner on day 1 – breakfast on day 12
- All drinks and laundry May 24 – 28
- 1 Private charters
- Airport transfers on arrival/departure dates
- Entrance fees, park fees, and village fees
- Transportation in deluxe custom safari built, 4-wheel drive Landcruiser vehicles with air-conditioning.
- Evacuation insurance to a Windhoek hospital – cost of hospitalization payable direct
- Bottled drinking water in transport vehicles
- 2 professional photographic guides and 1 professional local guide
What’s Not Included:
- Visas
- Travel and Medical Insurance
- Personal purchases (such as curious, spirit liquors, snacks, telephone calls, internet, laundry…)
- Gratuities for guides, camp and lodge staff
- Activities not stated in the itinerary
- Pre- and post-safari tours
- Meals or accommodation before or after the expedition
- International flights to and from Namibia
The Price (Pre-Extension)
The price of this extension based on double occupancy –
5 people – $2,995.00
4 people – $3,495.00
3 people – $3,995.00
A private room is available. The supplement is $495.00
If a solo guest wishes to share a room, we will do our best to match them with another guest of the same gender. If we cannot match a solo guest with another guest of the same gender, then the single supplement of USD$495.00 will be charged.
A USD $1,500.00 Non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration to secure your spot. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance that will refund your deposit if you must cancel your trip for any reason.
- USD $1,500.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on this safari
- Final payment/Balance is due Jan 20, 2027
******We highly urge you to protect your investment with proper trip cancellation insurance because life is unpredictable, and you never know what surprises it may have in store that might alter your plans.
********Guest MUST be in good physical condition, able to carry their own camera equipment and personal item and must be able to comprehend all instructions.
Included:
- Accommodations on days -01 – 1
- All meals from dinner on day 01 – breakfast on day 1
- Airport transfers on arrival/departure dates
- Entrance fees
- Transportation in deluxe custom safari-built, 4-wheel drive Land Cruiser vehicles with air-conditioning.
- Evacuation insurance to a Windhoek hospital – cost of hospitalization payable direct
- Bottled drinking water in transport vehicles
- 1 professional photographic guides and 1 professional local guide
What’s Not Included:
- Visas
- Travel and Medical Insurance
- Personal purchases (such as curious, spirit liquors, snacks, telephone calls, internet, laundry…)
- Gratuities for guides, camp and lodge staff
- Activities not stated in the itinerary
- Pre- and post-safari tours
- Meals or accommodation before or after the expedition
- International flights to and from Namibia
-
REGISTRATION AND DEPOSIT
If you are excited to join this safari, now is the time to secure your spot. Use the buttons below to fill out your online e-registration form and to make your deposit. We must receive your completed registration form and deposit/s to confirm your spot.
Registration form –
Please complete all the required fields. At the end of the form, you will be asked to confirm your email address, which will complete the registration. A copy of your registration will be emailed to you and Piper Mackay Photo Safaris.Deposit–
Click the deposit button under the registration button to make your deposit. You do not need a PayPal account to use this payment service. You may make more than one deposit at a time by changing the quantity of the purchase details that will appear once you click the deposit button.
