Namibia

A fascinating journey to a dream destination

Traveling to Namibia was for me a long time dream becoming reality now. Namibia is a very unique destination on our planet especially for every landscape and wildlife photographer. It is a heaven for everybody who is enthusiastic about an authentic and untouched nature.

I was a little bit afraid to travel to Namibia because of some of the most top iconic places which have been photographed and published countless times.

But the landscapes in Namibia are very different, especially in the Namibian summer (November to March), after there has been sufficient rainfall in some places.

Everything presents itself in an amazing palette of colours. In addition, you find many fine structures and textures created by the wind, especially in the sand dunes or in the rocky landscapes.

A large variety of wild animals and plants, which have to adapt to the extreme climatic conditions in Namibia and the people of different cultures who contribute that Namibia remains an extraordinarily amazing country.

Kalahari Desert

Our first destination in Namibia was the Kalahari Desert close to the town of Mariental. The landscape is captivating from the very first moment. The scenery is gentle and soft, and resembles more an impressionist painting by a famous artist. Blue sky with fair weather clouds, red dunes, golden savannah grass with scattered acacia trees like green spots spread over the picture. And to finish with the icing on the cake there is plenty of wildlife around, blending seamlessly to the surrounding landscape.

The Kalahari Desert is not really a desert but a large savanna mixed with sand dunes, trees and shrub

The red colors of the dunes come from the iron particles in the sand.

Angolan known also as Namibian Giraffes in the dunes (Giraffa camelopardalis angolensis)

Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) also known as Gnu grazing in the Kalahari Desert

Kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) a big bird, still able to fly.

Southern African White Rhino Ceratotherium simum grazing in the Kalahari Desert

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), coming out of the savanna grass (captive in a game reserve in Kalahari Desert)

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), the fastest land animal on Earth (captive in a game reserve in Kalahari Desert)

Portrait of a Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus, captive in a game reserve in Kalahari Desert)

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The Khoisan of the Kalahari

When we were planning our trip, there was a question whether to visit a living museum of the local Khoi-San people or not. Is this ethically responsible tourism? People put on a display. Finally, I decided to take this opportunity and to learn about their way of life and to let them have a small share of the economic benefit through my entry-fees and buying some handcraft.

Following the Khoisan guide. I avoid the term "bushmen" which is still often used and is for me neither accurate nor respectful.

The Khoisan guide explains their special technique how to get the eggs of the ostriches.

Once the egg used for food, the empty eggshell is used for storing water for hunting trips at different locations.

The Khoisan people slept traditionally on the ground. Only vulnerable people sleep in temporary structures made from plant materials, such as grass or reeds.

The shy look of this Khoisan woman shows the uneasy feeling of being exposed in some way.

another portrait of a Khoisan woman taken at work

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The Quiver Tree Forest and the Mesosaurus Fossil Park

For our next destination, we changed the sandy tracks of Kalahari with gravel roads and drove further south towards Keetmanshoop.

The Quiver Tree Forest from Dusk to Dawn: The silhouettes of the Quiver Trees during twilight. The background in all the graduations and hues from dark blue to pink to orange.

Where past meets present and your soul meets nature: Evidence of the Mesosaurus 300 million years ago and proof that Namibia and Brazil were neighbors before the continental drift divided both countries into two continents. The many Fossils remain untouched almost under every rock.

The setting sun behind the treetop with its tubular branches of the quiver tree (Aloidendron dichotomum)

The same spectacle during sunset with the sun just above the horizon turning the sky into a purple color.

Fascinating spectacle before sunrise. The silhouettes of Quiver trees (Aloidendron dichotomum) during twilight.

The sky in all the graduations and hues from dark blue to pink to orange.

The quiver tree forest (Aloidendron dichotomum) in the soft light.

A Mesosaurus Fossile 300 million years old

the fossil shows evidence that Namibia and Brazil were neighbouring countries before the continental drift.

Blue headed Tree Agama climbing on the rocks

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Fish River Canyon

Continuing further south on the excellent gravel roads, to our third destination: the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon in the United States.

The Panorama from the Main Viewpoint creates an awe-inspiring feeling. You can just say “Wow”! Unfortunately, sunrise and sunset are not very spectacular. The hours after sunrise or before sunset are better for photography.

Watching the jumping and running dassies (also known as rock hyraxes) and the ground squirrels is a lot of fun. And caught all our attention. By the way, Dassies are no rodents, that means they are closer to elephants than the guinea pig.

From the Main Viewpoint you have an amazing view to The Hell's Bend of Fish River Canyon

A detail of the Hell's Bend of Fish River River Canyon

The Fish River Canyon is approximately 160km long, up to 27km wide and up to 550m deep and is formed due to tectonic activity and erosion.

The Cape ground squirrel (Geosciurus inauris), is a small, active desert rodent with a distinctive black and white striped tail.

Cape grounds squirrels (Geosciurus inauris) can be found in southern Africa. The population is stable in not endangered

The Cape ground squirrel (Geosciurus inauris) is diurnal and feeds on vegetation, insects, and seeds.

Rock hyraxes are unique creatures that are not rodents, but actually belong to their own order called Hyracoidea.

It is not true what is often that they belong to the same taxonomic family as elephants. They share only some characteristics like tusks and elongated snouts.

A male southern masked weaver bird (Ploceus velatus) is commonly seen in Namibia.

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Kolmanskuppe and Solitaire

Kolmanskuppe, a ghost town located in the Namib Desert. The former diamond mining settlement was established by German settlers in the early 1900s but was abandoned by the mid-20th century. Since then, the buildings are slowly sinking in the sand. Rusted metal, peeling paint, broken windows, rotten wood-planks, doors half buried in the sand. It all offers us a glimpse into the past and tells us the stories of old times. Refined aesthetic beauty!

We took the photo permit that allowed us to enter and stay after the opening hours until sunset.

Solitaire is a must stop on the way, whether you come from the north or from the south. You refill your car, and you have a coffee break with the famous apple pie.

"Kolmannskuppe" the German road sign for the ghost town of Kolmanskop

Kolmanskop, a building from outside in the sand dunes

Kolmanskop, a row of old buildings in the sand dunes

an entrance door to building in Kolmanskop blocked by the large amounts of sand

The sand dunes make their way inside the buidings in Kolmanskop

light and shadow patterns from the broken roof

colors peeling off the walls in Kolmanskop

Play of light and shadows through a broken window.

sand dunes in- and outside in Kolmanskop

The mountains of sand reach from the floor almost to the ceiling and every opening makes the sand way further.

"Dry", hardly any water will flow through the sink

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Sossusvlei and Deadvlei

Without any doubt, Sossusvlei and Deadvlei in Namibia's are among the most visited and photographed iconic places in the world. But there is no reason to skip on your Namibia trip. We did our trip during the off-peak season to avoid the big crowds.

But it is recommended to stay in a lodge inside the park, to get up very, very early in the morning and to start on the 65 km long drive to Deadvlei and Sossusvlei before the sunrise because of the heat and before the big travel groups arrive and to take advantage of the soft morning light.

Sossusvlei is a unique and stunning desert landscape in Namibia characterised by towering sand dunes in vibrant palette of reds, oranges, and yellows.

Starting before sunrise in Sossusvlei is a must: cooler temperatures, better lighting, contrast of colours as the sun rises over the dunes.

to climb Dune 45 in Sossusvlei offers panoramic view of the surrounding red dunes.

Dune 45 in Sossusvlei is a perfect spot for a sunrise or sunset hike and for selfies (here at sunrise).

Another interesting dune is the "three tree dune" with the silhouette of three acacia trees in front of the dune.

The mesmerising beauty of Sossusvlei lies in the striking contrast between the towering red sand dunes creating a surreal landscape that is unlike any other on Earth.

Deadvlei is a white clay pan located close to the Sossuvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia.

A dead camel thorn tree (Vachellia erioloba) standing out starkly against the white clay pan and orange sand dunes

A group of dried out Camel thorn trees (Vachellia erioloba) in Deadvlei which are supposed dead since 600-700 years.

An eerie black skeletal form of a dead camel thorn tree (Vachellia erioloba) in Deadvlei.

The undulating and towering ridges patterns of sand dunes in Sossusvlei form a landscape that captivates the eye and the imagination.

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Swakopmund, Walvisbay and Pelican Point

To change from scorching 42°C heat at Sossusvlei to the cooler coastal town of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay we crossed again the Namib-Naukluft-National Park. The soft and gentle landscape is a treat for the eyes, with rolling hills and vast open spaces. The park is also home to oryxes, mountain zebras, ostriches, springboks, and other wildlife you can spot along the roadway. You feel like you are on a journey far away from reality surrounded by beautiful nature.

In Walvis Bay we joined an organized kayak tour that first took us along the salt pans with 100 of flamingos, a couple of Black necked Jackal, several pelicans and other seabirds to Pelican Point, from where we jumped into a wetsuit to watch playful Cape Fur Seal’s cubs from our kayak.

As you paddle through the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, joyful seals will swim alongside you, playing and flipping around your kayak. Watch them feeding, jumping and performing acrobatics in their natural habitat. You don’t know where to look first and don’t forget to release the shutter of your camera. Incredible!

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Okonjima Nature Reserve and Waterberg Plateau

Okonjima Nature Reserve and the AfriCat Foundation

In Okonjima we did a leopard tracking and witnessed a dramatic scenery with two leopards, kudus, and a brown hyena. But we saw also other interesting wildlife.

Waterberg Plateau

On the way to our next destination, the Waterberg Plateau, a Table Mountain of volcanic origin, many wild animals accompanied us along the road including the graceful giraffes.

The Waterberg Plateau is situated in the northern central part of Namibia and we took advantage to do a hike in this green oasis.

Walking alongside White African Rhinos in their natural habitat, we learned from our guides about the behavior and conservation of these endangered animals as they graze and roam freely, providing a rare and unforgettable close encounter.