The Chronicles of Namibia

Overview

This 12-day trip will take you around some of the major landmarks in Namibia where you will have the opportunity to explore and photograph vast sand dunes, spectacular sunrises and sunsets, spot wildlife and visit ghost towns. Along with leader Dave Brosha, as well as four assistants, you will be able to advance your technical photo skills while documenting this incredible place.

Location: Namibia - various locations

Dates: November 16-27, 2022

Tour Leader: Dave Brosha

Itinerary (note: subject to change as we finalize all details)

Day 1 - Wednesday, November 16:

Arrival and check-in at Windhoek, get together at 4:00pm for trip debriefing and prep. Participants will stay night #1 at the beautiful Hotel Pension Palmquell.

Day 2 - Thursday, November 17:

Travel to the Quiver Trees area and photograph at sunset, camp in the area. Participants will also work on their astrophotography skills that evening.

Day 3 - Friday, November 18:

Travel to Kolmanskop area and overnight at Luderitz campsite. Photography along the Luderitz coastline including lighthouses and shipwrecks.

Day 4 - Saturday, November 19:

Photograph the famed Kolmanskop ghost town, both in the morning and at sunset.

Day 5 - Sunday, November 20:

Leave for Sossuvlei & Deadvlei area for sunset and night shooting. Overnight camping in the area (Day 5 and 6).

Day 6 - Monday, November 21:

Explore Sossuvlei & Deadvlei area, early climb to Big Daddy or Dune 45. Mid day break, and night shooting.

Day 7 - Tuesday, November 22:

Leave for Swakopmund area. Hotel "refresh" day and the opportunity for participants to explore the scenic seaside Swakopmund area, including visits to shops and the opportunity to sneak in a restaurant meal.

Day 8 - Wednesday, November 23:

Explore Sandwich Harbour, town and areas in and around Swakopmund. Traditional braai (BBQ) with local Namibans at their residence.

Day 9 - Thursday, November 24:

Leave for Spitzkoppe, explore Spitzkoppe area.

Day 10 - Friday, November 25:

Leave for Etosha area for wildlife photography/viewing. Overnight camping in the area (Day 10, 11).

Day 11 - Saturday, November 26:

Explore Etosha area, wildlife photography. Celebratory group dinner.

Day 12 - Sunday, November 27:

Leave for Windhoek. Workshop officially ends at 3pm,

The finer details:

Included:

• One-on-one and group photography instruction.
  
• All transportation within Namibia in Camper Trucks with up to 4 people per truck.
• All accommodation within Namibia, from start of the workshop in Windhoek on November 16, 2022 until the check-out date of November 27, 2022 (workshop ends at 3pm on Sunday, November 27, 2022).
  
• Groceries covered in workshop fee but participants expected to pitch in with food preparation and clean-up, daily. Participants will be able to pick groceries suitable to their dietary needs but individual meal prep will be left to each participant, individually. Several celebratory milestone meals to be included.

Not Included:

• Flights to Namibia
• Any alcoholic beverages
• Travel Insurance

Price/Payment Schedule:

Cost: CAD $7,350

Payment options: Full payment or $1500 non-refundable deposit to secure a space with remaining three payments as listed below.

Non-Refundable Deposit: CAD $1500
Payment #2: $1950 CAD -January 31, 2022
Payment #3: $1950 CAD - April 30, 2022
Payment #4: $1950 CAD - July 31, 2022

Note: Failure to pay by due dates means forfeiting deposit and spot will be freed up and potentially sold to another interested participant (see more in cancellation policy below).

If unforeseen circumstances arise, participants are welcome to transfer/sell their space to another interested participant. In such case, participants are responsible for handling payment for the transfer.

Accommodations

Please note that this is an adventure workshop and that all participants are expected to share rooftop tents with other travelers. Overnight camping will be done at assigned campsites which provide bathroom facilities.

Meals

Groceries covered in workshop fee but participants expected to pitch in with food preparation and clean-up, daily. Participants will be able to pick groceries suitable to their dietary needs but individual meal prep will be left to each participant, individually. Several celebratory milestone meals to be included.

Touring together in a remote country with not much in the way of traditional luxury facilities will sometimes require a group effort for meal preparation (including cooking, and dishwashing). Think of it as a fun way to come together as a team and share in the logistics of exploring such a unique country, together.

Transportation

All in country transportation will be included except for airport transfers. Camper trucks will be used throughout the duration of the trip. In order to visit all the locations listed and maximize the experience, they will be a significant amount of driving in fully equipped vehicles with up to 4 people.

What to expect

The workshop will include several short 3-4 kilometre hikes over uneven terrain such as sand dunes and desert areas. There is nothing technical involved, but participants should be comfortable and prepared to walk and/or climb areas in high temperatures with a backpack for periods of up to an hour at a time.

LEAVE NO TRACE

We preach and live the ethics of "leave no trace" photography, which means that the utmost care is given, while hiking and photographing, to leaving zero impact on the natural environment. Participants are expected to approach this tour with the same ethics at all times.

What to Bring

As the tour is in November, the start of summer in Africa, there is the possibility of some very diverse weather conditions, with potential for extreme heat during the day, and cooler temperatures at night. Please come prepared for a variety of weather conditions as the more comfortable you are, the more enjoyable your experience will be. It averages about 20/30C during the day, but can reach over 40C, especially in the desert.

• suitable and comfortable clothing, which you can layer. it can be VERY hot during the day, but it can cool down considerably at night. (long sleeve breathable shirt, t-shirts, tank-tops, shorts/“convertible” pants)
• a jacket/sweater (think cool summer mornings and evenings)
• hiking boots (we will be in rock and sandy areas)
• sandals or “open hiking boots” for comfort (especially when driving)• ballcap or hat for sun protection
• a headlamp or flashlight
• ballcap or hat for sun protection
• a headlamp or flashlight
• your own camera equipment (preferably DSLR, which allows manual control of shutter speed, aperture and ISO settings and a range of lenses, if you have). Our recommended lenses to bring would be one wide angle lens with a fast aperture (useful for night photography) and a 70-200MM lens (or longer for those closeup wildlife shots). Other lenses are useful, of course, but those two lenses were our most frequented "go-to" lenses.
• a sturdy tripod
• a cable (or wireless) shutter release
• sunglasses
• sunscreen

As well, we optionally recommend:

• small first aid kit
• blister bandages
• water bottle
• bandana (keep dust out of nose and mouth, protect eyes from sweat
• air blower for sand/dust around camera/electronics
• voltage adapters
• a laptop for editing (with editing software, preferably Adobe)

Recommended Precautions

Due to some of the locations we will be visiting during this workshop, we highly recommend that you take precautions regarding medications and/or vaccines needed. Visit this page for more details http://www.namibiatourism.com.na/page/plan-your-trip and consider bringing along insect repellent, malaria prophylaxis, bandages, and diarrhea medication.

INSURANCE: It is not only advised but required that workshop participants have trip cancellation/interruption insurance, as well as emergency medical/illness insurance and rescue coverage (proof required within 4 months of departure).Weather and other unforeseen factors can cause delays in travel, particularly from some of our more remote locations. It is the participant’s responsibility to cover any costs in the case of a travel delay of any length. Please ensure your trip cancellation/interruption insurance accommodates this possibility. By purchasing a spot you are acknowledging that you accept these conditions.

OFFBEAT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Please take the time to review OFFBEAT’s Terms and Conditions, including our Cancellation Policies. You are required to agree to these in order to confirm your registration. Effective June 16, 2020.

Travel Visa

It is the participant's responsibility to ensure they have a valid Travel Visa (if applicable/required) for the duration of the workshop.