African Safari Photography Tour Locations

Based on feedback from our clients these are their favourite African Safari Photography Tour Locations.

Namibia is an iconic and richly rewarding photo safari destination. It is a safe, friendly, and diverse country to visit. Namibia offers a sumptuous feast of photo opportunities for all styles of photographers. Its landscapes and wildlife photography tours are the finest in Africa. The country is one of the most sparsely populated nations on earth and home to Africa’s most visually spectacular wildlife. Between Kalahari and the South Atlantic, there is a variety of cultures and dramatic landscapes that make it a photographer’s dream. Come photograph the unspoiled views and fascinating wildlife of Namibia. The itinerary we planned highlights the Namib Desert and the Atlantic coast across this incredibly beautiful country. Keep reading as these are some of our favourite African Safari Photography Tour Locations.

ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

Etosha National Park is one of the greatest safari tour locations in Namibia. It is the biggest and best animal and wildlife sanctuary in the country. During the photo safari you will also experience geographical and ecological zones of the park. We spend our days and nights photographing  elephants, lions, giraffes, black rhinos and other wildlife. You will have an excellent opportunity of seeing the wildlife because. Etosha Park is home to 3000 giraffes, 2000 elephants, and 300 lions. Other wildlife you will encounter includes Zebras, Springboks, Buffalos, Oryx, Kudu, and birds, lots of birds. Did you know that Etosha National Park is actually a vast salt pan and surrounding the pan is understandably a vast array of wildlife adapted to the desert conditions of this environment? There are camp sites and luxury accommodations within the park.

SOSSUSVLEI AND DEADVLEI

Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are two of the best photography spots for anyone interested in an African Photo Tour. Sossusvlei is a fabulous destination; it is the absolute highlight of any Photo Safari with unforgettable scenery. A magical place famous for its oceans of sand, where daylight plays with the dunes highlights and shadows all day long. Sossusvlei and Deadvlei are two of the trips high points and are in the world heritage Namib sand sea, providing awesome creative photo opportunities.

The giant red dunes surrounding Sossusvlei are the highest in the world. You can walk one of the smaller dunes, making a circuit to photography the surrounding landscape from above. Sossusvlei is one of the most prominent destinations on a fly-in itinerary. This includes a chance to take aerial shots of the red dunes from above. While at Sossusvlei, photographers can stay inside the national park to get access to Deadvlei at dawn and photograph the iconic camel-thorn trees in silhouette against the deep orange dunes. If you plan on driving to Sossusvlei, this will take you across the Namib Naukluff National Park that extends to the South African border. Here you will have time to photography and experience the giant dunes and salt or clay pans. The dunes sit close to the base that allows photographers to scale its heights and capture a sunset over the surrounding desert.

The Iconic Deadvlei is the main attraction in this part of the world. Its dark dead trees contrast with whitish-grey pan, and the towering orange-red dunes are an impressive site. Deadvlei is a photographer’s dream, one of the most iconic sceneries you will ever find in the world. The opportunity to fly above them while creating aerial photography is breathtaking and something you should try. Deadvlei is one of the star attractions in the country for any photographers visiting Namibia. The dramatic dead camel thorn trees in Deadvlei contrasting against the morning shadows and warm hues of the dunes makes it SPECTCULAR. A photographer can approach the location in post sunrise light, making use of the shadows rising on the sand walls.

SWAKOPMUND

You can also enjoy the refreshing coastal climate at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. After spending days in the dry and hot Namiba desert, Swakopmund is a delightful change. Swakopmund has a German colonial past and is between the desert and the Skeleton coast. At this location, your photo opportunities change to Germanic architecture and catching a sunset at the beach of the legendary Tiger Bar. You must visit Walvis Bay to take pictures of their famous flamingos.

SPITZOPPE

Spitzkoppe is from the German word ‘pointed dome’. It’s a magical place for an African Safari Photography Tour Locations. A series of barren high granite peaks that light up at dawn and dusk. This ancient landscape with its granite domes and its framed rock arch is one of the most promising sites for photography. 100 million years ago, is when the peaks formed with its high domes grasping towards the cobalt blue sky in the winter. Photographers will want to capture the majestic mountains at dusk or dawn when the warm sunrise or sunset brings them to life. Camping under the clear skies will also allow a photographer to capture the night sky. The Milky Way appears within touching distance as the air is so clear.

NAMIB DESERT

While we’re on the topic of African Safari Photography Tour Locations, the Namib Desert is another great place. Blessed with a large section of impressive landscape features. Like Chocolate Hills, Camel-thorn trees, and the wide-open Savannah plains. Photographing this gem provides breathtaking opportunities that one will never tire of. The Namib Desert is the world’s oldest and has planet’s highest dunes. This is one of the unexpected highlights of Namibia. A mixture of open plains surrounded by mountains, wildlife, and the richest, darkest skies for astrophotography. The night sky in this desert offers more opportunities for creating magical Milky Way imagery. With the freedom to photography the area at dusk, dawn or drive through the dunes soaking in the beauty of this special place.

KOLMANSKOP

Kolmanskop ghost town is close to the coastal town of Luderitz and maybe considered one of the most important African safari photography tour locations. The desolate and intriguing remains of builds, partly swallowed by the surrounding sand dunes, create an eerie atmosphere that will interest any photographer. The sand consumed diamond mining town of Kolmanskop comprises decaying building combined with the bizarre and flaky pastel-coloured beauty that is a darling to every photographer. This town has a weird mix of Germanic colonial architecture with wonderfully deserted sand, which has taken a toll on the derelict ruins. The sight of this German colonial architecture creates interest and fantastic photography. The ever-changing patterns of sand against the pastel shades of colour are a must for the photography adventure. The shafts of light alongside the worn-torn textures create hours of rich photography.

WALIS BAY AND PELLICAN PORT

After traversing the hot Namibian Desert, head to Walvis Bay and Pelican Port. They provide the opportunity to photograph flamingos and pelicans. Spending the night will provide a perfect time for a drive out onto the dunes and over to the flamingo colony in Sandwich Harbour.

QUIVER TREE FOREST

The tree forest is another one of our favourite destinations in the southern portion of Namibia, you could visit the Quiver tree forest. Again, one of our favourites on our African Safari Photography Tour Locations. This is a stunning area with plenty of rock and many uniquely shaped Quiver trees. The distinctive shape of these trees makes them very photogenic. The soft dusk light makes the trees come alive with color and texture. Once again photographers have an opportunity for astrophotography, this time with the Milky Way and Quiver trees. The forest is on the western edges of the Kalahari Desert. Rocky terrain and several critters surround the Quiver trees makes it one of the spectacular subjects is the area when taking photos at dusk or dawn.

ERINDI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Erindi is a private reserve with luxury accommodations in Namibia and is another photographer’s dream location. Situated southeast of OmaruruIt, this game reserve is three hours north of Windhoek. Making it easily one of the first places to visit and a favourite African Safari Photography Tour locations. Like Etosha there are lots of Lions, Cheetah and other animal to photograph. It’s not uncommon to see herds of Elephants, herds of Wildebeest, herds of Zebra. Erindi is the largest game reserve in Namibia

CONCLUSION

An African Photo Safari is one of the greatest adventures any photographer will embark on. A photographic journey in Namibia is one of the best photo adventures for any photographer traversing from north to south. The country is the perfect place for shooting time-lapses, astrophotography, landscape, wildlife, etc… All the while capturing awesome sunset, sunrises with the glowing red mountains or dune.