Secure Your Spot
€24.000
16 days · FULLY BOOKED
Departs 13 March 2027
§ S 26.7° / E 15.2° — Expedition
THE LOST WORLD
Namibia — Angola
Departs · 13 March 2027 · 16 days
Participants · 6 · Spots remaining FULLY BOOKED
Master · Luca Monti
Deadvlei, Sossusvlei, Quiver Tree Forest, Kolmanskop, and Etosha
A Decade in Namibia
We have led photography workshops in Namibia for over a decade, and this itinerary brings together the locations that showcase its extraordinary diversity. From the dramatic dunes of Sossusvlei and the wildlife-rich plains of Etosha to Spitzkoppe's rugged peaks, the abandoned streets of Kolmanskop, and the striking Quiver Tree Forest, you will work across environments that highlight Namibia's visual richness.
§ The Itinerary
The Itinerary
Windhoek — Arrival & Briefing
Arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport and transfer to the lodge. Evening welcome dinner, master photographer briefing, and gear check. We review the route and set creative intentions for the journey ahead.
Drive to Sesriem
South-westward drive toward the Namib-Naukluft Park. Afternoon arrival at our lodge near Sesriem Canyon. Sunset scouting of the dune horizon and a first group critique session.
Sossusvlei & Deadvlei
Pre-dawn departure into the dune sea. First light raking across Dune 45, then on to Deadvlei — the white clay pan and ancient camel thorn trees. We work exposure and composition in extreme contrast.
Dead Vlei — Deep Work
Return to Deadvlei at dawn for extended shooting. The reflected light off the pan demands careful metering. Afternoon drive south toward the Quiver Tree Forest via Maltahöhe.
Kolmanskop Ghost Town
Drive to the abandoned diamond mining settlement near Lüderitz. Permits secured for early access. We photograph the sand-filled rooms as morning light rakes through the windows.
Kolmanskop Interiors
A second morning in Kolmanskop for interior detail work — peeling paint, drifting sand, decaying colonial architecture. Afternoon edit and critique session.
Quiver Tree Forest
Drive north-east to the Quiver Tree Forest near Keetmanshoop. Late afternoon golden light on the tall aloe dichotoma. Evening astrophotography session as the Milky Way rises.
Giant's Playground & Night Sky
Morning at Giant's Playground — weathered dolerite boulders balanced in improbable formations. Return for a second night of astrophotography among the quiver trees.
Drive to Etosha
Long drive north to Etosha National Park. Afternoon game drive to Okaukuejo waterhole. We begin our wildlife work — patience, timing, and the behaviour of animals at the pan.
Etosha — Waterholes
Full day of game drives across the southern pans. Springbok, zebra, elephant, and the predators that follow them. We work long lenses and the dust-laden golden light of the saltpan.
Etosha — Eastern Pans
A second day in Etosha, moving eastward toward Halali and Namutoni. Greater concentration of waterholes and varied backdrops. Evening edit and selection of the strongest frames.
Drive to Spitzkoppe
Depart Etosha and drive south-west to the Spitzkoppe massif — granite peaks rising from the plains. Sunset shooting of the iconic rock arch.
Spitzkoppe — Landscape & Night
Morning landscape work among the boulders and Bushman rock art. The granite glows amber in the last light. Night session photographing the peaks under stars.
Cross into Angola — Cunene
Drive north to the Angolan border and the Cunene River region. A landscape of rugged hills and the great river. We begin our work documenting the Himba communities of the area.
Angola — Himba & River
A day of respectful, unhurried portraiture and documentary work among Himba settlements, and landscape work along the Cunene. Late afternoon light on the river and the red-earth villages.
Return to Windhoek — Farewell
Drive back to Windhoek. Final group edit, print selection, and farewell dinner. Transfer to the airport for evening departures.
§ Gear Requirements
Gear Requirements
- DSLR or mirrorless camera body (weather-sealed recommended for dust)
- Wide-angle lens (16–35mm or 14–24mm) for landscapes and interiors
- Standard zoom (24–70mm) for general and documentary work
- Telephoto lens (70–200mm) and a longer option (100–400mm or 150–600mm) for wildlife
- Sturdy tripod with ball head — essential for dawn, dusk, and astrophotography
- Cable or remote shutter release
- Polarizing filter for skies and reflections
- Graduated neutral density filters for the high-contrast dune scenes
- Lens cleaning kit — microfiber, blower, and sensor swabs (dust is relentless)
- Extra batteries — cold desert nights drain them quickly
- Sufficient memory cards (64GB or larger recommended)
- Laptop with editing software for daily critique sessions
- External hard drive for backup of each day's work
- Headlamp with red light mode for dawn and night shoots
- Dust protection for gear — camera covers and zip-lock bags
- Comfortable hiking boots for dune and rocky terrain
- Layered clothing — hot days, cold desert nights and early mornings
- Wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and reusable water bottle
§ The Light Map
The Light Map
The sun rises near 06:30 and sets near 18:30 in March.
Sossusvlei's dunes face east — first light rakes across the valley within minutes of sunrise; be in position 45 minutes early.
Deadvlei's white clay pan reflects light upward, making exposure tricky — bracket or use graduated filters.
Kolmanskop interiors are best mid-morning when sun angles rake through the windows.
Etosha waterholes are most active at dawn and dusk.
The Quiver Tree Forest is a premier astrophotography site — the Milky Way arcs overhead from 21:00; shoot at f/2.8, 20s, ISO 3200.
Spitzkoppe granite glows amber in the last 20 minutes before sunset.
Angola's Cunene region favours late afternoon light on the river and Himba settlements.
§ 04 — The Archive
Frames from Namibia — Angola
A selection of high-resolution frames captured on past expeditions. Select any image to view it full-size.