Namibia Photography Workshops with Akari Photo Tours
Namibia is a country that captures your soul the moment you step into its vast landscapes. As a photographer who has visited Namibia many times, I’m continually amazed by this land of light, silence, and story. The country’s nickname is well-earned – The Gem of Africa. The quality of light here is unparalleled, the silence of the desert is profound, and every dune, tree, animal and face seems to tell a story. In this section of my website, I’ll share insights into some of Namibia’s most photogenic locations and cultures, along with tips honed from my years of experience leading photography tours in this incredible country
From the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei to the alien-looking quiver trees under starry skies, Namibia offers a diverse range of subjects for a photographer. You can capture otherworldly landscapes, intimate wildlife encounters, and cultural portraits all in one trip. Few places on Earth allow you to photograph such stark contrasts – blinding white salt pans against orange sand, or elegant giraffes and elephants against a backdrop of arid plains.
In the pages that follow, we’ll journey through Namibia’s iconic locations that I live to visit on my photo tours. Each section covers a destination or theme – from the surreal Deadvlei clay pan with its ancient trees, to the granite peaks of Spitzkoppe, to the unique traditions of the Himba people. Along the way, I’ll provide photography tips, travel advice, and personal anecdotes to enrich your understanding. Whether you are planning your own adventure or preparing to join one of my workshops, this guide is designed to help you make the most of Namibia through your lens.
Photographing Namibia is as much about patience and presence as it is about camera settings. The landscapes here have been shaped over millennia, and the people maintain traditions just as old – taking the time to observe and respect this environment will reward you with more meaningful images. In Namibia, I’ve learned to slow down and truly listen to the silence. It’s in that quiet moment at sunrise, atop a dune with only the wind as your soundtrack, that inspiration strikes and a story unfolds in your frame.
Prepare yourself for breathtaking vistas and unforgettable moments. Let’s dive into my Namibia highlights below. Each section below will take you to an overview of the locations we like to visit on our Namibia photography workshops at Akari Photo Tours
Deadvlei and Sossusvlei - otherworldly landscapes
Few places hit you like Deadvlei—the white clay pan, the scorched skeleton trees, the red dunes towering above like waves frozen in time. At sunrise, the contrast of shadow and fire-red light creates scenes that feel otherworldly. Sossusvlei, just beyond, holds its own magic—giant dunes rippling with texture, oryx silhouetted on the ridgelines. It’s a dream for photographers who love simplicity, contrast, and timeless design shaped by wind.
Spitzkoppe - Where the night skies come alive
There’s a silence in Spitzkoppe that feels sacred—a cathedral of granite rising from the desert floor, glowing gold at dawn and casting long shadows by twilight. Whether you’re photographing its iconic arch framing the Namibian sky, or waiting under the stars for the Milky Way to sweep across its peaks, Spitzkoppe is where stillness and drama collide. Every boulder holds a composition, every curve a story.
Etosha and my other Favorite Wildlife Areas in Namibia
Namibia’s wildlife offers more than just sightings—it offers stories told in dust, light, and silence. At Etosha’s waterholes, elephants emerge from heat haze like ghosts. Desert-adapted lions and rhinos navigate vast, unforgiving terrain. And every encounter, whether a springbok sprinting across salt flats or a lone oryx standing on a dune, reminds you that survival here is an art—and photographing it, a privilege.
Quiver Tree FOrest
In the Quiver Tree Forest, you don’t just photograph trees—you photograph time. These towering aloes, centuries old, twist upward like frozen fireworks against a desert sky that turns gold by day and glows with stars by night. The landscape is surreal and sculptural, begging for wide compositions at sunset and ethereal silhouettes under the Milky Way. It’s a place that reminds photographers how light, space, and silence can shape a frame.
Kolmanskop - The Town being reclaimed by nature
Kolmanskop is what happens when opulence surrenders to the desert. Sunlight slices through broken shutters, sand pours through doorways, and each abandoned room feels like a stage set for shadows and stories. As a photographer, you’re chasing both light and memory here—waiting for the perfect moment when past and present intersect in the frame. It’s never the same twice, and that’s what makes it unforgettable.
The Himba People of Namibia
Photographing the Himba is about connection, not just composition. Their ochre-covered skin, intricate hairstyles, and timeless rituals offer a visual richness that commands respect and care. When you take the time to understand their world—the smoky baths, the communal rhythm, the stories etched into daily life—you don’t just make portraits. You create images that breathe with meaning and honor a culture as old as the land itself.
Photo Gear and Settings That Work in Namibia
Photographing Namibia means shooting in some of the world’s most dramatic conditions—harsh desert light, dusty terrain, vast open spaces, and pitch-dark skies. Having the right gear not only helps you make better images, it protects your equipment and maximizes your chances of capturing fleeting moments. From wide-angle lenses for sweeping dunes to long telephotos for wildlife, and from durable tripods to lens cloths you’ll use daily, this guide walks you through what I recommend based on years of experience leading workshops across Namibia’s wild and remote landscapes.
What I Teach on My Namibia Photo Workshops
On my Namibia photo tours, I teach more than just camera settings—I teach photographers how to see. Whether it’s mastering light in the dunes at sunrise, composing a story in a ghost town hallway, or capturing the emotion in a Himba portrait, every moment in the field becomes a lesson. I help participants refine their technical skills, think more intentionally about their images, and connect more deeply with the landscapes and people they’re photographing. The goal isn’t just to come home with great photos—it’s to grow as a photographer in one of the most inspiring places on Earth.
Join Me in Namibia for one of my photo workshops
You could visit Namibia on your own—but joining one of my photo tours means you’ll be in the right place at the right time, with hands-on guidance from someone who’s been there countless times before. I don’t just take you to the iconic spots—I help you see them with a photographer’s eye, refine your technique, and build a portfolio full of images you’re proud of. You’ll also be part of a small, supportive group of like-minded photographers chasing light, sharing stories, and having the kind of experience that’s hard to create on your own.