Wildlife in Namibia for your photo safari

No photographic journey in Namibia would be complete without highlighting its wildlife. Namibia’s animal kingdom is as impressive as its landscapes, featuring both the classic African megafauna and unique desert-adapted species. From elephants and lions roaming the arid savannah of Etosha National Park to the smaller creatures that survive in the dunes, wildlife photography here is full of opportunities and challenges. In this chapter, we’ll focus on the major wildlife experiences in Namibia and how to photograph them, especially in Etosha and other key regions.

Etosha National Park – The Big Game Arena: Etosha is Namibia’s premier wildlife destination, a vast national park centered around the Etosha Pan, a huge salt pan so large it’s visible from space. The pan is usually dry (a blinding white expanse) but after rare heavy rains it can turn into a shallow lake. Around this pan, savannah and bushveld habitats support a wide variety of animals. Photographers can encounter elephants, giraffes, lions, zebras, wildebeest, springbok, oryx, rhinos (both black and white), cheetahs, hyenas, and more. One of Etosha’s unique thrills is the network of waterholes – many of the park’s camps and lodges are situated near waterholes that are floodlit at night (such as the famous Okaukuejo camp). This means you can even photograph animals after dark as they come to drink – imagine capturing a rhino’s reflection by moonlight, or an elephant ghosting out of the darkness.

Best times and techniques in Etosha: Wildlife is most active in the cooler parts of the day, so plan your game drives for early morning and late afternoon/evening. During the dry season (May–October), water is scarce in the bush, so animals congregate at the waterholes – making it easier to find them. As a photographer, arriving at a waterhole and waiting patiently can pay off big time. Keep your camera ready with appropriate settings for action; animals can arrive suddenly. A general starting point for wildlife in daylight: use Shutter Priority or Manual with a shutter speed of at least 1/1000s for moving subjects (to freeze action, like a springbok jumping or an elephant flapping its ears), and an aperture around f/5.6–f/8 (for some depth of field, but still letting enough light). Adjust ISO to keep your shutter speed up – Namibia’s bright light usually allows lower ISOs in daytime, but during golden hour or shade you might raise ISO to 800 or more.

Telephoto lens is king here – something in the 100-400mm or 150-600mm range is very useful to get frame-filling shots of animals from a distance. However, don’t ignore wider shots that include the environment; a zebra herd kicking up dust on the pan under a vast sky can be just as compelling as a close-up portrait. If you have multiple camera bodies, it’s handy to keep a telephoto on one and a shorter lens (24-70mm or 70-200mm) on another for landscapes or closer encounters.

When photographing at waterholes, consider staying for a while even if nothing is there initially. Etosha is unpredictable – a quiet waterhole can suddenly become busy if a herd decides to visit. Pay attention to the behavior of the animals: if springboks suddenly all look in one direction and tense up, they might have spotted a predator. This could hint you to get ready for possible action (like a lion appearing). Also, be respectful; if you’re in a vehicle, do not start the engine or move suddenly when animals are very close, as you could scare them off and spoil the moment (for you and others). Keep noise to a minimum.

Another highlight in Etosha is the Okaukuejo camp waterhole at night (and a couple of others at different camps). You can set up your camera on a beanbag or tripod at the viewing wall. Because of the floodlights, you might be able to use a medium ISO (1600-3200) and a telephoto to get shots of, say, rhinos or elephants under the stars. The light is dim and usually orange-toned, so you might need to correct white balance later. Also, animals will be mostly still or slow-moving at the water, so you can sometimes get away with shutter speeds like 1/100s or 1/200s if you hold steady, but faster is better if possible. If light is too low, consider switching to video or just enjoy the spectacle without trying to shoot everything – sometimes it’s magical to just watch.

Beyond Etosha – My Other Favorite Wildlife Experiences in namibia:

  • Ongava Private Game Reserve (my personal favorite)
    Why it’s special: Ongava isn’t just beside Etosha—it’s a different world. Where Etosha offers scale, Ongava offers intimacy. Bordering Etosha’s southern edge, this private reserve shares the same ecosystem but allows off-road driving, night excursions, and time with wildlife without another vehicle in sight.

    For photographers, that changes everything.

    One morning, near Andersson’s Camp, we tracked a black rhino through golden grass. After 30 minutes of quiet maneuvering, there he was—head raised, ears twitching, drenched in dew. Fifty feet away, and he didn’t flinch. Not a glimpse, a moment. Raw, real, and unforgettable.

    Ongava is one of the few places where both black and white rhino can be seen. Thanks to strong conservation efforts, the animals are relaxed, making for better positioning, cleaner compositions, and the kind of time every photographer craves.

    It’s not just rhinos. I’ve photographed lions glowing in golden backlight, giraffes in elegant patterns, massive eland, and skittish kudu that finally let me in close. And then there’s the Ongava Hide—sunken into the earth beside a waterhole. Eye-level shooting, undisturbed wildlife. Lions at twenty feet, oxpeckers in perfect light. Quiet. Effective.

    At night, you can photograph bat-eared foxes, civets, owls—even leopards on the move.

    Why photographers love Ongava:

    • Exclusivity: Fewer vehicles, more solitude

    • Access: Off-road drives, walking safaris, night photography

    • Conservation: Rhino protection and well-managed habitat

    • Photographer-friendly: Photo-trained guides and purpose-built hides

  • Okonjima Nature Reserve
    Big Cats, Big Stories, Close Encounters
    Halfway between Windhoek and Etosha, Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation, a leader in big cat conservation. This 22,000-hectare reserve offers something rare—authentic encounters with wild leopards and cheetahs, guided by research, not showmanship.

    This isn’t a zoo. The animals roam free and live wild. But with telemetry and expert tracking, your odds of seeing leopards—truly wild ones—are higher than almost anywhere in Namibia.

    One morning, I followed a leopard for nearly an hour. No bait, no tricks. Just a ghost in the grass, reappearing in golden light. Another day, it was a cheetah on a kill—quiet, raw, and real.

    The landscape helps: rust-colored termite mounds, open acacia woodlands, and warm, directional light that flatters every frame. Drives are timed for early morning and late afternoon, perfect for photography.

    It’s not just predators. You’ll find:

    • Mammals: Leopard, cheetah, caracal, brown hyena, warthog, honey badger

    • Birds: Raptors, hoopoes, hornbills, and barn owls nesting in lodge walls

    Want more than images? Okonjima offers bushman walks, night drives, and conservation-focused experiences—so you understand the story behind the photos you’re making.

  • Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF)
    Photographing Speed—and Saving It
    Just outside Otjiwarongo, CCF is the global hub for cheetah conservation. Founded by Dr. Laurie Marker, it’s not a safari lodge—it’s a working research center focused on saving the world’s fastest land animal.

    This isn’t about the chase. The cheetahs here are rescues—orphans or animals that can’t be re-released. They live in spacious natural enclosures, giving photographers a rare chance to capture portraits and behaviors up close, without stress or rush.

    I once spent an hour with a young male under a camelthorn tree. No vehicle movement, no time pressure—just golden light, curious eyes, and the freedom to get it right.

    CCF is also home to the livestock guarding dog program, using Anatolian shepherds to reduce human-wildlife conflict—a story worth photographing in its own right.

    What to photograph:

    • Wildlife: Cheetahs, Anatolian shepherd dogs, small antelope

    • Birds: Swallow-tailed bee-eaters, crimson-breasted shrikes, hornbills

    Why it’s special:
    CCF offers more than just photos. It’s a place to understand the stakes and connect your camera to a bigger cause. That’s the kind of shot that sticks with you.

  • Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary
    Rescued Wildlife. Real Stories. Unmatched Access.
    Just 45 minutes from Windhoek, Naankuse offers close-up photography of Namibia’s iconic predators—ethically and with purpose. This isn’t a game drive. It’s a sanctuary for animals rescued from injury, orphaning, or conflict with humans.

    These animals can’t return to the wild, but they live in large, naturalistic enclosures. For photographers, that means consistent, controlled conditions to capture leopards, cheetahs, caracals, and wild dogs—up close and in beautiful light.

    I once spent an hour with a leopard lounging on a sunlit boulder. No chasing, no pressure—just space to refine composition and work the scene. It’s not a substitute for the wild, but it’s unmatched for practicing technique or building a solid predator portfolio.

    Naankuse also runs a long-term volunteer program. If you’re looking to give back and gain insider access, it’s an experience that goes well beyond a few good frames.

    What to photograph:

    • Wildlife: Leopard, cheetah, wild dog, caracal, baboon, jackal, antelope

    • Birds: Goshawks, kites, vultures, hornbills, starlings, and occasional owls

    Why it’s special:
    Naankuse gives photographers time, space, and purpose. Whether you’re learning, refining, or giving back, this sanctuary connects the craft of photography with the heart of conservation.

Tips for Wildlife Photography in Namibia:

  • Gear Prep: Because of dust, keep your equipment clean. A rain cover or dust cover for your camera/lens can be very useful on game drives (especially if you’re following animals on dirt tracks behind other vehicles). Bring a blower and brush to clean lenses and camera bodies each evening. If changing lenses in the field, try to do it quickly and inside the vehicle to minimize dust entering the sensor.

  • Support: In vehicles, a tripod isn’t practical. Use a bean bag on the window ledge or roof to steady your long lens. If on a guided tour, the guides often know how to position the vehicle for best angles; communicate with them about where the light is and what you want to achieve.

  • Patience and Etiquette: Wildlife photography is unpredictable. You might drive for hours seeing little, then suddenly encounter an amazing scene. Be patient and keep your spirits up. Respect the wildlife: never try to lure animals or make noise to get their attention – aside from being unethical, it can be dangerous. The best is to let animals behave naturally and just be ready to capture the moments that unfold.

  • Know Animal Behavior: A bit of knowledge goes a long way. For example, if you see elephants flapping ears, they might be cooling themselves or agitated – give them space. If you find lions, notice if they are panting (likely just resting) versus stalking mode (body language low and focused). Understanding behavior helps you anticipate action – like knowing when a springbok might jump, or a bird might take flight.

  • Storytelling Shots: While it’s great to get that close-up of a lion’s face or an elephant’s eye, also seek shots that tell a story of the environment. For instance, a lone oryx standing on a dune crest with ripples in the sand tells the story of wildlife in the desert. Or a giraffe peering over thorny acacia trees communicates the habitat. These wider shots with wildlife small in the frame can be very powerful and are quintessentially Namibian, emphasizing space and scale.

Namibia’s wildlife may not be as dense as in some other African countries, but the scenic backdrops here are second to none. Photographing a herd of zebras kicking up white dust on the Etosha pan, or a pair of lions striding across golden grass at sunset, or an oryx silhouetted on a red dune – these are the images that combine wildlife and landscape in one frame. In my experience, Namibia offers quality wildlife sightings over quantity: you might spend more time finding the animals, but when you do, the scene is often picture-perfect. Cherish the sightings you get, big or small. Even watching a family of meerkats popping up from burrows or a colorful lilac-breasted roller (a beautiful bird) on a branch can be a delight to photograph.

Above all, stay patient, respectful, and ready. Wildlife photography is a game of anticipation. And in Namibia, where the wilderness sometimes feels endless, you never know what surprise might be around the next bend in the dusty track. Keep your eyes peeled and your camera poised – the results will be worth it.

We have also written pages that describe our other favorite locations in Namibia. Please continue reading about some of the other areas that keep us going back to Namibia with small groups.

The Spitzkoppe Region of Namibia - a favourite for landscape and astrophotographer enthusiasts
Deadvlei and Sossusvlei - one of the most dramatic landscape photography areas we have ever visited
Kolmanskop - the abandoned mining town being taken back by the desert.
The Quiver Trees Forest - a favorite for astrophotographers
The Himba Tribe - a fantastic experience to visit these nomadic people in their villages
We have written a section on photography gear suggestions to take to Namibia
Thinking of joining a Namibia photo tour? Learn the skills we teach on our Namibia Photo workshops
Learn what to expect on one of our Namibia photo tours, and what tours we are leading