On the Road Again: Anette Travels to Namibia, Africa in March 2019
Tourists climbing the highest dune in Sossusvlei in Namibia, Africa.
Namibia is the hidden jewel of Africa. That is why I visit often, and I also lead photo adventure tours here as well. It is still pristine territory – an experience that no one will ever forget!” – Anette
A female lion locks eyes with my camera, as she stalks me in Etosha National Park. My images are for sale as an image licenses and photo prints on different high-quality print materials.
Have you heard of Namibia?
This beautiful country lies in the southern one-third of the African continent. It is to the northwest of South Africa, where I currently call home, and to the west of Botswana. I have traveled here many times due to its extensive natural resources and wildlife. Undoubtedly, you will find impressive landscapes, including the Namib Desert, Etosha National Park, and the Sossusvlei Sand Dunes, to name a few.
Undoubtedly, the wildlife here is diverse and plentiful. For the wildlife photographer, it is significant to realize that Namibia holds a significant cheetah population. It is something to experience a cheetah in full stride while on the hunt. There is also plenty of other wildlife, including rhino, giraffes, lions, zebras, and elephants, to name a few. We should not forget the cute meerkat families in the south in the desert.
Namibia is an ever-evolving story, which is why I often return to photograph wildlife and landscapes. After every trip, I plunge through my photographs, and inevitably, I believe that I can find better light, or a better angle, or a more dramatic moment. In truth, I want to go back and take more wildlife and landscape photographs.
Two elephant bulls fight in the late afternoon light in Etosha National Park.
The plan is to spend eight days in the Etosha National Park, where I hope to photograph several new species.
Map courtesy • Etosha National Park, their website offers free downloadable maps.
The Elusive Desert Elephant And Desert Lion
The Hoanib River Bed is on the route to spend a few nights. Here, among other animals, I will search for the elusive Desert Elephant and Desert Lion. Indeed, they are challenging to spot in the harsh landscape.
I love to drive up through the riverbed. To both sides, left and right, mountains jut dramatically up into the sky. Dust is everywhere. In all of my trips this spot, I have never witnessed any flowing water in the riverbed.
If you dream of Africa, this is the place. Off-road for sure, it is desolate and remote. The animals here are not used to human interaction, therefore they will occasionally become aggressive towards vehicles. It is a good idea to travel with a company! Explore my wildlife photography transformed to fine art.
Elephant and rhinos seek water as the glow of dusk settle into complete darkness. The landscape reverberates with the sounds of wild nocturnal animals waking up.
Next, I will be off to Swakopmund
Swakopmund is a beautiful coastal city that is home to several tiny creatures that I wish to photograph. They live in the dunes close by the town. The extraordinary animals, Namaqua Chameleon, Sidewinder snake, Shovel-snouted lizard, the Cartwheeling spider, and the Palmetto gecko.
Do not be fooled by their diminutive size. These creatures are elusive. I have never captured a single frame of any of them. I see this as a challenge, and I think this may be my lucky trip!
This zebra rests while finding safety in the middle of the herd. Taken in Etosha National Park.
Wildlife is always a primary interest in my travels, as well as my photography workshops, and my privately led photo adventure tours.
However, I am always keen to capture unique landscape photography, as well.
Epupa Falls with Baobab trees. The Kunene River creates the Epupa Falls on the border of Angola and Namibia in the Kaokoland area of the Kunene Region.
The areas of the exquisite landscape that I will be visiting on this trip include; Epupa Water Falls and Sossusvlei / Namib Naukluft National Park.
Early morning light skims across several Acacia trees in the Sossusvlei Dead Vlei of the southern part of the Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park of Namibia. Beautiful red dunes surround that area. In my line of work, you must get up very early!
Photography From Air
While in Swakopmund, I plan to photograph from the air. You can rent a small plane and capture a bird’s eye view of the Skeleton Coast and the Namib Naukluft National Park. Aerial photography is fun. If you have never tried it, you must join me, and I will teach you the ropes to these exciting photographs from above.
The vastness of the red dunes at the Skeleton Coast. An areal view captured from a little aircraft.
My last stop will be the Sossusvlei Landscape
My last stop on this trip will be the Sossusvlei landscape. That landscape is breathtaking! Blood-red dunes surround the area. Many of the black dead Acacia trees, which dot the claypan (sometimes referred to as “Camel Thorn Trees”), are over 900 years old. Sometimes I refer to this area as “Dead Shot” – meaning it has been over-photographed.
However, this is the thing about Africa. Nothing stays the same. Unquestionably, every day can offer a new composition never seen before.
So, off, I go!
See you next time – when I am “On the Road Again.”
And what a safe country. We’ve been there 3 weeks with children. Maybe our most beautifull souvenir that your great pics refresh in our memories. We’d be glad to buy your book if once you publish one.