Photo Workshops in Namibia
For photo enthusiasts who enjoy the outdoors, here is a chance to photograph some
of the world's most spectacular places. Mira 9
can arrange photo workshops in
Etosha National Park, considered to be one of Africa's greatest game reserves,
in northern Namibia; the Erongo Mountains northwest of Windhoek, the capital
city, where some spectacular rock formations are found; and
the Sossusvlei area in the Namib Desert, where some of
the largest sanddunes in the world are to be seen.
Workshops are usually limited to a maximum of 8 people,
and between 4 and 10 days duration.
A professional photographer
will accompany the group, and
up to 10 hours of photography instruction may be given, depending
upon the needs of the group, and the time available. This material will be based on
that presented in Mira 9's
Photo School.
It is advisable to book well in advance.
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park covers an area of some 22 270 square kilometers in
northern Namibia. Occupying roughly a quarter of this area is the Etosha Pan.
During the dry months of May through September the waterholes along the
southern edge of the pan offer some of the finest game-viewing opportunities
in the world. Many of these waterholes have parking areas close to the
water, and are ideally suited for early-morning or late-afternoon wildlife
photography. The three restcamps in the park offer accommodation and the usual
amenities, as well as 24-hour game-viewing - each camp is situated within walking
distance of a waterhole which is floodlit at night.
Erongo Mountains
The Erongo Mountains of Namibia are home to some of the country's most spectacular rock
formations and rock paintings. Huge boulders, some precariously balanced on a relatively
narrow base, lie scattered across a large area. Nearby are the rock formations known
as Elephant's Head and Bulls' Party. A walk of some 90 minutes, and involving some rock
scrambling, leads to a cave, now a national monument, in which a series of rock paintings
are to be found. The "Spitzkoppe", known as the "Matterhorn of Africa" is within a day's
drive.
Sossusvlei area and Dune 45
Sossusvlei is located in the central Namib desert. Usually dry, it fills
with water from the Tsauchab River only after heavy rains. Its base of dry,
cracked mud is light in colour, and in sharp contrast to the darker,
burnt-orange colour of the surrounding sand. The nearest
accommodation is at Sesriem, some 60km away. 45km from Sesriem, en route to
Sossusvlei, is Dune 45, a star dune rising to a height reputed to be more than 150m above
the desert floor. In early-morning or late-afternoon light,
the crest of the dune forms a boundary between its sunlit and shadow sides,
offering outstanding photographic opportunities for capturing its unique shape,
and making Dune 45 arguably the world's most photographed sanddune. Several
other dunes in the vicinity of Sossusvlei are also ideal subjects for
those who enjoy desert photography. Additional
attractions, each within 6km of Sesriem, are the Elim Dune and Sesriem Canyon.
