Trip Report: Namibia Photo Tour

Namibia isn’t shy. It doesn’t whisper. It shows up with drama, dust, and skies so big they make you forget what ceilings are. I’ve been coming here since 2014, and every time I land, it’s like the desert looks at me and says, "Let's see if you brought your A-game, Pepper."

On this trip, it was me, four friends, and my longtime Namibian co-conspirator—Mr. T. (No, not that one. And no, you’re not going to pronounce his real name correctly, so don’t even try.) Together, we chased light, silence, and scenes so wild we nearly forgot how ridiculous our jokes got by day three.

Where It All Begins: Trees and Stars

We kicked things off under the spiky silhouettes of the Quiver Tree Forest. These ancient aloe trees look like something from a fantasy novel, and at night, with the Milky Way pouring over them, it’s hard not to just stop and stare. Which we did. For a long time.

No one said a word. Except Mr. T, who whispered, "The sky looks like it’s showing off," and then went back to figuring out how to frame his favorite tree so it didn’t look like it was giving the finger to Orion’s Belt.

Cake First, Sand Later

Before we hit the dunes, we stopped in Aus for schnitzel and chocolate cake. Let’s be honest—if you’re going to climb sand dunes with a camera bag, you deserve frosting first. That cake? It didn’t just taste good. It tasted like it had been waiting for us.

Kolmanskop: Deserted, Dusty, and Gorgeous

Kolmanskop never disappoints. It’s a town being slowly eaten by sand, and somehow it’s still more photogenic than most cities fully intact. We had private access and visited three times—which is ideal, because each session the light, shadows, and sand decided to show us a completely different version of the same building.

In between shoots, I reviewed images with the group, offering tips on composition, angles, and convincing the ghosts of Kolmanskop to stop photo-bombing our frames.

Dunes, Dead Trees, and Desert Bars

At Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, we stayed right in the park at Dead Valley Lodge. That meant we could beat the crowds into Deadvlei, and trust me, there’s no better feeling than being the first footprints into that alien landscape.

Sunrise lit those ancient trees like props in a black-and-white dream, and we shot until our memory cards cried uncle. Then came the cooler. Out came the lawn chairs. Gin and tonics were poured. And as we sat in the middle of the desert sipping drinks, I heard someone say, "Who needs rooftop bars when you’ve got this?"

The Helicopter Ride That Stole the Show

Three of us opted in for the optional sunrise helicopter flight. We lifted off just as the first light hit the Namib. Below us: rolling dunes, gold-tipped and violet-shadowed. Then salt pans, then flat nothingness, then BAM—the Atlantic.

We hovered above the Skeleton Coast, mist crawling over shipwrecks and surf pounding the shore. Cameras were ready, but for a while, no one shot. We just watched. Because how do you photograph something that makes you forget to breathe?

Solitaire: Sugar Rush in the Desert

There’s something sacred about Solitaire’s bakery. We stopped for apple crumble, strudels, and flaky pastries like a bunch of sugar-starved teenagers at a backyard birthday party. Within minutes, faces were smeared, wrappers were flying, and someone may have tried to trade a lens cloth for an extra slice.

Cape Cross: Where the Nose Goes to Die

Cape Cross Seal Colony was, as always, a full-sensory punch. The smell hit us first. Then the noise. Thousands of seals barking, flopping, and doing their best to avoid the camera just as you hit the shutter.

We worked the scene for motion, detail, and storytelling. I think one of my favorite images from the trip came out of that salty, chaotic mess.

Dancing, Portraits, and Perspective with the Himba

Before Spitzkoppe, we visited a Himba village—a moment of genuine connection. I’ve been photographing and building friendships here for over a decade, and every time, I walk away feeling like the lucky one.

We were greeted with dancing, drumming, and laughter. Not for show—for us. Kids grabbed our hands, the women circled us with rhythm, and yes, even Mr. T and I got dragged into it. (If you’ve never seen a Canadian photographer and a Namibian guide try to dance in sync, count your blessings.)

Later, we were invited into their homes. Soft light. Quiet moments. Respectful portraits. These weren’t staged—they were shared. I coached the group on how to see those moments, how to compose with care, and how to tell a story without taking it away.

Spitzkoppe: Rock Arches and Galaxy Arcs

Spitzkoppe welcomed us with blazing sunsets and rock arches begging for silhouettes. We shot golden hour, made jokes about rock formations that looked suspiciously like animals, and waited for the stars.

And when they came… they came. The Milky Way laid itself across the sky like a cosmic runway. Tripods went up. Shutters clicked. Silence returned.

One Last Stop for the Grandkids

On our way back to Windhoek, we hit the Okahandja Mbangura Woodcarvers Craft Market. Think handcrafted everything. Carved giraffes. Painted bowls. Wooden rhinos. Most of the group left with a bag of souvenirs and that slightly guilty look that says, “I definitely need a bigger suitcase.”

Meanwhile, Mr. T and I sipped coffee and toasted another ridiculous, laughter-filled, dust-covered, awe-inspiring journey across Namibia.

Final Thought (and a Bit of Sand in My Shoes)

Namibia never gets old. It just keeps giving—light, texture, space, perspective. And if you’re lucky, a group that laughs as hard as they shoot.

If you ever want to feel both small and infinite at the same time, come chase stories and starlight with us in Namibia. Bring your tripod. Bring your curiosity. And maybe bring a spare pair of pants—because Mr. T and I will make you laugh until you spill your G&T in the desert.

Whether you’re all about surreal landscapes and night skies or want to mix in a classic African safari with elephants, lions, and giraffes—I've got you covered. We offer two distinct photography tours in Namibia: one focused entirely on the dramatic deserts, ghost towns, and stargazing scenes that make your portfolio sing, and another that blends all that with unforgettable wildlife encounters in Etosha. Take a look at both photo tours in Namibia and see which one calls to you louder—the silence of the sand or the roar of the wild.