Namibia Dune Sea Landscape Masterclass
- May 19th, 2026 - May 30th, 2026 + Optional Extension May 30th, 2026 - June 02nd, 2026
- Spaces Left: 5 (Maximum 8 Photographers)
WORKSHOP AT A GLANCE
This bespoke, custom-tailored masterclass to the oldest desert in the world, Namibia, is for keen and passionate landscape photographers who want to capture photographs of Namibia's incredible dune sea and dramatic landscapes. Our locations are hand-picked after years of experience travelling and photographing in this incredible country. We have a small group size and personal, one-on-one tuition for the duration of the workshop. Private rooms are available at each location, and there is no single supplement for Wild Nature Photo Travel Team Members.
- Dates: 19th May 2026 until 30th May 2026 (Duration 11 Nights / 12 Days)
- Extension Dates: 30th May 2026 - 02nd June 2026 (Duration 3 Nights / 4 Days)
- Investment: $19,850 USD ($1,450 USD Single Supplement). Wild Nature Photo Travel Team members pay no single supplement.
- Extension Investment: $6,750 USD ($450 USD Single Supplement). Wild Nature Photo Travel Team members pay no single supplement.
- Deposit: Deposit to secure place $4,500 USD, with the balance due 120 days before the workshop commences. Extension Deposit: $1,500 USD
- Participants: Maximum 8 Photographers plus leader
- Start and Finish: Windhoek, Namibia
- Trip Leaders: Joshua Holko Master Photog II
- Fitness Level: Easy
- Temperature: Hot
- Experience Level: Beginner to Professional
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
On the South Western Coast of Africa, where the icy Atlantic Ocean meets the world’s oldest desert, lies a place that is known for both its incredible landscapes and abundant wildlife. The unique combination of desert, grassland and cold ocean currents form a one-of-a-kind terrain found only here. For this reason, landscape photographers from all over the world journey to the Namibia Desert to try to capture its dramatic dunes and ethereal beauty. This landscape masterclass has been designed to provide the ultimate experience to capture the incredible opportunities offered in this fantastic country. Perhaps best of all, we will be flying between our different locations, saving many days of driving in the hot desert.
In this captivating region of Namibia lies a maze of mountainous valleys that look like they were carpeted from slope to slope by ivory-coloured grass, crisscrossed by ancient riverbeds and dotted with a collection of photogenic acacia trees. The final unique touch is added by the giant snake-like dunes that rise from the grasslands like the roof of some subterranean world. These stark and compelling landscapes are something to behold with the human eye, but when it’s sweeping meadows, barren mountains and blood-red dunes are captured and transformed into a two dimensional image, it becomes obvious why this place is so beautifully addictive to photographers.
The goal of this masterclass workshop is to photograph the breathtaking desert landscapes of Namibia. Significantly, during this workshop, we will be traveling by private charter plane between all locations, which will save days of driving in the hot desert! This workshop has been designed to provide unparalleled landscape opportunities with a good balance between flexibility and luxurious accommodations.
This exciting new workshop has been custom-tailored to take in the very best of Namibia and includes such iconic areas as the Dune landscapes of Sossusvlei, as well as several other breathtaking locations offering unparalleled opportunities. We also have an optional extension for photography at the incredible abandoned ghost town of Kolomonskop.
This exclusive workshop is for a strictly limited number of just 8 participants plus leader and guide and is dedicated to the photography of desert landscapes of Namibia. If you are excited by the idea of travelling to the oldest desert in the world with a small group of dedicated photographers, now is the time to secure your place. Places are very limited, and once they are spoken for, that’s it.
Dietary Requirements: If you have special dietary requirements, we will do our best to accommodate you. Please just be sure to let us know when you make your booking.
Travel: We will travel by private air transport from our starting location in Windhoek, Namibia, to our private camps. We will also utilise safari vehicles on from our private camps for daily excursions.
Equipment: Both wide-angle and telephoto lenses are recommended. Zoom lenses generally provide more flexibility for fast-moving wildlife and bird life. Wide-angle lenses are recommended to capture the full majesty and grandeur of the desert dunes. A tripod is recommended for Astrophotography.
If you are excited about travelling to Namibia with a small group of dedicated photographers to photograph Namibia's iconic dune sea, then now is the time to secure your place. Places are very limited, and once they are spoken for, that’s it.
What Makes this Masterclass So Special?
* AIR TRANSFERS - Namibia is a vast country spanning thousands of kilometres. Most safaris to this country use 4-wheel drives to transfer between locations, hours and days of driving time in the desert heat. On this workshop, we will be utilising private charter aircraft to fly directly between our different locations. This will save days of driving time, and provide an opportunity for us to visit locations that would be otherwise impossible.
* LOCAL KNOWLEDGE - We have been leading and guiding workshops to Namibia for more than a decade. Many of the photographs on our website were taken in locations that other operators are unaware of. We will visit incredible out-of-the-way locations that offer unique photographic opportunities to create a varied and powerful portfolio.
WORKSHOP ITINERARY
Day 1 - 19th May: Arrival in Windhoek, Namibia: On arrival at the Windhoek International Airport, you will be welcomed by a Wild Nature Photo Travel Representative who will assist you with your luggage and transfer you into the capital city of Windhoek for the afternoon—accommodation at the Weinberg.
In the evening, we have our welcome dinner. If you are planning to arrive earlier than the 19th of May, please let us know, and we can assist with additional nights' accommodation as required.
Day 2, 3 & 4 - 20th, 21st & 22nd May: Little Kulala: Early in the morning, you will be transferred with your luggage to the local airport by a Wild Nature Photo Travel representative who will introduce you to your private charter pilot. After a quick briefing, you will head to your aircraft and board your private light aircraft flight to Little Kulala (inside the Sossusvlei Park). Your flight takes you over the edge of the escarpment and down into the Namib Desert, where you will land at the local Geluk airstrip. On arrival, you will be met by your local lodge representative for your transfer to the lodge. This afternoon, you depart on a breathtaking first evening photographic session in the dunes, followed by a sundowner drive as an introduction to this unique part of the Namib Desert.
Each morning, you will rise early for a magical excursion into the Namib Naukluft National Park, entering the park gates before sunrise to capture the dunes while the light is soft and shadows accentuate their towering shapes and curves. This area boasts some of the highest free-standing dunes in the world. After the morning light has faded, we will return to camp for the heat of the day before heading back out into the dunes in the late afternoon to enjoy extraordinary opportunities in sunset light.
This area offers extraordinary opportunities for dark sky astrophotography, and we strongly recommend you bring a tripod for this masterclass workshop.
Day 5, 6 & 7 - 23rd, 24th & 25th May: Hoanib Skeleton Coast: After breakfast, you return to the local airstrip, where you board your private light aircraft for your flight to your lodge in the Hoanib Conservancy. After take-off, you will enjoy a scenic flight over the dune sea of Sossusvlei and along the Diamond coast – this flight (fog permitting) allows you a bird’s eye view over the dune sea, abandoned mining camps, shipwrecks, Sandwich Harbour and salt pans. A highlight is the flight over the Eduard Bohlen, a German cargo ship that ran aground in 1909 while it was on its way to Table Bay from Swakopmund. It is believed that thick fog caused the vessel to founder close to Conception Bay. Years after the ship ran aground, the desert began encroaching on the ocean, and the ship, once stranded in the ocean, slowly became stranded in the desert. The wreck currently sits about 500m from the sea, ensuring that it’s the best-preserved shipwreck along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast and making it a must-see for photographers. You will stopover in Swakopmund where you will have a short stop to stretch your legs while the pilot refuels the aircraft before continuing your flight further north to your lodge. Upon arrival at the local airstrip, you will be met by your lodge-based guide, who will transfer you along a scenic route to reach the secluded Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp. Here, your days will be filled with exciting photographic sessions led by your local lodge-based guide – which will include game drives, exploratory day excursions with picnic lunches and coastal visits exposing the astonishing desert-adapted wildlife, plants, and birdlife of the area.
On the final morning at this camp, you will be treated to a memorable excursion into the Skeleton Coast National Park, driving in a 4x4 Safari vehicle to Möwe Bay, exploring and photographing the majestic coastline. After a picnic lunch on the beach and further exploration, you will be flown back to camp with enough time to relax and enjoy a ‘sundowner’ for our final evening at this location.
Day 8, 9 & 10 - 26th, 27th & 28th May: Serra Cafema: After a leisurely breakfast, you will return to the local airstrip for your light aircraft flight to the remote Serra Cafema camp on the Kunene River. On arrival at the local Hartmans Valley airstrip, you will be met by a vehicle and guide and transferred through picturesque desert scenery to reach Serra Cafema Camp (the drive is approx. 1 ½ hours from the airstrip to camp, depending on wildlife sightings, scenery and photographic opportunities along the way).
The next three days will be spent exploring and photographing this incredible location. We may also pay a visit to the local Himba community. Photographic sessions at Serra Cafema are varied and revolve around the exploration of the surrounding Namib Desert sands and the lush oasis along the river. Walking in the remote mountain and river valleys is also a highlight, as is a visit to a Himba settlement - one of the last true nomadic people in Africa and a portrait photographer’s dream. The fairy circle phenomenon is also best viewed in the Hartmann Valley.
Day 11 - 29th May: The Weinberg: After a leisurely breakfast, you set off on your journey back by private light aircraft flight, flying over contrasting landscapes as you make your way back to Windhoek for the final night of your trip. Dinner this evening will be for your leisure and account and can be enjoyed at one of the many restaurants at the Weinberg estate.
Day 12 - 30th May: Departure Day or Day 1 Extension Kolmonskop: This morning can be spent relaxing at your guesthouse, exploring Windhoek, visiting NamCrafts and the Craft Centre, or doing some last-minute souvenir shopping if time allows, before a representative collects you from your guesthouse for your transfer out to the Windhoek International Airport, getting you there in time to check in for your ongoing flight.
This is officially the end of your Namibian Workshop with us. If you are staying on for the extension, you will be taken back to the local Eros airport. On arrival at the Eros Airport, you will be introduced to your private charter pilot, and after a quick briefing, you will head to your aircraft and board your private light aircraft flight to Lüderitz. On arrival, you will be met by a local representative for your transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the option to visit Kolmanskop in the afternoon, which will afford you a first opportunity to see, experience and photograph the abandoned diamond mine.
Day 13 & 14 - 31st May & 01st June: Extension Kolmonskop: Over the next two days, we will explore and photograph the ghost town of Kolmanskop at sunrise and sunset.
Day 15 - 02nd June: Departure Day: After a delicious breakfast or depending on your international flight departure time, you will return to the local airport for your flight back to the Windhoek International Airport, getting you there in time to check in for your outbound flight back home (departing international flight should not be earlier than 13h00). On arrival at the airport, you will be met by a representative who will assist you with your luggage and check-in for your international flight. This is officially the end of your Namibian Workshop extension with us.
Weather in Namibia: This region of Namibia is hot this time of year, with most days hovering around +/- 33ºC. Mornings and evenings are cool to cold, and a warm jacket is recommended for pre-dawn Safaris.
Flights to Windhoek: Flights to Windhoek can be booked directly with Air Namibia (via Frankfurt) or through other local carriers via Johannesburg.
INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
Inclusions
- Transportation: All internal private charter plane airport transfers inside Namibia between our starting and finishing locations and all private camps. All ground transportation for the duration of the Safari in Safari vehicles as required.
- Accommodation: Accommodation for eleven nights + optional extension of three nights in luxury private reserves.
- Game Drives: Game Drives for the duration of the workshop
- Food and Beverages: Includes breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (excluding alcohol) for the duration of the workshop
- Tuition: Expert one-on-one Photographic tuition and guiding services
Exclusions
- Transportation: Any travel required to arrive at the workshop starting location in Windhoek, Namibia.
Duties and Taxes: Any taxes, levies, insurances, Immigration, duty, and visa fees where applicable.
- Personal Items: Any personal items, including alcoholic beverages, souvenirs and travel insurance. Tipping for local guides is optional. Our recommendation is $30 USD per/day per person.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A deposit of $4,500 USD must be paid at the time of booking to secure your place, with the balance due 120 DAYS before the workshop commencement date. Deposit Methods Accepted: Credit card Visa/Master (+3%) or Direct Deposit / Wire Transfer.
Refunds and Cancellations: Our standard workshop policy requires an initial non-refundable deposit for the reservation of your space and your payment balance in full 120 days before the commencement of the workshop date unless otherwise noted. If we do not receive the balance on or before the due date, and we are unable to get in contact with you via the contact details you have provided, we will try to fill your spot off the waiting list. At our discretion, we may apply your deposit to be used for another workshop within one year. Please note that price increases may apply in this instance.
If the workshop is cancelled for any reason, your deposit will be refunded in full. Wild Nature Photo Travel Pty Ltd., trading as Joshua Holko Photography and Joshua Holko, is not responsible for any financial commitments that registered attendees have with third parties such as airlines or other travel services.
READ FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Travel Insurance: You must purchase travel and evacuation insurance in the event of illness or any other emergency that delays or otherwise prevents you from travelling on the trip. Wild Nature Photo Travel partners with and recommends Global Rescue for Evacuation and Medical insurance.
REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP
If you are excited about photographing Namibia's phenomenal and iconic dune sea and its desert wildlife from private luxury camps with private air transport between camps with a small group of like-minded, passionate photographers, now is the time to register your interest. Places are extremely limited, and once spoken for, that's it.