I headed out to South Africa on the way to Namibia for a week-long scouting trip to prepare the new 2015 Safari tour to Namibia.
This was a unique trip for me, as the last time I was in the country, I was here as part of a military occupation force. I decided then that I would not return to Namibia until the social and political landscape was normalized. Circumstances have prevented me from visiting until now and I will be scouting for accommodation and facilities while shooting more documentary style photographs.
I have encountered many interesting opportunities and note the tourist is being catered for more so here than other countries in Africa. I am having discussions to visit and spend time in the midst of a tribal village to capture images of the people as they go about with their daily chores - I hope this becomes a reality.
Here is what I am travelling with:
- Canon 5DMk3
- Canon 1Dx
- 200-400 1.4x Telephoto
- 100mm Macro f2.8
- 16-35mm f/2.8 L IS
- 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS
- 1.4x tele converter and a host of other supportive equipment
I spent the first day getting from Johannesburg to Sossusvlei via Windhoek then onto Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. Had a great opportunity catching Flamingo's in the bay and Pelicans in flight. The northern part of the country is the most exciting - the local tribes, Etosha Pan and the cat conservancies. Look out for the launch of the tour, targeted date before end June 2014.