"The Third Time's the Charm," Right?? Not When You're Talking About Namibia!

Join Brenda Tharp and me this Aug/September 2015 to photograph these sights and more!
This is a trip you won't want to miss!  (Details below)

…EVERY time is "the charm!"

Let me explain…

Anytime I go to a place I have never been, there are sights and experiences like no other.  My first trip to Namibia was in 2009 and it introduced me to a country so rich in culture, wildlife and diverse landscapes.  There were surprises around every corner and I soaked up all of the experiences and sights like a sponge!

I saw my first Quivertree- actually an aloe plant that is hundreds of years old. They have such an odd and spectacular beauty about them and photographing them is always a delight!

I spent 2 days exploring the deserted buildings in Kolmanskop- the first diamond mining town in Namibia, which is now abandoned and being swallowed by the shifting sands of the Namib Desert.  My imagination went wild as I meandered through the various buildings thinking about how people lived here in harsh conditions during the heyday of the diamond mining boom.

I remember seeing the world renowned orange sand dunes for the first time, towering over the Namib Desert in all their magnificent glory!  They change dramatically through the day and present ever changing photographic possibilities! The hike to Dead Vlei in the dark…so worth the 30 minute trek through sand to see the sun rise over this iconic place at the base of the tallest sand dune in the world!!

I stayed at a lodge within the Namib Naukluft Park boundaries which is comprised of a string of luxurious huts that over look the Namib.  I will always remember standing on the porch of my hut under the bright expanse of the Milky Way and feeling so small in a world of wonder.  The night skies in Namibia are like no other….

Staying in the seaside city of Swakopmund feels like stepping back in time.  Such a quiet and quaint place to unwind… Situated between desert and ocean, there is plenty to keep busy!  One of my favorite experiences is with Tommy's Tours exploring the small creatures who live in the dunes.  I have been on his tour 3 times and have learned so much about the fragile ecosystems in the desert.

The landscapes in Palmwag are beyond description, especially when dotted with desert lions, giraffes and elephants who inhabit the area; and the spectacular sunsets are consistently better than any superlatives to describe them!

Namibia is filled with culture and my eyes were opened wide with fascination of the Himba tribe and how they live.  Spending time with these friendly people and observing their traditions first hand is inspiring and humbling.

I will never forget the surprise and excitement of my first wild animal sighting in Etosha National Park!  It was a giraffe looming over the trees and peering curiously into our vehicle at the edge of the Dik Dik Trail. In fact, every sighting of wild animal species- elephants, zebras, jackals, springbok, lions and rhinos continue to meet with the same surprise and excitement!  There is nothing as amazing as sitting at a waterhole and watching the choreographed performance of animals taking turns coming in for a drink.

Since that first visit to Namibia, I have returned four times.  Why do I keep returning when there are so many other places in the world to see?

Namibia calls to me.  Namibia is now a part of me.

Each time I visit, Namibia is full of new and different experiences making each of my returning visits as magical as the first.  This is why EVERY time is the "the charm!" 

There is a Namibian proverb that states: "The earth is not ours, it is a treasure we hold in trust for future generations" and Namibia holds many of these world treasures!

Bust don't just take my word for it...consider joining Brenda Tharp and me in August/September on an amazing photography tour through Namibia with Strabo Photo Tours and experience it for yourself!

The diversity of Namibia opens your eyes and challenges the way you see.

It  allows you to practice and use all of your photographic skills as we photograph people, landscapes, the night skies, architecture, plant life, abstracts and macro subjects. You'll receive professional assistance with making your best images in each place we visit. You will learn so much about all facets of Namibia from our very knowledgeable and English-speaking guide.

Most of all, Namibia will become a part of you and will call you back...

You won't want to miss this tour!

Details of our upcoming 2015 Namibia Photo Tour can be found at Strabo Photo Tours Namibia 2015

Images from last year's trip can be found HERE.

Please share this blog post and links with anyone who might be interested.