Wildlife photo tour: Onguma, Namibia
Join this 12-day photo tour to Onguma, a private reserve teeming with wildlife on the eastern edge of Etosha, guided by Nadia and Jan-Joost Snijders.
Dates
19–30 Mar 2027 fully booked
21 Oct – 1 Nov 2027 1 spot left
31 Mar – 11 Apr 2028
18–29 Oct 2028
Trip & group
12 days, including 8 full days in Onguma
Minimum 5, maximum 6 guests
Guided by Nadia & Jan-Joost Snijders
Price
from €5,399 per person
20% deposit, balance due 90 days before departure
Overview
Experience the Namibian wilderness on this photo tour led by Nadia and Jan-Joost Snijders. For more than seven years, Jan-Joost has been the in-house wildlife photographer at Onguma, one of the most diverse nature reserves in Namibia.
Dates:
19–30 March 2027 (fully booked)
21 October – 1 November 2027 (1 spot left)
31 March – 11 April 2028
18–29 October 2028
Duration: 12 days
Group: minimum 5, maximum 6 guests
Guides: Nadia & Jan-Joost Snijders
Price: from €5,399 per person
Dates don’t work for you? Ask about a private tour →
What makes this tour unique?
We have been Onguma’s in-house wildlife photographers for more than seven years. On this unique tour, that gives you the following advantages:
Access to a private reserve with all the animals you also find in Etosha, but without the crowds of other tourists.
In-depth knowledge of animal behaviour, so we can quickly get into the best positions for the best photos.
We know the area like the back of our hand, including the hotspots for rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs and more.
In some situations we are allowed out of the vehicle under supervision, and may be able to approach animals on foot.
We are not bound by set times and can go wherever and whenever we want.
Access to the unique Onkolo hide.
The opportunity to photograph the Milky Way in the evening.
A small group of no more than 6 people, rotating positions in the vehicle.
Workshops on wildlife photography, Milky Way photography, photo editing, video with your camera, flying a drone and more.
About Onguma
Location
Northern Namibia, next to EtoshaOnguma lies in northern Namibia, on the eastern edge of Etosha, where the landscapes are stunning and wildlife is abundant. As in-house photographer, Jan-Joost Snijders has access to the vast Onguma reserve, including a dedicated photography hide, and extensive knowledge of the local flora. Because it is a private reserve, we are not bound by gate times. So we can stay out as long as we like!
Wildlife
A reserve rich in wildlifeOnguma is known for its high concentration of lions and a wide range of other animals, with the exception of buffalo. Besides lions, you can regularly encounter elephants, cheetahs, rhinos and many other species.
Why these periods?
Beautiful clouds and long-lasting good lightMarch and April mark the transition to the dry season: the rains fade, but there are still beautiful cloud formations. October and November mark the transition to the wet season: the rain slowly returns, and with it the impressive skies. That makes for the most spectacular sunsets and sunrises. The clouds also keep the light good for photography much longer, so unlike in the dry season you can keep making great images for much longer during the safaris. Ideal periods for this photo tour!
Activities and facilities
Game drives
Daily game drives in an open game viewer (morning and afternoon), perfect for photography. The game viewer seats 9, but we travel with a maximum of 6 people. That gives you plenty of room to move and space for your gear. If we wish, we can also do a game drive in Etosha National Park, which borders Onguma and is known for its vast open plains and large herds of elephants.
Photography hide
Use of the dedicated photography hide for unique shots. As in-house photographers, we can use the hide whenever we want, subject to availability.
Workshops
Afternoon sessions dedicated to workshops to improve your photography skills. Together we review and edit your photos in Lightroom. We are also available for your specific questions.
Meals
A full breakfast and a 3-course dinner are included every day. Coffee and tea are available free of charge all day. We also bring something tasty along on the afternoon safari. Lunch is not included; you can order it yourself at the camp.
What gear should you bring?
Anything up to 600mm is useful to bring. In general, the animals come close to the vehicle or hide. That’s why we mostly shoot with a 400mm prime and a 70-200mm. If you want to photograph the Milky Way, a tripod with a wide-angle lens is recommended.
Accommodation
Comfortable stays at Onguma Bush Camp: a cosy camp in the heart of the reserve with its own waterhole. So there is a good chance you will see animals drinking both during the day and at night.
Transport
We provide transport from the airport in Windhoek (or a hotel of your choice) to Onguma and back.
Included
✓ 2 game drives per day
✓ Daily workshops
✓ Several hide sessions
✓ Transport to and from the airport in Windhoek
✓ Full breakfast and 3-course dinner
✓ Unlimited coffee and tea
Not included
✗ International flights
✗ Lunch
✗ Personal drinks
✗ Tips
✗ Cancellation insurance
✗ Extra nights outside the itinerary
Day-by-day itinerary
A typical safari day (days 3 to 10)
Early breakfast and out before sunrise in our own game viewer
When the light gets too harsh, back to Bush Camp: edit photos or relax by the pool
Lunch around 12:00 (not included)
A workshop or free time in the afternoon
Out again around 15:30, until sunset
3-course dinner around 19:30
If there’s interest and the sky is clear: Milky Way photography or a night drive
Day by day
Day 1 – You fly to Windhoek on your own arrangements.
Day 2 – You land in Windhoek early in the morning, where we will meet you. You can also arrive a day earlier and book a night in Windhoek yourself. Together we drive to Onguma, arriving in the late afternoon at Bush Camp, overlooking the waterhole.
Days 3 to 10 – Eight full days of photography in Onguma, following the daily rhythm above. In the morning we often hear where lions roared or rhinos came to drink during the night; that is where we start our search.
Day 11 – Early in the morning we drive back to Windhoek and drop you off at the airport or a hotel of your choice.
Day 12 – You land back home, where you will enjoy (and edit) the memories of this trip for weeks to come.
Our terms and conditions apply to this tour.
Prices
Prices per person, including everything listed under ‘Included’ above. You choose your room type.
*A deposit of 20% of the total amount is required to secure your place. The balance must be paid 90 days before the start of the tour. Our terms and conditions apply.
Rondavel room
From €5,399*Single occupancy: €5,999*
Shared room: €5,399*
Loft/family room
From €5,999*Single occupancy: €6,699*
Shared room: €5,999*
Frequently asked questions
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts 12 days. On day 1 you fly to Windhoek on your own arrangements, and on day 12 you land back home.
How big is the group?
We travel with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 6 guests, rotating positions in the vehicle.
Where do we stay?
We stay at Onguma Bush Camp, a cosy camp in the heart of the reserve with its own waterhole.
What is included?
Two game drives every day, daily workshops, several hide sessions, transport to and from the airport, full breakfast, 3-course dinner and unlimited coffee and tea.
What is not included?
International flights, personal drinks, lunch, tips, cancellation insurance and any extra nights outside the itinerary.
What gear should I bring?
Anything up to 600mm is useful to bring. We mostly shoot with a 400mm prime and a 70-200mm. If you want to photograph the Milky Way, a tripod with a wide-angle lens is recommended.
How do I book my place?
Let us know using the form on this page. We will get back to you within 48 hours. A deposit of 20% of the total amount is required to secure your place; the balance must be paid 90 days before the start of the tour.
Will you join us?
Nadia and Jan-Joost guide this tour together. Jan-Joost brings more than seven years of experience as in-house wildlife photographer at Onguma and a deep understanding of animal behaviour; Nadia focuses on wildlife video and helps you get more out of your camera.
Would you like to join, or do you have a question first? Let us know using the form below. We will get back to you within 48 hours.
See Onguma
Want to see Onguma for yourself first? Watch the videos below.