Join this 12-day photography trip to the wildlife-rich Onguma Game Reserve in Namibia.

OVERVIEW

Experience the wilderness of Namibia like never before during this exclusive photography tour led by Jan-Joost Snijders, the in-house wildlife photographer of Onguma. Situated in one of Namibia's most diverse and spectacular nature reserves, Onguma offers a unique opportunity to capture the natural beauty and wildlife of Africa.

Dates: October 27, 2025 - November 7, 2025
Duration: 13 days
Price: starting at € 4,599
Maximum participants: 6 people
Minimum participants: 5 people
You can find the day-to-day program at the bottom of this page.

What makes this trip unique?

As the exclusive in-house wildlife photographers of Onguma for several years, we have the following advantages during this unique trip with you:

• Access to a private area with all the animals found in Etosha but without the crowds of other tourists.

• We are allowed to drive ourselves, enabling us to quickly position ourselves for the best photos.

• We know the area like the back of our hand and know the hotspots for rhinos, elephants, lions, cheetahs, and more.

• In some unique situations, we may be allowed to get out of the vehicle under supervision and possibly approach animals on foot.

• We are not bound by schedules and can go wherever and whenever we want.

• Access to the unique Onkolo hide.

• Opportunity to photograph the Milky Way at night.

• A small group of up to 6 people.

• Plenty of attention for workshops: photo editing, sharing tips and tricks, a lecture by the Anti-Poaching Unit, etc.

Location
Onguma is located in the heart of Namibia, where the landscapes are stunning, and the wildlife is abundant. As an in-house photographer, Jan-Joost Snijders has exclusive access to the vast Onguma area, including a special photography hide and extensive knowledge of the local flora. Since it is a private area, we are not bound by opening hours. In other words, we can explore for as long as we want!

Wildlife
Onguma is known for its high concentration of lions, as well as a wide range of other animals, except for buffaloes. Onguma is a wildlife-rich area. In addition to lions, you can also regularly encounter elephants, cheetahs, rhinos, and many other species.

Why are we going in October / November?
October marks the transition to the wet season. The rain is slowly coming back, and so the impressive skies. This results in the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Due to the clouds, the light also remains good for photography much longer. Unlike the dry season, you can take good photos for much longer during the safaris. An ideal period for this photography trip!

Activities

• Game Drives: Daily game drives in an open game viewer (morning and afternoon), perfect for photography. The game viewer accommodates 9 people, but we will be with a maximum of 6 people. This gives you plenty of freedom to move and space for your equipment. If desired, we can also do a game drive in Etosha National Park, which is located right next to Onguma. Etosha is known for its large open plains and large herds of elephants.

• Photography Hide: Use of the special photography hide for unique shots. As in-house photographers, we have the option to use the hide whenever we want, subject to availability.

• Workshops: Afternoon sessions dedicated to workshops to improve your photography skills. We will review and edit the photos taken in Lightroom together. I am also available to answer your specific questions.

• Meals: Daily breakfast and 3-course dinner included. Coffee and tea are available throughout the day. We also provide snacks during the afternoon safari. Lunch is available on your own request.

What equipment should you bring?
Anything up to 600 millimeters is useful to bring. Generally, the animals come close to the vehicle/hide. Therefore, we mostly shoot with a 400mm prime lens and a 70-200mm lens. If you want to photograph the Milky Way, a tripod with a wide-angle lens is recommended.

Amenities

• Accommodation: Comfortable overnight stays at Onguma Bush Camp. A cozy camp in the heart of the reserve with its own waterhole. This means a good chance of seeing animals drinking both during the day and at night.

• Transport: We provide transportation from the airport in Windhoek (or your hotel of choice) to Onguma and back.

• Included: Two game drives each day, daily workshops, various hide sessions, transportation to and from the airport, extensive breakfast, 3-course dinner, and unlimited coffee and tea.

Not Included

• Exclusives: International flights, personal drinks, lunch, tips, cancellation insurance, and any extra overnight stays outside the program.

Experience

This trip offers a unique opportunity to explore and capture African wildlife under the guidance of an experienced professional. Jan-Joost Snijders brings over 6 years of experience as an in-house wildlife photographer at Onguma and an in-depth understanding of animal behavior to this unforgettable photography experience.

Costs: