Namibia September 2028
Welcome back to the dark sky paradise. By popular demand, we are returning to Namibia for a deeply focused, slow-paced masterclass and this time, we are doing things differently. Say goodbye to packing bags every morning and rushing between regions. For 10 unforgettable nights, we are anchoring ourselves at a single, legendary location: the breathtaking Kanaan Desert Retreat.Boasting some of the clearest, darkest, and most pristine skies on Earth, Kanaan offers an unrivaled playground for deep-sky and wide-field astrophotography. This exclusive expedition is explicitly designed for our alumni community who want to bypass the usual tourist tracks, settle into the rhythm of the desert, and dedicate their creative energy to capturing the most advanced night imagery possible.While we will absolutely track the blazing core of the Milky Way, our primary astronomical objective this season shifts to the spectacular Southern Hemisphere winter skies. Together, we will master the technical art of tracking and stacking deep-field targets like the majestic Orion region, the sprawling Gum Nebula, the vibrant Carinae Nebula, and the sweeping Winter Arch.By day, you’ll relax in style across Kanaan's 35,000 hectares of pristine conservation land. The property is packed with iconic foreground elements tailored for composition, including dramatic red sand dunes, skeletal camel thorn trees, sculptural quiver trees, and towering mountain backdrops. Free-roaming desert wildlife regularly wanders right past our shooting spots, offering plenty of daytime frames. If you are ready to master the winter night sky alongside familiar faces, your tripod is waiting.
Location
Namibia
Time
15th - 25th September 2028
Group Size
6-8 (4 spots remaining)
Day 1 - Utopia
Meet at 08:00 at Hosea Kutako International Airport to be transferred to Naankuse Utopia hotel.
You will then have free time until the evening welcome dinner, any excursions and lunch on this day is at your own expense.
At 20:00 we will host a welcoming dinner and theory class on night photography.
Day 2 - Kanaan Retreat
After breakfast we will set out on a 6-7 hour drive we will arrive & check in to Kanaan Retreat where we will be staying for the next 8 nights.
Days 2 - 8 Kanaan Retreat
For the next 8 nights we will be shooting every sunset and into the night at different locations on the land of Kanaan. During the days we will relax at our lodge, do theory and post processing classes.
Day 10 - Utopia
After Breakfast we will then head back to Utopia in Windhoek on a 6-7 hour drive.
After checking in we will relax and have closing dinner where we will discuss the tour.
Day 11 - Farewells
After Breakfast you will then be transferred back to Hosea Kutako International Airport depending on what time your flight is.
For those wishing to stay longer and see more wildlife we will be extending by two days to visit the Naan Kuse Wild Life Lodge.
For more info please ask upon requesting to register for this tour.
Benjamin Barakat
I am your host and guide on this tour.
After receiving a full introduction on the first day to Astrophotography, I will then prepare you with the knowledge and tools to go out and capture stunning nightscape and landscape photos just like mine.
In the following days, you will shadow me and try to take the exact same compositions as me in order to learn the workflow and the correct way to capture your images.
Alternatively, you are free to roam the beautiful landscapes around us and capture your own images where I would then come follow up, give tips, and also my feedback.
We will also be doing landscape, sunset/sunrise photography and so on.
Included
Pick up & drop off at Hosea Kutako International Airport
Transport to all places & expeditions
Hotels (Twin Sharing) 10 Nights
Full Board and one soft drink per meal
Two Private tours supplied by NWR to Deadvlei (time extended access)
Four Game Drives at Kanaan Retreat for sunset and night photography
Access to Kolmanskop (Ghost Town)
National Park entry fees to Sossusvlei
Teaching from myself
One year access to my online Master Class (worth 300 CHF)
Not Included
International Flights
Visa if required
Snacks out of meal times and additional drinks or alcoholic beverages
Travel and health insurance (or any kind of insurance)
Single room supplement 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs)
Equipment Requirements
DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
Sturdy tripod
Remote shutter release cable
Wide angle lens with fast aperture (f/1.4 - f/2.8) preferably
Long focal lengths or zoom lens for wildlife & safari
Hiking boots
Warm jacket as temperatures can drop low in the desert at night
Head lamp
Additional batteries & memory cards
Participation
Maximum participants: 8
Minimum participants: 4
Languages: English or German
No level of fitness is required
(Basic English required for communication)
Prices
To secure your spot, a non-refundable deposit of 1,500 CHF per person is required.
The remaining balance is due 90 days before the tour.
6750 CHF per person — Twin room sharing
7950 CHF per person — Single room
Currency Guide
USD ≈ CHF × 1.25
EUR ≈ CHF × 1.07
(Actual rates may vary slightly.)
Deposits are paid via bank transfer. Full payment details will be provided after completing the contact form.
Because each tour is boutique and personalised, I connect with every guest beforehand to ensure expectations, group dynamics, and physical requirements align—this guarantees a high-quality experience for everyone.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel your reservation, please notify us as soon as possible at:
barakatphotography@outlook.com
Please note:
The initial 1,500 CHF deposit is non-refundable.
Cancellation 90+ days before the tour: no additional fees.
Cancellation less than 90 days before departure: the full amount is non-refundable.
However — to make the process easy and fair:
If you find another person to take your spot and pay the full amount, we will transfer your booking to them at no extra cost. This makes cancellations flexible and helps keep the group numbers stable.
