
Unseen Namibia: The Kuiseb Canyon Photography Workshop
28 May - 03 June 2027
with Murray Livingston
Total 6 nights/7 days, 28 May - 03 June 2027 | £2500pp
This adventure workshop is forthcoming. Please use the form below to register your interest!
This is Namibia like you’ve never seen it before. Embark on an unforgettable 7 day photography adventure through one of Namibia’s most remote and unvisited places, the Kuiseb Canyon. Under the expert guidance of acclaimed photographer Murray Livingston, you'll explore majestic canyon vistas overlooking the wider desert landscape, gnarly trees deep in the canyon, intimate small scenes, and vast dunes. This immersive wilderness experience is designed to enhance your photography skills, from capturing grand landscapes to discovering intimate compositions.
This is a hiking and camping adventure unlike anything else in Southern Africa. We will walk over 90km through sandy and rocky terrain, wade through waist deep waters, and explore a place that fewer than 100 people have ever hiked (Murray was #47 in June of 2025). This trip wouldn’t be possible without our guide team from Live The Journey who will run the logistics of the trip. The trip is “slack-packing”: only a day pack & cameras are carried during our hike.
The serene beauty and rarity of this landscape make it a haven for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. Distances covered and elevation gains are significant; a good level of fitness is required. The trip will be limited to 8 places (plus Murray & team).
Key Information
Dates: 28 May - 3 June 2027
Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days
Accommodation: Private lodge (1x night) & tents (5x nights)
Physicality: 5/5 Challenging (1x long distance day, but lighter bags; soft sand)
Group Size: 8 Clients
Price: £2500 (£500 Deposit)
-
✅ All accommodation during the trip, including 1 night at a private ecological research station and 5 nights camping
✅ All transport during the trip
✅ 1-1 and group tuition for the entire trip
✅ Full expedition support team
✅ Breakfasts, lunches, dinners and various hot & cool drinks on location
✅ Transfers to & from Walvis Bay Airport
✅ Expert location advice and photographic guiding
-
The Kuiseb canyon is a vastly remote place within the Namib-Naukluft National Park accessible only via private concession. Our guides have secured exclusive access to undertake the Kuiseb90 hike.
Start your journey today!
Any questions about the adventure? Reach out below.
Day 1
Arrive at Walvis Bay Airport, where we’ll meet and begin our journey to our overnight accommodation at Gobabeb Research Station on the edge of the Kuiseb and Namib Sand Sea. Keep an eye out for photo opportunities en-route, before dinner and a trip briefing.
Day 2
An early start for a 3–4 hour drive deep into the heart of the desert. Today’s goal is to begin our hike with a short 8km stretch through the dunes. This will position us on the edge of the canyon for our descent on Day 3.
Day 3
Descend into the Kuiseb Canyon itself; this is the narrowest and most intriguing part of the hike as we wind through untouched wilderness. A big day at over 25km, we’ll rest in the shade of a sandstone cliff before ascending back out of the canyon to find our camp perched on the escarpment.
Day 4
Descend once again and continue our hike through the Kuiseb. More trees appear on this stretch, and so we’ll focus on intimate moments of light and shadow as they play across the riverbed. Enjoy the rare opportunity to camp in the canyon.
Day 5
The Kuiseb Canyon begins to widen now, with the Namib Sand Sea slowly creeping in from the south. At the end of the day, we’ll ascend out of the canyon once more to find spectacular views over the winding riverbed.
Days 6-7
Sadly our final day’s hike before leaving the canyon behind. Today’s walk takes us across a plateau covered in the desert’s most ancient plants: Welwitschias. We then drop into a vastly different side canyon, feeling more like a moonscape, before crossing the finish line. One last night is spent camping in the canyon and celebrating the achievement of completing the hike along with reflecting on memories that will last a lifetime!
Meet the Team
-
Murray Livingston
Landscape Photographer & Workshop Leader
-
Live The Journey
Logistics and Tour Leader
Photographic Tuition
You will be guided on this adventure by Murray Livingston, an internationally-recognised photographer. Murray will be on hand at all times for any level of tuition needed, including location advice, composition, camera settings, artistic evaluations, and many other topics. I am a deep thinker and will be asking searching questions to push your creative boundaries. The group size means Murray will be able to provide you with 1-1 attention, as well as tuition in a group setting. Murray enjoys many different unique styles and approaches to photography which ensures you will be able to learn a variety of ideas and techniques. After the workshop, we will gather as a group online for an image review.
Murray was just the 47th person recorded to have ever walked the Kuiseb Canyon when he completed the 93km hike in June 2025. Due to the area being largely unexplored and unvisited, we will spend our time finding unique compositions; Murray has earmarked numerous areas of interest along the route. You will find some of Murray’s photography from the area on this page to give you a sense of the remarkable landscape we will be visiting.
Experience-First Retreat
This trip is designed as an experience-first retreat. What does this mean? It means appreciating the opportunity to spend time in one of the most beautiful places on planet Earth! While we are all keen photographers & artists, an equal weighting should also be placed on the chance to connect with nature, get to know each other better “around the campfire”, and take a breather from modern life. I have found that these kinds of experiences out in nature are amongst the most life-fulfilling, and so I want to share that with others too.
Further Details & Logistics
Participants should be able to carry day packs for 25km and 500m of ascent in a single day. We will be exploring a canyon with steep slopes, often venturing off path and adding extra small walks to access photographic features. As such, a good level of fitness is required. If in doubt, please reach out to discuss. Many of the previous successful walkers on this route have been over 60 years old — it is an achievable goal for many.
Murray is an highly experienced walker and is teaming up with Live The Journey who will guide the group with expert navigation and safety to ensure our overall enjoyment in the outdoors. Live The Journey provides us with epic campsites every evening, excellent meals and snacks, hot and cold drinks, and toilets and showers (a huge luxury in the remote desert!). The weather can be extremely hot, even in Namibia’s winter months. Please bring appropriate clothing, footwear, and sun protection. Your safety will always be a priority. In addition to your camera gear, I can provide a list of suggested items to bring. A full kit list is available, with many items available to rent.
The following are not included in the price:
Airfares or additional travel requirements (such as accommodation before or after the hike)
Any necessary visas or other travel requirements (please check via your government website)
Travel Insurance (required)
Additional food & drink (extra snacks & alcoholic beverages for instance)
Gratuities or personal spending
Flights to Walvis Bay, Namibia, are frequent with many providers all over the world; we will be providing an airport transfer to & from Walvis Bay Airport. A £500 non-refundable deposit is necessary to book your place, with full payment due 12 weeks prior to the start date. Please refer to my standard booking terms and conditions.
Have a question? Reach out via the form below!
I am extremely excited to adventure into one of the world’s most untouched pristine wilderness areas and to sharing this outdoors creative experience with all of you! Prepare to enhance your skills, expand your vision, and capture memories that will last a lifetime.
Hiking through the narrow Kuiseb Canyon
Camping in the Kuiseb Canyon
Successful completion of the Kuiseb90, June 2025
Camping in the Namib Sand Sea