Photo-Ventures Namibia was established two years ago by Herman Neethling, and is registered as a closed corporation as well as with the Namibian Tourism Board as a Tour Operator. The business focuses on providing educational, photography and sightseeing tours in the Namib Desert as well as ocean excursions.
Our tours are not adrenaline rides and we do not condone wild and reckless driving in the desert areas. We also ensure that we do not drive in vegetated or environmentally and culturally sensitive areas. Visitors also walk on certain parts of the track, and no vegetation, fauna or other features in the desert are disturbed, moved or picked up. Our tours concentrate on the photographic and educational elements of the desert.
Realizing the need for centralized information about tourism activities in the Walvis Bay district, Photo-Ventures setup a tourist information centre as part of their tour booking office. The centre has been completed to the tune of more than N$2 million and is located at the south end of Union Rd, Walvis Bay. Since its inception the centre has become the first stop for all visitors and tourists seeking information about Walvis Bay. The centre is being expanded and houses the information centre, a booking office, a coffee shop, a cultural office as well as office space for other tourism operators.
Services
Photo Ventures Namibia provides tailor-made educational, environmentally-friendly, controlled and guided Photographic and Scenic tours in the Kuiseb delta and Namib Desert Areas. These tours are not adrenalin rides, and every care is taken to ensure that the tour has little to no impact on the environment. This not only creates more awareness of the unique environment of the delta and the Namib Desert, but presents photographers from all over the world an opportunity to take breathtaking photos. This promotes Walvis Bay and by extension Namibia as an eco-tourism destination. Photo Ventures Namibia is committed to responsible tourism, and nature conservation through sustainable exploitation of natural resources.
Vehicles & Equipment
We use Four-wheel vehicles (5) and quad bikes (20). All quads bikes are be clearly marked and registered. Vehicles are also equipped with First Aid kits, GPS and a variety of safety gear and tools.
About Herman Karel Neethling
Neethling has been involved in Namibian tourism industry for a number of years after running two petrol service stations in Walvis Bay for 14 years. He has worked closely with a retired nature conservation field guide, Pieter Brichford (worked in the Namib Naukluft Park for many years). He has conducted a great number of overland tours across Namibia as well as in and around Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
Relations
Photo-Ventures Namibia has also actively engaged the local Topnaar community in its tour activities. Environmental education is one of the core aims of our services. Seeing that most of the tours are in the Kuiseb Delta area and up to Sandwich Harbour, involving the Topnaar community was an obvious decision. Photo-Ventures benefits from the Topnaars’ rich knowledge of the desert, while tourist support the Topnaars by buying their crafts. Topnaar guides will also been trained to assist with the tours, thus creating job opportunities for the local community.
Apart from tour and information services, Photo-Ventures Namibia has also been instrumental in fostering closer cooperation among local tourism operators in order to market Walvis Bay as an adventure and tourism destination. Good relations have been established among tour operators, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, conservation groups, the Municipality of Walvis Bay and other stakeholders. The #Aonin Historic and Cultural Heritage Foundation also supports the aims and services of Photo Ventures Namibia
