Namibia - Rock Art and Wilderness Safari with the Trust for African Rock Art

October 5th - 17th 2023

Introduction to Tour leader - David Coulson, MBE

David Coulson with Bushman in the Kalahari.

David Coulson is a photographer, writer, and African explorer as well as being a specialist in African rock art. He is the founder and of TARA (the Trust for African Rock Art). His home is in Nairobi, where he lives with his wife Deborah. They have twin daughters, Daisy and Alice. In the earlier part of his career (‘80s & early ‘90s) David worked out of Kenya as a professional photographer and writer, and his books and articles were published across the world. It was during his many travels for these projects that he became aware of the richness and diversity of Africa’s rock art to which he often became exposed. One of the countries where he worked over a long period was Namibia. His book, Namibia’s coastal desert was published in London in 1991.

Namib desert near Sossusvlei.

As a consultant to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) David also spear-headed the Focus on Your World international photo competition on the Environment in the early 1990s sponsored by Canon. The competition, of which David was also a judge, attracted 32,000 entries from 140 different countries, the biggest photo competition ever held.

Erongo Mountains near the Philip Cave rock art site.

In the mid-1990s, David founded TARA with the help of Dr Mary Leakey and Sir Laurens van der Post. Since its inception TARA’s work has been supported by a number of international institutions such as National Geographic, and the Getty, Ford and Andrew Mellon Foundations. Realizing that the biggest threat to this remarkable heritage was ignorance, David used his photography and international network to create a greater global awareness of the importance and endangered state of this art. His book, with the late Alec Campbell, African Rock Art, was the first major book on this heritage, on a Pan African scale.

Tsisab Valley, Brandberg Massif.

TARA has now worked in over 20 different African countries and its work has been internationally recognized. In 2004, David received a letter from Nelson Mandela endorsing TARA’s work and, in 2005, the importance of this work was officially recognized in a filmed statement by former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan. In November 2022 he was awarded an MBE (medal) by King Charles 3rd at Windsor Castle for his exceptional services to the documentation and valorization of Africas rock art. A large part of David’s/TARA’s rock art image collection is now part of the British Museum’s global online collections, courtesy of the Arcadia Fund.

Rock Art Safari:

Rock paintings high in the Brandberg Massif.

Included are Full Board- Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities. Accomodation as below. All park fees. All activities mentioned. Passenger liability insurance. Custom built air conditioned 4x4 tour and safari vehicle. VAT is included in the price. Mineral water on vehicles and at all times. Passenger liability insurance. Airport transfers.

Engraving of a Kudu antelope, Twyfelfontein.

Professional local guide (English-speaking) and David Coulson accompanying.

All Accommodation as listed or similar.

3 meals a day unless otherwise specified.

Friday 5th October – Tuesday 17th October (drop off in Windhoek for departure flight, or overnight in Windhoek at own cost before next day flight).

13 days / 12 nights.

Traditional Himba ladies in Damaraland.

Outline of itinerary

Gamsberg and Mount Barry Wilderness 2 nights

Camp Sossus, Sesriem 2 Nights

Hansa Hotel, Swakopmund 1 Night

Ameib Guesthouse, Erongo Mountains 1 Night

Guesthouse in Uis near Brandberg 1 Night

Onduli Ridge, Twyfelfontein 2 Nights

Etosha Mountain Camp, Etosha Heights 2 Nights

Mushara Outpost, Etosha East 1 Night

One of the Namib’s giant dunes in last light.

Excluded are beverages (alcohol, soft drinks etc.), tips, personal insurance, other personal items, visas.

Cost of your safari: US$12,600 pp sharing a double room (based on a planned group size of approximately 8 people).

Single supplement on request.

To secure a place on this trip, contact david@africanrockart.org or jana.thieme@live.de of Robin Hurt Safaris.