The Naturalist Collection

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The Naturalist Collection

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Namibian Family-owned Tour Operator
Wildlife | Birding | Botany | Herping | Photography
Exploring Africa Through the Eyes of Naturalists

The Braine's are known for their extensive experience in all things natural hence "The Naturalist Collection" T/A Batis Birding Safaris -

Desert Day Tours offers as the name suggests, Desert Day Tours based in Swakopmund, Namibia. These include the Eco Dune Tour or "Living Desert Tour" as well as excursions to the Moonlandscape, Welwitschia, Spitzkoppe and Brandberg. The Namibian Naturalist offers guided and self-drive tours to Namibia specializing in Wildlife, Herpetology, Entomology, Botany and/or Photography. Batis Birding Safaris specializes in ornithology and offers tours to Namibia, Angola, Madagascar, Uganda, Ethiopia and Ghana. Braine Photography is made up of the Braine brothers - Sean and Dayne. Besides an impressive portfolio of their many adventures, they lead local and international expeditions, host various workshops and exhibitions.

14/10/2026

NAMIBIA HERPING EXPEDITION 2027

12 days. Extraordinary reptiles. Wild Namibia.

Led by Dayne Braine | 1–12 March 2027

Namibia is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary desert-adapted reptiles — and in March 2027, we’re heading into the field to find them!

Following our successful specialist natural history and herping trips, we’re excited to offer another opportunity to explore Namibia’s remarkable reptile diversity with a team that knows and loves this extraordinary landscape.

Led by Dayne Braine, keen herper, photographer and experienced naturalist, this small-group expedition will take us from the arid south to the spectacular Namib Desert, exploring remote habitats, rocky escarpments, gravel plains and desert dunes in search of some of Namibia’s most fascinating species.

Every habitat holds its own surprises, and time in the field is about much more than ticking species off a list. It’s about understanding the adaptations, behaviour and ecology that allow these remarkable animals to survive in one of the world’s most challenging environments.

1–12 March 2027
Windhoek to Walvis Bay
Small-group expedition (maximum 7 people)
From N$50,345 per person sharing, based on 7 participants

Whether you’re an experienced herper looking for Namibia’s desert specialists or a naturalist keen to discover a fascinating side of this country, this expedition offers an unforgettable opportunity to explore Namibia from the ground up.

Spaces are limited — get in touch to request the full itinerary and secure your place!

Contact me at [email protected]

21/09/2026

Our new T-shirts have been selling like hot cakes! Get yours before they’re gone! Available now in our Curio Store or drop us a message to order.

18/09/2026

LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE - we still have a few seats available on our Angolan Birding Expedition.

Join Dayne from 30 June - 18 July 2027 for an unforgettable birding adventure.

Get in touch for the full itinerary and pricing!

16/09/2026

IT’S FINALLY HERE! After years of work, Namibia’s Namib – Mammals and Birds has finally arrived!

This is the second book in our Namibia’s Namib series. This beautifully photographed guide celebrates the incredible mammals and birds that have adapted to survive and thrive in one of the world’s oldest and harshest deserts.

From the iconic desert-adapted wildlife to the remarkable birds that call the Namib home, the book showcases just how much life exists amongst the dunes, gravel plains, rocky outcrops and ephemeral rivers.

Book 2 of 3 — and now officially in our hands! Stay tuned for the official book launch details. Pre-orders available.

14/09/2026

Namibia, from a different perspective. Recently, Sean took to the skies for a helicopter flight over the Namib Desert — and brought his camera along for the ride.

From above, the dunes become something entirely different: endless waves of sculpted sand, dramatic lines and shadows, and a landscape that seems to stretch forever. These aerial views offer a whole new appreciation for the beauty and scale of the Namib — raw, ancient and constantly shaped by wind.

📸 Braine Photography

11/09/2026

Our new T-shirt collection celebrates the incredible reptiles and wildlife that make our landscapes so unique — with striking, field-inspired designs featuring the Cape Coral snake, Many-horned adder and Namaqua chameleon.

Each T-shirt is:
Cotton sourced from Africa
Made in South Africa
Screen printed in Namibia
Excellent quality
Designed for naturalists by naturalists

Whether you're heading into the field, exploring Namibia, or simply want to carry a little piece of Africa with you, The Naturalist Collection is made for you.

Available now in our Curio Store!

09/09/2026

NAMIBIA HERPING TOUR 2026 — A FEW SEATS LEFT!

This November, is heading into the Namib Desert for an 11-day expert-led herping expedition, with opportunities to photograph, observe and study some of Namibia’s incredible desert reptiles.

Expect encounters with dwarf adders, web-footed geckos, cobras, and other highly specialised desert species — while contributing real observations and data to genuine herpetological fieldwork.

📅 19–30 November 2026

Want the full itinerary, costs and expedition details? Send us a quick DM and we’ll get them over to you.

07/09/2026

The Namib Desert has a way of making you slow down, look closer and appreciate the little things — and Arnold is the perfect person to help you do just that.

As one of our Eco Dune Tour guides, Arnold loves sharing the fascinating secrets of the desert. From tiny tracks in the sand and well-camouflaged creatures to the remarkable plants and insects that have adapted to survive in this extreme environment, he reveals a side of the Namib that is easy to miss.

Arnold has a wonderful way of connecting with guests and sharing his knowledge of the desert. His passion for the natural world shines through as he points out the fascinating details that make this environment so unique.

Address

Unit 5, Patrick Lungadha Street
Swakopmund
9000

Website

http://www.thenaturalistcollection.com/

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