Namibia's Desert Flying Safari

Your Namibian adventure begins in the capital city of Windhoek. Here, you’ll meet your pilot and take to the skies for the flight to the heart of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Not only will your air transfer get you to your destination quickly and safely, but you’ll also be able to enjoy the striking views of the rugged plains below and sightings of the iconic, blood-red dunes in the distance.

The quirky yet comfortable Kwessi Dunes is your home away from home for the next two nights. The classic canvas-and-thatch lodge promises a tranquil escape from the modern world and an unforgettable experience in nature from the lap of luxury. 

There’s so much to see and do at Kwessi Dunes. Days can be spent on scenic drives or walks through the nature reserve, while nights are best whiled away with incredible stargazing in Africa’s first International Dark Sky Reserve. A highlight of your stay is sure to be a day trip to the world-famous dunes of Sossusvlei where you’re able to climb Big Daddy or Dune 45 and visit the salt pans of Deadvlei. And for the more adventurous traveller, the diverse, sandy landscape can be explored during quad bike (ATV) excursions, and hot-air balloon rides and helicopter flights (at an extra cost). 

After indulging in breakfast at Kwessi Dunes, you’ll take to the skies again for a scenic flight towards the Atlantic Coast – keep an eye out for Eduard Bohlen, one of the most famous shipwrecks on the coastline, as well as Conception Bay and Sandwich Harbour. Before landing in Hoanib Valley, you’ll enjoy a short break in Swakopmund for a seafood lunch and a brief tour of the charming town. 

You will reach Hoanib Valley Camp, an elegant tented camp surrounded by majestic mountains and towering sand dunes, in the late afternoon. This upscale accommodation gives a new meaning to “roughing it” in nature; guests are able to experience an authentic stay in the untamed wilderness without foregoing modern comforts.

One of the best parts of vacationing in Africa is seeing the diverse wildlife that roams the rugged plains. At Hoanib Valley Camp, you’ll enjoy morning and afternoon game drives through the surrounding area in search of desert-adapted giraffe, elephant, lion and rhino. And when not out spotting some of your favourite animals, you can enjoy nature walks through the dry riverbeds and dunes or spend some time with the local Himba communities to learn more about their way of life.

After breakfast, you’ll depart from Hoanib Valley Camp on a comfortable transfer drive to your final destination. It’s a full-day journey to the Skeleton Coast, but the drive boasts breathtaking views throughout – including the ephemeral Hoanib River, home to large herds of elephants, and clay-baked landscape that eventually gives way to white sand dunes.

The Skeleton Coast is a hauntingly beautiful region of Namibia’s idyllic coastline and will be your last stop on your Southern African getaway. The next two nights will be spent at the award-winning Shipwreck Lodge, possibly be the most memorable of all the accommodations on this trip thanks to its resemblance to the shipwrecks that line the coast.

The active traveller will delight in the many activities on offer here, including quad biking (ATV rides) and sandboarding through the dunes of the Skeleton Coast. And, naturally, one cannot leave Shipwreck Lodge without exploring its namesake. Trips to Mowe Bay seal colony include stops at the Suiderkus and Karimona shipwrecks, as well as Westies diamond mine and the remains of the Ventura Bomber. For those who still want a classic safari experience of two thrown in, full-day 4x4 excursions to Hoarusib River feature allow for plenty wildlife sightings as well as a visit to the Clay Castles.

Enjoy breakfast at Shipwreck Lodge before flying back to Windhoek for the return journey home. You might be leaving Africa behind, but take comfort in knowing that there’s always more to explore on this magical continent on another unforgettable safari.