Namibia
The desert, by private aircraft
- When
- May to October
- How long
- Eight to twelve days
- Getting there
- Via Johannesburg, Frankfurt or Doha to Windhoek
Namibia is one of the least crowded countries on earth, and it rewards those who fly over it. A small aircraft links the red dunes of Sossusvlei, the dead camelthorn trees of Deadvlei and the fog-bound Skeleton Coast, where elephants have learned to live in the desert.
Between flights there are lodges with nothing on the horizon, walks with trackers at first light, and evenings under some of the darkest skies in the world.
When to go
May to October is the dry season: cool nights, warm days and the best wildlife viewing at Etosha's waterholes. November to April brings heat, occasional rain and green growth in the north.
How we would plan it
A fly-in journey saves days of driving on long gravel roads. We time each flight around the light, so you land in time to climb a dune at sunrise.
We pair two or three lodges rather than moving every night, choosing private reserves where walks and night drives are allowed. For families, a private vehicle and guide keep the days flexible.
Good to know
What is a fly-in safari?
Instead of driving between regions, you fly by light aircraft from one lodge airstrip to the next. Luggage limits are strict, usually soft bags only, and we tell you exactly what to pack.
Is Namibia good for families with children?
Yes. It is one of Africa's easier countries to travel with children, with wide open days and malaria-free areas in the south. Some lodges set minimum ages for walking activities.
How many days do we need in Namibia?
Eight days covers Sossusvlei, the coast and Damaraland by air. Add three or four days for Etosha.
Where do the desert elephants live?
In the dry riverbeds of Damaraland and the Kunene region in the north-west, where they travel long distances between water.
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