We are so used to flying as a means to an end. In Namibia, however, flying is not just a convenience, but a revelation. A country of sweeping, crimson dunes and sprawling, fantastical coastlines, a fly-in safari in Namibia is an experience in itself. If you’re looking to plan a luxury trip to Namibia, read on to find out why you should factor flying into your journey.
WHY CHOOSE A FLY-IN SAFARI IN NAMIBIA?
Efficiency
Namibia is a vast country, and many of its spectacular highlights are widely spaced. While you can absolutely travel by 4x4, the drives are long and the terrain can be rough. Flying allows you to cover significant ground without the fatigue of extended drives, allowing you more time at your lodge and exploring the wilderness. Flying also allows for far more flexibility, meaning you can work around the availability of Namibia’s top luxury lodges without the restrictions imposed by road travel.
Spectacle
Pragmatism aside, Namibia is a country renowned for its arresting landscapes, and flying is truly one of the best ways to experience it. Additionally, those with a keen eye for photography will relish the photographic opportunities that are simply not possible from the ground. However, you do not need to be a photographer to simply sit back and admire the remarkable beauty surrounding you.
BEST PLACES TO VISIT BY AIR
Walking and driving in Namibia certainly has its place, allowing you to immerse yourself in the landscape. However, seeing the country from above only enhances your visit as the true scope of its geography is revealed. Some of Namibia’s most awe-inspiring landscapes to view by air include:
Deadvlei & Sossusvlei
Seen from the air, the massive red dunes of Sossusvlei - some of the tallest in the world - create dramatic shadows and curves. Deadvlei, with its dead, blackened trees on a white clay pan, stands out starkly against the surrounding sand. Surreal and unearthly, flying over these alien landscapes is like nothing on Earth.
The Skeleton Coast
This is one of the most inhospitable and mysterious stretches of coastline on the planet. From a plane, you can spot rusting shipwrecks and the bleached bones of whales scattered along the sand. The Skeleton Coast’s haunting beauty is unmatched from the air, as you witness how vast its shores really are. Read our guide to Namibia's Skeleton Coast HERE.
Kaokoland
Flying over Kaokoland, you’ll see a land of rocky hills, winding riverbeds, and remote valleys. This is the domain of the Himba people and desert-adapted wildlife like elephants and lions. The sheer isolation is obvious from above. Roads are few, settlements tiny, and the expansiveness utterly captivating. Perhaps most striking is the snaking, metallic silver of the Kunene River - which forms the border between Namibia and Angola.
NamibRand Nature reserve
Established to protect the region's bountiful wildlife, the NamibRand Nature Reserve lends itself to spotting oryx, springbok, zebra and giraffe. Especially arresting is its endless, paprika-red sands - and rocky outcrops which are all the more breathtaking from the air. Civilisation is a distant memory here, and the blissful isolation only serves to enhance your immersion into this magical place.
Etosha National Park
The boundless, shimmering Etosha salt pan dominates a large proportion of the northern Namibian landscape. From the air, herds of elephant, giraffe, and antelope become tiny specks that punctuate the pale expanse. Flying allows you to spot game gathering at waterholes and appreciate how animals move across this open landscape.
LUXURY LODGES IN NAMIBIA WITH AIRSTRIPS
Few luxury lodges in Namibia boast their own airstrips, though many have one within reach – making it easy to fly between lodges and cut out much of the ground travel. One lodge that really lends itself to flying is &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, offering scheduled daily charter flights from its private airstrip. It also offers helicopter flights once there, for those itching to see more of the sweeping vistas. For a truly distinct experience, take to a hot air balloon and drift over the dunes at a more leisurely pace – ideal for those who really want to stop and breathe it all in.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOR A FLY-IN SAFARI IN NAMIBIA?
The best time to visit Namibia is during the dry season, which runs between May and October. The dry season provides the best conditions for viewing the region from the air, and also the best visibility for wildlife viewing. The wetter months – from November to April – are much greener, quieter and provide more atmospheric skies. However, this can potentially hinder charter times and visibility may be much lower.
SCHEDULED OR PRIVATE CHARTER FLIGHTS?
Most flights in Namibia are scheduled daily charters. While not so flexible, these are an excellent way for a small group or couple to travel across Namibia. As they run on a schedule, they often require a certain degree of thought when planning an itinerary. However, for groups of four or more, it can be more cost-effective to privately charter an aircraft. Private charters also offer much more freedom than the daily chartered flights, as they are not restricted by rigid flight times. As such, you are free to linger longer in some of the more captivating regions, without the worry of where you need to be next.
SUGGESTED FLYING ITINERARIES IN NAMIBIA
If you’re keen to visit Namibia by air, but unsure where to start, seek inspiration from some of our sample itineraries below.
8-Day Flying Safari in Namibia
An 8-day odyssey across Namibia, this week-long itinerary by air allows you to soak up the country’s highlights without wasting a moment on the road. Marvel at the captivating geography of Sossusvlei and its fiery dunes, before exploring the peaceful surroundings of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Next, fly northwest where you’ll meet the welcoming and vibrant Himba tribe, as well as majestic, desert-adapted elephants. Finishing in the Ongava Private Nature Reserve for some astonishing game viewing opportunities.
Deserts & Dunes of Namibia
Journeying from north to south, our Desert & Dunes of Namibia itinerary offers a holistic insight into this magnificent country. Travelling by light aircraft as you go, you’ll maximise your time to truly get the most out of this enchanting fortnight’s adventures. Cultural immersion seekers will delight in a visit to the Himba tribe, while animal lovers will be utterly enthralled by the wildlife of the Etosha National Park. If the spectacular flights don’t sate your appetite, those seeking a hit of adrenaline will undoubtedly love quad biking through the desert and making the challenging hike up the ‘Big Daddy’ sand dune.
