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Itinerary Highlights
Namibia is awe-inspiringly impressive from all angles, but if we had to choose one way to marvel at the magnificent landscapes, it would be from a small plane, high up in the skies. And that’s exactly why we’ve come up with this ultimate Namibia flying safari. For six nights, you’ll swap four wheels (almost) for two wings, and travel across Namibia on a series of short flights. All that’s left to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery sweeping below you.
Your first two nights on the flying safari are spent at Kwessi Dunes, before swooping over the vast Namib Desert and the towering dunes of Sossusvlei from above. You’ll touch down briefly for a beach lunch in Swakopmund, and then back to the sky for an incredible flight over the Atlantic Coastline and inland to the Hoanib Valley for an unforgettable two nights at Hoanib Valley Camp. Leave the plane behind for the spectacular drive to the Skeleton Coast where you’ll stay at award-winning Shipwreck Lodge for a further two nights, before you hop back in the plane for a final flight across the interior of the country to Windhoek. It would be nearly impossible to choose a highlight!
Hotels and lodges described in the itinerary are recommended by Craft Travel but there are numerous options in each destination and we will customize your itinerary based upon your preferences. With your feedback, we will similarly customize suggested activities, time spent in each location and trip extensions to additional destinations of interest nearby.
Itinerary Details
Day 1: Depart from Windhoek to Namibrand Nature Reserve
You’ll be met by your guide at the airport* in Windhoek and flown to Kwessi Dunes in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, just south of Sossusvlei. G&Ts will be eagerly awaiting you!
You’ll immediately notice the character and stylish charm of Kwessi Dunes, recently opened in March 2020. The thatched, air-conditioned rooms look out into the vast desert of the reserve. You’ll eat dinner under the stars and retire to the campfire for post-dinner safari tales and digestifs.
*Note: your charter flight departs from Windhoek’s small aircraft airport, Eros Airport, located in the heart of the capital and near the city’s hotels. We highly recommend spending the night prior to departure in Windhoek to ensure you have sufficient time to not only transfer from Windhoek’s international airport to Eros but also to be properly rested for your very active journey ahead.
Overnight at Kwessi Dunes (Dinner)
Day 2: Exploration of Namibrand Nature Reserve
Today, you’ll spend time exploring the magical NamibRand and Sossuvlei area. Whether you want to embark on all the activities, or just soak up the magic of the area, this is a day to remember.
In Namibia, the landscape is just as much of an attraction as the wildlife – and it’s even more mesmerising from the skies – but don’t forget your binos either, as there’s an astonishing variety of wildlife hidden in these desert plains.
In the Sossusvlei and NamibRand area, keep a lookout for springbok and oryx, as well as some of the rarer creatures like aardwolf. If you’ve got a penchant for birdlife, ask your guide to find the endemic dune lark, which is found nowhere but Namibia.
Overnight at Kwessi Dunes (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 3: Depart to Hoanib Valley
Hop back on the plane for a scenic flight over the famous Eduard Bohlen shipwreck, Conception Bay and Sandwich Harbour, before touching down in Swakopmund for a beach lunch. Then, it’s onward to Hoanib Valley Camp, over the dramatic Skeleton Coast and then inland to the beautiful interior of the country.
Overnight at Hoanib Valley Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 4: Exploration of Hoanib Valley
Spend today looking for desert-adapted giraffes, game driving through the sandy terrain or visiting the local Himba communities. Valley wildlife is fascinating to watch, and you may also be lucky enough to spot desert lion and rhino. One certainty, however, is the desert-adapted giraffe. The icons of the area, they are also the focus of our conservation partners, Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
Overnight at Hoanib Valley Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 5: Depart to Skeleton Coast
Get ready to enjoy what just may be the best road transfer on the African continent. You’ll pass incredible rock formations and desert-elephant digging for water, before arriving at the crashing waves and rolling dunes of the Skeleton Coast. Wow!
Overnight at Shipwreck Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 6: Exploration of Skeleton Coast
Enjoy your time at the award-winning Shipwreck Lodge. Activities on offer include quad biking, visits to the Clay Castle and seal colony and game drives – or you may like to just put your feet up and admire the views.
At Shipwreck Lodge, expect giraffe, lion, baboons, elephant and elusive brown hyena in the dunes, whilst at the coast you’ll find hundreds of Cape fur seals at the Mowe Bay Seal Colony, and plenty of birds flitting through the chilly ocean spray.
Overnight at Shipwreck Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 7: Return to Windhoek (or Fly to Etosha)
Enjoy your final breakfast on the coast. Later in the morning you’ll meet the plane and fly back down the stunning Atlantic Coastline, before arriving back in Windhoek, or, if you’ve chosen to extend your trip to Etosha, you’ll make your way north for the safari of a lifetime.
(Breakfast)
What's Included
6 nights accommodation (based on double/twin occupancy)
All meals and local spirits
All chartered flights mentioned above
Road transfer from Hoanib Valley Camp to Shipwreck Lodge
Excursions at all lodges
Airport transportation upon arrival and departure
All entrance fees to national parks included in your stay
*Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international or internal flights, meals and drinks not described above, items of a personal nature
Expert Notes & Customization
This particular itinerary is offered at a promotional rate as the three properties are associated. Similar programs however can be created using alternative lodges. For those not continuing onto traditional safari in other Southern African countries (Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, etc) we recommend adding on a two-night extension to Etosha, particularly at Etosha Mountain Lodge. We also strongly recommend spending one night upon arrival to Namibia in the capital city of Windhoek to ensure you have proper time to make your chartered flight. This itinerary pairs perfectly with a longer visit to Southern Africa, whether it be for traditional safari, food and wine in South Africa, beach in Mozambique or a mix of all of the above.