Half-day and full day flights

This page provides a sample of the variety of flights from Swakopmund, as offered by a number of companies.

FLIGHT ONE: Destination Sossusvlei, about 2hours and 20 minutes flying time.

This flight takes you over the Namib Desert, the dry Kuiseb river bed on to the magnificent dune formations, as far as Sossusvlei. The return trip is along the ‘Forbidden Coast’ (Sperrgebiet) where you will see shipwrecks, seal colonies, and flamingos.

This flight can also land at Sesriem, from where you are driven in a 4X4 vehicle to Sossusvlei. Here you can climb the dunes, photograph the scenery, and enjoy a picnic in the shade of a camel thorn tree.

No part of the desert is visually more stunning than Sossusvlei. The warm tints of the sand range from pale apricot to brick orange and deep red, vividly contrasting with the large white clay pans at the base of some of the dunes. From Sossusvlei we fly into the Diamond Restricted Area, flying over three old diamond camps and cross the coastline at Conception Bay, where we fly over colonies of Cape Fur Seals, and shipwrecks. We then fly along the Atlantic coast with the surf on the one side and the Namib dunes on the other on our way over Sandwich Harbour.

FLIGHT TWO: Destination the Forbidden Coast, about 1hour and 30 minutes flying time.

This is the shortened version of the Sossusvlei flight. Fly via the moon landscape, Namib Desert and the Kuiseb riverbed and the fabulous dune formations to Conception Bay. Only flying gives you the opportunity to see the shipwrecks, seal colonies and flamingos in the diamond restricted area.

This scenic flight takes you from Swakopmund, east via the ‘Moon Landscape’ and along the Swakop river bed to the junction of the Swakop and Kahn rivers. Over the shifting sand dunes we reach the coast at Conception bay, flying over colonies of Cape Fur seals, the wreck of the passenger liner ‘Eduard Bohlen’ which was stranded in 1909, and is now 250m from the shoreline. Further along the coast is the wreck of the ‘Shaunee’ which grounded in 1976. Along the coast with the Atlantic surf on the one side and the Namib Dunes on the other, we fly to Sandwich Harbour, a wetland of international importance and protected by the Ramsar Convention. South of Walvis Bay we fly over salt mines, which attract thousands of birds. The flight then passes over Walvis Bay and follows the coast line back to Swakopmund.

FLIGHT THREE: Destination the South, a whole-day flight.

If you wish to explore the southern parts of Namibia and time is short, take this flight. Fly via Sossusvlei with its magnificent dune formations to the Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world. Stop in Luderitz to visit the ghost town of Kolmanskop, and then fly along Namibia’s ‘Forbidden Coast’ back to Swakopmund.

FLIGHT FOUR: Destination the South, a whole-day excursion.

This is a shortened version of the above route and excludes the flight over the canyon, but includes a fly-by past the stunning rock Bogenfels arch. The activities in Luderitz are the same as above. Return to Swakopmund via the Forbidden Coast.

FLIGHT FIVE: Stopover Luderitz, a full day trip

Leaving early in the morning you fly over the Kuiseb River to Sossusvlei, then over the Naukluft mountains to Keetmanshoop where we land to refuel. From Keetmanshoop the plane flies lows over the Fish River Canyon to Ai Ais, zig-zagging over the Canyon. We continue the flight over the Diamond Restricted Area directly to Luderitz. Here a guided tour is arranged to Kolmanskop, the old diamond mining ghost town. You then return to Luderitz for a city tour. The sheer isolation of the town and distinctly German colonial architecture give it a historic charm. Round off the morning with a lunch at a hotel. The return flight is the same as the for the Sossusvlei flights.

FLIGHT SIX: Stopover Canyon Lodge, a full day trip

The flight is the same as the Luderitz trip but after overflying the Fish River you will stop over at the Caňon Lodge and will take a 4X4 vehicle trip to the different viewpoints overlooking the canyon. After lunch, the flight continues over the canyon to Ai Ais. The rest of the flight is the same as the Luderitz Stopover.

FLIGHT SEVEN: Desert Busman Trail, about 3 hours and 15 minutes.

This flight takes you over the Kalahari Desert to be introduced to a Bushman community. After lunch you will fly over the dunes of Sossusvlei and the ‘Forbidden Coast’.

FLIGHT EIGHT: The Skeleton Coast, about 3 hours.

This desolate northern coastline is fascinating, with its variety of bird life and shipwrecks, as well as one of the largest seal colonies in the world. The return flight takes you over rugged Damaraland, the Brandberg, and the Spitzkoppe to Swakopmund.

A variation on this flight would be a stop-over at a guest lodge in Damaraland with a game drive. After lunch, you continue your flight back to Swakopmund.

FLIGHT NINE: Ovahimba day trip, an all-day flight.

Meet members of the proud, nomadic tribe of the Ovahima. This is an extended version of the Skeleton Coast flight and will take you to Opuwo, the capital of Kaokoland, with an excursion to a Himba village.

FLIGHT TEN: The Skeleton Coast and Interior, flight time 3hours and 15 minutes.

This flight begins with low-level flying along the Swakop River via the moon landscape and then northeast to the Rossing Uranium mine along the Khan River. The flight continues over the Spitzkoppe, the Brandberg, and Twyfelfontein, to Palmwag, from where it goes along the Uniab River in search of the desert elephants, rhinos, giraffes, mountain zebras, and other game. At the river mouth it turns south and flies along the treacherous Skeleton Coast, which is littered with whale bones, shipwrecks, and the remains of sailors and explorers. The flight passes Torra Bay, Palgrave Point, and Toscanini to Cape Cross Seal Reserve. The flight then continues coastwise from Cape Cross, passing over Henties Bay back to Swakopmund.

FLIGHT ELEVEN: Skeleton Coast and Damaraland Excursion, a full day trip

Fly via the Brandberg and Damaraland to Hobatere Lodge on the western border of the Etosha National Park, where you will enjoy a guided game drive where and will have the chance to see elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and other wildlife. After the game drive return to the lodge for a light lunch. The afternoon flight passes over Palmwag and then up the Uniab River in search of desert elephants, rhino and giraffe. The flight then goes along the treacherous Skeleton Coast to Swakopmund.

FLIGHT TWELVE: Epupa Falls and Ovahimba Excursion, a full day trip

With low flying over the Brandberg, Damaraland and Kaokoland, the flight proceeds to Epupa Falls, from where you will be driven to an Ovahimba village where you will spend the morning. You will then view the majestic Epupa Falls. Lunch is served at the Omarunga Camp on the riverbed of the Kunene River. In the afternoon, fly to Opuwo to refuel and then continue along the Uniab River in search of elephants, rhinos, giraffes, mountain zebras, and other wildlife. The return flight is the same as for the Skeleton Coast trip.