SOSSUSVLEI – SEA OF
SAND DUNES
Often described as “the flight of a life time”, we take you from the
Swakopmund airfield along the Kuiseb River bed, over the impressive Kuiseb
Canyon, the natural border of the dune formations. Forward onto Gogabeb, the
desert research station. Although the Namib is just as dry as the Sahara, it has
a much richer fauna and flora, attracting researchers worldwide. We continue our
flight over Tsondab Vlei towards the highest dunes in the world. Shortly the
awe-inspiring dunes at Sossusvlei will come into sight. The colours and shadows
of these gigantic mountains of sand change by the hour from beige to rust-red to
purple, dazzling the eye. With Sossusvlei lingering in your mind’s eye,
we
overfly the forbidden Diamond area where remains of old diamond camps can still
be seen. Our flight continues over the ‘sea of sand’, approaching the shore at
Conception Bay. Soaring along the coastline we fly over the shipwreck of a
German passenger liner,
Eduard
Bohlen. Stranded in 1909, she now lies inland,
for the entire world as if she were sailing through the desert. Forthwith the
shipwreck of the fishing trawler, Shaunee, comes into sight. As we continue
northward we see the never-ending battle for supremacy between the sand and the
sea, as we pass the “Lange Wand”, a 500 feet high dune rising from the waters
edge. Nearing Sandwich Harbour, your pilot will ascend to 1500 feet. Sandwich
Harbour is a large saltwater lagoon and home to an incredible variety of bird
life and one of southern Africa’s greatest natural bird sanctuaries. From
Sandwich Harbour our flight takes us over the salt mines and Namibia’s major
harbour, Walvis Bay. Next we fly over the guano-collecting wooden platform,
where thousands of seabirds settle and leave their droppings. Periodically these
are scraped up and fertiliser results. The recreational resorts Dolphin Beach
and Long Beach are our next destination. As the town of Swakopmund comes into
sight, your pilot will prepare for landing. Duration: ± 2 hours 20 minutes.
YouTube
video: Swakopmund - Epupa Falls flight to Himba village:
SOSSUSVLEI DAY
EXCURSION
As described above, with landing at Sesriem. ± 1 hour. Accompanied by a
guide you will be driven in a 4x4 vehicle into Sossusvlei.
Time
at leisure in Sossusvlei. When you are ready, transfer to the Sossusvlei lodge
for a light lunch. After lunch a transfer to the landing strip and we continue
our flight as described above. Duration: ± 1 hours 20 minutes.
DIAMOND CAMPS & SHIPWRECKS
We take-off from the Swakopmund airfield, flying over the ‘sea of sand’
over flying the diamond camps on to Conception Bay. Soaring along the coastline
we fly over the shipwreck of a German passenger liner, Eduard Bohlen. Stranded
in 1909, she now lies inland, for the entire world as if she were sailing
through the desert. Forthwith the shipwreck of the fishing trawler, Shaunee,
comes into sight. As we continue northward we see the never-ending battle for
supremacy between the sand and the sea, as we pass the “Lange Wand”, a 500 feet
high dune rising from the waters edge. Nearing Sandwich Harbour, your pilot will
ascend to 1500 feet. Sandwich Harbour is a large saltwater lagoon and home to an
incredible variety of bird life and one of southern Africa’s greatest natural
bird sanctuaries. From Sandwich Harbour our flight takes us over the salt mines
and Namibia’s major harbour, Walvis Bay. Next we fly over the guano-collecting
wooden platform, where thousands of seabirds settle and leave their droppings.
Periodically these are scraped up and fertiliser results. The recreational
resorts Dolphin Beach and Long Beach are our next destination. As the town of
Swakopmund comes into sight, your pilot will prepare for landing. Duration: ± 1
hour 30 minutes.
SKELETON COAST, BRANDBERG, UGAB
One of the world’s most treacherous shorelines. It’s white sands are
strewn with the skeletons of ships and men. From the Swakopmund airfield this
flight first takes you inland, over Damaraland. Further flight over the table
top mountains and the majestical Brandberg,
famous for the rock painting known as the white lady. We reach the Ugab river
bed and fly along it as it meanders its way towards the coast. In the river bed,
keep a lookout for the desert elephants, ostrich, Oryx and other game. As we
near the coastline, the sand dunes form intriguing
ripple patterns, which give colour, texture
and a graphic quality to the dunes. Flying along the coast, you will come to
appreciate it as one of the globe’s last wilderness areas. Diamonds do occur
sporadically in limited quantities along the Skeleton Coast. We continue our
flight to Palgrave Point, the site of many dramatic sea rescues. We reach Cape
Cross, the largest seal colony in Africa, home to an estimated 250 000 seals.
In 1486, the Portuguese mariner Diego Cao erected a stone cross here, on his
second expedition to Africa, south of the equator.
Shortly after we see the holiday town of Henties Bay, renowned for recreational
fishing. Our flight continues passing Wlotskasbaken and the saltworks, returning
to Swakopmund.
SKELETON COAST WITH STOP OVER
AT
CAPE CROSS LODGE
We take-off from the Swakopmund airfield, and fly inland the table top
mountains and the majestical Brandberg, famous
for
the rock painting known as the white lady. We reach the Ugab river bed and fly
along it as it meanders its way towards the coast. In the river bed, keep a
lookout for the desert elephants, ostrich, Oryx and other game. As we near the
coastline, the sand dunes form intriguing ripple patterns, which give colour, texture
and a graphic quality to the dunes. Flying along the coast, you will come to
appreciate it as one of the globe’s last wilderness areas. Diamonds do occur
sporadically in limited quantities along the Skeleton Coast. We fly over the
best known of these terraces at Toscanini. From Toscanini we continue our flight
to Palgrave Point, the site of many dramatic sea rescues. As we overfly Cape
Cross, your pilot will prepare for landing. Transfer to the newly opened Cape
Cross Lodge. Enjoy a light lunch, with views of the turbulent Atlantic Ocean.
After lunch, transfer to the airfield and we continue our flight along the
coast, passing the holiday town of Henties Bay, renowned for recreational
fishing, Wlotskasbaken and the saltworks, returning to Swakopmund. Half day.
SEAL EXCURSION & LUNCH AT CAPE CROSS LODGE.
HIMBA DAY TRIP
Early morning transfer to the Swakopmund airfield. This flight takes you
over the Spitzkoppe Mountains, and the magic Brandberg with its dazzling
contrast of colours. Landing at Opuwo, the capital of the Kaokoland, accompanied
by a guide and translator we make
it
possible for you to visit the Ovahimba tribe. It is hard to grasp that these
proud people still live as they did hundreds of years ago, sticking to their ancient beliefs and traditions. The
Kaokoland belongs to its inhabitants and it is only right to show respect for
their way of living and their traditions. The “kraal” consists of simple huts
that are built of Mopane branches, mud and dung. Cattle mean life to the
Ovahimba, and play an important role in ceremonies and rituals. Brides are paid
for with cattle and the death of a chief demands slaughtering of the finest
animals. The women have an unusual sculptural beauty, enhanced by intricate
hairstyles and jewellery, which is made of twisted copper, small iron beads,
shells and bones threaded on thin strings of leather. When you are ready, we
return to the guest house where a light lunch is served. After lunch, transfer
to the landing strip and we continue our flight via the Hoarusib river bed. We
follow the river bed as it meanders its way to the coastline. Low-level flight
along the treacherous Skeleton Coast with its remains of shipwrecks passing the,
diamond mine at Toscanini, the seal reserve at Cape Cross and the coastal town
of Henties Bay on our return to Swakopmund. Full Day. FISH RIVER CANYON AND
LÜDERITZ
Early morning take off from the Swakopmund airfield, flight over the
Kuiseb riverbed as we head towards the highest shifting sand dunes in the world
at Sossusvlei. The colours and shadows of these gigantic mountains of sand
change by the hour from beige to rust-red to purple, dazzling the eye. We head
eastwards to Keetmanshoop where we refuel the aircraft and you will have a
chance to stretch your legs. Further flight towards the largest Canyon in
Africa, the Fish River Canyon. Landing at the Canyon, you will be driven to the
viewpoint where a spectacular view of the Canyon can be enjoyed. Lunch at the
Canyon lodge. The flight continues as below, but excludes the stop over in
Lüderitz.
OR
Flying low-level in the Canyon, our flight continues over the diamond-restricted
area towards the coastal town of Lüderitz. Landing in Lüderitz, you will enjoy a
guided city tour of this quaint town and visit Namibia’s most famous ghost town,
Kolmanskop. In 1908 a railway worker found the first diamond. This discovery was
the spark of a diamond rush. The development of Kolmanskop reached its pinnacle
in the twenties. However, when richer diamond deposits were discovered further
south, operations were moved to Oranjemund. Within a span of 40 years,
Kolmanskop
lived, flourished and died. Today the ghost town’s crumbling ruins bear little
resemblance to its former glory. Before we return to the airport, you will enjoy
a picnic lunch. Our return flight is along the desolate coast, passing the
shipwreck Otavi and Meob Bay . At Conception Bay we fly over the shipwreck of a
German passenger liner, Eduard Bohlen. Stranded in 1909, she now lies inland,
for the entire world as if she were sailing through the desert. Forthwith the
shipwreck of the fishing trawler, Shaunee, comes into sight. As we continue
northward we see the never-ending battle for supremacy between the sand and the
sea, as we pass the “Lange Wand”, a 500 feet high dune rising from the waters
edge. Nearing Sandwich Harbour, your pilot will ascend to 1500 feet. Sandwich
Harbour is a large saltwater lagoon and home to an incredible variety of bird
life and one of southern Africa’s greatest natural bird sanctuaries. From
Sandwich Harbour our flight takes us over the salt mines and Namibia’s major
harbour, Walvis Bay. Next we fly over the guano-collecting wooden platform,
where thousands of seabirds settle and leave their droppings. Periodically these
are scraped up and fertiliser results. As the town of Swakopmund comes into
sight, your pilot will prepare for landing.
2: Kuiseb Canyon & Shipwrecks - 1.5hr
Swakop, Kuiseb River & Canyon, Dunes, Diamond Camps, Shipwrecks,
Sandwich Bay, Walvis Bay & Swakopmund
3: Diamond Camps & Shipwrecks - 1.5hr
Swakop, Dunes, Diamond Camps, Edward Bohlen & Shaunee Shipwrecks,
Sandwich Bay, Sandwich Bay, Walvis Bay & Swakopmund
4: Namib Desert & Shipwreck - 1 hour
Swakop, Dunes, Shaunee Shipwreck, Sandwich Bay, Walvis Bay &
Swakopmund
5: Opuwo Ovahimba Day Excursion
Scenic flight inland past the Brandberg, Tabletop mountains to
Opuwo for your Himba Village experience. After lunch, return flight along the
Skeleton Coast
6: Skeleton Coast, Brandberg, Ugab – 2.3hr
Swakop, Brandberg & Ugab
riverbed, Skeleton Coast, Cape Cross, Salt Pans, Henties Bay & Swakopmund
OPTIONAL: Stop-over at Cape Cross: Seal Colony visit and Transfer: extra fee
7: Epupa - Ovahimba Day Excursion
Scenic flight over Damaraland, Kaokoland to Epupa. Guided Himba
Village visit, lunch and return flight along the Skeleton coast. (Stop over at
Opuwo for refuelling).
8: Fish River Canyon - Day Excursion
Swakopmund, Kuiseb Canyon, Sossusvlei, Fish River Canyon Nature
drive to the view point. Return flight over the Namib, via Luderitz (refuelling),
Via Skeleton Coast to Swakopmund
9: Lüderitz Day Excursion - including
Kolmanskop
Swakopmund, Kuiseb Canyon,
Sossusvlei, Lüderitz day stop. Return along the Skeleton Coast with the 3 most
visible shipwrecks, Sandwich Bay, Walvis Bay & Swakopmund
Please note: Flights from /to the
coast are subject to weather conditions.
we
overfly the forbidden Diamond area where remains of old diamond camps can still
be seen. Our flight continues over the ‘sea of sand’, approaching the shore at
Conception Bay. Soaring along the coastline we fly over the shipwreck of a
German passenger liner,
Eduard
Bohlen. Stranded in 1909, she now lies inland,
for the entire world as if she were sailing through the desert. Forthwith the
shipwreck of the fishing trawler, Shaunee, comes into sight. As we continue
northward we see the never-ending battle for supremacy between the sand and the
sea, as we pass the “Lange Wand”, a 500 feet high dune rising from the waters
edge. Nearing Sandwich Harbour, your pilot will ascend to 1500 feet. Sandwich
Harbour is a large saltwater lagoon and home to an incredible variety of bird
life and one of southern Africa’s greatest natural bird sanctuaries. From
Sandwich Harbour our flight takes us over the salt mines and Namibia’s major
harbour, Walvis Bay. Next we fly over the guano-collecting wooden platform,
where thousands of seabirds settle and leave their droppings. Periodically these
are scraped up and fertiliser results. The recreational resorts Dolphin Beach
and Long Beach are our next destination. As the town of Swakopmund comes into
sight, your pilot will prepare for landing. Duration: ± 2 hours 20 minutes.
Time
at leisure in Sossusvlei. When you are ready, transfer to the Sossusvlei lodge
for a light lunch. After lunch a transfer to the landing strip and we continue
our flight as described above. Duration: ± 1 hours 20 minutes.
famous for the rock painting known as the white lady. We reach the Ugab river
bed and fly along it as it meanders its way towards the coast. In the river bed,
keep a lookout for the desert elephants, ostrich, Oryx and other game. As we
near the coastline, the sand dunes form intriguing
ripple patterns, which give colour, texture
and a graphic quality to the dunes. Flying along the coast, you will come to
appreciate it as one of the globe’s last wilderness areas. Diamonds do occur
sporadically in limited quantities along the Skeleton Coast. We continue our
flight to Palgrave Point, the site of many dramatic sea rescues. We reach Cape
Cross, the largest seal colony in Africa, home to an estimated 250 000 seals.
for
the rock painting known as the white lady. We reach the Ugab river bed and fly
along it as it meanders its way towards the coast. In the river bed, keep a
lookout for the desert elephants, ostrich, Oryx and other game. As we near the
coastline, the sand dunes form intriguing ripple patterns, which give colour, texture
and a graphic quality to the dunes. Flying along the coast, you will come to
appreciate it as one of the globe’s last wilderness areas. Diamonds do occur
sporadically in limited quantities along the Skeleton Coast. We fly over the
best known of these terraces at Toscanini. From Toscanini we continue our flight
to Palgrave Point, the site of many dramatic sea rescues. As we overfly Cape
Cross, your pilot will prepare for landing. Transfer to the newly opened Cape
Cross Lodge. Enjoy a light lunch, with views of the turbulent Atlantic Ocean.
After lunch, transfer to the airfield and we continue our flight along the
coast, passing the holiday town of Henties Bay, renowned for recreational
fishing, Wlotskasbaken and the saltworks, returning to Swakopmund. Half day.
it
possible for you to visit the Ovahimba tribe. It is hard to grasp that these
proud people still live as they did hundreds of years ago, sticking to their ancient beliefs and traditions. The
Kaokoland belongs to its inhabitants and it is only right to show respect for
their way of living and their traditions. The “kraal” consists of simple huts
that are built of Mopane branches, mud and dung. Cattle mean life to the
Ovahimba, and play an important role in ceremonies and rituals. Brides are paid
for with cattle and the death of a chief demands slaughtering of the finest
animals. The women have an unusual sculptural beauty, enhanced by intricate
hairstyles and jewellery, which is made of twisted copper, small iron beads,
shells and bones threaded on thin strings of leather. When you are ready, we
return to the guest house where a light lunch is served. After lunch, transfer
to the landing strip and we continue our flight via the Hoarusib river bed. We
follow the river bed as it meanders its way to the coastline. Low-level flight
along the treacherous Skeleton Coast with its remains of shipwrecks passing the,
diamond mine at Toscanini, the seal reserve at Cape Cross and the coastal town
of Henties Bay on our return to Swakopmund. Full Day.
Kolmanskop
lived, flourished and died. Today the ghost town’s crumbling ruins bear little
resemblance to its former glory. Before we return to the airport, you will enjoy
a picnic lunch. Our return flight is along the desolate coast, passing the
shipwreck Otavi and Meob Bay . At Conception Bay we fly over the shipwreck of a
German passenger liner, Eduard Bohlen. Stranded in 1909, she now lies inland,
for the entire world as if she were sailing through the desert. Forthwith the
shipwreck of the fishing trawler, Shaunee, comes into sight. As we continue
northward we see the never-ending battle for supremacy between the sand and the
sea, as we pass the “Lange Wand”, a 500 feet high dune rising from the waters
edge. Nearing Sandwich Harbour, your pilot will ascend to 1500 feet. Sandwich
Harbour is a large saltwater lagoon and home to an incredible variety of bird
life and one of southern Africa’s greatest natural bird sanctuaries. From
Sandwich Harbour our flight takes us over the salt mines and Namibia’s major
harbour, Walvis Bay. Next we fly over the guano-collecting wooden platform,
where thousands of seabirds settle and leave their droppings. Periodically these
are scraped up and fertiliser results. As the town of Swakopmund comes into
sight, your pilot will prepare for landing.
