Soaring over Sossusvlei
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Port
Walvis Bay, Namibia
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$2399
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Depart the quayside and transfer to Swakopmund Airstrip for a two-hour-and-ten-minute scenic flight over the Namib Desert. The total distance covered by air is about 400 miles. You'll experience low-level flying over the Desert Ecological Research Unit, Gobabeb, founded in 1959, and Tsondab Vlei, the only known breeding area of the lappet-faced vulture in southern Namibia.
Fly over the mighty Namib Desert towards Sossusvlei — the tallest shifting sand dunes in the world. 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.
From Sossusvlei, you'll fly into the Diamond Restricted Area, over the remains of three former diamond camps. Cross the coastline at Conception Bay to skirt colonies of Cape fur seals and the shipwreck of the passenger liner Eduard Bohlen, stranded in 1909, 250 yards from the shore. Further along the coast lies another shipwreck, the Shaunee, stranded in 1976.
Along the coast, with the Atlantic surf on the one side and the Namib Dunes on the other, you'll reach Sandwich Harbour — a wetland of international importance protected by the Ramsar Convention. The highest recorded density of lesser and greater flamingos was here at low tide, with 7,791 birds per square kilometer. In harmony with the surroundings, you will find Namibia's coastal salt mines, south of Walvis Bay, attracting thousands of birds. Walvis Bay, Namibia's major harbor town and a former enclave of South Africa, was incorporated into Namibia in 1994. On returning to Swakopmund Airstrip, you will transfer back to the harbor.
Notes:
There will be no midpoint landings; however, photo opportunities from the air are numerous. Bring your video camera. Tour operates weather permitting. There is no air-conditioning or restroom on board the aircraft. Namibia is a developing country and, although visiting here is a rewarding experience, it differs markedly from South Africa in all respects. Although basic, transportation is maintained, but the quality can vary considerably. The transfer vehicle is built for durability, and the step-up into it is higher than that of a standard coach. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. The pilot alone decides if weather conditions are suitable for flightseeing. If the flight is canceled due to weather conditions, you will receive a full refund. The pilot decides where each guest sits based on weight and balance requirements; parties may be separated. Mobility devices of any kind cannot be brought onto the aircraft. Bags cannot be taken on the flight; a secure location is provided for storing personal items. iPads, iPad minis, tablets, drones, and selfie sticks, or other extendable items are not permitted. For optimal photography and views, wear darker-colored clothing to reduce window reflections. Participants must be able to (dis)embark the aircraft unassisted.