Skeleton Coast
Flying Safari, Namibia
An air safari at 'see' level
The Skeleton Coast is a desolate region in north-west Namibia of rare beauty, with jagged mountains, endless sand dunes and a coastline that is almost impossible to access by any means other than air. The breathtaking landscapes, silence, tranquility and solitude is its great appeal, but the rare desert flora and fauna inhabiting the region underlines how unique it is.
Your ‘once in a lifetime’ three night flying safari over the length of the unforgiving Skeleton Coast offers expert commentary along the way and a birds-eye view of the shipwrecks that remain along the coast, the diverse and ever-changing geological formations and the refuges of desert-dwelling animals.
Each trip is escorted by one of four brothers of the Schoeman family, who have been operating safaris in Namibia for over 20 years. They grew up in the desert and with their late father, Louw, were instrumental in formulating the Skeleton Coast’s protection as a national park. They use light aircraft flying low to maximise the breathtaking views as they hop between remote beaches and private airstrips. Your pilot also acts as your driver and expert guide. When not flying over shipwrecks, dunes, and seal colonies, on the ground you will explore in a modified Land Rover and on foot.
You will spend every night in a different area, sleeping in dome tents at tiny permanent camps in Damaraland, the Hoarusib River Valley and on the lush banks of the Kunene River on Namibia’s remote border with Angola. You will have proper beds, hot bucket showers and usually dine by candlelight under the stars – invariably with excellent food, fine wine and lively conversation.
You will love
- Surreal Desertscapes
- Bird’s-eye view
- Sand dunes & rock formations
- Angolan border & Kunene River
- Ancient Bushman rock engravings & interaction with the nomadic Himba people
- Privileged access & knowledge
Let us design your perfect itinerary.
4 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS
PLEASE NOTE
The Schoemans offer this three night itinerary as the core safari. They can extend the flying adventure by one to two nights or even add regions such as the dunes of the Sossusvlei and Etosha National Park. Please contact us to discuss the options.
DAY 1 | HUAB RIVER VALLEY
Arrive and meet at Eros Airport in Windhoek at 10 a.m. for departure to the Skeleton Coast via Conception Bay. The Kuiseb Canyon and adjoining red dunes are a spectacular view from the air. The flight includes an aerial view of the famous Eduard Bohlen shipwreck at Conception Bay.
After landing and refuelling at Swakopmund, continue with a low-level flight north along the Skeleton Coast past the seal colony at Cape Cross for a light picnic lunch near the beach. After lunch, cross the desert by aircraft to the Ugab formations, a nearly lifeless ‘moon landscape’ of numerous black ridges in stark contrast to the white desert floor. From here, proceed to Kuidas Camp in the Huab River Valley where you will stay for the night. Ancient rock engravings are found amongst the rocks within walking distance of the camp.
DAY 2 | HOARUSIB VALLEY
After breakfast, depart by Land Rover to explore the colourful red lava and yellow sandstone of the Huab River environs and to be introduced to the ecological aspects of this area with its wide diversity of flora and fauna. This includes the Welwitschia Mirabilis, a tree that has been dwarfed by the rigours of the encroaching desert climate. Have lunch at Kuidas camp before flying along the coast to Terrace Bay in the Skeleton Coast Park. The most prominent shipwrecks along this part of the coast are the Montrose and Henrietta.
At the coast you will access the roaring dunes by Land Rover, which always proves to be a stimulating experience. We also visit the beach with its profusion of multicoloured pebbles consisting of agate, lava, granite and quartz. Interesting to see are old bleached whale bones scattered along the beach above the high-tide mark. Return to the aircraft and continue north to Leylandsdrift Camp in the Hoarusib Valley in the Kunene Region, where you will stay for the night.
DAY 3 | KUNENE RIVER
After breakfast embark on a scenic drive along the Hoarusib Valley to visit a settlement of the nomadic Himba people. You might be lucky enough to come across the desert-dwelling elephant who frequent this valley. From here, continue north along the Skeleton Coast by aircraft to the Kunene River acting as a border to Angola. The Kaiu Maru shipwreck and pieces from old sailing vessels lie scattered along this part of the coast. From the airfield take a scenic drive by Land Rover to a favourite lunch site. After lunch, continue through the mountains and dunes of the Hartmann Valley – which extends to the Kunene River – reaching Kunene River Camp in the late afternoon.
DAY 4 | END OF SAFARI
An early morning boat trip on the Kunene River as it flows through scenic desert landscape, observing bird life and possibly some crocodiles. Birds vary from aquatic species on the perennial waters, to endemic desert varieties and those that inhabit dense riverine vegetation. After lunch at camp, fly back to Eros Airport in Windhoek, arriving in the late afternoon.
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