Namibia Fly-In Highlights Tour - 6 Days

Highlights

• Fly around Namibia, stopping at national parks and ancient deserts
• Spot lions, leopards, elephants, and more on safari in Etosha National Park
• Soar over the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei in a hot-air balloon

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Windhoek, Visit Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary

Welcome to Namibia! This country offers all the wildlife sightseeing adventures you'd expect from Africa—plus some of the continent's most interesting natural landmarks. With the help of air transport (including a hot-air balloon), you'll be able to hit the highlights in a mere six days.

It begins right away with your arrival in Windhoek, the nation's capital. On the ride to your hotel, you'll notice right off that the city has a distinctly European feel, which is due to its German colonial legacy. After checking in, you'll meet your driver and head over to the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary (known as N/a'an ku sê in the local Juǀʼhoan dialect). 

This conservation effort and sanctuary is dedicated spans over 7,907 acres (3,200 ha) of diverse landscapes, including savannas, bushlands, and grasslands. The sanctuary focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating injured, orphaned, and conflict animals, which visitors can observe while touring the area. Common animals at the sanctuary include big cats like lions and leopards, primates like baboons and vervet monkeys, as well as various birds, including raptors like eagles and owls.

Day 2: Fly to Etosha National Park, Afternoon Game Drive

Rise and shine! This morning, you'll return to the airport and board a small plane for the one-hour flight north to Etosha National Park. Namibia's premier wildlife sanctuary is Located in the Kunene region and spans 8,600 square miles (22,270 sq km). It's one of Africa's largest national parks, celebrated for its diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and shimmering salt pans. The park's wooded savannas and open plains offer excellent wildlife viewing year-round, and it's a prime spot for safaris.

Speaking of which, after dropping off your bags at your accommodation, you'll set out on an afternoon safari game drive. Etosha is one of Namibia's top safari destinations due to its many spring-fed waterholes, which offer supreme wildlife sightings, especially during the dry season when animals congregate around these vital water sources. During the safari, look out for plains game like gazelles and antelopes, as well as big cats, colorful birdlife, and even endangered black rhinos. Return to your lodge after the drive for a delicious bush dinner prepared over an open fire.

Day 3: Transfer to Ongava, Afternoon Game Drive

It's another early start as you hop in a vehicle for the short journey from Etosha to neighboring Ongava. At 125 square miles (323 sq km), this is one of the largest private game reserves in Namibia. Once here, you'll hop in an open-topped safari vehicle for another thrilling game drive. Over a few hours of cruising the plains and woodlands, you'll witness an astonishing variety of wildlife. These include lions, black and white rhinos, elephants, giraffes, and several species of antelope, including the rare black-faced impala. Afterward, you'll transfer to a nature lodge in Ongava, where you'll overnight.

Day 4: Fly to Sossusvlei, Sunset Dunes Drive

Return to the airstrip this morning and board a flight south to Sossusvlei. Arguably Namibia's most famous natural attraction, this red desert clay pan is located within Namib-Naukluft National Park. At 19,215 square miles (49,768 sq km), it's the largest conservation area in the country.

Among other wonders, it's home to the iconic red dunes of Namibia, which are a photographer's dream. These distinctive dunes rise up to 1,300 feet (400 m), making them some of the highest in the world. They're particularly attractive around sunrise and sunset.

Upon arrival, you'll transfer to a desert lodge, where you'll spend the night. In the afternoon, you'll meet your driver/guide for a three-hour ride around the dunes and nearby canyons, stopping to do some nature photography. This memorable experience culminates at sunset when the dunes change color in the fading light. Afterward, you'll return to the lodge in time for dinner.

Day 5: Sossusvlei Tour with Picnic Lunch

Get ready for an off-the-beaten-track adventure through Sossusvlei. This full-day tour begins after breakfast when you meet your driver/guide and hop in a 4WD vehicle rugged enough to handle the desert back roads. You'll drive around the national park, stopping at landmarks like petrified dunes, plus take short hikes to do some wildlife spotting. Your expert guide will point out exotic desert specimens like scorpions, lizards, and snakes. A highlight of midday is stopping for a picnic lunch in the shade of one of Africa's iconic camel thorn trees. You'll arrive back at the lodge around 4 pm.

Day 6: Morning Balloon Safari, Transfer to Windhoek, Depart

The grand finale to this African adventure is a real showstopper, as you'll wake early for a dawn hot-air balloon ride. It begins with the transfer to the launch site in the desert. There, you'll hop in the basket and take to the skies, enjoying sunrise views of the iconic red dunes of Sossusvlei. Waiting for you back on terra firma is a champagne breakfast, during which you can toast the flight and your epic journey through Namibia. Afterward, you'll transfer back to Windhoek by vehicle and catch your flight home. Until next time!

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