Flying high in the desert

Skeleton Coast National Park begins in the south with the Uqab River and runs roughly 500km north to the Kunene River. Splendid in its seeming emptiness and littered with shipwrecks and seal colonies, this is where the vast expanse of the desert meets the often treacherous swells of the Atlantic. Its coastline is characterised by a dense sea fog formed by a scorched desert heat tempered by cold sea air, which has led many a ship to its demise. No wonder the local San people refer to the region as “the land God made in anger”.

Currently, there are five privately guided fly-in itineraries, with some flexibility around budget depending on the season. Emphasising remote and exclusive adventure, the Schoemans’s camp setups are basic in comfort, only accessible by plane, and measure luxury by wide open spaces and the freedom of flying. Note that a Shoeman flying safari is easily tied into either a bigger Namibian itinerary or even into a multi-country trip, combining with the likes of neighbouring Botswana and South Africa.

Beginning at Eros airport in Windhoek, and using a low-level flying light aircraft to transport visitors from one area to the next, the Skeleton Coast Safari makes its way north, flying over the Kuiseb Canyon and the famous Eduard Bohlen shipwreck at Conception Bay, before heading north past the seal colony at Cape Cross, then cross the desert by air to the lunar-like landscapes of the Ugab formations. At selected landing spots, some in otherwise inaccessible areas, travellers explore the coast and further inland by vehicle or foot.

Huab River Valley

The first of the camps, Kuidas, is in the lower reaches of the Huab River in Damaraland, a land characterised by the red lava and yellow sandstone of the Huab River Valley. Ancient rock carvings and fascinating geological formations are found within walking distance of the camp. During the day, expect desert excursions with (fingers-crossed) lucky sightings of desert-adapted elephant, brown hyena, and lion. At night, experience some of the best star gazing in Namibia. Afterwhich, fly to Terrace Bay for the Montrose and Henrietta shipwrecks and onto the roaring dunes and nearby beach, complete with old bleached whalebones.

Hoarusib Valley

Situated at the heart of the journey, the second camp, Leylandsdrift, is located on a confluence of seasonal valley rivers in the Hoarusib Valley in Kaokoland. Regarded by many as one of the last truly intact wildernesses, Kaokoland is a dream for travellers wanting a more challenging adventure across difficult terrain. It’s wild and much greener, with thriving valleys such as Hartmann Valley, which extends to the Kunene River. The famous Kaiu Maru shipwreck and pieces from old sailing vessels lie scattered along this section of the coast.

Kunene Region

The third, Kunene River, is on the very northwestern border of the country, in Kunene. Rarely visited, the region is a unique combination of desert and wetland and is home to the semi-nomadic Himba people, who move between Namibia and Angola with their cattle. Its isolated valleys, mountains, and dotted scrublands are something of an adventure playground and easily explored by vehicle or foot. Camp is on the banks of the Kunene River, home to Nile crocodile and prolific birdlife.

Skilled at flying low and with decades of experience, the Schoeman brothers can land their planes in unimaginable places, and each spot along this journey brings something different and extraordinary with it. While a flying safari might not be the most favoured choice for first-timers, it sure is an experience we love to design for those travellers after a new perspective on the classic safari, 100 feet or so above the ground.

Any questions, please get in touch with our exploration team to chat about a flying safari in Namibia or how we can design a bigger itinerary to include NamibRand and Etosha National Park.