Namibia Fly-In Safaris

A fly-in safari involves travelling between destinations by small aircraft instead of driving. It allows you to cover large distances quickly while enjoying breathtaking aerial views. Namibia rewards this more than most countries: the highlights sit hundreds of kilometres apart, and the ground between them is largely gravel, so a leg that costs most of a day by road takes well under an hour in the air. What you gain is time in the places themselves rather than time getting to them. Our fly-in itineraries run from seven to fourteen days.

Fly-in safaris in Namibia are very safe, operated by experienced pilots and reputable charter companies with high safety standards. Pilots on these routes fly them constantly and know the strips, the weather patterns and the terrain. If you would like the wider picture on getting to and around the country, our guide to air travel to Namibia covers it.

Due to aircraft limitations, luggage is usually restricted to soft bags of around 15–20 kg per person. Hard suitcases are generally not permitted — a soft bag can be packed into the shape of the hold, a rigid case cannot. The exact allowance depends on the aircraft and the route, so we confirm it in writing with your itinerary rather than leaving you to guess. If you are carrying camera equipment, tell us early and we will check it against the specific legs you are flying.

Yes, especially for shorter trips or luxury travellers. It significantly reduces travel time and provides access to remote lodges that are otherwise difficult to reach. The shorter your trip, the more the arithmetic favours flying: on a week in Namibia, driving can absorb a third of your days. Our 7-Day Desert, Dune & Wildlife and 8-Day Namibia in Style show what a short trip looks like when the transfers are flown. If you are still deciding how long to come for, see how many days you need in Namibia.

Popular fly-in destinations include Sossusvlei, Damaraland, and Etosha National Park, as well as more remote regions like the Skeleton Coast. The further north and west you go, the stronger the case for flying — those are the areas where the road option costs you days rather than hours. Our guide to the best fly-in safari lodges in Namibia covers where you would actually stay.

Yes, all activities such as game drives, nature walks, and excursions are hosted by expert lodge guides once you arrive. The difference from a guided safari is that your guide changes with each camp rather than travelling the whole route with you, so you get someone who knows that particular reserve intimately.

Absolutely. Many travellers combine fly-in with self-drive or guided sections for a more diverse and flexible itinerary. A common shape is to drive the south, where the roads are straightforward and the distances manageable, then fly the remote north. Our 14-Day Drive & Fly Photographic Safari is built exactly that way.

Six, from a week to a fortnight:

• 7-Day Namibia Desert, Dune & Wildlife — Sossusvlei, the Skeleton Coast and Onguma
• 8-Day Namibia in Style — andBeyond Sossusvlei, Camp Kipwe and Onguma The Fort
• 10-Day Highlights of Namibia — Wilderness Kulala, Shipwreck, Hoanib Valley and Onguma
• 10-Day Namibia Honeymoon — Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Damaraland and Ongava
• 12-Day Namibia in Style — adding Serra Cafema and Okonjima’s leopard country
• 14-Day Drive & Fly Photographic — the Kalahari and Lüderitz by road, the north by air

Not sure which fits? Tell us your dates and we will match one to them.