Daily Departures, except from September 6th thru November 1st when the resort is closed

  Few areas of the world are as unusual and stimulating as the wilderness of Namibia. The country takes its name from the oldest desert in the world, the Namib, which lies along a coast that touches the world's coldest ocean. This unique combination produces ecology found nowhere else.

Our longest flying safari of Namibia covers the Skeleton Coast, the great Namib desert including the world's highest dunes at Sossusvlei, and the southern coast and the northern border with Angola.

To accomplish so much requires a flying safari, but on no day will you feel rushed. There are Land Rovers waiting even during lunch touchdowns to make excursions into fascinating places along the way. Flying over Namibia is the best way to see it. The great dunes, endless landscapes and unending desert can only be truly grasped from high in the air.

The prices include: ** A Pilot/Safari Guide who stays with you throughout and manages the entire program; ** Meals as detailed in brackets following each day's description below; ** Private airplane that travels with you on your time frame from start to finish; ** All park entrance fees, VAT and other government taxes; ** Comprehensive pre-trip material with discount coupons for travel gear and equipment. Additional expenses not included: - Meals not included; - Some beverages; - Requisite visas and other travel preparations like inoculations; - Tipping.

Contact EWT for the best international air fares and for recommendations on how to use your frequent flyer miles.

When you arrive you will be personally met and privately transferred to the Kalahari Sands Hotel, the only luxury hotel in downtown Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. The rest of the day is free, although your representative will be available to assist with additional sightseeing.  [no meals]

Around 6 a.m. you will depart your hotel to meet your pilot and guide and board your private aircraft for the morning flight to Namib-Naukluft National Park. This area, the world's oldest desert, the Namib. is a place of superlatives. In the park, you will travel by Landrover to Sossusvlei where the world's highest sand dunes are found. Those feeling fit enough can try to climb (at least part way) the 1,000' high dunes. From here you travel to a Classic Camp for lunch. In the afternoon, you will explore the wilderness around the camp by vehicle, learn about the desert and the remarkable wildlife and plant life that survive here. Dinner and overnight in camp.  [ -l-d]

After breakfast, you fly to the coastal town of Luderitz where vehicles collect you for a day exploring Namibia's southern coast. You'll tour the fishing community of Luderitz with its ghost town relics at Kolmanskop and diamond mining plants of the early German pioneers. You will also visit the nearby "forbidden coast" with its impressive fur seal colony. A lunch of local fare will be served at a popular town restaurant before flying to Sossusvlei in the late afternoon. The flight passes over Spencer Bay with its picturesque Otavi shipwreck, seals basking on rocky slopes, penguins and other birdlife. This is possibly the most desolate, but compelling part, of the Skeleton Coast. You land before sunset and travel back to the Classic Camp for dinner and overnight.  [b-l-d]

After breakfast it's a short flight to Swakopmund on the Skeleton Coast. Here the plane touches down for refueling before heading into the far north. You continue flying at lower level along the Skeleton Coast where you'll glimpse many old wrecks caused by the extremely turbulent seas. You set down for a picnic lunch near the Cape Cross seal colony. In the afternoon, the flight continues over the Ugab formations, a nearly lifeless moon landscape of black ridges in stark contrast to the white desert floor. A short while later, the plane lands in the Huab Valley for dinner and overnight in a Classic Camp. Time permitting you will take a guided walk to some ancient rock engravings in the rocks close to camp.  [b-l-d]

The morning is spent exploring the Huab Valley by Land Rover and foot. This area of colorful red and yellow sandstone is a good place for your guide to introduce you to the ecological features of Skeleton Coast with its peculiar diversity of flora and fauna. After lunch in camp, you fly north. The flight sets down briefly at Terrace Bay in the Skeleton Coast National Park. Funneled into this beach is unusual beach debris including a remarkable variety of stones. This is also where the most prominent shipwrecks are found. In the afternoon, you will continue flying to a Classic Camp for dinner and overnight in the Hoarusib Valley.  [b-l-d]

Part of the morning is spent exploring the Hoarusib Valley home to the nomadic Himba people. On occasion, the safari also encounters the desert-dwelling elephant that frequent the valley. You will board the aircraft again to continue further north along the coast. The flight puts down near the Kaiu Maru shipwreck. In addition, there are pieces from other old sailing vessels. Land Rovers and guides meet you for the drive through the mountains and dunes of the Hartmann Valley to the Classic Camp for dinner and overnight. The Kunene River demarcates the border between Namibia and Angola.  [b-l-d]

This morning you will take a boat trip on the Kunene River. The river flows through scenic desert landscapes and has a wealth of bird life and many crocodiles. Following lunch in camp, you will fly back to Windhoek arriving in the early evening. You'll be personally met and taken to the Kalahari Sands Hotel for your overnight.  [b-l- ]

After breakfast you will be personally transferred to the airport for your departure.  [b- - ]
CM