Meet Katja & Carien, allow us to plan your trip!
Desert Air Africa Safaris
- Located In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2019)
- Member Of:
- NTB & TASA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $240 to $1,829 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
FR
Email Chris | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Helpful, competent and accommodating. Much rarer then you might think!
We only had 8 nights to spend in Namibia. The itinerary suggested was great and when we asked for a couple of tweaks they were accommodated without fuss.
From being greeted and waved off at the airport, to the quick WhatsApp responses and handy printed itinerary we always felt like we knew what we were doing and where we were going. We’ve been on several trips in Africa where the next day and even the next hour fet uncertain. Not so on this trip.
To top it off we had great safari experiences, good driving conditions and some wonderful hiking
Reply from Desert Air Africa Safaris
Posted on Mar 4, 2025Dear Chris,
Thank you so much for trusting Desert Africa Safaris to host you in our beautiful country on a luxury self-drive safari. Thanks for writing this glowing review. We feel very humbled and are looking forward to hosting you again in future.
Best regards,
Katja & the Desert Africa Safaris Team
Email Chris and Amy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Without a doubt, the best tour operator we've ever utilized worldwide.
We've very frequent travelers, and have been to 94 countries, and multiple trips to Africa. I had originally contacted Desert Air Safaris to arrange for private charter flights. I was contacted by Carien Rall Swanepoel, and she offered to make all our arrangements. Carien and the staff of Desert Air Safaris were without a doubt the most professional travel consultants we have ever utilized. Carien arranged our trip with military precision, and made great suggestions that we would surely have missed without her advice. She literally met us at the airport upon our arrival in Namibia. That alone is a testament to her dedications to customer service.
If you love Africa (and we do) I can't recommend enough the many advantages of a private air charter for your travels. First and foremost, you're not limited on luggage. Secondly, there is no time wasted on commercial flights. We were able to visit four countries (Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe) with only 15 days in Africa. This would have been impossible using commercial flights. Upon arrival at each airport we were quickly escorted through security and customs. Carien arranged for seamless transfers to our lodges. Even crossing the border at Victoria Falls was arranged in advance, and our guides (Zambia side) literally handed us off to their counterpart in Zimbabwe.
Flying with Desert Air Safaris is a treat upon itself. The pilots were wonderful, and getting to know them was part of the fun of our trip. We started our tour at the &Beyond Desert Lodge, then to Fish River Canyon, Moremi Mountain Camp, Shipwreck Lodge, then on to Little Ongava at Etosha. From there to Chobe Lodge in Botswana, and then to the Royal Livingstone Hotel adjoining Victoria Falls. Our pilots accompanied us along the entire trip.
We're already talking about our next adventure in Africa, and we will surely be using Carien Rall Swanepoel for all travel arrangements and those wonderful pilots of Desert Air Safaris.
DE
Email Ben | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A flawless experience start to final
We (familiy) did a 16 day flight safary with Desert Air Namibia that proved to be a dream holyday from start to final. Planning was well in advance, but Namibia is heavily booked - at least the very fine resorts that were on our bucket list. It needed a bit of flexibility and amendment we were assisted in with some smart changes suggested that made it work. The time in Namibia was pre-arranged perfectly, and it went perfectly. Doing all the hot places in relatively short time was not trivial in planning, but we saw everything we wanted - going from Windhoek to Etosha to Damaraland to Kaokoland to Purros to Swakobmund and Walfish Bay to Fish River Canyon to Lüderitz to Sossuvlei. All the lodges were cool, but the friendlyness and attentiveness of all people we met surpassed it all. Going by plane (Cessna 210, pilot+4) is not the cheapest way to go, but sure the best if you want to see a bit more of this quite big country without sitting in a 4x4 all day. All our family member agreed that this was a vacation you think of for quite a while.
As for Desert Air Africa Safaris, it´s a pro Air Service provider with airplanes in good shape and professional pilots (I am a private pilot for 30 years myself, so it is fair for me to judge). Our pilot took care of everything you can think of and conducted pleasurable rides all along. Besides, he was a cool and fun guy we had a good time with. Mrs. Rall, responsible for all planning (and obviously for monitoring her clients when on the way and arranging for nothing to go wrong and making sure that for ex. items we forgot in a lodge surfaced a couple day later in another one) definitely knows her job very well and obviously loves it ;-).
Bottom line: This was my first vacation ever I wrote a note to the tour operator (re. Mrs. Rall) after it was finished to assert our satisfaction. And once we will consider Botswana I know whom to call.
AT
Email Nina | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The flying safari Tour we did with Desert Air Africa was the best holiday we ever spent.
The Organisation of our 3 weeks holiday was very professional and I am glad that Carien was so patient with me as I had several special requests. We had a highly competent pilot who brought us to beautiful places. We will never forget that time! Thank you Desert Air!
CH
Email Lilly Geiser Arber | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Book with Desert Air Africa Safaris your trip to Namibia or Botsuana!! Very to recommend!
Mrs Katja Schneider from Desert Air Africa Safaris organized our wonderful trip to Namibia and Botsuana. All the organisation was just perfect. All our wishes what to discover during this trip became trough, thank you Katja. We will for sure book the next trip again together with you!!
Email Greg Lightfoot | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Two Aussies Abroad
First time to Namibia.
First time doing a Father and Son Self Drive Safari.
Katya from Desert Air Africa Safari's was excellent in packaging up our individual requirements and adding her personal touches.
The drive through Okonjima Plains, Mushara, and Waterberg was eyewatering. Out of the Big 5 we managed to see 4 - Lion, Leopard, Elephant and Rhinoceros up close and Personal. Unfortunately the Buffalo were in the protected area of Waterberg Plateau and not accessible.
In addition there were many other local animals, Cheetahs, Springboks, Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe, and a multitude of other fascinating species, big and small, interacting in their natural environment.
All tours at each site was very well executed - couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Would I recommend doing a Self Drive Safari - Too right I would.
Would I recommend doing a Self Drive Safari with Desert Air Africa Safari - Most Definitely, just ask for Katya.
CH
Email Elodie Connor | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic service and tour organized
Desert air Africa has organized for us an amazing flying safaris. They made it really catered to our needs while we were travelling with two children and very much listened to what we wanted to do. They have been very flexible and responsive.
NL
Email Marlaine | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Personal and helpful
Carien was very open to my wishes of what to include in my trip and made some great suggestions as well. My request was quite short notice but that wasn’t a problem whatsoever. She was very responsive at all times whenever l had a question. Text messages were clear and not ambiguous, as can be the case sometimes when texting. A satellite phone was arranged right before my safari began, and everything went smoothly, without any stress. She really thought along with me throughout my trip, almost as a friend would do. The price l paid for not having to worry about practicalities was well worth it. The hotels and lodges Carien was able to book for me so close to the date were exquisite, trips and excursions were breathtaking, and the restaurants suggested were very good as well. Carien is friendly, sincere and smart, a real treasure. l highly recommend her for your safari in Namibia!
IT
Email Stefano | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Desert Air Africa Safaris is an excellent partner to visit Namibia
Attention to details
Very well planned activities
High level of accomodation facilities
Constant caring along the whole trip
Definitely the tour operator to pick if you want to visit Namibia at the best possible level
Carien is a superstar travel planner and assistant
Email Nancy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Etosha National Park Self-drive tour
Our family trip to Etosha National Park was amazing, and Desert Air Africa Safaris planned a great itinerary for us travelling from Windhoek to Etosha and back. We had a limited about of time, but we were able to see everything we hoped to. We were rented a Toyota Hilux, which was ideal for navigating the bumpy side roads in Etosha, and the dual fuel tank meant we only had to fill up once mid-trip. On the way, we stopped at Mount Etjo Safari Lodge. We really liked the stonework, wood, and tile decor, and the kids saw a hippo on the pond. The food was good, and the carnivore feeding tour and wildlife tour were some of our favorite activities of the trip. Our favorite place we stayed near Etosha was Taleni Etosha Village. The cottages were clean and comfortable, and we all enjoyed the many game options at dinner. Another highlight of our trip was Waterberg Wilderness Lodge. We were only there for one night on the way back to the airport, but we were amazed by the rhino tour there. Etosha National Park was everything we dreamed it would be. If we ever get the opportunity to come back, we definitely will, and this self-drive tour is an ideal way to do it. Highly recommend.
