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Namibia Fly-in Safaris

4.6/5  –  222 Namibia Reviews

Namibia is a big, beautiful country, and there’s no better way to get around than by flying into your first destination, then flying between the rest. The decision of whether to fly is about both the convenience of your trip and how best to enjoy it. Flying means that you save traveling time (which leaves more time for experiencing the places you came so far to see) when compared to getting around by road. A fly-in safari also enables you to enjoy Namibia’s amazing scenery from above, with one incredible view unfolding after another. Yes, a fly-in safari can be expensive. But it will be an experience of a lifetime.

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1-17 of 17 fly-in safaris to Namibia

7 Questions About Namibia Fly-in Safaris

 
 

7 Questions About Namibia Fly-in Safaris

Answered by Anthony Ham

Are fly-in tours recommended in Namibia?

“Fly-in safaris are among the best ways to explore Namibia. This is a very big country, with long distances between many of the attractions. To make the most of your holiday time, flying allows you to minimize the time you spend getting between places and maximize how long you spend in each destination itself. It also allows you to enjoy fabulous views of the country as you travel around. Another advantage of a Namibia fly-in safari is that it can take you to places that you couldn’t otherwise reach. Some tented camps, protected areas and remote landscapes (especially in the country’s north and northwest) cannot be reached by road. By flying into a remote airstrip, you’re able to add experiences that very few travelers get to enjoy.”

1

Do I need to charter a plane on a fly-in safari in Namibia?

“It’s unlikely that you will need to charter your own plane, as flying arrangements are usually taken care of by your tour operator or the accommodation where you’re flying. Although small, these planes often carry travelers and safari workers between accommodations and towns, so you may share the plane journey with others. If you’re on a private Namibia fly-in safari, you may have a very small plane to yourself, but it’s highly unlikely that you will need to charter the plane yourself. You will, of course, need to pay for your seat on the plane (or perhaps the whole plane for a private safari). These prices are included in the quoted price for most safari packages, especially for fly-in safaris, but always ask what’s included in any quote.”

2

What are the luggage restrictions on a fly-in trip in Namibia?

“Most internal or charter flights in Namibia are on very small planes and most of these impose strict limits on how much luggage you can bring. It can vary from one air company to the next, but on most such flights you won’t be allowed to take more than one suitcase or backpack of 15kg/33lb, plus one piece of carry-on baggage. These restrictions catch out many travelers who arrive in Namibia on international airlines that allow checked-in baggage to weigh at least 20kg/44lb, and sometimes even up to 30kg/66lb. If you arrive in the country with a suitcase weighing more than 15kg/33lb, your tour operator will be able to arrange for some of your luggage to be stored. Remember, however, that if your entire time in Namibia is part of a fly-in safari, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to carry any of the overweight items with you anywhere, in which case you’re better off traveling light in the first place.”

3

Are the small aircraft used in Namibia safe and reliable?

“Safaris involving flights in Namibia are overwhelmingly safe. Most companies operating fly-in safaris have good safety records: many of the pilots who’ll fly you around have decades of experience and planes are modern and well maintained. Tourism is a major income earner for Namibia and everyone involved in the industry understands the importance of the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s safest destinations. For that reason alone, ensuring that your safari is low-risk is taken very seriously. While no form of travel can ever be guaranteed to be completely safe, getting around by plane is both reliable and wonderfully scenic.”

4

Can I take photos from the air on a fly-in trip?

“Yes, you can, and the results are often magnificent. When boarding the aircraft for your trip, make sure that you have your camera or phone in your hand. There’s nothing worse than discovering that it’s in the suitcase at the back of the plane at a time when you can’t take off your seatbelt and get up from your seat. Most flights on small planes in Namibia do not have allocated seats: you usually take the best available seat when you board. Before getting on the plane, ask the pilot which side of the aircraft will have the best views as you fly and try to get a window seat as you board. It may not make any difference (the views may be just as good on both sides), but it might. Try to avoid sitting right above the wing, as this can obstruct your view. Remember also that plane windows cannot be opened, so avoid any particularly dirty windows if possible!”

5

What is the typical cost of a fly-in safari in Namibia?

“Fly-in safaris can be expensive. Flying is easily the most expensive way to get around, and if you take a number of flights on your trip and stay in luxury accommodation when you’re on dry land, the costs can quickly add up. Prices for fly-in safari packages can also vary depending on how many days you’ll be spending on the ground between flights, the length of your safari, and whether you’re on a private or group safari. Even if you’re on a private fly-in safari, you may share an aircraft with other travelers as you move between destinations. With such variables, any attempt at estimating the cost can never be truly accurate. But as a starting point, expect to pay a minimum of US$500 per person per day for your Namibia fly-in safari, although most such trips cost closer to US$1000 per person per day, more if you’re on a private safari and have the plane just for you.”

6

Can I combine flying and driving between destinations?

“Most safari tour operators will happily arrange a mixture of flying and driving between destinations. It’s a good way to travel. It will significantly reduce the cost when compared to a trip where you’re only flying from one place to the next. More than that, it’s a wonderful combination that enables you to enjoy a holiday with both aerial, big-picture views and more intimate, up-close encounters with locals along the African road. Experiencing both will give you a really good understanding of the country and the places you visit. It's important that you discuss all of this with your tour operator before they provide you with a quote. Some will assume that you want all flights or all road transfers, because that is a more common occurrence. But most tour operators should be able to organize the kind of package that you want.”

7

Namibia Reviews

4.6/5 222 Reviews
Expert
Emma Gregg  –  
United Kingdom UK

Emma is an award-winning travel writer for Rough Guides, National Geographic Traveller, Travel Africa magazine and The Independent.

A place to bond with the desert and marvel at the stars
5/5

It’s rare for travellers to return from Namibia with anything other than glowing praise. I’m always impressed by the spacious drama of its desert landscapes, where oryx pick their way over towering, apricot-coloured dunes or stare out...

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Expert
Christopher Clark  –  
United Kingdom UK

Christopher is a British travel writer and has contributed to various Fodor's guidebooks and a range of travel magazines.

Sand, salt pans and stars: Southern Africa’s wild west
5/5

With the exception of the verdant Zambezi Region, most of Namibia is comprised of harsh and inhospitable desert, but I’ve always found it staggeringly beautiful. Namibia was the first place I really travelled in Africa; I’ve been back...

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Annie  –  
Tanzania TZ
Reviewed: Apr 15, 2024
Beautiful country, people and nature!
5/5

We saw amazing sceneries, from deserts to ocean, from savanna to mountains, insane wildlife including rhinos fighting, leopards and all the expected animals and more! The roads were excellent, the lodges had character and luxury and the...

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Panagiotis Giannopoulos  –  
Netherlands NL
Reviewed: Feb 22, 2024
Excellen
5/5

Incredible trip of 10 days all around Namibia. The travel agency organised everything and personalised it. All the lodges were excellent. Can't decide what was better, the dunes in Sossusvlei, or the wildlife in the North.

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Aaron Roberts  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Feb 20, 2024
Namibia was one of the most enchanting, fascinating, and beautiful countries I've ever been to!
5/5

My recent trip to Namibia was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I set foot in this captivating country, I was greeted by a landscape that seemed to stretch endlessly, offering a mesmerizing blend of natural wonders and...

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Aris  –  
Cyprus CY
Reviewed: Feb 16, 2024
Wild, remote, exclusively for adventurous nature lovers...
5/5

From all the many things we worried about before booking our Namibia trip that potentially could go wrong, nothing did! I think that must my starting point of my review. We didn't get sick, we had no road accident (not one flat tyre in 4000...

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