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FROM US$5,450-US$7,670

Francolin Fly-in Safari

Fly between northern Namibia’s highlights – Sossusvlei’s dunes, quaint Swakopmund, Damaraland’s mountains and a safari in Etosha – on this spectacular aerial adventure with a relaxed pace and luxury but good value accommodation.

Francolin Fly-in Safari: Summary

Francolin Fly-in in a nutshell

This a trip for those who don’t fancy the drives yet have a little more time to discover Namibia’s northern highlights, while staying at some great lodges and camps. By flying between stops you’ll not only have a far more relaxing time, but each flight is an experience in itself with incredible views over the Namib Desert, the Atlantic coastline up to Swakopmund and the rugged interior. It also maximises the time you get to explore each area.

After a night in the small capital, Windhoek, take your first light aircraft for the flight to the ancient sands of the Namib Desert. Appreciate this sand sea’s enormity from above then touch down by Kulala Desert Lodge. Thoroughly comfortable, relaxed and with a great setting close to its own entrance to the national park, you’ll be among the first to ascend the towering apricot dunes around Sossusvlei and marvel at Deadvlei’s surreal camel thorn trees.

The next hop follows the desert and Atlantic coastline north to Swakopmund, a quirky Germanic seaside town where you’ll stay in a colonial era house. It’s a great base for a whole host of adventure activities, from sandboarding and skydiving to kayaking alongside a raucous colony of sealions.

Turning back inland, fly across the hills of Damaraland to Mowani Mountain Camp with its smart rondavel rooms tucked between great orange boulders. Highlights here include game drives to see herds of desert-adapted elephants and the ancient rock engravings at Twyfelfontein.

End with three nights perched atop a kopje looking out over Ongava Game Reserve at the edge of Etosha National Park. Explore the huge reserve, tracking rhino on foot and finding lion prides on game drives, or allow wildlife to come to you as you watch from Ongava Lodge’s hide. You can also take guided trips into the park to the edge of Etosha’s dusty salt pan where you may see the iconic sight of elephants, giraffe, zebra, oryx and more congregating around precious water sources.

At a glance

Starts: Windhoek International Airport
1 night Galton House - Windhoek, Namibia Bed & Breakfast
2 nights Kulala Desert Lodge - Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia Full Board & Activities
2 nights Villa Margherita - Swakopmund & Walvis Bay, Namibia Bed & Breakfast
2 nights Mowani Mountain Camp - Damaraland, Namibia Half Board
3 nights Ongava Tented Camp - Etosha National Park, Namibia Full Board & Activities
Ends: Windhoek International Airport

Galton House

Day 1

Galton House, named after the early explorer Sir Francis Galton, is just ten minutes' drive from central Windhoek. A modern yet homely guesthouse, with a backdrop of rolling hills, it was opened in the residential suburb of Eros in 2011. There's a mix of comfortable indoor and outdoor spaces in which to relax and the convenience of an in-house restaurant that caters for all meals.

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Kulala Desert Lodge

Days 2-4

Situated on the 210km² private Kulala Wilderness Reserve, Kulala Desert Lodge offers spectacular views. To the west it looks over the Namib Sand Sea; to the east, to the Namib-Naukluft Mountains. Having opened in 1996, south of Sesriem, to make the most of the vista, its other defining attraction remains a private entrance from the reserve into the Namib-Naukluft National Park.

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Villa Margherita

Days 4-6

Villa Margherita – also know as 'The Charming House' – is an upmarket colonial-style boutique guest house, set in the heart of Swakopmund, on Namibia's Atlantic coast. It is located within walking distance of many shops and restaurants as well as the beachfront. Constructed between 1908 and 1913, it’s a lovely old house. It was, completely renovated and refurbished by owners Claudine and Amelio, and opened for guests in March 2008.

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Mowani Mountain Camp

Days 6-8

Situated in the heart of southern Damaraland, between Namibia's Ugab and the Huab rivers, the smart Mowani Mountain Camp commands a stunning location. Perched high on a rocky outcrop, the camp is nestled amongst large granite boulders and has superb views across gravel plains to the mountains beyond.

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Ongava Tented Camp

Days 8-11

Nestled in mopane woodland, Ongava Tented Camp overlooks a waterhole within the private Ongava Game Reserve. This 300km² reserve, which offers both day and night drives and guided walks, borders Etosha National Park on the south side, near the Andersson Gate, and benefits from similar wildlife, with the notable inclusion of both black and white rhino.

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Galton House

Galton House

Windhoek, Namibia

Kulala Desert Lodge

Kulala Desert Lodge

Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

Villa Margherita

Villa Margherita

Swakopmund & Walvis Bay, Namibia

Mowani Mountain Camp

Mowani Mountain Camp

Damaraland, Namibia

Ongava Tented Camp

Ongava Tented Camp

Etosha National Park, Namibia

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Francolin Fly-in Safari.

  • Climbing the dunes of Sossusvlei at dawn
  • Aerial views of Namibia's iconic landscapes
  • A day of adventure from Swakopmund
  • Tracking desert elephant in Damaraland
  • Safaris in and around Etosha on foot and by 4WD

Activities

Some activities which can be included in the Francolin Fly-in Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.

  • 4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

  • Cultural excursion

  • Dune-boarding

  • Fishing

  • Guided walking safari

  • Helicopter

  • Hot air ballooning

  • Kayaking

  • Mountain biking

  • Night drive

  • Quad-biking

  • Self-guided walking

  • Sleeping under the stars

About image

Key species to see on the Francolin Fly-in Safari

Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Francolin Fly-in Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.


Lion

100% chance

Elephant

100% chance

Giraffe

100% chance

Oryx

100% chance

White Rhino

100% chance

Zebra

100% chance

Wildebeest

99% chance

Black Rhino

90% chance

Eland

58% chance

Brown Hyena

30% chance

Spotted Hyena

26% chance

Leopard

20% chance

Cheetah

20% chance

Sable antelope

11% chance

Roan antelope

10% chance

Meerkat

3% chance

Aardvark

0% chance

Pangolin

0% chance

Side-trips whilst on this trip

We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Francolin Fly-in Safari. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.


Ballooning in the Namib Desert

Ballooning in the Namib Desert

Half day, including breakfast

Ballooning over the world’s oldest desert is an experience you shouldn’t miss. Enjoy spectacular views as the sun rises over the dune-covered plains and rocky mountains of the Namib Desert. You may even spot the occasional oryx or black-backed jackal punctuating the landscape below.

More about Ballooning
94% (67 reviews)
Kayaking with seals

Kayaking with seals

Morning incl. tea, coffee & sandwiches

Get up close and personal with a colony of Cape fur seals on a kayaking excursion from Walvis Bay. Enjoy a gentle morning’s paddle in Walvis Bay Lagoon as seals surround and interact with you and your kayak. If you’re lucky you may even catch a glimpse of some Heaviside’s or bottlenose dolphins.

More about Kayaking with seals
98% (171 reviews)
Coast and Sandwich Harbour

Coast and Sandwich Harbour

Full day

Experience this usually inaccessible part of the Skeleton Coast, where the dunes of the Namib plunge into the Atlantic Ocean. One of our top recommendations, this is an adventurous 4WD trip, guided by experts. You'll explore the Kuiseb Delta and (tides permitting) traverse dunes and the beach to reach Sandwich Harbour, a remote freshwater lagoon with abundant birdlife.

More about Coastal tour
94% (207 reviews)
Dolphin and seal cruise

Dolphin and seal cruise

Half-day inc brunch

A boat cruise around Walvis Bay lagoon is a must for lovers of wildlife and the great outdoors. Seek out the ‘marine big five’ – from Cape fur seals to bottlenose dolphins – and marvel at the range of bird species for whom this haven on the Skeleton Coast is home. Then round off the morning with an oyster brunch.

More about Dolphin & seal cruise
92% (12 reviews)
Desert tour

Desert tour

Variable, depending on the tour

Discover the unexpected on a trip into the desert surrounding the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. A must for wilderness lovers, this extraordinary landscape encompasses the Welwitschia Plains, sculpted dunes, the magic of the Kuiseb Delta – and much more. There are plenty of options, each with its own unique focus.

More about Desert tour
96% (11 reviews)
Scenic flights in Namibia

Scenic flights in Namibia

Variable, depending on the flight

Namibia is famed for its stark beauty and boundless desert vistas and there is no better way to soak these in than from the air. A scenic flight gives you a unique perspective on this stunning and varied country, and may even provide a bird’s-eye view of areas that are out of reach to those restricted to terra firma.

More about Scenic flights
94% (7 reviews)

Let us help you customise your trip

Like all of our holidays on this site, this is just an idea. All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you.


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When you return

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