Namibia Photographic Safari: Schoeman's Skeleton Coast

Named after the oldest desert in the world Namibia is a unique safari destination home to one of the most exceptional adventures on the continent of Africa, a flying safari with the Schoeman Brothers. This specialist lead photographic safari has been designed with the focus on flying up the Skeleton Coast in small aircraft specially adapted for this expedition to enable you to photograph the area in ways few others have.

Louw Schoeman’s involvement in the Skeleton Coast has become a lasting legacy in Namibia’s conservation history. The families understanding of the complexities of the desert and the surrounding environment is something only revealed on a safari of this nature as you are accompanied by one of the brothers on a flying adventure into the dunes. Your trip has been planned to coincide with the new moon to maximise the opportunities to photograph starscapes in the Narmib Rand, a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Reserve.

This adventure into Namibia’s most spectacular wilderness, will afford you breathtaking bird’s-eye views of shipwrecks, coastal landscapes and ever changing geological formations, often the last refuge of many desert adapted species. You will travel by air and overland as you explore this remote wilderness experiencing complete and utter isolation.

Day 1 - Arrive Windhoek

Upon arrival into Windhoek airport, you will be met and transferred to Galton House for your first dinner and night.

Day 2 - Windhoek to Wolwedans

This morning, enjoy a scenic flight over the Gamsberg escarpment and Sossusvlei dunes. In the afternoon after settling in at Wolwedans Camp and having lunch, you will experience a golden hour sunset exploration on top of the dunes.

Day 3 - Wolwedans to Kuidas (New Moon)

At first light, take a scenic flight over the Sossusvlei dunes and ocean (weather permitting) landing on Keerweder desert plains for breakfast. Afterwards, fly up the coast and enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach, then continue over the stunning Ugab formations to Kuidas Camp. Later in the afternoon, you will be driven to a scenic location to watch the sunset, before returning to the camp for dinner.

Day 4 - Kuidas to Leylands

At first light head to Rooiberg (Red Mountain) with an enroute scenic breakfast. Return to the camp for lunch before your afternoon flight to Terrace Bay and over Rhino area, Red Landscapes and dunes and then later an afternoon drive into the dunes. You will arrive into Leylands Camp as the sun is setting.

Day 5 - Leylands to Kunene

At sunrise, take a scenic flight over the blushing red dunes of Sossusvlei and stop for a bush breakfast before moving over the Clay Castles and Huarusib Canyon. After lunch, embark on an afternoon flight down to the sea and the mouth of the Kunene estuary and back up the river canyon. From the airstrip, drive to the high ridge for sunset before arriving at Kunene Camp that overlooks the river.

Day 6 - Kunene

At dawn, drive to visit the Himba tribe living in their traditional village. After breakfast, depart on a scenic route through the Rocky Mountains on the way to the valley of 1,000 dunes, stopping for a picnic lunch along the way. In the afternoon, drive the beautiful scenic route over the dunes back to Kunene River camp.

Day 7 - Kunene to Windhoek

On your final morning, enjoy a river cruise. Then take your final flight back to Windhoek in our beloved Aircraft and then onwards for your international flight home.

Wolwedans Dunes Lodge

This luxury camp has been chosen as soft introduction to the desert environment to prepare you for the adventure that lies ahead. With 360 degree panoramas, Wolwedans Dunes Lodge is perched on top of a dune plateau, absorbing the breathtaking surroundings of the NamibRand Nature Reserve. This is a peaceful spot to stay, with the flame red desert dunes stretching out before you under the vast open blue skies.

Kunene Camp

The final stop on your adventure located north of the Harmann Valley. Upon landing at the airstrip you will transfer to 4x4 vehicles and drive through an area of mountains, sand dunes, and gravel plains. Kunene camp is located on top of large boulders above the riverbank. The views down into the green river valley are a stark contrast to the landscape you have just passed through. Another basically designed but well equipped camp constructed from local material nestled into the natural environment.