The Skeleton Coast conjures up mysterious visions of mist-enshrouded beaches strewn with bleached whalebones and rusted shipwrecks.

Stretching from the south of Namibia up into Angola, the Skeleton Coast and its hinterland is a landscape of haunting beauty, a vast area of rolling sand dunes, expanses of uninhabited desert plains, fossil beds, unique geological formations, desert-adapted animals and strange vegetation.

This scenic air safari by light aircraft is an unforgettable way of exploring the most dramatic landscapes, scenery and locations in Namibia.

Soar over windswept sand dunes, the seal colony at Cape Cross and the decaying hulks shipwrecks along the infamous Skeleton Coast.

See spectacular rock formations in Ugab, ancient Rock Art in the Huab River Valley, and alien-like Welwitschia trees.

In the far north visit a remote village of the nomadic Himba people.

Combine a spectacular Skeleton Coast Air Safari with a stay in one or more of Namibia’s luxury lodges or combine with a luxury safari in Botswana’s Okavango Delta or in neighbouring South Africa.

Day 1: Windhoek - Skeleton Coast

Fly from Windhoek to the Skeleton Coast via Conception Bay

The Kuiseb Canyon and adjoining red dunes are a spectacular sight from the air. The flight includes an aerial view of the famous Eduard Bohlen shipwreck at Conception Bay.

After landing and refuelling at Swakopmund, continue with a low-level flight north along the Skeleton Coast past the seal colony at Cape Cross for a light picnic lunch near the beach.

After lunch, cross the desert by aircraft to the Ugab formations, a nearly lifeless ‘moonscape' of numerous black ridges in stark contrast to the white desert floor.

From here proceed to Kuidas Camp in the Huab River Valley for the night.

Ancient rock engravings are found amongst the rocks within walking distance of the camp.

Overnight Kuidas Camp, Huab River Valley. All meals included.

Day 2: Skeleton Coast

After breakfast depart by Land Rover to explore the colourful red lava and yellow sandstone of the Huab River environs and discover the ecological aspects of this area with its wide diversity of flora and fauna.

This includes the Welwitschia Mirabilis, a tree that has been dwarfed by the rigours of the encroaching desert climate.

Lunch is taken at Kuidas Camp before flying along the coast to Terrace Bay in the Skeleton Coast Park.

The most prominent shipwrecks along this part of the coast are the Montrose and Henrietta.

At the coast access the roaring dunes by Land Rover, which always proves to be a stimulating experience, and also visit the beach with its profusion of multi-coloured pebbles consisting of agate, lava, granite and quartz.

About the Skeleton Coast

Once upon a time the entire coastline of Namibia was called The Skeleton Coast. Today, the moniker mostly refers to the Skeleton National Park, which stretches the northern one-third of Namibia’s shore.

The landscape in the park ranges from wind swept dunes to rugged canyons with walls of richly colored volcanic rock and extensive mountain ranges.

Schoeman's Air Safaris

Legendary in Namibia, the Schoeman brothers (pronounced "Skooman") have been operating Air Safaris in Namibia for decades and were in many ways responsible for initiating low-impact, sustainable tourism to the Skeleton Coast.

Louw Schoeman who began the business is credited almost single-handedly in getting the Skeleton Coast designated as a National Park in 1970.