Hot Air Ballooning - Sossusvlei, Namibia

A trip to Namibia wouldn’t be complete without soaring over the dunes and mountains of Sossusvlei on a breathtaking sunrise hot air balloon ride. As the sun casts its golden light over the vast desert, you’ll witness the surreal beauty of the landscape from a perspective few are fortunate enough to experience.

Hot Air Ballooning - Sossusvlei, Namibia

Itinerary at a Glance:

  • Overview

    Namib Sky Balloon Safaris

  • How It Works

    Hot Air Balloon Flight

  • Information

    What you need to know

Overview

Namib Sky Balloon Safaris

Namib Sky Balloon Safaris has been an iconic and exhilarating part of the Namib Desert landscape since 1991, offering an unforgettable adventure like no other. With a team of around 25 skilled and passionate professionals, you can rest assured that you are in the best of hands as you embark on this once-in-a-lifetime journey. As you soar high above the vast expanse of sand, the magical sunrise bathes the desert in warm hues, creating a surreal and awe-inspiring experience. Whether you’re an adrenaline seeker or a nature enthusiast, Namib Sky Balloon Safaris guarantees a thrilling and safe adventure that will leave you with memories to treasure forever.

Above the Namib Desert at Sunrise

How It Works

Hot Air Balloon Flight

Your day starts very early (2 hours before sunrise) with a drive to the meeting point 22 km south of Sesriem. From there your experience starts as you witness the enormous hot air balloon being prepared while you enjoy your first cup of hot tea or coffee. After a safety briefing, you climb into the basket with the pilot and the other passengers and float up into the air to witness a desert dawn from a perspective that is impossible to better. The flight lasts about 1 hour and you will float in whichever direction the calm morning air drifts. Upon landing you will be met by the recovery vehicle and taken to a site in the desert for a celebratory breakfast, served as is hot air ballooning tradition with sparkling wine & orange juice. From here you are transferred back to the meeting point. The whole experience from meeting up to being returned will be 3 - 4 hours.

The balloon ready for take off just before sunrise, Namib Sky Balloon Safaris
In flight over the Namib Desert

The Namib Desert offers an ever-changing visual fest of rocks, sand dunes, moonlike landscapes and mountains. When you add the early morning light to this vast desert wilderness, colour, texture and shadows make it a truly mesmerizing experience that photographs simply fail to capture!

Information

What you need to know

What Should I Wear?
The early mornings in the desert can be very cold, so dress warmly with layers that can be peeled off as the sun begins to warm the day. It is important to bring a sun hat and sun cream and of course your camera!
Children Policy
Children under the age of 6 years are allowed, only if they are taller than 1.2m. However, it is required that adults accompany any children under 16 years of age. Children too small for the hot air balloon flight can follow the balloon with the ground crew and join for breakfast - a babysitter is provided at no charge in this event.

 

The Sossusvlei area offers incredible views, especially from the air
Landing and breakfast in the Namib Desert

Flight Cost

N$9,920 per person - 1 Jul 2025 - 30 Jun 2026
N$10,720 per person - 1 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2027

(N$ is Namibia Dollars which is commonly rated with ZAR (South African Rands))

Check Live availability & Book Now

Includes

Return transfers from their bases to the launch site and back
1-hour hot air ballooning flight
A celebratory breakfast with sparkling wine & orange juice
Park entrance fees
A flight certificate

Excludes

Travel insurance
Personal items

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William McCormack
20 November 2025
I cannot say enough about the service received from African Travel Agent Petru. From beginning to end it was excellent. The detail and the professionalism is to be attained by others. Ive had 3 trips over number of years and each time I am delighted with the engagement, suggestions, etc and most importantly the trips we highlights to me. Ive recommended Petru to friends and those who did reach out were also very pleased. I highly recommend this agent and company. Till we engage again, Thank you Petru and continue delivering a top service.
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Guy Hudson
20 November 2025
We’ve been booking through African Travel Gateway for over 25 years now and honestly, they’ve never dropped the ball once. They have looked after us for ages and just get what works for our family. This last trip we took the three kids (11, 9 and 6) to South Africa – Cape Town, a few nights camping in the Karoo, and then Kruger. They put the whole thing together perfectly: nothing felt rushed, everything suited the kids, and the logistics were completely painless. Cape Town was great fun (Table Mountain, penguins, the works). The Karoo nights were something else – massive sky full of stars, big campfire, total peace and quiet the kids still go on about. And Kruger… wow. We saw the Big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino – plus heaps of giraffe, zebra and everything else, pretty much every single drive. The guides were brilliant with the children and kept everyone safe. Everything just worked – flights, transfers, the lot. They checked in along the way and tweaked little things when we needed. Proper personal service. If you’re thinking of taking kids to South Africa, we can’t recommend African Travel Gateway enough.
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Pierre Boucher
30 September 2025
A heartfelt thank you to Bianca for arranging our unforgettable journey through South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Everything went smoothly from start to finish, and your attention to detail made all the difference. Alex and I enjoyed every moment — from the breathtaking landscapes to the incredible wildlife and the welcoming people we met along the way. It was truly the trip of a lifetime, and we are so grateful for all the care and effort you put into making it perfect. With sincere appreciation,
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Jon Son
02 September 2025
Very bad service
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Mark Montague
04 August 2025
We had a wonderful time visiting South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. We had a party of 10, including 4 grandchildren ages 10 and 8 and everything went beautifully. Lize did a great job helping us plan the itinerary, booking flights within Africa and identifying the best lodging and camps for us to visit. We saw the Big 5 on two separate days and also saw African wild dogs. Each of our camps in Sabi Sands, Victoria Falls and Moremi Game Reserve had a distinct style but all were welcoming and comfortable and animals proliferated. We would definitely use African Travel Gateway if we return to Africa. Thanks Lize!
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Andrew Beardmore
18 July 2025
Working with Lize, we crafted our second fully customized self-drive adventure through Southern Africa - this time in Northern Namibia. The itinerary was a perfect blend of rugged campsites and luxurious lodges. Lize’s expert knowledge and thoughtful advice were invaluable, everything was planned to perfection. We had the most incredible time, experiencing so much of what this stunning region has to offer, yet it feels like we’ve only just scratched the surface. We can’t wait for our next adventure!
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TJ Hefele
11 July 2025
We had an amazing trip! Petru did an outstanding job putting everything together for us! Truly couldn't imagine having a better experience. We are incredibly thankful!
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gary afford
13 June 2025
Just returned from a safari with my partner and 2 friends. 3 countries South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana. We stayed at Wilderness camps, accommodation and service was great and the wildlife sightings were excellent. All the arrangements and connections went like clockwork, Thanks again Lize from ATG.
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Michael Sump
13 June 2025
We had a wonderful trip to Africa with everything arranged by Bianca Gersbach. She was extremely attentive to our wishes, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. We wanted a full overview for our first trip to Africa, and we received it. We went on Safari in 3 countries: South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. We saw so many animals! But that wasn't all, we had a delightful visit to the South African wine country, and deep-dive experiences in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. The township tours and trip to the Apartheid Museum really opened our eyes. At times, Bianca knew what we wanted better than we did. She insisted that we'd enjoy the Okabango Panhandle, and we did! It was magical. A real highlight. A less engaged travel consultant might have let me make a suboptimal choice. We also enjoyed several days in Victoria Falls. I can't praise Bianca and African Travel Gateway enough. We will certainly use them again when we decide to return, and we will return. Once is not enough!
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Jim Campbell
01 May 2025
We asked for a holiday of a lifetime for my wife's birthday ... and Lize Enderstein and ATG certainly delivered!!! We could not have experienced such a magnificent trip without all Lize's organisation and planning. It was an absolute dream! So much so, we're looking to visit again and will certainly be using Lize for our next adventure. Nothing was too much trouble and all the planning made everything work so very smoothly. We felt like royalty throughout our trip with all sorts of birthday surprises already booked at every location. Incredible!!! We are so very grateful for everything Lize arranged and can't thank her enough and would heartily recommend Lize and ATG. Jim and Melanie xxx
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Teresa Harrison
29 January 2025
I have been using African Travel Gateway for about 30 years and not once have they let me down. My travels have been varied, visiting different countries and cultures in Africa, but with their help, it is always a magic carpet ride. Lize has been my contact for many years, and the intineries devised have been spectacular. She really understands our requirements and goes the extra mile to ensure all is OK. This time, we visited South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Everything was amazing. Our highlights, however, were La Fontaine in Franshoek and Camp Xakanaxa in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. We HIGHLY recommend African Travel Gateway
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Debbie Isaacs
21 January 2025
We used African Travel again for the second time over Xmas and New Year. Once again, every little bit of our trip ran smoothly and without a hitch. Their communication was great throughout and we will, no doubt, be returning to them in the future too. Thanks Petru.
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Daniel Stewart
08 January 2025
We had the most amazing time on our self drive tour of Namibia organised through African Travel Gateway. Everything from the planning and booking process, to the arrival and welcome in Windhoek, to the app with the itinerary and directions made for a really relaxed and well organised holiday. But the most important part was getting to experience Namibia - what a spectacular country! The only negative was that we should have booked for longer!
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Hilda Stanfliet
27 December 2024
Amazing hotel booked by Lize of African Travel Gateway, the most attentive service leading up to holiday
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Zoe Heelas
27 November 2024
ATG were fantastic from start to finish organising our trip 3 week trip in South Africa.Communication with Debbie was excellent before and during our trip. All accommodation and trips chosen by ATG was fantastic. This is our third trip with ATG and we are already thinking about our next.

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