Eine hot air balloon safari in Namibia means one place above all others: the Namib Sand Sea near Sossusvlei, where you lift off in the dark, watch the sun break over the oldest dunes on earth, and drift in complete silence over a landscape with no roads, no fences and no sound but the burner. It ends the way ballooning has ended for a century, with a champagne breakfast laid out in the desert.
We book this flight for our guests as part of their Namibia trip. Here is what it costs, what is included, and how to fit it into your itinerary.
The flight, start to finish
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- Before dawn: transfer to the launch site near Sesriem while it is still dark.
- Sunrise lift-off: the balloon rises as the light does, and the whole dune field turns from grey to gold beneath you.
- About an hour aloft: you drift wherever the wind takes you over the Namib, often with oryx and springbok moving on the plains below.
- Champagne breakfast: a full breakfast served in the desert where you land, followed by a flight certificate.
- Back by mid-morning, in time for the rest of your day.
The flight is operated by Namib Sky Balloon Safaris, the long-established balloon operator in the Sossusvlei area, and it is the only hot-air ballooning of its kind in Namibia. We book it for you as an agent for Namib Sky.
What a Namibia balloon safari costs
Balloon safaris are a premium experience and priced accordingly. The rate is N$10,720 per person, which includes the roughly one-hour sunrise flight, a champagne breakfast in the desert and a flight certificate.
Who can fly
Ballooning has a few requirements set by the operator for everyone’s safety. To fly, you must:
- be able to climb in and out of the basket with minimal assistance
- be at least 6 years of age
- be able to stand for the duration of the flight
- be able to bend your knees into a semi-squatting position for landing
When to go ballooning in Namibia
Balloon safaris run in the Sossusvlei season and fly at sunrise year-round, closing only between the 15th of January to the 15th of February. Weather permitting, since the wind has to be calm to launch. The desert winter (May to October) gives the most reliable still mornings and the clearest light. Our best time to visit Sossusvlei guide covers the seasons in full.
Balloon, or scenic flight?
Both get you above the dunes; they are different days out:
- Eine balloon drifts slowly and silently just above the sand at sunrise, then breakfast. It is about atmosphere.
- Eine scenic flight by light aircraft covers far more ground, reaches Deadvlei and even the coast, and is about scale and photography. See our Sossusvlei scenic flights und des Swakopmund coastal scenic flights.
On a longer trip, plenty of our guests do both.
Build a balloon safari into your trip
The balloon flies from the Sossusvlei area, so it slots naturally into a Sossusvlei stay:
- Sossusvlei budget tour
- How long to spend in Sossusvlei
- Sossusvlei photography guide
- Windhoek to Sossusvlei
Ready to add a sunrise balloon flight to your Namibia itinerary? Fill in the form below and we’ll confirm your date.
FAQ
How much is a hot air balloon ride in Namibia? A balloon safari over the Namib at Sossusvlei costs N$10,720 per person, including the roughly one-hour sunrise flight, a champagne breakfast in the desert and a flight certificate.
Where do hot air balloons fly in Namibia? Over the Namib Sand Sea near Sossusvlei, launching from the Sesriem area. It is the only tourist balloon operation of its kind in the country, run by Namib Sky Balloon Safaris.
How long is the balloon flight? Roughly one hour in the air, but budget half a morning: you leave before dawn for the launch and are back after the champagne breakfast by mid-morning.
What is included in a balloon safari? The roughly one-hour sunrise flight, a champagne breakfast served where you land, and a flight certificate.
Is there an age or fitness requirement? Yes. You need to be at least 6 years old, able to climb in and out of the basket with minimal assistance, able to stand for the whole flight, and able to bend your knees into a semi-squatting position for landing.
What is the best time of year for ballooning in Namibia? The desert winter, roughly May to October, gives the calmest, clearest mornings, though flights run year-round when the wind allows.
Balloon or scenic flight: which should I choose? A balloon for a slow, silent sunrise drift close to the dunes; a scenic flight for covering distance and reaching Deadvlei and the coast. Many visitors do both.