Frequently Asked Questions

Every flight with Namibia Helicopter Services is private. Your booking is exclusive to your group — you will not share the aircraft with other passengers. The helicopter departs when your group is ready, and the experience is yours from takeoff to landing.

Yes. The doors on our aircraft can be removed for an unrestricted viewing and photography experience. If you are flying specifically for photography, we recommend adding 30 minutes to your chosen flight to allow sufficient time at the right location and altitude.

Please note the following before booking a doors-off flight:

• The wind chill at cruise speed is significant — bring a jacket regardless of ground temperature.
• No loose items. Anything unsecured is a safety risk and will need to be stowed or left behind.
• If extra time has been allowed for, your pilot can adjust the speed of the flight as needed for photography.

Flight durations depend on your departure location and chosen route:

• From Sossusvlei: We offer 60-minute, 90-minute, and 150-minute scenic flights.

• From Swakopmund: We offer 30-minute, 60-minute, and 120-minute scenic flights.

Flights are strictly subject to weather and fog conditions. However, early morning and late afternoon flights generally offer the best light for photography, highlighting the contrasting shadows of the red dunes.

For online scenic flight bookings there a maximum of 4 passengers.

However, for charter flights and group bookings, see Our Fleet page for full details of our helicopter capacity and get in contact with us at info@nhs.na for more information.

• Sossusvlei Flights: Highlights include the Naukluft mountain range, red star dunes, Sossusvlei dune corridor including Deadvlei and Big Daddy. On longer flights, the dramatic long wall dune shoreline (90 min) and Eduard Bohlen shipwreck (150 min).

• Swakopmund Flights: Highlights include the flamingo lagoon, Walvis Bay Salt Works (60 min), Sandwich Harbour (60 min), and coastal shipwrecks (120 min).

Our standard scenic flights follow established routes. However, if you require a specific route, we can accommodate this through our custom charter service. Speak to one of our team by emailing info@nhs.na.

Yes. All passengers have excellent vantage points, with up to 5 window seats available in some of our aircraft (3 window seats in our other aircraft), and doors can be removed for unobstructed shooting.

See Our Fleet page for full details.

For doors off flights it is mandatory that camera straps or tethers are worn at all times.

Yes. All of our Sossusvlei scenic flights include views over the dune corridor towards Deadvlei.

Sossusvlei departures focus primarily on the interior Namib desert, including the red star dunes, Deadvlei, and the Naukluft mountains.

Swakopmund departures focus on the dramatic coastline, including Sandwich Harbour where the dunes meet the ocean, salt fields, and marine wildlife.

If you book a one-way transfer, the cost of the helicopter's "empty" return trip will be charged to your account, unless NHS has another transfer booked for that return leg.

Yes. Due to strict weight and balance limits, luggage for helicopter transfers is restricted to a maximum of 20kg (44lbs) per person, and it must be packed in soft bags. Weight and balance limitations apply, so please confirm in advance via email at info@nhs.na.

All weights must be supplied to us at least 7 days prior to take-off.