SkyWeek Namibia: A Dream Five Years in the Making

Bringing SkyWeek Namibia to life was no small feat. Sam McConnell from MCXpeditions first pitched the idea to me back in 2020, and it quickly became clear that his expertise would be the key to making it happen. With over 30 years of experience as a safari guide in Namibia, Sam’s deep knowledge of the terrain, weather patterns, and local networks was invaluable. His connections opened doors that would have otherwise remained closed, and his relentless dedication kept the dream alive. After five years of meticulous planning, refining logistics, and overcoming countless challenges, we finally set our sights on March 2025, and decided to run not only one, but two expeditions!

I joined Sam and Ricardo to help run the first trip, which consisted of seven British pilots, most of whom had been trained by SkySchool. After passing the exam and medical checks, as well as rebuilding the paramotors, we set off in the ‘Mofana’ toward our first destination, called Rooisands. At 1100 meters above sea level, it provided a stunning, yet technically challenging location for our first flights of the trip. There have not been many times in my flying career when a landscape has truly taken my breath away, but this was one of them. Stretching endlessly in every direction, there was nothing but raw, untouched wilderness without a single sign of civilisation!

The support vehicles then transported us to Sesriem, on the edge of the Namib Desert, believed to be the world’s oldest desert. From our campsite, we could quite literally roll out of our tents and take off just 100 meters away! Flying in proximity to Namibia’s ancient dunes was an experience beyond words. This was followed by a 40km cross-country flight, which I completed with two other pilots due to the technical challenge of taking off in nil wind. We arrived in Solitaire, an aptly named, incredibly remote outpost, where we were warmly welcomed by the owner, a fellow aviator from the USA. He granted us permission to fly below the standard 500ft limit, provided we remained clear of the wildlife. However, that afternoon, as we relaxed by the swimming pool in 40-degree heat, we were suddenly hit by the most intense thunderstorm I’ve ever witnessed. Three towering cumulonimbus cells converged, unleashing a year’s worth of rain on our campsite in just two hours. Fortunately, the bar and restaurant were open, keeping spirits high despite the torrential downpour. The following day we woke to perfect flying conditions and also a green desert!

After flying in the morning, we headed to the coast at Swakopmund, where it was 20 degrees cooler due to the cold Benguela Current, which flows up from the Antarctic and significantly influences the region’s climate. After a night out in town, we woke early to fly up the Skeleton Coast but had to wait a few hours for the rain from the night before to stop. Once it cleared, all seven pilots, plus myself and Ricardo, were treated to an incredible 60km cross-country flight up the coast with a smooth tailwind all the way to Henties Bay. It was an unforgettable experience flying over shark-infested waters and various shipwrecks along this desolate stretch of coastline, where the desert meets the Atlantic Ocean.

That night, we fully embraced the wild by camping under the stars in the incredibly remote Messum Crater. With no light pollution, the night sky put on a stunning celestial display. The sense of remoteness was intensified by the fact that we didn’t encounter another human, vehicle, or structure for a full 24 hours. To top it off, the following day, everyone flew inside the crater, an experience that was truly one-of-a-kind. It was in this unforgiving environment that the ‘Mofana’ proved its reliability, navigating the harsh conditions with ease.