About the programme
We fly from Bitterwasser, Namibia’s oldest gliding base, on the edge of the Kalahari. Desert, mountains, bush and stretches of lunar-like scenery make every route interesting beyond the flying itself.
In Europe, flying a thousand kilometres remains a demanding task, and the right conditions are by no means always present. In Namibia, flights of 1,000 km or more are common during the main season. The flying season runs from early November to around mid-January.
Cumulus cloud bases sometimes reach 6,000 metres above sea level, and in the middle of the day thermals often provide climb rates of 5 m/s or more. Cloud streets sometimes stretch for hundreds of kilometres. The lift beneath them allows us to cover long stretches of a route in a straight line, without once having to circle to gain height.
In this section
Who it is for
For pilots with cross-country experience, this is an opportunity to develop their skills in fast, long-distance flying in a modern glider.
For beginners, with or without a pilot’s licence, and for people who have never flown in a glider, I offer introductory flights. You can experience soaring, see the landscape from above and try the controls under my supervision. This helps you decide whether you would like to pursue gliding further. A full initial flight training course is not offered in Namibia.
I have flown with people whose very first glider flight took place here and covered 1,100 km or more. Beginners should, however, bear in mind that the trip involves significant expense, and you may not know in advance how well you will cope with long flights or whether you will enjoy them.
The glider
We fly an Arcus 2 M by Schempp-Hirth. This is the second-generation Arcus in its self-launching version: a high-performance glider with modern onboard equipment.
Flying arrangements
I work with one participant throughout the booked period. Bookings are for full calendar weeks, from Monday to Sunday. You can come for one week or several.
For a first visit, I usually recommend one week. The flying is intensive: participants typically log around 35–45 hours during that time. For most people, this is enough.
We plan one flight a day. If all seven days are flyable, we can fly every day. We do not fly when the weather is unsuitable; such days are extremely rare here. We choose the flight duration to suit your preferences, energy, goals and what you want to work on. We can fly for 2–3 hours or use the full flying day. Sometimes this means around 10 hours in the air.
Planning your trip
I recommend starting to plan and book in March or April, when there is a better choice of weeks and accommodation. My season lasts 10–11 weeks, so I can accommodate no more than 10–11 participants during that time.
You can also get in touch later, but the choice will depend on the places still available. Bookings for the coming season are usually complete by the end of September.
Getting there and accommodation
You choose and arrange your own route and flight to Windhoek. There are direct flights from Europe, including Frankfurt and Munich; schedules need to be checked for your travel dates. I book your chosen accommodation for the agreed dates and arrange a taxi transfer from the airport to Bitterwasser. The journey takes around 2.5 hours.
Bitterwasser offers comfortable tropical-style bungalows with thatched roofs and shaded terraces. They provide a secluded setting among greenery, close to the pool. Each bungalow has air conditioning and a private bathroom with a shower.
Rooms are also available in Palm House and Green House. Both categories have air conditioning. Palm House rooms have private bathrooms, while Green House has shared showers and toilets.
Rondavel Deluxe is a separate accommodation category, with a private entrance, air conditioning, a shower and a toilet.
Standard Rondavels are the most budget-friendly option and the only accommodation type at the base without air conditioning. I do not recommend them for the flying season: in this hot climate, the lack of air conditioning makes a noticeable difference to comfort.
Accommodation includes full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus afternoon refreshments with cakes and pastries. Details of which drinks are included are given in the “Meals” section.
View accommodation types and current rates on the Bitterwasser website.
Meals
Buffet-style meals are included in the accommodation rate: breakfast, lunch, afternoon refreshments with cakes and pastries, and dinner.
On long cross-country flying days, we usually only have breakfast and dinner at the base. Lunch and afternoon refreshments are available to accompanying guests and anyone at the base at those times.
Non-alcoholic drinks normally served at breakfast, lunch and afternoon refreshments are included. At dinner, water is included; other drinks ordered from the menu are charged separately. Alcohol is always charged separately.
Coming with family
You are welcome to come with your partner or the whole family, including children. While the participant in the flying programme is in the air, family members can relax by the pool, visit the spa for massages and other treatments, walk along the trail with signs identifying local plants, and watch birds.
Bitterwasser occasionally organises short trips around its grounds to see wildlife, including giraffes, zebras and oryx. In the evening, you can watch the sunset from a dune with a light aperitif.
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch is around 45 minutes away by car and offers wildlife safaris. A car for the trip can be hired for the day directly at Bitterwasser.
Exploring Namibia
I recommend planning trips to the dunes, the ocean and the country’s mountain regions separately, before or after the flying programme. These places are a considerable distance from Bitterwasser. This allows you to combine gliding with a wider exploration of Namibia.
Discuss your trip
Tell me about your flying experience, or let me know if you would like to try gliding for the first time, along with your preferred dates. We can discuss the right format for you and the practical arrangements.
Message me on WhatsApp+33 6 52 90 81 75