Winter in Namibia

Escape the European winter. Join our exclusive soaring expeditions to the Namib Desert.

Before the first glider or motor flight at Bitterwasser

Aviation English (SFCL 055)

ICAO level 4 (minimum) is required for radio communication in English (feet, knots, nautical miles, FL, and VOR radials). Original logbook, valid medical, and license must be presented upon arrival.

Self-launching gliders

For self-launchers you must have at least 5 launches in the last 24 months in your flight log; Touring Motorglider (TMG) launches do not count for self-launch recency! Minimum recommended experience: 500 hours total (or active flying experience in the last 24 months).

Daily Mandatory Briefing

Every day at 09:00 AM. No flying as PIC on the day of arrival due to heat adaptation and paperwork.

Airspace & Navigation Rules

Airspace & Communication Units: Altitude in Feet / Flight Levels (FL), speed in Knots, distances in NM. Transition Altitude: 10,000 ft MSL (Standard Altimeter Setting 1013.25 hPa above FL100). Magnetic Declination: Local variation is 13° West — configure your flight computers accordingly. SSN Directives: Airspace rules are set by the Soaring Society of Namibia (SSN).

Safety & Desert Survival

Flight Safety Equipment Mandatory Tracking: Active SPOT tracker registered with the flight office and attached to the pilot or parachute. FLARM & OGN: Mandatory active FLARM (FLARM ID must be submitted upon arrival). Oxygen Systems: Operating oxygen is required for base altitudes reaching 4,500m–5,000m+. Desert Outlanding Kit: Minimum 2 liters of drinking water per person, flashlight, aluminum thermal blanket, signal mirror/flares, and warm clothes.

Aircraft & Administrative Paperwork

Validation & Documentation License Validation: Required if flying a Namibian-registered glider (apply at least 7 weeks prior to arrival). Overflight Permits: Required for foreign-registered aircraft entering Namibian airspace. Own Gliders: Registration certificate, annual inspection (ARC), and valid insurance documents must be submitted in advance. Club Membership: All pilots must sign the BIFC declaration and liability waiver before the first flight.

Flying season in Namibia

November – January

The Bitterwasser Experience

When the soaring season in the French Alps winds down, our operations move to the legendary Bitterwasser Lodge.

Regarded as the world's premier soaring destination, Bitterwasser offers a gliding experience unlike anywhere else on Earth. Nestled at the edge of the Namib Desert, this legendary flying center combines vast 3,000,000 m² airfield grounds with extraordinary meteorological conditions. Here, reliable thermal updrafts regularly push cloud bases to over 5,000 meters, allowing pilots to cover vast distances and achieve remarkable cross-country performances. Beyond the exceptional flight conditions, Bitterwasser provides a complete aviation ecosystem: a dedicated flight office, workshop support, and a vibrant international community of pilots. After landing on the famous salt pan, pilots gather along the iconic Palm Alley to share stories of the day, making every flight an unforgettable desert adventure.

Season

November – January

Base

Bitterwasser Lodge

Fleet

Arcus M & Twin Shark

Namibia

Bitterwasser Lodge

Season: November – February

World-class winter soaring destination in the Namib Desert.

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