Bitterwasser Flying Centre - Hardap Region, Namibia

90 kilometres north of Mariental in the Hardap Region of Namibia, visitors and enthusiasts will find the paradise of the glider pilots, a 5500 hectare farm called Bitterwasser. The farm is home to the Bitterwasser Flying Centre and Bitterwasser Lodge. It is important to note that this is not a school for gliding but rather a centre that caters for experienced glider pilots. A number of world records have been achieved at Bitterwasser, and each one has been marked with a king palm. In addition to this, a new palm tree is planted for every flight over 1000km. There's an avenue of palm trees lining the way to the airfield, where each palm was planted to commemorate a record. Every year, the avenue grows. The flying season is between October and February, when the thermals over the Kalahari Desert are best. These thermals provide the opportunity for not only incredibly fast, but also exceptionally long glider flights and the 3km diameter Bitterwasser salt pan provides the perfect runway system to initiate glider flights.

The Bitterwasser farm is not only a flight centre but also a game park with a wonderful variety of Namibian flora and fauna. There is also a garden with beautiful old trees, all in a peaceful and relaxing environment. The previous farm infrastructure was replaced by a modern Lodge, consisting of a main building with restaurant, lounge, curio shop and internet cafe. The luxurious pool is located in the shady garden, perfect for those typical hot Namibian days, with comfortable chairs, canvas beds and towels provided. Drinks and snacks can be ordered from the pool area. The restaurant team pride themselves on their Namibian and International cuisine. The restaurant has a terrace and is right in the middle of the resort, making it the perfect meeting place for pilots and guests alike.

Gliding is not the only activity at Bitterwasser. There are flights with gliders and motorized gliders, round trips with Ultralight and motor planes, biking trails, walks, game drives, and of course spectacular sundowner walks or drives. Or you can just relax by the pool under the African sun while gliders soar overhead.