THE FACTS ABOUT HOT AIR BALLOON

WHAT A journey across the dune crests of the Namibian desert in a hot-air balloon at dawn, with a reddening sky and mountains suffused with purple, will give you an incomparable understanding and insight into the geology of this astonishingly beautiful desert region. Sunvil Africa (020 8232 9777; www.sunvil.co.uk) can organise a two-hour trip from the Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp as part of its Goshawk itinerary. Travel between bases is by six-seater plane and pilots double up as expert guides. WHEN Go in the dry season which runs from May through to November. May is the best month because you get a flush of green but it's also hot and sunny; by August, nights are cold and the area is getting busy BONUS POINTS The balloon trip is rounded off by a Champagne breakfast PRICE Goshawk itinerary from £4,458, including flights, meals, transfers, house wines and beers. The balloon trip is an extra £170.