Fly-in Safari
Getting a bird’s eye view when exploring the wondrous wilderness of Africa provides a unique safari experience. The delight from casting an inquisitive look from above and from the seat of a light aircraft over the vast landscapes of the continent adds a rare perspective.
What to expect
Getting a bird’s eye view when exploring the wondrous wilderness of Africa provides a unique safari experience. The delight from casting an inquisitive look from above and from the seat of a light aircraft over the vast landscapes of the continent adds a rare perspective.
Cruising over never-ending grasslands, lush forests, towering mountains, immense deserts, and enormous bodies of water gives visitors the true essence of Africa. From up high, the dots and specks down below depict a myriad of species that call the land home.
Fly-in safaris, conducted by specialist operators, offer the bonus of making it easier to travel between remote points in wildlife areas, especially for those with limited time. Therefore no need exists for having to endure hours on end on bumpy roads when there’s so much to see and do.
Things to note
A word of caution—fly-in safaris are not for the fainthearted, and those weary should expect smaller types of aircraft at low altitudes. These excursions are usually in anything from four-seater Cessnas to the somewhat larger Caravans. Taking off and landing is an experience, as airstrips are less than smooth with the chasing away of the inhabitants of these wilderness areas for a safe approach at the order of the day.
Safari-goers are usually welcomed at the airstrip by their lodge hosts. On the way to the overnight accommodation, tucked away not too far off, getting acquainted with the different species in the local environment is part of the experience.
The best destinations for Fly-in safaris
The bigger airports in Maun, Gaborone, and Kasane are the gateways to the untouched wilderness areas, taking up almost a fifth of this country in southern Africa. Flying over the plains, islands, and channels provide breathtaking views of the Okavango Delta, starting hundreds of kilometres away in the highlands of Angola. Various distinguished safari lodges offer accommodation for every taste and preference.
Soaring over the Namib desert, after arriving in the capital of Windhoek, is a sight to behold. The varied landscape, from endless dunes in a kaleidoscope of colours to rocky outcrops of an assortment of heights, makes for contrasting views from above. The isolated Hoarusib Valley, the salt pans of Sossusvlei in the Namib Naukluft Park, shipwrecks along the Skeleton Coast, the dramatic rendezvous of the desert, and the Atlantic Ocean are the highlights of a fly-in safari to these shores.
When it comes to the great wildebeest migration, a flight over the Serengeti is a must and offers a unique experience. This East African location is furthermore a shoo-in for exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, its wildlife, and diverse landscape from the air. While up there, a flight over the Lake Manyara National Park is in order, where visitors will be able to spot great flocks of pink flamingos and Maasai giraffe.
Travellers can take to the skies for a perspective like none other. The iconic Victoria Falls has been labelled the ‘Smoke that Thunders’ and is a sight to behold from up high. Safari-goes can marvel at the millions of cubic metres of ferocious waters tumbling below into the Zambezi River from the seat of a light aircraft or a helicopter. Furthermore, they can explore the national parks of Hwange and Mana Pools and get an aerial view of the massive herds of elephants and see a pack of wild dogs in action.