Around the campfire
November 4, 2025
The Art of the Remote Refuel
May 6, 2026
The engines are quiet now, but the rhythm of the propeller still hums in our minds. We have just returned from an epic 27-day tour that spanned the breadth of Southern Africa. From Kruger National Park to the thundering spray of Victoria Falls, our fleet of five aircraft carried 12 adventurers across a landscape that few ever get to see from the pilot’s seat. I dare to say that there is no flying adventure like this anywhere else in the world.
Total distance flown: 4973 NM. South Africa, eSwatini, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe
The Journey Begins: Johannesburg to the Lowveld
Our journey took flight at Afton Safari Lodge, a peaceful retreat located a mere 15 minutes from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport. Following a welcome dinner and trip briefing, we transitioned to Brakpan Airfield the next morning to begin our aerial odyssey. The first leg was nothing short of spectacular, featuring a scenic route through the “jagged majesty” of the Blyde River Canyon before we touched down at Hoedspruit Civil. After refueling our aircraft with AVGAS and securing them for the stay, we were met by our field guides in open game-viewing vehicles for the transfer into the heart of Kruger National Park.
Elephants crossing a road in Kruger National Park
Initially, we had planned to spend our first days in the wild at Maroela Private Camp and Tsendze Camp. However, heavy rains leading up to our arrival in Kruger damaged several key bridges along our intended route, necessitating a change of plans. We instead set up camp at Satara, which served as an excellent base for tracking the Big Five across the 20,000 square kilometers of untouched savannah.
Coastal Magic and the Cape Peninsula
Trading the untamed bush for the call of the ocean, we banked our aircraft toward the coast. En route, a stop at Rhino River Lodge in Zululand offered a final, intimate safari experience within the quietude of their private game reserve. Upon reaching Durban, we decided to deviate from our original plans to take a deep dive into the Indian Ocean. We touched down near Umkomaas, a coastal town renowned for its vibrant reefs, where we added an impromptu shark dive to our itinerary to witness blacktip and bull sharks in their natural habitat.
Shark diving off the coast of Umkomaas
From there, we set a course for the Wild Coast, eventually landing on the dramatic hilltop airstrip at Port St. Johns. After securing the planes, we swapped our wings for a helicopter’s rotors for an exhilarating transfer to Pondo Beach Camp. The aerial approach was nothing short of breathtaking, granting us a rare view of massive waterfalls plunging directly off the cliffs and into the turquoise surf below.
Flight by helicopter to our remote camp along the Wild Coast
Leaving the Wild Coast, our route hugged the shoreline and moved inland to Graaff Reinet, where we enjoyed a spectacular flight past the dramatic Valley of Desolation before continuing toward Mossel Bay, a town beautifully nestled between the Outeniqua mountains and the sea. We eventually reached Stellenbosch, our gateway to the Cape Peninsula, which served as a base for exploring the heights of Table Mountain via the aerial cableway and indulging in refined wine tastings at Babylonstoren estates.
Into the Arid Heart: Namibia
After crossing the Orange River, we entered Namibia, where the landscape transitioned from the lush vineyards of the Cape to the ancient, rugged textures of the Fish River Canyon. In Lüderitz, we traded our aviation headsets for boat blankets to view penguins on Halifax Island before exploring the haunting, sand-filled ruins of the Kolmanskop ghost town.
The town of Lüderitz on the west coast of Namibia
While Pondo Beach Camp on South Africa’s Wild Coast was a major highlight, Sossusvlei proved equally mesmerizing; after a flight over the Namib Sand Sea, we stood at the base of Big Daddy, surrounded by the highest red dunes in the world. Our journey then continued north along the Skeleton Coast toward the Angolan border—traversing a dramatic graveyard of shipwrecks and seal colonies—before we finally reached the lush, life-giving riverbanks of the Okavango region.
Flying above the desert of Namibia
Waterways and Waterfalls: Botswana & Zimbabwe
Before entering Botswana, the journey took us through the lush Caprivi Strip, where we stayed at the Divava Okavango Resort & Spa, located on the banks of the Okavango River near Popa Falls. While in this region, we explored the Mahango Game Reserve, which offered the opportunity to spot four of the Big Five—elephants, buffalo, lions, and leopards—in a more compact setting than other national parks. From there, we departed from Bagani Airfield and flew to Katima Mulilo to clear customs and immigration before proceeding into Botswana via Maun.
After our time in the Caprivi, we touched down in Maun to transition from the cockpit to the driver’s seat. While our original plan included specific 4×4 training and a stay at Khwai Hippo Pool, the rising floodwaters in the Okavango Delta forced a change of pace; we bypassed the formal training and navigated our vehicles to an alternative camp that remained accessible despite the high water levels. Even with the modified route, the experience of self-driving through Botswana’s rugged terrain was unforgettable, ending each day with the sounds of the delta before exploring the floodplains by traditional mokoro.
4×4 adventure in Botswana
From Maun, we returned to our aircraft for the final international leg of the journey, flying into Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. After clearing customs and immigration, we were treated to the humbling spectacle of the Zambezi River plunging over the precipice. Whether we stood at the rainforest’s edge feeling the spray on our faces or took to the air for the legendary “Flight of Angels,” the sheer magnitude of the falls provided a powerful climax to our Southern African adventure.
The famous Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Safe Hangar, Full Hearts
Our journey came full circle as we moved through Zimbabwe, beginning with a stay at Musango Safari Lodge on the shores of Lake Kariba. We then flew to Masvingo to marvel at the Great Zimbabwe monuments, staying at the Lodge at the Ancient City which overlooks this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site. After clearing customs into South Africa, we returned to Johannesburg, finishing where it all began at Afton Safari Lodge.
This wasn’t just a tour; it was a testament to the freedom of flight. We navigated bush strips, crossed international borders, and formed a bond that only shared adventure can forge.
Ready to take the controls? Keep an eye on our upcoming itineraries. The horizon is waiting.
