THE SKIES THE LIMIT
February 21, 2025
Why flying is essential to a next level safari
By Ian Proctor
Let me introduce you to your private pilot - the Iceman!
Murtaza 'Ice Man' Walijee has over 10,000 hours of bush flying in Africa. Not only is he is a certified flight instructor with an instrument rating, he can easily discuss geology, flora, and fauna as well.
The 'Ice Man' will be your pilot, host, and guide as you fly in private comfort between Africa's iconic safari destinations and far off the beaten path. Flying low over the wildebeest migration or spotting elephant as you cruise over the Okavango Delta the ‘getting there’ aspect of your bucket list safari is now part of the adventure!
A privately guided flying safari is the ultimate experience!
"I remember one particular flight where we flew low over the Zambezi River - the late afternoon sun reflecting gold off the water. We could see elephants playing in the shallows. A few hippos wallowed in the deeper pools.
One of the guests said, “This feels like a dream.” And in a way, it was! Flying over Mana Pools that day reminded me why I became a pilot. It’s a passion, a privilege, and a way to bring the wonders of Africa to life for others."
Road Based Safaris
Road based safaris are novice / entry level stuff.
A travel company hooks you with the promise of your own private guide and vehicle, often a minibus, that stays with you from start to finish. It's presented as a fun adventure where you see the countryside... but in reality your guide lives in the city of Nairobi and has no clue what is going on in each wildlife area.
You spend much of your time driving on torturous roads, getting jostled around in a closed vehicle, often sucking dust. You hold onto your seat with a white knuckle death grip as you play chicken with local buses. By day 3 you are losing your mind.
When you see something interesting the guide pulls over and fiddles with the roof latches and pushes the top open... you are constantly having to stand up and pop your head through the top to see what the guide is pointing at.
You visit all the well known spots, none too far off the beaten path, and are often accompanied by 100s of other tourists doing the same.
I suggest a hard pass.
Seat in the Plane Air Transfers
Then there are flying safaris which allow you to maximize comfort, conveniance, and time in wild areas!
First we have "seat in the plane" air transfers between camps and lodges. Each guests pays for 1 seat aboard a flight and the daily schedule is based on guest and safari staff movements.
Compared to a road based safari this is a BIG STEP UP with much more of your time now spent in the wildlife areas you came to see! Funny enough the cost is similar to a road based trip as you are foregoing the closed vehicle and city based guide for air transfers and acitivities included at each camp and lodge where the guides know their areas like the back of their hands.
Now, although a big step in the right direction when compared to a road based safari, squeezing into a 12 seat plane with a bunch of people you don't know, stopping here and there as you drop off guests and pick up others, en route to your safari property is not perfect - but for most travelers "seat in the plane" air transfers are by far the best use of their time and money.
“In Botswana, considered by many to offer Africa's best wildlife and wilderness experience, flying is a necessity. There are so few roads you can fly between camps in under an hour vs driving 2 days! Botswana is so remote in fact that there were no direct international flights into the country until just this year!”
Sole Use Flights
The next level of the game are "sole use flights" where guests fly privately to and from each of the safari locations.
You are most likely flying aboard the same type of aircraft used for "seat in the plane" flights but it's just you and whomever else is in your party. The aircraft and pilot do not stay with you throughout your itinerary. They fly you to each safari property, then return several days later as per your itinerary to take you directly to your next camp or lodge.
Cost wise 6 guests is the number where sole use flight costs approximate "seat in the plane" costs.
Saving Time and Reducing Hassle
Recent Ultimate Africa clients wanted to combine gorilla trekking in Rwanda with wildlife viewing in Botswana. However, they didn't like how much time and inconvenience would be involved getting from East Africa to Southern Africa. They would have to fly commercial from Rwanda to Kenya where, on arrival, they would be forced to spend a night. The next morning they would board a scheduled flight to Victoria Falls, and then connect onwards to Kasane in Botswana before flying to their safari camp... in addition this routing meant securing a Kenya visa, a Zimbabwe visa, a Yellow Fever inoculation certificate, and clearing immigration 6 times and customs 3 times... a total pain.
Instead, we helicoptered the clients from their gorilla trekking lodge to Rwanda's capital Kigali where they boarded a private Pilatus PC12 and flew 4.5 hours to Botswana. After arrival formalities they flew 35 additional minutes to their camp. Overall these clients saved 24 hours and avoided lots of red tape - no visas, no shots, no overnights.
Now to be fair hiring an entire plane can cost a pretty penny if only 2 guests are traveling... for shorter distances private helicopter transfers offer an exclusive, non stop, experience at a lower price point. Private helicopter transfers can be a great alternative to "seat in the plane" transfers as well.
"Personally, I like to turn each flight into a site seeing adventure with private helicopter transfers. It is way more comfortable than squeezing into a Caravan with other travelers and as my son Sebastian says "helicopters feel like a flying massage”.
Heli transfers also allow you to access remote areas other aircraft simply can't reach... as an example my friend Simon's 4 day walking safaris in the Okavango Delta are so remote you can only access the area by helicopter."
- Ian Proctor -
Ultimate Africa Safaris founder & top experience curator
Chartering is the Ultimate
And now we reach the pinnacle, the peak - chartering! As noted at the beginning of this blog post a privately guided flying safari is the ultimate African experience!
This is where you fly aboard executive configured aircraft with reclining club seats and a lavatory along with VIP terminal access and fast track formalities. The aircraft stays with you the entire time maximizing comfort, convenience, and privacy. With a private pilot / guide, like the 'Ice Man' at the controls, the ‘getting there’ aspect of a bucket list itinerary becomes part of the adventure - the world, or more specifically Africa, is your oyster!
On a 2 week safari our charter clients save an average of 18 hours allowing them to spend more time on safari!
In addition you can avoid the strict luggage limits imposed on "seat in the plane" passengers.
"I will never forget a flight I had into Chitabe Camp a good number of years ago... we had just radio'd "10 minutes out" to the guide on the ground whose guests we would be picking up.
The guide began to drive the length of the runway to ensure it was clear of wildlife... he radio'd back noting there was an issue and that he was calling in another guide and vehicle. The "issue" was that he had spotted 2 lions which had successfully taken down a buffalo and were busy enjoying the spoils - in the middle of the runway!
Despite the guides best efforts - engine revving, hand clapping, horn hooting, and shouting, the lions paid him no mind... they were not interested in moving on. We were now circling the the airstrp 500' below. We watched as a second game drive vehicle arrived at the airstrip and parked next to the first.
After conferring the guides approached the buffalo in their vehicles... and, after a few attempts, they were able to secure a rope around the dead buffalo's boss (horns). They began to tow it off the runway - with the lion hanging on!
Now that the lion and buffalo had been repositioned, and the airstrip cleared, we executed a textbook landing... with smiles and a bit of head shaking the guests climbed aboard and we were back in the air heading to Duma Tau.
- Ian Proctor -
Ultimate Africa Safaris founder & top experience curator
Aircraft Types
We have access to a wide range of charter aircraft - executive configured turboprops and jets kitted out with all the whistles and bells - reclining swiveling leather seats, the latest computerized avionics, collision avoidance systems, and live track engine management systems.
Popular charter options include Cessna Caravans and Pilatus PC12's as they can take off from short remote bush airstrips. The super fast and luxurious twin jet Citation Mustang, with 4 club seats, is the ideal option for 2 couples or a family flying tar-to-tar anywhere in Africa.
Flights are also monitored by satelite with staff on the ground keeping an eye on weather; and estimated arrival / departure times.
If you want to take your flying game to an entirely different level you can fly business or first class to the UAE and go private from there. Emirates, through their Emirates Executive program, offer private Airbus ACJ 319 flights from Dubai. The aircraft have 10 suites, a lounge and bathroom with shower. Costs are roughly the same as traditional business jet travel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX4Zkl-yYLQ
Qatar Airways also has 20 private jet options under the moniker Qatar Executive.
If you would like to fly private from your home airport check out Evojets flight cost calculator.
Upon arrival in Africa, we will handle meet-and-greets, and VIP terminal access with private customs / immigration. You can be wheels up heading out on safari within 30 to 40 minutes of your arrival. If you have your own aircraft fueling and hangarage can be arranged.
Flying is about next level experiences.
maximizing comfort and conveniance
while saving time and allowing you to explore
far from the madding crowds!
You have read about my African travels. Now let's write your safari story!
