Better air travel makes safaris more accessible
Africa is a continent filled not only with great wildlife, but landscapes that impress even the most experienced traveller. Traditionally, most African safaris have been road-bound affairs where driving can at times be challenging, often playfully referred to as the “Maasai Massage” in East Africa. Thankfully, as light aircraft connections have become more prominent and less costly, a whole new world of flying from point to point on safari has opened up both an easy and rewarding way to discover the continent’s great wildlife arenas.
In East Africa, new connections allow for safaris that combine the gorillas of Uganda or Rwanda with the plains of the Serengeti, the natural wonder of the Ngorongoro Crater and the beaches of Zanzibar, all as you zip from safari camp to safari camp with time to explore each unique location.
New flights allow access to remote and inviting camps where travellers have the ability to get away from the crowds and experience intimate game drives with diverse flora and fauna.
The often overlooked, and remote, parks of Southern Tanzania such as the arid Ruaha National Park and the Selous Game Reserve, the largest reserve in Africa, are more accessible than ever and offer clients safari experiences that may well be more rewarding than the traditional northern circuit.
In Zambia, one of the least visited, but rewarding safari destinations, air access was traditionally burdened by having to fly through Lusaka, the capital, often with an overnight. New connections now allow direct flights between South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Park. South Luangwa is home of the most thrilling and authentic walking safari experiences and the best place to see leopard in all of Africa.
Lower Zambezi National Park is the perfect place for the multi-activity enthusiast, where one can game drive, walk with wildlife, canoe and fish all in the same day.
Botswana has traditionally been a flying safari destination as the difficult topography has made it the most viable way to get between camps. With a tourism ethos of high quality and low numbers, it has historically been the go-to safari destination for those looking for a lavish, but expensive, safari experience.
Recently however a flourish of new camps, especially in the mid-range, means it is no longer solely the playground of luxury safari goers and even those on a more moderate budget can experience its peaceful and serene landscapes and abundant wildlife.
Flying in Africa, wherever you have chosen for your safari, comes with some real advantages such as better use of your time and minimizing difficult and cumbersome logistics.
There is nothing more rewarding than being a few thousand feet in the air spotting some great wildlife with a bird’s eye view of the world’s most captivating continent.