South Africa by Air
- By Rachel Hill
- Published 10/12/2011
- Travel
- Unrated
South Africa is one of the most magnificent landscapes in the world to explore from the air. Imagine the undulating savannah landscapes miles below you, as you take to the air and watch migrating wildebeest and pink flamingos below you. Whether you’re looking for a romantic breakfast over the Western Cape or an adrenalin-packed flight over the Drakensburg, the hardest thing will be choosing your preferred method of transport:
Whale Watching From the Sky
Stuck in a boat in the middle of the Indian Ocean is not always the best way to spot a whale. Instead why not take to the skies in a small aircraft and try your luck above Plettenberg Bay. Africa’s self-professed whale capital is best visited during early June, when hundreds of Southern Right whales leave the Antarctic to frolic in the warm waters of South Africa. Although these whales can be seen from the shore, a light aircraft allows you to cover more ground and thus spot more whales.
Flip a Helicopter over the Drakensburg
South Africa is one of the best areas for adventure sports and what can be more adventurous than flipping a helicopter over the Drakensberg Mountains. You can choose from a Bell or Robinson helicopter and some companies even have a licence to host weddings. Flying over the Champagne/Cathkin escarpment, you can take in the rugged peaks of the Drakensburg; or opt for a champagne stop-over where you land on a low-berg next to the escarpment and enjoy a chilled glass of champagne be
fore continuing on with your flight.
Glide Over Du Toitskloof Mountains
If you like gliding then there’s hardly anywhere in South Africa more scenic to experience your flight then the Du Toitskloof Mountains. The arid conditions around this area are just perfect for soaring, and with the jagged peaks and clouds as your playground you won’t want to come down. You’ll be gliding at heights of 5,000 to 20,000 giving you a true bird’s eye view of the stunning Breede River Canyon.
Thunder City Cape Town
Thunder City in Cape Town is the best place to go for the complete Top Gun experience. If you’ve grown up in the mid-1980s and dreamed of flying a fighter jet since Maverick and Goose took to your screens, then Thunder City is the place to make your dreams come true. When at this destination in South Africa, you can try your hand at vertical flight breaking the sound barrier in an ex-military buccaneer, or see the curvature of the earth on Mach 2.
Fly a Tiger Moth in the Cradle of Humankind
Sterkfontein, located in the Gauteng Province is a set of limestone caves recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is also known as the Cradle of Humankind due to the many hominid remains that have been found in the area. The undulating hills and valleys are reminiscent of a verdant olde worlde England, which makes it the perfect landscape to soar over in a 1940’s Tiger Moth. Sterkfontein is the richest hominid fossil site in the world, so make sure you take some time on the way to stop and explore the area; who knows what you may discover.
Whale Watching From the Sky
Stuck in a boat in the middle of the Indian Ocean is not always the best way to spot a whale. Instead why not take to the skies in a small aircraft and try your luck above Plettenberg Bay. Africa’s self-professed whale capital is best visited during early June, when hundreds of Southern Right whales leave the Antarctic to frolic in the warm waters of South Africa. Although these whales can be seen from the shore, a light aircraft allows you to cover more ground and thus spot more whales.
Flip a Helicopter over the Drakensburg
South Africa is one of the best areas for adventure sports and what can be more adventurous than flipping a helicopter over the Drakensberg Mountains. You can choose from a Bell or Robinson helicopter and some companies even have a licence to host weddings. Flying over the Champagne/Cathkin escarpment, you can take in the rugged peaks of the Drakensburg; or opt for a champagne stop-over where you land on a low-berg next to the escarpment and enjoy a chilled glass of champagne be
Glide Over Du Toitskloof Mountains
If you like gliding then there’s hardly anywhere in South Africa more scenic to experience your flight then the Du Toitskloof Mountains. The arid conditions around this area are just perfect for soaring, and with the jagged peaks and clouds as your playground you won’t want to come down. You’ll be gliding at heights of 5,000 to 20,000 giving you a true bird’s eye view of the stunning Breede River Canyon.
Thunder City Cape Town
Thunder City in Cape Town is the best place to go for the complete Top Gun experience. If you’ve grown up in the mid-1980s and dreamed of flying a fighter jet since Maverick and Goose took to your screens, then Thunder City is the place to make your dreams come true. When at this destination in South Africa, you can try your hand at vertical flight breaking the sound barrier in an ex-military buccaneer, or see the curvature of the earth on Mach 2.
Fly a Tiger Moth in the Cradle of Humankind
Sterkfontein, located in the Gauteng Province is a set of limestone caves recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is also known as the Cradle of Humankind due to the many hominid remains that have been found in the area. The undulating hills and valleys are reminiscent of a verdant olde worlde England, which makes it the perfect landscape to soar over in a 1940’s Tiger Moth. Sterkfontein is the richest hominid fossil site in the world, so make sure you take some time on the way to stop and explore the area; who knows what you may discover.
Rachel Hill
Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made South Africa holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury South Africa holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.
View all articles by Rachel Hill