Luxury Fly-in Safaris in Africa

Africa contains some of the world’s most isolated areas and is a huge, untamed wilderness. With a combined area larger than the US, Brazil, and China, it is the second largest continent. Nearly 65% of the land is made up of savannas, or grasslands, which can make it difficult—and occasionally time-consuming—to reach some of the more isolated locations.

Luckily, there are some exclusive camps that offer fly-in safaris – an exhilarating and convenient option to explore some of the off the beaten track regions of Africa. A fly-in safari makes use of a plane or helicopter to transfer you between locations, saving you time, and offering you spectacular panoramas of the wildest spaces on Earth.

Malewane Royal, South Africa

Situated near the edge of the renowned Kruger National Park, Royal Malewane is part of the Thornybush Private Game Reserve. A safari here provides an amazing all-around wildlife experience and ensures an exciting up-close encounter with the Big Five. Aside from being one of the most opulent safari lodges in the area, Jackalberry Airstrip is a private landing strip that visitors may fly directly to from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport. It also features villas for personal use.

Beyond Namibia’s Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Situated in the heart of the world’s oldest surviving desert, the Namib, the ultra-exclusive andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is situated deep within the Sossusvlei Private Desert Reserve. The Sossusvlei Desert Lodge promises its visitors unparalleled luxury and a strong emphasis on sustainability, and a stay there is truly life-changing. For individuals who prefer not to do the 400-kilometer (248-mile) 4×4 journey from Windhoek, the lodge provides daily scheduled charter flights to its own exclusive airfield.

Botswana’s Xigera Safari Lodge

Xigera Safari Lodge is located in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, on the western edge of the Moremi Game Reserve. With its exquisite architecture, this opulent area provides guests with prime viewing of some of Africa’s greatest wildlife activities. The lodge is a secluded treasure in the Delta that can only be reached by a chartered flight to an adjacent airfield, from where visitors can arrive by boat or game drive.

Benguerra Azura, Mozambique

Situated on Benguerra island, which is part of the immaculate Bazaruto Marine National Park, this untouched island paradise has just 20 luxurious villas extending along one of the world’s most stunning beaches. For visitors who would prefer to arrive by plane, there is a modern helicopter that can take them straight from Vilanculos Airport to the island. Additionally, there is a small grass airstrip on Benguerra Island that can handle a smaller charter flight.

Gorilla’s Nest, Rwanda: One and Only

Nestled in the lower elevations of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest is the epitome of luxury and adventure. The lodge, with its effortlessly exquisite architecture, is the ideal starting point for an amazing experience with the endangered mountain gorillas of the Virunga Mountains. Upon arrival at Kigali Airport, visitors will be greeted warmly by the kind hosts of One&Only Gorilla’s Nest. From there, they will be taken by helicopter to the lodge’s exclusive helipad.

Matetsi, Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls

Matetsi Victoria Falls, which is situated on a private concession near the Zambezi River, is the ideal starting point for a safari experience in Zimbabwe and a visit to the magnificent Victoria Falls, the world’s largest waterfall. Matetsi Victoria Falls debuted its very own private airstrip to supplement its existing private heli-pad, giving guests the option of two exhilarating fly-in safari experiences since Zimbabwe’s borders reopened for international flights in 2020.