My all-time favourite activity is going up in the air in a helicopter. It is the perfect viewpoint, so different from daily life and you get so high! Nothing beats flying over glorious landscapes, peering down at the wonders of Africa. So we wanted to bring you a list of our top favourite helicopter flights in Southern Africa including settings of spectacular natural beauty from windswept coastlines to mountain terrain.
1. Cape Point Tour – Cape Town
Sweep along the majestic coastline of the Cape Peninsula, a dramatic path of beaches, rocky shores and mountains culminating at the Cape Point.
2. Cascades, canyons & mountain picnic – Mpumalanga Panorama Route
Swoop along the Blyde River Canyon’s mysterious gorges, cliffs, and meandering rivers before perching on the ultimate picnic site soaking up endless panoramas during a light lunch.
3. World Heritage sites from above – KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg
A glorious sixty minutes airtime over two of the world’s most breath-taking mountain topographies, Cathedral Peak and Royal Natal Amphitheatre. This experience is undertaken from Cathedral Peak Hotel in The Berg (Drakensberg Mountains). This area is for time-out: fresh-air, horse-riding, hiking and golf.
4. Wild Coast air transfer, Eastern Cape
On a transfer flight between Miarestate and East London, you can appreciate the spectacular scenery and raw beauty of the undeveloped Wild Coast – and keep an eye out for dolphins and whales.
5. Maputo to Anvil Bay Heli Transfer, Mozambique
A 30 min heli trip capturing the dynamic power of a city, the rugged wilderness of a safari and the uncompromising delight of a seaside break in exquisite surrounds. Take a beach timeout at Anvil Bay.
6. Above the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
It’s called the ‘Flight of the Angels’ because this has to be the view to make even heaven weep for joy. Circle over this breath-taking marvel – a great gash in the land, over which the river flows. Add this one to your Victoria Falls stop-over and stay anywhere in and around the town. This is an all-time favourite helicopter flight in Southern Africa because the UNESCO World Heritage site is epically impressive. The river system stretches for miles and the water plummets down with unenviable force. Everything makes sense from above. (See photo below)
7. Tsodilo Hills, Northern Botswana
To the San (Bushmen), it’s a site of massive spiritual significance, and the ancient rock art and fantastic formations seem to add to this mystical beauty. See it from above, then explore on foot.
If you are staying in the western camps of the Delta, Setari Camp or Belmond Eagle Island this fascinating experience can easily be added into your itinerary. (see photo below)
These are just a handful of the fabulous helicopter flights we can book for your next African adventure. A top tip from our experts – if you go to Victoria Falls, spend the extra money and extend your ‘Flight of Angels’ to include Zambezi National Park. You are almost certain to see wildlife from the air.
