For the aviator Africa is the continent with the most unique destinations in the world. What is the better way of exploring this magic continent in your own african flying safari with a unique planned route and destinations.

Flying in Africa is challenging, fun and rewarding.

The African Self-fly Safari! is an opportunity for you to fly an aircraft in Southern Africa, for pilots seeking adventure! We make it possible for you to see Africa’s wilderness and animal kingdom and to fly yourself around the route. You will have an aircraft, a tailor-made route, full-flight planning services, someone to show you the way during the first several days, assistance on departure day in dispatching, flight monitoring, and full support while you are on safari. You do the flying!

Buffalo, lion, and elephant wander under your wings. Dirt airstrips link far-flung towns and camps across the African bush. A day’s flight, and a dusty drive through herds of antelope, culminates with a sundowner, an excellent dinner, and a cordial evening around a campfire with friends and other travelers from around the world. As conversation fades the night sounds of the bush come to the fore. Enjoy restful sleep in the wilds of Africa. A predawn wake-up call, an early start, and the adventure begins anew!

The region we are talking about includes South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. The region is politically stable and safe for visitors though not all areas may be open for tourism. As is the case anywhere in the world, there are sections of cities that visitors should avoid. Our safari itineraries tend to keep you out of the cities and in Africa’s dramatic wilderness, scenic rural areas, and coasts. Throughout the region you will find gracious hosts, friendly people, and an enthusiastic flying community. English is the official language throughout the region (except in Mozambique where Portuguese is spoken). ATC communications are always carried out in English.

African Self-fly Safari! begin and end in South Africa, and its rules govern the operation. The destinations to be viewed are the world famous Kruger Park and its fabulous surrounding Lodges. The service is of a very high quality and exclusiveness. Outstanding on this planet!

Arguably Africa’s standard for western-style democracy, Botswana is largely a wilderness area that includes the semi-arid Kalahari Desert and the massive Okavango Delta. Some of the best game viewing in all Africa is found here.

The famous Victoria Falls, so named by Dr. David Livingstone, is a crossroads of southern Africa tourism on the northern side of the Zambezi River. Livingstone, Zambia is an excellent stop to view Victoria Falls.

The rest of the country is a large area ranging from hilly, woodland bush in the eastern Luangwa Valley, to open savanna along the country’s western border with Angola. The Zambezi River provides some of the finest white-water rafting in the world. Fishing in the lower Zambezi. A deep safari to rarely visited areas.

One of the driest and least densely populated areas in the world. Distances between destinations demand an aircraft. Here you willl find picture-book deserts with huge sand dunes, rugged volcanic terrain, canyons, and isolated coastlines. German is widely spoken in Namibia, though English is universally spoken.

Referred to as the 'Warm Heart of Africa' with a benign climate, friendly local people, and lush vegetation that invites relaxation. Lake Malawi, part of the Great Rift Valley, is the focal point of activity surrounded by forest and mountain reserves ideal for walking.

Indian Ocean tropical waters in this former Portuguese colony. Feast on prawns and enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, and tranquil lagoons.

You will find abundant wildlife in Zimbabwe’s renowned wilderness areas. The capital, Harare, is a colorful and busy African city. Political uncertainty and sporadic fuel supplies put this country on the back burner in 2002. It is too bad. Visits remain possible if you are inclined to go but we suggest you circumvent Zimbabwe for the time being.


In the Southern Hemisphere, flying weather tends to be at its best from April through October. These are the autumn and winter months in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and most of South Africa. We recommend that you go on your African Self-fly Safari! during these months. These relatively cool and dry months are also considered the best season for game viewing. Foliage is less dense, and the scarcity of water helps concentrate the animals at water holes for more prolific game viewing.

PRIMARY AFRICA	16 days: 4 days Licence Validation, Tuli Block, Okavango, Linyanti or Caprivi, Livingstone, Mashatu.
NAMIBIA SAFARI	A balance of desert & animals in South Africa & Namibia

The aircraft used are C182s, C172s and one Cherokee-6 and a Cherokee 180.

Upon booking (minimum 2 months in advance and after the payment of 25% non-refundable deposit) you will immediately receive our exclusive Advanced Preparation Kit. This contains important information on what to bring, as well as study material with homework for your pilot license validation requirements. On arrival in Johannesburg you will have an introductory briefing. After we have met you and delivered you to your hotel. You will also have an extensive pre-departure safari briefing that can take a full afternoon.

Time consuming flight planning is done for you. What you need is contained in your extensive Cockpit Trip Kit. This is a comprehensive guide to African flying tailored to your specific route.

It is a preflight planning aid for each leg of your safari. It is also an in-flight cockpit resource. Reading it and using it gives you perspective and suggestions on flying in Africa. It gives you more time to enjoy what you have come for a vacation safari and flying the African bush! You will receive your Cockpit Trip Kit on arrival. You should begin to read it right away. We will review it with you in your pre-departure briefing.

Aeronautical chart of Johannesburg area that you will use on your cross-country validation exercise. Self-Fly Safari pilots will be given a set of South Africa WAC and Sectional charts necessary for their actual route when they arrive in South Africa.
Airfields of Southern Africa. This unofficial airport directory is the only one of its kind since South Africa publishes no equivalent to the NOAA Airport/Facility Directory.
Private Pilot’s Aviation Law. This booklet is a summary of South African flight rules. You will refer to this booklet when writing the Air Law written exercise that is part of the pilot license validation process. Dull reading but a necessary reference.
Glossary of Flying in southern Africa. This alphabetical listing of terms used by aviators throughout southern Africa will be provided to all participants. It is also a useful reference for the Air Law written exercise.
Guide to Radio Procedures and Visual Landmarks.


We can provide a pilot/escort in your own aircraft or a lead aircraft for your group.
A safety pilot will serve as PIC on your Self-Fly Safari if you so wish. This option is available at extra cost. But should be considered, in advance, by anyone who will feel more comfortable with an experienced hand on board.

Elderly (70 years and above) pilots, and pilots without a current medical certificate must consider this option. The elderly pilot can bring with him a younger pilot who must get validated to fulfill this role. The extra pilot, therefore, does not have to be a local pilot/instructor. But, if the elderly pilot arrives alone, thinking he can pass the test and then fails, he will have to bear the cost of a pilot, S&T's, accommodation. Possibly, if he has other passengers with him, he may have to bear the cost of a larger aircraft (C-182 instead of a C-172, for example.)


Extensive briefing with our Senior Controller of the Air Traffic Control (ATC)
Introduction flight with one of our Senior Instructors, approx. 1hr.
Cross-Country flight dual, approx. 2hrs.
Air Law exam after guided preparation.


Copy of foreign Pilot License
Copy of foreign Medical (Class I or II)
Copy of Passport (face-page)
Statement about Total Hours flown (minimum: 300hrs.)
Copy of Type Ratings/Conversions (Total Hours)
Preferred aircraft at ‘African Self-Fly Safari!’
Copy of last 2 pages of Pilot Logbook