Tours and Costs

We have successfully managed to keep safari cost increases negligible, and in some cases the costs are lower than previously. Flying safaris depart on a weekly basis, throughout the year. Some are made up of folks flying independently, others of small groups.

An exception to our normal program in 2010 will be mid June - mid July, when the security around the FIFA world cup soccer will make leisure flying more challenging with lots more paperwork to take to the skies.

What now? Plan your trip by letting us know..

1. Your name, telephone number and mailing address
2. If you are a pilot - your licence and experience details
3. When and how much time you can take off for a flying safari
4. If you have preference for any of our premium safaris
5. If you have a “wish list” and what it comprises
6. How many in your party? (e.g. solo, couple, party of friends)
7. Do you want to fly in a group or independently?
8. Would you prefer for one our pilot-guides to ride along?

Email () the above information with as much background as possible, and we will respond to your requirements and recommend the best travel and safari options for your needs.

Let us know your location and we will supply past guests' contact details for a reality check.

 

Seasons below historically benefit from generally good VMC for the safaris indicated.
(Don't forget, we are in the Southern hemisphere and our seasons are opposite to those in the North!)

Whilst the table indicates best seasons, our safaris can be flown at any time, with some limitations to coastal flying at times of the year that experience heavy frontal conditions.

Our mainstream Premium Self-Pilot Safaris reflect luxury tour experiences: flying, on-the-ground services, escorting, guiding and attention to detail. With international exchange rates varying continually it is difficult to define prices on this website accurately for a safari you might be considering in the future. Additionally, prices are affected by seasonal variances and whether you are travelling in a group. Once we know your approximate travel dates and your party make-up, we will gladly draw up a quote for you. As a general guideline safari costs range as shown in the table below and are fully inclusive once you have arrived in South Africa.

The pricing guide assumes two persons sharing a regular PA28/C172 and double occupancy with full private facilities. (if a third person or child travels as passenger, the price for this person will be discounted, although there may be a single supplement applied. Please advise your requirements when booking).

The costs we will quote you include, unless otherwise stated:

• Meet and greet and orientation,
• upscale double accommodations with full private facilities as described,
• all meals on safari, breakfasts at city hotels and an African Aero Safaris gala dinner or luncheon,
• all transfers and transport,
• all scheduled safari excursions in game parks by night and day,
• selected premium excursions along the itinerary,
• full pilot’s licence validation program for one pilot (all briefings, reference materials, airfields guide, required literature, charts, airport data, manuals, administration of tutorials, airlaw and procedures, fees, couriers, issuance of your licence by the local authority),
• dry rental of a regular PA28 or C172 or similar category airplane (based on sufficient time to cover the total direct routing distance),
• all government and local authority permits, overflight permissions and clearances,
• flight following by our head office,
• briefings relevant and prior to each leg,
• aerial photographs and diagrams of airfields you will be landing at,
• personalised and journey-specific Safari Flying Guide™
• all relevant charts, Airfields Guide, Radio Frequencies info,
• pilots bag, T shirts and caps,
• guide crew on escorted safaris either in a group aircraft or separate aircraft
   

Additional costs you can expect to pay:

• gratuities,
• airplane fuel (approx $4 - $5 per gallon),
• “user” fees (navigation, ICAO, landing, parking etc, $180 – 320 per airplane),
• deductible insurance ($20 - $70 per airplane),
• dual checkride time (approx $130 per hour),
• excursions or pre- and post tour itineraries
• airplane upgrade

Discounts (only one discount of either type is allowed) are applicable on tours where:

• deposits are received outside 180 days prior to tour start.
• 5 or more guests are making group payments and bookings through one party leader

A custom-made safari can be high-end or make use of moderate accommodations. Generally private game lodges are more costly and fully inclusive, whilst staying in smaller villages in a hinterland tour will be at lower cost but less wildlife oriented and not fully inclusive.

Prices range from $320 upwards per person per day on tour The price is dependant on which meals are included, the category of accommodations, if car rental is required, local excursions and many other factors. The final pricing can only be determined once we have designed the routing to your requirements and satisfaction.