Best of Africa by private jet

Africa is a captivating continent with vast landscapes, friendly people, wondrous wildlife and a certain storybook magic. There’s so much to explore, and one of the best ways to see Africa’s most prized locations is by luxury private jet charter.

Private charter flights allow access to Africa’s most remote regions with the ability to land at small airports, bush airstrips and helipads. Let’s explore some of Africa’s best travel destinations and how to reach them by private airrcraft.

Masai Mara, Kenya

Arrive at the VIP customs area of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by private jet and transfer to Giraffe Manor by private vehicle. This is the city’s most iconic retreat, where guests have the enchanting opportunity to interact with the resident herd of Rothschild’s giraffe. Wandering the grounds by day, these endangered giraffe are fond of sticking their long necks into the dining room at meal times in search of a sumptuous snack.

The next morning, a private jet will transport you from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Keekorok airstrip in the Masai Mara in just a quick 45-minute flight. From here, a private game drive vehicle will collect you for the drive to the luxurious Sala’s Camp.

Set amongst the tree-lined bank of the Sand River in the southern Masai Mara, the camp is intimate, exclusive and secluded. It’s located just over a mile from Tanzania’s Serengeti boundary and is one of the first camps to experience the start of the great wildebeest migration. Teeming year-round with wildlife and with plenty of cook-out breakfasts, game drives and sundowners on offer, it’s an authentic and luxurious Mara experience. The canvas tents have private plunge pools and glass fronts to ensure guests don’t miss a thing.

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Fly by private charter to Kigali International Airport. From here, take a 30-minute helicopter ride to the Singita Kwitonda Lodge on the edge of Volcanoes National Park. Home to more than a third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, the park is the perfect place for a life-changing gorilla trekking experience. Learn about these incredible creatures with a private gorilla expert and visit the research centre established by anthropologist Dian Fossey in 1967. Keep an eye out for golden monkeys, too. These cute primates live in the bamboo trees at the base of the volcanoes.

Singita Kwitonda Lodge was designed to integrate seamlessly with its remarkable location. Incredibly exclusive, it has only eight luxurious suites, each featuring a private heated plunge pool, a wellness treatment area, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and impressively large timber-framed windows with spectacular views over the jungle and volcanoes.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Botswana’s Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most impressive landscapes, where vast flood waters reflect the seemingly endless African sky. Fly by private charter to Maun Airport. From here, you’ll fly 25 minutes by small, fixed-wing aircraft to the Vumbura Airstrip, then take a 10-12-minute helicopter flight to Karangoma Camp.

Karangoma is an exciting and ethical luxury lodge that’s a result of its partnership with the local community – it urges guests to reconnect with nature and the traditional cultures of the area. This small, exclusive camp has only six safari-style tents. These intimate tents are hidden on wooden platforms amongst leadwoods and sausage trees, overlooking a popular game path ideal for wildlife viewing.

Each tent has a stylish bedroom and bathroom decorated with a modern take using the textures, colours and patterns of the local Hambukushu basketry style. Guests can enjoy game viewing from local mokoros (canoes), game drives, walks, and cultural experiences in this special camp in partnership with the local community.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Fly by private charter from Maun Airport to Victoria Falls International Airport in Zimbabwe. From here, you can reach Matetsi River Lodge by private road transfer or a 15-minute helicopter charter.

Matetsi River Lodge sits on nine miles of prime, private Zambezi River frontage, offering exceptional game viewing opportunities, fishing, boat cruises, and easy access to the Falls. The Matetsi River House is an exclusive-use four-bedroom riverfront property with a private game guide, vehicle, butler and chef. It has open-plan indoor and outdoor living areas, a private pool overlooking the Zambezi, and access to a range of lodge facilities, including a lap pool, fitness studio, library/boardroom, boutique and wine cellar.

The famous Mosi-oa-Tunya (“smoke that thunders”), Victoria Falls, is of course the main attraction, and the best way to see it is from the air. Known as the Flight of the Angels, a private helicopter tour lets you admire the Falls' unparalleled beauty and offers unsurpassed views.

There’s more to the area than the Falls themselves, and guests can enjoy sundowner cruises on the Zambezi River, white water rafting below the Falls and bungee jumping off the iconic bridge.

Cape Town, South Africa

From Victoria Falls, fly by private jet to Cape Town International Airport, where you’ll be transported by private vehicle to the One&Only Cape Town, or take a helicopter charter to one of the helipads at the nearby V&A Waterfront.

The One&Only Cape Town is the Mother City’s premium luxury hotel. It overlooks a stunning marina and offers exceptional views across Table Mountain. The Presidential Suite is the hotel’s top offering, with two spacious bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, walk-in closets, a fitted gym, a lounge and a private balcony. It also offers sweeping views over the city. Decorated with neutral tones juxtaposed with pops of colour and dark wooden features, the standout features are the residential bar and the exquisite floor-to-ceiling fireplace.

If it’s your first visit to Cape Town, you simply can’t miss getting to the top of Table Mountain. Charter a helicopter to get the best views, or hop on the cable car to the summit. After that, take an exciting scenic tour of the peninsula and visit iconic places like Cape Point, Chapman’s Peak Drive and Boulders Beach with its adorable penguins. Or, take a tour around the Winelands, sample the most famous South African wines, and enjoy some of the finest restaurants in the country.

See the best of Africa with ACS

There’s nothing quite like exploring the beauty of Africa, and private aircraft rental and charters make it much easier. ACS has over 30 years of experience, and our charter experts know the best aircraft and airports to maximise your time and comfort during your journey.

The Travel Division at Air Charter Service is a full-service luxury travel agency that specialises in creating tailor-made holiday packages for ACS customers. They handle everything from hotel bookings to private tours and restaurant reservations so you can simply relax.

Whether you want to hire a private jet in South Africa or create a bespoke journey around the continent, contact us to speak to a charter expert today.