Something about taking flight makes you feel utterly invincible yet vulnerable. And seeing Africa’s glorious vastness from the skies is one of my favourite activities. A bird’s-eye view of Africa’s landscapes is, in my opinion, the very best view! I hand-selected some images to give you a taste of what you can expect… I hope you get to experience it, too!
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Gentle giants looking small from this bird’s-eye view of Africa
Oh, how I love Botswana! The Okavango Delta is a floodplain that’s puzzling in a good way. Nature seems to run its own course here, not following the rules you might expect, like flooding in the dry season. Watching the wildlife, especially elephants, from above gives you perspective, and you get to see the whole picture.
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A bird’s-eye view of South Africa’s largest private game reserve, Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve
Everything the light touches is your kingdom! Well, not really – but at Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve, it’s yours to explore. I highly recommend you take a helicopter ride to really grasp the sheer size and majesty of this private reserve, South Africa’s biggest.
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Victoria Falls in full flood, Image Credit: Flight of the Angels
Ever dreamt of seeing Victoria Falls in real life? I can promise you, it’s pretty spectacular. But nothing comes close to taking a heli and flying right over the “Smoke that Thunders”. Get ready to gasp for breath. You’ll finally understand what David Livingstone meant when he uttered, “‘Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”, when laying eyes on Victoria Falls”.
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Hello, world of heavenly wines, Image Credit: La Residence
Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands is a setting that will make you feel like you stepped into a romance novel. And its mountain ranges, oh its mountain ranges! Planning a proposal? Sweep your significant other off their feet (literally) by taking a helicopter ride over this fairytale setting, finishing it off with a wine or bubbly pairing, picnic, and the Big Question.
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What a wonderful world we live in
Namibia is huge – and one of the most sparsely-populated countries on the planet. This means endless horizons to explore, and yup, the best view is by far from above! A personal favourite of mine is Skeleton Coast. This spookily-named coastline was once where wary sailors often could not see through the blinding sea fog and got stranded, resulting in this shipwreck graveyard. It’s also where the ocean meets the desert!
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Otherworldly, especially when viewed from above, Image Credit: Jacks Camp
Is this Mars? No, it’s Africa! Our continent is not only vast, but it also has such a wide-ranging array of terrains. This is Botswana, where you can gallop on horseback or head to the clouds to see the famous Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, which is utterly unique.
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Float away in a hot air balloon, Image Credit: Governors’ Balloon Safaris
Okay, now you’ve had a taste of a heli ride. But let’s take it up a notch – in a hot air balloon! This will trump even your most vivid dream of flying, and East Africa is the perfect spot for this activity. When it’s the Great Migration season, it’s even more spectacular, with over two million wildebeest, zebras and other antelope moving across the savannah.
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The beautiful Mauritius Indian Ocean Island
Honeymoon fantasies come true in Mauritius. This is one of my preferred Indian Ocean Islands because it gives you plenty to do, but I also like to spend days on end just lounging on the beach with bottomless cocktails magically appearing next to me. Just wait until you see its crystal-clear water, pearly beaches, and lushness.
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The Garden Route is a must-visit destination in South Africa
What a view! The Garden Route is widely considered the ultimate road trip route. It gives you forests, oceans, safari, mountain passes, quaint towns, and so much more. There are many ways to see it from this angle, but I personally adore getting really adventurous and going paragliding! Not for the faint-hearted, but oh so worth it.
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Game drive sunset drinks stop, Image Credit: African Bush Camps, Khwai Leadwood
Did Botswana just feature for a third time on my list? You betcha. There’s just so much to admire about this country and how wild it still is. I also love its high impact, low volume tourism model, meaning you never feel crowded by other tourists and get a truly authentic safari experience that treads lightly.
Ready to See Africa from All Angles?
So you’ve seen wildlife, bush, savannah, waterfalls, winelands, salt pans, forests, islands, deltas… could there possibly be more? Oh, yes. Africa has many tricks up her sleeves. Let our Travel Experts show you. With all of our first-hand knowledge, we will make sure your dream holiday hits all the right notes… and then some. See you in Africa!
