At a Glance
- Top African lodges offer helicopter access, blending convenience with exclusive safari experiences.
- Helicopter transfers cut long road journeys, enhancing luxury travel across leading African destinations.
- Scenic flights deliver wildlife views and seamless arrivals at Africa’s most exclusive luxury retreats.
For Africa’s most discerning travelers, luxury today goes beyond fine dining, designer suites, and private butlers. Increasingly, the journey itself has become part of the experience.
Across the continent, a growing number of luxury lodges and hotels are offering helicopter arrival services—allowing guests to bypass long transfers, take in sweeping landscapes from the sky, and land directly at the heart of their exclusive retreat.
The rise of helicopter transfers across Africa’s top hotels reflects broader demand for seamless, high-end travel.
Shore Africa profiled that affluent tourists are increasingly looking for experiences that combine convenience with spectacle—whether it’s bypassing road networks or enjoying aerial wildlife encounters before landing at a luxury lodge.
For Africa’s luxury hospitality market, the chopper is no longer just a transfer—it’s part of the brand promise.
For investors and operators in the travel sector, this signals Africa’s accelerating push into the high-end tourism market, where experiential luxury and convenience are equally important. Here are 10 standout properties redefining luxury hospitality with helicopter access.
1. Lion Sands River Lodge, South Africa
Set within the famed Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Lion Sands River Lodge is a gateway to Kruger’s wildlife corridors. Guests can arrive by helicopter, soaring above the bushveld before landing near the lodge. Scenic flights double as game-viewing excursions, offering a chance to spot elephants, giraffes, and herds of buffalo from above. The lodge’s riverside suites and private decks make it one of the most exclusive safari escapes in Southern Africa.
2. The Royal Malewane, South Africa
Owned by the Royal Portfolio group, The Royal Malewane combines colonial-style grandeur with modern comfort. Helicopter transfers whisk guests directly from Johannesburg or Cape Town into the Greater Kruger region. Once there, guests enjoy personalized safari experiences led by some of Africa’s most qualified guides. For travelers pressed for time, the helicopter option transforms a half-day road transfer into a seamless 45-minute flight.
3. &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge, South Africa
Perched high above Zululand, Phinda Mountain Lodge offers sweeping views of the Lebombo Mountains. Its helicopter transfers aren’t just practical—they’re designed as part of the adventure. Scenic routes glide over dramatic escarpments, wetlands, and savanna, setting the tone for a safari experience focused on conservation and culture.
4. Singita Faru Faru Lodge, Tanzania
On the edge of the Serengeti, Singita Faru Faru integrates world-class luxury with raw wilderness. Helicopter transfers from Arusha or Kilimanjaro deliver guests directly to the Grumeti Reserve. Scenic flights reveal the vast plains dotted with wildebeest during migration season. On the ground, glass-fronted suites and an infinity pool overlooking the river underline Singita’s blend of modern elegance and natural immersion.
5. Kariega Settlers Drift, South Africa
In the malaria-free Kariega Private Game Reserve of the Eastern Cape, Settlers Drift offers a rare blend of river safaris and bushland adventures. Helicopter arrivals allow guests to take in the Kariega River winding through rugged landscapes. The tented lodge, designed with understated luxury, caters to travelers seeking privacy and exclusivity away from the better-known safari hubs.
6. Kwandwe Ecca Lodge, South Africa
Also in the Eastern Cape, Kwandwe Ecca Lodge is known for its modern design and family-friendly safari offering. Helicopter transfers provide a direct link from Port Elizabeth or Cape Town, delivering guests into the heart of the 22,000-hectare reserve. From above, the patchwork of valleys and plains offers a preview of the game-viewing opportunities awaiting below.
7. Madikwe Safari Lodge, South Africa
Located in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve near Botswana, this lodge makes helicopter access part of its luxury promise. Flights sweep across the Kalahari landscape, where red sands meet bushveld. On arrival, guests step into suites designed for families and honeymooners alike, with private plunge pools overlooking game-rich plains.
8. Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp, South Africa
Intimate and exclusive, Little Bush Camp sits along the Sabie River in the Sabi Sand. Helicopter transfers not only cut travel time but also showcase the scale of the reserve. With just six luxury suites, each featuring outdoor showers and private decks, the camp appeals to travelers seeking quiet seclusion paired with modern comfort.
9. Ulusaba Safari Lodge, South Africa
Owned by Sir Richard Branson, Ulusaba blends celebrity appeal with rugged authenticity. Helicopter transfers bring guests directly to the private airstrip. Scenic flights over Kruger’s expansive landscapes are often paired with champagne landings—a signature Virgin touch. The lodge’s hilltop setting offers panoramic views over the reserve, making it a favorite among high-net-worth travelers.
10. Vumbura Plains Camp, Botswana
In the Okavango Delta, Vumbura Plains offers helicopter access that doubles as one of Africa’s most breathtaking scenic experiences. Guests fly over floodplains, channels, and islands before touching down in the heart of the delta. The camp’s design merges indoor and outdoor living, with open-fronted suites that frame the delta’s waterways and wildlife.
