Taking off in the golden light of dawn, your hot air balloon rises gently over endless savannahs dotted with acacia trees and moving shadows of wildlife below. From this peaceful perch, the patterns of the Great Migration come into focus, where thousands of wildebeest and zebra weave across the plains. It’s a view that captures both the raw power and delicate rhythm of nature. Singita Faru Faru, set along the Grumeti River, offers not only exceptional access to this spectacle, but also a luxurious base from which to explore one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes—by land and sky.

There’s something truly surreal about drifting above the Namib Desert, where the landscape stretches endlessly beneath you. From the serene stillness of a hot air balloon, you’ll float over towering red sand dunes, ancient salt pans, and strikingly desolate beauty that seems untouched by time. It’s a moment of near-weightlessness, quiet, peaceful, and utterly unforgettable. For those seeking the ultimate desert perspective, we recommend &Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge and Wilderness Kulala, where the experience is as seamless as it is spectacular.

The experience begins the moment your helicopter lifts off from Matetsi Private Game Reserve’s private helipad. As you ascend, the vast wilderness below comes to life. Elephants moving through the trees, herds grazing along the riverbanks, all framed by the glinting curves of the Zambezi River. The flight then sweeps towards one of Africa’s most iconic wonders: Victoria Falls. En route, marvel at the dramatic Batoka Gorge, carved over millennia, before experiencing the legendary ‘Flight of the Angels’, an unforgettable aerial dance above the world’s largest waterfall. From this rare vantage point, the sheer scale and majesty of the Falls reveal themselves in full, a moment of pure awe that stays with you long after you’ve touched back down.

Perched high above the Great Rift Valley escarpment, Angama Mara feels like it’s suspended between earth and sky, and the views are every bit as dramatic. From a scenic helicopter flight or a serene sunrise balloon ride, the full sweep of the Maasai Mara opens up below: golden grasslands, winding rivers, and an ever-moving mosaic of wildlife. Elephants trace ancient paths, big cats prowl in the open, and the horizon seems to stretch forever. Whether it’s the thrill of spotting a pride of lions from the air or simply taking in the sheer size of this legendary reserve, the aerial perspective from Angama Mara is nothing short of cinematic.

Lifting off from the exclusive Duba Plains airstrip, your helicopter flight reveals the Okavango Delta as few ever see it, where its intricate beauty truly comes to life. The landscape is a breathtaking patchwork of winding water channels, seasonal floodplains, and emerald-green islands, all teeming with life. From the air, you may spot herds of elephants wading through the shallows, pods of hippos nestled in lagoons, and even the flash of a predator on the move – lion or wild dog weaving through the grasslands below. Red lechwe splash through the floodwaters in great numbers, and buffalo gather in impressive herds on the open plains. This is where the drama of the Delta unfolds in real time, with every turn revealing a new story in motion. It’s an awe-inspiring journey that elevates the Duba Plains experience to an entirely new level of wild luxury.

At Chem Chem Lodge, take to the skies for two unforgettable experiences. A helicopter flight offers stunning aerial views of the Ngorongoro Crater, shimmering lakes filled with flamingos, and vast herds of wildlife, elephants, wildebeest, and predators roaming the plains below. Alternatively, rise at dawn in a hot air balloon, gliding gently over acacia forests and ancient baobabs as giraffes and zebras move gracefully across the landscape. Both adventures provide a rare, bird’s-eye view of Tanzania’s untamed beauty, ending with a charming bush breakfast in the heart of the wilderness.

Discover Kenya from an entirely new perspective with a scenic helicopter flight from Sasaab Camp. Soar between the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya, hover above the wild beauty of the Suguta Valley, and trace the winding curves of ancient gorges. From the air, spot elephants meandering across the plains, giraffes moving gracefully through the acacia, and even lions resting in the sun. Glide over shimmering lakes dotted with pink flamingos, and keep an eye out for rare Grevy’s zebras, oryx, and vast herds of buffalo. These tailor-made adventures offer the ultimate freedom to explore Kenya’s most breathtaking and remote landscapes, where every turn reveals something truly extraordinary.

From the serene riverside setting of Wilderness Toka Leya, a helicopter flight offers an extraordinary perspective on the wild beauty of the Zambezi region. As you lift off, the river unfurls beneath you, glittering channels weaving through emerald islands, with the occasional elephant or hippo spotted along the banks. The flight then follows the water’s path toward the thunderous spectacle of Victoria Falls. From the air, the views of the Falls are nothing short of mesmerising, vast sheets of water plunging into the chasm below, framed by the misty grandeur of the surrounding gorge. It’s a journey that captures the drama, scale, and serenity of this iconic landscape, all in one unforgettable sweep.

From above, Africa’s beauty takes on a whole new dimension, reminding us that sometimes, the best perspective is the one that lifts us off the ground.

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If you’d like to learn more about bespoke African safaris, one of our Travel Designers can help you. Get in contact today.
e: curious@forthandwonder.com.au
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