reference despite the diversity of terrain and destinations. The unifying element
is coastal weather. Coastal weather and flying conditions can change quickly. An advancing front may bring stormy weather along the entire coast. Fog can form quickly making it impossible to land at a VFR-only coastal airstrip. It may be impractical or impossible to reach the day’s destination by alternative ground transport. Cape Town itself is particularly susceptible to storms during the winter season (April – September). Clients must be alert to changing weather conditions and accept the possibility that their planned itinerary will be interrupted.
The best flying weather and game-viewing season (April through September) tends to bring poor flying weather along the coast. Conversely, the best coastal flying weather (October – March) comes during the hot, summer season -- often with strong afternoon thunderstorms at Johannesburg and inland game viewing destinations. Some game viewing camps in Botswana and Zimbabwe close between November and March due to seasonal high temperatures and rain.
The South African Indian Ocean coast is a large and diverse area beginning at Cape Point (near Cape Town) and extending east and north to the Mozambican border. The area includes the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu/Natal Provinces and their sections popularly known as the Garden route, the Wild Coast, and Maputaland. With the exception of a few inland areas near the Mozambican border, the area is not a Big Game viewing area. The climate and coastal waters are increasingly warm as you proceed northeast from Cape Point.
Coastal Flying weather: Coastal weather can change rapidly along the coast. Self-Fly Safaris®, according to South African air law, must be conducted in visual flying conditions (VMC). Frontal and other weather systems moving in from the Atlantic Ocean and moving east around the South African Coast can produce rain, low clouds, fog and, generally, instrument flying conditions (IMC). Adverse conditions can also develop in the warm, tropical waters of the Mozambican coast. Pilots should be prepared to sit out bad weather and, if necessary, accept that the scheduled day’s destination may be out of reach.
Between Cape Point and East London is South Africa’s Garden Route with rocky cliffs, broad beaches, the fertile coastal terrace, and the wooded slopes of the Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua Mountains. The Garden Route is a prime holiday area with national parks, nature reserves, museums, parks, scenic drives, and myriad aquatic activities. At the southern tip of the African continent is Cape Agulhas, marked by a lighthouse. There is no landing strip here but pilots can fly a couple of 360’s over the water to commemorate reaching southernmost Africa. Here one can turn to the east and view the Indian Ocean and then turn west to look at the Atlantic Ocean. The main landing areas along this south coast area are George, Plettenberg Bay, Cape St. Francis, Port Elizabeth, and Port Alfred.
From East London to Margate is South Africa’s Wild Coast – a largely undeveloped section of coastline extending more than 150 miles. It includes virtually untouched beaches and forests, excellent fishing, and delicious seafood. The area is a hiker’s paradise for explorations of sandy beaches, lagoons, cliffs and coves, shipwrecks, and forest and mangrove swamps. Access by air is limited. A low-level flight along this coastline, and at least one night on the ground, is a memorable experience.
North of Margate is the city of Durban, South Africa’s leading seaport and a crowded, urban seaside vacation spot. Here is a beachside promenade, amusement parks, round-the-clock restaurants and nightspots, entertainment centers, and unusual markets. The city’s Indian community – the largest such grouping outside of India -- offers a world with the scent of sandalwood and spice, incense and rose, and the sounds of East Indian drums. The focal point of this part of Durban is the Victoria Street Market where shoppers can purchase food, spices, and unique creations.
North of Durban the Maputaland coastal plain extends north to the Mozambican border. In this area is the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park -- an area comprised of two formerly separate areas that are the oldest of South Africa’s game sanctuaries. The Umfolozi section is an immense area of rolling hills and flood lands - a haven for the white rhino and home to many other game species. The Hluhluwe section is a stunningly beautiful area with mountain forests, dense thickets, the Hluhluwe River, and diverse animal and plant life. Among its other attractions the area offers several Zulu cultural venues.