the 99's Planning page
Welcome to members of the Ninety-Nines!!!
Due to the interest shown by members of your organization in Mary Build's Safari Flight's, we have created a page specifically for you! We are currently in the planning phase for our 2025 season and in keeping with our corporate culture wish to ensure that we can accommodate as many requests as possible!
As you most likely know, we offer Group (escorted or non escorted) and Solo Trips. Due to experience, we limit the size of Group Trips to 4 aircraft - the African Bush environment is not suited to efficiently dealing with more than this at a time. Restrictions include refueling times, parking at bush airstrips etc.
Pricing for Escorted Group Trips is based on 4 Aircraft with 2 occupants per aircraft and 1 guide aircraft. Accommodation is for 4 "couples" sharing a room/tent (twin single / double - per your request). Single supplements are applicable for guests not sharing accommodation. This does tend to work out pretty expensive though, so best to team up with a partner to share accommodation!
Alternatively, if an escort is not required, we can arrange a multi aircraft group trip or solo trips on a similar basis.
While we do our best to fill up the Escorted Group Trips with the requisite number of aircraft, client availability does not always coincide with the planned dates, therefore in the event that there are less than 3 aircraft on an Escorted group trip we reserve the right to cancel that trip and offer an alternative solution. This will however be communicated well in advance in order for you to make an alternate decision.
We are agents for all the major Safari groups and work on a cost plus basis. Your accommodation will therefore cost you no more than it would had you booked for yourself, with the added freedom and joy of flying yourself from lodge to lodge! We take care of everything from the moment you arrive in South Africa until the moment you return after your safari!
So what do you need to fly yourself on a safari?
1. A whole bunch of money
2. 3 or more weeks of spare time
3. An adventurous spirit
4. A Valid PPL or higher - daytime VFR flight only is permitted on a validated licence
5. A Valid medical certificate (basic med is not accepted in South Africa)
6. A sign-out in your home country on the aircraft type you will be flying (normally Cessna 182)
7. A good degree of flight expertise with a little experience in unimproved field operations
8. A safety orientated attitude
9. Optional and recommended - some companions to share the experience with
What we do for you
1. Gather information on your requirements, your skills and preferences
2. If applicable, co-ordinate to include companions you would like in your group
3. Finalize proposals, arrange deposits to firm up bookings with all service providers
4. Pre-arrange foreign licence validation a few months before your arrival
5. Arrange all accommodation, transfers, and aircraft bookings
6. Arrange for transfers to and from your hotel in Johannesburg on arrival and departure from South Africa
7. Meet you on arrival and brief you on the itinerary for the few days you will be in Johannesburg before your safari begins
8. Instructors briefings on a host of topics - covers not only the legal aspect but most aspects with regards flying in Africa
9. Validation check flights - normally performed in the actual aircraft you will be flying on your safari if possible
10. Finalizing validation paperwork and obtaining flight certificates once check flights are done
11. Final trip briefings
12. Pre-complete all flight plan and immigration documentation
13. Provide pre-programmed routings for the Navigation Software we use (and GPX files for your GPS if required)
14. Provide flight following and ETA updates to the lodges using Inreach Satellite Tracker which we provide
15. Check weather and fuel availability enroute and provide updates and alternate plans if necessary
16. A host of other services in the background to ensure a trouble free safari!
Trips Planned
Click the Detailed Itinerary link for full details and advise us which Trip best suites you by clicking on the Green "Click to Email Us" button below the trip that you feel you would be interested in. This will load your mail client with our mail address and details in the subject line regarding the trip you are interested in. Please populate the body with your details so that we can get back to you. The Service providers require a 30% deposit to secure these bookings as most of the better lodges (as have been chosen by us) are booked up to 18 months in advance.
1. If you wish to do a solo or non escorted group trip - these are organized on an ad hoc basis based on your time constraints and preferences
2024
2. For 2024 : Although late for planning purposes, due to interest shown, we have managed to secure the following Group Trip and have provisional bookings in place for these for 8 participants (sharing in 4 rooms). Note that Lodges only hold provisional bookings for 14-days, therefore time is of the essence in making a decision.
99's 2024 Group Trip I - August 19 - September 3, 2024 (South Africa – 4 nights The Pivot Hotel, Zimbabwe – 2 nights Linkwasha and 2 nights Victoria Falls Hotel; Botswana – 2 nights Gomoti Plains and 2 nights Mashatu Lodge; South Africa 2 nights Ngala, Kruger National Park and 1 night The Pivot Hotel)
2025
3. For 2025 : We can offer the following Escorted group trips which we are holding provisional bookings for.
99's 2025 Group Trip A - June 7 - June 22, 2025 (South Africa – 4 nights The Pivot Hotel and 2 nights MalaMala/Ngala, Kruger National Park; Botswana – 2 nights Mashatu Lodge and 2 nights Shindi/Gomoti Plains; Zimbabwe – 2 nights Victoria Falls Hotel and 2 nights Little Makalolo; South Africa 1 night The Pivot Hotel)
99's 2025 Group Trip B - July 4 - July 19, 2025 (South Africa – 4 nights The Pivot Hotel and 2 nights MalaMala/Ngala, Kruger National Park; Botswana – 2 nights Mashatu Lodge and 2 nights Shindi/Gomoti Plains; Zimbabwe – 2 nights Victoria Falls Hotel and 2 nights Little Makalolo; South Africa 1 night The Pivot Hotel)
99's 2025 Group Trip C - August 1 - August 16, 2025 (South Africa – 4 nights The Pivot Hotel and 2 nights MalaMala Lodge, Kruger National Park; Botswana – 2 nights Mashatu Lodge and 2 nights Shindi/Gomoti Plains; Zimbabwe – 2 nights Victoria Falls Hotel and 2 nights Little Makalolo; South Africa 1 night The Pivot Hotel)