After a hearty breakfast and flying briefing, we transfer back for the airstrip. We take off downhill and head out over the mountainous drop off toward the distant coastal plains. En route we fly past spectacular forested mountain peaks giving way to farmlands. We may stop at Ladismith for fuelling: The Indian Ocean soon comes to view and pretty soon we're flying down the white sandy beaches of the Natal South Coast holiday resort area.

Landing at Margate for fuel and refreshmentsl, we stretch our legs and then off again for the wild coast - so named for the difficulty in getting to many of the secluded beaches in this sparsely populated area. Here the land drops steeply into the sea. We pass tiny airfields perched on top of the cliffs and we see the locals collecting fresh oysters and other sealife along the rocky coastline.

Now we land at Wavecrest airstrip, unique to this resort only. We are met by friendly black faces who handle our luggage to our bungalows, right on the crashing breakers of the ocean. Tonight we feast on fresh seafood and discuss aspects of the day's flying.

1 night, breakfast and dinner, activities, transfers

leg distance: 156 nm including one stop
airstrips: dirt / grass

After our forward navigation briefing and airborne again, we fly low level along the coastline, viewing remote seaside resorts from the air, rolling hills and cattle grazing to the interior. There are myriad un-named great rivers discharging into the sea - in this area the Wild Coast also refers to the vicious storms offshore - a watery graveyard for many ships……

We do a navigation and observation exercise along this route .We pass by East London, home to the British pioneer forefathers of South Africa - the 1820 settlers. Now we descend and position to land at 43 Airschool, so named after the WW2 airforce training base stationed there, where many British, Dutch and French pilots came to train in those war years so long ago. Now home to a prospering airshool for all levels from ab initio to ALTP, we land on the immaculate grass runway. After fuelling and looking around this historic place, we do some circuits and landing practice - seeing how accurately you can land in various power and flap configurations.

Midday, we take off again for the last short hop to our first real African Bush experience, landing at Shamwari (Zulu for "my trusted friend"). Here we are collected by jeep for a ride to Amakulu, a private 12 000 acre reserve which has all the endemic antelope species, giraffe, zebra as well as the enormous rhino and elephant. Time to unwind and reflect on the exciting days past and ahead. Activities include game drives, a river cruise, walks, canoeing or bass fishing.

Pre-briefings today include discussion on careful ground observation and precise navigation. Today we move inland and shortly after take-off we climb again to clear the coastal mountain ranges for the dry, arid inland plateau known as the Great Karoo. We route over Graaf Reniet, an historic place, continuing over the "Valley of Desolation" for Carnavon in the middle of the country. After landing we brief for our desert Navigation exercise. We head off for a secret waypoint, looking for the clues and markers along the way in the arid landscape below. After a lunch at the local flyng Club, we head for Victoria West, completing the day with a spot landing competition.

Here we are entertained by the local keen aviators and treated to a great feast by the townsfolk. We watch the sunset and overnight in a local guest house.

Today is an early start for our Big 5 wild game location - the 100 000 acre Madikwe National Park. Home to Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, all the antelope including Springbok and Impala, Hippo, Giraffe……you name it. After our briefing we route via Kimberley on the Vaal River for fuel and continue the next leg over arid terrain and dry riverbeds, huge gamefarms.

We approach and land on the Madikwe strip. Now we head off in open 4x4 vehicles for our lodge, nestling in the dense bush. Care should be taken here if walking around the camp at night - you may bump into a lion or elephant!

We go on a night drive with our rangers and spotlight searching for the nocturnal game - eyes in the dark, many night sounds we are not familiar with. Tonight we hand out certificates of achievement and awards for various aspects of our flying safari - let the fun roll on! Finally a great dinner in an open boma (reed enclosure with an enormous fire in the middle), and sweet dreams to the haunting cries of jackal and hyena.