Charter / Safari
Safari fly-in charter — straight to the lodge airstrip
SAB Global arranges private safari charter flights from Johannesburg and Lanseria to Kruger, Sabi Sands, Madikwe and Botswana. The King Air 200 and Pilatus PC-12 are options for lodge transfers; we confirm the destination airstrip, aircraft suitability and luggage allowance before quoting your journey.
Where we fly
Safari destinations and flight times from Johannesburg
- Kruger National Park & private reserves Skukuza, Hoedspruit and lodge airstrips
- approx. 1 hr 15 min from Johannesburg
- Sabi Sands Direct to lodge airstrips inside the reserve
- approx. 1 hr 20 min from Johannesburg
- Madikwe Game Reserve Madikwe airstrip, near the Botswana border
- approx. 1 hr from Johannesburg
- Botswana — Maun & the Okavango Delta Maun, Kasane and Delta camp airstrips
- approx. 1 hr 45 min to Maun
- Timbavati & Thornybush Hoedspruit and private reserve strips
- approx. 1 hr 15 min from Johannesburg
- Phinda & KwaZulu-Natal reserves Richards Bay and reserve airstrips
- approx. 1 hr 30 min from Johannesburg
Flight times are approximate from Lanseria, Johannesburg, and depend on the aircraft and airstrip. Other reserves and private strips on request.
See our South African charter cost guide for indicative turboprop rates and a Johannesburg–Kruger / Sabi Sands return example; request a quote for your exact itinerary.
Why a turboprop for safari
Land where jets cannot
Most safari lodges are served by short gravel or grass airstrips. The King Air 200 and Pilatus PC-12 are built for exactly these strips — you land minutes from your lodge, not hours away by road.
Skip the road transfer
Flying scheduled into Hoedspruit or Nelspruit still leaves a long drive to many reserves. A fly-in charter takes you direct to the reserve's own airstrip, on your schedule.
Room for luggage and gear
Soft bags, camera equipment, golf clubs and cooler boxes — the PC-12's large cargo door and the King Air's generous hold handle safari luggage with ease.
Right-sized for the route
On sectors of one to two hours, a turboprop costs noticeably less than a jet while losing very little time — the sensible choice for lodge transfers.
The aircraft for the bush
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Common questions
Can you fly us directly to our lodge's airstrip?
In most cases, yes. We confirm the airstrip details with your lodge before quoting, and the King Air 200 and PC-12 can use the short, unpaved strips at most private reserves.
How much luggage can we bring?
Safari charters typically allow soft-sided bags of around 15–20 kg per person, depending on passenger numbers and fuel. Tell us your party size and we'll confirm the exact allowance.
Can you combine safari and city stops?
Absolutely — a typical itinerary is Johannesburg to Sabi Sands, then on to Cape Town or Vilanculos. Multi-stop trips are quoted as one journey.
How far in advance should we book?
A few days is usually enough, but lodges and aircraft both book out over peak season (June to October and the festive period) — earlier is better.
Do you fly to Botswana and other cross-border reserves?
Yes. We arrange the overflight and landing permits for Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique, and include them in your quote.
Quoted per journey · 24/7