Safari Rail and Air Journeys
Sometimes the moving is the trip. Southern Africa's private trains run multi day routes from Pretoria to Victoria Falls, Cape Town and Dar es Salaam, with game drives and battlefield stops written into the timetable. In East Africa, fly in circuits put a small aircraft between three camps so you spend an hour in the air instead of seven on a corrugated road. Helicopter operators over the Zambezi, the Mara and Kenya's northern deserts sell an hour that no vehicle can match. This page ranks the trains, air safari programmes and flight operators that are the product itself, on route, cabin or aircraft, what the fare includes, and how they connect to the camps.
- 1
Kenya's premier scheduled fly-in safari airline with 15 aircraft operating 30+ daily flights across Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, and regional East African parks.
- 2
Tanzania's main fly-in safari airline operating 30+ years, connecting Serengeti, Ruaha, Selous/Nyerere National Parks and Zanzibar across 16+ destinations.
- 3
South Africa's most established luxury train, running the Pretoria-to-Cape Town route as a three-night all-inclusive journey with fine dining, marble bathrooms, and a fixed schedule that departs weekly.
- 4
Private charter airline connecting Wilderness camps across Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Fleet of Cessnas enables unbroken routing between safari regions in a single journey.
- 5
Kenya's pioneering domestic safari airline with scheduled flights connecting Nairobi to Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, and regional East African parks. Only safari airline with fully owned subsidiaries across East Africa.
- 6
Botswana's primary charter airline based in Maun, connecting safari camps across the Okavango Delta and wider Southern Africa with a fleet of over 25 fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft for scenic and operational flights.
- 7
A multi-country luxury private train operating 3 to 16-day journeys from South Africa into Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Tanzania, with suites ranging from compact Pullman to Victorian-style Royal cabins.
- 8
Zambia's largest scheduled airline operating for over three decades, connecting Lusaka to South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, and regional capitals via a mixed fleet of regional jets and turboprops serving safari destinations across Southern Africa.
- 9
Botswana's oldest and most experienced air charter operator since 1968, offering pressurised twin-turbine and mid-range jet service throughout Southern Africa for safari destinations, with bases in Gaborone and Maun.
- 10
Zimbabwe-based helicopter operator offering scenic flights over Victoria Falls and the Batoka Gorge since 1996, with intimate access to one of Africa's most dramatic landscapes via rotorcraft from multiple landing sites.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a luxury train journey and a fly-in safari?
Luxury trains offer multi-day routes through Southern Africa with fixed weekly schedules and onboard fine dining. Fly-in safaris use scheduled airlines or private charters to connect various camps and national parks across East and Southern Africa.
Can I book a private charter to move between multiple safari camps in a single trip?
Yes. Certain charter airlines offer unbroken routing between safari regions or connect specific wilderness camps across Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Are there scheduled flight options for visiting the Masai Mara or Amboseli?
Several airlines provide scheduled domestic flights connecting Nairobi to the Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Samburu. These operators run multiple daily flights to these regional East African parks.
How do I get around the Okavango Delta?
You can use charter airlines based in Maun that utilize fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters to connect safari camps across the Delta and wider Southern Africa.
What kind of luxury accommodations can I expect on a private train?
Luxury trains offer suites that range from compact Pullman styles to Victorian-style cabins. Onboard amenities often include marble bathrooms and fine dining services.