What is … A Game Flight
January 14, 2010 by Johan Knols
Filed under Safari Dictionary
Spreading your wings over Africa
Fixed wing aircrafts
From a number of places in Africa it is possible to make a so called game-flight. The name ‘game-flight’ has given many air charter company a lot of hassles in the past as it is extremely difficult to get a good close up of wildlife during your flight and tourists started to complain. The fix-winged aircrafts are simply too fast to get a good view of what is happening beneath you. So nowadays the companies prefer to use the name ‘scenic flight’.
What can you expect?
Be prepared to see just what the new name suggests: a lot of scenery. Every animal that you see form the air is just part of the scenery and should be regarded as a bonus. The nice aspect of a scenic flight is the good overall idea of an area, something that is very difficult to get when you drive through that same kind of environment. Most scenic flight are made early morning or late afternoon, not because the wildlife might be visible, but simply because the air is cooler and your flight will be without vomit!
Make sure you fill the aircraft to full capacity in order to reduce the price per person.
Helicopter flips
Although quite a bit more expensive, helicopter flips could actually be called game-flights since it is easier to regulate the speed of the aircraft. Another additional advantage are the doors that can be taken off. I once made a helicopter flip over my old hometown Maun (Botswana) and while being strapped in, I had the opportunity to hang ‘outside’ and put my legs on the landing bars. A truly awesome experience!
As you can see from the video (put it on HD if you can), it is easier to watch wildlife from the air as a helicopter can also fly a lot lower than its fixed-wing brothers.
Balloon rides
Unfortunately I never made a balloon ride, but it is not difficult to imagine that from your basket the whole experience is a lot more gentle and a lot less noisy (except when the burner is fired up to heat the air!). Your speed is low and therefore wildlife can be watched a bit longer before being drifted along. Be prepared to pay the jackpot when making a balloon trip.
Whatever your choice may be, enjoy your airtime!
If you are environmentally aware, maybe you should stay with two legs on the ground and just leave a view from the air for the storks and vultures.
Let us know what your experiences where when being up there…….
I hate this sort of thing, scares the game and definitely spoils it for the people on the ground! Only for people who have no interest in Wildlife, or thee nvironment!
Hi Ken,
Why would game drive vehicles be less intrusive?
Johan,
Both low-flying aircraft and more paricularly helicopters result in exceedingly high noise levels, none of which could be exceeded by the noisiest diesel Land Rover.
Imagine drifting along in a Mokoro enjoying the peace and quiet and then in comes a plane or helicopter, we have had this happen to us. Most mammals and birds are scared away!
Why do you think most aerial photos show animals leving the scene?
Hi Ken,
I am with you on this issue. However, the PYS site does offer tips and advice to people and making scenic flights is part of the game. I also have to admit that I made a game flight in 1990 over the Delta as I was financially unable to afford a lodge in those days. (and history is repeating itself again……haha)
Having no financial resources does make a reason for environmentally demaging excurions.
But at one stage we all learn…………
Would be excellent to learn howe you, Johan, see these thing now?
Having an excuse for all crap doesn’t make it better.
Hello Irma,
The year in which I made the game flight was 1990. In those days nobody thought a lot about being green or eco friendly. I even doubt the word was invented then. How I see it now? Difficult! If I would say that a game flight in not eco friendly, than we should also not fly tourist to their destinations. If I take it to the extreme, tourism should be banned all together because it is not a necessity in our lives. Aren’t you in the tourism industry and bringing people all over the planet?
You see, the situation that we are all in at the moment is not one that can be changed overnight. I am however happy that I don’t own a vehicle at home and that I don’t eat meat every day. So I feel that I add ( at least something) to a behavioral change.