What a spectacular way to traverse the bushveld! We are headed to the Inyati airstrip, where I will be met by a guide to kick-start my week-long stay at Dulini – spending time at Dulini Leadwood, Dulini River and Dulini Moya. Where normally a road transfer takes about an hour and a half, exiting the Kruger National Park at the Kruger Gate and circumnavigating the Sabi Sand Private Reserve to the Newington Gate, our ETA after take off is just a mere fifteen minutes.

Hennie points to a herd of elephants below; dusty, brown-coloured bulky shapes marching through the bush. Flying at a speed of 100 knots, equivalent to 180 kilometers per hour, we are only able to spot smaller game as we come in to descend. I can see a herd of impala, and several giraffe browsing from acacia trees.

The Mpumalanga Helicopter Co., based in Hazyview, offers a variety of scenic flights over the lowveld, as well as private charters and even an experience for guests to take part in air surveillance with a qualified ranger from the rhino anti-poaching unit in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which brings in all-too important funding to help protect the lowveld rhinos.

Expertly setting down the Long Ranger in a patch of grass close to the airstrip, Hennie performs his shut down procedure and before too long, the rotor blades slow down and we are good to disembark.

This is truly a magnificent experience, adding a tremendous sense of adventure to getting to and from a luxury safari lodge. I’m definitely planning to do it again!

For more information, please visit www.mhelicopter.co.za, email info@mhelicopter.co.za or call 084 505 2052.

View some Aerial snapshots and videos below: