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Namibia encapsulates Sefofane's operation. With some 47 places serviced only by dirt strips, this is bush flying, terminal buildings consisting of a shed containing fuel drums and occasionally an earth closet. Aircraft are mainly Cessna 210N planes seating four or five plus the pilot, and the small size limits luggage to 12 kilos per person in soft bags that can be squashed into the small luggage compartments. 12 seat Cessna Caravans operate where demand warrants, flying larger groups as required, and a range of other aircraft are also available.
Loading cargo is done by the pilot too - here at Damaraland airstrip
Frequently flying only 450ft above ground the resulting views can be spectacular, although also somewhat bumpy. Sometimes a passenger will be sitting next to the pilot, which can be disconcerting approaching a dirt strip that runs up hill and dog legs slightly to one side, especially when your pilot has their guardian angel hanging from the windscreen. Overflights are usually made to ensure the strips are free of game before landing...
Flights also move staff and produce around in a typical bush style - pilots load and refuel their own planes as the accompanying video shows. They also provide a lifeline for staff and are aerial 'white van man' for the operation.
Without these services access to most of the Lodges would take hours of rough terrain driving. Sefofane makes the planning of guest experience sensible, allowing predictable transfer times over large distances for those who want to visit the Sossusvlei sand sea in the south, see the desert elephants in Damaraland and lion or rhino in Etosha, all on a restricted timescale.
Editors Note: From January 2011 Sefofane will become Wilderness Air
Patrick Goff
12 seater Caravan being refuelled at Ongava airstrip at Etosha for return to Windhoek
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Perishable cargo - Wilderness encourages local production and uses air for distribution
'Terminal1' exists at Ongava airstrip as the gate serves to keep lions and rhino off the airfield
This video clip shows the reality of bush flying for Sefofane crew
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