Reliable, sturdy and scenic bush-planes.

Your ideal fleet to soar the African skies and reach unspoilt wilderness

Soaring Safaris owns and operates its own fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans and Cessna C210s. Owned and operated by our pilot-guides, our 2 Cessna Grand Caravans and 3 Cessna C210 are the ideal machines for the African bush. Both high wings, to offer unparalleled visibility during scenic flying, the smaller C210 is an ideal cost effective machine for 2-4 clients, while the Grand Caravan offers more space and comfort, and works well for groups of 4-9 people. If needed, due to specific requests or to a high number of passengers we can source other reliable aircrafts.

OUR AIRCRAFTS

Cessna C210 Centurion

A comfortable and reliable plane which can take off from any bush airstrip. Its wide large windows and unrestricted view, made possible by its high wings, make it a wonderful plane for any flying safari. Its small size makes it the ideal aircraft for “solo” travelling couples or families of four.

Specifications:

  • Passengers: the plane carries 5 seats + 1 pilot, however Soaring Safaris allows maximum 4 passengers – all with window seat (5 passengers are accepted only in case of 2 light children and there would be restrictions in luggage weight)
  • Engine: single engine piston aircraft (max 300 HP)
  • Cruising altitude: from sea level up to 12000 ft (3600 m)
  • Speed: average 270 km/h (150 kts)
  • Non pressurized cabin

Cessna C208B  Grand Caravan

Designed in the USA to be a simple, rugged, comfortable and reliable plane, it can take off from nearly all bush airstrips thanks to its large wheels, efficient wings and powerful engine. Its wide spacious cabin and large windows with unrestricted view, made possible by its high wings, make it a wonderful plane for any flying safari.

Specifications:

  • Passengers: the plane carries 13 seats + pilot, however we allow maximum 9 passengers – all with window seat and extra comfort (10 passengers may be accepted only if some are children)
  • Engine: single engine turbine aircraft (max 675 HP), the most reliable and widely used turbine in the general aviation business
  • Cruising altitude: from sea level up to 12000 ft (3600 m)
  • Speed: average 300 km/h (160 kts)
  • Non pressurized cabin

More about Cessna C208B  Grand Caravan

Our long experience in flying safaris has led us to equip our own Grand Caravan with some extra features to make your experience with us even more special. We have installed an audio system to allow you to interact with the pilot and your fellow passengers and to listen to your favourite music (you just need to plug in your iPad or smartphone)… just imagine for a moment to fly over the dunes of the Namib desert listening to your favourite Chopin’s Sonata. Three windows have been modified to consent to best photography. A large cooler box with fresh drinks is always carried onboard. Effective locks have been put on all doors and on the cargo pod so that you can leave onboard whatever you don’t need that day. Dual GPS system coupled with autopilot, weather radar, de-icing and oxygen system are also present – it is most likely that they will not be used during your flying safari, however we like to be well prepared in case any situation arises.

Soaring safaris’ Grand Caravan is certainly not the standard bush plane!

OWNER OPERATED AIRCRAFTS

In the general aviation industry, an owner – operated aircraft is normally synonymous with reliability, for many reasons. First of all, there won’t be many un-experienced pilots, but only just a few if not only one flying it. Pilots who know the history and are fine tuned with that specific machine, ready to pick up any small change in behaviour, giving the mechanics an important feedback when the plane is back to base, in order to anticipate possible problems.

And as the owner and his friends and family are also regular passengers on the aircraft, you can rest assured that nothing will be spared in maintenance. So when boarding our aircraft it will be more boarding a private car than entering a bus.