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For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni
For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni 

Things to do in South Africa

Soar above the Atlantic Seaboard in a helicopter

There’s no better way to see Cape Town than from the sky, soaring over winding coastal roads, beaches and mountains…

By Federico Chabrat
Pilot for NAC Helicopters

Take a scenic helicopter ride for aerial views over Cape Town and the rugged Atlantic Seaboard. Our Three Bays tour is my favourite trip. It lasts about 25 minutes, which is the perfect amount of time in the air. It takes you along the coast, then inland over suburbs like Muizenberg before returning along the southern seaboard. Most people have never been in a helicopter before and they feel like a VIP – the adrenaline is just something else.

For many people, taking off from the V&A Waterfront is a highlight. On the 12 minute Hopper tour you’ll see Table Mountain from the sky, with the city bowl and Signal Hill spread below. Then you look out to the sea and spot Robben Island, plus the white sands of Clifton and Camps Bay with the Twelve Apostles to your right – it’s just beautiful. I’d recommend taking the flight in the early morning or late afternoon when there’s minimal glare for photos. The closer you get to sunset, the prettier the colours are in the sky.

On the longer Cape Point flights I love flying over Chapman’s Peak, which is this long, winding coastal road with lots of tunnels. It runs alongside a 10-kilometre beach and in the ocean, you can spot whirlpools and rip currents. We’ll often make an orbit around this section so passengers on both sides of the helicopter get a brilliant view. When we pass Hout Bay with its gorgeous harbour the scenery looks like something out of Game of Thrones with this big mountain called The Sentinel.

As you fly, we’ll give you commentary, point out landmarks and answer your questions. We mainly use Bell helicopters which are very powerful and offer great views on scenic flights. Helicopters fly a lot lower than a plane so you feel like a bird rather than an astronaut, looking down at the scenery. There’s no better view of Cape Town than from the sky, flying over the mountains and perhaps spotting whales and dolphins in the ocean. It’s a unique way to experience the Mother City.

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Alfred & Federico Chabrat

The son of an aircraft salesman, Federico Chabrat has been fascinated by helicopters all his life. His family moved from Italy to South Africa in 2001 and after studying business at the University of Pretoria, Federico achieved his childhood dream and got his pilot’s licence. After working as a flight instructor and game capture pilot, Federico joined NAC and now loves taking tourists on scenic flights over Cape Town.
Federico Chabrat, NAC helicopter pilot in Cape Town

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Laura, who's travelled extensively in South Africa. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - ex banker who can show you the hottest foodie spots in Cape Town, the award-winning young sommelier who can introduce you to Stellenbosch's finest wines and the walking safari ranger who can guide you to the best game.

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