- Introduction: Zimbabwe Via The Cockpit Suite
- Review: SWISS First Class Boeing 777 (MIA-ZRH)
- Review: SWISS First Lounge Zurich Airport Terminal E (ZRH)
- Review: SWISS First Lounge Zurich Airport Terminal A (ZRH)
- Review: SWISS Senator Lounge Zurich Airport (ZRH)
- Review: Corendon Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Marriott Tribute Portfolio
- Review: Corendon Amsterdam New-West, Marriott Tribute Portfolio
- Review: KLM Crown Lounge Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
- Review: KLM Business Class Boeing 777 (AMS-JNB)
- Flying Federal Airlines To Buffalo Range, Zimbabwe
- Review: Singita Pamushana Lodge, Zimbabwe
- Review: Emirates Lounge Johannesburg Airport (JNB)
- Emirates Premium Connections Service Dubai: My Experience
- Review: “New” Emirates First Class Airbus A380 (DXB-IAH)
My journey to Zimbabwe included a couple of long haul flights, in SWISS’ 777 first class and KLM’s 777 business class. However, those flights only got me as far as South Africa, with the last segment to Zimbabwe being on Federal Airlines (this is also where I met up with Ford, since he took a different outbound from the United States, to minimize time away from home).
In this post I wanted to provide an overview of the experience of flying between Johannesburg and Buffalo Range on Federal Airlines. I won’t get into too much detail, simply because I reviewed the Federal Airlines experience several years ago, including the Federal Airlines Lounge Johannesburg.
However, this journey was a bit different, since it was my first time flying Federal Airlines internationally. This meant we used a different departure facility in Johannesburg, and the entry and departure experience in Zimbabwe was also… entertaining.
In this post:
Why we flew to Buffalo Range, Zimbabwe
The final destination for our trip was the Singita Pamushana Lodge in Zimbabwe. This isn’t located near any of the country’s major airports, but rather is located near Buffalo Range Airport (BFO), a small airport not far from the lodge.
The closest town to Buffalo Range Airport is Chiredzi, and that has a population of around 30,000 people. However, the airport gets very little service. Currently there are two weekly flights between Johannesburg and Buffalo Range, specifically for Singita guests (of course charters are also possible). The flights were arranged through the lodge, so I’ll talk more about the cost of that in the Singita review post.
When you go on safari, it’s normal to fly to some small airstrip with virtually no one working there. What made this unique is that it was an international flight, so we had to go through immigration, customs, etc.
Departing Fireblade Aviation at Johannesburg Airport
Federal Airlines doesn’t depart from the main terminal at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport, but rather departs from a private facility on the opposite side of the airport from the main terminal (Federal Airlines provides the transportation to and from this facility — I had spent the night at the InterContinental Johannesburg Airport, and was picked up there).
If you’re traveling domestically with Federal Airlines, the airline has a dedicated departure terminal. However, because we were traveling internationally, our flight actually departed from Fireblade Aviation, which is otherwise primarily used by those flying privately. The reason for this is because Fireblade Aviation has an immigration facility, and that’s needed for this flight.
The facility was modern and pleasant, with lots of seating (both indoors and outdoors),
There was even a small buffet with food and drinks, and a server who offered to prepare coffee beverages.
Then when it’s departure time, you just clear security and immigration, and head right to the aircraft.
Flying the Federal Airlines Pilatus PC-12 to & from Buffalo Range
The flight between Johannesburg and Buffalo Range covers a distance of 411 miles, and takes around 1hr45min in each direction.
Our flight was operated by a Pilatus PC-12 in both directions, which is one of the most capable single engine turboprops out there. Federal Airlines is extremely reliable, with friendly staff, great operational reliability, and an excellent safety record.
The Pilatus PC-12 we were on had a total of nine seats — there were three rows of seats in a 1-1 configuration, plus a row in the back with three seats. It’s a comfortable plane that feels more like a light private jet than a turboprop.
There were a total of six of us on this plane in both directions (we were all going to the same property for four nights).
These flights are catered, so there was a box with food at each seat.
The quality of the food was better than what you’ll find on most first class flights within the United States, frankly. On the outbound flight, the meal included chicken with noodles, a feta and tomato salad, a cheesecake, a cheese course, a roll, and an energy bar.
The flight was perfectly pleasant in both directions, and as usual, the views are pretty gorgeous in this part of the world outside of cities.
Before I talk about the Buffalo Range Airport experience, I should mention one other thing. When you fly back to Johannesburg from Buffalo Range, you are driven from the aircraft to the main terminal at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, rather than to the Fireblade Aviation facility. This is super helpful, as it makes it easy to catch an international flight, as you’re already airside in the terminal.
For those terminating their travels in Johannesburg, you’d just clear immigration there.
The Buffalo Range Airport experience
For an airport that sees maybe a dozen passengers per week, I was expecting that Buffalo Range Airport would be super chill. My expectation was that there would maybe be one person working there who would collect the visa on arrival fee ($30 in cash for US citizens) and stamp us in, and that we’d be sent on our way.
The experience was definitely a lot more of a production than that. I’d estimate we were outnumbered 2:1 in terms of airport staff compared to passengers. The arrivals process was complicated:
- First we were given the immigration forms for Zimbabwe, which we had to fill out, as these weren’t available in advance; this had some unusual questions on it, like how much money you currently have access to
- Then we were all individually called into the immigration officer’s office (there were actually three officers in the room, and you sit there with all of them), and they processed each person’s visa
- Processing immigration for the six passengers took somewhere around 30 minutes; I couldn’t help but notice a sign in the immigration office with the mission statement — “to provide an effective and efficient immigration service”
- We then had to wait for the customs officer to show up, as he wasn’t at the airport yet, and he needed to glance at all of our bags, and that required waiting around 20 minutes
The entire process took nearly an hour. Fortunately there were a couple of representatives from Singita at the airport, who managed the process.
The funniest part of this was the departures experience. You basically have to go through exactly the same process when departing, including each person individually being called into the immigration officer’s office.
When this was done on departure, each passenger was given a questionnaire to rate the immigration service. The questionnaire asks about the speed, efficiency, and friendliness of the officers. Not only do the immigration officers watch you as you fill out this form, but they then look it over afterwards, before letting you leave the office. LOL.
One of the other guests had provided feedback that there could be better clarity about the visa fees depending on which passport you hold, since she was quoted seemingly arbitrary numbers based on her two passports. Then when they reviewed the form, they asked her why she wrote that. Hah…
The security screening on departure was funny as well. The security officer did a pat down of each passenger as we arrived at the airport. However, we had our luggage on us during this time, and the bags were only looked at by the customs officer maybe 30 minutes later.
Bottom line
Federal Airlines is a reliable and high quality that largely operates flights to safari camps in South Africa. This was my first time flying with the airline internationally, so it was a bit different of an experience.
On the plus side, the Pilatus PC-12 is a lovely aircraft, and this flight was even catered, thanks to it being a bit longer. The 1hr45min flight in each direction flew right by (no pun intended), and it was nice to just look out the window.
Arriving and departing at Buffalo Range Airport in Zimbabwe was a bit of a process. I was expecting the experience might be chill, but that wasn’t the case. Then again, bureaucracy can be amusing at times.
I'd like to find an opportunity to fly on that plane. Looking forward to the lodge report.
I've flown on a Pilatus PC-12 and a Cessna Caravan, both to the FS Lana'i. Night and day difference. LOL! The former was included in the reservation during the COVID Lock-down, which was a nice touch. Don't mind the Cessna as I love planes and it was a fun ride.
What do you do with your baby as you take all these long haul trips together?
Grandparents as baby-sitters?
"all these long haul trips together" ford has joined for like 2 trips in the past year lol dont be a weirdo
also childcare exists weird concept
I arrived in Zim over land a few years ago, and I would definitely describe the process as 'chill.' Handed over passport and $30 and the officer stuck a visa in and sent me on my way. No customs inspection to speak of. Interesting because airports are usually far more relaxed than land crossings.
Federal Air also offers full charters of a PC-12 or King Air. You can easily do that through Singita. That gives you two advantages: A) You can conveniently combine South African Lodges, such as the ones in Sabi Sands with Pamushana and B) you don't have to end at Buffalo Range and can fly further from Buffalo Range to Lone Star, the airstrip inside Malilangwe reserve, 10 Minutes drive from from the lodge. The flight...
Federal Air also offers full charters of a PC-12 or King Air. You can easily do that through Singita. That gives you two advantages: A) You can conveniently combine South African Lodges, such as the ones in Sabi Sands with Pamushana and B) you don't have to end at Buffalo Range and can fly further from Buffalo Range to Lone Star, the airstrip inside Malilangwe reserve, 10 Minutes drive from from the lodge. The flight lasts only 5 minutes but is one of the most fascinating flights there is.
The "how much money do you have access to" question is one I've gotten in other Sub-Saharan African countries -- may also be a thing for other dodgy countries but that's where I've done most of my dodgy-country traveling. But I also think it may be a common thing for securing a visa for a resident of a poor country traveling to a wealthy country? (I.e., do you have the money to sustain yourself here...
The "how much money do you have access to" question is one I've gotten in other Sub-Saharan African countries -- may also be a thing for other dodgy countries but that's where I've done most of my dodgy-country traveling. But I also think it may be a common thing for securing a visa for a resident of a poor country traveling to a wealthy country? (I.e., do you have the money to sustain yourself here if you stay the whole duration of your visa and, per your visa, cannot work.) That's the logic that was explained to me in other African countries.
Isn't this akin to "wealthy countries" asking for your bank account? I'm from a dodgy poor country and each time I apply to a wealthy country for visa,most want to see my bank account for 3-6 months and a letter from my employer stating how much I earn annually
In the case of Zimbabwe there is a limit on how much money you can take with you when leaving (because foreigners have been blamed by the government for taking all the money out of the country). The limit applies to the amount you take with you when departing minus the amount you declared upon arrival.
I've been asked this question on entry to the USA, when visiting for a holiday. (I'm Australian).
Very interesting review. I've been to Zimbabwe- to Victoria Falls - for a conference. Things like customs, any formality, etc, are all part of make work programs giving jobs to people loyal to the government. Lots of bureaucracy, but it instills loyalty. No need for most of it.
I couldn't agree with you more Jason. I am a long time resident of Chiredzi and live close to Buffalo Range International Airport... It is most regrettable to hear visitors had to wait for the Custom's Official to arrive.... let alone have their departure comments scrutinized!
However, hope this does not put people visiting our wonderful country! Safe travels!