Ngala Private Game Reserve Runway Opening

Contributed by Koenie van der Walt

The Hercs became very popular at one time for use in and out of short unpaved runways in the bush, carrying both international as well as local incentive groups. To expand our services within this particular market sector of carrying incentive groups, Safair approached the Vartys who owned Ngala Private Game Reserve with the idea of flying passengers directly into and out of a gravel strip at Ngala.

An airfield inspection was arranged for Captain Bugs van Rooyen, the Chief Pilot at the time, to inspect the existing airstrip and to make recommendations to upgrade it in order for the Hercs to operate there safely. Bugs flew in and out of the strip in a light aircraft so as to familiarise himself with it both from the air as well as on the ground. Bugs completed his report, noting the requirements for the Herc operation and Ngala did the actual work. Another inspection followed with one additional requirement – a small tree had to be removed close to the turning circle.

Several weeks later the first Herc flight operated safely and successfully in and out of Ngala with a South African Financial Services Company incentive group on board. More charters followed to Ngala and soon the Hercs were serving other game lodges in South Africa and as far afield as Mokuti Lodge in northern Namibia.