Moya Aviation Services have recently added a New West Coast Charter Route to their portfolio. The beautiful West Coast has much to offer, with the primary attraction being the wildflowers occurring after the first rains in spring. This is when the barren looking fields are transformed by masses of blooming flowers, and visitors travel from all parts of the world to see this magnificent display, so don’t delay book your Helicopter or Light Aircraft charter today!
Saldanah
Saldanha Bay, is the largest and deepest natural bay on the south-western coast, with a population of 21,636 people, located 110 kilometres north of Cape Town. Saldanha was named after António de Saldanha, the captain of a vessel in Albuquerque’s fleet which visited South Africa in 1503. Though founded on a lucrative fishing industry, it has been developed into a modern harbour with a deep-water jetty to facilitate the export of iron ore and steel. In Spring Saldanha becomes a floral wonderland, you can explore the well-established hiking trails or experience the majestic Southern Right Whale in calving season. Saldanha is a well-known holiday hotspot for water sport lovers, with beachfront accommodation, and rustic local restaurants serving delicious seafood, from where you can relax as you watch whales glide by. 
Some popular activities for the water sport enthusiast include kayaking, windsurfing, sailing and stand-up paddleboarding and the uncrowded beaches make for incredible sunset walks. Trip advisor has rated Saldanha, one of the best places to visit in 2023.
Vredendal
Vredendal is situated in the Green Fringe of the Olifants river valley, bordering the southern tip of the Namaqualand region, and is best known for its wildflowers in springtime. Here you will find the richest diversity of succulent plant species in the world, an exquisite tapestry of colour to behold. This green and fertile valley surrounded by the majestic Gifberg, Maskam and Koebee peaks, creates a peaceful setting for those who appreciate wide open tranquil spaces, to breathe and just get away from it all. For nature lovers, the Matzikama Eco-Park offers fantastic hiking trails, botanical gardens, a bird aviary, and an eco-centre overlooking the Gifberg Mountain. Towards the end of October, the annual ‘Rittelfees’ takes place, this is when eight of the neighbouring towns from across the district come together, to enjoy the festivities of music, arts, and crafts.
Home to the largest wine cellar in South Africa Vredendal’s Olifants River wine route, includes the large vineyards of Westcorp and Lutzville, and a number of boutique cellars who produce some of the best wines in South Africa. Vredendal, typically known for its “Weskus” hospitality, has a variety of affordable accommodation options, from Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfasts to Self-catering units’ restaurants, coffee shops and pubs to choose from! This town is the ideal base from which to explore the West Coast region, Namaqualand, and the Cederberg Mountains.
Kleinsee
Situated at the mouth of the Buffels River, on the West Coast of the Northern Cape Province, you will find the small village, Kleinzee. It was originally a freehold farm called Kleyne Zee, the name means ‘Small Sea’, referring to the lagoon at the mouth of the Buffels River. The Buffels River, a dry riverbed with a large underground water table, “flows” through Kleinsee, approximately every ten years; the rest of the town is surrounded by semi-desert and the Atlantic Ocean. Previously a closed company town, established by De Beers in 1942 after finding diamonds on the farm Kleyne Zee in 1927, this area was closed to visitors whilst stripped of diamonds, until the 2000s. After the diamonds began to run out, the population of Kleinzee dwindled down to around two thousand residents, in 2012 De Beers handed Kleinzee over to the local municipality, and in 2013 the properties were auctioned off. Due to the sparse vegetation, Kleinzee is more reliant on fishing than on agriculture, De Beers continued to invest in the lucrative oyster farming industry, on the dams left by the mines. As part of De Beers’ recreational investments, one of the cofferdams was converted into a half kilometre-long artificial lake for a yacht club, with sailing and other water sports. This man-made artificial lake has a reddish-pink hue to it, due to the extremely high salt content, which enables people to float in it. Definitely a box to tick on the bucket list! You will find charming accommodations of all kinds and a resort, situated on the Shipwreck Route and the Spektakel Daisies Pass. Despite Kleinzee’s reputation as a ghost town, both the natural and man-made sites, continue to draw tourists from across the world to this village, and its surrounding semi desert coastal area.
Alexander Bay
Alexander Bay is a West Coast seaside town that lies on the mouth of the Orange River situated virtually on the border of Namibia, in a region known as “Little Namaqualand”. There is no place more northerly than this, the Orange River feeds the Gariep and Vanderkloof dam and is also known as the international border between Namibia and the Northern Cape. Gripped by the ‘diamond rush’ in 1925, Alexander Bay has a somewhat notorious history, the town was closed off to visitors, and marked as a high-risk area because of the diamond mines. Today Alexander Bay is well known for its historic diamond tours and markets itself as the ‘Diamond Coast Forever Namaqualand’. The surrounding land yields a fascinating array of indigenous plants, animals, and insects. The secret lies in the wild, totally unspoilt coastline, with hidden natural treasures, a superb destination for those seeking something less crowded Alexander Bay enjoys near-idyllic weather all year-round, summer months between January and April are the hottest time of the year and can hit a record high of 42 degrees Celsius. Rain this far up the West Coast is scarce, falling only a few days of the year, making it by far the driest town in South Africa. Even so, Alexander Bay is a busy town with shopping malls, open-air markets, outdoor adventures, caves to explore, wildlife encounters and tours to historical sites.
A naturalist’s playground with a cosmopolitan heartbeat, Alexander Bays tourism is a major source of income for the town, with entertainment options including a movie theater, game arcade, fine and casual dining, special events, a fitness centre, a comedy club or local theater troupe, nightclubs/live music venues, miniature golf, and other entertainment alternatives. Residents from Alexander Bay are known for having an appetite for life, and tourists will find it difficult to resist the Alexander Bay indulgence, appreciation for arts, culture, and entertainment, for very long.
Alexander Bay is renowned for its hospitality, a cosmopolitan city with diverse nationalities, races, and religions, making people from all cultures feel welcome.
Springbok
Springbok, located directly on the N7, 559.8 km north of Cape Town, is the commercial and cultural center of Namaqualand, connecting the Cape and Namibia. It was called Springbokfontein until 1911, then shortened to Springbok, and it is the largest town in the Namaqualand area in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. Within less than one and a half hours drive from Springbok, you can find the smaller towns of Pofadder, Garies, Kleinzee, Port Nolloth and Alexander Bay, all of which are famous for their wildflower reserves. In 1850 Copper was discovered on the farm Melkboschkuil and the first commercial mine in South Africa was established, the town was mapped out and built around the copper mining industry in 1863. Today Springbok is a prosperous town with 15,000 inhabitants, offering many attractions, historical sites, museums and fine restaurants, its main income is generated from tourism, mining activities, commerce and farming. Come and feast your eyes on the wildflowers during September, visit the Augrabies Waterfall for a picnic or take the Namakwa 4×4 Route starting at the picturesque Pella Mission Station, where the Namakwa Route follows the Orange River 642km to the Ocean. Easy access via helicopter or fixed wing airplane, excellent accommodation and a well-developed commercial infrastructure makes Springbok an essential place to visit.
The West Coast is a kaleidoscope of wide horizons, spectacular sunsets and beautiful seascapes, let your busyness slow down here! Moya Aviation is standing by to fly you in your own Helicopter or Light Aircraft, to explore the beautiful West Coast, sample exquisite cuisine paired with beautiful wines or escape for a romantic weekend away.
Feeling adventurous? Custom make your own charter, wherever your imagination can lead you, the sky’s the limit! Don’t delay, book your charter today! For more information about our charters, pilot course and helicopter training contact us on 082-500-8963 Instagram profile link: https://www.instagram.com/moyaaviation/
