Each year in October we at Johannesburg in Your Pocket celebrate the short season when Jacaranda trees bloom in the city, and across Gauteng. For the 2024 jacaranda season, we took a helicopter trip with Bastion Aviation and photographer Clare Appleyard to capture a rare aerial perspective of the purple season. For the 2025 season, we partnered once again with Bastion Aviation – this time in collaboration with Four Seasons The Westcliff. As part of morning adventure in Westcliff, guests were treated to a five-minute helicopter flip, which offered a rare chance to see suburbia stretched out below in neat grids, dotted with green lawns, glinting blue pools, and bursts of purple jacarandas.
Bastion Aviation offers a fleet of luxury jets, helicopters, and safari aircraft, and also manage all logistics, leaving you free to enjoy your trip without the hassle of trying to organise getting from one stop to another, in style. They arrange VIP flights, bring together corporate events, tailor experiences for groups, and offer bush safaris.
For fixed-wing plane and jet journeys, Bastion Aviation makes use of VIP lounges at Lanseria Airport and Cape Town International Airport. The team assist in helping you to choose the optimal aircraft for your needs, tailored to your budget. There are charter and lease options in both fixed-wing aircraft ranging from a four-person Cessna 210 to a Beechcraft 1900 C/D that can carry 19 people, and helicopters, which include the Robinson R44, the Airbus H125 (B3e), and the Agusta 139.
In 2025 (June) Bastion Aviation expanded its luxury charter offering to Hoedspruit, a key launch pad for safari experiences, and introduced exclusive helicopter experiences over some of South Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes. Travellers can now take scenic flights over the Blyde River Canyon, one of the world’s largest green canyons, with options ranging from one-hour aerial tours to romantic picnic flights that include a gourmet spread at a secluded spot within the canyon. For thrill-seekers, the Olifants Tactical Mission offers a high-adrenaline journey through the dramatic Olifants Gorge, while those seeking seamless travel can book helicopter transfers between Hoedspruit Eastgate and top safari lodges in the Greater Kruger, including Timbavati, Ulusaba, and Sabi Sands.
If hugging the ground is more you style of travel, sister company Bastion Drive offers a luxury transfer service and chauffeur-driven vehicle hire. The fleet includes Mercedes V250 and V300 vans that can be used for anything from hotel and airport transfers to long-distance transfers to lodges in any of the provinces surrounding Gauteng. Each vehicle can seat up to six people, which makes this the perfect service for group or family outings. The V-Class is the primary option, while Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and armoured vehicles are also part of the fleet. The transfer service comes with a highly qualified driver, refreshments, WiFi, cold hand towels, and phone charging facilities. To sweeten the deal, cheese boards, Champagne and wine, and meals in collaboration with Culinary Warehouse are also on offer.
Bastion Drive also partners with expert art tour guide, Thabo the Tourist for guided tours of Joburg's best art districts and galleries using a fleet of luxury Mercedes V-Class vehicles.
Visit flybastion.co.za and drivebastion.co.za for more information on services or to make a booking.
Comments