United Air Charter
United Air Charter
4.5
Full view
About
Come to Livingstone Zambia and view one of the seven natural wonders of the world - the magnificent VICTORIA FALLS. Also known as "Mosi Oa Tunya" - the smoke that thunders - the Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular sights in the world and you will be able to view this amazing waterfall from the comfort of one of our helicopters. This experience will definitely qualify as the flight of your life as you embark on the "Flight of Angels". The pilot will orbit to the right and left, enabling passengers on both sides of the helicopter to photograph and view the mighty Victoria Falls. Once completed you will proceed upriver to Long Island and the Mosi Oa Tunya National Park where you may spot some of Africa's large game.
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DuncanTCH
East Greenbush, NY1 272 contributions
Jun 2022
We originally weren't planning on taking a helicopter over Victoria Falls. But at the camp prior to our camp in Livingstone, we met a family who had just come from Livingstone and couldn't say enough positive things about their flight over the falls...but insisted their experience was only this great because they used United Air Charter.
And they were right...the experience is over-the-top and United Air Charter is amazing!!
This was my first helicopter ride ever and I was a little unsure of how much I would enjoy the experience (I love flying...I hate roller coasters). And I couldn't have had more fun or a better experience.
We booked one of the first flights in the morning and because we were the only two booked for that time slot, we took the smaller 4-passenger helicopter. But we had the entire helicopter to ourselves with our pilot Christian.
The experience was amazing and looking back on, viewing Victoria Falls from the air is really important to understanding its size and power. We did the walk around the falls, but it's easy to lose perspective when you're that close to the falls. From the air, you can see how big the falls are and the massive amount of water cascading over it every second.
United Air Charter made me feel perfectly safe and the helicopter was beautiful and (as expected) perfectly maintained. There are three different flight paths (short, medium and long) and we took the medium length journey...which was the perfect length.
Definitely, this is a must do while in the area and United Air Charter is the only way to see the falls from the air!!
And they were right...the experience is over-the-top and United Air Charter is amazing!!
This was my first helicopter ride ever and I was a little unsure of how much I would enjoy the experience (I love flying...I hate roller coasters). And I couldn't have had more fun or a better experience.
We booked one of the first flights in the morning and because we were the only two booked for that time slot, we took the smaller 4-passenger helicopter. But we had the entire helicopter to ourselves with our pilot Christian.
The experience was amazing and looking back on, viewing Victoria Falls from the air is really important to understanding its size and power. We did the walk around the falls, but it's easy to lose perspective when you're that close to the falls. From the air, you can see how big the falls are and the massive amount of water cascading over it every second.
United Air Charter made me feel perfectly safe and the helicopter was beautiful and (as expected) perfectly maintained. There are three different flight paths (short, medium and long) and we took the medium length journey...which was the perfect length.
Definitely, this is a must do while in the area and United Air Charter is the only way to see the falls from the air!!
Written 24 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FamilyRossouw
London, UK45 contributions
Nov 2022 • Business
I’ve been in the fortunate position to fly in small aircrafts all around Africa’s wildlife parks for the past 30 years in the Travel Industry. During my last trip, the owner; Naas, flew us all around Zambia & Malawi over a period of 8 days, probably the best pilot I have ever experienced. Our group of 6 unanimously agreed, that United Air provided an excellent experience / service.
Written 9 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wla P
6 contributions
Aug 2022
Ella, the owner's wife, was incredibly rude to us. Our party of 3 people finished our flight and the driver was about to bring us back to our hotel which was only 5 minutes from the helipad.
Ella, the owner, did not want the driver to transfer us back to our hotel. Instead she very rudely told our driver to make us wait 30 minutes while another group took off in the helicopter. Thus, we were 30 minutes late to our dinner reservations and missed the sunset over Victoria Falls. The owner could not have been more rude or obnoxious. Very disgusting after we spent hundreds of dollars ...
Ella, the owner, did not want the driver to transfer us back to our hotel. Instead she very rudely told our driver to make us wait 30 minutes while another group took off in the helicopter. Thus, we were 30 minutes late to our dinner reservations and missed the sunset over Victoria Falls. The owner could not have been more rude or obnoxious. Very disgusting after we spent hundreds of dollars ...
Written 9 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natalie
Cairo, Egypt13 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Amazing experience. Our pilot was completely professional with huge experience….he gave us all opportunities to view the gorge and the falls. My youngest was worried about getting in a helicopter but now he’s had a great flight he just wants to do it again!!
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steeve
Kigali, Rwanda4 088 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
We stayed near the Victoria Falls and we were greatly disturbed by the noise of these helicopters, several times every day! We also witnessed that the local animals such as the zebras and the giraffes were greatly affected. I think helicopters shouldn't be allowed to fly in a national park or that at least there should be a quota (like two flights per day maximum).
Written 15 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim P
Derbyshire, UK37 contributions
Feb 2020
Really wanted to see the falls from the air and we were not disappointed. Chose the 20 minute flight which included flying low down the gorge which was brilliant. The pilot was great, explained the features we flew over really well and with only 4 in the helicopter we all had really good views. If the aircraft was full with 6 people it would be less enjoyable for the two sitting inboard in the back seats.
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear jimp885,
Thank you so very much for such a lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your flight with us!
We truly do appreciate you taking time to send feedback!
Kindest Regards,
The UAC Team
Written 2 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gary H
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK74 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Brilliant from start to finish, picked up in a safari jeep for the short ride to the heli pad, great reception from very friendly team. The we got really lucky we were the only 2 on the flight, it was fantastic, stunning views, really great pilot who explained all sorts of facts. The drop into the gorge was something else. We have done the heli trip in the Grand Canyon but this 20 minutes was way better. DVD turned up no problem via Dropbox
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear GaryH817,
Thank you so very much for such a lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your flight with us!
We truly do appreciate you taking time to send feedback!
Kindest Regards,
The UAC Team
Written 2 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
happytravellady
Macclesfield, UK941 contributions
Jul 2019
What an amazing experience this was. Wouldn’t have missed it for the world. We opted for the longer flight over the falls and down the gorge and it was just stunning. I felt very safe with the pilot and he gave us an amazing experience. It’s something that can’t be recreated in any other way.
Forms to sign and some waiting around to do if you’re in a larger group as only a few people can do the helicopter flight at any 1 time but there is steel drum entertainment while you wait and you’ll be busy with either anticipation beforehand or elation afterwards.
Have fun!
Forms to sign and some waiting around to do if you’re in a larger group as only a few people can do the helicopter flight at any 1 time but there is steel drum entertainment while you wait and you’ll be busy with either anticipation beforehand or elation afterwards.
Have fun!
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear happytravellady,
Thank you so very much for such a lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your flight with us!
We truly do appreciate you taking time to send feedback!
Kindest Regards,
The UAC Team
Written 2 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mauro V
Pembroke Pines, FL473 contributions
Nov 2019
From the hotel pick up to the soft landing everything was extremely professional and safety conscious. The briefings were comprehensive and the pilot informative and considerate, making turns to allow passengers on both sides of the helicopter to see the falls. Don't skimp, you will probably only be here once so go for the 30 min trip
Written 25 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear mvine42,
Thank you so very much for such a lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your flight with us!
We truly do appreciate you taking time to send feedback!
Kindest Regards,
The UAC Team
Written 2 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
islandgirl_bg_fl
North Port, FL93 contributions
Aug 2019
We were looking to fill some time in our IT during our stay in Livingston. So, our tour coordinator suggested doing the helicopter flight over the falls. That sounded fun so we said we wanted to sign up. He asked if we wanted to do the shorter flight or the longer flight. We decided to go for the longer flight even though we didn't really know what we were signing up for... well, let me tell you TAKE THE LONGER FLIGHT!!! After circling the falls a few times you fly out to an area of the gorge where the pilot take the helio down into the gorge and flies about 50 feet above the water with cliffs on both sides. What a thrill! My husband and I are still talking about it.
Written 15 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear islandgirl_bg_fl
Thank you so very much for such a lovely review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your flight with us!
We truly do appreciate you taking time to send feedback!
Kindest Regards,
The UAC Team
Written 2 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
849MargaretC849
Sydney, Australia33 contributions
Regarding the less desirable middle seats, I suppose you've paid before the stage of seat allocation, so you can't decline the trip..
Christopher G
Oxted, UK533 contributions
Yes unfortunately it is lucky dip.
In our helicopter there were two seats at the front next to the pilot - grab them if you get to board first, then I think it was two rows of 3 passengers
jeaninel0uise
Thousand Oaks, CA6 contributions
Hi, Can you tell me how we would book the eurocopter and if there is a price difference? There are going to be three or four of us and I would like everyone to have a great experience. Also wondering if you suggest a certain time during the day. We will be there mid-August. Thanks
Vanessa600
Manama, Bahrain131 contributions
Hi. I think everyone has provided the answers already but we booked through our hotel (The River Club) and paid at the end of our stay. Our flight was at 10:00am which provided us with a good orientation before we saw The Falls on foot from the Zambian side. The front seat is a great experience but you get better photos from the back, especially LHS. You can book directly through the website as well. I agree with the earlier advice, take the longer flight, it will be very worthwhile!
Enjoy your holiday!
Traveller416
Toronto, Canada73 contributions
Is there are time- of- day that is best for the flight? For example is it best to wait for any 'morning mist' to burn off? or is there any build up of cloud or mist during the day, so early would be better? We will be there at the beginning of November. Thanks
AustraliaAnne
Shepparton, Australia101 contributions
Sorry for the delay in answering your question. We were there in May when the river was very high so lots of water and mist. The river drops slowly from then so probably less mist now. We could not see the bottom of the main gorge from the air or even standing close to it. The mist does not make much difference to the overall experience and view. The helicopter goes around and over the gorges so passengers on both sides get a good view and able to take photos. The person in the middle, if there are four, can still see but harder to take photos. The time of day at this time of year won't matter. You might like to avoid the heat or time it with possible spotting of animals wandering around the park. I think we went at 1pm.
cudleydudleysmum
5 contributions
Hi. Can you please give me the price difference for the 12 minute flight to the 30 minute flight. We are going there in June and would like the option to upgrade. The 12 minute flight is listed as $275.00 per person. Thanks Andrea
John L
Willenhall, UK1 contribution
Can not tell you off hand for we bkd as a total bundle through Zambezi Sun complex inc Cheetah Walk suggest you visit their web site
Kpo1
New South Wales, Australia55 contributions
What is the cost for the helicopter flight and extension?
Aviatorworld
Thousand Oaks, CA98 contributions
We paid $330. USD per person for the 30 minute flight. You can save 10% if you book the flight on the United Air Charter web-site. I would recommend the 30 minute flight. The flight over the Zambezi River rapids, through the gorge and over Victoria Falls was spectacular. Ask to sit next to the pilot or at least next to a window, for the best views. I have been a pilot for more than 50 years and have done it all. But this was among my most memorable trips aloft.
