When the Rains Came, They Came Hard
In early 2026, Hoedspruit and the surrounding Greater Kruger region experienced extreme rainfall, with conditions compared to the devastating floods last seen more than two decades ago.
Roads were washed away, dam walls failed, and properties along riverbanks were rapidly inundated. Entire areas became inaccessible within hours.
What followed was a race against time.
As floodwaters rose, guests across safari lodges, private reserves, and rural properties were left stranded — cut off from essential services, food supplies, and medical support. In response, Bastion Aviation mobilised immediately, stepping in to provide critical air support when ground access was no longer possible.
Emergency Air Support Across Hoedspruit and Greater Kruger
Bastion Aviation rapidly assembled a dedicated emergency response team to manage an escalating number of urgent requests. These included:
- Evacuations from flooded safari lodges and private homes
- Emergency transport for stranded guests needing to return to Johannesburg
- Delivery of essential supplies, including food and medication
- Support for communities isolated for several days due to destroyed roads
With Hoedspruit and Greater Kruger heavily affected, private aviation became the only viable lifeline.
Rapid Response in Unforgiving Flying Conditions
Local Hoedspruit-based pilot Donovan de Wet was already in the area and immediately began flying emergency missions. Conditions were exceptionally challenging, with:
- Low cloud cover
- Torrential rain
- Constantly shifting weather systems
- Severely limited visibility
As demand surged, it became clear that one pilot and aircraft would not be enough.
Bastion Aviation made the call to deploy additional resources, flying pilot Dean up from Johannesburg to reinforce operations. This allowed both the Bell 407 and Robinson R44 helicopters to operate simultaneously, significantly increasing reach and response capacity across the Kruger region.
When Airports Closed, Determination Opened New Paths
With Eastgate Airport (Hoedspruit) forced to close due to flooding, Bastion Aviation received urgent requests to assist guests needing to return to Johannesburg.
A KingAir aircraft was chartered and rerouted into Hoedspruit Civil Airfield under extremely poor landing conditions.
Despite reduced visibility and waterlogged surroundings, Bastion pilot Johan demonstrated exceptional skill and composure, landing safely and ensuring all passengers were transported without incident. Upon arrival, Dean immediately transitioned back into helicopter operations to continue evacuation and supply missions.
The Unsung Heroes on the Ground
Behind every successful flight was an extraordinary ground operations team working tirelessly under pressure.
At the hangar, Justin, Adam, and Krystle:
- Welcomed exhausted and distressed guests
- Managed incoming provisions
- Refuelled aircraft between missions
- Adapted constantly to changing operational demands
Behind the scenes, Bastion’s reservations manager Animike coordinated an unrelenting flow of calls — mapping routes, prioritising missions, and supporting pilots in real time as conditions evolved hour by hour.
Flying at the Absolute Limit
The flying conditions during the floods were among the most demanding imaginable. Aircraft were frequently forced to hold at pickup points due to weather, only launching again the moment it was safe to do so.
Pilots and crew worked long, relentless days — often from 7am to 7pm without breaks — driven by a single priority: getting people to safety.
A Mission That Mattered in Hoedspruit & Greater Kruger
Over just three days, Bastion Aviation successfully:
- Transported more than 130 people to safety
- Delivered critical supplies to flood-isolated locations
- Provided essential aviation support when roads and infrastructure had failed
This flood relief mission was a powerful reminder of the role private aviation plays in remote and emergency situations, particularly in regions like Hoedspruit and the Greater Kruger where access can change in minutes.
When conditions were at their worst, Bastion Aviation truly rose above.
To every pilot, ground crew member, coordinator, and supporter involved — thank you.
