MORE Collection, the South African luxury safari group, has partnered with federal Airlines to introduce a scheduled flight connection between its two flagship reserves: Marataba Game Lodges in Marakele National Park and Lion Sands Game Reserve, which spans the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve and Kruger National Park. The new service is designed to let guests experience two contrasting wilderness areas in a single day, eliminating the logistical burden of overland transfers.
Under the arrangement, MORE Collection will cover 50% of the flight costs for guests who book a minimum of three nights at each property. The subsidy is intended to encourage longer, multi-destination itineraries and to make the connection more attractive to international tour operators and travel advisors.
Connecting two distinct safari worlds
Marataba, located in the malaria-free Marakele National Park, offers a dramatic landscape of mountain ranges and bushveld, while Lion Sands is renowned for its big-cat sightings along the Sabie and Sand rivers. Robert More, CEO of MORE Collection, highlighted the complementary nature of the two reserves: “Marataba and Lion Sands offer guests two completely different safari worlds. Linking them through a practical, subsidised flight connection means travel partners can now build truly immersive multi-destination itineraries.”
The flights operate via O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, with departures from Marataba at 10:30 and from Lion Sands at 10:00. The journey includes a brief stopover at the airport, allowing guests to reach their final destination by mid-afternoon. This schedule is designed to maximize time in the bush, with morning game drives still possible before departure.
Nicole Schickerling, Commercial General Manager at federal Airlines, emphasized the convenience factor: “We know how much guests value the ability to move between reserves without losing a full day to logistics. This partnership makes that connection both practical and attractive.”
The initiative reflects a broader trend in African luxury travel toward seamless multi-reserve itineraries, a model that has gained traction among high-end safari operators. By reducing travel time and cost, MORE Collection aims to position its portfolio as a one-stop solution for agents building bespoke South African tours.
For travel professionals, the new link simplifies the logistics of combining two of the country’s most sought-after safari destinations. It also opens up possibilities for same-day connections to international flights from O.R. Tambo, a key hub for both domestic and intercontinental carriers.
The partnership is part of MORE Collection’s ongoing investment in guest experience and operational efficiency. The group, which also operates properties in the Waterberg and other regions, has been expanding its air access options in recent years.
federal Airlines, a niche carrier specializing in scheduled and charter services to game reserves and other remote destinations, has been growing its network across southern Africa. The airline’s collaboration with MORE Collection is expected to set a precedent for similar arrangements with other luxury lodge groups.
As the travel industry continues to rebound, such partnerships are becoming increasingly important for destinations looking to attract high-yield visitors. The ability to offer a seamless, time-efficient safari experience is a competitive advantage in a market where discerning travelers value both exclusivity and convenience.
For agents and operators, the new flight link provides a tangible selling point when crafting itineraries that combine the malaria-free appeal of Marataba with the iconic wildlife of Lion Sands. The 50% subsidy, applied to the flight cost, effectively lowers the barrier for multi-reserve bookings, potentially increasing average length of stay and overall spend.
MORE Collection and federal Airlines have not disclosed the exact fare structure or the duration of the subsidy, but the initiative is expected to run throughout the current safari season. Further details are available to trade partners through the group’s sales team.
