Exclusive privatejet.africa interview with Ratelfontein director Jan Pickard on the 1,100 m gravel airstrip, aircraft access, landing permission and fly-in travel to South Africa’s Great Karoo.
Ratelfontein / Northern Cape, South Africa
In this exclusive privatejet.africa interview, Ratelfontein director Jan Pickard shares first-hand details behind flying into the reserve—from its gravel runway to the guest arrival experience.
Most lodge descriptions tell you what it feels like to arrive. Very few tell your pilot what it takes to land. This exclusive interview for privatejet.africa does both, drawing directly on Ratelfontein director Jan Pickard’s experience with visiting private aircraft.
Near Richmond in South Africa’s Northern Cape, Ratelfontein combines the silence of the Great Karoo with a privately managed gravel airstrip. The property describes itself as a private game reserve with Ravine & Plateau Lodge accommodation, game viewing and wide-open landscapes. According to the lodge’s official description, its hospitality can accommodate up to twelve guests with exclusive use of the property.
For private aviation visitors, the practical details matter just as much as the setting: a runway at altitude, advance landing permission, no lights and a considered plan for fuel, international entry and ground reception.
“15,500 hectares in the Great Karoo with over 25 species of game.”— Jan Pickard, on what makes Ratelfontein distinctive
For privatejet.africa’s Fly-in Lodge Interview Series, Jan Pickard answered ten questions about flying into Ratelfontein, including runway access, aircraft, permissions, fuel and the Great Karoo experience. His first-hand answers have been lightly edited and supplemented with editorial flight-planning cautions. They are not an operator’s aeronautical briefing.
For most international guests, Jan recommends beginning with Cape Town or Johannesburg. He notes that other South African airports can also work, depending on the aircraft and itinerary. The final leg to Ratelfontein should be planned with the charter operator.
Yes, subject to advance permission and suitable operating conditions. Jan identifies the field as Ratelfontein R100 and reports a 1,100 m × 15 m compact-gravel runway at approximately 1,400 m elevation. The coordinates supplied by the lodge are 31°32′28.9″S, 23°41′34.4″E. These details should be reconfirmed before flight.
According to Jan, the Pilatus PC-12 and Beechcraft King Air 200 are frequent visitors, alongside smaller Cessna and Beechcraft Baron aircraft. He cites the Pilatus PC-24 as the largest aircraft he would consider. That is the lodge’s experience—not an aircraft performance approval; any particular jet or turboprop flight requires the operator’s independent assessment.
The lodge experienced unusually heavy rain in 2026, Jan says, but the compact-gravel strip generally dries quickly. Operators should still check the current surface condition, recent rainfall, aircraft weight, temperature, elevation and forecast rather than assume that past performance guarantees availability.
Yes. Visitors need prior permission to land and must complete an indemnity form. The Ratelfontein team says it inspects the runway and meets incoming guests. Ask the lodge about both requirements before the operator confirms the flight.
No customs or immigration facilities were identified at Ratelfontein. Jan advises that incoming international travellers must complete the required South African customs and immigration formalities at an authorised port of entry before the domestic onward flight.
No night arrivals should be planned. Jan confirms that the runway has no lights, so aircraft need to land in daylight. The aerodrome approval also records no runway lighting or approach lighting. The flight operator should plan adequate daylight margins.
Jan names Bloemfontein and Kimberley as refuelling options. Availability, fuel grade, opening hours and any advance arrangement must be confirmed directly with the fuel provider by the operator; on-site fuel at Ratelfontein was not confirmed.
Jan suggests an onward journey to Graaff-Reinet, a historic Great Karoo town. Any aircraft, ground activity and routing should be arranged separately with the relevant operator and local hosts.
Ratelfontein spans approximately 15,500 hectares of the Great Karoo, with more than 25 game species, according to Jan. For fly-in guests, the combination is unusual: a private reserve experience and a directly accessible gravel airstrip, with the lodge team involved in arrivals.
Below, we combine specifications reported directly by Jan Pickard with details from the South African Civil Aviation Authority aerodrome approval supplied with the interview (issued 30 September 2026). The approval lists runway 13/31, no air traffic control, no runway lights and no rescue/fire services.
The aerodrome approval lists reference coordinates 31°32′29″S, 23°41′34″E; the more precise coordinate above was reported by the lodge. “R100” is the lodge’s supplied runway designation, not a verified ICAO or IATA airport code. Use current official aeronautical information and written aerodrome permission for actual flight operations.
A concise checklist for guests and their charter organiser, based on the interview and aerodrome record.
Coordinate with Ratelfontein before scheduling the final approach and submit the indemnity form.
Request the lodge’s latest inspection, surface status and any operational limitations.
Operator to evaluate weight, density altitude, surface, landing distance and required margins.
International clearance at an authorised entry point; arrange refuelling if needed.
There is no lighting: plan against sunset, delays and weather contingencies.
Agree your expected arrival, passenger transfer and ground arrangements with the lodge.
Important: These are planning notes only. The licensed air operator has sole responsibility for flight performance, routing, permissions and the decision to operate.
Ratelfontein lodge exterior · Image: Ratelfontein official website
Ratelfontein’s own lodge description emphasises wide views, exclusivity, outdoor experiences and traditional Karoo hospitality. The destination caters for guests interested in nature, wildlife viewing and the private game reserve’s established hunting activities. Travellers should confirm available experiences, accessibility, accommodation and inclusions directly with the property.
The interview also points towards Graaff-Reinet as a possible next stop by air—a fitting extension for travellers who want to see more of South Africa’s interior without making every transfer by road.
Concise answers to the questions travellers and aviation teams most often need settled before departure.
Yes. Ratelfontein has a private gravel airstrip near Richmond in South Africa’s Northern Cape. The lodge reports runway dimensions of 1,100 by 15 metres; landing requires prior permission.
The lodge director names the PC-24 as the largest aircraft he would consider. This is not a guarantee of suitability. The aircraft operator must verify runway performance, weather, current runway condition, load and permissions for the specific flight.
The South African Civil Aviation Authority aerodrome approval identifies runway 13/31.
The airstrip has no runway lighting. Guests should plan daylight arrivals only, subject to the operator’s approved procedures.
The lodge director recommends Bloemfontein and Kimberley as possible fuel stops. Availability and the correct aviation fuel must be confirmed in advance.
International flights must clear South African customs and immigration at an authorised entry airport before flying on to Ratelfontein.
Planning a private charter to Ratelfontein? Start with your departure airport, travel date and party size, then confirm the specific airstrip, aircraft and permission arrangements with your operator and the lodge.
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