About us

Through a reliable and trustworthy helicopter service radically impact and curb the poaching of wildlife in the Greater Kruger area, make a difference and create conservation awareness wherever we go.

Continue to provide a reliable helicopter service for wildlife conservation and the ecotourism industry in the Greater Kruger area.

Our commercial pilot Jana Meyer is night (NVG endorsed) and game rated with thousands of helicopter flying hours. Jana has a National Diploma in Nature Conservation and is a qualified FGASA trails guide.

Serondella Lodge
Bateleur’s Nest Lodge
Black Forest Bakery
JCV Trading
Rhino Revolution UK
The Aspinall Foundation & Wildlife Emergency Fund
Rhino Connect
Ximuvu Lodge
MJA Wildlife Fund
John Muldoon
Matthew Jenkins
Shelley Rodefer

Pilot and Director Jana Meyer started her career in wildlife conservation straight after school by completing her Nature Conservation studies at Technicon SA. During her Conservation and guiding career within the Kruger National Park, Jana saw a helicopter operational in the Conservation arena for the first time. She realized what a significant role the helicopter played and a dream was sparked during one of the capture operations when Jana was granted the opportunity to occupy one of the seats in the helicopter.

Jana continued working in the Kruger National Park and later at Singita Lebombo as a guide. She obtained her FGASA Trails Guide & ARH qualification. Jana left the Kruger national Park to manage the wildlife on a Private Game Reserve in the Waterberg. It is in 2012 when she eventually started with her journey to become one of South Africa’s very few specialized female game capture helicopter pilots. She completed her Commercial Pilot’s license and game capture rating in 18 months. Holding a full-time job and with her precious twins being 3 years old at the time it was no easy task!

Jana always had a deep love for the Kruger National Park and the Lowveld, she longed to get back. After facing many challenges, Jana is now the director of her own company; Hope for Wildlife Helicopter Services and is based in a wildlife haven called Hoedspruit. She is rated on the Airbus AS350, Robinson 66, Robinson 44 and Robinson 22 helicopters and has her game, night rating as well as NVG endorsement. Jana’s guiding experience, knowledge of the bush and wildlife combined with her natural talent to fly helicopters makes her proficient and unique.

Jana met her husband Willem Pretorius in 2017 whilst fighting the ongoing battle against rhino poaching. While Willem was facing dangers on the ground, Jana was his eyes in the sky. Willem plays an integral part in the company and they are a formidable team.

The newest member of the team is Ernestus Pretorius, brother of Willem. Ernestus was recently diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and is currently undergoing treatment. Ernestus is assisting with some of the admin duties to help the team.

Hope for Wildlife Helicopter services operate on the AOC (Aircraft Operating License) of Big Game Heli Services CC. We meet all the legal requirements as stipulated by SACAA and we place a high premium on safety.

Hope for Wildlife helicopter services work closely together with various reliable well established non-profit organizations, various specialized wildlife veterinarians, rangers, wardens, and counter-poaching & K9 units in the Greater Kruger National Park Area.