Vortex Scenery has released two new freeware airports for Microsoft Flight Simulator, focusing on underrepresented regions in Africa. The developer brings Kariba Airport (FVKB) in Zimbabwe and Berbera International Airport (HCMI) in Somaliland to life.
Kariba Airport – FVKB (Zimbabwe)
Located just east of the town of Kariba and close to the iconic Kariba Dam on the Zambezi River, ➡️ Kariba Airport serves as a key entry point to one of southern Africa’s most distinctive tourist regions. The airport has seen renewed attention in real life, following Fastjet Zimbabwe’s announcement of scheduled services to and from Harare and Victoria Falls. In this scenery, Vortex Scenery has recreated Kariba with a focus on realism and atmosphere. The airport features detailed custom 3D models, lifelike night lighting, and dynamic elements such as moving people, animals, and vehicles — an immersive touch reflecting the developer’s sense of humor with the included “NOTAM” warning about wildlife and pedestrians crossing the runway.
To experience the full visual fidelity, several commonly used freeware libraries are required, including Ethnicfs and Emerald object sets, along with the Animated Human 3D Models and Windy Things libraries.
Berbera International Airport – HCMI (Somaliland)
The second scenery, ➡️ Berbera International Airport, represents a significant coastal gateway in Somaliland. Known officially as Silanyo International Airport, Berbera was reopened for international operations in 2021 after extensive renovations. Vortex Scenery’s version of HCMI features detailed, custom-built terminal buildings and infrastructure, realistic night lighting, and animated people throughout the scene. The developer notes that the Somaliland flag is not yet included, with the Somalian flag currently used as a placeholder.
As with Kariba, a collection of additional freeware libraries is required to display flags, vegetation, and animated assets. Together, Kariba and Berbera continue Vortex Scenery’s effort to spotlight African airports that often go unnoticed in mainstream simulation add-ons.
Both airports are available for free on Flightsim.to, with optional donations encouraged to support Vortex Scenery's continued work. If you enjoy these sceneries, consider donating to Vortex Scenery to help support future projects.