Kenya Helicopter Safari

A Helicopter Safari offers a unique and thrilling experience as you soar above the wilderness as you explore natural landscape and wildlife. This total freedom will allow you to visit places inaccessible by land and untouched by most humans. Northern Kenya hosts some of East Africa’s most remote geographical wonders. Looking down on this vast wilderness from above offers an entirely new perspective. Enjoy instant access to remote locations, otherwise unavailable under time constraints. Hover over wildlife or touch down beside a turquoise pool for a refreshing swim. Take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity during your luxury Kenya safari holiday to see the wildest corners of the country.

Flying over the Northern Kenya

Skimming low over the treetops or soaring up and over an escarpment like an eagle on a rising thermal, the best way to absorb the grandeur of Africa’s landscapes is from the air. A helicopter safari is a bucket-list highlight and one of Kenya’s best safari experiences.

After a dawn breakfast at one of Kenya’s best safari lodges, we boarded the chopper and strapped ourselves in. I must admit my nerves were all a jangle. Our pilot, John, gave us a safety briefing … and then we were off on our helicopter safari. Up and up, like an elevator ride on steroids. It was an astounding sensation.

We headed north, cruising over vast game reserves. I spotted a family of elephants beside a waterhole, hoovering the water with their elastic trunks. On we flew, passing herds of giraffe and Thomson’s gazelle, and catching a glimpse of a rare Grévy’s zebra.

Where can you fly to in a helicopter in Kenya?

Flights take off in the Laikipia region. From here, you can explore the epic vistas of the Great Rift Valley, soaring high above to take it all in or flying low and skirting the treetops to enjoy the lush riverine forests or the open rolling plains of this diverse region. The pilots are exceptionally well trained and are as passionate about the land as they are about the blue skies above – this means they’re perfectly qualified to operate as your safari guide for your flight.

Mount Kenya is easy to access, and you can touch down high up on the mountainside to tuck into a spectacular picnic breakfast or lunch. If you wish to travel farther afield, you can visit the largest permanent desert lake in the world, Lake Turkana, to enjoy the breathtaking and otherworldly basalt outcrops and volcanic shores – here you can even camp out in comfort on the lake shore!

The experience of flying to Mount Kenya and Lake Turkana

To reach Mount Kenya, it’s an early start boarding the helicopter, to ensure you reach the mountain before the heat sets in – the pilot aims to get you there by 07:30! However, the effort of getting up at this time is well worth it, as the scenery is amazing. Acres of savanna sprawl below, herds of herbivores grazing the grass. Perhaps a lion or a leopard is on the prowl, causing a group of gazelles to scatter suddenly and race through the rippling plains. Then savanna meets woodland, even forest, beautiful banks of indigenous trees alternately standing still and waving gently as you pass overhead. Suddenly the foliage thins and a river emerges, rushing through the park or reserve.

The pilot touches down on Mount Kenya and the first treat here is a hearty picnic breakfast! It’s awesome to tuck into the first meal of the day while enjoying the fantastic views. Then, if you wish, you can while away a few hours fly-fishing on one of the tranquil lakes or tarns that adorn the mountain’s upper slopes.

After your visit to the majestic mountain, there’s the opportunity to fly to Lake Turkana. This, too, is a superb sight. The largest permanent desert lake in the world, Turkana combines volcanic shores and basalt outcrops to astonishing effect! The sheer inaccessibility of the area makes for a truly pristine environment, where fish such as cichlids, and reptiles such as Nile crocs and turtles, live and thrive. There is plenteous birdlife too, including flamingos and cormorants, while the surrounding grasslands are home to small populations of lion, cheetah, gazelle, zebra, giraffe – and even the cushioned gerbil!

In addition to wildlife watching, Lake Turkana is perfect for fishing and quad biking – and there’s even a hint of history, in the fossils of Homo habilis, a species of the Hominini tribe, that remain on the shores. Ancient rock art has also been discovered, on the south beach. Travellers keen on culture will relish taking some time to observe the Rendille people as they bring their livestock to drink here. In total, more than a quarter of a million tribespersons are dependent on the lake, so it’s a real privilege to visit this Waterworld!

Need help planning your next Kenyan Safari? We will help get you the best safari experience, void of traffic and overcrowding associated with other regions. Let us help you plan.