Helicopter Scenic Safaris offers a new dimension for flying safaris, get up close, experience the East African region in its true magnificence. We take pride in show casing Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to its full glory. Helicopters add magic into your flying Safari.
Why Choose a Helicopter Safari
Taking to the sky on Helicopter is the perfect way to explore the region as there’s no need to schedule your entire day. Paired with a private pilot who’s an expert in the region, you really can kick back and go wherever the wind takes you. (You can stop as many different times as possible over the course of the day.
Breathtaking scenic scenes and wildlife
From the air, the out-of-this-world sights were practically endless East Africa is full of dramatic landscapes: from harsh dry climates to beautiful lush forests, mountains, waterfalls, craters, savannah plains and deserts dunes – all easily accessible by helicopter; a privilege few can enjoy.
A variety of wildlife and birdlife can be spotted from one end of the region to the other. Indeed, nature has endowed East Africa, and among its many spectacular landscapes is the dramatic Great Rift Valley, which makes for one of the most stunning and ideal helicopter excursions in the world.
There are many lakes located within the Rift Valley. Each lake has its own unique landscape and wildlife and offers fantastic photographic opportunities – including the beautiful flocks of flamingo that visit the areas.
The Masai Mara (the eighth wonder of the world) speaks for itself. Fly across the Mau Escarpment into the Savannah, where you will find this remarkable ecosystem with incredible game
viewing experiences.
Flexibility and Freedom
We tailor Helicopter scenic flights on request. We also offer the Helicopter on ‘self-drive’ for your entire Safari. With pick up from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, to your Hotel on the outskirts of Nairobi and onwards for a bespoke flying safari.. You can spontaneously follow whatever sights or areas pique your interest. Get close enough to touch the treetops and land whenever and wherever you want!
Listed here are highlights of selected guided excursions on offer in East Africa. The wider East African region of Uganda and Tanzania are also open for further exploration by helicopter.
NORTHERN KENYA SCENIC FLIGHT – two days scenic flying with one night stop!*
This is by far the most scenic route if stunning landscape is your thing! Start your flight from Wilson Airport, from here head towards Kenya’s northern frontier, overfly the Aberdare Mountain
Range see the Gura and Kura Waterfalls whose drops are near 300m each. Africa’s second tallest mountain, Mt Kenya is a sight to behold. Even a spot of fishing is possible at Lake Elliis on
Mount Kenya. Suggest to overnight* in Laikipia area
(Day one ), or get picked up from Samburu, Nanyuki, Lewa or Meru, and then fly north all the way to the southern end of Lake Turkana.
Flying close to beautiful springs and the amazing Singing Wells will certainly leave you awestruck. The incredible beauty of this part of the country will take your breath away, with its variety
of landscapes including the Suguta Valley, Silale Crater, the Southern Dunes, Lake Lojipe, Cathedral Rock, and the Laikipia plateau.
*Accommodation not costed on this flight.
KILIMANJARO SCENIC FLIGHT
The scenic flight to Kilimanjaro is spectacular and must be done as day breaks because the Mountain gets covered in fog later in the morning. The route via Magadi towards the Ewaso Nyiro
Delta and Namanga Hills flies as close to Kilimanjaro as possible on the Kenya side. You will be left awestruck as your helicopter pilot points out all the iconic features on this scenic flight.
MASAI MARA SCENIC ROUTE
Heading South towards the Nguruman Escarpment is an incredible lush, indigenous forest protected within the Nguruman Hills which is home to a large number of Colobus monkey and the
smaller Mountain Elephants.
View the Ewaso Nyiro River flowing southward along the foot of the escarpment and catch sights of the stunning waterfalls rarely accessed from the ground. There is an abundance of wildlife
and scenery to take in on this route, including the Suswa Crater (a dormant volcano within the Rift Valley), with an option of a flight within the crater offering fantastic photo opportunities
of the lava flows.
DIANI SCENIC ROUTE
Heading to the Kenyan Coast of Diani, fly south towards the Chyulu Hills (which consists of several hundred small lava flows and cones). These hills do not have permanent rivers, but the
rainfall on the hills feed the Tsavo and Galana Rivers and Mzima Springs on the surrounding plains. The abundance of game is nothing short of spectacular. Sights also include Kilimanjaro
and the Taita Hills – both famed for their moist forests and unique flora and fauna. Fly over the Shimba Hills and spot yourself a herd of elephants before you fly across towards the Indian
Ocean and Diani.
MALINDI SCENIC ROUTE
The Malindi scenic route goes via the Yatta Plateau and Tsavo River, which runs from the Western end of the Tsavo East National Park until it joins with the Athi River – forming the Galana
River near the centre of the Park; to Tsavo East and then Malindi.
Enjoy game views en route before reaching the Coastal town of Malindi or Watamu.
LAMU SCENIC ROUTE
This route will be similar to the Malindi route; however, you will fly towards Tsavo East following the Athi-Galana-Sabaki River – the second longest river in Kenya. The flight path will go
Northwards from the Tana River Delta, and includes a view the Dunes as you head up to Lamu.
NAIROBI SCENIC ROUTE
The idyllic scenic flight will take you towards Lake Magadi, the southernmost lake in Kenya’s Rift Valley, which lies in a catchment of faulted volcanic rocks, north of Tanzania’s Lake Natron. During the dry season, it is 80% covered by soda and attracts wading birds including Flamingos. The Lake is so spectacular you have to see the colours to believe it. An alternative route, is to fly to the Ewaso Nyiro River Delta another beautiful ecosystem, running between Lake Magadi and Lake Natron. Amazing landscape and game viewing is possible on this route.
Other perfect Destinations for a Helicopter Safari to consider include
Departing from Mwiba Lodge in Tanzania, head south toward the drop-off to Lake Eyasi, a ledge plunging 3,000 feet into East Africa’s Great Rift Valley
Discover remote Ethiopia by helicopter
Take in Victoria Falls from a bird’s-eye perspective
Fly over Botswana’s Okavango Delta
The flight descriptions are highlights of what you can expect to see enroute. Please note that routings are subject to weather conditions. Routings to destinations therefore can change and your Pilot will brief on the same before departure.
On all the Scenic Flights listed, you have the option of ending your journey at your camp/accommodation or returning to Wilson
