HELICOPTERS AND HORSES ON SAFARI IN KENYA
ITINERARY
Day 1 - 4: Laikipia
Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, here you will be met by your helicopter pilot. Fly to Laikipia via the Aberdares National Park
Arrive at Sirai House or Arijiju Retreat in the Borana Wildlife Conservancy. Spend the day out on safari and settling in to Kenya. An afternoon horse ride to a sundowner spot.
The following morning fly up to Mount Kenya to fly around the peaks and land at one of the lakes for breakfast and a wonder through the mountains. On another day head to Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo to see the flamingos.
An excursion into the Mathews hills with a stop at the RETETI elephant sanctuary to watch the baby elephants feed.
Morning and afternoon horse riding.
Sirari House or Arijiju Retreat, 4 nights.
Day 5 - 6: Maasai Mara
After breakfast set off through the rift valley over the lakes of Naivasha and Nakuru down to the Maasai Mara. Arrive in the Mara in time for lunch.
Game drives and exploration of the Mara. The Mara has an abundance of wildlife, you are sure to spot lots of cats and plenty of plains game.
Ishara Mara or Wild Hill, 2 nights.
Day 7 - 9: The Chyulu Hills
Fly to the Chyulu Hills, crossing over the Mara, Tsavo and Amboseli. Fly via Lake Magadi, Kenya's most southern rift valley lake. Arrive at Ol Donyo Lodge for lunch. Exploration of the Mzima Springs and Tsavo by helicopter.
Ol Donyo Lodge, 3 nights.
Day 10: Home
Fly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home.
End of Safari
- DAY 1 -
LAIKIPIA & THE ABERDARES
There is no landscape in Kenya, outside of National Parks, more crucial for the future of elephants than Laikipia. 7,000 elephants are protected by private and communal landowners and a network of inspiring conservation organizations. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is home to some of the most endangered species including the grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe and white and black rhino.
The Aberdares is characterized by open moorlands and dense forests with a deep lush of clean crisp air. We land at the dragons teeth, a sporadic spread of jagged rocks that rise above the moorlands, on route to Sirikoi Lodge.
- DAY 2 -
MOUNT KENYA
Iconic in shape and size, Mount Kenya is situated in the heart of Kenya, on the equator - its highest point ‘Batian’ reaches 5,199 meters. The snowy peaks can be seen on clear days from as far as Mt Kilimanjaro some 300 kilometers away. As you spend time at Sirikoi, Mount Kenya will become a daily view, which makes it even more exciting to explore.
We will fly around the peaks of the mountain and land at Lake Alice or Lake Michaelson for a picnic breakfast. Almost inaccessible and well off the beaten track, they offer an exciting morning of fly fishing.
- DAY 3 -
LAKE BOGORIA & BARINGO
The beauty of Baringo is legendary, with its spectacular sunsets, dazzling array of bird life, and the Njemps fishermen continuing a lifestyle little changed over 200 years. A truly beautiful fresh water lake - critical habitat for nearly 500 bird species, and home to hippo and crocodile.
A shallow alkaline lake most famous for its flamingo that line the white salty shores. With its unique features, stunning views all around, and amazing birdlife, Lake Bogoria was gazetted as a National Park in 1973.
- DAY 4 -
THE MATHEWS & R.E.T.E.T.I
After breakfast, fly up to the iconic landmarks of the Ndotos and Mathews. Their remote location has kept them secret and inaccessible to most. The range, separated by the Milgis river lugga, has montane forests, dramatic cliff faces, grassy glades and captivating views. Known as a ‘sky island’, the 150 kilometer long Mathews Range rises from the dry desolate country, exposing lush forested hills and craggy peaks. Untouched, a pristine ancient cycad forest grows here in abundance.
Reteti, set up in 2016, is the first community-owned and managed orphanage of its type in Africa. Located at the foot of the remote Mathews Range amongst Kenya’s second largest elephant population, Reteti’s baby elephants (and one rhino) have each been orphaned as a result of the prolific poaching or relentless drought in northern Kenya.
Reteti is a partnership between Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, Samburu County Government, Kenya Wildlife Service, Northern Rangelands Trust, San Diego Zoo, Conservation International, Tusk Trust, The Nature Conservancy and Save the Elephants.
SIRAI HOUSE
ARIJIJU RETREAT
Sirai is surrounded by 68,000 acres of pure wilderness, on Borana Wildlife Conservancy. Borana is a vital wildlife corridor connecting Kenya's wild and arid north with the lush Mt Kenya ecosystem.
The property features a main house and six elegantly appointed sleeping rooms. Designed with a keen eye for aesthetics, the structure harmoniously blends stone and thatch, showcasing artisanal craftsmanship and the use of locally sourced materials. The main house offers a range of refined spaces, including a drawing room, a pool, multiple seating areas, a bar, a billiard room, a library, a dining room, a gallery, a cinema, a boma, and a veranda, all set within beautifully terraced gardens.
Arijiju is also situated on the Borana Wildlife Conservancy.
Arijiju has three suites in the main house and two generous cottages along a stone pathway. It has a peaceful retreat at the heart of the house, the study can be used for work or play, with reliable wifi, a browsing library, and multiple desks for guests use. The vast, light-filled living and dining rooms have open fires, with raw stone and wood accents. Iconic arched windows frame the views beyond. The cinema room is ideal for cosy family movies, while the games room is well-stocked with table football and a broad selection of board and card games.
- DAY 5 & 6 -
THE MAASAI MARA
The Maasai Mara is one of Kenya’s most acclaimed wildlife reserves, renowned for its open savannahs, wildebeest migration, prides of lion and vast herds of plains game. Game viewing in the Mara is unrivalled. Your day can be as active or relaxing as you please. Game drives - day and night, bush walks, cultural visits, and picnic lunches are just some of the activities. Nowhere in the world is there a movement of animals as immense or impressive as the wildebeest migration.
WILD HILL
Wild Hill is an exclusive use property with five luxurious suites, each designed with the utmost attention to detail and comfort.
Named simply after numerical Maasai numbers, each suite has a spacious lounge, with a coffee station, mini bar and fireplace, huge bedrooms with baths overlooking the vast plains. There are indoor and outdoor showers and verandah that stretch across the front of the suites, making the most of the views below.
ISHARA MARA
Ishara Mara is gracefully perched on the bank of the Talek River as it winds its way through the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Ishara has 15 suites and numerous shared spaces spread across a large area with a riverbank, forested shrubland, and savannah plain. The lodge has been constructed of mixed materials all with the aim of treading lightly on the land, something Ishara achieves without compromising luxury. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities including a pool, a gym, both indoor and outdoor dining areas, a photo studio, and a food garden.
- DAY 7 -
LAKE MAGADI
Flying from the Mara to the Chyulus, our journey will take us over Lake Magadi, where we'll land on its picturesque shores. This expansive saline alkaline lake, stretching approximately 100 kilometers, is renowned for its mesmerizing and ever-changing water colors—sometimes a vibrant red, other times a deep blue. The lake's surface is consistently adorned with a spectacle of flamingos, adding to its natural allure.
- DAY 8 & 9 -
THE CHYULU HILLS & MZIMA SPRINGS
The Chyulu Hills is located in southern Kenya and is renowned for their 'Big Tusker Elephants,' which roam between Kenya and Tanzania. Mount Kilimanjaro is perfectly in view both morning and afternoons when the clouds clear.
Mzima Springs, nestled in Tsavo National Park, are a cluster of four natural springs sourced from a reservoir beneath the Chyulu Hills. Composed of volcanic lava rock and ash, the Chyulus are too porous for rivers to form. Instead, rainwater filters through these rocks, traveling nearly 50 kilometers to emerge at Mzima Springs. It's believed this water completes its journey after about 25 years, undergoing natural filtration that renders Mzima Springs renowned for their crystal-clear waters.
OL DONYO LODGE
The lodge features an exceptional stable, offering safari experiences on horseback, (catering to riders who are intermediate or experienced), who can embark on morning or afternoon rides. This unique approach allows for intimate wildlife encounters, with giraffes and zebras often coming close.
Additionally, guests can partake in mountain bike safaris, guided walks, and open vehicle game drives. Ol Donyo Lodge spans over 111,000 hectares of private land, situated amidst the Chyulu Hills between Kenya’s Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks. Its location on ancient lava rock, ejected from Kilimanjaro some 360,000 years ago, adds to its unique charm.
With only 10 suites, Ol Donyo Lodge offers exclusivity, ensuring uninterrupted wildlife sightings as the sole lodge in the area. Guests can also enjoy the sunken hide, providing an opportunity to observe these wonderful animals throughout the day at the waterhole.
END OF SAFARI
Tropic Air is based in Kenya, and offers a broad range of professional air services using helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Areas of operation: 16 African countries, covering more than 10 million square kilometers: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Congo, Chad, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.