HELICOPTER EXCURSIONS
MOUNT KENYA
Mount Kenya, standing at 5,199 meters tall, often snow capped is a magical helicopter excursion. After flying around the peaks of Batian and Nelion, explore the lakes from the air before landing at either Lake Michaelson, Lake Ellis, Lake Alice or Fox Tarn. Here you can enjoy a picnic breakfast, before fly fishing for Rainbow Trout.
This trip usually starts with a 7am collection from your lodge, we have a limit of 4 pax per helicopter due to flying at altitude.
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OL LOLOKWE & NAITODO
Airborne from your lodge we fly low level over the savannah landscapes of Samburu - the perfect place to spot herds of elephants and other wildlife.
Following the Ewaso Nyiro River, we start to approach Kenya's most striking landmark, Ol Lolokwe, rising abruptly 1000 meters above the plains. We land on the summit for breakfast or sundowners and take in the endless and untouched horizons.
We continue our journey on to Naitodo - another iconic granite outcrop, that featured extensively in David Attenborough’s ‘Africa’ series, before returning to your lodge.
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THE SUGUTA & THE MATHEWS
From the wildlife plains of Laikipia, we head north west into the Gregory Rift. Our first stop is on the summit of Silale crater, and then we drop down into the Suguta Valley. The landscape is constantly changing - desolate salt plains, lava flows and crocodile pools, through the colourful ‘painted’ and ‘hoodoo’ valleys.
Our most northern destination is the Sand dunes of the Suguta, where we touch down for a few moments to take in these remote desert landscapes. We return following the most scenic route, over the Ndotos and Mathews a dominant mountain range that rises from the arid plains, with mist forests and ancient cycads on its summit. Our final leg takes us low level over the savannahs of Samburu.
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THE MATHEWS, OL LOLOKWE & RETETI ELEPHANT SANCTURY
As we fly north over Laikipia and into Samburu country, the landscape is exceptionally interesting with the plains interspersed with wild valleys and hills.
Our first stop is on the summit of Lekuruki - located on the Laikipia- Samburu border, within community owned land. We head north over the vast savannah plains of Samburu, flying low over the Ewaso Nyiro River and at the foot of the Warges mountains, within Namunyak Conservancy, we land at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, for the 9am feeding session with the orphans - a special experience learning about each baby’s story.
After an hour on the ground, we board the heli and embark on the second part of our adventure. We rise up on to the summit of the spectacular Mathews - a dominant mountain range that emerges from the arid plains, topped with mist forests and ancient cycads. With breath-taking views we enjoy a picnic breakfast. A short hop further north, and part of the same range are the Ndotos - another wonderful spot to touch down, and stretch our legs, before heading back to our Lodge.
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LAKES, POKOT & SILALE CRATER
Early mornings are the best time to truly appreciate the diversity of landscapes within the Great Rift Valley - when the colours are the most vibrant, and the shadows add scale and drama.
We start our adventure flying westwards over Laikipia - a spectacular wildlife region famed for its community conservation. Within 30 minutes or so, we descend over the eastern wall of the Rift Valley onto the floor. Our first stop is with the Pokot people, gaining a true insight into their culture and way of life. We then board the heli again, and hop onto the summit of Silale Crater, stretching our legs and enjoying refreshments in the cooler altitude.
Our journey then takes us southwards, landing on the shores of Lake Baringo - a fresh water lake, bronze (and sometimes blue) in colour and a haven for birds, hippo and crocodile. We refuel before heading low-level over Lake Bogoria,
where flocks of flamingo make this salt lake so special.
Our return journey takes us onto the summit of Silale Crater, where the endless and iconic views of Africa can be enjoyed with refreshments!
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THE SUGUTA VALLEY, LAKE TURKANA & THE MATHEWS
From the wildlife plains of Laikipia, we head north west into the Gregory Rift. Our first stop is on the summit of Silale crater, and then we drop down into the Suguta Valley.
The landscape is constantly changing - desolate salt plains, lava flows and crocodile pools, through the colourful ‘painted’ and ‘hoodoo’ valleys. We touch down on the sand dunes, fly over the soda lake of Logipi where flocks of flamingo paint the shores pink, and we finally arrive at the fresh waters of Lake Turkana.
Besides Nabuyatom Crater we touch down for refreshments. We return following the most scenic route, over the Ndotos and Mathews - a dominant mountain range that rises from the arid plains, with mist forests and ancient cycads on its summit. Our final leg takes us low level over the savannahs of Samburu.
Click here to find out more.
AIRBUS H125
Capacity: 5 passenger seats and 1 pilot
Passenger Configuration: 1 passenger front left and 4 in the rear,
forward facing
Cruise Speed: 133 knots
Endurance: 4.3 hours
These helicopters are the best in their field, they are high performance, single engine helicopters. They are designed for maneuvering through the air with agility and speed, with superior abilities in extreme environments. They are perfectly suited for operations in high altitudes and hot temperatures, typical of east Africa.
They are the most amazing way to travel, reaching places that are inaccessible by any other form of transport, allowing a panoramic sight seeing of all that Kenya has to offer.
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.