TURKANA
Helicopter Day Trip | 5.5 Hours Flying
ITINERARY
The day starts with an early wake up, ready to board the helicopter for 7am. The adventure begins flying over the wildlife plains of Laikipia, we head north west into the Great Rift Valley. Our first stop is on the summit of the Silale crater, we then continue into the Suguta Valley.
The landscape is constantly changing - desolate salt plains, lava flows and crocodile pools, through the colorful ‘painted’ and ‘hoodoo’ valleys. We touch down on the sand dunes, where you can jump down the dunes. The next stop is Lake Logipi, often full of flamingo which paint the shores pink, and finally we arrive at the fresh water lake of Turkana. We will land next to Nabuyatom Crater for a picnic.
We return 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.
LAIKIPIA + THE SILALE CRATER
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.
The Silale crater is a vast caldera, carpeted by grasses and shrubs, located at the southern tip of the Suguta Valley. It is here where the Pokot tribe live. Stop on the edge of the crater to meet the Pokot tribe and allow them to showcase one of there spectacular traditional dances.
THE SUGUTA VALLEY
Geologists have long been fascinated with this part of the Great Rift Valley. They have studied ancient sediments and fossil remains, and pieced together the history of a lake that rose and fell multiple times over the past 18,000 years.
Within the Suguta Valley - adding to the incredible diversity of landscapes, are the extensive and empty Suguta sand dunes. Spectacular and constantly changing with strong winds, they lend themselves to a perfect helicopter landing pad.
LAKE LOGIPI + CROCODILE POOLS
Lake Logipi is a seasonal saline lake, which is often full of flamingo. It lies at the southern end of Lake Turkana, and arguably the most beautiful Rift Valley Lake. The lake is about 6 kilometers wide by 3 kilometers long, and very shallow.
The pilots often find shallow rock pools where you can take a dip and a perfect place to enjoy breakfast.
LAKE TURKANA + NABUYATOM
The largest desert lake in the world lies in Northern Kenya. One of the most remote and hostile places on Earth, with black volcanic rocks and soaring daytime temperatures, yet so scenically spectacular. The collapsed volcano of Nabuyatom lies at the southern end of the lake. Surrounded by jade waters, this is the most iconic feature on the lake’s shore.
THE NDOTOS, THE MATHEWS + SAMBURU
The Ndoto and Mathews are iconic landmarks, yet 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.
Samburu stretches from Laikipia and the Ewaso Nyiro River, to the southern end of Lake Turkana. The Ewaso Nyiro River flows constantly, cutting through the heart of Samburuland - it represents life for the people, livestock and wildlife of the arid north.
END OF YOUR 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.