Helicopter safaris in Kenya. One of the most luxurious and unforgettable experiences in Kenya is a helicopter safari. Offering a bird’s-eye view of the country’s stunning landscapes, these safaris showcase Kenya’s incredible natural formations, diverse flora, and abundant wildlife. A helicopter safari is not just a journey but an extraordinary adventure, providing unique perspectives of Kenya’s breathtaking beauty.
From soaring over dramatic escarpments to flying across vast savannahs teeming with wildlife, these safaris are among the most rewarding in Africa. Whether exploring the Great Rift Valley, marveling at the peaks of Mount Kenya, or hovering over the turquoise waters of Lake Turkana, every moment promises to create everlasting memories.
In this guide, we highlight some of Kenya’s top destinations for a helicopter safari. Discover the unparalleled beauty and exclusivity of this aerial experience, perfect for travelers seeking a blend of adventure, luxury, and awe-inspiring vistas.
Helicopter Safari: Lake Magadi, Lake Natron, Masai Mara, and Loita Plains
This breathtaking helicopter safari takes you over Kenya’s iconic landscapes, including Lake Magadi, Lake Natron, and the Greater Mara ecosystem, offering a 3-hour aerial journey from Nairobi to the famed Masai Mara. The safari provides a perfect blend of dramatic landscapes, diverse vegetation, and abundant wildlife, creating unforgettable memories.
Highlights of the Journey
Olorgesailie Prehistoric Site
Your adventure begins with views of the fascinating Olorgesailie Prehistoric Site, a sedimentary basin rich in archaeological history, offering captivating vistas from above.
Lake Magadi
The flight continues over the flamingo-dotted Lake Magadi, renowned for its soda-rich waters. The lake’s central island serves as a popular helicopter stopover, offering stunning aerial views of the surrounding landscape.
Ngarenaro Swamp and Shampole Mountains
Next, you’ll witness the evergreen Ngarenaro Swamp nestled against the semi-arid Shampole Mountains. The volcanic slopes, dotted with acacia woodlands, provide picturesque views, with grazing zebras adding to the charm.
Nguruman Escarpment
Flying along the Nguruman Escarpment, you’ll marvel at cascading waterfalls and the lush Entasopia rainforest, offering a striking contrast to the surrounding arid landscapes.
Lake Natron
Straddling the Kenya-Tanzania border, Lake Natron captivates with its otherworldly red and patterned surface, creating a surreal, lunar-like vista from above.
Mount Suswa
En route to the Mara, the caldera of Mount Suswa, a shield volcano, impresses with its rugged rocky landscape and breathtaking views.
Loita Plains and Olololo Escarpment
The expansive Loita Plains and scenic Olololo Escarpment showcase the vastness and diversity of the Mara ecosystem, blending savannahs, woodlands, and cultivated settlements.
Masai Mara Game Reserve and Mara Triangle
The safari concludes with awe-inspiring views of the Mara plains, teeming with wildlife and intersected by the winding Mara River, making it a perfect ending to this exceptional journey.
Amboseli-Tsavo Flight
This flight route is ideal for bird lovers, particularly during the November-to-April migration season. Spanning the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem, home to Kenya’s largest elephant population, the journey offers dramatic landscapes and unique wildlife encounters.
- Galana River: The flight begins with the meandering Galana River in Tsavo East National Park, surrounded by woodlands and doum palms, creating a picturesque riverine landscape.
- Mzima Springs: These crystal-clear springs in Tsavo West provide mesmerizing views of hippos and lush greenery at the base of the Chyulu Hills.
- Shetani Lava Flow and Chyulu Hills: Witness the black basaltic lava flow and the Chyulu Hills’ volcanic cones, famous for their scenic beauty and birdwatching opportunities.
- Amboseli Plains: The plains offer a mix of red earth, marshlands, and herds of elephants grazing beneath the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, making for spectacular vistas.
Samburu and Laikipia Flight
This northern Kenya flight offers stunning views of diverse landscapes, from dense forests to semi-arid savannahs, while showcasing mountains, rivers, and wildlife.
- Aberdare Ranges: These forested mountains feature rivers, waterfalls, and volcanic formations, providing a dramatic start to the journey.
- Laikipia Plains: Known for rhino conservation, these open savannahs are perfect for spotting black rhinos, with Mount Kenya serving as a scenic backdrop.
- Ngare Ndare Forest: The lush forest and its cascading waterfalls create a misty, enchanting aerial experience.
- Mount Ololokwe and Ewaso Ngiro River: The flight concludes with the monolithic Mount Ololokwe and the wildlife-rich Ewaso Ngiro River, which winds through Samburu Reserve.
Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha Flight
This Rift Valley flight combines volcanic mountains, bird-filled lakes, and wildlife-rich savannahs.
- Mount Suswa and Mount Longonot: Soar over these volcanic formations, with their distinctive calderas and surrounding wildlife.
- Lake Naivasha and Lake Elementaita: The freshwater Lake Naivasha and the flamingo-dotted Lake Elementaita offer striking contrasts of natural beauty.
- Lake Nakuru and Menengai Crater: The flight culminates with Lake Nakuru’s birdlife and waterfalls, followed by the vast Menengai Crater, a caldera surrounded by lush vegetation.
Lake Turkana Desert Helicopter Flight
Embark on an extraordinary helicopter safari over Kenya’s northern Rift Valley, showcasing the region’s arid landscapes, striking geological formations, and the iconic Lake Turkana. This journey reveals breathtaking views of deserts, rivers, waterfalls, mountains, and the jade-colored lake on Kenya’s border with Ethiopia.
- Matthew Ranges: The adventure begins with the Matthew Ranges, rising dramatically from the arid savannah plains. The surrounding landscape is dotted with wildlife, including herds of zebras, adding vibrancy to the scorched terrain.
- Mount Ng’iro and Nyiro Forest: Further north, Mount Ng’iro emerges as a green oasis in the desert. Its dense forest, rocky peaks, and panoramic views of the Suguta Valley make it a stunning highlight of the flight.
- Suguta Valley: Known as one of the hottest places on Earth, this valley features fascinating volcanic cones, rugged lava fields, and vast desert expanses, creating some of Kenya’s most spectacular aerial scenery.
- Lake Turkana: Finally, the jade waters of Lake Turkana come into view, known for its turquoise hues and volcanic islands. As the world’s largest desert lake, it is a sight to behold. Many travelers stop along its sandy shores, home to the unique Ol Molo community, known for their rich indigenous culture.
