Helicopters on Safari

 

 

Seeing anything from the air gives you unrivalled perspective. Viewing migrating wildlife or landscapes as dramatic as the Great Rift Valley, from above, is one of the ultimate ways to enhance a safari experience.

 

Imagine being able to stand in a misty afro-montane rainforest, atop an ancient mountain range, and minutes later be barefoot in a sea of sand dunes to then cool off in crystal clear natural springs that emanate from under a lava flow. That is only possible in Northern Kenya with a select number of world-class helicopter operators and pilots.

 

 

Andreas recently guided guests on just such a trip to the ‘Jade Sea’, the world’s largest permanent desert lake, Lake Turkana. Wildlife may be scarce up there, but we saw hundreds of elephants en-route, enormous crocodiles in the Suguta river and over half-a-million flamingos on the alkaline lake systems south of Turkana. However, it’s the geological scale and beauty of this trip that should put it on so many bucket lists. Escarpments on the edge of the Great Rift Valley to volcanic calderas and pitch-black lava flows, emerald-fringed springs, turquoise mineral pools and eroded gorges left behind by primordial seas and floods – it’s a visual feast.

 

 

The literal cradle of humankind, the region is also a haven for those interested in anthropology. The lakeshores are the scene of pioneering research into hominid evolution and evidence of stone tool making and even ancient settlements are easy to find in various landing spots. The harsh and unforgiving landscapes are also home to the hardiest of tribes and cultures. From the air you can see as the architecture of nomadic settlements change as you fly from the Samburu heartland into Pokot and then Turkana country. Warriors tending to their livestock are an inevitable sight and many are now willing to share their mutual fascination with us outside observers.

 

 

Helicopters open up a whole new frontier on safari. Being able to hover and virtually land anywhere creates totally new photographic opportunities and gives rapid access to places that are otherwise unreachable. Certain operators allow for flying with doors open for fantastic visibility. Harnesses ensure total guest safety.

 

Other ways to include helicopters into a safari include daytrips to fly-fish the moorland lakes of Mount Kenya, island hop the waterways of the Okavango Delta, join a wildlife veterinarian team on a conservation mission to dart rhinos from the air or see the Victoria Falls from above the tower of water vapour that thunders upwards from the gorge below.