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4 days - Mount Kenya, Lake Turkana and Samburu by air

Kenya from the air, Mount Kenya and Turkana and Samburu

A private helicopter tour of northern Kenya: a flight over Mount Kenya's summit, a desert stay on the shores of Lake Turkana and an evening in Samburu, returning to Nairobi by air.

1 Country
3 Stops
3 Nights
Luxury to Ultra Luxury Service level
  • The storyThe headline tells the journey in a few lines, one after another.
  • At a glanceThe figures beneath it are the essential facts of the trip.

The journey

When to go

Flying and views
Samburu wildlife
Flying and views Samburu wildlife Avoid
January Primary window

Clear, settled air gives the best visibility over the Aberdares, Mount Kenya and Lake Turkana. Dry and hot in the north, with game drawn to the Ewaso Ng'iro river.

Clear, settled air Dry, open bush

The route

Solio Conservancy Lake Turkana Samburu
01

Kenya

Solio Conservancy, the Lake Turkana desert and Samburu, returning to Nairobi by air.

We’ll depart from Kenya early in the morning for a spectacular flight from the nation’s capital to Solio Lodge in the Solio Conservancy. Your flights take you over verdant Aberdares National Park, where Queen Elizabeth ascended as a princess and descended as the Queen. After a late breakfast at the exclusive Solio Lodge, you’ll take a flight to the very summit of Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest mountain. Soaring high over this towering edifice, you’ll be afforded views that others have to climb for several days to experience. Your flight also sees you passing low over the rivers, valleys, and forests that make this corner of Kenya so remarkable, before returning to your lodge in time for lunch and an afternoon’s relaxation.
You’ll experience the unique biodiversity of Kenya today as you trade the lush forests that blanket the foothills of Mount Kenya for the windswept deserts that border Lake Turkana in the country’s north. With a picnic breakfast packed, you’ll soar over the highlands of the Lakipia Plateau and through the very heart of the Great Rift Valley, where humanity took its first fumbling footsteps. You’ll touch down at Silali Crater for your breakfast with a view, before moving to the nearby Suguta Valley to explore the region’s spectacular rock formations and diverse native flora and fauna. You’ll then touch down at Kenya’s only desert luxury lodge for lunch. Your afternoon will see you flying to the very Cradle of Mankind, as you fly over the cedar forests of Mount Nyiru en route to the southern shores of Lake Turkana. It was here that humanity is believed to have begun its journey, but the lake itself is often named the Jade Sea because of its spectacular coloration–making it a sight in its own right. Later in the day, you’ll get your chance to see the great flocks of flamingos that call Lake Logipi home. With any luck, you’ll see tens of thousands of brilliantly pink greater and lesser flamingos wading in the waters before returning to Desert Rose Lodge for sunset cocktails and a delicious dinner.
We’re bound for another of Kenya’s lesser-known reserves today, as you’ll trade the desert for the untamed wilderness of Samburu National Reserve. Your destination is Sabaab Lodge, which is built in the Moroccan style and overlooks the Ewaso Nyiro River. Your day starts after breakfast, as you’ll soar over the Ndoto Mountains and take in the unique plants and animals that call this far-flung corner of the country home. From there, you’ll continue on to Sabaab Lodge for lunch. After lunch, you’ll enjoy a short flight over the unspoiled wilderness of Samburu, touching down atop the sacred mountain of Ol Donyo Sambachi. From this lofty perch, you’ll have your chance to spot animals such as elephants, lions, and the famous “Special Five” – five animals found only in this small corner of Kenya. You’ll finish your day with a sundowner atop this grand monument, a spectacular finish to your day before retiring to Sabaab Lodge for the evening.
After breakfast at your lodge, it’s time to bid farewell to the wilderness of Kenya and soar back to Nairobi for your onward travel.

The detail

About this trip

See Kenya like very few have seen it before on this “4-Day Highlights of Kenya” private helicopter tour to some of the country’s best-kept secrets!

Your airborne adventure takes you from the summit of Mount Kenya to the wilds of Solio Conservancy and into the oft-overlooked deserts of Northern Kenya. Here, unique wildlife and stunning landscapes combine to provide you with a safari experience, unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else in the world.

What is included

  • Aerial Adventure – witness Kenya’s wild beauty from above in a private helicopter.
  • Mount Kenya & Rift – fly from the summit of Mount Kenya across the Great Rift Valley and lush landscapes.
  • Untouched Wilderness – touch down in remote places like Solio Conservancy and the deserts of northern Kenya.
  • Luxury Lodge – unwind in premium comfort after high-flying adventures.

What is not included

  • International flights (From/ home)
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
  • Increase in taxes and/or fees for parks set by the government

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How do we move between Mount Kenya, Lake Turkana and Samburu?
By air throughout. On day 1 you fly from Nairobi to Solio Lodge, then fly to the summit of Mount Kenya and back for lunch. Day 2 flies north over the Laikipia Plateau and the Rift Valley to Silali Crater, the Suguta Valley and Lake Turkana, ending at Desert Rose Lodge. Day 3 flies to Sabaab Lodge in Samburu, and day 4 returns to Nairobi.
When is the best time for the Kenya flying safari?
January, February, June to October and December score highest, with clear, settled air for views over Mount Kenya, the Suguta Valley and Lake Turkana, and dry conditions for Samburu. March and November are alternatives, with afternoon cloud or short rains. April and May bring low cloud and storms, which make summit flights less reliable.
What does a typical day look like on this trip?
Days are built around flights and short stops rather than long drives. Day 1 has a late breakfast at Solio Lodge and a summit flight before lunch. Day 2 brings a picnic breakfast at Silali Crater, lunch at Desert Rose Lodge, a flight to Lake Turkana and a flamingo stop. Day 3 ends with a sundowner on Ol Donyo Sambachi.
What can change on the Kenya highlights itinerary?
Flights are planned around the weather, and the itinerary notes that flights can change in the rainy months, so keep any onward plans flexible. The route follows four fixed days of flying between Solio, Desert Rose and Sabaab lodges. Dates and lodges are confirmed in your proposal.
Can you combine more than one country in a single trip?
Yes. Many of our journeys cross borders, for example Botswana with Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or Cape Town with a safari and the Falls. Tell us the places you have in mind through the enquiry form and we will plan the route and transfers as one itinerary.
What meals are included on safari?
Meals depend on the camp or lodge and are set out in your itinerary. On safari they are usually taken at camp, with a picnic or packed meal on some days. Tell us about any dietary needs when you enquire.
Do I need vaccinations or medication before an African safari?
Health requirements depend on where you are travelling from and where you are going, and they change. Check your country's official travel health advice or TravelHealthPro (travelhealthpro.org.uk), and see a travel clinic well before you depart. Ask about malaria prevention early.
What should I pack for an African safari?
Lightweight, breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs helps against sun and insects, in neutral colours. Bring comfortable closed shoes (boots if you will walk), a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with spare batteries and memory cards. Your itinerary lists any luggage limits for charter flights.
How do I stay safe on safari?
Your guides brief you on how to behave around wildlife. Follow their instructions, stay in the vehicle or camp area as told, and never approach or disturb animals. Conditions differ by country and change over time, so check your government's current travel advice before you book and again before you travel.

On this trip

Photographs from the route, not stock library scenery.

Two giraffes standing close together among green bushes under a pink sunset sky

Book it in this order

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Field notes

The practical detail that decides whether a trip runs smoothly.

Weather decides the flight

The route over Mount Kenya, Lake Turkana and Samburu is flown in good visibility. Your pilot may change timings or the order of stops if cloud builds.

Packing for a helicopter

Bring soft bags, a warm layer for the summit flight, and sun protection for the desert. Loose hats and scarves should be stowed before take-off.

Lake Turkana heat

The desert lodge sits in one of Kenya's hottest regions. Wear a hat, drink plenty of water and plan activities for the cooler hours.

The flamingos of Lake Logipi

Large flocks of flamingos feed on Lake Logipi, though numbers vary from year to year.

Samburu's Special Five

The reserve holds species rarely found elsewhere in Kenya, including Grevy's zebra, the reticulated giraffe and the gerenuk. A guide can point them out on your afternoon flight over the reserve.

Plan this journey

Make this trip your own

Every journey is planned around your dates and your party. Tell us who is travelling and when, and a specialist will come back with a tailored itinerary and a quote. Payment is by invoice.

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