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KENYA BY HELICOPTER:
A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME AND TERRAIN

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Some landscapes take time to explore. Others reveal their scale and complexity only when experienced from above. Kenya’s ‘Big North’ is one of those places.
 
On a trip to Kenya last November, I set off on a full-day helicopter expedition with the AMADI team to explore the region.
 
Taking off with the first light in the morning and landing late afternoon, it was a day of extraordinary contrasts; one that felt like a journey through time and across entire continents, all taking place within a matter of hours. 
 
In all my years of African travel, I can honestly say that it was one of the most incredible days of my life, and a totally mind-blowing experience. 

Kenya Helicopter Flamingoes
Flying deep into frontier country, our day covered a handful of locations; starting in Laikipia, we headed up the Rift Valley all the way to Lake Turkana and then back over the Matthew’s Range.

It felt as if we had visited as many countries, such was the variety of the landscapes and experiences, with scenery that changed every 20 minutes and altitude ranging from 500m to 2000m above sea level. 
 
From waterfalls and canyons to alkaline lakes dotted with thousands of pelicans and pink flamingos, from desert dunes to mountain forests, the sheer variety of terrain we experienced was staggering.

Kenya Choppers Dune
One moment, we were flying over vast savannah grasslands spotting elephants, the next, we were landing on the second largest crater in Africa – with not a soul to be seen.
 
The next stop was in an ancient riverbed for a bite to eat under a grove of palm trees. At a refuelling stop, local children gathered to watch, curious about the helicopter, waving as we lifted off.
 
Heading further north, we touched down on sand dunes that felt so surreal, as if they didn’t belong to the landscape. A stop on the shores of Lake Turkana led to an impromptu swim with a chilled glass of champagne to cool off the midday heat.
 
My highlight – in a day of many – was to spend time with the remote Turkana tribe. Serendipitously, we arrived just in time for a coming-of-age ceremony, where the air filled with dust as the tribe danced energetically for several hours. I believe that it is these moments – fleeting, unfiltered, unexpected – that make travel so powerful.
 
Below I’ve shared the photos I took to give you a glimpse of this incredible day.

Kenya Mountains Helicopter
Kenya Landscape Helicopter
Kenya Landscape
Kenya Helicopter Experience
Kenya Flamingoes Helicopter
Kenya Landscape
Kenya Immersive Experiences
Kenya by Helicopter
Turkana Tribe Kenya

Image credits: With thanks to Kenya Choppers.

Helicopter travel is at the heart of how we love to explore at AMADI. This is because it allows us to reach places that few others do; to see the vastness of Africa from above, and to land where the experience is most raw and real.

We work with the best operators in East Africa, and depending on the kind of adventure you’re looking for, we craft tailored journeys to ensure incredible experiences in the air.

Kenya Sunset Helicopter

For those looking to experience Kenya and Laikipia in the most immersive way possible, helicopter safaris redefine what’s possible. If this speaks to you, please get in touch with me at [email protected] so that we can share more.