SkySafari: the high-flying way to see Africa in style

If you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime African adventure, prepare to be wowed on a SkySafari. You’ll soar in style above the game-rich plains of Kenya and Tanzania in a bespoke Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft, travelling in luxury and comfort. This seamless journey means you can spend more time relaxing in exquisite camps, glimpsing a pride of lions on the hunt and sipping G&T sundowners in the savannah. Take an in-depth look at this elevated wildlife escapade and find out why it’s Africa’s ultimate fly-in safari.

The travel experience is above and beyond 

You can’t help but feel like a VIP as you settle into your white leather chair on board the eight-seater Cessna Grand Caravan with a glass of bubbly. This executive-class plane is reminiscent of a private jet, without the prohibitive price tag but with all the added benefits: fast-track service, immediate airstrip boarding and by-passing lengthy queues.

As a privately chartered aircraft, SkySafari is free from airport schedules, which means there’s no lingering in transit – in fact, travelling this way could save you up to 24 hours of waiting time. There’s only one check-in and check-out for the entire trip and there’s a more generous luggage allowance. So much is included on your trip like game drives, tips and decadent wining and dining. Any extras – such as spa treatments or a hot-air balloon ride over the savannah – are paid for at the end of your holiday, so you’ll rarely have to get out your wallet or purse.

Exceptional wildlife experiences

Wildlife encounters are, of course, the centrepiece of your safari. You’ll be taken on exhilarating game drives in a custom-built 4×4 vehicle in east Africa’s most treasured reserves, accompanied by some of the most highly-qualified guides in the business. Watch as a steely-eyed lion stalks its prey in the Serengeti; hold your breath as thundering wildebeest precariously cross the predator-packed Mara River; and gaze in awe at that iconic Amboseli view: elephants grazing beneath the snow-lined peak of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Driving through the African wilderness is the ultimate thrill, but for up-close immersion you can’t beat exploring on foot. On a walking safari you’ll discover the secrets of the bush not possible to see by vehicle. For a more unusual way to watch wildlife, follow a camel train on a saddle-back safari through the arid Loisaba plains or up the pace on an adrenalin-filled mountain bike expedition.

Meticulously-created itineraries

The 10-night Kenya SkySafari begins in Nairobi, where you’ll be fast-tracked through the airport to Hemingways, a five-star city sanctuary. The next day, enjoy a scenic flight to Amboseli, where you’ll swoop in above herds of elephants and, on a clear day, enjoy views of snow-capped Kilimanjaro. Check into Tortilis Camp, a gold eco-rated camp set in a conservancy bordering Amboseli National Park, where you’ll head out on daily game drives.

Fly on to Loisaba Conservancy in Laikipia next, where you’ll learn about cutting-edge conservation projects including a visit to an anti-poaching unit, and spend a magical night sleeping under the stars in a four-poster Starbed. For the grand finale, you’ll stay in the most famous wildlife reserve on the planet, the Maasai Mara. Elewana Sand River is a lavish 1920’s-style camp that’s big on game viewing and glamour, offering show-stopping safari drives, visits to a Maasai village and optional hot air balloon safaris.

SkySafari also offers a 10-day Tanzania itinerary that takes in the iconic parks and conservancies in the north of the country. Start in Arusha where you’ll stay at a stately coffee lodge, take a bean-to-cup plantation tour and visit Shanga, a social enterprise that employs people with disabilities to make products with recycled materials. Then you’ll board your first flight to Tarangire, soaring above the lush national park, whose baobab-and-elephant-spotted plains you’ll explore from a luxe treehouse.

Continue with a flight to UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. This giant basin is home to 500 species of birds and 30,000 animals, which you’ll search for on game drives from the Manor at Ngoronogoro. This farm-style cottage lies on a coffee plantation with a pool, where you can enjoy spa treatments and high tea. The tour ends in the Serengeti for a classic Big Five safari complete with sundowners and a chance to glimpse colossal wildebeest herds during the Great Migration.

Feeling lavish? Combine the Kenya and Tanzania SkySafari experiences or create a shorter, bespoke itinerary by talking to one of our travel specialists. You can also extend your adventure by adding a beach break on the magical spice island of Zanzibar or the sun-soaked Mombasa coastline.

Stay in opulent accommodation

On your safari you’ll stay in boutique Elewana Collection properties that are tucked in the heart of Kenya and Tanzania’s most sought-after spots. Elewana has handpicked each camp and lodge for its individual character but they all share the same ethos of high-end luxury with a light environmental impact. One of the most unique camps featured is Serengeti Migration Camp, which lies just 500 metres from the Grumeti River, offering front row seats to daring river crossings during the world-famous Great Migration.

Tarangire Treetops is another favourite in Tanzania, where the rooms are elevated in the treetops of ancient Baobab Trees. Then there’s Loisaba Starbeds, where you’ll fall asleep to the calls of the wild beneath a sky full of stars. Hosted by the local Samburu people, whose culture revolves around astrology, you’ll enjoy views of a waterhole that attracts nocturnal wildlife. Meanwhile, snow-capped Kilimanjaro views await at Tortilis Camp with its luxury safari tents set beneath makuti palm-frond roofs, pool and dining area beneath the shade of tortilis trees.

A safari with a personalised touch

As you would expect from a safari of this calibre, an expert team are on hand to cater to your every whim. They’re committed to delivering an out-of-this-world experience, from enhancing your chance of seeing the Big Five to knowing exactly how you take your G&T. You’ll be looked after by world-class guides and lodge staff, and the same pilot accompanies you throughout your journey. Each team member goes the extra mile to ensure you have the best time.

Departures are guaranteed with just two people, but if you’re travelling solo or as a couple, it’s likely that you will be joined by a handful of like-minded guests travelling on the same itinerary. This means you can enjoy the camaraderie of sharing stories around the campfire whilst also having plenty of opportunities for peaceful, personal moments.

Honeymooners can spend a night sleeping under the stars on a fairy-tale four-poster bed, indulge with a petal-strewn bath and celebrate during a candle-lit meal for two. On the other hand, families can appreciate the time-efficient travel style and the special attention given to children. The entertaining guides will bring Mother Nature’s classroom to life for little ones as they find out big cats hunt, learn how to throw spears like the Maasai and follow animal prints on foot.

Exclusive Use

If you’re travelling as a multi-generational family or with a group, you have the opportunity to charter the eight-seater plane solely for you and your guests and experience a completely private safari experience.

A gold-standard commitment to conservation

Every SkySafari trip supports Land & Life, a foundation that’s committed to creating a better future for local communities and wildlife. All of the flights operate on a carbon-negative basis and Elewana Collection properties are designed to have as little impact as possible on their surroundings. Many of their Kenya properties have been awarded a prestigious Gold-eco rating from Eco-tourism Kenya for their environmentally and socially responsible practices.

To start planning your holiday, call us on 0808 239 0555, contact one of our experts or arrange a phone or video appointment.