Things to do in Kenya

The scenic flight to Amboseli

As we swoop in to land, you’ll spot Amboseli’s famous elephants and on a clear day, get views of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro …

By Captain Peter Wachira

SkySafari Pilot

Take in views of Mount Kilimanjaro on this scenic flight to Amboseli. It’s a 40-minute journey from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport to Elewana Tortilis Camp and we always serve some champagne to kick-off that first leg of the SkySafari. One of the best things about the whole experience is that the plane is there just for you – there’s no rushing to make the flight and you have your own private pilot to fly you in a luxury Cessna aircraft.

For the first few minutes after take-off, we fly over Nairobi National Park, then it’s bushland most of the way to Amboseli. As we swoop in to land, you’ll start spotting animals below, including Amboseli’s famous elephants. A couple of weeks ago, a wildebeest wanted to cross the airstrip so we had wait for the safari guides to chase it away before we could land. On a clear day, you also get exceptional views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Seeing Africa’s highest mountain and its 5,895-metre, snow-capped peak from the sky is unforgettable.

I fly a Cessna Grand Caravan, which is the most popular aircraft in Africa, it’s very safe and well-suited to bush airstrips. We’ve gone a notch higher though by fitting the plane with an oasis interior, so it has just 10 reclining seats, a toilet and coffee maker. Guests can also take it in turns to sit in the co-pilot seat next to me, and wear a headset so I can talk them through the controls and views as we fly. It’s a coveted seat and you’ll often find family members flipping a coin for it!

I love working as a pilot because I meet people from all over the world and get to know them over the course of the SkySafari; I pick the passengers up as strangers and drop them off as friends. Often, we get repeat guests coming back for a second trip, which says a lot about how great the SkySafari experience is. As a pilot in Kenya, it really is a dream job, I’ve been doing it for seven years now and couldn’t imagine anything better.

Available in these itineraries…

Itinerary

Kenya SkySafari
by Vicki Bramley

Length10 Days

Price range£9,895 - £12,425

Alfred & Captain Peter Wachira

Like an eagle born to soar, Captain Peter Wachira is the son of a pilot who always dreamed of taking to the skies. After graduating high school, he went straight into flight training and got his commercial licence just two years later. Peter worked for an aerial survey company and local airline before landing his dream job as a bush pilot for SkySafari, which involves flying passengers around Kenya in a luxury Cessna Grand Caravan.

Captain Peter Wachira, Skysafari Kenya pilot

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Becky, who's travelled extensively in Kenya. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - the safari rangers, local village chiefs and camp managers you'll be talking about for years to come. Start planning today, call us, email an enquiry or arrange a phone or video appointment for ideas and advice.

Becky Souissi

Alfred& Tailormade Expert

With over 20 years of experience, Becky’s passion for travel has taken her across the globe from the patterned promenades of Rio de Janeiro to the lakes of Vietnam. You’ll most likely find her in Africa where she travelled the continent trying and testing over 40 game drives. One of her favourite places in the world is the picturesque Maasai Mara for its early morning balloon rides and exceptional game viewing. It’s when among the local communities though where she feels most inspired.
Mohamed Iribo

Safari Guide at Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp

Mohamed Iribo is a passionate safari guide who has worked across Kenya, including in Samburu National Reserve, the Maasai Mara and Meru National Park. Mohamed grew up at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where his father was a game ranger, so conservation is in his blood. Having worked with the Elewana Collection for eight years, the last four of those at Loisaba, he offers expert insight on animal behaviour and has an engaging sense of humour that guests love.
Janine Anjarwalla

Director of Sales and Marketing, Mara Engai Lodge

Janine Anjarwalla was born and raised in East Africa and has been working in the luxury hotel market for over a decade. She's passionate about promoting the region's culture, experiences and rich heritage to guests from all over the world and has proudly worked with Mara Engai Lodge since its inception. Janine loves to explore on safari and appreciates a good steak.
Mohanjeet Brar

Managing Director, Porini Camps

Mohanjeet Brar grew up in the forests of the Kenyan highlands, so he has a close connection with the country’s wild landscapes and local people. He’s a keen naturalist and conservationist with a doctorate degree in Plant Science, as well as a certified safari guide. Mohanjeet is now the Managing Director of Porini Safari Camps and is married with two kids who love going on safari.
Jonathan and Angela Scott

Big cat writers, photographers and filmmakers

Jonathan and Angela Scott are award-winning wildlife photographers, TV presenters, authors and conservationists. The couple live in Nairobi and have a permanent base at Governors’ Camp in the Maasai Mara, where they’ve been documenting the lives of the area’s lions, leopards and cheetahs for over 40 years. Jonathan and Angela famously filmed the BBC’s Big Cat Diaries in the Maasai Mara for 12 years and have continued this legacy with Big Cat Tales on Animal Planet.
Christine Macharia

Sales & Marketing Executive at GoVacation, Alfred&’s partner in Kenya

Christine Macharia was born in Laikipia, Kenya. After working in hospitality, Christine transitioned to the tourism industry in 2018 and currently works as a Sales and Marketing Executive at GoVacation. She loves showing off all the wonderful destinations East Africa has to offer and is passionate about offering outstanding tour experiences that touch the soul.