No one explains the less-spoken-about helicopter rides in Kenya better than Geraldine Brooks. Brooks, in her wisdom, says leaving the curtains open brings the magnificence of the earth closer. Visiting Kenya isn’t enough; how you do it is what matters. Her words are the inspiration behind Airborne Kenyan tours, rated among the most intriguing elements in an African safari.
You can attribute it to the incredible natural beauty and breathtaking sceneries in Kenya. Kenya is at its most breathtaking from an aerial view because of its extraordinary scenery, natural wonders, and abundant wildlife. Chopper rides are an exclusive adventure lens allowing you to explore the remotest parts of the country in style.
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How Much Does Helicopter Rides in Kenya?
Helicopter rides in Kenya are charged on an hourly basis. It costs between $1,237 and $1,402 per hour for three passengers. The charges could shoot to $2,062 for high-capacity helicopters. This sector is a goldmine for tour companies, some of which have reasonable packages for chopper trips to various destinations. An eight-day Mt. Kenya helicopter safari tour costs $11,244 (£9,795) per person sharing.
Below are some of the firms offering chopper rides across Kenya.
- Tropic Air Kenya
- Heli Safari Tours
- Kenya Safari Helicopter Tours
Helicopter rides in Kenya. Photo by The Safari Collection
Why Do You Fly for Adventure in Kenya?
Helicopter rides in Kenya are custom-tailored to show the best of Kenya, mainly the lesser-known travel destinations with amazing sceneries. Most of these destinations are towards the north, mostly arid or semi-arid. Northern Kenya is the least visited in the country but has sceneries that blow your mind away. Therefore; if you are down for an eight-day helicopter ride, be ready to soak in the beauty of the following places starting from Laikipia lying on the border of Central and Northern Kenya.
- Ol Pejeta
- Mt Kenya
- Samburu
- Maasai Mara
- Mt Ololokwe
- Northern Kenya
- Lake Turkana
- Lewa conservancy
More recently, you can enjoy half an hour to an hour of Nairobi city ride from the skyline. Operators picked this concept from tour operators in the US where helicopter rides in major American cities and states are common. New York is a famous destination for chopper rides among visitors.
What is The Best Time for a Helicopter Ride?
The best time for helicopter rides in Kenya is between 1 pm and 3 pm. You get better aerial photographs at this time when the sun is directly overhead. Safari aficionados can travel with the outfitter and discover Kenya’s breathtaking scenery, unmatched wildlife, and most famous locations.
The voyage promises to astound visitors at every turn. It also provides a bird’s-eye view of the many remarkable contrasts of East Africa’s distinctive heartlands, including the Masai Mara, Samburu, and Turkana. Amazingly, the chopper ride takes you to beautiful but unexplored places in the country. It hovers over Lake Turkana, an oasis in a wonderfully lonely area of the Great Rift Valley.
This Turkana region is typified by bizarre scenery and is best accessed by helicopter. After this, visitors to the five-tent Koros Camp can explore neighbouring ancient rock art sites. They also enjoy quad biking in the local sand river beds, and see the biggest permanent desert lake in the world, Lake Turkana. It is often referred to as the “Jade Sea” for its distinctive turquoise appearance when viewed from a distance.
Is a Helicopter Ride Worth It?
Helicopter safari rides in Africa. Photo by Micato Safaris
Although helicopter rides in Kenya are pricey, there is always a battle of thoughts asking whether you should book a chopper tour. The answer is you should go ahead and book it because it’s worthwhile. If you enjoy aerial vistas, you have one more reason to schedule a tour on a helicopter. Once you get on it, you’ll definitely fall in love with the Kenyan scenery and grandeur aerial views.
How Fast do Helicopter Tours go?
Most helicopters travel at a speed of about 140 knots. This translates to roughly 260 km/h or 160 mph. The size of the helicopter and what or who is on board at any given time are two factors that determine the average speed of the aircraft. Helicopters can fly at faster speeds than most people realise, although they aren’t particularly known for their speed. The type and size of a helicopter which can include civilian and military helicopters, has an impact on speed.
Military helicopters are quite large because they are utilitarian. They are used for transport and combat, thus their speeds are much higher. Further, they have an additional fuel capacity and powerful motors that enable them to travel at high speeds. For civilian choppers, you can always pick one based on your needs in terms of capacity, mileage and speed.
