A KENYAN HELI SAFARI

Day 1 Nairobi - Maasai Mara

At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport you will be greeted for your onward helicopter flight by your private pilot/guide. This hour-long flight allows you to enjoy a bird's eye view over the sweeping Mara plains prior to arriving at Richard's Camp, where you will spend two nights. Richard's Camp is located within a private conservation area, adjacent to the Maasai Mara National Reserve and offers an intimate tented camp experience, where traditional African hospitality meets understated luxury. Set in a grove of enormous African olive trees, the camp overlooks the open plains so characteristic of the Mara, and many species of wildlife visit camp regularly. Having lived in the Mara since he was a child, the camp owner's knowledge and experience is incomparable, ensuring your stay is memorable. You will explore the Mara, experiencing a wildlife spectacle like no other. One of the best ways to appreciate the scenery is on a sundowner flight over the vast plains, landing at a viewpoint where one of the most iconic scenes from 'Out of Africa' was filmed, before heading back to camp.

Overnight: Richards Camp

Day 2 Maasai Mara

Today's adventure begins early in the morning with a sunrise hot air balloon flight, from which you can enjoy game spotting from a different perspective. Drift over vast herds of wildebeest, spot crocs lazing on the banks of the Mara River and enjoy a bird's eye view of giraffe and elephant. When you return to camp your knowledgeable and engaging guide can accompany you on a bush walk or game drive, including a visit to a local Maasai homestead. In the evening, you will dine in the bush, alongside the hippo pools, and then head out on an exhilarating night game drive.

Overnight: Richards Camp

Day 3 Maasai Mara - Turkana

Bid farewell to the Mara, and join your private helicopter for perhaps the most memorable day of your heli-safari. The far north of Kenya can only really be accessed by light aircraft or, ideally, by helicopter so you will be embarking on a real adventure. The sheer desolation and lack of plants and wildlife give a sense of having left the planet - and then you arrive at the jade green expanse of Lake Turkana, a truly remote part of the Great Rift Valley. Your accommodation here is at family-run Koros, and intimate and memorable camp of just five comfortable tents set in a peaceful grove surrounded by rolling hills. Among the activities on offer here are visits to the lake, hiking, explorations of ancient rock art sites and community visits to nearby tribes.

Overnight: Koros Camp

Day 4 Quad biking and adventures in Turkana

Today embark upon a quad biking adventure through the sandy river beds surrounding Koros Camp - an thrilling way to explore these magnificent volcanic lands. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to enjoy further activities from the camp, or relax and enjoy the valley views from the swimming pool.

Overnight: Koros Camp

Day 5 Lake Turkana - Samburu

You will head south this morning, over Samburu to Sarara Camp. There are eight en-suite luxury tents at Sarara, each situated to maximise the stunning views of the Matthews Range and the neighbouring watering hole. Each tent also comes equipped with a private deck. Your afternoon will be spent on a game drive followed by the essential sundowner. Sarara is located at the southern end of the Matthews Range, set within the 185,000 acre Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy. Here the wildlife viewing is exciting, with a great chance of spotting leopard, especially after dark. Dubbed a 'biological bonanza' by the BBC, the Matthews forest is home to a huge variety of wildlife including melanistic leopard, also known as the black panther, forest elephant, lion, the rare De Brazza monkey, greater kudu, waterbuck, giant forest hog as well as Africa's endangered wild dog. Renowned for being one of the great stretches of Kenyan forest wilderness, the dense indigenous forest covers a vast area and the habitat comprises giant cedar trees and one of the oldest species of plant on the planet, the cycad, which is endemic to the Matthews forest.

Overnight: Sarara Camp

Day 6 Samburu - Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

This morning's private helicopter adventure will take you south over Samburu country to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. En-route, you will make an awe-inspiring stop-off on Ololokwe, the sacred mountain of the Samburu people. From here you'll take a dramatic flight up the Ewaso Nyiro River before arriving at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, where you will settle into the lodge at Sirikoi. Built on private land, upon the northern slopes of Mount Kenya, Sirikoi is encircled by the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Hidden beneath acacia woodland and overlooking a natural watering hole, Sirikoi offers some of the most spectacular game viewing. Accommodation consists of four separate wooden platforms upon which beautiful tented rooms with private verandahs are situated. Two cottages are also available at the camp which offer further seclusion and comfort. End your first day with an evening sundowner followed by a delicious meal served under the stars. After dinner retire to the cosy chairs and warmth of the roaring fire, accompanied by the distinctive sounds of Africa at night.

Overnight: Sirikoi

Day 7 Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Wake early for a dawn flight over the peaks of Mount Kenya followed by light refreshments on the shores of an alpine lake, with a chance to fish for rainbow trout.On your return to Lewa, a 62,000 acre private wildlife conservancy famous for its black rhino conservation, you'll head out on an afternoon game drive. You will have a good chance to see some of the wildlife species unique to Northern Kenya which roam the open grasslands, indigenous forest and beautiful riverine valleys.

Overnight: Sirikoi

Day 8 Depart

Today your final flight takes you back to Nairobi, back over the foothills of Mount Kenya, for your onward journey home.