Africa Fly-In Safaris
Remember, all our itineraries are totally flexible and can be changed to suit you.
Best African Fly-In Safaris
Fly-in safaris in Africa are popular for a reason, imagine flying into a wilderness park like the famous Masai Mara. Way below expect impressive panoramas and the benefit of a better understanding of the wilderness you journey through.
Opting for air safaris means that you can get to some of the most remote and untouched corners of African top safari parks, where crowds are small and the game is plentiful.
Furthermore, for most safari travellers, flying safaris has an added layer of thrill and excitement to the obvious advantages of seeing and doing more in less time, all the while you’ll watch the patterns of clouds on expansive savannah plains, and follow the twisting, turning course.
Discover Our Favourite Fly-In Safaris
Uncover not only luxury but convenience with our hand-picked top 10 African flying safari adventures. With ease, explore Africa’s best wildlife destinations and landscapes in style.
Here are a few of our favourite destinations to add to your Fly-in Safari, handpicked with passion, immersing you deep into exploring.
Best Flying Safaris In Africa
Go on a timeless flying adventure across Africa’s top safari destinations. Discover the best charter flight safaris in Africa; whether you are flying from Masai Mara National Reserve, the land of the big cats and wildebeest river crossings, to Serengeti National Park, the vast plains hosting the wildebeests, our Flying safaris give you the best options to ensure you capitalize on your holidays. Our African fly-in safari packages offer unique advantages and off-the-beaten-track destinations; perfect for honeymooners and discerning travellers ensuring a rapid travel between remote safari destinations, utilizing light aircraft to connect luxury lodges and reserves.
Capture the moment.
Guided Luxury Fly-In Safaris In Kenya & Tanzania
Our African flying adventures delivers you directly into world-class wilderness with some of the most exquisite luxury safaris in Africa. Our carefully designed trips fly non-stop and in style between the best camps, with the best guides and the best wildlife watching in Kenya and Tanzania, not a second wasted – which gives you longer to revel in the sights, smells, sounds and sensations of the African bush.
And we know little details make a big difference: from giving you a greater luggage allowance to airstrip transfers, our fly-In Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania offer the ultimate high-end safari experience. We’ve got everything covered.
Bring each destination to life
Planning a Fly-In Safari Holiday In Africa
The most important part when planning flying safari adventures is checking on luggage restrictions – bush planes have strict luggage restrictions – typically limiting passengers to 15kg (33lbs) in soft-sided bags that can be easily stowed in the aircraft’s limited cargo space. This necessitates thoughtful packing focusing on versatile clothing in neutral colors, essential photography equipment, and minimal toiletries.
Must-pack items include high-quality binoculars, a good camera with telephoto lens, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen), insect repellent, and any necessary medications. Most luxury lodges provide complimentary laundry services, reducing the amount of clothing required.
Book Our Flying Safari Tour Packages
A flying safari in Africa goes beyond just flying. The flight safari expedition offers a great opportunity to explore vast Africa within a short period of time. On your African flight safari, you can maximize your time at each location, allows you to gain a real sense of the topography of the country, and takes you to the most pristine and untouched regions, far off the beaten track, an experience that is the best and second to none. It is really perfect – as one doesn’t get involved in huge queues – rather just sailing through the procedures whilst watching everyone else queuing up endlessly! But it’s also about landing directly at the places I want to be – again, not wasting time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Africa Fly-In Safari Tours
These flying safari packages to all of the famous wildlife reserves use the light aircrafts. In addition, the aircrafts will also vary depending on your destination. Many bush airstrips are quite ‘rustic’ (often dirt or gravel) and unsuitable for landing larger planes.
There’s enough room for the pilot and passengers. Whichever plane is waiting on the runway/airstrip, you’ll get a full safety briefing from the pilot and all have seatbelts you must wear. This is a very safe way of traveling. Incidents are extremely rare.”
All of our Tanzania and Kenya air safari packages are fully customized and offered on a private basis to ensure exclusivity and attention to detail giving you the ultimate luxury safari to Kenyan top destinations, such as Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Tsavo and Serengeti, Tanzania’s finest.
Let’s just say it’s also worth deciding whether you want to experience more of a country than just the specific destinations you would be flying into. Driving on a 4X4 safari land cruiser from place to place gives a better sense of a country, its people and culture rather than flying over it. But if you are one of those travelers who are short on time, you can now easily explore more than 4 safari destinations in the shortest time possible given the abundance of flying safari tour packages available today. Allowing you to explore Africa’s most remote, beautiful, and untouched landscapes.
Let’s keep in mind that these guided fly-in tours in Africa can be convenient if you are visiting destinations that are known for being difficult to reach, meaning it’s either a place with a longer drive time or flights are the only option available.
If you suffer from motion sickness or you’re a nervous on flights, then these fly in tours & holidays might not be the most proper option for you. During take-offs and landings, bush planes can be small and bumpy, and aren’t always conducive to a smooth flying experience.
With that in mind, safari by air is still an exciting experience and can really add to your safari adventure.
On an African fly-in trips “Luggage space can be severely limited on bush flights. The flights have small compartments under the seats, for example, and bags are often squashed in to fit inside. The rule of thumb is to take soft duffle bags rather than hard-framed bags with wheels.
The luggage restrictions on a flying safari as a rough guide, most companies allow around 15kg per person. Don’t be surprised if an airline asks your personal weight either. This is often done so that they can balance the smaller planes safely. If you have excess luggage, you can sometimes pay for a freight seat on safari routes.
This is cheaper than a second seat, but you’ll need to do this in advance.
As for our Kenya safari flights, the Checked Baggage – On all services, the maximum luggage weight is 15 Kgs /33Ibs in soft-sided bags.
As a guideline, standard checked luggage should have the three dimensions of 24 inches (60cm) height, by 18 inches (45cm) length and 13 inches (33cm) width.
For hand luggage, 12 inches (30cm) height, by 21 inches (53cm) length, by 9 inches (23cm) width.
Carry On Baggage – Personal items like handbags, small umbrellas, walking sticks, coats, a small backpack can be stored under the seat in front of passengers or in an overhead bin where applicable. These items must not exceed 5kgs/11lbs and are part of the baggage allowance of 15kgs/33Ibs.
Some of the best fly-in safari destinations in Africa and popular for a reason, include destinations like Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, and Botswana.
Kenya
Kenya is an excellent fly-in destination with its popular national parks and the coastal beaches. Being the birthplace of safari holidays, Kenya lures guests from all over the world. It’s clearly evident Kenya flying safaris offer the best of the best, and since its Maasai Mara National Reserve is also host to part of the annual Great Migration, a fly-in safari in Kenya means you can see the millions of wildlife traversing the plains from above!
Tanzania
Talking about Africa, the Serengeti, another spectacular setting for the annual Great Migration and a thriving wildlife paradise. Opting for a Tanzania flying safari gives you the chance to see these volcanic grasslands, mountains, outcrops and rivers snaking in between from the sky is breathtaking enough. But add to it the millions of animals calling it home, and a fly-in safari in Tanzania will leave you wanting more. Before we sum it up, you can easily take a short flight to Zanzibar and unwind in a luxury beach holiday. Book your air tour packages to Tanzania’s finest safari destinations and experience the wild in an incredibly way.
Namibia
Some areas are also best viewed from the sky, for example, the Skeleton Coast in Namibia. A fly-in safaris in Namibia just makes sense, a shipwreck graveyard and where the ocean meets desert, it’s a must-see on your trip to Namibia. Additionally, in Namibia, fly and drive safaris are a common method of exploring this scenic country.
Botswana
Botswana’s best safari destinations are known for being difficult to reach. Well, unless you book a fly-in safari in Botswana, of course. With destinations like the world’s largest inland delta, short flights are offered to some of the more remote areas of the Okavango Delta, allowing you to fly straight to your safari lodge as you admire the watery web with plenty of wildlife is a safaris all the way to the dry Kalahari plains, avoiding long drives on difficult terrain.
With most of the flight packages including all bush flights and at times beach safaris, it’s difficult to generalize about the price of a fly-in safari. Firstly, it depends on the country you’re visiting, whether the parks are on a scheduled flight route or whether you need a private charter. Other factors are the distances involved, your level of accommodations and how many ‘stop’ you’ll be taking by air.
Typically, fly-in safari holiday prices might range from US$450 per person per day to around US$1,450 per person a day for a luxury option. Just in comparison, prices for mid-range fly-in holidays in Kenya start at around US$300 per person per day requiring a minimum of 2 Pax to for all flying safaris in Kenya. Keep in mind this is just an estimate of what to expect because these African flying safaris packages differ from country to country.
Additionally, these African flight safaris can really enrich your holiday tour. They offer a convenient, comfortable means of travel to different safari destinations, linking you from point A to point B quickly and efficiently into the heart of the African wilderness in a heartbeat; You’ll spot wildlife such as elephant, hippos, giraffes & towering mountains like Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya as your guide mentions other sceneries on an aerial viewpoint giving you the full picture of the landscapes you will explore on the ground.
Yes we offer. We’ll pick you up from your hotel or another place of your choosing and bring you to the local airport in Nairobi, Mombasa, Diani Beach, or Malindi/Watamu. Your airfare is already covered in your safari package and we’ll make sure you are comfortably seated on board your air safari plane, so there’s nothing to think about except your adventure ahead.
The best time for Africa fly-in safaris is from July to October (Dry Season): This period offers the most reliable wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around water sources. It coincides with the Great Migration in the Maasai Mara (July-September), when millions of wildebeest cross from Tanzania. The clear skies and minimal rainfall create ideal flying conditions and fantastic visibility for aerial photography.
November to December (Short Rains): This shoulder season offers excellent value, with fewer visitors and lush landscapes. Wildlife remains abundant, and many species give birth during this period, creating hunting opportunities for predators.
January to February (Short Dry Season): Another excellent period with relatively dry conditions, clear skies for flying, and great wildlife viewing. Migratory birds are present in large numbers.
March to May (Long Rains): While some lodges close during this period, those that remain open offer significant discounts. The landscapes transform to vibrant green, creating spectacular aerial views. Wildlife disperses somewhat but remains viewable, and there are far fewer tourists.
The best duration for a fly-in safari in Kenya and Tanzania ranges from 7 to 14 days, allowing you to experience multiple ecosystems without rushing. A typical itinerary might include:
7-Day Safari: Two distinct ecosystems (e.g., 3 nights Maasai Mara, 3 nights Amboseli) with a night in Nairobi on arrival.
10-Day Safari: Three ecosystems (e.g., 3 nights each in Samburu, Laikipia, and Maasai Mara) with a night in Nairobi on arrival.
14-Day Safari: Three or four wildlife destinations plus a beach extension on the Kenyan coast.
For those with limited time, even a 5-day fly-in safari focusing on one premium destination can provide an exceptional experience.
In Kenya, fly-in safaris represent the top tier of African wildlife safari experiences, with prices typically starting around $800-1,000 per person per night at the more exclusive lodges. This price includes not just accommodations but also flights between destinations, all meals, most drinks, game drives, and other activities.
A 7-day fly-in safari visiting two premium destinations typically ranges from $5,000-$10,000 per person, depending on the season and specific lodges selected. This cost increases during peak migration season (July-September) and decreases during green season (March-May).
While certainly a significant expense, these all-inclusive packages offer remarkable value considering the remote locations, exceptional service levels, and conservation contributions typically built into the cost. Many lodges directly fund critical wildlife protection efforts and community development projects.
Most high-end fly-in safaris operate on an all-inclusive basis, typically covering:
All internal flights between safari destinations
Luxury accommodation
All meals and most beverages (including house wines and spirits)
Twice-daily guided game drives in shared or private vehicles
Additional activities specific to each lodge (walking safaris, night drives, etc.)
Laundry service
Park and conservation fees
Airport transfers
Items usually not included in a fly-In safari package;
International flights to/from Kenya
Premium alcoholic beverages
Optional activities (hot air ballooning, helicopter excursions)
Travel insurance
Gratuities for guides and staff
Visa fees
African fly-in safaris is an excellent option for families, particularly those with older children (typically 7+ years). Many luxury safari lodges welcome children and have developed specialized family programs that include kid-friendly activities like tracking animal footprints, making traditional crafts, or learning bush survival skills from local guides.
Here’s why fly-in Kenya and Tanzania safaris are suitable for families:
Reduced travel time between destinations minimizes the “are we there yet” factor
Elimination of long road transfers, which can be challenging for children
Many lodges offer family units or interconnecting rooms
Flexible meal times and kid-friendly menu options
The option to book private vehicles for game drives, allowing customization to children’s attention spans
For travellers considering flying safaris with kids, we offer family-friendly safari lodges dedicated family tents and activities tailored to different age groups. Some lodges employ specialist guides specifically trained to engage younger guests in age-appropriate wildlife education.
Choosing between a fly-in safari and road safari depends on your priorities, budget, and available time.
When it comes to Africa Fly-in safaris, the advantages are as follows:
Time efficiency – For travelers with limited vacation days, flying eliminates long travel times between destinations, allowing you to experience more diverse ecosystems in a shorter period.
Comfort – You’ll avoid full days on bumpy, dusty roads, arriving at each destination refreshed and ready to explore.
Exclusive access – Some of Kenya’s most extraordinary wildlife areas, like the Matthews Range or Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, are effectively inaccessible by road within a reasonable timeframe.
Aerial perspective – The bird’s-eye view of landscapes and wildlife provides a completely different appreciation of Kenya’s natural wonders.
Reduced environmental impact – In some cases, flying actually creates less environmental disturbance than constructing roads through sensitive habitats.
Africa’s diverse ecosystems offer a range of exceptional safari destinations, each with unique landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Fly-in safaris in Africa are favoured, particularly for distant and secluded locations such as Namibia, Botswana, and East Africa. Here are many premier destinations for an African flying safari adventure that will enhance your overall experience.
Discover Namibia Fly-in Safaris, Botswana Fly-in Safari, Kenya Fly-in Safari, Tanzania Fly-in Safari, Kruger Fly-in Safari, Gorilla Flying Safaris and more.
A fly-in safari in Namibia is a logical choice. As one of the most sparsely inhabited nations globally, characterised by unspoiled terrains, a fly-in safari allows you to bypass lengthy, arduous journeys. It also conserves considerable time in transit between locations.
The premier safari sites in Botswana are recognised for their inaccessibility. Unless one reserves a fly-in safari in Botswana, of course! Visiting the Okavango Delta, the world’s biggest inland delta, and arriving directly at your resort to appreciate the intricate aquatic ecosystem teeming with species is a quintessential safari experience.
A Kruger Fly-in Safari is a package tour that includes domestic flights into an airport near or within Kruger National Park, bypassing the long road journey from major cities like Johannesburg, and often includes transfers, accommodation in luxury lodges, meals, and activities like open-vehicle game drives and bush walks with experienced guides.
Gorilla flying safaris are high-end, fly-in trips to see mountain gorillas, primarily in Uganda and Rwanda, that use light aircraft to drastically reduce travel time from major cities to the remote national parks where the gorillas live, like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These experiences offer a time-efficient way to access gorilla habitats, with a typical itinerary including the flight, airport transfers, park fees, permits, ranger fees, accommodation, meals, and often a Batwa cultural visit.
Booking Fly-In Safari Tours In Kenya & Tanzania
Pack lightweight, comfortable, and casual clothing for a Kenya flyi-in safari, including long sleeves, pants, comfortable closed-toe shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, and layers for cooler mornings and evenings on game drives. For more details, we suggest you do your own safari packing essentials and find out what fits your interests.
Browse our safari clothing packing advice on what to pack for your African tour:
- Lightweight trousers /shorts and t-shirts remain ideal for the daytime drives.
- Lightweight jacket / fleece for the early mornings and evenings.
- Remember to also pack some warm socks and a woolly hat would be suggested for early morning and evening game drives.
- Hiking shoes
Other items we would suggest you bring along with you include:
- Sunscreen glasses & hat/cap
- Comfy Shoes / Sandals
- Flip Flops to wear during the day
- A Torch / Lamp
- Binoculars
- Phone/laptop charger
- Pack your medication, and a spare set of spectacles or contact lenses if you wear these.
The best time to witness the dramatic Masai Mara wildebeest migration in Kenya is typically between mid-July through mid-September where your chances of witnessing a river crossing are generally much higher. In early October marks the end of the herd crossing the river from Kenya down into Tanzania, as thunderstorms begin in the north the herds will embark on their return journey back to the Serengeti.
Checkout our Migration safari offers.
Choosing between Kenya and Tanzania for an African safari depends on personal preferences, BUT Kenya is the most chosen being cost & budget friendly during both high and low seasons. Secondly, when it comes to the best places to stay in Kenya and Tanzania, both destinations offer fantastic accommodations. Thirdly in terms of Big 5 sightings, the wildebeest migration & general game viewing, both destinations are safari heavyweights. In terms of privacy and extending your safari beyond game drives, there are more private conservancies in Kenya than Tanzania which offer you plenty of activities inside the park.
Lastly, Kenya safari is the most sought-after destination for the world’s best safari experiences, evident from the large number of celebrities visiting year in year out.
We tend to enforce a maximum person per vehicle policy of 6. Meaning, although you’ll be sharing with other guests, everyone will get a side-view seat with unhindered views.
Some trips are designed in such a way that a private vehicle and guide are included for a portion of the trip, but the use of a private vehicle throughout your safari comes at an additional cost.
Africa Fly-In Photo Safaris
The ideal duration for an East Africa safari package often ranges from 5 to 14 days, this allows you to enjoy a comfortable and a well-rounded rewarding safari experience during this African tour package. It also depends on the destinations you will visit, wildlife interests, and personal preferences.
We have a 24 hour emergency line. If anything goes south, we’re ready to assist you regardless of time or date.
Many tented camps in Africa provide fitted mosquito nets in all rooms which are also insect proofed to protect you against malaria mosquito bites and other insect bites, ensuring a comfortable and safe stay.
It’s also advisable to carry insect repellent to further protect yourself especially in the outdoors during evenings.
Almost all Africa safari lodges and tented camp accommodations during your safari provide free Wi-Fi. You’ll find this available in all three accommodation levels – comfort or luxury accommodations.
Wi-Fi is provided in the public areas of the safari lodges/tented camps including the reception, dining areas, and lounge. It is not provided in the individual rooms/tents.
Moreover, because you will be inside a wilderness park, we still request that you come prepared with your own network data to avoid any inconveniences.
Kenya Safari Payment Methods
East Africa is within the tropics and near the Equator, separating the northern and southern hemispheres. The tropical temperatures are relatively high on the safari route and even within the national parks/game reserves.
Because you’ll need to frequently hydrate during your safari, we ensure unlimited supplies of drinking water.
All Vulture Africa Safari vehicles are fitted with a cooler box or mini fridge with a constant supply of cool, bottled water.
We replenish our supplies of drinking water during stops along the safari route.
Here’s everything you need to know about packing for your Africa safari trip.
We carefully research and choose our selection of top safari lodges and tented camps to offer the best in terms of comfort, relaxation, amenities, and atmosphere during your safari.
We fully understand the need for your protection against mosquitos and other insects.
All rooms/tents during your safari are fitted with mosquito nets or are insect-proofed to protect you against bites.
Tented camp showing bedroom with mosquito nets
You are also advised to use insect repellent to further protect yourself especially outdoors in the evenings.
Vulture African Safaris understands that your holiday travel may be lengthy and could involve different activities during your trip. You may find the need to store some of your luggage at various times.
You can safely store your extra luggage at our Nairobi office for safekeeping until you have completed your safari.
This is a free service extended to all our safari guests.
Packing luggage for an East African safari holiday tour
Additionally, our 4×4 safari Jeeps accommodate generous luggage space in its rear luggage compartment.
Kenya and Tanzania welcomes visitors from all over the world and their diverse diet preferences. These preferences may be due to religious beliefs, lifestyles, or health concerns.
The menus in all safari lodges & tented camps are continental cuisine however, vegetarian, kosher, halal, gluten-free, etc. meals are also provided.
We request you indicate your special diet needs during safari booking/confirmation.
Why Book Your Safari in Advance?
As part of our safari tour services, Vulture African Safaris provides free pickup and return to the airport/hotel for any guests who are booked for a 3-day or more safari tour with us.
The transfers are provided even if you arrive or depart several days before or after your safari start/end.
Please let us know your arrival & departure flight details including airline codes and arrival/departure times. We will provide you with the name of your driver and telephone contact in advance of your arrival/departure.
If you are arriving in Nairobi earlier than your safari starting date or are intending to stay a few days more after your safari finish, you will require a Nairobi hotel.
Our listed safari tours and advertised prices do not include your Nairobi hotel.
Nairobi has a wide range of hotels in the economy, comfort, and luxury categories suitable for your 1 night or extended stay.
As part of your safari tour, Vulture Africa Safaris will pick you up at the airport and bring you to your respective Nairobi hotel or residence. This includes most areas around Nairobi.
We suggest that you look up and book online your preferred Nairobi hotel. If you should require advice, suggestions, or booking assistance for your Nairobi hotel, we will be happy to assist.
We can make suggestions depending on your budget and what area of the city you are interested in staying.
A Kenyan Sim card will greatly reduce your telephone roaming bills during your visit and while on safari in Kenya
1 GB of data costs an average of $5.
Safaricom, a telco provider in Kenya is the market leader with the best national coverage and better deals.
Sim cards can be purchased from official stores or approved resellers. You can purchase them at the Nairobi airport upon arrival. Cost is approximately $1 or Ksh.100
To purchase local sim cards, you are required to have a Sim-unlocked GSM-compatible phone.
Tipping in guidelines for Kenya and Tanzania safaris – although not mandatory, is expected in return for good service.
All hotels, lodges, and porterage gratuities are included in the cost of your safari – these are collectively referred to as the service charge.
You may also decide to tip individual waiters, porters, and other hotel service employees who provide exemplary service. Usually, $1 – $5 per meal or move is appropriate and appreciated.
It is, however, customary to tip your safari driver/guide at the end of the safari tour. The amount is dependent on your evaluation of the quality of the service rendered. An average of $10 per guest per day or 5-10% of your safari-only cost is suggested. However, the amount is at your discretion – you are welcome to provide additional compensation to any staffer who has provided special services. A bar gratuity of $1 is acceptable.
You may tip in Kenya shillings, USD, or in Euro at the end of your safari and preferably in an envelope.