East African Sky Safari
Mark RossOur East African Sky Safari is the most comprehensive, educational and best guided safari in all of East Africa. Combined with the expertise of our guide and pilot Mark C. Ross, his 30 + years of guiding in Africa and a unparalleled knowledge of the lands we roam makes this the ultimate safari to experience.
Our Cessna Caravan 208This Sky Safari takes place in Kenya & Tanzania with add-on excursions to Rwanda and Uganda to see the endangered Mountain Gorillas. We frequent the same National Parks and Private Conservancies throughout Kenya and Tanzania as this allows us to study the resident game. We learn more about the animals in a specific territory and have more opportunities to observe behavior. Since our safaris are ALWAYS private we can go where we want, when we want and have on average 300% more time in the bush verse traditional overland safaris.
We tailor make this safari to revolve around the Great Migration of the Wildebeest, Zebra and Gazelle which consist of more than 2 million total animals. If your dates to travel are between January - March I am going to suggest an itinerary that includes stops in Kenya's Samburu National Park and Lewa Downs and then we fly down to Tanzania and spend a few nights at the Ngorongoro Crater and then 3 full days in the Southern Serengeti. This time of year the herds will give birth to 400,000 calves in a three week period usually between late January to mid February and it all happens in the Southern Serengeti. The predators essentially get a complimentary buffet once a year for 3 weeks and we will be right in the heart of the action.
Wildebeest Migration herds in the Central Serengeti
The rainy season starts in April and last until Mid to late May if Mother Nature stays to her regular course. As we all know predicting Mother Nature can be hit and miss but the rains will arrive at some point during this to month window. I personally try to avoid this time frame even though some enjoy being there as the crowds are much less as is the cost. The down side is the roads can be washed out and impassable, miserable conditions with torrentails rains. The animals are still there but more spread out as water is not a commodity this time of year.
If June is your only month to take a family trip of this caliber that is perfectly fine. We will do Samburu and Lewa Downs as these wildlife havens are great all year round with ideal weather conditions. We would still stop at the Crater and with the Wildebeest migrating in the Northwestern region of the Serengeti we would spend our 3 days near the Grumeti River in our own private mobile tented camp. Our hope would be the migration herds are in the area and we get a opportunity to witness a river crossing.
Leopard in Samburu, Kenya
Once July rolls around we will encourage itineraries that stay in Kenya as the Herds have made their way into the Maasai Mara where they will stay for the next few months. The greener pastures are here and the resident predators are anxiously awaiting their arrival. Some of the best Mara River crossings take place from July to October. The Mara has the largest concentration of lions in Kenya as well as several resident Cheetah and Leopards. The massive numbers of prey species ensures plenty of excellent game viewing during your safari.
The Sky Safari is a wonderful opportunity for small groups of close family and friends looking for that special extra fine touch while on safari. We use the BEST guide in Mr. Ross who is the only guide to have multiple wildlife biology degrees, speak fluent Kswahili, pilots our aircraft and knows the lands better than anyone in East Africa.
I encourage you to contact us to learn more about this incredible opportunity. Here is a sample itinerary for our ultra exclusive Sky Safari for 2017. Please note the pricing is based on number of people and choice of lodging which we will give to you with your itinerary.
Day 1 - Arrive Nairobi, stay at the new chic Hemmingways in Karen.
Day 2/3 - Fly 50 minutes to Samburu National Reserve, overnight at Elephant Bedroom Camp
Day 4/5/6 - Fly 11 minutes to Lewa Downs Conservancy, stay at Lewa Wilderness
Day 7 - Fly back to Nairobi then onto Tanzania, stay in Aruhsa at the Arusha Coffee Lodge
Day 8/9/10 - Fly to the Serengeti (exact location is based on time of the year.) Great Migration is our main focus.
Day 11/12/13 - Fly either to Lamu Island in Kenya or Rusinga Island on Lake Victoria or Zanzibar Island in the Indian Ocean or Rubondo Island in Lake Victoria. Each has a very distinct location and can be explained for those interested.
Day 14 - Return to Nairobi for your International flight home