Helicopter Charter · East Africa
Kenya Safari
Helicopter Charter
The Maasai Mara, Mount Kenya and the conservancies from the air, flown with local operators on aircraft equipped for country where fixed wings cannot land.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 26 August 2026
The Destination
Why charter a helicopter in Kenya
After building our helicopter operation across the Greek isles and the Naples and Capri coastline, we extended it to Kenya and East Africa. The helicopter earns its place here differently: it reaches remote country where a fixed-wing aircraft cannot land.
That is why the same fleet flies luxury safaris, wildlife photography, executive transport, and medevac and mountain rescue missions across the region. The Maasai Mara is the headline: the Great Migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle between the Mara and the Serengeti, and one of the densest big cat populations anywhere.
Where we fly
The Maasai Mara, Lake Victoria, Laikipia and the Lewa Conservancy, Mount Kenya, Samburu, Shaba and Meru, the coast at Lamu, Malindi, Mombasa and Diani, and Tsavo East and West.
The fleet
Bell 505X, Airbus H-125 and H-130 singles carrying four to six passengers, and the twin-engine Airbus H-145 carrying up to eight with one or two pilots.
Beyond the safari
The aircraft are equipped for medevac in remote areas, and the same capability supports mountain rescue and search and rescue, alongside our medical air transport work.
The Season
When is the best time to fly in Kenya?
The dry season, June to October, is the classic window: animals gather at rivers and waterholes, the grass is low, and game viewing is at its best. The Great Migration reaches the Mara in this window, with the famous river crossings concentrated from late July into September and the herds returning south around October. Exact timing shifts year to year with the rains, which is where the helicopter earns its keep: it follows the herds to wherever the crossings are happening that week.
The Great Migration in the Mara: river crossings from late July into September, with August and September the busiest and earliest-booked weeks of the year.
Kenya’s short dry season: clear flying weather and excellent game viewing with far fewer visitors in the reserves.
The Numbers
What shapes a Kenya helicopter quote
Every quote is built from the same inputs, and understanding them is the fastest way to better options.
The inputs
- Aircraft type: a twin-engine H-145 and a single-engine Bell 505X price differently for the same mission.
- Mission profile: a Mara photo flight, an executive transfer and a multi-stop safari plan differently.
- Routing: distances between reserves decide fuel stops and positioning.
- Party size and luggage: weights decide which aircraft can fly the mission at all.
- Ground arrangements: camps, conservancy fees and landing arrangements are planned with the flight.
How to improve your options
- Tell us the reserves and wildlife you want to reach.
- Confirm party size and luggage weights at booking.
- Give the dates as early as you can for migration-season travel.
- Ask about combining reserves in one itinerary.
- Quotes come back within 60 minutes.
On The Ground
Where we fly in Kenya
Maasai Mara
ReserveThe Great Migration and the reserve’s famous lion, leopard and cheetah populations, from a vantage no vehicle can match.
Mount Kenya & the conservancies
HighlandsLaikipia, the Lewa Conservancy, Samburu, Shaba and Meru, the high country where the helicopter replaces a day of driving.
The coast
CoastLamu, Malindi, Mombasa and Diani, connecting the safari circuit to the Indian Ocean.
Tsavo East & West
ParksKenya’s vast twin parks, reached direct where fixed wings cannot land.
Camps, conservancy arrangements and ground logistics are planned with the flight.
The Standard
The aircraft and the operating standard
The fleet
Bell 505X (4 passengers), Airbus H-125 (5) and H-130 (6) singles, and the twin-engine Airbus H-145 carrying up to eight with one or two pilots. See our helicopter fleet.
The rules we fly by
Local operators with remote-area experience. Aircraft equipped for medevac missions where fixed-wing aircraft cannot land. Strict maintenance and pre-flight inspections on every aircraft.
Get Your Number
Request a helicopter
Send the route, the date and the party size and we come back with the right aircraft and a price, anywhere in the network.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email info@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.
FAQ about helicopter charter in Kenya
What can we see on a Maasai Mara helicopter safari?
The Great Migration between the Mara and the Serengeti, and the reserve's famous lion, leopard and cheetah populations, from a vantage no vehicle can match. It is a favourite of wildlife photographers.
Which helicopters operate in Kenya?
Bell 505X, Airbus H-125 and H-130 singles carrying four to six passengers, and the twin-engine Airbus H-145 carrying up to eight.
Which destinations do you fly in Kenya?
The Maasai Mara, Lake Victoria, Laikipia, the Lewa Conservancy, Mount Kenya, Samburu, Shaba, Meru, Lamu, Malindi, Mombasa, Diani, and Tsavo East and West.
Can the helicopters handle medical evacuation?
Yes. The aircraft are equipped for medevac missions in remote areas of East Africa where fixed-wing aircraft cannot land, and the same capability supports mountain rescue and search and rescue.
Is a helicopter good for wildlife photography?
Yes. Aerial photography over the reserves is one of the most requested missions, with the aircraft positioned for the light and the migration.
How do I book a Kenya helicopter charter?
Send the dates, party size and the reserves you want to reach through the form below, and the desk comes back with the right aircraft and a plan.
When do the Mara river crossings happen?
Typically from late July into September, with the herds returning south around October. Timing shifts year to year with the rains, so plans stay flexible and the helicopter follows the herds.
Can we combine reserves in one itinerary?
Yes. The helicopter makes multi-reserve days practical, from the Mara to Laikipia to the coast, where driving would take far longer.
Do you fly executive transfers in Kenya?
Yes. Executive transport is one of the fleet's core missions alongside safari, photography and medevac work.
Where else does the network fly?
Helicopter charter in Kenya is the East African arm of the network: our destinations also cover Greece, Italy and the French Riviera.