Africa from Above
See Africa’s breathtaking landscapes and wildlife from the air.
‘When you fly,’ the young man said, ‘you get a feeling of possession that you couldn’t have if you owned all of Africa. You feel that everything you see belongs to you — all the pieces are put together, and the whole is yours; not that you want it, but because, when you’re alone in a plane, there’s no one to share it. It’s there and it’s yours. It makes you feel bigger than you are — closer to being something you’ve sensed you might be capable of, but never had the courage to seriously imagine.’
Beryl Markham - West with the Night (1942)
Experience wildlife in a whole new way.
Being above the landscapes gives you a perspective very few others ever see. Here, in Northern Kenya, over one million lesser flamingos congregate on Lake Logipi in the remote Suguta Valley. This area is only accessible via aircraft and has an untouched and untamed landscape due to its remote nature. The flamingo congregate on the lake to feed on a blue-green algae formed in the alkaline Rift Valley lake. One of the most unique experiences to add to any Kenya safari is a one-day Suguta Valley helicopter trip.
Have you dreamed of flying above Africa’s wild and untamed landscapes?
Go on an African helicopter luxury safari.
The swoosh and vibration of the rotors fell silent as we cruised through the thin cloud layer. Wildebeest, elephant, and all other beasts roamed the plains below us and, for a brief moment, everything in the world felt at peace. The magic of flight is that one landscape becomes the next in mere minutes as you drift from desert to savannah to high alpine and onwards to a champagne sundowner on the highest ridge line. — In Africa, a helicopter safari is an absolute standout experience. From dropping into sparsely visited ecosystems to visiting remote tribes, to seeing elephant or flamingo from the air, helicopters can take us places not easily accessible to the average tourist.
At Wildland Collective, we offer heli-safaris in Kenya and Namibia. These options can be done as a full heli package where you fly from one lodge to the next, or as single-day add-ons. One of our favorite trips is the single-day Tropic Air or Kenya Choppers helicopter tour of Northern Kenya’s Suguta Valley. This is a full day trip which leaves from your choice of lodges across Northern Kenya and takes you to some of the most beautiful and inaccessible locations in Africa’s Great Rift Valley.
The Founder’s Mission.
In 2017 & 2018, Wildland Collective’s Founder, Bobby Neptune set out to photograph Kenya’s wildlife and wild spaces from the air. This journey set in motion a lifelong photographic mission to photograph all of Africa from above. Using a series of microlight aircraft and helicopters to show the effects of a changing landscape to the world, Bobby has photographed in all of East Africa and much of the African continent. Watch the video to find out more about his work and why aerial safaris and excursions across Africa are one of our key specialties at Wildland Collective.
Ethiopia by Air
Of a Rift, a Religion, & Ancient Roots
Exploring an Ancient Landscape in a Modern Machine
The end of 2019 was a special time in the world. Covid had not begun to dig its teeth into the world and Ethiopia was at peace. The past several years has changed the horn of Africa in a tremendous way. But, prior to all this, our founder was lucky enough to spend a week with Tropic Air Kenya flying a helicopter across northern Ethiopia. It was a trip of dreams. The landscape, the agriculture, the ruggedness of it. Flying into rock-hewn churches, and paying witness to a bit of history long forgotten gave the group all the Indian Jones feels.
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This trip is not possible to do today and some of these churches may have been photographed for the last time. Since the conflict in Ethiopia has shut down all non-essential travel, we are waiting and hoping for peace in the region. Then, maybe we can get back in and resume these incredible trips.
Helicopter Safaris
Location: Kenya or Namibia (Ethiopia currently not available)
Camp setup: Private luxury accommodations
How to get there: Expeditions leave from Nairobi, Kenya or Windhoek, Namibia
Wildlife: Leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, etc.
Activities: Guided helicopter excursions (multi-day, lodge-to-lodge packages, or single day add-ons)
When to Visit: Anytime of year
the founder’s trip.
A Bobby Neptune Signature Experience
Wildland Collective Founder & Photographer Bobby Neptune’s signature experience. This combined Kenya-by-air helicopter photography safari encompasses 4 ecosystems over 12 days and shows off some the wildest landscapes in the world. Bobby’s career as an aerial photographer across Africa started in Kenya and this safari takes you to his favorite locations to photograph around the country.
Ewaso Nyiro River delta into Lake Natron Kenya/Tanzania Border
Namibia: An aviation dream come true.
From the great sand dunes of the NamibRand Desert to the coastal flamingos and centuries-old shipwrecks, Namibia’s landscape is perfect for a helicopter flying safari. Start in the world-famous Sossusvlei soaring above the dunes looking for Oryx, and transition to the Skeleton Coast to see Cape Fur Seal colonies, dune-welling Jackals, and the iconic shipwrecks scattered along the coast.
Mount Poi covered in clouds. Ndoto Mountains, Northern Kenya.