SkySafari: Luxury Fly-In Safaris in Kenya & Tanzania

SkySafari: A journey across East Africa’s wild soul

There are trips that entertain, and then there are journeys that transform. A 13-day adventure with SkySafari—the Elewana Collection’s seamless, fly-in luxury circuit through Kenya and Tanzania—belongs unmistakably to the latter. It is safari travel refined to its highest expression: intimate, unhurried, and choreographed with a level of precision that makes the vastness of East Africa feel effortlessly accessible.

SkySafari operates 16 lodges and camps across the region, many of which are considered among the finest in Africa. Yet what sets this experience apart isn’t simply the caliber of the properties—it’s the way SkySafari stitches them together. Over nearly two weeks, we moved through Nairobi, Amboseli, Loisaba, the Masai Mara, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Arusha, each landscape revealing a new facet of Africa’s wild heart.

A seamless way to safari

From the moment we arrived, the service felt deeply personal. Each camp assigned us our own dedicated guide and waiter-butler, creating a sense of continuity and care that followed us from one destination to the next.

But SkySafari’s greatest innovation is its transportation model. Instead of enduring the long, bone-rattling drives common on traditional safaris, guests travel between camps aboard a Cessna Executive Caravan, its leather seats fully adjustable, its cabin quiet and comfortable. These flights don’t just save time; they preserve energy and elevate the entire experience.

Landings often took place on remote dirt airstrips, where our personal guide greeted us with beautifully arranged refreshments—an unexpected touch of elegance in the middle of the bush. Though we shared flights with another family (with whom we quickly bonded), each party was assigned its own private vehicle and guide, ensuring every game drive remained intimate and tailored.

Nairobi: A gentle arrival

After nearly 24 hours of travel from South Carolina, Hemingways Nairobi offered a soft landing. The hotel’s calm, polished atmosphere was the perfect antidote to jet lag and a graceful introduction to East Africa’s hospitality.

Amboseli: Land of giants

A short hop delivered us to Tortilis Camp in Amboseli National Park, a 32-square-kilometer ecosystem straddling the Kenya-Tanzania border. Here, elephants roam beneath the snow-capped crown of Mount Kilimanjaro, and wildlife seems to materialize at every turn. Within our first two game drives, we had already seen all of the Big Five.

Our guide, Jonathan, a proud Maasai, brought the landscape to life with his deep knowledge of animal behavior and ecology. A visit to a nearby Maasai village offered a glimpse into a culture both ancient and resilient: homes built from sticks and dried cow dung, cooking fires fueled by elephant dung, girls carrying heavy water jugs for miles, and boys tending livestock that anchor their economy. Despite the challenges of their environment, the Maasai radiate joy, pride, and an unbreakable connection to the land.

Loisaba: Wilderness without compromise

From Amboseli, we flew north to the Loisaba Conservancy, a 58,000-acre expanse of rolling hills and sweeping savannas. Elewana Loisaba Lodo Springs redefines the concept of a "tent." Each suite features solid walls, a king-size bed, a spacious lounge, a beautifully designed bathroom, and an expansive deck overlooking the plains. A serene pool, exceptional cuisine, warm staff, and even a massage on our private deck made this stay unforgettable.

One evening, after a sundowner on a ridge glowing with the last light of day, we encountered a pride of lions preparing to hunt impalas up the hill. Our guide, Joe, illuminated the scene with an infrared spotlight—light invisible to the animals but crystal clear to us. We watched the lions position themselves with predatory precision while the impalas grazed unknowingly above. Eventually, Joe chose to leave, careful not to let the reflected light from the impalas’ eyes betray their presence. It felt like witnessing a live-action nature documentary—raw, electric, and unforgettable.

The Mara & Serengeti: Where the earth moves

SkySafari’s route carried us next to Sand River and Migration Camp, where the Great Migration unfolds in waves of wildebeest and zebra sweeping across the plains. The camps themselves were so beautiful, and the views so mesmerizing, that we occasionally chose to linger on our decks rather than rush out for another game drive. Every guide we met brought their own personality and expertise, enriching each sighting with context and storytelling.

Bush breakfasts became a cherished ritual: omelette stations, mimosas, and fresh dishes served in the middle of the savanna, with wildlife wandering nearby. It’s the kind of moment that feels impossible until you’re living it.

Ngorongoro: A final masterpiece

Our journey concluded at The Manor at Ngorongoro, a property inspired by classic South African wineries. Set amid a lush coffee plantation, The Manor offers sweeping views, elegant architecture, and even a stable full of horses for scenic rides. It was a serene, luxurious finale to an extraordinary adventure.

On our final day, SkySafari arranged a day room at the Arusha Coffee Lodge before our flight home, a thoughtful gesture that allowed us to rest, dine, and reflect on the journey before returning to South Carolina.

A safari beyond expectation

SkySafari and the Elewana Collection exceeded every expectation. The seamless air travel, the extraordinary accommodations, the personalized service, and the unforgettable wildlife encounters combined to create a safari experience that felt curated, intimate, and profoundly memorable. It’s difficult to imagine any tour company, at any price, offering a better way to explore East Africa.

The African winter months (summer in the U.S.) can be chilly in the mornings and evenings. Bring a jacket suitable for 45F+. Days tend to warmer and comfortable. Their summer season (our winter) can be hot and wet. June–August seem to be a great time to visit, and June is less crowded.

Bring a neck gaiter or similar to filter out the dust when following other vehicles on the dirt roads. The safari vehicles all had insect repellent. I hardly used any that I brought. Hiking shoes were not needed, as most of the time we were in the safari trucks. There were some options for hiking treks. Zip-off leg safari pants were the best way to pack, and the camps all do laundry daily. You really only need three days' worth of clothes. The pools were chilly, so the bathing suits were not used at the time we went. No dressy clothes are needed, what you wear on a game drive is suitable everywhere.

There is little doubt that you will not bring home some local crafts, and the Elewana gift shops did not disappoint. They conveniently sell travel bags!

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Kenya and Tanzania pages.