Gabar Goshawk Fly-in Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Gabar Goshawk Fly-in Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.
Starts: JKI Airport Nairobi
On arrival at the airport, you’ll be greeted by a driver after you’ve collected your bags.
Nairobi to Amboseli by road & light aircraft
Following a drive of about an hour to Wilson Airport, board your light aircraft south to Amboseli, touching down in around 30 minutes. A driver-guide from Selenkay will transfer you to camp by 4WD in time for lunch; watch out for wildlife during the 1–2-hour drive through plains and woodland.
Selenkay Adventure
Selenkay Adventure Camp is a simple, budget camp of dome tents in the 60km² Selenkay Conservancy, a Maasai wildlife sanctuary north of Amboseli National Park.
Selenkay Adventure Camp is a simple, budget camp of dome tents in the 60km² Selenkay Conservancy, a Maasai wildlife sanctuary north of Amboseli National Park.
"Superb guide and driver, food and staff, excellent."
KimfromLondonArrived 23 Aug 2022, 3 nights
We haven’t yet had the opportunity to visit Selenkay Adventure Camp, and we are looking forward to doing so. As the camp is closely linked to the high-end Porini Amboseli Camp and shares some of that tented camp’s infrastructure, services and guides we would expect it to offer a well-managed and rewarding experience – but at a much lower price. At Selenkay Adventure Camp you'll be doing something much more like traditional simple camping than is normally the case in today's large and luxurious tented camps. See our full report on Selenkay Adventure Camp
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Amboseli to Nairobi by road and light aircraft
The 1-2 hour drive from Selenkay to the airport is usually conducted as a game drive through open plains and woodland. Once at the airstrip, you'll meet your plane for the 30-minute flight back to Nairobi, landing at Wilson Airport. From there, it is a 5-minute drive to the Aero Club, your stop for the night.
Aero Club of East Africa
The dozen rooms at the old Aero Club of East Africa, at Nairobi’s domestic Wilson Airport are available for non-members and make a very convenient base if you’re flying out of Wilson the next morning – or if you've just arrived at Wilson and won't be leaving Nairobi until the next day. The convivial bar is a real bonus. Java House Aero Club is open from 06:30 to 21:00 for meals and snacks.
The dozen rooms at the old Aero Club of East Africa, at Nairobi’s domestic Wilson Airport are available for non-members and make a very convenient base if you’re flying out of Wilson the next morning – or if you've just arrived at Wilson and won't be leaving Nairobi until the next day. The convivial bar is a real bonus. Java House Aero Club is open from 06:30 to 21:00 for meals and snacks.
"We would definitely stay here again."
N&CfromPooleArrived 3 Jan 2024, 1 night
Staying at the Aero Club is a very reasonable, secure option for those on more of a budget. The club interior is quirkily interesting, the shady grounds are very pleasant and the excellent restaurant and bar are dependable. See our full report on Aero Club of East Africa
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Elephant encounter
Nairobi to Lewa Conservancy by air & 4WD
This morning, a cab will transfer you to Wilson Airport for your flight over the fertile hills of central Kenya's densely farmed Central Highlands to touch down at Lewa Downs after about 40–60 minutes. It's then an enthralling 1½–2-hour 4WD drive through this wildlife-rich conservancy to the remote Il Ngwesi.
Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge
Il Ngwesi is a quirky safari lodge with strong ties to the local community, set in its own private wildlife conservancy. Il Ngwesi has a rustic charm and authenticity which is rarely found in standard safari lodges.
Il Ngwesi is a quirky safari lodge with strong ties to the local community, set in its own private wildlife conservancy. Il Ngwesi has a rustic charm and authenticity which is rarely found in standard safari lodges.
A stay here feels like an escape from the modern world to a simpler time without Wi-Fi and outside distractions. There is a real connection with nature here, from the constant twitter of birds to elephants frequenting the waterhole and the fresh animal tracks which appear daily outside your room.
We love the strong sense of community that radiates through the lodge. This is one of the only lodges in Kenya to be one hundred per cent owned and run by the community, in this case the Mukogodo Maasai community, with all proceeds going back into the local people. It is an impressive model of community-led conservation and the lodge supports a number of different projects in the area. The people of the Il Ngwesi conservancy take a great pride in their lodge.
"Staff wonderful...building wonderful...location magical..what a fabulous place!"
Mrs BfromKentArrived 27 Jul 2022, 3 nights
Il Ngwesi is also a favourite haunt of William and Kate, with the royal couple having stayed at the lodge on several occasions. At first you might wonder why, as it is not particularly glamorous or luxurious, or the type of place you might expect to find a prince. It does however feel like the antithesis of the standard luxury safari lodge, and we imagine the Cambridges found the pared-back simplicity refreshing, while enjoying the remoteness and exclusivity of the Il Ngwesi Conservancy. See our full report on Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Laikipia to Nairobi by road & light aircraft
After a farewell 1½-hour game drive from Il Ngwesi, hop on board your flight of 40–60 minutes south to Wilson Airport, perhaps glimpsing the peaks of Mount Kenya en route. A driver-guide will be waiting to take you to JKI Airport or to help you explore the city before you check in.
Ends: JKI Airport Nairobi
Experiences you can add to this trip.
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.
Nairobi Elephant Orphanage visit
One hour, by pre-booking only
Visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage for a close-up encounter with elephant orphans – and sometimes rhino orphans. You can visit during daily between 11:00 and 12:00, or make special arrangements for a private visit in the afternoon.
More about Elephant Orphans visit
Nairobi Giraffe Centre visit
One hour visit is generally recommended
Visit the AFEW Giraffe Centre for an eyeball-level encounter with gentle Rothschild giraffes. They visit this tree-level platform to be fed pellets.
More about Giraffe Centre visit
Safari in Nairobi National Park
Half day - AM or PM, or full day
It is truly remarkable that the plains and woodland of Nairobi National Park, an area of around 70km² (some 17,000 acres) should exist in a near-natural state so close to the city that in any other conurbation they would just be suburbs.
More about Nairobi Nat. Park Safari
Scenic Biplane Flight on Lewa Conservancy
30 or 60 minute flights
Soar high and fly low over the rolling hills and plains of Laikipia’s famed Lewa Conservancy, on a scenic biplane flight. Offering you the chance to spot wildlife from the air, this flight takes place in an open-cockpit WACO biplane – a truly unique excursion in Kenya.
More about Scenic Bi-plane Flight