Kenya From the Sky Down
Every transfer by private aircraft. Every lodge at the absolute pinnacle of luxury. Every ecosystem viewed first from altitude, then experienced at ground level with a private guide and vehicle. Aerial Kenya is the definitive expression of what is possible in this country.
Four distinct ecosystems in eight days — the vast Mara plains, the elephant kingdom of Amboseli with its Kilimanjaro views at dawn, the wild north of Samburu, and the Indian Ocean finale at Diani. A personal photographer accompanies you for two days. The result is not just a safari — it is a portrait of Kenya assembled over eight extraordinary days.
Four Ecosystems, One Journey
Your Itinerary
Nairobi Maasai Mara
Private aircraft to the Mara. Ultra-luxury lodge with infinity pool overlooking the plains. Your personal photographer joins for the first two days — they work alongside your guide to position the vehicle, read the light, and ensure your Mara moments are documented at the level they deserve.
Mara with Photographer
A full day with your photographer. Dawn drive for big cats and first light on the plains. The photographer manages light, position and timing while your guide manages wildlife — together they deliver images that are genuinely gallery-worthy. Balloon option available.
Mara Amboseli
Morning drive then aircraft south to Amboseli. The approach by air reveals Kilimanjaro in full — an overwhelming view. Ultra-luxury lodge with rooms oriented to the mountain. Elephant herds move below the volcano.
Full Amboseli · Mountain at Dawn
Kilimanjaro is clearest at dawn — set your alarm. The mountain reveals itself above the treetops as the light changes from purple to amber to white gold. Elephant herds in the foreground. This is the single most iconic image in East African photography.
Amboseli Samburu
Aircraft north to Samburu. Landscape transforms completely. The Samburu Five — endemic species found nowhere south of here — await in the riverine forest along the Ewaso Ng'iro.
Full Samburu Day
A complete Samburu day. Lion in the riverine trees. Grevy's zebra at dawn. Reticulated giraffe browsing across the horizon. Cultural village visit. Night drive along the river.
Samburu Diani Beach
Aircraft via Mombasa to Diani Beach — Kenya's finest Indian Ocean coast. The transition from arid north to turquoise ocean is deliberately dramatic. Your private beach villa, the Indian Ocean at your door, and a sunset Dhow cocktail cruise awaiting.
Diani Coastal Day Departure
A final morning: snorkel the Kisite-Mpunguti marine park with its turtles and dolphins, or simply be still on the finest beach in East Africa. Aircraft to Mombasa for international departures.
Rates & Seasonal Pricing
Pricing reflects genuine seasonal variation in wildlife, weather, lodge demand, and charter availability. We publish transparent pricing — no hidden fees, no supplementals at checkout. All rates are per person, based on two guests sharing a double room.
Month-by-Month Guide
| Period | Rate per Person | Wildlife Conditions | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| January – FebruaryHigh | $16,500 | Calving season · Predator activity high · Dry Amboseli | High — book 90+ days |
| MarchGreen | $13,800 | Rains begin · Lush and green · Birdlife excellent | Low — flexible availability |
| April – MayRains | $13,800 | Long rains · Muddy roads · Reduced game drives | Very low — experienced travellers only |
| JuneHigh | $16,500 | Dry season begins · Migration builds · Excellent visibility | High — book 120+ days |
| July – AugustPeak | $18,500 | Great Migration · River crossings · Peak predator activity | Extremely high — book 6 months ahead |
| September – OctoberPeak | $18,500 | Migration continues · Perfect dry weather · Best photography | Extremely high — book 6 months ahead |
| NovemberHigh | $16,500 | Short rains possible · Green and lush · Quieter lodges | Moderate — good availability |
| DecemberHigh | $16,500 | Dry and clear · Festive season · Christmas & New Year surcharge may apply | Very high — book 5+ months ahead |
* Christmas (Dec 24–Jan 2) and New Year surcharge of $800/person applies. Rates subject to currency fluctuation. Quoted in USD.
Pricing by Group Size
Complete exclusivity. Private aircraft seats, private guide and vehicle. All itinerary elements customised to solo rhythm.
The standard rate — two guests sharing. This configuration is designed for couples or close friends. Private vehicle and aircraft throughout.
Best value per person
Three to four guests in a shared charter aircraft and vehicle. Ideal for families or friends. Reduced per-person cost without compromising exclusivity.
Save $2,300 per person vs. standard
- All private charter flights within Kenya (6 flights, Wilson Airport departures)
- 7 nights ultra-luxury accommodation in the top-tier property at each destination
- All meals — breakfast, bush lunch, afternoon tea, dinner — at each lodge
- Premium wines, spirits, sundowner cocktails and beverages throughout
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with exclusive use at every destination
- Dedicated naturalist guide at each location (not shared with other guests)
- Personal wildlife photographer accompanying for Days 1–2 in the Maasai Mara
- All national park and conservancy entry fees (Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Kisite Marine)
- Dhow sunset cruise at Diani and marine snorkel excursion
- AMREF Flying Doctors emergency medical evacuation insurance for the duration
- Dedicated Filmax Jambo concierge available 24 hours throughout your journey
Deposit & Payment Terms
Your Accommodation Portfolio
The properties below represent the category of lodge used on this itinerary. Specific properties may vary based on availability and seasonal rotation — all are of equivalent or superior standard.
Canvas suite with private plunge pool, butler service, and unobstructed views of the plains. In-tent fire in the evenings. Generator-free, solar-powered.
Rooms positioned for the mountain view at dawn. Private deck, morning coffee brought to your door before first light. Elephant herds visible from the pool.
Tented suites elevated above the Ewaso Ng'iro. Crocodile and elephant visible from your private verandah. Campfire dining under acacia trees.
Private villa directly on Diani's white sand. Dedicated house staff, private pool, and direct Indian Ocean access. The perfect counterpoint to the safari.
What You'll Do Each Day
Your dedicated wildlife photographer joins for the first two days in the Mara. They work alongside your guide to capture the plains, the big cats, and the light — at an editorial standard. Add your own image and notes here.
An optional balloon flight over the Mara at dawn — the plains from above, silence broken only by the burner. Available on request. Add your own image and booking notes here.
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with an exclusive guide at every destination. Dawn drives target big cats in first light. Afternoon drives follow the rhythm of the bush. Add your own images per destination here.
The mountain is clearest before 9am. Your room is oriented to face it. Elephant herds move in the foreground as the light shifts from purple to gold. Add your own image and a personal caption here.
A guided walk through Amboseli's swamp ecosystem, followed by Observation Hill for a panoramic view of the park and Kilimanjaro. Add your own image here.
Endemic species found only north of the equator — reticulated giraffe, Grevy's zebra, Somali ostrich, gerenuk, and beisa oryx. Plus a night drive along the Ewaso Ng'iro river. Add your images here.
A traditional Swahili dhow on the Indian Ocean at sunset. Cocktails, the horizon, and the transition from safari to sea. Add your own image and caption here.
A final morning in the ocean. Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park hosts sea turtles, dolphins, and coral gardens. Snorkelling or glass-bottom boat available. Add your image here.
What's Included in Your Journey
Aerial Kenya is a fully curated, fully inclusive ultra-luxury safari. From the moment your chartered aircraft lifts off Wilson Airport to the final beach breakfast at Diani, every element has been arranged, pre-paid, and refined to eliminate friction and maximise experience.
Everything Within
- 7 nights ultra-luxury accommodation (4 lodges + beach villa)
- All 6 private aircraft transfers within Kenya
- Personal wildlife photographer for Days 1–2 in the Maasai Mara
- All meals — full board at every property, fine dining standard
- Premium wines, spirits, cocktails and beverages throughout
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with exclusive use at each destination
- Expert naturalist guide at each destination (not shared)
- Hot air balloon safari option in the Mara (on request)
- Dhow sunset cocktail cruise at Diani Beach
- Marine snorkel excursion — Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park
- All national park, conservancy and marine reserve entry fees
- AMREF Flying Doctors emergency evacuation insurance
- 24-hour Filmax Jambo concierge service throughout
- Pre-departure detailed briefing document and packing guide
- In-lodge laundry service at all properties
Arranged Separately
- International flights to and from Nairobi
- Kenya visa fees (currently USD 50 online e-visa)
- Personal travel insurance (required — medical evacuation, cancellation)
- Edited photo gallery files from your personal photographer (available at cost)
- Personal shopping, souvenirs and curio purchases
- Gratuities for guides, lodge staff and pilots (at your discretion)
- Telephone, internet charges above complimentary lodge WiFi
- Spa treatments (available at lodges at additional cost)
- Any activities not listed as included (e.g., village fees, extra excursions)
Getting to Nairobi
Your international journey ends at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. From there, Filmax Jambo takes complete charge. A dedicated transfer vehicle meets you at arrivals and delivers you to your pre-departure hotel or directly to Wilson Airport for same-day domestic charters.
IATA code: NBO. Located 15 km from Nairobi CBD, 18 km from Wilson Airport. Terminal 1A handles most international arrivals. Filmax Jambo arranges all airport transfers in air-conditioned private vehicles.
All private charter flights depart from Wilson Airport (WIL), Nairobi — Kenya's primary light aviation hub, 8 km south of the CBD. Transfers from JKIA or city hotels are arranged by your concierge. Relaxed security, private lounges available.
We recommend arriving the night before your safari begins. Nairobi's luxury hotel options include the Hemingways Nairobi, The Norfolk, and Giraffe Manor. We can arrange accommodation and a Nairobi city programme on request.
The itinerary concludes at Moi International Airport (MBA), Mombasa, with connections to Nairobi and direct international routes. Alternatively, a private charter can return you directly to Nairobi from Diani on request.
Flights into Nairobi (NBO)
Flight times are approximate. Filmax Jambo does not arrange international flights but can recommend preferred travel agents and consolidators. Notify us of your flight details so we can coordinate arrivals transfers precisely.
Visas, Health & Practicalities
About Filmax Jambo Tours
Filmax Jambo Tours was founded in Nairobi with a single conviction: that a safari should be as extraordinary in its execution as Kenya is in its raw material. We design ultra-luxury journeys for discerning travellers who require complete exclusivity, expert guidance, and the certainty of encountering Kenya at its absolute finest.
We work with a fixed roster of hand-selected guides, pilots, and lodge partners — the same people we would choose for our own families. We do not offer group departures or shared vehicles. Every journey is private, and every detail is arranged from scratch for each guest.
No shared vehicles, no group departures, no compromise. Your vehicle, your guide, your schedule. The lodges we select offer maximum privacy and minimum guest density.
A percentage of every booking contributes to conservancy fees and community programmes in the regions we operate. We support lodges that are majority community-owned or conservation-funded.
Our photographer partners are wildlife photography specialists, not hotel photographers. The Aerial Kenya personal photographer delivers images at a standard typically reserved for editorial commissions.
Your Guiding Team
Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association (KPSGA) certified. Our Mara and Amboseli guides hold Silver or Gold level certification — the highest awarded in Kenya. Minimum 10 years guiding experience, deep knowledge of individual animal behaviour, and trained in wilderness first response. All guides are from the communities adjacent to the parks they work in.
Your personal photographer is a working wildlife and editorial photographer with published credits in major international natural history publications. They coordinate with your guide on animal positioning, understand light and timing, and deliver a fully edited gallery of 80–120 images within three weeks of your return. Printed fine-art books available on request.
Certifications & Affiliations
Best Seasons for Aerial Kenya
Best months for this itinerary based on wildlife conditions and weather across all four destinations.
