Month: March 2017

Remembering how Tropic Air began – very special days

Looking back 20 years – the early days of Tropic Air – when all we had was this one Cessna 206 and one Cessna 182! Exploring the empty landscapes of northern Kenya and landing wherever our wheels would allow.

Above left: The single 10km long sand dune that dissects the vast salty Chalbi Desert.

Above right: further north looking down at the Kalacha springs, where we supported a small permanent grass-roofed camp that was owned and managed by the Gabbra community.

We would land on a track, just long enough to accommodated our Cessna 206 – and taxi to the shade of the acacia trees – close to the oasis which had fresh water and beautiful doum palms, and where the simple and wonderful Kalacha Camp stood.

After a night of amazing rain, the sun rose over Mount Kenya to reveal a blanket of snow – not just on the peaks, but down as far as 13,000 feet. As the people, livestock and wildlife in Laikipia continue to struggle with drought and grazing shortages, at least most of the rivers are flowing again! Thanks to Timmy Flowers, our heli pilot, for these amazing pictures!

Our dawn helicopter flight around the peaks, with refreshments besides an alpine lake, and a chance to fly fish for Rainbow trout, is one of our most special and sought after trips. Please click here for a full selection of our day trips in Northern Kenya.

Heartbreaking to witness yet another baby elephant orphaned as a result of the rife ivory poaching in Northern Kenya. A distressing moment for the wildlife rangers, Kenya Wildlife Service vets and ranch managers as they darted the baby, and then watched as the herd surrounded him sensing danger, before the mother had to be shot. A moment of sheer accuracy and skill that has to be timed so perfectly so that she doesn’t fall and crush her calf.

Days earlier she had suffered a lethal gunshot wound from a failed poaching attempt, that shattered her shoulder leaving her distressed and immobile. Tropic Air’s Cessna Caravanairlifted the baby to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary (R.E.S.C.U.E) in Samburu, where he will now be cared for and integrated into the nursery herd, and one day in the future, released back into the wild.

Anti-poaching incidences in Northern Kenya is coordinated by 51 Degrees – a rapid response team that was set up in 2012 by partners in conservation, with support from Kenya Police Reservists.