Elephant falls victim to Hyena

A heartbreaking story of a rescue that involved a tiny new born baby elephant (umbilical cord still evident), who was abandoned by his herd after he fell into a shallow well, and was attacked by hyenas during the night, losing most of his truck.

On the 18th April, the tiny calf was found at dawn by the wildlife ranges at Loisaba Conservancy in Laikipia.  They alerted Kenya Wildlife Service and Northern Ranglands Trust to support a rescue mission, which was coordinated by Batian Craig of 51 Degrees, and required Tropic Air’s aerial support to airlift him to Reteti Elephant Sanctuary located in Samburu just an hours flight away, where he is receiving the critical care that he needs.  In the company of other orphans, will be hand raised and hopefully one day reintroduced into the wild.

Thank you to everyone who did so much on this day to make his rescue a success, and against all odds he’s doing remarkably well!

Named ‘Longuro’ which in Samburu refers to someone who has lost a limb, he is getting stronger everyday, is full of character and adapting well to his disability.

Orphan Elephant Kenya

Life after covid-19

March in Gambella National Park, western Ethiopia, where the grass is long and dry – a bush fire broke out and raged towards our camp at terrifying speeds. Jamie, the camp team and community members rallied together to set up a fire break by back-burning – which was effective, and the excitement soon came to an end!

This is what is so special about our East African helicopter adventures – there is no predictability about what we will experience, above and beyond the wonderful nature, landscapes, wildlife, history, people and culture.

COVID-19 has turned all our lives upside down, BUT somethings will never change. Our travel adventures will be waiting for us when the time is right again!   Stay safe everyone, we will get through this!

All for Conservation

Over $100,000 was raised by the 2020 10to4 Mountain Bike Challenge, all of which will go towards protecting Mount Kenya, Borana Conservancy and Ngare Ndare Forest. As the proud Title Sponsors, we are overwhelmed by the support from the participants, the local community and the event organisers – Mount Kenya Trust. Thank you EVERYONE who helped make this year such a great success!

Waco Biplane for Sale

We are selling our Waco bi-plane, serial number 118, manufactured new in 2008 at Waco Classic Aircraft Corporation.  Located and registered in Kenya (5Y-HOP), this aircraft (airframe and engine) has only done 80 hours since new, and is in mint condition.  She has always been stored in a hanger, and is fully maintained and airworthy.

5Y-HOP is bright yellow with gold pin stripes, and has a deluxe beige leather interior with dark brown carpeting.

She has a 275 horsepower Jacobs Radial engine with a fuel injection system.  She also has a Constant Speed Propeller System, extended range fuels tanks, and front cockpit breaks.

A great video of her sister plane flying in Kenya on this link (Serial number 117)

Waco biplane

Signature Experience

Thrilled to have been awarded two (out of just fifteen) ‘Magical Kenya Signature Experiences’ by the Kenya Tourist Board, in recognition for outstanding tourism offerings within Kenya’s tourism industry. Through our Mount Kenya fly-fishing and Suguta Valley scenic helicopter excursions, we met the criteria of innovativeness, creativity and authenticity.

At the awards ceremony, Dr Betty Radier (KTB’s CEO) stated that Kenya’s tourism gems needed to be showcased and acknowledge for the role they play in promoting Kenya’s tourism to the world. “This journey was started in 2016, and the purpose was to look at what we have as an industry, looking at what we can do as a marketing body together with our partners to begin to identify gems within our destination. Most importantly create a programme that will acknowledge the investment that goes into these gems”.

 

KTB Signature experience certificate

Photo (Top) of Liz and Caro – Tropic Air’s operations team.

Tropic Air is an air charter and helicopter company based in Kenya, operating East Africa wide.