Tanzania’s scenic helicopter safari routes : Tanzania boasts some of the most fascinating topography in the world, with vast expanses of savannah plains teeming with wildlife, majestic highlands, a variety of fresh and saltwater lakes, and other natural features including waterfalls and rocky terrain. While most visitors will choose road tours to explore Tanzania’s enormous environment, heli safaris offer the most exciting opportunity to witness the country from above. We’ll discuss some of Tanzania’s most popular heli flights in this guide.
Kilimanjaro & Ngorongoro flight.
One of Tanzania’s most picturesque heli flights, it will take you over the Ngorongoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro, two of the country’s most remarkable natural creations. Among the picturesque locations are:
Kilimanjaro. As soon as you leave Arusha, views of the cone-shaped peak covered in enticing rainforests appear. As you speed around the mountain, you can make out additional details, such as the mountain climbing routes and the hazy Marangu cascades tucked away in the forest.
Lake Chala. A tiny jade lake appears in an almost perfect spherical caldera that spans the border between Tanzania and Kenya as you continue to travel towards the northeast of Kilimanjaro.
Malanja depression and Karatu slopes. As you enter the Ngorongoro from the conservation area’s southeast corner, the picturesque Karatu and Malanja communities come into view. You can also enjoy lovely views of Lake Eyasi to the south from here.
Ngorongoro crater. The helicopter drifts northwest, revealing the Ngorongoro crater. Here, visitors may take in views of some of Africa’s most recognizable big game as well as dense flamingo populations in a small lagoon.
Embulbul depression and Mt Loolmalsin. The amazing savannah valley that lies beside the forested Mt. Loolmalsin drifts further north.
Empakai crater. A charming flamingo jade lake spans nearly the whole bottom of this small, perfectly circular crater, which is situated amidst a thick jungle and overlooks Mount Loolmalsin to the north.
Lake Natron flight, Maswa, Lake Eyasi, Lake Manyara, Southern Serengeti.
This is the ideal flight to see some of the most famous lakes in northern Tanzania and the endless big wildebeest migration in the southern Serengeti region. This flight also offers breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley and a few of its volcanoes. Among these characteristics are:
Donyo Lengai, Ol. As you leave Arusha airport and head towards Lake Natron, the helicopter points west. Shortly after, a perfectly round volcano with a recently formed active crater rises to the surface, offering views of a lake with a hue similar to that of the moon.
Lake Natron. Among the most distinctive lakes in the Great Rift Valley is Lake Magneton, with its distinctive lunar-like surface. Some flamingos may be visible in groups near their nesting grounds because the chopper will be flying low. Up to 75% of the world’s flamingo population breeds on Lake Natron, which is the largest flamingo breeding place worldwide.
Incredible southern Serengeti flora, landscape and the calving. The Serengeti wildlife reserve on the southern plains shoots further westward. From the endless, lush savannah plains to the seductive savannah forests, the Southern Serengeti boasts some of the most amazing vegetation cover. There are also amazing views of the western Ngorongoro conservation area from the southern flight. Large concentrations of flamingos periodically settle in the water’s surface of Lake Ndutu, a tiny soda lake in the vicinity that is well-known for being a bird sanctuary. This gives the flamingos’ aerial plumage a distinctive hue. You will also appreciate the expansive vista of the spectacular calving season if you are riding over the green season.
Maswa game reserve. Views from above of the wildlife-rich Maswa plain, which borders the Serengeti to the north, the Ngorongoro conservation area to the east, and Lake Eyasi are immensely seductive. From Lake Eyasi to the animals grazing on the wide plains. A lake that is deep blue and nestled among breathtakingly lush greenery can be found further south. You might be fortunate enough to see some flamingos at the lake, which is one of their favourite spots in the area.
Manyara Lake. With views of the vast savannah plains surrounding the lake and the heavily forested cliffs of the enormous rift valley, the breathtaking lake is situated on the edge of the valley and drifts back towards Arusha.
Selous Game Reserve/Flight to Morongoro.
You will see the expanse of the 54000 square kilometer wastelands in the southern Tanzania region as well as other amazing sights in Morongoro during the 45-minute fly from Arusha. You can reach some of the most isolated spots in the vast park, which are only accessible by foot, with this flight. Among the highlights of the journey are:
Lake manze, lake Nzerakera, lake siwandu and Lake Mzizima. The oxbow lakes, Lake Nzerankera and Lake Manze, on the park’s northern border, are the first thing you see when you enter the selous conservation area. With their massive concentrations of species on the Lake Basin and breathtaking views of the palm forest and miombo forests, the airborne sceneries are highly captivating.
River Rufiji. Travelling down the enchanting Rufiji River brings you to more breathtaking views of sand dunes, tiny lakes, waterways, and lagoons. With a wide variety of fauna gathering in the lush, green greenery, the river basin is quite stunning.
Udzungwa Mountain. After flying across the vast wilderness, you emerge from the south-western tip, pointing out the picturesque Udzungwa highlands, which offer picturesque views of rivers, misty waterfalls, and hills covered in deep forest. The heli departs here and travels north to Arusha.
Mount Hanang, Ruaha, and Rungwa flight.
This aircraft passes over the picturesque Mount Hanang and the Salunga Swamps on its way to the less-traveled game parks in Tanzania’s south-central region. Among the amazing aspects of this flight are:
Mt Hanang. The first significant feature to appear as you go south from Arusha is Mt. Hanang, which rises from Katesh Town and offers views of Lake Balangida and the descending rift valley escapements. The mountain’s rough surface and varied plants provide for an absolutely breathtaking view.
Lake Sulunga. Biha marshes as well. This seasonal, shallow lake is located west of the city of Dodoma. The lake and its surrounds have a captivating aerial scenery that contrasts views of Dodoma’s villages with stunning kopjes and thick forests.
Ruaha. From the northern edge of the park, the flight tracks the path of the greater ruaha. Situated amidst breathtaking vistas of wildlife, hippos, and verdant riverine flora, the overhead perspective becomes progressively more picturesque as you make your way south. Make a stop in the middle of the country before heading west.
Rungwa Game reserve. The abundant wildlife-rich Rungwa reserve appears as one turns north towards Arusha. The scenery is stunning, featuring hills and mountains.
Mahale Mountains, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Rukwa and Mbeya ranges flight.
This flight takes you to the southernmost regions of Tanzania, which are hardly visited by tourists. This unique journey offers a never-ending tropical forest, some of Africa’s most picturesque lakes, and spectacular mountain views. The following are a few characteristics of the flight path:
Mahale Forest. The breathtakingly gorgeous rainforest is situated along the eastern shorelines of Lake Tanganyika, where a range of mountains descends to the lake’s edge.
Lake Tanganyika. A large lake with azure waters and an amazing, immaculate coastline appears to be floating above the hills.
Lake Katavi. The amazing wildlife-rich Katavi wildernesses, which appear to have remained unspoiled by civilization, jut further south. Another breathtaking sight is the view of the lake in the centre of the park, which is encircled by expansive savannah grasslands.
Lake Rukwa. There is another sizable lake with deeply blue, highly appealing waters to the south of Lake Katavi.
Mbeya forest. Then a series of mountains with an unexplored crater lake on top and thick forests covering them appears. The ranges reach Lake Malawi, a lengthy, deep blue lake with breathtaking views of Malawi’s undulating mountains on either side.
