Safarilink Aviation is a premier airline specializing in providing air services to tourists seeking to explore the breathtaking safari destinations in Kenya. Founded in January 2004, the airline was established by a management team boasting over 40 years of experience in the East African tourist air service industry. With a commitment to professionalism and quality, Safarilink operates a fleet of 12 aircraft, carefully selected to meet the specific requirements of operating into bush airstrips within Kenya's world-renowned game parks.
From its base at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Safarilink offers daily scheduled services to 17 destinations, transporting adventurers to some of the most iconic safari spots in Kenya. During peak seasons, the airline carries over 20,000 passengers per month, showcasing its popularity and reliability among tourists.
Destinations Served by Safarilink
Safarilink spreads its wings daily to transport adventurers to the most iconic safari spots. These destinations include:
- Masai Mara
- Amboseli
- Tsavo West
- Naivasha
- Nanyuki
- Lewa Downs
- Samburu
- Lamu
- Kisumu
- Kitale
- Kilimanjaro
- Loisaba
- Chyulu Hills
- Malindi
- Migori
- Diani Beach
Additionally, Safarilink can also provide private charter flights if a client's particular requirement as regards destination or timing cannot be met by the scheduled services. Understanding that safari dreams may not fit into a fixed schedule, Safarilink offers tailor-made private charter flights to cater to specific needs.
The Safarilink Fleet
Safarilink operates with 12 aircraft ranging in size from 13 to 52 seats. Here's a glimpse into some of the aircraft in their fleet:
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| Aircraft Type | Key Features | Passengers |
|---|---|---|
| Dash 8-100 | High wings and large windows for exceptional viewing of scenery and animals. | 37 |
| Dash 8-300 | Pressurized cabin for flying above the weather on longer routes. | 52 |
Safety Measures
Safarilink operates under an Air Operators Certificate issued by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, which conducts a detailed annual audit of the company's operations and related documentation, as well as ramp spot-checks. The airline currently employs 46 pilots of various nationalities with total flying experience of over 70,000 hours, with four pilots each having over 12,000 hours experience.
The insurance of the Safarilink aircraft is handled through Willis of London, one of the world's leading aircraft insurance brokers. The Third-Party & Passenger liability limit per incident varies with the size of aircraft.
Incident: On 5 March 2024, Safarilink Aviation Flight 053, a Dash 8-315 registered as 5Y-SLK on a scheduled flight to Ukunda Airport, collided on climbout from Wilson Airport with a Cessna 172M on a local training flight. Flight 053 returned to Wilson Airport and landed safely with no injuries to the 39 passengers and five crew, while the Cessna crashed in nearby Nairobi National Park, killing the two pilots on board.
Corporate Responsibility
Safarilink has a strong ethos of corporate responsibility and makes every effort to assist organizations trying to protect the environment and help disadvantaged persons. This includes:
- Being an official Responsible Partner of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy whereby approximately 5% of the price of each ticket to and from Lewa is donated to their projects.
- Providing complimentary or heavily discounted travel to surgeons and Medical and Educational Aid to Kenya.
- Donating tickets as raffle or auction prizes at charity fund raising events.
- The employees participating in charity fun walks and runs.
- Supporting the self-help Lamu Safi group in Lamu who are trying to clean up the streets.
- Funding an extensive tree planting programme on the slopes of Mt. Kenya.
Kenya wildlife conservation: Living in harmony with wild neighbours
Carbon-Neutral Flights
Safarilink has taken the decision for their flights to be "carbon-neutral" from 2009. This will be achieved by a major involvement in an indigenous tree planting exercise on the foothills of Mount Kenya within the Mount Kenya National Reserve. The number of trees necessary to achieve the carbon-neutral target will be based on a calculation linking the hours flown by the Safarilink fleet, their fuel consumption rate, a documented conversion rate for Jet A1 fuel to carbon dioxide and the "lock up" factor for the trees.
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The practical aspects of growing the saplings, their planting out, and equally important, their subsequent care until well established will be carried out by women's groups under the supervision of the Bill Woodley Mount Kenya Trust.
Partnership with Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways’ global customers will now be able to book their international flights and domestic safari connections on a single ticket, creating a seamless and convenient travel experience. The integration eliminates the need for separate bookings and offers a streamlined journey for tourists seeking wildlife encounters.
“This partnership exemplifies smart innovation, bridging Kenya Airways’ global reach with Safarilink’s expertise in last-mile connectivity to key safari destinations,” stated Allan Kilavuka, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kenya Airways.
Speaking during the launch event, Mr Julius Thairu, the Chief Commercial and Customer Officer (CCCO) at Kenya Airways noted that, “Kenya’s reputation as a world-class tourism destination, particularly for its exceptional safaris, continues to attract travelers from across the globe.” He further added, “This strategic partnership with Safarilink directly addresses the needs of today’s travelers who prioritize efficiency and reliability."
This partnership is a significant step in Kenya Airways’ broader growth strategy, aiming to attract a wider audience by offering an enhanced and more convenient product solution.
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Practical Information for Visitors to Kenya
Here's some useful information to help you plan your trip to Kenya:
- Currency: The official currency is the Kenya Shilling. The written abbreviation is either Ksh or by using /= after the amount (ie 500 /=). Available notes are 50‚ 100‚ 200‚ 500 and 1000 shillings. Available coins are 1‚5‚10‚ 20 and 40 shillings.
- Currency Exchange: Visitors to Kenya are advised to change foreign currency at banks‚ bureaux de change or authorized hotels. The easiest currencies to exchange are US Dollars‚ Pounds Sterling and Euros. There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought into Kenya.
- Credit Cards and Traveler's Checks: Traveller's cheques are widely accepted and many hotels‚ travel agencies‚ safari companies and restaurants accept the major credit cards. Most banks in Kenya are equipped to advance cash on credit cards.
- Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in Kenya. Guides‚ drivers‚ waiters and hotel staff can be tipped at your discretion.
- Time Zone: Kenya has a single time zone which is GMT 3.
- Business Hours: Most businesses in Kenya are open from Monday to Friday‚ though some also trade on Saturday. Business hours are generally 9:00am to 5:00pm‚ closing for an hour over lunch (1:00pm - 2:00pm).
- Electricity: The electricity supply in Kenya is 220/240 volts at 50Hz. Plugs are 3 point square.
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