Safarilink from Wilson Airport - Nairobi

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luchtzak
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Safarilink from Wilson Airport - Nairobi

Post by luchtzak »

One of my dreams was to make a safari in Kenya, last week it became reality!

Via our travel agency we where booked on flights from the company Safarilink http://www.flysafarilink.com/

First flight was on monday morning 21th of November 2011 reporting at Wilson Airport at 645 for a flight to Amboseli (National Park), you have the big international airport (Jomo Kenyatta Intl) and Wilson Airport (regional flights, general aviation traffic, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson_Airport_%28Kenya%29 ). At check-in we where told we had to pay extra as only 15 kilograms per person was allowed and we had 5 kilograms overweight! But after a small African discussion it was "okay" ;-) We received our boarding cards (yellow boarding card), other passengers received different colours for different destinations (blue, red, purple, green, etc...), the waiting area was on the tarmac but you where not allowed to pass the yellow line and all flights where announced as: "yellow boarding cards now ready for boarding!", then you had to walk to your aircraft.
View of Wilson Airport
View of Wilson Airport
The guy in the white shirt is the handling agent.
The guy in the white shirt is the handling agent.
Our aircraft, notice our bags waiting!
Our aircraft, notice our bags waiting!
On board the single :!: pilot welcomed us with a flight-time of 45 minutes and the message that we had 4 emergency exits! Nice to know ;-)
Captain
Captain
Instruments
Instruments
Instruments
Instruments
Instruments
Instruments
Instruments
Instruments
Amboseli Airport
Amboseli Airport
Amboseli Airport
Amboseli Airport

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luchtzak
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Re: Safarilink from Wilson Airport - Nairobi

Post by luchtzak »

As in the low season there are no direct flights from Amboseli to Maasai Mara airport we had to return to Wilson Airport, after a 45 minute flight we arrived back at Wilson on the 23th and after a short transfer time (45 minutes) we could depart for Maasai Mara Airport. Here are some shots of the small airport Kichwa Tembo airstrip:
Air Kenya
Air Kenya
Passengers walking towards the plane
Passengers walking towards the plane
IMG_7824a.JPG
IMG_7823a.JPG
As we landed we could spot some wild animals just next to the runway: zebras, impalas, 1 lion (drivers/pilots are advised not to leave passengers without next transport (jeep/aircraft))

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luchtzak
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Re: Safarilink from Wilson Airport - Nairobi

Post by luchtzak »

Last departure was on Friday 25th and it had been raining heavily, the runway was very muddy, here are some shots to illustrate:
aircraft take-off
aircraft take-off
wheel of our aircraft in the mud
wheel of our aircraft in the mud
captain just installed the tailprop (to prevent flip-over) and doing walk-around check
captain just installed the tailprop (to prevent flip-over) and doing walk-around check
captain welcoming us for a flight time of 45 minutes, notice only 1 pilot
captain welcoming us for a flight time of 45 minutes, notice only 1 pilot
but the landings and take-offs of the aircrafts (and ours was ok)

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luchtzak
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Re: Safarilink from Wilson Airport - Nairobi

Post by luchtzak »

My opinion:

nice organisation, flights on-time, pilots friendly, handling agents more than happy to help, you could touch the pilot(s) that's special!, I have no idea about the general safety/maintenance and so on but all appeared to be on the safe side ;-)

And another nice aviation experience in the bag!

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Comet
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Re: Safarilink from Wilson Airport - Nairobi

Post by Comet »

Interesting report and pics! Can't imagine what it would be like to see (dangerous) animals at the side of the runway.
Sabena and Sobelair - gone but never forgotten.
Louise

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galaxy
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Re: Safarilink from Wilson Airport - Nairobi

Post by galaxy »

Comet wrote: Can't imagine what it would be like to see (dangerous) animals at the side of the runway.
Like this one:
Image
Or that one :

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/lionplane.asp

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Comet
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Re: Safarilink from Wilson Airport - Nairobi

Post by Comet »

Love that pic :mrgreen: But I can't imagine what the pilot and any passengers thought if they turned up to board that aircraft! At least you get chance to view the local wildlife while you wait for your flight :mrgreen:
Sabena and Sobelair - gone but never forgotten.
Louise

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cathay belgium
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Re: Safarilink from Wilson Airport - Nairobi

Post by cathay belgium »

Hi,

This pic is thé pic for the travel agencies in Mombasa,the Let is now operating for Mombasa Air Transport for flights to Masai Mara..

But that's a great reason for a delay..., we're awaiting the lions, for those who dares... :mrgreen:

CX-B
New types flown 2022.. A339

regi
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Re: Safarilink from Wilson Airport - Nairobi

Post by regi »

Great post!
Looking at all those TP's, one member must have decided about his next holiday destination. ;)

rwandan-flyer
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Re: Safarilink from Wilson Airport - Nairobi

Post by rwandan-flyer »

Nice Trip report. Wilson Airport is still crowded, i heard that they planned to close it, due to Safety concerns.
Rwanda Aviation News (Drones, Air Force, Civil Aviation, Space, Air Balloon): https://www.facebook.com/RwandAn-Flyer-153177931456873

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