| Classical Aerial Safaris in Kenya | | | | Smoothing your Kenya safari |
| The ultimate in romance and nostalgia! You don a | | | | A pot pourri of safari tipso If you want a double bed, |
| flying jacket, long white scarf, soft leather helmet | | | | ask for it when booking, make sure it is noted on |
| and goggles and climb into a cheeky red open-cockpit | | | | your voucher, and ask for it again when checking in! |
| biplane. You are up and away-with the wind in your | | | | Sometimes they are available.o Ask for a description |
| face, Mt. Kenya in front and music from "Out of | | | | of special activities. May be there is a game walk or a |
| Africa" in your ears. Pinch yourself, its real. | | | | snorkeling trip that is not mentioned at check -in.o |
| Classic Aerial safaris is a culmination of a life long | | | | Overseas telephone calls are very expensive-plan |
| dream for Andrew Garratt who is the owner and the | | | | ahead.o Game park fees: often an extra. Be |
| pilot. The three seater plane is a modern replica of a | | | | prepared.o Decaffeinated coffee& sugar |
| 1935 Waco biplane. The pilot sits at the back with | | | | substitutes are not readily available. Bring your own.o |
| two passengers' side-by-side in the front cockpit. | | | | Bush stops: easier in a skirt. Carry tissue or T.P.o |
| Andrew's base is at Mawingu Airstrip adjacent to Mt. | | | | Washcloths: bring your own. There will be towels.o |
| Kenya Safari Club near Nanyuki. A second biplane | | | | Cucumber slices: cucumber slices are great naturally |
| operates from Lewa Downs near Isiolo. Trips are | | | | pH balanced skin wipes, very cooling on all exposed |
| priced by flying time. An hour's flight is $300 per | | | | skin and soothing to tired eyes as well. Cucumber |
| person sharing-you can opt for shorter, less | | | | slices are also very thirst quenching! Don't forget your |
| expensive flights. There is also a choice of special | | | | pocketknife.o Bottled water: carry some.o Beer: Try |
| aerial safaris: a dawn flight over the Aberdares | | | | different brands. They are god and inexpensive.o |
| Mountains into the Rift Valley with breakfast at Lake | | | | Baridi sana: What you say is you want your drinks |
| Elementaita, or a flight to Lewa downs including a | | | | cold.o Bargains: Fresh flowers including roses and |
| game drive and lunch. | | | | orchids; massages and manicures, soda, most |
| On demand, the biplane operates from other hotels in | | | | handicraft, cashews and macadamia nuts, coffee and |
| Mt. Kenya area as well as from private home stays in | | | | tea.o Expensive items: Gasoline (petrol), wine, |
| the region. A superb way to appreciate the | | | | photography, and boutique fashions.o Frustrations: |
| magnificent scenery-pure romance and adventure! | | | | Telephones that don't work, power failures, water |
| Quotes from the passenger book | | | | shortages, time spent waiting, bad roads, manic |
| "my soul was filled to overflowing" | | | | traffic (including roundabouts).o Essential: Sun block, |
| "The highlight of our trip. It brought tears to my | | | | insect repellant, a hat.o Electricity: Don't count on it |
| eyes." | | | | everywhere you go. Some lodges and camps don't |
| "I always imagined heaven would be higher." | | | | have it 24 hours a day. |