Author: tropicair

Neshashi – named after the place of her birth in northern Laikipia, was rescued at the age of 3 in January. A ‘big’ orphan but still vulnerable without her mother, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) with support from the Kenya Wildlife Service, Ol Malo and community members, made her challenging rescue happen.

Too big to fit in our helicopter – hired by the SWT to make the first of three crucial journeys to her destination at the Nairobi nursery – she was sedated, placed on a special flat bed and airlifted to the Ol Malo airstrip. A 30 minute flight to a Caravan aircraft, waiting to move her to Nairobi.  It took great man power and initiative to load her into the plane – and by the time she landed in Nairobi it was dark. Still sedated her final journey started – by truck to the nursery.  A very ambitious rescue and entire kudos to the SWT and the many people involved to make it happen.

Over the following weeks, Neshashi was slowly integrated into the nursery herd – and despite being the biggest elephant of the group, she was gentle with the handlers and the other babies, and bonded seamlessly. A heartwarming story of tragedy, dedication and success.

Photos Andrey Josephs

A rare and honoured opportunity to witness a traditional Pokot dance, in the arid and remote lands of West Pokot country. From time immemorial social structure and cultural practices have focused on survival at a community level. A respected system of law and order is followed, where a council of elders handles security, social disputes, ceremonies, and decisions. Colourful ceremonies and rituals are important, with traditional dress very much part of the occasion – and these mark transitions in the social lives of individuals and communities.  

Photo: Andrey Josephs, April 2022, Northern Kenya helicopter excursions

Vast efforts are underway to control the furnace of fires on Mount Kenya. Trained fire fighters are on the ground and making commendable progress, but in these dry and windy conditions the scorching flames are hard to control, and threaten precious biodiversity. Tropic Air helis are supporting with water-dousing on the impossible fire fronts where manpower cannot reach.

The entire effort is being coordinated by Mount Kenya Trust together with Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust, with huge support from countless organisations and individuals.

This is an enormously costly but vital response, and fund raising efforts are underway.

Photos: Andrey Josephs, March 2022

How proud we are of this team! 5 young Kenyans from Laikipia whom we sponsored to enter the 10to4 Mountain Bike Challenge. An off-road race, through wild landscapes, mostly downhill starting at 10,000 feet. They all did exceptionally well despite a few mechanical letdowns. The two girls placed 1st and 2nd in the ‘Rush’ – a 57km race with intense competition. The 3 men entered the two hardest races, and one secured an astounding 4th in the 2-day 135km ‘Extreme’ race, against elite athletes.

The 10to4 is an amazing annual event that raises vital funds and awareness for conservation within the Mount Kenya ecosystem, coordinated through the Mount Kenya Trust. Money raised goes towards forest conservation and community development. This is the event’s 21st year, and Tropic Air is the TITLE SPONSOR for the 5th year running.

During the 3 day event, Tropic Air also provides helicopter support, incase of casevac requirements, and as a platform for filming and tracking the cyclists.

Thank you to our media guru Andrey Josephs for documenting the action.

February 2022

A one-of it’s-kind mission – to seek out the ‘pole’ of Africa which is located in the heart of the Central African Republic! Pretty much in the depth of rain forests with no road infrastructure. An exhilarating trip to say the least. Thanks to Timmy Flowers and William Dyer for piloting this unique expedition. @ Chris Brown

Lake Logipi’s calm waters reflecting the sky!  Shallow (only a foot deep) and very alkali, it presents great contrast to neighboring Lake Turkana.  The two are separated by a series of cones and volcanoes, called the ‘Barrier’.

Lake Logipi, despite being so rich in sodium bicarbonate, is full of life (much microscopic) including algae which the flamingo feed on.  Golden jackals are sometimes spotted hunting the water birds!  An incredible place – hot, remote and inhospitable to man!

The iconic feature in the lake’s centre is known as ‘Cathedral Rock’ – and you can see why! It’s magnificent!