Close your eyes and imagine the scene: waves swirling above you, a cool breeze blowing in your face, you are above the ground while the most remote corners of Africa pass by below.

Safari Helicopter tours offer a unique and exclusive way to explore the remote areas of an already wild continent. With a helicopter, nothing is out of reach – and for the intrepid explorer yearning for true seclusion, it’s a dream. As a travel advisor specializing in safaris in East and Southern Africa, these are the three helicopter safaris that I recommend again and again.

Flights on Lake Turkana in northern Kenya

Arguably one of the most epic helicopter safaris, this full-day tour in KenyaThe Far North of England is full of striking landscapes. The Laikipia Hills, located on the equator, give way to the vast, desolate sand dunes of the Suguta Valley, before lakes flooded with flamingos appear. Your pilot will find the best landing spots to meet isolated tribes, walk over dunes or swim in clear waters before stopping for lunch on the edge of a collapsed volcano at the southern end of Lake Turkana.

The return flight is just as scenic, flying over the Matthews Mountain Range – a remote and inaccessible landmark filled with dramatic cliffs, cycad forests and flowing rivers. This tour represents the very essence of Kenya’s Great North and helicopter safaris: the chance to experience something entirely raw, unfiltered and removed from the outside world.

Miavana flights to Madagascar

Madagascar is another large, less traveled country that is best explored by air. Just a short flight from Miavanaultra luxurious resort on the island of Nosy Ankao where the helicopter is based, you will discover the parks of northern Madagascar. The country is full of unique gems, like otherworldly rock formations, enormous baobab trees, rare species of lemurs, and spectacular cliffs that you can admire from above.

Private Island Flights in Botswana’s Okavango Delta

BotswanaThe vibrant floodplains of are another natural phenomenon best experienced from a helicopter’s perspective. Feel the wind on your face as you take flight aboard a doorless helicopter and embark on an adventure north toward the headwaters of the Okavango Delta, a vast inland river delta north of the Botswana. Thousands of people flock to Botswana to view these life-giving waters and the World Heritage site they encompass, but only a handful get to experience them from the sky.

From the helicopter it is also possible to observe wild animals in their natural habitat. Nile crocodiles sun themselves on the banks of the river, while groups of hippos and herds of elephants roam the waters.

You can also enjoy a drink on a private island in the delta, with just you and your company, to the sounds of true wilderness. Plus, no two flights are the same, with ever-changing sightings, itineraries and picnic spots.

Why it’s worth it

Africa is truly one of the last wild and wonderful frontiers. Its beauty lies in its kind people, fascinating wildlife and isolated, hidden landscapes. And, I can attest, helicopter safaris are the best way to experience this in an exciting and deeply personal way.

Shaun Stanley is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in safaris in East and Southern Africa. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Stanley by contacting him at [email protected].