Flight Review: Safarilink's Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Need to get out of the city and into the wild? That's exactly what I did when I visited Nairobi, Kenya, and decided to go on safari. A flight from the city center to the middle of nowhere didn't take long, but provided plenty of unbelievable sights — including a tower of giraffes on one of the runways — and I got to see it all for myself on what would turn out to be one of the most spectacular flights I've ever taken. Here's what it was like to fly in a Cessna 208B Caravan on Safarilink from Nairobi's Wilson Airport (WIL) to the Ol Kiombo Airstrip in Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Booking
A friend of mine had recently returned from Kenya and swore by the services of her tour guide. I usually like to book things on my own, but due to some unexpected work complications, I couldn't pull the trigger on my trip until just a few days before I left. Needless to say, I was glad to turn over all the arrangements to a trusted guide, who booked my flights and accommodations for me, including the short hop from Nairobi to the African bush. The flight, normally bookable on Safarilink's website for $208, would be included in the price of my package. The only downside was that I had to wire him payment directly and couldn't earn 3x points on travel like I would have if there had been a way to charge the whole thing to my Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Check-In
Nairobi's Wilson Airport is just a couple miles from the city center and about 10 miles west of the much larger and well-known Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) — it seemingly comes out of nowhere as you're navigating the city streets.
At one of the busiest light aircraft airports in Africa, Safarilink's terminal is modern, airy and comfortable, but with very few amenities. The check-in process was easy and my bags — both carry-on and checked — were weighed (15kg max!) and tagged. Fortunately, I would be returning to Nairobi, so I was able to lighten my load and leave some of the nonessential heavier items with my guide.
I received a printout of my itinerary and a boarding card and waited for the flight to be announced. I had arrived extra early for my flight — it was one of only two per day, so I didn't want to risk missing it — and had to make do with the terminal's non-functioning Wi-Fi and uninspiring coffee.
On the plus side, if you love looking at a variety of small aircraft, this is the place for you. Dozens of planes sit mere yards away from the terminal and the windows are large and plentiful.
About 30 minutes before flight time, an announcement was made and we made our way out of the terminal and into a nearby building for the security screening. There we waited again, with even fewer amenities, before walking out to the plane.
These were close quarters for the aircraft and I started to feel a little queasy when I saw the condition of the ground. Let's just say potholes plus small planes didn't add up to a great feeling of confidence.
Boarding and Aircraft
Boarding went quickly, with about six other passengers climbing up the few steps into the aircraft, and many of us pausing to get photos taken next to the plane.
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan holds 12 passengers (in a 2-1 configuration) and two pilots — and there's nothing separating the two groups, so it felt more like a flying minivan with mom and dad seated up front and the kids in the back. Seat belts fastened across the chest and the slip-covered seats did not recline. There were no flight attendants, lavatories or amenities, except for the views and the experience of flying over a city and into the African savannah.
The single propeller was loud and there were some bumps — but no skidding into potholes! — as we rambled down the runway. Soon enough, we were cruising at a maximum of 165mph and our pilots were so relaxed, they started reading the newspaper. The altitude was even low enough for them to check their phones for messages.
20 minutes later, we were landing on a small airstrip for an unmentioned stop, just after a zeal of zebras had cleared the way. A few passengers got off the plane and after a few minutes of taxiing back to the end of the airstrip, we were all set to take off again.
And that's when I experienced the most unusual flight delay I've ever encountered: giraffes on the runway. The pilots aimed the aircraft toward the majestic animals in an effort to scare them away, and after some loud encouragement from a man on the ground, we were back heading toward takeoff. I could not believe what I'd just seen.
Just short of an hour after we'd left Nairobi, we landed at Ol Kiombo, a simple airstrip where safari vehicles awaited us nearby.
My safari guide introduced herself and then carried my luggage for me — on her head. I was less than an hour from one of the largest cities on one of the largest continents but I was in a whole other world.
Overall Impression
Traveling abroad is all about experiencing different cultures and this was as different of an aviation experience as I've ever come across. No lounges, no first class — this was not a luxurious flight by any measure, but being able to fly into the African bush in such a way was one of the greatest travel experiences of my life. I'm not keen to encounter more wildlife at my local airports, but I'd be happy to fly Safarilink again and enjoy navigating the latest chapter in humankind's journey to coexist with nature. Besides, I always am happy to earn points with a new frequent flyer program!
Have you ever flown with Safarilink in Kenya? Tell us about your experience, below.
All images by the author.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.