Flying the Wilds in Kenya - An insight from WACO pilot Will Craig

Take a flight with Lewa Wilderness - A truly unique and exhilarating experience

Will
Will
WACO Pilot
Published on
27 Nov 2018
Updated on
25 Apr 2025
Waco Sunset

UPDATE MARCH 2019

WACO pilot Harry has decided to leave the Lewa Wilderness team to focus on other projects, which means that commercial WACO flights will be available on a limited basis due to regulatory reasons. For flying enthusiasts flights can still be arranged at the cost of the fuel.

Soaring above the treetops, through valleys and over herds of game; there is no better way to witness the vast expanses of Lewa Wilderness than from the air! If you are planning a safari to Kenya, then this is a real bucket-list experience!

Former crop-dusting pilot, and owner of Lewa Wilderness, Will Craig has years of flying experience and offers a truly ‘Out of Africa’ experience to guests, along with fellow WACO pilot Harry Dyer. The lodge owns one of the only open cockpit Waco biplanes in Africa and, while guided bush walks, game drives and horse rides are all great options for immersing yourself in nature, getting a bird’s eye view gives you the opportunity to fully appreciate the landscape in all its wild and wonderful glory.

We asked Will Craig a few questions to get a better understanding of what it's all about...

Cockpit
In the cockpit

What makes Lewa such special place for a scenic safari?

The Lewa landscape provides for some spectacular scenic flying due to the terrain. Take off from the flat plains at Lewa Wilderness lodge, which are often dotted with Wildlife; elephant, rhino, buffalo and all the plains game. Straight away the aircraft climbs up into hilly country around Mount Kenya, then down through beautiful gorges and valleys. The flight continues in this vain for anywhere up to an hour or as long as you like. The early morning temperatures allow for a very smooth flight, and all turns are gradual but can be made as smooth or exciting as the guest would like!

Flying
WACO fly-by

Tell us more about the WACO, what makes it unique?

To fly in an open cockpit aircraft is very unusual for anybody but the WACO is the only modern safety conscious aircraft on the market which also has two passenger seats in the front cockpit with the pilot behind.

Blue Sky
Blue skies in the Lewa Wilderness

What can you see from the air that you can’t on the ground?

On the ground you have no idea about how varied and interesting the landscape is. From the air at low level (500 ft above ground level) you see the vallys the rivers, forests the Masai manyattas and also get to understand the real Africa outside of the parks.

Waco Spectators
Spectators

Who has been your most memorable passenger?

Anthony Bourdain!

Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain

What wildlife do you see from the WACO?

Everything that Lewa has to see by car, you can see by air! Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Galloping Giraffe or even sunbathing Lion!

Horseback Lewa
Safari by Horseback

Where’s the best location you’ve ever flown?

Lewa!

Tree Tops
Flying over the tree tops

What’s been your most memorable WACO flight ?

Every flight is a new and exciting experience so no one has been better than the last!

Waco Sunset Landing
Landing in the sunset

Is each flight different from the last?

The route is pretty much the same for each flight but the scene changes all the time be it elephant migrating, the weather or even the pastoralists life.

Waco Blur
WACO

Who can take part in a safari by WACO?

“Anyone with a free spirit and a care for adventure and fun.”
Horseback Zebra
Horseback Safari

For more inspiration, take a look at our 26 favourite safari holidays, our best African honeymoon ideas or our top family safari holidays.

If you'd love to visit Kenya, or would like to find out how you can take a flight in the WACO for a airborne safari, just give one of our Far & Wild experts a call and we'll help you plan your next tailor-made adventure!

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I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

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Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

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We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

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Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

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It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

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