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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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George W

This was our 2nd trip organised via Far & Wild from Australia - previously Africa and now Sri Lanka. Nia and the rest of the team were great - excellent itinerary, happy to modify the trip based on my suggestions and research, and they handled some last minute changes caused by a health issue without any problems at all. They were very quick to reply to all messages - and the trip went really smoothly. If you want an up-market holiday, this is a great organisation to organise that sort of trip!

December, 2025
Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

August, 2025
Nick and Carly

Thank you to Nia and Far & Wild. My wife and I wanted to go to Vietnam and capture a real taste of the country from top to bottom but didn't have a clue where to start. We weren’t even sure if it was possible. Through speaking to Nia, sharing ideas and asking questions we were able to book what looked to be an extremely exciting trip - we could not wait to go. The reality of the trip more than matched our expectations. We had unforgettable experiences that we would never have been able to organise ourselves. The true value in this trip was that someone who knew what they were doing could give us the experience we truly craved. Well done Nia, it was a holiday we will never forget and we can’t wait for the next one. Thank you!

November, 2026
Kamal

Had an absolutely amazing 3 weeks in Chile and Argentina! We were a group of 8 friends - 4 couples. The vans used for our private excursions were very good and spacious. All the ground arrangements were as planned … the guides were very good - their English and knowledge was amazing. They made sure we had a good time. The picnic lunches were served in great locations with fabulous views and setup with tables and table cloths! Highly recommend Far & Wild! Looking to book another trip with them next year!

December, 2025
Lucinda F

Seamlessly organised! Brilliant suggestions of where to go which really gave us a 360 view of Kenya and hit our families need for adventure and mine for a bit of luxury.

November, 2025
Richard S

Alistair took time to understand what we were after and came up with an unforgettable Kenyan safari and beach holiday which we will all remember for a very long time. Real memory making trip with our 10 and 12 year old boys. Exactly what we hoped for and more!

November, 2025
Sue S

Otti organised a superb holiday to Kenya and Seychelles for my husband and I and our 2 adult daughters. It was our first safari and we only had a vague idea about where to start. Otti made the process so simple for us, suggesting an itinerary which she tweaked following discussions about the camps and hotels, and was really quick responding to my many queries; she was friendly, helpful and gave me complete confidence we were in excellent hands throughout. Far and Wild clearly have knowledge about the places they are recommending and work as team to provide the best service - definitely a 10 out of 10 for customer service and organising an amazing holiday for us.

September, 2025
Anonymous client

We can't thank the Far and Wild team enough for the most incredible trip we just had in Kenya. Otti really took into account what we were after and delivered an experience that exceeded all expectations. It was the trip of a lifetime! We had the most beautiful and unique time while on safari at the Instinct of the Mara. We really wanted to visit a camp that took ethical and sustainable practices seriously without compromising on the experience... and wow, it was truly wonderful and special! We'll definitely be returning. Our time at Diani beach was also lovely and very relaxing. Every step of the trip was seamless and we didn't have to worry about a thing. We had 4 domestic flights and a handful of car rides to take and everything was extremely organized and ran smoothly. We can't wait to book our next big trip!! Very grateful.

September, 2025
Claire L

Ben and Tamara at Far & Wild were exceptional in every respect. They offered thoughtful advice, excellent recommendations, and meticulous planning, weaving together their personal connections to help our family transform a collection of ideas into a magnificent six-week adventure. Every detail was handled with care - no transaction overlooked - which is all the more impressive given the complexity of moving three people across four regions of the country by every mode of transport imaginable. Their expertise gave us complete peace of mind and allowed us to simply enjoy the journey. I have already recommended Far & Wild to friends and would not hesitate to do so again.

August, 2025
Steven V

So great to be able to leave the details to the professionals at Far & Wild. Our two-week tour of Buenos Aires and southern Uruguay was pitch-perfect to our requests and goals. Amanda understood clearly what we were after, and crafted an idyllic itinerary with our style of hotels, guided tours, and transfers. Complementing Far & Wild's first-person knowledge of the territory were the excellent resources "on the ground" in Argentina and Uruguay to handle last-minute changes and requests. We've found our travel partner!

November, 2025
Elizabeth Spells

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. 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!

July, 2024
Fiona C

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!

March, 2024
Orla Rhodes

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, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. It was good value for the level of luxury we had.

June, 2024
Arnhild Schia

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 a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. 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 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!

July, 2024
Henri Papenfus

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 was 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. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

June, 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

May, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

April, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

March, 2024