In an effort to beat the customary traffic snarl-up that causes delays on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, Safari Rally lovers spent close to Ksh259,000 per hour to fly to Naivasha.
The 2023 FIA World Rally Championship officially commenced on Thursday, June 22, with veteran and debutant drivers seeking to emerge victorious.
According to Khalif Kairo - a licensed pilot, a one-hour flight from Nairobi was rated in US dollars instead of the Kenyan shilling. Most choppers can carry five passengers - excluding the pilot - allowing groups to split the budget.
If rally enthusiasts decide to fly as a group, they will part ways with approximately Ksh50,000 each for a one-way flight.
"The fastest and most convenient way to get to Naivasha this weekend. This helicopter carries five passengers, and the hourly rate for the entire aircraft is Ksh259,832 (USD 1,850) per hour," Kairo stated.
If the passengers also decide to beat the traffic and get home faster, one rally lover would be forced to spend close to Ksh100,000 per day.
Given that the Naivasha rally is slated to take two days till Sunday, June 25, each passenger taking to and fro flights for the two days could spend Ksh200,000.
However, most rent hotels, sleep in tents or inside their friend's cars.
Following the revelation by the pilot, Kenyans expressed shock over the high cost of chopper flights despite the short distance to be covered.
"Is it an hourly rate or for the entire time you have the chopper? Because you could be on a 30-minute flight and spend three hours at a function," Nayoke Jaybey wondered.
"I think if one has four friends earning the same amount then they could help cut costs. It wouldn't feel like it is expensive. The power of ubuntu," Godfrey Nyagi opined.
Why People Opt for Choppers
As detailed by Kairo, choppers are preferred as they are time-saving and beat normal challenges faced by motorists on the road, such as traffic snarl-ups.
On the road, motorists could spend approximately two hours from Nairobi to Naivasha at an average speed of 80 kilometres per hour.
Those using matatus, on the other hand, spend between Ksh400 and Ksh500 as fare.
Chopper rides also offer a Safari Rally enthusiast an opportunity to witness the stunning panoramas of mountains, highways and other picturesque sites such as the Rift Valley and Lake Elementaita.
Some also enjoy the adrenaline rush on the adventurous routes, exclusivity and desire to spend and create long-lasting memories.
Here, cameras are handy as the passengers can access an unobstructed amazing aerial view.
