Four Americans were killed in a helicopter crash near Mount Ololokwe in northern Kenya on Wednesday.
The four tourists were traveling with three others inside the chopper at around 9:13 a.m. Local time when it went down near the mountain, in Samburu County, Kenya’s Civil Aviation Authority said. Seven people died in total, including the pilot and six tourists.
The nationalities of the Americans on board were confirmed by a US State Department spokesperson, who said, “We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones on their loss.” The spokesperson did not release the names of the victims pending notification of next of kin.
Luxury tour agency &Beyond confirmed that the chopper was carrying its guests. The South Africa-based company operates high-end safari lodges and camps across Africa and Asia, including properties in the Samburu region where the crash occurred.
Lady Lori Helicopters, which operated the flight, said in a statement, “Our deepest sympathies are with the guests, crew, their families and loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic accident.” The company said it was operating a charter flight from the Suyian Conservancy to Mount Ololokwe when the crash occurred.
The helicopter went down while heading toward the Ewaso Nyiro river, which flows through the Samburu National Reserve, a KCAA spokesperson said. The aircraft was identified as a Eurocopter EC130 B4, a single-engine helicopter commonly used for tourism and charter flights.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Kenya’s Civil Aviation Authority has launched a probe into the circumstances surrounding the accident, which happened in clear morning weather conditions.
Mount Ololokwe rises approximately 2,000 meters above sea level and dominates the semi-arid landscape of northern Kenya. The flat-topped mountain is considered sacred by the local Samburu community and has become an increasingly popular destination for adventure tourists and photographers seeking dramatic views of the surrounding savannah.
Helicopter safaris are a growing sector of Kenya’s luxury tourism industry, with operators offering aerial views of wildlife and access to remote conservancies. The flights typically cost between $1,300 and $2,300 per hour, according to industry pricing data, and are marketed to ultra-luxury travelers seeking exclusive experiences.
The crash adds to a string of fatal helicopter accidents in Kenya. In February, six people including a member of parliament were killed when a helicopter crashed and burst into flames in Nandi County. That aircraft, an Airbus Helicopters H125, went down amid foggy weather and poor visibility during an attempted emergency landing.
In the viral moment that preceded Wednesday’s tragedy, tourism operators had been promoting helicopter access to Mount Ololokwe as a premium experience, with the mountain’s dramatic cliffs and sweeping plains featured in safari marketing materials. The Suyian Conservancy, where the flight originated, is a private wildlife conservancy in Laikipia County that offers luxury accommodation and game viewing.
Rescue teams responded to the crash site near Kirish, at the foot of Mount Ololokwe, but there were no survivors among the seven people on board.