Flying To Masai Mara
Flying To Masai Mara : The quicker alternation to getting to Masai Mara National Reserve by road is flying, this alternative is more convenient saving you about 3 to 4 hours on the road trip, even taking transfer and waiting time at the airport in consideration.
Flying to Masai Mara is easy way to get to this incredible Kenya wildlife destination for a safari, booking this flight is an easy process though one ought to note that the flight takes off and land from the domestic Wilson airport located on Langata Road, though some connections may be booked from the international Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.
There are several airlines offering domestic flights connecting Masai Mara and other tourist locations to Nairobi namely Air Kenya and Safarilink. Other additional airlines and reliable one among the new additional flight services is Governors Aviation which also operates from Wilson Airport.
Schedule & Costs Of Flights
Most airlines in Kenya offer a morning and afternoon flight with the same plane returning back to Wilson after every set of flights, usually the flying is an hour though actual time depends on how many interim stops the flight will make (known as hops) as they land to drop or pick up passengers from various airstrips.
Most flights limit stops to the fewest possible so the timing of an hour to the Mara is practically fairly accurate. Below is the schedule for the Masai Mara Flights.
| Daily Flights to Masai Mara | ||||
| Flights | From | To | Dep | Arr |
| Morning Flight | Wilson | Masai Mara | 10:00 | 11:00 |
| Masai Mara | Wilson | 11:00 | 12:15 | |
| Afternoon Flight | Wilson | Masai Mara | 14:45 | 15:45 |
| Masai Mara | Wilson | 15:45 | 17:00 | |
| High Season: 16 December – 31 March & 1 July – 31 Octomber Low Season: 1 April – 30 June & 1 November – 15 December |
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Cost for Masai Mara Flights
The prices for a one way flight from Nairobi to Masai Mara range from US$ 200 – 250 per person while a return (two way) flight costs from US$ 300 – 450 per person including taxes, depending on the season and availability.
Additional Flights during Peak Season
Due to the huge number of passengers flying to Masai Mara during the peak season months from July to October, both air companies that is Safarilink and Air Kenya place an additional midday flight service to handle the passenger numbers. During these months we recommend booking early enough to secure your seats.
| Daily Flights to Masai Mara | ||||
| Flights | From | To | Dep | Arr |
| Morning Flight | Wilson | Masai Mara | 10:00 | 11:00 |
| Masai Mara | Wilson | 11:00 | 12:15 | |
| Afternoon Flight | Wilson | Masai Mara | 14:45 | 15:45 |
| Masai Mara | Wilson | 15:45 | 17:00 | |
| High Season: 16 December – 31 March & 1 July – 31 Octomber Low Season: 1 April – 30 June & 1 November – 15 December |
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Mombasa to Masai Mara Flights
For tourists who want to fly directly from Masai Mara to the beaches along the Kenya’s coast, there are flights available that fly to Diani specifically to Ukunda Airport which is more like a large airstrip and then make the brief hop over to Mombasa International Airport.
The Mombasa Air Safaris regularly operate this sector.
Airlines
Airlines offering flights to Masai Mara include Air Kenya, Safarilink, Mombasa Air Safaris and Governors Aviation. These airlines generally have an excellent safety record and operate to high standards with professional staff.
Wilson Airport, Nairobi
Wilson Airport is the domestic airport of Nairobi located along Langata road, fairly close to Carnivore Restaurant and on the way to Karen and Nairobi National Park. The Airport is usually small but fairly busy and efficient.
Transfer time from city center is 20 minutes traffic free but more like an 45 minutes in normal traffic and most local flights require that you to be at the airport at least an hour before the flight.
Wilson airport is the domestic airport of Nairobi, located along Langata road, fairly close to Carnivore Restaurant and on the way to Karen and Nairobi National Park. The airport is small but fairly busy and efficient. Transfer time from city center is 20 minutes traffic free but more like an 45 minutes in normal traffic, and most local flights require that you be at the airport at least an hour before the flight.
Airstrips In Masai Mara
There are many airstrips in Masai Mara including the community wildlife conservancies and game ranches surrounding the main reserve, it is important to book your flight to the airstrip nearest to your accommodation to avoid unnecessarily long transfers which also happen to be rather expensive.
Some of the airstrips in Masai Mara includeKeekorok, Siana, Musiara, Ol Kiombo and Serena airstrips.
Why Fly To Masai Mara: Advantages & Disadvantages Of Flying To Masai Mara
The main advantage of flying to Masai Mara from Nairobi is to save time, this is more useful for shorter safaris such as an overnight or two night trip. Since it is one hour flight versus 5 to 6 hours of road trip, though you need to cater for a 45 minute reporting time and the time taken to get you to Wilson airport in Nairobi – 45 minutes, so the difference in time is really more like 3 hours.
Secondly, with the road to Masai Mara being bumpy and dusty in places, passenger with a medical or back conditions that can become worse with road travel should only consider flying.
Disadvantages of Flying
These include the cost especially if there are more than two passengers in a group, baggage is limited to only 15 kilos per passenger and this includes carry on and check-in.
The road trip, though long does give one the real feel for the country you are visiting and offer a more adventurous journey to your destination further increasing the occasion of being in the wilderness.
