How flying to the Maasai Mara works
Scheduled safari flights to the Mara leave from Wilson Airport in Nairobi, not from the main international airport. You land on a small airstrip in or near the reserve, and your camp collects you. Which strip you use depends on where you stay, so the camp or your booking agent tells you the name before you buy a seat.
Two operators publish flights to the Mara: Safarilink and AirKenya. Safarilink also sells complete fly-in packages with return flights, full board, transfers between strip and camp and at least 2 game drives a day. That describes the package model, not every fly-in trip, so read what your own booking includes.
A 2026 timetable and fare example
One operator's schedule and fares. Other operators and dates differ, so confirm before you book.
| Item | 2026 example |
|---|---|
| Morning flight | Wilson to the Mara, 09:30–10:15 |
| Afternoon flight | Wilson to the Mara, 14:30–15:15 |
| Early flight | 07:15–08:00, from 15 June to 31 October only |
| Adult, one way | $250 |
| Adult, return | $420 to $434, depending on the season |
| Child aged 2 to 15, one way | $176 |
Times are local. Extra stops on the way can change them. Check the current timetable before you go, because a flight list from one year does not carry over to the next.
Our picks: fly-in safaris
Two trips that include the flights between Nairobi and the Mara.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private fly-in safari with 4x4 and guide
Shared flights between Nairobi and the Mara, two nights in mid-range lodging, full board and a private 4x4 with a guide. Mara entry, drinks and tips are extra, and the balloon and cultural visits are optional.
Check availability →
3-day fly-in safari with camp stay
Flights from Wilson Airport and back, a mid-range tented camp with full board, 4x4 game drives, a guide and a Maasai cultural visit. Travel insurance and tips are extra.
Check availability →Fly-in and safari options for the Mara
Compare trips that include flights with trips that start on the road.
The airstrips
The same schedule lists these strips.
The list
Musiara, Kichwa, Mara Serena, Keekorok, Olkiombo, Ol Seki Naboisho, Olare Oroke, Cotters, Ol Kurruk (Angama), Ngerende and Mara North. A strip on the list does not mean that every flight stops there or that it is usable on every day.
Keekorok
Keekorok is a strip with a camp of the same name. Check the current status of both before you plan around them, because the strip and the camp are separate matters.
The last stretch
A flight does not replace the transfer between strip and camp. How long it takes differs by camp and strip, so ask your camp.
Paying at a strip
Serena Airstrip is one of the places in the Mara Triangle where entry can be paid, in addition to Purungat Bridge and Oloololo Gate. Entry in the Triangle is cashless.
Pack light and keep your bag soft, since the limit counts hand luggage too. Weigh the bag at home so the airstrip check holds no surprises.
Fly-in packages and loose seats
Two ways to buy the same flight.
A package
A package bundles the flights, full board, transfers and game drives into one price. It is easy to compare as a whole, but check how many nights, which park days and which activities are inside it.
A seat only
If you book the camp yourself, you buy the seat separately and need to match the flight to your arrival day. Your camp can tell you which strip it uses and when the flights arrive.
Shared and private drives
At some camps, shared game drives are part of the room rate, and a private vehicle costs extra. A private vehicle for up to 6 guests costs $385 or $512 per vehicle and day at one camp in 2026, depending on the season.
Baggage rules for safari flights
Both operators use a soft-bag limit.
| Safarilink | AirKenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Allowance | 15 kg total, hand luggage included, soft bag | 15 kg total, hand luggage included, soft bags |
| Extra weight | 400 KES or $4 per kg, if space and the captain allow | $5 per kg, if space allows |
| Size guide | – | 60 × 45 × 33 cm for checked bags |
Carrying extra weight is never guaranteed. It depends on the space on the flight, and with Safarilink on the captain's decision. Leave bulky items at your hotel in Nairobi if you can.
What the ticket does not cover
Add these to your budget.
Park entry
An adult non-resident pays $100 per day from January to June and $200 per day from July to December in 2026. See the park fees.
Camp costs and extras
Camp rates, community fees and activities are separate. The cost page shows the units you will meet.
Road alternative
If you would rather drive, the Nairobi road guide compares times and routes.
If you add a beach stay after the Mara, see safari and beach combinations on the Kenyan coast.
Flights to the Maasai Mara: frequently asked questions
Which airport do safari flights use in Nairobi?
Wilson Airport in Nairobi. Check which airport your own international flight uses and allow time for the transfer between the two.
How much is a flight to the Mara?
One operator lists $250 one way for an adult and $420 to $434 return in 2026, depending on the season. A child aged 2 to 15 pays $176 one way. Other operators differ.
How much luggage can I take?
Both operators list 15 kg in total including hand luggage, in a soft bag. Extra weight depends on space.
Which airstrip will I use?
That depends on your camp. Ask your camp or agent for the strip name and the transfer time before you pay.
Do children pay the full fare?
One operator lists $176 one way for a child aged 2 to 15 in 2026, against $250 for an adult. Ask your operator how it counts infants and teenagers.
Is the park fee in the flight price?
No. Park entry is a separate charge, billed per person and day.