Flights to Serena: fly into the Mara Triangle
Mara Serena airstrip serves the Mara Triangle in the western Maasai Mara, home to Mara Serena Safari Lodge and some of the best-known Mara River crossing points.
About Mara Serena airstrip
The Mara Triangle is the part of the Maasai Mara National Reserve that lies west of the Mara River, below the Oloololo (Siria) escarpment. It is managed separately from the rest of the reserve, so check with your lodge how park fees are arranged. Mara Serena airstrip is the main arrival point for camps in the Triangle.
When you search for flights to Serena, use the full name Mara Serena. This avoids confusion with other Serena-branded hotels in Kenya.
Which lodges use Serena airstrip?
The airstrip is closely associated with Mara Serena Safari Lodge, which sits on a hill in the Mara Triangle, and with other camps in the Triangle. Ask your property to confirm Serena is its preferred arrival point, and check how long the drive to camp takes and where you will be met.
Staying at Angama Mara on the escarpment? The lodge has its own airfield; see flights to Angama.
Your flight to Serena
- Departure: Nairobi Wilson Airport, from FlyAirVan's dedicated check-in terminal.
- Flight time: about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Scheduled flights may stop at other Mara airstrips on the way.
- Baggage: 15 kg checked plus 3 kg hand baggage per person, in soft bags (baggage policy).
- Fares: advertised from US$190; the live fare for your date is in the booking engine.
Planning your Mara Triangle stay
The Mara Triangle has its own entry arrangements, separate from the main reserve. Your lodge will normally explain how these are paid. Game drives here often focus on the Mara River, where guides may wait patiently at a crossing point for the herds to commit. A full-day drive with a packed lunch is common in migration season.
A popular itinerary pairs a stay in the Triangle with a camp in the central reserve or a conservancy, which gives you two very different views of the Mara. If you do this, check whether you'll fly between camps or drive, and which airstrip you leave from at the end of your safari.
- Give reservations the exact lodge name: "Serena" alone can be ambiguous.
- Ask your lodge how long the drive from the airstrip takes.
- Pack a soft bag; hard suitcases cannot be carried on scheduled safari flights.
Serena for the Great Migration
From about July to October the Mara Triangle is a popular base for watching herds cross the Mara River. Timing varies each year, and a crossing is never guaranteed. Book flights early, as Triangle camps are in high demand during Maasai Mara migration flights season. For larger groups or photography teams, a private charter lets you fly to Serena at a time that suits your game drives.
Flights to Serena: FAQs
Where is Mara Serena airstrip?
In the Mara Triangle, the western part of the Maasai Mara National Reserve between the Mara River and the Oloololo escarpment.
How long is the flight from Nairobi to Serena?
About 45 minutes to an hour from Nairobi Wilson Airport, depending on stops.
Is Serena a good airstrip for river crossings?
The Mara Triangle includes several well-known Mara River crossing areas, which is why it is popular from July to October. Sightings depend on the herds and are never guaranteed.
How do I book flights to Serena?
Search for Mara Serena in the FlyAirVan booking engine, or email reservations@flyairvan.com with your dates and lodge name.
Ready to book your flight to Serena?
Check live availability or send reservations your lodge name, dates and passenger numbers. Not sure which airstrip you need? Read the Maasai Mara airstrip guide.