Flights to Masai Mara from abroad: how to connect via Nairobi
Planning a safari from India, the UK, the USA, Canada, South Africa or the Gulf? International flights land in Nairobi, and a short safari flight from Wilson Airport takes you on to the Masai Mara. This guide explains the connection, the nearest airstrips, baggage limits and how to book.
How international travellers reach the Masai Mara
There is no international airport in the Masai Mara (also spelled Maasai Mara, the spelling used by the reserve and most Kenyan organisations). Whether you start in Bangalore, London, Toronto or Cape Town, the journey usually has three parts:
- An international flight to Nairobi, arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO).
- A road transfer across Nairobi to Wilson Airport (WIL), the city's domestic and safari airport.
- A safari flight from Wilson to a Mara airstrip near your camp. With FlyAirVan this takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
Your lodge or safari operator then meets you at the airstrip. Many travellers spend their first night in Nairobi after a long-haul flight and take a morning flight to the Mara the next day. If your international flight lands early enough, you may be able to connect on the same day.
Masai or Maasai? Both spellings refer to the same place. You'll see "Masai Mara" in many search results and guidebooks, and "Maasai Mara" on official signs and in Kenyan sources. When booking, use whichever spelling your lodge uses.
What is the nearest airport to Masai Mara?
The nearest airports are the reserve's own airstrips: short runways close to the camps, served by small safari aircraft from Nairobi. They do not handle international flights, so you always connect through Nairobi first. Which airstrip is "nearest" depends on where your camp is, not on the reserve as a whole.
| Airport or airstrip | Role in your journey |
|---|---|
| Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO), Nairobi | Where most international flights to Kenya land |
| Wilson Airport (WIL), Nairobi | Where FlyAirVan safari flights to the Mara depart |
| Keekorok airstrip | Southeastern Masai Mara, near Keekorok Lodge |
| Mara Serena airstrip | The Mara Triangle, west of the Mara River |
| Ol Kiombo (Olkiombo) airstrip | Central reserve and camps along the Talek River |
| Ol Seki airstrip | Mara Naboisho Conservancy |
| Angama airfield | Angama Mara's private airfield above the Mara Triangle |
FlyAirVan also lists Kichwa, Musiara and the Naboisho Conservancy among its Mara destinations. Ask your camp which airstrip it uses, then compare the options in our Maasai Mara airstrip guide.
Step by step: from your home airport to your safari camp
- Book your camp first. Ask the lodge which airstrip it uses and what time guests usually arrive.
- Choose your international flight to Nairobi (NBO). Compare arrival times. A morning or midday arrival gives you more options than a late-night one.
- Decide whether to stay overnight in Nairobi. After a long-haul flight, a night in Nairobi gives you time to rest and allows for delays.
- Book your safari flight from Wilson. Search your airstrip and dates in the FlyAirVan booking engine, or email reservations.
- Arrange the transfer from JKIA to Wilson. Your hotel, tour operator or a licensed taxi can take you across the city. Nairobi traffic can be slow, so allow generous time.
- Plan your return the same way. Book your flight back to Wilson early enough to make the road transfer and check in for your international departure at JKIA.
Prefer one booking for the whole Kenya leg? Our guide to a safari charter across Kenya explains how to combine the Mara with Amboseli or the Diani coast.
Planning tips by departure region
Kenya uses East Africa Time (UTC+3) all year, with no daylight saving. The time differences below help you plan arrival days and avoid booking a safari flight too close to a long-haul landing. Check airlines and connections with your travel agent or airline, as routes change.
Flights to Masai Mara from India
Travellers from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai fly to Nairobi first, either directly or via a connecting hub, depending on the airline and season. Kenya is 2 hours 30 minutes behind India Standard Time, so jet lag is mild. Fit your first safari flight around your Nairobi arrival time, and allow for the JKIA–Wilson transfer.
Flights to Masai Mara from the UK and Europe
Overnight flights from London and other European cities often reach Nairobi in the morning, which can make a same-day connection to the Mara possible if your safari flight leaves late enough. Kenya is 3 hours ahead of the UK in winter (GMT) and 2 hours ahead in summer (BST). If you land after a delay, it is easier to rebook a safari flight than to miss it, so keep FlyAirVan's reservations number to hand.
Flights to Masai Mara from the USA and Canada
From Toronto, New York, Washington or the West Coast, most journeys to Nairobi include at least one connection and a long day of travel. Kenya is 7–8 hours ahead of Toronto and the US East Coast, and 10–11 hours ahead of the West Coast, depending on daylight saving. Most North American travellers plan at least one night in Nairobi before flying on to the Mara.
Flights to Masai Mara from South Africa and the rest of Africa
Travellers from Johannesburg, Cape Town and other African cities often reach Nairobi in a few hours. Kenya is 1 hour ahead of South Africa. Same-day connections to the Mara are often realistic, but check the arrival time against the safari flight schedule before you book.
Flights to Masai Mara from the UAE and the Gulf
From Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha the flight to Nairobi is relatively short, and Kenya is 1 hour behind the UAE. Many Gulf-based travellers plan a long weekend in the Mara. If your time is short, check outbound and return flights together so the trip fits your leave.
How much time to allow between flights
There is no single rule, but these points help you avoid tight connections:
- On arrival: allow for immigration, baggage collection and the road transfer from JKIA to Wilson, plus the check-in time on your FlyAirVan ticket.
- On departure: plan your return flight from the Mara so that you reach Wilson with plenty of time for the road transfer and international check-in at JKIA.
- Book flights as separate tickets with care: your safari flight and international flight are usually separate bookings, so a delay on one won't automatically protect the other. Leave a buffer, or stay an extra night in Nairobi.
- Tell reservations about long-haul timings. If you're travelling as a group, a charter flight to Maasai Mara can be timed around your international arrival.
Baggage: long-haul suitcase vs safari soft bag
International airlines usually allow much more luggage than a light aircraft can carry. FlyAirVan's published scheduled-service policy allows 15 kg of checked baggage and 3 kg of hand baggage per person, in soft bags no larger than 60 × 45 × 30 cm. Excess baggage depends on the aircraft's spare payload and the captain's decision, and is charged.
- Pack a soft duffel for the safari and leave hard suitcases behind.
- Ask your Nairobi hotel or tour operator whether they can store extra luggage while you're on safari.
- Keep cameras, medication and valuables in your 3 kg hand baggage.
- Tell reservations in advance about heavy camera equipment.
Read the full FlyAirVan baggage policy before you pack.
Entry requirements and travel documents
Kenya requires most international visitors to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling. Requirements depend on your nationality and can change, so check the official Kenya eTA website and your government's travel advice before you book. Make sure your passport is valid for your whole trip and carry printed or digital copies of your eTA, flight tickets and lodge confirmations. Check official health guidance for Kenya with your doctor or travel clinic well before departure.
Masai Mara flight packages and booking
Travellers often search for "Masai Mara flight packages". FlyAirVan sells flights: scheduled seats and private charters from Nairobi Wilson to the Mara and other Kenyan destinations. Lodges and tour operators sell packages that combine accommodation, game drives and sometimes flights. You can book your flight with FlyAirVan and your stay with the lodge, or ask your tour operator to include FlyAirVan flights in your package.
- Book online: the FlyAirVan booking engine offers one-way and round-trip searches.
- Book by email or phone: reservations@flyairvan.com or +254 115 500 400.
- Payment: the FlyAirVan website lists Visa, Mastercard, M-Pesa and PayPal; confirm the option for your booking.
- Fares: the website advertises fares from US$190 on Mara routes. The live fare for your date and route is shown when you search.
Travelling on a budget? Read how to find cheap flights to Maasai Mara and our affordable flight checklist.
When to visit and when to book
Kenya's tourism board, Magical Kenya, describes July to October as the key period for the Great Migration in the Mara. International holiday periods are also busy. Camps and flights fill early at these times, so book your lodge, international flight and safari flight together. See our guides to peak season flights to Maasai Mara and Maasai Mara migration flights. Wildlife movements vary every year, so no date guarantees a particular sighting.
Flights to Masai Mara: FAQs for international travellers
General travel guidance is marked as such. FlyAirVan policies quoted here come from the website and should be confirmed for your booking.
What is the nearest airport to Masai Mara?
The nearest are the airstrips inside and around the reserve, such as Keekorok, Mara Serena, Ol Kiombo, Ol Seki and Angama. They serve safari flights only. International travellers land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, then fly from Wilson Airport to the airstrip closest to their camp.
Can I fly directly from India, the UK or the USA to Masai Mara?
No. International flights land in Nairobi. From there you take a road transfer to Wilson Airport and a safari flight to your Mara airstrip.
How do I get from Jomo Kenyatta Airport to Wilson Airport?
By road across Nairobi. Your hotel, tour operator or a licensed taxi can arrange the transfer. Allow generous time, as Nairobi traffic can be slow.
Can I fly to Masai Mara on the same day I land in Kenya?
Sometimes, if your international flight lands early enough and a safari flight departs later that day. Many long-haul travellers stay a night in Nairobi first to rest and to allow for delays.
How long is the flight from Nairobi to Masai Mara?
About 45 minutes to an hour from Nairobi Wilson Airport, depending on your airstrip and any stops at other Mara airstrips.
How much baggage can I take on a safari flight?
FlyAirVan's published scheduled-service policy allows 15 kg checked and 3 kg hand baggage per person, in soft bags up to 60 × 45 × 30 cm. Excess baggage depends on the aircraft's spare payload and the captain's decision, and is charged.
Does FlyAirVan sell Masai Mara flight packages?
FlyAirVan sells scheduled and charter flights. Lodges and tour operators sell packages that include accommodation and game drives. You can book flights directly with FlyAirVan or ask your tour operator to include them.
Do I need a visa or eTA to visit Kenya?
Kenya requires most international visitors to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travel. Requirements vary by nationality and can change, so check the official Kenya eTA website before you book.
Can I fly from Masai Mara to the beach after my safari?
FlyAirVan lists a Maasai Mara to Ukunda (Diani) route on its destinations page. Ask reservations to confirm the schedule for your dates.
How do I pay for my FlyAirVan flight?
The FlyAirVan website lists Visa, Mastercard, M-Pesa and PayPal as accepted payment methods. Confirm the payment option when you book online at booking.flyairvan.com or with reservations.
How do I make sure I get back to Nairobi in time for my international flight?
Book your return safari flight early enough to allow for the road transfer from Wilson to JKIA and international check-in. If timings are tight, stay an extra night in Nairobi.
Book your Nairobi to Masai Mara flight
Once your international flight and lodge are confirmed, check live availability from Nairobi Wilson to your Mara airstrip, or send reservations your arrival details, camp name and passenger numbers.
More Masai Mara flight guides
Sources and planning references
- FlyAirVan: destinations, baggage policy and terms and conditions (reviewed October 2026).
- Government of Kenya: Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).
- Magical Kenya (Kenya Tourism Board): The Great Migration.
- Maasai Mara airstrips overview: masaimara.travel.