The Maasai Mara is one of the world's greatest wildlife destinations — and getting there by air transforms your safari entirely. With FlyAirvan, you skip the long, dusty road journey and arrive at the Mara refreshed, ready for your first game drive. Here is everything you need to know about booking affordable, reliable charter flights to Maasai Mara from Nairobi.
Why Fly to Maasai Mara?
The overland journey from Nairobi to the Maasai Mara takes between 5 and 6 hours on unpaved roads — time that eats directly into your precious safari hours. A charter flight to Maasai Mara with FlyAirvan covers the same distance in under 60 minutes, departing from Wilson Airport in Nairobi. You land directly at your lodge's airstrip, step onto the savanna, and begin your game drive within minutes of arrival.
Flying is also safer, more comfortable, and during peak season — often more economical when you factor in the cost of a full day's safari lost to road travel. For families, honeymooners, and premium safari guests, a safari charter flight across Kenya is the only way to travel.
⏱ Nairobi to Maasai Mara: By Air vs. By Road
By air (FlyAirvan): ~50 minutes · Departs Wilson Airport · Lands at your lodge airstrip
By road: 5–6 hours · Rough unpaved tracks · Arrives exhausted
FlyAirvan Maasai Mara Airstrips & Routes
FlyAirvan operates scheduled and on-demand charter flights to all major airstrips in and around the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Mara Triangle. Below are the key destinations we serve:
Flights to Keekorok
Centrally located in the Reserve. Ideal for wildlife-dense areas and classic Mara camps near the Keekorok Lodge.
Book Keekorok Flight →Flights to Serena
Gateway to the stunning Mara Serena Safari Lodge. Scenic flights over the Rift Valley escarpment make arrival unforgettable.
Book Serena Flight →Flights to Ol Kiombo
Prime northern Mara location. Serves top-rated camps and provides excellent access to the Mara River crossing zone.
Book Ol Kiombo Flight →Flights to Angama
High-altitude landing with breathtaking escarpment views. Serves the iconic Angama Mara lodge perched above the Great Rift Valley.
Book Angama Flight →Flights to Ol Seki
Deep in the northern conservancies. Perfect for guests staying at exclusive bush camps with private traversing rights.
Book Ol Seki Flight →Peak Season & Migration Flights
The Great Wildebeest Migration is one of the most spectacular natural events on Earth — and witnessing it from the air before your game drive is an experience that defies description. FlyAirvan operates increased frequencies during the peak season to meet demand, but seats and private charters book up fast.
| Season | Months | Highlights | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Season | Apr – Jun | Green landscapes, fewer crowds, best rates | Low |
| Shoulder Season | Nov – Mar | Calving season, bird watching, good game | Moderate |
| Peak Season | Jul – Aug | Migration arrives, lion activity high | PEAK |
| Migration Peak | Sep – Oct | River crossings, maximum wildlife density | PEAK |
🦬 Maasai Mara Migration Flights — Book Early
During July–October migration season, both scheduled shared flights and private charter slots to Keekorok, Ol Kiombo, and Serena sell out months in advance. We recommend booking your peak season flights to Maasai Mara at least 3–6 months ahead. Secure your seats today →
Affordable Flights to Maasai Mara with FlyAirvan
We believe that flying to the Mara should be accessible. FlyAirvan offers cheap flights to Maasai Mara through our scheduled shared services — a cost-effective alternative to private charters, where individual seats are sold on set departure times from Wilson Airport.
- Scheduled Shared Flights: Most affordable option. Fixed departures, open seating, sold per seat.
- Group Charters: Ideal for families or groups of 4+. Exclusive aircraft, flexible departure times.
- Private Charters: Full aircraft on your schedule. Ultimate flexibility for premium safari experiences.
All FlyAirvan flights depart from Wilson Airport, Nairobi — a short transfer from the CBD and easily reachable from JKIA. Aircraft are modern, well-maintained Cessna Caravans and similar reliable bush aircraft operated by licensed Kenyan aviation professionals.
Safari Charter Across Kenya
The Maasai Mara is our most popular route, but FlyAirvan's safari charter network spans all of Kenya. Combine your Mara visit with flights to Amboseli (Kilimanjaro views), Samburu (desert wildlife), Lewa Conservancy, the Kenyan coast, or Lake Naivasha. We can build a bespoke multi-destination fly-in safari itinerary for you — simply contact our reservations team.
Other Popular FlyAirvan Kenya Routes:
- Nairobi → Amboseli (30 min) — Elephant safaris under Kilimanjaro
- Nairobi → Samburu (1 hr 10 min) — Rare northern species
- Nairobi → Lewa / Laikipia (55 min) — Rhino and wild dog territory
- Maasai Mara → Mombasa / Diani — Bush to beach fly-in
- Maasai Mara → Amboseli — Multi-destination safari connections
Practical Tips: Flying to Maasai Mara
A few things to know before your flight to ensure a smooth safari departure:
- Baggage: 15kg soft-sided bags only on bush flights. No hard cases.
- Check-in: Arrive at Wilson Airport at least 45 minutes before departure.
- Weather: Morning flights offer the smoothest conditions. Afternoon turbulence is common on the Rift Valley route.
- Clothing: Dress in neutral safari colours — you may go on a game drive directly from the airstrip.
- Documents: Kenyan nationals need a valid ID; international visitors need their passport.
- Photography: The aerial views of the Rift Valley escarpment are extraordinary — keep your camera accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about booking your charter flight to Maasai Mara with FlyAirvan.
You can book directly on our website at flyairvan.com/book, by emailing our reservations team, or by calling our Nairobi office. We offer both scheduled shared flights and private charter options departing from Wilson Airport, Nairobi.
FlyAirvan operates flights to all major Maasai Mara airstrips including Keekorok, Serena, Ol Kiombo, Angama, and Ol Seki. We serve lodges and camps throughout the Mara ecosystem and can arrange connections to more remote airstrips on request.
The flight from Wilson Airport, Nairobi to Maasai Mara airstrips takes approximately 45–60 minutes depending on the destination. This compares to a 5–6 hour drive by road — flying saves you an entire day's safari time.
The Great Migration peaks between July and October, with dramatic Mara River crossings from August through September. We strongly recommend booking your migration flights to Maasai Mara at least 3–6 months in advance as peak season seats fill extremely quickly.
Yes. FlyAirvan offers some of the most competitive rates for flights to Maasai Mara in Kenya. Our scheduled shared flights are especially affordable, and we offer group charter pricing for families and larger parties. Contact us for a quote.
The standard allowance is 15kg per passenger in soft-sided bags only. Hard-shell suitcases are not permitted due to bush aircraft cargo constraints. Excess baggage can be arranged at an additional fee subject to aircraft weight limits.
Absolutely. In addition to Maasai Mara flights, FlyAirvan operates safari charters across Kenya including Amboseli, Samburu, Lewa, Laikipia, the Kenyan coast (Diani, Malindi), and more. We can create a bespoke multi-destination fly-in safari for you.
All FlyAirvan safari flights depart from Wilson Airport, Nairobi — Kenya's dedicated light aviation airport located in Langata, just 10–15 minutes from the Nairobi CBD. Wilson Airport is also easily accessible from JKIA international arrivals via a short road transfer.