Safari charter across Kenya: plan your Mara, Amboseli and coast flights
Many Kenya safaris combine more than one park, and sometimes a few days on the coast. This guide explains how to plan a safari charter across Kenya with FlyAirVan, which routes the airline lists, how to choose a Maasai Mara (Masai Mara) airstrip, and what to check before you book a scheduled seat or a private aircraft.
What a safari charter across Kenya involves
Most Kenya safaris that use air travel combine three types of flight. A scheduled safari flight sells individual seats on a published itinerary, often with stops at more than one airstrip. A private charter books a whole aircraft for one party and one journey. A multi-stop circuit links several parks, or a park and the coast, in a single trip, using scheduled sectors, a charter or a mix of the two.
A safari charter across Kenya usually makes sense when your itinerary has more than one stop, your group is large enough to share an aircraft, your timing does not match scheduled departures, or you are carrying bulky equipment. For one or two travellers flying a single return trip to the Maasai Mara, a scheduled seat is usually the simpler option. FlyAirVan advertises both: scheduled services from Nairobi's Wilson Airport and private and group charters to the Maasai Mara, and its charters page covers aircraft hire beyond single return trips.
Whichever you choose, plan the trip around your accommodation first. Each camp or lodge has an airstrip it prefers, a transfer it arranges and check-in times that affect which flights work. Getting those details from each property before you request flights saves rebooking later.
Kenya safari routes listed by FlyAirVan
The routes below appear on the FlyAirVan destinations page (reviewed October 2026). A listing shows that a connection is offered, not that it operates on every day or has seats on your dates. Check the booking engine or ask reservations to confirm operating days, timings and fares.
| Route | How the website describes it | Confirm with reservations |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi (Wilson) – Maasai Mara airstrips | Scheduled and charter flights to Mara airstrips, including Keekorok, Serena, Ol Kiombo, Kichwa, Musiara, Ol Seki and Angama | Which airstrip your camp uses, departure time, planned stops |
| Nairobi (Wilson) – Amboseli | Listed as a new route | Operating days, airstrip and onward transfer |
| Maasai Mara – Amboseli | Listed as a new route connecting the two parks | Which Mara airstrip it departs from, and the days it operates |
| Maasai Mara – Ukunda (Diani) | Listed as a new 2026 route linking the Mara with the south coast | Schedule, departure airstrip and baggage rules for the coastal sector |
Amboseli to Masai Mara flights
Amboseli, known for its elephants and views towards Mount Kilimanjaro across the border in Tanzania, is a popular partner park for the Mara. FlyAirVan lists a Maasai Mara–Amboseli route, so you can fly between the two parks instead of returning to Nairobi by road. Before you book, ask which Mara airstrip the sector uses (it may not be the one nearest your camp) and on which days it operates. If the timing doesn't fit, a private charter or a connection via Nairobi Wilson are the usual alternatives.
Masai Mara to Diani and the coast
FlyAirVan lists a Maasai Mara–Ukunda route. Ukunda airstrip serves Diani Beach on Kenya's south coast, south of Mombasa. It is not Mombasa's international airport, so if your beach hotel is in or north of Mombasa, check the transfer time from Ukunda. Confirm the schedule, departure airstrip and baggage rules for the coastal sector with reservations.
The destinations page also describes custom charter circuits that can include other parks. If your plans go beyond the routes above, send reservations the full itinerary and ask which stops the aircraft can serve. Don't assume a park is reachable just because it appears in a general description.
Flights to Maasai Mara: choosing your airstrip
Most safari circuits in Kenya include the Maasai Mara. The reserve and its neighbouring conservancies are served by several airstrips, and the best one is whichever your camp recommends, not whichever is cheapest or looks closest on a map. Use the summaries below to discuss options with your lodge, then read the full airstrip page before you book. Our Maasai Mara airstrip guide compares them side by side.
Flights to Keekorok
Keekorok serves the southeastern part of the national reserve, near Keekorok Lodge and the plains towards the Tanzanian border. It suits camps in the south of the reserve. Read more about Keekorok airstrip and the lodges it serves.
Flights to Serena
Mara Serena airstrip serves the Mara Triangle, west of the Mara River, and is associated with Mara Serena Safari Lodge. Use the full name when you search to avoid confusion with other Serena properties. See Mara Serena flight details.
Flights to Ol Kiombo
Ol Kiombo, also spelled Olkiombo, is a central arrival point for camps near the Talek River. It works well for itineraries that explore the middle of the reserve. Here is how to plan a flight into the central Mara at Ol Kiombo.
Flights to Angama
Angama Mara has a private airfield on the escarpment above the Mara Triangle. Access is arranged with the lodge, so it is generally for Angama guests only. More on flying to the Angama airfield.
Flights to Ol Seki
Ol Seki airstrip serves the Mara Naboisho Conservancy east of the reserve. Like any bush airstrip it can close for maintenance, so confirm it is operating on your dates. Read Ol Seki and Naboisho Conservancy flight tips.
FlyAirVan's destinations page also lists Kichwa, Musiara and the Naboisho Conservancy. If your camp names one of these, search for it in the booking engine or ask reservations to confirm service.
Cheap and affordable flights on a Kenya safari
When people search for cheap flights to Maasai Mara, they usually mean the lowest fare. On a multi-stop safari, though, what matters is the total cost of the whole journey. A low fare to an airstrip far from your camp, or a coastal leg booked separately at short notice, can cost more overall. These habits help keep a Kenya safari flight plan affordable without promising any particular saving:
- Start early. Look at flights while you are still choosing lodges, so you can pair camps with airstrips and dates that have availability.
- Compare realistic dates. If your itinerary can move by a day, compare nearby departure dates. Count any extra night of accommodation that moving a day would mean.
- Check baggage before you compare fares. 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 is carried at the captain's discretion and is charged. Read the baggage policy and confirm the rules for charter sectors separately.
- Confirm ground transfers. Ask each lodge who meets you at the airstrip, how long the drive takes and whether there is a charge.
- Read promotional terms. If you see an advertised fare (the website shows fares from US$190 on Mara routes), check which dates, routes and passenger types it covers before relying on it.
For a single Mara trip, our page on affordable flights to Maasai Mara includes a budget checklist covering fares, baggage, transfers and park fees.
Scheduled flights or charter flights to Maasai Mara?
Charters give you more control: departure times built around your plans, direct routing between camps and room to plan bulky luggage into the aircraft's payload. They are priced per aircraft, though, so the cost per person depends on how many travellers share it. Scheduled seats are priced per person and follow published timings.
| Consideration | Scheduled safari flight | Private or group charter |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Which published departures fit my dates? | Can my preferred departure time be arranged? |
| Routing | Which stops does the flight make on the way? | Can the aircraft fly directly between my camps? |
| Group size | Are there seats for everyone on the same flight? | Which aircraft suits our passengers and baggage? |
| Luggage | What is the per-person allowance? | What total payload is available for bags and equipment? |
| Price | What is the full per-person fare? | What does the aircraft quote include (positioning, waiting time)? |
| Terms | What are the ticket change rules? | What are the charter payment and cancellation terms? |
FlyAirVan's fleet page lists Cessna Caravan C208 and Dash 8-100 aircraft, both used on safari circuit and coastal routes. The operator decides which aircraft suits a charter, based on passenger numbers, baggage weight and the airstrips on the route. Some airstrips have restrictions, so a private aircraft does not mean you can land anywhere you like. For more on single-destination charters, see charter flights to Maasai Mara.
Example safari circuits to discuss with reservations
The examples below show how the listed routes could fit together. They are illustrative planning ideas, not published schedules. Ask reservations to confirm each sector, its operating days and whether a connection is needed.
| Trip idea | Sectors to request | Points to check |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Mara safari | Nairobi (Wilson) → Mara airstrip → Nairobi (Wilson) | Your camp's airstrip; return timing against an international departure |
| Two-camp Mara stay | Nairobi → first camp's airstrip; transfer or flight to the second camp; second airstrip → Nairobi | Whether to fly or drive between camps; which airstrip you depart from |
| Mara and Amboseli | Nairobi → Mara airstrip; Maasai Mara → Amboseli; Amboseli → Nairobi | Which Mara airstrip the Amboseli sector uses; days of operation |
| Safari and beach | Nairobi → Mara airstrip; Maasai Mara → Ukunda (Diani) | Coastal-sector baggage, beach hotel transfer, onward travel home |
For a group, family or photography trip, ask reservations to quote the same itinerary both as scheduled seats and as a charter, so you can compare cost, timing and flexibility. Send one complete outline covering every property, the number of nights at each, travel dates, passenger names and luggage. This lets reservations spot gaps that are easy to miss when flights are booked one at a time.
Peak season and Great Migration flights
Kenya's tourism board, Magical Kenya, describes July to October as the key period for the Maasai Mara part of the Great Migration. Holiday periods are also busy. In these months camps fill early, and flights serving popular airstrips can fill too. Treat the migration as a seasonal pattern rather than a fixed event: rainfall and grazing change where the herds go, and no flight or airstrip can guarantee a river crossing or any particular sighting.
For peak season flights to Maasai Mara, book each sector as soon as the matching accommodation is confirmed, and keep a lodge-approved alternative airstrip or date in mind. Multi-stop circuits need extra care in peak season, because one unavailable sector can affect the whole itinerary. Our Maasai Mara migration flights page explains which airstrips serve the main migration areas.
How to choose the right flight: a checklist
Use this checklist for every quotation, whether it is one scheduled seat or a full safari charter across Kenya. Save the answers with your accommodation confirmations so your group and each lodge work from the same plan.
- Departure point: confirm the airport (FlyAirVan departs from Wilson Airport in Nairobi, not Jomo Kenyatta International), the check-in deadline and the transfer from your previous arrival.
- Arrival airstrip: get each lodge's recommendation and check that the same airstrip name appears on your itinerary.
- Dates and schedules: check outbound, inter-park and return dates, departure times and any planned stops.
- Fare conditions: ask for the total price, currency, what is included, the payment deadline and any conditions on promotional fares.
- Baggage allowance: confirm weight, size and soft-bag rules for every sector, including charters and coastal flights.
- Ground transfers: agree who collects you at each airstrip, where to meet, a contact number and any charges.
- Group size and charter needs: give passenger numbers, children's ages, assistance needs and any bulky equipment.
- Cancellation and changes: read the terms and conditions. The published terms describe e-ticket fares as non-refundable and explain that itinerary changes can affect the fare.
Departing from Wilson: FlyAirVan's website describes a dedicated check-in terminal at Wilson Airport. If you land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), allow plenty of time for the road transfer across Nairobi before your safari flight.
Safari flight FAQs
General travel guidance is marked as such. FlyAirVan policies quoted here come from the website and should be confirmed for your booking.
How can I find cheap flights to Maasai Mara?
Compare complete quotations for the same itinerary: the same airstrip, dates and passengers. Include baggage, transfer costs and fare conditions in the comparison. Booking early gives you more options, but no booking time guarantees the lowest fare.
Which airstrip should I choose for my safari lodge?
Ask your lodge which airstrip it recommends before you book, and give reservations the exact property name. In the Mara, Keekorok, Serena, Ol Kiombo, Angama and Ol Seki each serve different areas, so the right choice depends on where you are staying.
Are flights available to Keekorok?
Keekorok is listed among FlyAirVan's Maasai Mara destinations. A listing does not confirm seats on a particular day, so check your dates in the booking engine or with reservations.
How can I check flights to Serena?
Search for Mara Serena in the FlyAirVan booking engine, or email reservations with your dates and passenger numbers. Confirm with your lodge that Serena is its arrival airstrip before you pay.
Are private charter flights available?
FlyAirVan advertises private and group charters to the Maasai Mara and custom safari circuits. Aircraft, timing, airstrip access and price are confirmed for each request, so ask reservations for a quotation.
When should I book peak-season flights?
Start as soon as your accommodation is confirmed, especially for July to October and holiday periods. Multi-stop itineraries need extra lead time because each sector has to be available.
Can I fly from Amboseli to Masai Mara?
FlyAirVan lists a Maasai Mara–Amboseli route. Ask reservations which Mara airstrip it serves and the days it operates. If it does not fit your dates, ask about a charter or connecting via Nairobi Wilson.
Is there a flight from Masai Mara to Mombasa?
FlyAirVan lists a Maasai Mara–Ukunda (Diani) route to the south coast, not a Mombasa route. Ukunda is south of Mombasa, so check the road transfer if you are staying in or north of Mombasa.
Can I arrange flights during the Great Migration season?
Yes, you can request flights for migration-season dates. Plan them around your camp and transfers. Wildlife movements vary from year to year, so no flight can guarantee a river crossing or sighting.
What baggage restrictions apply to safari flights?
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 payload and the captain's discretion and is charged. Confirm the rules for charter or coastal sectors separately.
Are ground transfers included?
Don't assume they are. Ask both FlyAirVan and each lodge who meets you at the airstrip, how long the transfer takes and whether there is a charge.
Can I arrange a return flight?
Yes. The FlyAirVan booking engine offers a round-trip search. If you will leave the Mara from a different camp or airstrip, or fly on to Amboseli or the coast, tell reservations so each sector is booked correctly.
How can I request a flight quotation?
Email reservations@flyairvan.com or call +254 115 500 400 with your dates, every camp on your route, passenger numbers, luggage and any assistance needs. For a charter, include preferred departure times.
How do I confirm current schedules and fares?
Use the FlyAirVan booking engine at booking.flyairvan.com or contact reservations. Website listings and advertised fares are a starting point; the confirmed itinerary and fare conditions on your booking are what apply.
Plan your Kenya safari flights
Check live availability for scheduled flights, or send reservations your full itinerary for a safari charter quote. Include every camp, your travel dates, passenger numbers and luggage.
More Maasai Mara and Kenya flight guides
Sources and planning references
- FlyAirVan: destinations and route listings, fleet, baggage policy and terms and conditions (reviewed October 2026).
- Magical Kenya (Kenya Tourism Board): The Great Migration.
- Maasai Mara airstrips overview: masaimara.travel.
- Lodge access information: Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Mara Explorer (Ol Kiombo), Hemingways Ol Seki Mara.