Flights to Kenya

In the wide open spaces of East Africa, travelling distances can be huge. This fact makes the prospect of driving between safari destinations a less than appealing one.

Flying rather than driving is the preferred transport method for discerning travellers, the choice often being one between a comfortable 45-minute flight and a bumpy four to five-hour drive.

Many Kenya safari operators offer convenient fly-in services. To the uninitiated, however, the East African airport network can be frustratingly counter-intuitive.

International Airports

If you're flying into Kenya, chances are you'll be landing at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International airport (NBO). This is the best airport from which to reach the Masai Mara or Kenya's other major game reserves.

However, Jomo Kenyatta International does not serve fly-in safari airstrips; to reach those, you need to use the Wilson Airport.

Regional Airports

Kenya's Wilson Airport (WIL), a regional airport about 90 minutes by road from Jomo Kenyatta, is the hub for almost all of Kenya's internal flights, and serves its fly-in safari locations.

If you plan to fly to your safari destination, please ensure that you have ample time between the international flight and the domestic flight so that you make the transfer between Jomo Kenyatta and Wilson airports.

Mombasa's Moi Mombasa International Airport (MBA) is about 10km northwest of the town itself. Moi is Kenya's gateway to Mombasa and the Kenyan coast.

Domestic air services operate between the major airports in Nairobi and Mombasa.

Note that departure tax (US$20) is paid when you leave. For local flights this is KSh100 and US$20 for international flights (not payable in KSh).

A number of airlines operate between Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nanyuki, Malindi, Lamu and the national parks/reserves of Amboseli, Masai Mara and Samburu.

• Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
• Wilson Airport

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