​Getting There – Masai Mara NR

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Map of Kenya Map of Kenya
Kenya Map

Your entry point to Kenya will most likely be Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), 15km/9mi southeast of the capital city Nairobi.

Most people fly to the Masai Mara.

If you’re driving, Masai Mara National Reserve is 270km/168mi west of Nairobi. The road to the reserve is paved all the way from Nairobi to Sekenani Gate, and the driving time is about 4 to 5 hours*. If you’re driving to the northern end of the Mara (including to the Mara North and Mara Triangle conservancies), there’s an unpaved stretch of 70km/43mi soon after leaving Narok, although there are plans to seal the road.

It’s also possible to drive from Lake Nakuru National Park. The distance is about 235km/150mi and the driving time is roughly 6 hours*.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

1,632 Masai Mara Safaris

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), and what tickets would cost.

Domestic Flights

If you’re on a package tour, you will probably find that charter flights between parks are booked by your tour operator.

There are at least nine airstrips in the reserve and in the surrounding conservancies, all catering to different lodges. Most domestic flights, including flights to the Masai Mara, leave from Wilson Airport (WIL), 6km/4mi south of Nairobi. Scheduled flights can be booked via several domestic carriers:

  • AirKenya (Flies to the Mara from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, Kisumu, Migori, Samburu, Nanyuki and Meru, as well as Tarime in Tanzania and Entebbe in Uganda)
  • Mombasa Air Safari (Connects the Masai Mara with Amboseli, Tsavo West, Diani Beach, Malindi and Mombasa)
  • Safarilink (Flies to/from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, Mombasa, Diani Beach and Migori)

Passport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements

Please check our Getting There – Kenya page to learn more about passport, visa, COVID-19 and other entry requirements.

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