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Masai Mara Fly-in Safaris
Imagine escaping the hustle and bustle of Nairobi in Kenya, to get on a light aircraft and disembark 45 minutes later on a dirt airstrip in the Masai Mara National Reserve. You might see giraffes galloping along the runway as the plane touches the ground, or maybe you’ll hear an elephant trumpeting in response to the plane’s noise. Your guide will welcome you with a smile and hand you a cold drink for the short drive to camp. You’ll probably make a little detour to see a few animals before check-in. A fly-in safari to the Masai Mara brings you straight into the open savannah inhabited by a crazy variety of animals. Lion, cheetah, elephant, hippo and buffalo. No doubt, you’ll see all of those and much more on your holiday of a lifetime.
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3-Day Masai Mara Fly-in, Fly-out Luxury Safari
$1,145 to $1,832 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Bigmac Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 57 Reviews
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3-Day Flying Package to Tipilikwani Mara Camp
$1,431 to $2,267 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Shanjoy Tours and Safaris
5.0/5 – 239 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara Epic Flying Safari
$1,925 to $2,050 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Habtik Kenya Safaris
5.0/5 – 7 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara Flying Package
$1,838 to $1,975 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Mimak Travel
5.0/5 – 7 Reviews
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![4-Day Masai Mara by Air Safari]()
4-Day Masai Mara by Air Safari
$2,702 to $4,248 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Afio Mai Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 12 Reviews
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![3-Day Luxury Fly-in Maasai Mara Safari]()
3-Day Luxury Fly-in Maasai Mara Safari
$1,500 to $3,035 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Lassic Africa Tours and Travel
5.0/5 – 19 Reviews
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![3-Day Mara Conservancy Fly in Safari]()
3-Day Mara Conservancy Fly in Safari
$2,485 to $2,668 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Bush Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Mara Naboisho Conservancy (Greater Masai Mara), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Beacon Safaris
4.9/5 – 371 Reviews
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![3-Day Memorable Masai Mara Mid Range Flying Package]()
3-Day Memorable Masai Mara Mid Range Flying Package
$1,535 to $2,300 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Singe Tours and Travel
4.9/5 – 45 Reviews
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![4-Day Kenya Luxury Fly-in Wildlife Escape]()
4-Day Kenya Luxury Fly-in Wildlife Escape
$1,987 to $2,473 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Cinco Safaris
5.0/5 – 9 Reviews
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![6-Day Amboseli and Masai Mara Fly-in Option]()
6-Day Amboseli and Masai Mara Fly-in Option
$4,569 to $4,806 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Staysee Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 5 Reviews
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4-Day Affordable Masai Mara All Inclusive Safari
$2,260 to $4,275 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Bush Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Greater Masai Mara, Nairobi (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
4.9/5 – 594 Reviews
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![3-Day Masai Mara Fly in Safari Affordable Scenic]()
3-Day Masai Mara Fly in Safari Affordable Scenic
$1,803 to $2,513 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Exotic Travel Centre
5.0/5 – 8 Reviews
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![3-Day Masai Mara Fly-in Luxury Tour]()
3-Day Masai Mara Fly-in Luxury Tour
$1,593 to $2,564 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Giraffe Gaze Adventures
5.0/5 – 8 Reviews
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![3-Day Masai Mara Flying Safari]()
3-Day Masai Mara Flying Safari
$1,802 to $2,679 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Shades of Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 5 Reviews
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![6-Day Echoes of the Wild - Luxury Camps & Bush Flights]()
6-Day Echoes of the Wild - Luxury Camps & Bush Flights
$6,749 to $8,211 pp (USD)
Kenya & Tanzania: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
Tapestry of Africa Tours and Safaris
5.0/5 – 117 Reviews
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Best Seller
![3-Day Masai Mara Private Fly-in and -out Safari]()
3-Day Masai Mara Private Fly-in and -out Safari
$1,675 to $2,044 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Hyrax Safaris
5.0/5 – 360 Reviews
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Best Seller
![5-Day Amboseli and Masai Mara Flying Luxury Kenya Safari]()
5-Day Amboseli and Masai Mara Flying Luxury Kenya Safari
$3,212 to $4,277 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
CKC Tours & Travel
5.0/5 – 131 Reviews
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![3-Day Best Masai Mara Fly-in Private Tour]()
3-Day Best Masai Mara Fly-in Private Tour
$1,580 to $2,050 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetLodge
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Topma Tours and Safaris
4.9/5 – 29 Reviews
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![3-Day Mara Ngenche Safari Camp Flying Package]()
3-Day Mara Ngenche Safari Camp Flying Package
$2,462 to $3,332 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)LuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Kenya Tulia Safari Holiday Arcade
5.0/5 – 69 Reviews
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![3-Day Masai Mara Flying Safari to Basecamp Adventure]()
3-Day Masai Mara Flying Safari to Basecamp Adventure
$1,317 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Seremara Safaris
5.0/5 – 37 Reviews
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6 Questions About Masai Mara Fly-in Safaris
Answered by
Ariadne van Zandbergen
Ariadne is a renowned Africa expert and photographer. She and her husband form a team who write and update many travel guides. She also contributes to travel and environmental magazines and tourism brochures. She has visited the Masai Mara several times and she hopes to go back soon.› More about Ariadne
6 Questions About Masai Mara Fly-in Safaris
Ariadne van Zandbergen
What are the pros and cons of a Masai Mara fly-in safari?
“Although you might want to consider your carbon footprint, there aren’t really any other serious negatives to consider when flying to the Masai Mara. A fly-in safari is generally pricier than a road safari, but if you can afford it, it’s a lovely way to travel. On a Masai Mara fly-in safari, you’ll fly directly from Nairobi, Mombasa or one of the other main safari parks to one of nine airstrips in the reserve. The flight takes less than one hour and on arrival you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to your lodge in an open-sided safari vehicle. Chances are you’ll see some wildlife on the way. Your guide will look after you and several other guests for the duration of your stay at the lodge. This means that you’ll be sharing a game-drive vehicle even if you are on a private tour. Your guide is resident at the lodge and knows the area inside out. A road safari to the Masai Mara works differently. The drive to the reserve takes about five to six hours, and the last part is very bumpy and dusty. This can be uncomfortable (especially for delicate travelers) and time-consuming (especially on short trips). However, the drive gives you an opportunity to see a bit of rural Kenya away from the tourist centers. There will be a few photo opportunities en route, including a magnificent view over the Great Rift Valley. Your driver-guide will take care of you for the duration of your trip and all game drives will be in the pop-up-roof 4x4 in which you left the city.”
1Are flights to the park safe and reliable?
“In our opinion, flights to the Masai Mara are very safe and generally reliable too. Several established airlines run scheduled daily flights from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to the Masai Mara. Guests travel to and from one of the nine airstrips closest to the lodge they are staying at. Depending on bookings, there might be several hops to pick up or drop off guests. So timing changes on a daily basis, but the lodges are kept informed and your transport to and from the airstrip will be adjusted accordingly. Safety is a priority for the airlines, which have been running bush flights for many years.”
2Can I take photos from the air on a Masai Mara fly-in trip?
“Flights to the Masai Mara are basically tourist flights and are treated as such, so taking photos is usually encouraged. The formalities are generally very relaxed and the pilots like to point out highlights along the way. You’ll have a great opportunity to get an aerial perspective of Kenya’s southeastern savannah landscapes. Far away from any urban centers are villages scattered on the empty plains. The concentric shapes of the Maasai bomas (traditional buildings) are a recurrent pattern best seen from above, and you might be able to catch glimpses of the impressive Great Rift Valley escarpment too. As you approach the reserve you might see some wildlife on the open plains below, perhaps some elephants or a herd of buffalo. Make sure to keep your camera handy when embarking the plane. Shooting through the glass window is obviously not ideal, but you can minimize the glare by keeping your lens as close to the window as possible.”
3How much will a Masai Mara fly-in safari cost?
“As the price of a fly-in safari depends mostly on the level of accommodation, there is a big range in prices. A 3-day Masai Mara fly-in safari costs between US$1,200 per person and US$2,000 per person. An 8-day Kenya fly-in safari, including several days in the Masai Mara, costs between US$6,000 per person and US$12,000 per person. The price of a fly-in safari to the Masai Mara is generally higher than the price for a road safari. Not only is there the added cost of the flights, but fly-in packages tend to use small luxury accommodation aiming at the high end of the market. These intimate lodges and tented camps usually offer exclusivity and service that guarantee a very special experience.”
4Can I get airsick on a fly-in trip?
“While most people don’t experience any discomfort on a flight to the Masai Mara, there is always a small chance you’ll suffer from airsickness. Of course, not all flights are the same. Depending on the weather, the journey can be smooth or there might be turbulence. As the flight is quite short (between 45 minutes and one hour), most people won’t get very ill, but if you do at least you know it won’t be for too long. There are several things you can do to avoid motion sickness. Although it is counterintuitive, it is best not to fly on an empty stomach. Ideally you should eat a light meal an hour or so before your take-off. If you know you are prone to airsickness, you should try to get a window seat. Reading or watching a screen are the worst for inducing motion sickness, so enjoy the views outside instead. Last but not least, there are always antinausea pills. Don’t wait until you feel ill to take them, but rather take them 30 minutes before your flight.”
5What type of accommodation can I expect?
“While there is a full range of accommodation available in the Masai Mara, most fly-in packages use the top-end lodges and camps. These are usually set in special locations inside the reserve, perhaps offering an impressive view from a cliff-top position or on a watercourse. Styles differ but these luxury camps are usually very small (six to 12 rooms or standing tents) and it is the exclusivity that sets them apart from bigger mid-range establishments. They often lack the mod cons that one might expect from this class of accommodation (instead they aim to be ecofriendly). Many don’t have air-con, TV or even wifi in the rooms. The atmosphere is deliberately rustic and understated. Whatever the decor or facilities, they all offer excellent service, fine dining and expert guiding. While most fly-in tours are top end, there are some affordable options too. Some mid-range lodges might be located just outside the reserve. And although less impressive than the luxury establishments, they offer a very suitable base for spending time in one of Africa’s most iconic reserves.”
6Masai Mara Reviews
Emma is an award-winning travel writer for Rough Guides, National Geographic Traveller, Travel Africa magazine and The Independent.
Quintessential Kenyan Safari Destination, Whatever the Season
Grasslands dotted with graceful acacias, hundreds of big cats and enough natural drama to keep wildlife documentary filmmakers busy year after year – the Masai Mara has it all. It also has some highly alluring and charismatic places to...
Brian is an award winning travel writer, author of safari books and regular contributor to magazines such as BBC Wildlife and Travel Africa.
Big Cat Heaven
No wonder Disney chose to film ‘African Cats’ in the Mara. This is Kenya’s finest big game reserve, 5,000ft above sea level and home to all kinds of animals, from 6-tonne elephants to tiny dik-diks. Cheetahs patrol its open grasslands...
FR
The Masai Mara was the highlight of our safari in Kenya. The wildlife viewing was incredible, the vast open landscapes were breathtaking and the whole experience felt like a true African safari. Every game drive was exciting and offered...
The Masai Mara Is Beyond Description The Masai Mara National Reserve was everything we imagined Africa could be—and far more. Its seemingly endless grasslands, dramatic skies and extraordinary concentration of wildlife create a sense of...
The Maasai Mara is impressive and wildlife viewing is excellent, but it was also much more crowded than I expected. Considering the relatively high cost of visiting, I felt the overall experience was slightly overhyped.
KR
These are moments I will never forget for the rest of my life. Every single stop and every view was so breathtaking and moving that I didn’t want to miss a single moment. It felt almost unreal to think that I was actually there,...