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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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Top Rated Operator
7-Day Best of Kenya Luxury Safari
$4,699 to $6,099 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Samburu NR, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.9/5 – 191 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara Fly in Safari Tour
$2,783 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Okoa Africa Tours
4.2/5 – 83 Reviews
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3-Day Soaring Safari, Nairobi to Masai Mara by Air
$1,293 to $1,375 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)LuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Tima Holidays and Safaris
5.0/5 – 3 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara Flying Safari to Basecamp Adventure
$924 to $1,320 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Seremara Safaris
5.0/5 – 31 Reviews
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Best Seller
![5-Day Masai Mara Fly-in Luxury Tour]()
5-Day Masai Mara Fly-in Luxury Tour
$3,728 to $4,340 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Nashibe Adventures
4.7/5 – 28 Reviews
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![5-Day Of Wild Elegance, a Luxurious Safari Getaway]()
5-Day Of Wild Elegance, a Luxurious Safari Getaway
$3,297 to $4,060 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)
Arzoni Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 15 Reviews
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![3-Day Nairobi-Masai Mara National Reserve(Flight Safari)]()
3-Day Nairobi-Masai Mara National Reserve(Flight Safari)
$1,848 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)LuxuryTented Bush Camp
You Visit: Mombasa (Start), Masai Mara NR, Mombasa Beaches, Mombasa (End)
Jemmy Safaris
4.9/5 – 17 Reviews
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![3-Day Memorable Masai Mara Mid Range Flying Package]()
3-Day Memorable Masai Mara Mid Range Flying Package
$1,910 to $2,712 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Singe Tours and Travel
5.0/5 – 16 Reviews
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Best Seller
![4-Day Affordable Masai Mara All Inclusive Safari]()
4-Day Affordable Masai Mara All Inclusive Safari
$2,170 to $4,110 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Bush Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Greater Masai Mara, Nairobi (End)
Discover Africa Safaris
5.0/5 – 539 Reviews
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![4-Day Fly-in Adventurous Safari in Maasai Mara]()
4-Day Fly-in Adventurous Safari in Maasai Mara
$2,493 to $3,409 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi Airport (End)
Dextrip Safaris
5.0/5 – 5 Reviews
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![4-Day Fly – in Budget Friendly Masai Mara Safari]()
4-Day Fly – in Budget Friendly Masai Mara Safari
$2,990 to $3,155 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Wildscope Adventures
5.0/5 – 9 Reviews
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![4-Day Masai Mara Flying In]()
4-Day Masai Mara Flying In
$1,792 to $1,965 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range ResortYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Welcome to Africa Trails
5.0/5 – 2 Reviews
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![3-Day Masai Mara Flying Tour]()
3-Day Masai Mara Flying Tour
$1,535 to $1,947 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Limitless Safaris Ke
5.0/5 – 2 Reviews
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![4-Day Fly-in Masai Mara]()
4-Day Fly-in Masai Mara
$3,675 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Travels With Kip
5.0/5 – 2 Reviews
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![3-Day Ashnil Mara Classic Flying Package]()
3-Day Ashnil Mara Classic Flying Package
$1,848 to $2,288 pp (USD)
Kenya: Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)LuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Ruru Holidays Adventure Safaris
5.0/5 – 3 Reviews
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![3-Day Masai Mara Luxurious Adventure]()
3-Day Masai Mara Luxurious Adventure
$1,975 to $2,230 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Natural Scenes Africa
4.5/5 – 2 Reviews
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![4-Day Mara Flight Package with Ballon Safari]()
4-Day Mara Flight Package with Ballon Safari
$2,255 to $2,860 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Splash World
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![7-Day Fly-in Safari Across Kenya's Finest Parks]()
7-Day Fly-in Safari Across Kenya's Finest Parks
$5,448 to $6,833 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Samburu NR, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Mara Forever Safaris
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![7-Day Luxury Safari - Kenya to Tanzania's Iconic Wilds]()
7-Day Luxury Safari - Kenya to Tanzania's Iconic Wilds
$14,938 pp (USD)
Kenya & Tanzania: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)
Maasai African Guides
5.0/5 – 6 Reviews
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![1-Day Masai Mara Fly in Safari - Available Daily]()
1-Day Masai Mara Fly in Safari - Available Daily
$935 to $1,128 pp (USD)
Kenya: Day tourPrivate tour
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Samson’s Safaris
4.8/5 – 35 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...
CN
Too many unbelievable sceneries, still wanting more
The wonderful 6days 5nights. Moses took us to the best positions to look at the animals quickly. Cheetah hunting, elephants eating, giraffes walking. All of these shows the freedom of this magical land, Africa. I was sitting in the...
PT
3 Days wildlife safari
Kenya is a breathtaking destination filled with stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and warm, welcoming people. From the Maasai Mara to the vibrant streets of Nairobi, every moment was unforgettable. Truly a dream come true for nature...
NO
This is an amazing park, but it has a few downsides. It's very busy, and a lot of the drivers don't show the animals much respect. We also felt very pressured by the masai people to buy over priced stuff. The wildlife is amazing though.
HK
Fantastic experience with Daylight Adventure
It’s my first time to visit Masai Mara in Kenya. I joined a private tour of Daylight Adventure. Thanks for the hospitality of their staff. They came to my hotel to share the gifts and introduce the itinerary and logistics arrangement...