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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
8-Day Kenya Safari & Beach Holiday
$4,447 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Diani Beach, Nairobi (End)
Wayfairer Travel
5.0/5 – 103 Reviews
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10-Day Footsteps of Hemmingway
$11,989 to $13,068 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge & Tented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Samburu NR, Masai Mara NR, Amboseli NP, Nairobi Airport (End)
Timbuktu
5.0/5 – 21 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
10-Day Samburu & Mara Flying Safari
$4,841 to $6,352 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Samburu NR, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
The Safari Partners
5.0/5 – 100 Reviews
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Top Rated Operator
3-Day Wings over Mara by Tazama
$1,357 to $2,000 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Bush Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Tazama Africa Holidays
5.0/5 – 150 Reviews
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4-Day Short Fly in Safari to Masai Mara National Reserve
$1,735 to $2,255 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxury+Tented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Tekko Tours and Travel
4.8/5 – 94 Reviews
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4-Day Flying Safari to Amazing Masai Mara
$1,225 to $1,490 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented Bush CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Lets Go Travel Uniglobe
4.7/5 – 133 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration Flight Offers
$940 to $1,150 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Safari Update Travels
5.0/5 – 111 Reviews
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3-Day Luxury Camp Masai Mara Safari Tour
$1,150 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Okoa Africa Tours
4.6/5 – 58 Reviews
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Best Seller
7-Day Mara and Serengeti Combo
$6,780 to $7,450 pp (USD)
Kenya & Tanzania: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Serengeti NP, Kilimanjaro Airport (End)
Discover Africa
5.0/5 – 185 Reviews
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6-Day Samburu, Mt Kenya, Masai Mara Luxury Air Safari
$4,146 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented Camp & ResortYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Samburu NR, Mt Kenya, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Luxsafa Tours & Travel
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3-Day Fly Fast to Maasai Mara by Air from Nairobi
$1,152 to $1,192 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Netherken Safaris & Tours
4.9/5 – 23 Reviews
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10-Day Sky Safari Luxury Kenyan Adventure
$9,130 to $10,150 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp & Hotel
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Loisaba (Laikipia), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Thinkk travels
5.0/5 – 2 Reviews
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3-Day Maasai Mara Luxury Safari
$1,500 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
All Time Safaris
5.0/5 – 9 Reviews
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3-Day Amazing Maasai Mara by Flight
$1,070 to $1,370 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Silvach Adventures
5.0/5 – 1 Reviews
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2-Day From Nairobi Masai Mara NR Fly in Tour
$1,180 to $1,190 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourBudgetTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
La Mara Tourism
4.8/5 – 17 Reviews
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Best Seller
3-Day Masai Mara Air Package with Limited Slots
$1,145 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Kenan Travel & Tours
4.9/5 – 63 Reviews
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5-Day Amboseli & Masai Mara Flying Luxury Kenya Safari
$2,320 to $3,015 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Amboseli NP, Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
CKC Tours & Travel
5.0/5 – 82 Reviews
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8-Day Kenya | Samburu & Masai Mara | Track Rhino
$5,209 to $6,838 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryLodge
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Samburu NR, Masai Mara NR, Jomo Kenyatta Airport (End)
Art of Safari
5.0/5 – 5 Reviews
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3-Day Masai Mara Midrange Flight Package
$1,150 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tour
Mid-range Tented Bush CampYou Visit: Nairobi (Start), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi (End)
Tawi Travel & Tours
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7-Day Swamps and Savanna
$6,413 to $7,744 pp (USD)
Kenya: Private tourLuxuryTented Camp
You Visit: Nairobi (Start), Lewa Conservancy (Laikipia), Masai Mara NR, Nairobi Airport (End)
Timbuktu
5.0/5 – 21 Reviews
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.
6 Questions About Masai Mara Fly-in Safaris

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 Masai Mara 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 fly-in safari to the Masai Mara?
“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.”
3What is the cost of a Masai Mara fly-in tour?
“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, 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.”
4Will I get airsick on a fly-in holiday to the Masai Mara?
“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 counter-intuitive, 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 – rather enjoy the views outside. 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 on Masai Mara fly-in packages?
“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 décor 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 film-makers 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 six-tonne elephants to tiny dik-diks. Cheetahs patrol its open grasslands and...

It was very imoressived
Game drive from 25-27.03.2022 Hello together, On 25th of march, we started our safari trip. We drove with bonfire adventures, and we had the best driver in the world, Ben. It was my first safari trip ever before. Ben was coming on 6...

Amazing safari experience in Masai Mara!
We used Jocky Tours and Safari for Masai Mara adventure and had an amazing time! Everything starting with their pick up, transportation, accommodations at Zebra Plains, the food, and the safari were simply amazing! We especially loved our...
Awesome
Took a 3 days Safari to Masai Mara National park with Arboreal Safaris. Esther Mukuna the Reservations Manager ensured the safari was successful with constant communications to check up if we were ok. We were picked on time, the tour...

The Most Enjoying visit to Maasai Mara.
For the first time i visited The Maasai Mara Game reserve, i really enjoy a lot, i got to physically enjoy the destination, it felt like a small heaven here on earth . The scenery was Brilliant, The Savannah grassland just so awesome, I...