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Masai Mara Fly-in Safaris

4.6/5  –  493 Masai Mara Reviews

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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6 Questions About Masai Mara Fly-in Safaris

1. What are the pros and cons of a Masai Mara fly-in safari?
2. Are flights to the park safe and reliable?
3. Can I take photos from the air on a Masai Mara fly-in trip?
4. How much will a Masai Mara fly-in safari cost?
5. Can I get airsick on a fly-in trip?
6. What type of accommodation can I expect?
 
 

6 Questions About Masai Mara Fly-in Safaris

Answered by 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.”

1

Are 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.”

2

Can 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.”

3

How 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.”

4

Can 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.”

5

What 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.”

6

Masai Mara Reviews

4.6/5 493 Reviews
Expert
Emma Gregg  –  
United Kingdom UK

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
5/5

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...

Full Review

Expert
Brian Jackman  –  
United Kingdom UK

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
5/5

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...

Full Review

Anne Berit Myrland  –  
Norway NO
Reviewed: Oct 27, 2024
4/5

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.

Full Review

Chris  –  
Hong Kong HK
Reviewed: Sep 19, 2024
Fantastic experience with Daylight Adventure
5/5

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...

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Helge  –  
Norway NO
Reviewed: Aug 8, 2024
5/5

Fantastic day and saw a lot of wildlife in a bit different habitat than Amboseli
The walk along side Mara River under the burning African sun, then you can realy feal the harsh conditions for the African animals

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Marcel de Bruin  –  
Netherlands NL
Reviewed: Aug 7, 2024
4/5

The largest park we have visited. We were here for 3 days and had a lodge close to the park, which was very pleasant and easy to do. The guides have contact with each other and therefore know where the predators are and can drive there....

Full Review

All 493 Masai Mara Reviews