How to get to Masai Mara from Nairobi? – Best way to travel to Masai Mara for a holiday.
How to get to Masai Mara from Nairobi – For every traveller planning a Safari to the Masai Mara, you have to define how long you will stay? What your main interest and priorities?, you have also to define your budget. These main aspects will affect the choice of accommodation and also the means of transport to get to Masai Mara. The number of guests travelling on safari and also the places you will visit before and after your safari holidays in the Masai Mara will affect the mode of transport you will choose.
The Masai Mara is approximately 280 Km from Nairobi. The majority of Great Adventure Safaris guests fly into and from Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta JKIA is the international airport in Kenya). There are two options to travel to the Masai Mara, from Nairobi. You can choose to go by road or to fly into the Mara.
Drive to Masai Mara takes approximately 6 hours on the road and if you fly to Masai Mara, it takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Both driving and flying to the Masai Mara has both advantages and disadvantages. Whichever way you choose to travel will be determined by comfort, budget and time you have on for a Mara safari.
Things to consider before traveling to Masai Mara by road
Traveling to Mara by road will be more appropriate if you have enough time for your safari holidays and if you plan to stay 3 nights at least in Masai Mara.
Coming by car will be also a good choice if you are curious to see Kenya’s countryside. The drive from Nairobi to Narok will take you about 2-2.5 hours; the road offers a few breathtaking and beautiful scenic views. As you drive to reach your safari destination in Masai Mara, you will see the suburbs of Nairobi, stops at the Great Rift Valley escarpment and the escarpment’s view point at Mai Mahiu where you will be able to look down the escarpment. You may stop on your way for food, and stretching. It is advisable to use a 4×4 land cruiser jeep this will make your ride smoother, as some road roads are rough and bumpy.
The road option will be affordable as compared to domestic scheduled flights, especially for more than 2 travellers but remember that the drive from Nairobi to Mara is quite tiresome, so we recommend that you take a nap up arrival at the booked lodge or camp in Mara.
Please note that you will be going on game drive with the same private guide and private vehicle. You will have the full flexibility regarding the schedule; Your guide will be very processional and knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of Masai Mara and Kenya in general
Fly-in to Masai Mara National Reserve
Alternatively, if you have limited time or you are a senior citizen and would like to avoid fatigue from sitting for so long, flying to Masai mara is your best way to travel. only plan to stay 2 or 3 nights, and want a comfortable journey and your main interest is to see the wildlife and make the most of your time experiential while you are in the Masai Mara. There are a few companies that fly direct from Wilson airport to Masai Mara such as Safari Link, Air Kenya, and FLy540. Mombasa air, silverstone airline, Flights take off from Wilson airport which is the National airport in Nairobi. Please note that depending on the traffic it can take about 1 hour from JKIA to Wilson. In the Masai Mara you will land to any airstrip nearest to your camp or lodge in the Mara. Flying in a light aircraft is an experience itself. You will have an awesome time seeing the aerial view of the country side. Remember the Movie Out of Africa. The aircrafts fly fairly low and you will be able to see several remote villages. As soon as you land, you will see a lot of game and your safari adventure can start at the airstrip. Your guide from Great Adventure safaris will welcome you and transfer to the camp or lodge where your accommodation is booked.
There are also direct flights to/from the Masai Mara and Kichwa Tembo airstrip to / from Mombasa (MOI or Ukunda Diani) as well as to/from the Nanyuki, Samburu or Lewa Downs, Shaba in Kenya and the Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
Great Adventure Safaris can help you with any kind of assistance and we can arrange both ground transport and flights. We also offer all inclusive road and flying safari packages to Masai Mara National Reserve.