Getting to Masai Mara isn’t just about reaching a safari destination—it’s about the journey into the heart of Africa’s most iconic wilderness.
Choosing how you reach Masai Mara is the beginning of your adventure, Whether you’re flying in from overseas, arriving from Nairobi, or crossing over from Tanzania, there are a few routes and transport options to consider, depending on your budget, time, and travel style.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to get to Masai Mara, step by step.
Once you land in Nairobi, the real journey begins.
Let’s break them down.
If you want to avoid long hours on bumpy roads, flying is your best bet. Several daily scheduled flights depart from Wilson Airport (a small, domestic airport just 15 minutes from central Nairobi) and land directly in the Masai Mara at one of its many airstrips.
Once you land, your safari guide or lodge vehicle will meet you right at the airstrip and drive you straight into the wilderness. Sometimes, you see giraffes before you even reach your tent.
Flying saves time, is more comfortable, and gives you stunning aerial views of the Great Rift Valley and the Mara plains.
Good to know: Flights allow about 15 kg of luggage per person in soft bags, so pack light.
For those who want to experience the Kenyan countryside, stretch their budget, or simply enjoy the adventure of a long drive, going by road is a popular choice.
Most travelers leave Nairobi early in the morning and stop in Narok Town (about halfway) for fuel, snacks, or a bathroom break. From Narok, the road to Masai Mara becomes rough and dusty, especially the last 70 km before the park gates—what locals call “African massage”.
Once inside the reserve, the road turns magical. Wildlife begins to appear—zebras, antelopes, maybe even elephants—before you even reach your lodge.
Tip: A 4×4 safari vehicle is highly recommended, especially during the rainy season when roads can get muddy.
Masai Mara has several entry gates, and the right one depends on where your lodge or camp is located:
Ask your tour operator or lodge to confirm which gate you should use. This avoids long detours on rough roads.
If you’re combining a Kenya–Tanzania safari (say, visiting Serengeti or Lake Victoria), you can cross into Masai Mara by road at the Isebania border. From there, it’s about a 3- to 4-hour drive to most lodges in the Mara.
You can also arrange a short charter flight from Serengeti to Masai Mara airstrips, though this option is more expensive and must be planned in advance.
If you’re on a private safari, your driver-guide picks you from Nairobi and drives you to Masai Mara in your own vehicle. You can stop along the way for photos, snacks, or even a quick nyama choma bite.
Group tours are more affordable but less flexible. You’ll share a van or 4×4 with other travelers, and the trip may take longer with multiple pick-up/drop-off stops.
Masai Mara is accessible all year, but roads can become very rough during the long rains (March–May). If you’re traveling in the dry season—especially July to October—you’ll enjoy easier road access and excellent wildlife sightings.
During the Great Migration (July to September), flights and lodges fill up quickly, so book early!
| From | Option | Duration | Budget | Comfort |
| Nairobi | Flight via Wilson Airport | 45 mins | $$$ | Very High |
| Nairobi | Drive via Narok | 5–6 hrs | $$ | Medium |
| Serengeti/Tanzania | Cross via Isibania | 3–4 hrs | $$$ | High |
| Kisumu/Kericho | Road via Bomet | 4–5 hrs | $$ | Medium |
However you choose to get to Masai Mara—by air, by road, or a bit of both—you’re heading into one of Africa’s greatest natural theaters. The journey is part of the experience. You’ll pass small villages, grazing cattle, hills that roll like waves, and skies that stretch forever.
But once you enter the Mara? It’s just you, the wild, and the feeling that this is exactly where you were meant to be.
Are you ready to begin the journey?
Give Us a call or arrange a meeting with one of our Travel Consultants to discuss more your Kenya Safari Adventure
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