Which airport do you fly into for Kenya safari.
A safari in Kenya is undeniably a great experience, however, the travel arrangements might sometimes seem like a puzzle. Since Kenya is a vast country with various types of landscapes, the airport you select as your first point of arrival will totally depend on where your safari starts. The trip to the Masai Mara, the elephant hub of Amboseli, or the tropical white sands of the coast will all be initiated at one of the two major international hubs most likely.
Recognizing how Kenya’s airports are set up I believe will make you time-efficient and will let you smoothly go from your long-haul flight to the back of a safari jeep.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO): The Main Gateway
Most international visitors use Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi as the main point of entry. Being the most trafficked airport in East Africa, it is the main base for Kenya Airways and a lot of other airlines from all over the globe. If you are coming from any of the continents Europe, North America, Middle East, or Asia then this is almost a sure spot where you will land.
JKIA is situated about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from downtown Nairobi and it is a modern airport that has seen several major changes made to its infrastructure. On landing you will easily get all the facilities like currency exchange bureaus, mobile phone shops from where you can purchase a local SIM card, and official taxi racks. Most safari companies will get you right outside the arrivals area holding a placard with your name on it so that it will be very easy to move to your hotel or safari vehicle. Since a good number of international flights come in the evening most of the time, the majority of travelers use a hotel in Nairobi for their first night and take a safari from the next morning.
Wilson Airport (WIL): The “Bush” Connection
JKIA deals with the big international jets whereas Wilson Airport is the base for the safari industry. It is located a few kilometers away from JKIA on the other side of the city and Wilson is a smaller airport that is used just for domestic and regional flights only. So if you are on a “Fly-in Safari,” this will be your port of call.
There are small “bush planes” that take off from Wilson several times each day to landings in the Masai Mara, Samburu, and Amboseli that are nothing but dirt strips. In fact, these flights provide you with excellent relaxation because they fly at lower altitudes allowing you to see the Great Rift Valley and even wild animals from the sky. But remember, if you arrive at JKIA and are scheduled for a connecting flight from Wilson, then you must ensure that you have a time gap of three to four at least hours for the transfer. Nairobi is well known for its traffic jams, and the time it requires to travel between the two airports varies between 45 minutes to two hours depending on the time of day.
Moi International Airport (MBA): The Coastal Entry
In case your dream holiday is to be started on the beach or you desire to visit the southern park areas first then you may go for Moi International Airport in Mombasa. Although the airport is not as big as Nairobi’s central airport, it still has reception for direct international flights.
Mombasa is the main access point to the Indian Ocean coast. Direct flights here are more convenient for you if your beach holiday starts at Diani, Nyali, or Watamu since you won’t have to travel through Nairobi. So, this city is the ideal departure point if you are combining the beach with a safari in the nearby national parks of Tsavo East and Tsavo West. In fact, some tourists even take a “loop” whereby they fly into Nairobi for the safari, take a domestic flight or the train to Mombasa, and finally fly home directly from Moi International Airport.
Regional Hubs: Kisumu and Eldoret.
Among the major cities, Nairobi and Mombasa are the usual tourist destinations; however, different air terminals have been developed to serve other regions. Western Kenya is accessible through Kisumu International Airport, which offers a view of Lake Victoria. So if you are into bird-watching at the lake, tea plantation excursions at Kericho, or the Luo cultural experience, this is the best point of entry for you.
On the other hand, Eldoret International Airport is mainly for the North Rift region where the airport is located. Usually, airports are mostly frequented by business relations or those coming to visit relatives but these are modern and Mala being the capital of Kenya and its largest city, has everything you might need as a resident and even more as a visitor. You will find a lot of shopping outlets and malls; some of them are high-end and some are local. The city also has many entertainment spots and local attractions.
Getting from the Airport to your safari.
Once you touch the ground, you have three main choices to get to the wilderness. Road safari is the most usual one where the guide will meet you at the airport in a Land Cruiser or a safari van and will drive you to the park. It is also a nice opportunity to get a glimpse of what Kenya is really like when you pass through little towns and villages on the way.
Alternatively, there is a Fly-in Safari which is the one that we talked about above. Besides, it is the quickest and the coziest mode of staying in remote parks like the Masai Mara or Northern Samburu. An even more updated option is the Madaraka Express Train. This railway line connects Nairobi and Mombasa and it is an excellent way to get to the coast or Tsavo National Park. Nairobi airport is close to the train station; the trip is not only clean and fast but also very scenic.