Major Airports in Kenya

• Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) – Nairobi’s main international airport and East Africa’s busiest hub. This is where most long-haul flights arrive.

• Wilson Airport (WIL) – Located about 6 km from central Nairobi, Wilson is the hub for domestic flights and regional safaris. From here, you can catch flights to the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Laikipia, Samburu, and Tsavo.

• Moi International Airport (MBA), Mombasa – Gateway to Kenya’s coastal resorts such as Diani, Malindi, and Watamu.

• Ukunda Airstrip (UKA), Diani – Smaller airstrip connecting beach destinations with Nairobi and safari parks.

Airlines That Fly Into Nairobi

Europe & North America

• British Airways – Non-stop London Heathrow to Nairobi.

• KLM – Non-stop Amsterdam to Nairobi.

• Air France – Non-stop Paris to Nairobi.

• Lufthansa – Non-stop Frankfurt to Nairobi.

• American Airlines – Service to Nairobi via London in partnership with British Airways (code-share).

Middle East & Asia

• Emirates – Non-stop Dubai to Nairobi.

• Qatar Airways – Non-stop Doha to Nairobi.

• Turkish Airlines – Non-stop Istanbul to Nairobi.

• Air India – Non-stop Delhi to Nairobi.

• IndiGo – Non-stop flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Nairobi.

African Airlines

• Kenya Airways – The national carrier with an extensive network across Africa, Europe, Asia, and New York (JFK).

• Ethiopian Airlines – Addis Ababa to Nairobi, with global connections.

• South African Airways – Johannesburg to Nairobi.

• Regional carriers also connect Nairobi with Entebbe (Uganda), Kigali (Rwanda), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), and Lusaka (Zambia).

Things to Keep in Mind at the Airport

• Visa (ETA): Always carry a printed copy of your Kenya eTA visa to show at immigration.

• Queues: Immigration can be slow, so allow extra time.

• Yellow Fever Certificate: Required if you are arriving from or transiting through an endemic country—carry it at all times.

• SIM cards: Available at JKIA, but queues can be long. Many travelers find it easier to use international roaming or Wi-Fi at camps and lodges.

• Currency: Carry some Kenyan Shillings for small purchases and tips. USD is widely accepted in lodges, but you’ll need smaller amounts for tipping. The airport is the best place to exchange money.

From Nairobi to Safari

Direct Airport-to-Safari Adventures: Flying Safaris

Touch down in the morning and your safari can begin within hours. Same-day flights to the Masai Mara, Amboseli, or nearby conservancies are entirely possible if you reach early enough—imagine watching elephants at sunset the very day you land in Kenya. However, always build in buffer time for potential international flight delays.

The Nairobi Stopover Advantage

For a more relaxed start to your adventure, we highly recommend spending your arrival night in Nairobi. This approach eliminates travel stress and lets you adjust to the time zone before your safari begins. Choose from sophisticated city hotels in Westlands or Karen, or for something truly special, stay within Nairobi National Park itself—where giraffes graze outside your window and the city skyline creates an unforgettable backdrop.

Road Safaris

Planning to explore Kenya with a private vehicle and guide? Road safaris offer incredible flexibility and authentic overland experiences. Stock up on essentials at JKIA—plan strategic stops for fuel, refreshments, and restroom breaks before departing. Remember that park gates close at dusk. Night driving is both prohibited in national parks and genuinely unsafe on Kenya’s roads.