Safari Packages from Mombasa to Masai Mara

Robert Ogema. Prices checked recently — email if something looks off. Last Updated 2026

Mombasa to Masai Mara Safari Overview:

A fly-in safari from Mombasa to Masai Mara costs USD 1,450–4,500 per person depending on camp and duration. Flights take roughly 2.5 hours via Mombasa Air Safari. If you’re in Diani, fly from Ukunda Airstrip — not Moi International — to skip the Likoni Ferry. Book 3 days minimum. One-night trips aren’t worth it. Peak season (July–October) adds 30–50% to prices. Park fees are USD 100/day low season, USD 200/day high season.

Jump Links: Why Fly?Flights from Mombasa Package Options & Prices Park Fees Problems You’ll Face FAQs

Our Most Booked Masai Mara Safari from Mombasa

Package Type	Duration	Price (per person)	The Reality
Budget Fly-In	3 days	USD 1,450–1,650	Basic tents, shared drives, but you’ll see the same lions
Mid-Range Fly-In	3 days	USD 1,950–2,400	Hot showers, decent beds, river views
Luxury Fly-In	3 days	USD 2,800–3,500	You’ll forget you’re in a tent
Budget Extended	4 days	USD 1,850–2,100	Worth it if you want migration crossings
Luxury Extended	4 days	USD 3,600–4,500	The “once in a lifetime” trip

Prices based on 2 travelers sharing, low season (Jan–June). High season adds 30–50%.

There was a Swedish couple once. The husband’s name was Per, I think, or maybe it was spelled differently. His wife I can’t remember at all, which is strange because she was the one doing all the talking.

We were stuck at Moi International. Fog. They’d paid four thousand dollars, maybe more, for a flying safari to Ashnil, and we were all just sitting there. I bought them beers at the café near domestic departures. Lukewarm. Per kept checking his watch. I don’t remember what I said to them — probably nothing useful. What do you say?

Eventually we took off. By then the morning was gone. The light was flat and harsh when we landed. The lions were in shade somewhere and we didn’t find them.

I don’t actually remember how that trip ended. They didn’t complain, I think. Or maybe they did and I’ve forgotten. It was years ago — 2018 or 2017, I’d have to check.

Anyway. The point is: fog happens. I can’t control it. I also can’t control wildebeest, or the Likoni Ferry, or whether there’s a leopard where I think there’s a leopard.

What I can tell you is which camps work and which ones don’t, and how to avoid spending three hours in a ferry queue when you don’t have to.

Also — and I’ll just say this now — if you’re thinking about a one-night safari from the coast, don’t. You’ll spend the whole time in transit. Either do three nights or stay on the beach.

Alt Text: Family ready for Mombasa to Masai Mara safari — the excitement before the fog delays and the five-hour journey Title: This Is the Hopeful Part Caption: Everyone’s still fresh. The kids haven’t asked “are we there yet” seventeen times. Grandad packed a jacket — smart man. Description: A family posed and ready for their Mombasa to Masai Mara safari, luggage piled, everyone dressed in their idea of “safari clothes,” the kind of hopeful energy that only exists before a trip actually starts.

Safari Package Options & Real Prices

Here’s what these packages actually cost right now. Two travelers sharing, everything included unless noted otherwise.

3-Day Flying Safari — The Standard

Most beach holidaymakers book this. Leave Mombasa early, get two full game drive sessions, sleep two nights, return mid-afternoon on day three.

Category	Camp/Lodge	Per Person	The Honest Take
Budget	Miti Mingi Eco Camp	USD 1,450	Basic but clean. Staff are friendly. Don’t expect hot water pressure — it dribbles.
Budget	Lenchada Tourist Camp	USD 1,550	Better food than Miti Mingi. Tents are getting dated but they’re trying.
Mid-Range	Ashnil Mara Camp	USD 1,950	Busier than I’d like, but the river location is hard to beat. You’ll hear hippos grunting at 3 AM.
Mid-Range	Mara Sopa Lodge	USD 2,150	Resort-y vibe. Pool is nice after a dusty drive. Some love it, others find it too “hotel.”
Luxury	Mara Serena Safari Lodge	USD 2,650	The view from the dining room is ridiculous. Rooms can be a steep walk — request one near the restaurant if you have knee issues.
Luxury	Keekorok Lodge	USD 2,450	One of the original lodges, running since the ’60s. Classic feel. The hippo pool nearby is worth a stop.
Luxury Plus	Governors’ Camp	USD 3,400	If budget allows, this is where I’d send my own family.

A few notes on the camps:

Ashnil Mara — look, I keep sending people there and I’m not entirely sure why. The location is good, the hippos are right there, the food is fine. But last August I had a family complain that their game drive left at the same time as four other Ashnil vehicles and they all ended up at the same lion together. Which… yes, that happens. There are 50 tents. It’s not a wilderness experience, it’s a efficient operation that happens to be in the wilderness. Some people don’t mind. Some people hate it. I’ve stopped trying to predict which.

Mara Sopa — the rooms are fine but the walls are a problem. I stayed there myself once, years ago, and I could hear the couple next door having an argument about money that went on for maybe an hour. I felt like I knew their whole financial situation by morning. The views from the restaurant are genuinely spectacular though. I don’t know. It’s complicated.

Governors’ Camp — if you can afford it, just book it. The guides there know things I don’t know, and I’ve been doing this for fifteen years. Last time I dropped clients there, the camp guide took them to a leopard he’d been watching for three days. I didn’t even know that leopard existed. That’s the difference.

Not sure which camp? Share your budget

4-Day Flying Safari — Best for Migration Season

If you’re coming during the wildebeest migration (July–October), add the extra day. River crossings don’t run on a schedule. I’ve waited six hours at the Mara River staring at a herd that wouldn’t move, and seen nothing. Next morning, three crossings before 9 AM. The wildebeest don’t explain themselves.

Category	Camp/Lodge	Per Person	The Honest Take
Budget	Enchoro Wildlife Camp	USD 1,850	Solid value. Nothing fancy, everything works.
Mid-Range	Fig Tree Camp	USD 2,400	Good for birders. The grounds attract a lot of species.
Mid-Range	Sarova Mara Game Camp	USD 2,600	Comfortable, professional, maybe a bit corporate.
Luxury	Mara Intrepids	USD 3,200	Adventure-focused. Good for families with older kids.
Luxury	Little Governors’ Camp	USD 3,800	Boat ride across the river to reach it. Feels genuinely remote.
Luxury Plus	Angama Mara	USD 4,500	Perched on the escarpment. The views will ruin all other lodges for you.

Peak season (July–October) prices jump 30–50%. Book early — the good camps fill up by March for August dates.

What’s Included in These Packages

Every package above includes:

Included:

Return flights Mombasa – Masai Mara – Mombasa (via Mombasa Air Safari)
Airport transfers at both ends
Full-board accommodation (all meals)
Shared game drives in 4×4 Land Cruisers with pop-up roof
Professional English-speaking driver-guide
Masai Mara park entry fees (USD 100/day low season, USD 200/day July–December)
Airstrip transfers in the Mara
Drinking water during drives

Not Included:

Tips for guides and camp staff (budget USD 20–25/day total)
Hot air balloon safari (USD 450–520 per person)
Maasai village visits (USD 25–30)
Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
Travel insurance
Kenya eTA (USD 35 — required before arrival)
Personal expenses and souvenirs

Optional Add-Ons:

Activity	Cost	Notes
Hot air balloon	USD 450–520	Includes champagne breakfast. Book in advance — they fill up.
Maasai village visit	USD 25–30	Ask for authentic villages, not the tourist traps at the gate
Private vehicle upgrade	USD 150–200/day	Worth it for photography or if you hate sharing
Bush dinner	USD 80–120	Romantic but depends on camp — some do it better than others

Why Fly from the Coast?

You’re on the beach. The ocean is warm. Why leave?

I get asked this a lot. The honest answer is that some people are happy with just the coast, and that’s fine. Diani is beautiful. But if you’ve come all the way to Kenya and you want to see lions, the Mara is where they are.

It’s about 2.5 hours by plane. Not far. The problem is cost — flights aren’t cheap. But driving takes 10 or 11 hours through Tsavo and then across to Narok and then bad roads to the gate. I’ve done it. I don’t recommend it unless you’re stopping in Tsavo on the way, which actually makes sense if you have the time.

More on that: 10 Day Kenya Bush and Beach Safari

Getting There: Flights from Mombasa

Mombasa Air Safari (MAS) runs the main scheduled route. The flight takes about 2.5 hours with stops, sometimes less if you’re lucky with the routing and the wind is right.

Flight Schedule:

Departure: 08:15 AM from Mombasa (Moi International)
Arrival: 10:30 AM at Masai Mara
Return: 14:30 PM from Masai Mara
Arrival back: 16:45 PM at Mombasa

Flight Costs (current):

One-way: USD 430–530 per person
Round-trip: USD 520–680 per person

The Ukunda Shortcut (Diani Travelers, Read This First)

If you’re staying in Diani Beach, do NOT book a flight from Moi International unless you enjoy stress and sitting in traffic while watching your flight time approach.

The problem: Getting to Moi International means crossing the Likoni Ferry. On paper, it’s a 1.5-hour drive. In reality? The ferry queue can add two hours. On a bad day — public holiday, rush hour, breakdown — I’ve seen three hours. I’ve had guests miss flights because the ferry broke down. Twice. Different years. Same sick feeling in my stomach watching them realize what’s happening.

The fix: Book your departure from Ukunda Airstrip instead. It’s a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride from most Diani hotels — through the village, past the baobab trees, quick and easy. MAS flights usually stop there anyway to pick up passengers. Even if your package says “Mombasa departure,” ask your operator to switch it to Ukunda. Most will do it for free. You’ll save yourself three hours of ferry anxiety and arrive at the airstrip calm instead of sweating.

More on Diani departures: Fly-in safari packages Masai Mara from Diani

Where to Sit on the Plane

I didn’t figure this out until maybe my tenth flight, which is embarrassing.

On the way to the Mara, sit on the left side. If it’s clear — and it often isn’t, but if it is — you’ll see Kilimanjaro out the window. I spent years sitting on the wrong side before another guide mentioned it. Now I always ask for left going out, right coming back for the escarpment views. The pilots don’t care where you sit as long as the weight is balanced.

Also — and I don’t know if this still works or if they’ve cracked down — if the plane isn’t full, you can sometimes ask to sit up front in the co-pilot seat. These Cessnas often fly with just one pilot. I did it once a few years ago and it was incredible. Might be worth asking. Worst they can say is no.

The Afternoon Turbulence Warning

The morning flight to the Mara is usually smooth. Coffee stays in your cup. The 2:30 PM return? Different story.

As the African sun heats the Rift Valley floor, it creates massive thermals — columns of rising hot air that bounce small planes around like you’re driving over potholes at speed. The pilot will tell you it’s normal. It is. Some people handle it fine. Others turn green and grip the armrest until their knuckles go white. If you get motion sickness, take medication before you leave the camp for the airstrip. Don’t wait until you’re already in the air and regretting breakfast.

What About Driving?

The Mombasa to Masai Mara distance is roughly 765 km. That’s 10–11 hours through Tsavo, across to Narok, then bumpy roads to Sekenani Gate. I’ve done it twice. Both times I swore never again. My back still remembers.

Unless you’re planning to stop in Tsavo for a night or two — red elephants, different landscape, actually makes sense as a combo — just fly.

More on the overland route: Safari packages Masai Mara leaving from Mombasa

Park Fees

The reserve is managed by Narok County, not KWS. The fees changed a couple years ago and now work on a 12-hour system that confuses everyone.

Season	Non-Resident Adult	Non-Resident Child (9–17)
January – June (Low)	USD 100/day	USD 50/day
July – December (High)	USD 200/day	USD 50/day
Children under 9	Free	Free

The 12-Hour Rule

I still don’t fully understand how this works and I’ve been doing this for years.

Your ticket is valid from 6 AM to 6 PM. Twelve hours. Not twenty-four like it used to be. If you land at 11 AM and your flight leaves at 11 AM two days later, you somehow owe for three days. Day one (11 AM to 6 PM), day two (full), day three (6 AM to 11 AM).

I’ve tried arguing with rangers about this. It doesn’t help.

The only workaround I’ve found is booking the early morning flight from Mombasa. You land around 10:30, you get most of your first day. It’s not perfect but it’s better than arriving at noon and paying for a day you barely used.

The 10 AM Departure Trap

If you’re flying out, you need to be at the airstrip by 10 AM. Go past that, and you’ll pay for another full day — even if your flight doesn’t leave until 2:30 PM.

This creates an awkward gap. Most return flights leave around 14:00, but you have to exit the park or reach the airstrip by 10:00 AM. That’s four hours of waiting at a dusty airstrip with not much to do except watch warthogs and contemplate your life choices.

The Lunch Fee You Might Not Expect

Your camp will offer lunch before your 2 PM flight. Sounds nice. But here’s the thing: if your “package” technically ends at 10 AM checkout, some camps charge an extra USD 30–50 per person for that “extra lunch.”

My advice: Negotiate a packed late breakfast instead. Eat a massive brunch at 9:30 AM, have the camp drop you at the airstrip, and skip the extra bill. You won’t be hungry during the flight anyway — especially if there’s turbulence.

Full breakdown: Masai Mara entry fees for non-residents 2025

Problems You’ll Actually Face

Weather Delays

Mombasa airport fog is real, especially during rains (April–May, November). That Swedish couple I mentioned? Not unusual. Build buffer — three days minimum, four if possible. If fog delays you by two hours, you don’t want that to wreck your only full day.

Shared Vehicles

Most packages include shared game drives. You’ll be in a vehicle with maybe six other people, all wanting different things.

It can be fine. It can also be frustrating. Someone always wants to leave when someone else wants to stay. The photographer wants better light, the kids are bored, the couple in the back just wants to find elephants.

If this sounds annoying, a private vehicle is USD 150–200 extra per day. I think it’s usually worth it, but I also know not everyone can afford it.

The Bag Limit Thing

Fifteen kilos. Soft bags only. I know you’ve read this a hundred times but people still show up with hard suitcases.

The first time I saw a pilot refuse to load someone’s bag, I thought he was being difficult. He wasn’t. Those little planes have weight limits that actually matter. The bag has to fit in a specific compartment. Hard cases don’t squish. Now when I see a guest roll up with a Samsonite I just… I don’t know. I try to warn them beforehand but some people don’t read emails.

One thing that does work — and I’m not sure if I should be telling people this — is wearing your heavy stuff. Boots, jacket, stuff lenses in your pockets. They weigh the bag, not you. I’ve seen photographers board looking ridiculous, pockets bulging, but their bag is 14.8 kg so everyone pretends not to notice.

Migration Reality Check

Nobody can guarantee a river crossing. Wildebeest move when they feel like it. Some days you wait six hours and see crocodiles sunbathing. Other days, three crossings before breakfast and you can barely keep up.

Book August–September, stay four days, choose a camp near the Mara River. That’s all you can do. The rest is luck and patience.

More on timing: Best time to see the great migration in Masai Mara

Radio Codes

When your guide is on the radio, listen for: “Olowuaru” (lion), “Chui” (leopard, said quietly so other vehicles don’t hear), “Kifaru” (rhino — tell your guide to hurry, these are rare).

If your guide ignores the radio completely, he might be “blacklisted” by other drivers for not sharing sightings. Guides who don’t share don’t get shared with. A small early tip and telling him you want “radio sightings” can change things.

Concerned about logistics? We’ll help you plan

Best Time for Mombasa to Masai Mara Safari

Period	What to Expect	Crowds	Price
Jan–Feb	Dry, clear skies, predator action	Low–Medium	Low
Mar–May	Long rains, muddy roads, fog delays	Low	Lowest
Jun	Dry season starts, herds approaching	Medium	Medium
Jul–Oct	Peak migration, river crossings	Very High	Highest
Nov–Dec	Short rains, holiday crowds	Medium–High	Medium–High

My pick: Early July or late October. Early July — herds arriving but crowds haven’t peaked yet, you can still hear yourself think. Late October — crowds thinning but herds still around, prices starting to drop.

More on timing: Best time to visit Masai Mara for safari

Kenya eTA

Kenya switched to an electronic system — eTA — a while back. No more visa on arrival.

What you need:

USD 35
Apply at etakenya.go.ke before you travel
Give it at least a week, sometimes longer

I’ve seen people show up at the airport without one and get stuck. Don’t be that person. Do it before you leave home.

The photo you upload matters — if it’s blurry, your application can sit in “processing” for days. Use something clear.

Random Things I’ve Learned

The dust. I don’t know how to prepare people for this. By day two your shirt is a different color. The inside of your nose is brown. Your camera — well, just accept that dust will get into it somehow. I’ve given up trying to keep things clean. Wet wipes help but only sort of.

It gets cold. People come from the beach in t-shirts and then it’s 5:30 AM in an open vehicle and they’re shivering. Bring something warm. I know it seems ridiculous when you’ve just been swimming in the Indian Ocean, but the Mara is at altitude.

The night sounds. Hippos mostly. They make this grunting noise that sounds mechanical, like an engine that won’t start. The first few times you hear it you’ll lie there trying to figure out what it is. Eventually you get used to it. The lion roars are rarer and will still wake you up every time.

There’s a hippo pool at Keekorok — near the old lodge — and if you land at that airstrip, it’s worth stopping there for ten minutes before driving to camp. Get a cold drink, watch the hippos, decompress from the flight. It’s a good way to start.

More on health prep: Health precautions for Masai Mara safari

Reserve vs. Private Conservancies

Most Mombasa fly-in packages land at Keekorok airstrip in the main reserve. That’s fine for wildlife — the animals don’t know where the boundaries are. But the main reserve gets crowded. During migration, 30 vehicles around one lion isn’t unusual. Engines idling. Someone’s iPad blocking your view.

The alternative: Private conservancies (Mara North, Olare Motorogi, Naboisho). These community-owned lands cap vehicle numbers at 5 per sighting. Night drives and bush walks are allowed — things prohibited in the main reserve. The trade-off is cost: USD 80–120/day extra in conservancy fees.

If conservancy-level exclusivity matters to you, specify when booking. Most fly-in packages default to the main reserve.

More on this: 5 Days Masai Mara Conservancy Safari

Combining Destinations

Mombasa → Masai Mara → Amboseli: Add 2 nights for elephant herds against Kilimanjaro. Budget extra USD 1,200–1,800 per person.

Mombasa → Tsavo → Masai Mara: Drive to Tsavo East (3 hours from the coast) for red elephants and different landscape. Spend 2 nights. Then fly to the Mara. Makes geographical sense and breaks up the journey.

Mombasa → Masai Mara → Lake Nakuru: Flamingos (seasonal — check before booking) and rhinos. One night at Nakuru is enough.

More options: Masai Mara safari packages

Want beach and bush? Ask us — no obligation

FAQs

How long is the Mombasa to Masai Mara flight? Around 2.5 hours including stops. Sometimes less if the routing is direct.

Can I do a day trip from Mombasa? Technically yes. Practically, no. You’d spend more time traveling than on safari. Two nights minimum.

When should I go? July–October for migration. January–February for dry weather without peak crowds.

Are park fees included in your prices? Yes. But always confirm with any operator — some exclude fees to look cheaper on comparison sites.

Is flying safe? Yes. MAS and other carriers have solid safety records. Afternoon turbulence is uncomfortable but not dangerous.

What wildlife will I see? Big Five (rhinos are rare — don’t expect them), cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, zebras. During migration, millions of wildebeest and zebras.

Should I fly from Moi International or Ukunda? Ukunda if you’re in Diani. Skip the Likoni Ferry stress.

Related Guides

For official information: Kenya Tourism Board · Mombasa Air Safari

Still deciding?

About

I’ve been doing this since 2012 or so. Sankale helps me with writing these things because my English isn’t always clear. If prices have changed or something doesn’t match what you’re seeing, let me know — things move fast and I can’t always keep up.