Arrival & Transport

Kenya has two major international airports for long-haul flights from Europe:

✈️ Nairobi — Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO)

The most important hub in East Africa and the hub of Kenya Airways. Direct flights from Frankfurt (approx. 8 hours) with Kenya Airways and Lufthansa. Condor also flies direct seasonally. There are numerous connecting flights via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways), or Amsterdam (KLM), often cheaper than direct flights.

Transfer: The airport is located 15 km southeast of the city. Taxi to the city costs 20–30 USD (agree on the price beforehand!), Uber works reliably (10–15 USD). The Madaraka Express (SGR) runs from the nearby Syokimau station to Mombasa.

✈️ Mombasa — Moi International (MBA)

Ideal for beach vacations on the south coast (Diani Beach). Charter flights and seasonal connections from Europe (Condor from Frankfurt). Accessible from Nairobi by domestic flight (~1 hour) or SGR train (5 hours).

Flight Prices (Reference Values from Germany)

Domestic flights in Kenya are the fastest and most convenient way to the safari areas. Many parks have their own airstrips — small sand runways in the middle of the bush where bush pilots land with propeller planes.

Important Airlines

• SafariLink — Premium bush flyer, serves most safari destinations (Masai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Lamu, Diani). 12-seater Cessnas, excellent service. From Wilson Airport Nairobi.
• Fly540 — Affordable alternative for standard routes (Nairobi–Mombasa, Nairobi–Malindi, Nairobi–Lamu). From JKIA or Wilson Airport.
• Kenya Airways — Domestic flights Nairobi–Mombasa, Nairobi–Kisumu.
• AirKenya — Similar to SafariLink, serves safari airstrips.

Important Connections

Wilson Airport is Nairobi's second airport — small, personal, and the starting point for most safari flights. It is only 6 km from the city center. Here, you get a real bush flyer feeling: luggage is weighed (max. 15 kg soft luggage!), and the Cessnas take off seemingly every minute towards the wilderness.

🚐 Matatus — Kenya's Craziest Buses

Matatus are brightly painted minibuses that serve as the backbone of Kenyan public transport. They run fixed routes but have no fixed schedule — they leave when full. The decoration ranges from Tupac portraits to Marvel motifs, and the sound system rivals any club. For short distances in and around cities, they are the cheapest means of transport (0.30–1€).

Attention: Matatus are notorious for risky driving. For long distances, it is better to opt for regular buses or the SGR train.

🚌 Long-Distance Buses

For long distances (e.g., Nairobi–Mombasa, Nairobi–Kisumu), there are comfortable bus companies:

• Modern Coast — The most comfortable option, air-conditioned, Wi-Fi, onboard toilet
• Easy Coach — Good value for money, reliable
• Tahmeed — Popular for the Nairobi–Mombasa route

Nairobi–Mombasa by bus: approx. 8 hours, 10–20€.

🚂 Madaraka Express (SGR)

Kenya's flagship project: The modern express train connects Nairobi and Mombasa in 5 hours. Air-conditioned, punctual, safe. First class approx. 30 USD, second class approx. 10 USD. The route passes through Tsavo National Park — wildlife included through the train window!

🚙 Safari Vehicles

In the national parks, you need a four-wheel-drive safari vehicle — mostly Toyota Land Cruiser or Land Rover with a pop-up roof for wildlife viewing. These are always rented with a guide/driver. Self-drive safaris are possible, but only recommended with 4×4 and experience on unpaved tracks.

🚗 Rental Cars

Driving yourself in Kenya is doable but challenging: left-hand traffic, aggressive driving by other road users, partly unpaved roads. It works well for the coast and Nairobi–Naivasha–Nakuru. For the parks: better with a guide.

• Rental cars from ~40 USD/day (small car), 4×4 from ~80 USD/day
• International driving license recommended
• Left-hand traffic!