International arrival
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is Nairobi’s main international airport. Wilson Airport handles many scheduled safari flights and is on the other side of the city. Allow generous time between them because Nairobi traffic is unpredictable and baggage may need to be collected and rechecked.
Safari flights
Small aircraft connect Nairobi with the Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Laikipia, the coast and other regions. Flights may stop at several airstrips, operate on a circuit and change according to passenger demand. Soft-sided luggage is usually required and weight limits can be much lower than international allowances.
Road transfers
A private vehicle gives flexibility, luggage capacity and a view of the country between destinations. Travel times are approximate: traffic, road works, rain, wildlife, gate procedures and rest stops all matter. A route that looks short may still be tiring.
Safari vehicles
Common options include extended four-wheel-drive Land Cruisers and vans. Ask whether the vehicle is private, how many window seats it has, whether it has charging points, a fridge or cooler, seat belts and a roof suitable for photography. Vehicle quality and guide quality matter more than luxury branding.
Self-driving
Self-driving is possible in many parks but demands route planning, reliable navigation, park-payment preparation and an understanding of wildlife behaviour. Remote areas may have limited fuel, recovery services and mobile coverage. A local guide can add far more than navigation.
Nairobi and town transport
Use established taxi apps, hotel transfers or trusted drivers. Keep valuables discreet and allow time for security checks at hotels, malls and airports. Intercity trains and coaches can be useful for selected routes, but they do not replace park transfers.
Build transfer days honestly
Do not call every drive a game drive. A transfer that crosses a park may include wildlife, but the vehicle still has to reach the next lodge. Plan lunch, comfort stops and arrival before dark, especially where park gates close in the evening.
All driving and flight times on Wilderness Eye are planning estimates, not guarantees. Confirm the current schedule and road condition with your operator.
Reviewed 4 August 2026
Road, scheduled flight or charter?
Road travel reveals landscape and can reduce cost for groups, but it uses more time and may be tiring. Scheduled light aircraft save time but involve strict luggage limits, multiple stops and remote airstrip transfers. Charter flights offer flexibility at a higher price.
Nairobi airports
International flights generally use Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, while many safari flights leave from Wilson Airport. The transfer between them is not an airside connection and can be heavily affected by traffic. Build generous time into separate tickets.
Self-driving
Self-driving requires confidence with local roads, current park rules, navigation, fuel range, tyre changes and wildlife behaviour. Remote routes should not be attempted merely because a mapping application displays a road.
Questions for every transfer
- Exact pickup point and time
- Expected duration and road surface
- Vehicle type and luggage capacity
- Meals, water and comfort stops
- Gate or airstrip fees
- Contingency for weather, traffic or mechanical delay