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Mara Serena Airport (MRE), also known as Mara Lodges Airport, is a safari airstrip located in the northwestern Masai Mara National Reserve, 225 kilometers southwest of Nairobi. At 5,620 feet elevation in the Mara Triangle, the airstrip operates a single unpaved gravel runway (09/27) measuring 3,445 feet, designed for light aircraft serving the safari tourism industry. As one of approximately 10 airstrips scattered throughout the Masai Mara and surrounding conservancies, it primarily serves guests of Mara Serena Safari Lodge and camps in the northern reserve area.
The airstrip operates without a terminal building in the traditional sense - instead, a simple thatched shelter provides minimal shade for arriving and departing passengers. Check-in procedures are handled by lodge staff who meet each flight, with luggage weighed on portable scales due to strict 15kg soft-bag limits on safari aircraft. The facility operates during daylight hours only, with no lighting or navigation aids, making it entirely weather-dependent.
Despite its basic infrastructure, the airstrip efficiently handles approximately 42 weekly flights connecting to Wilson Airport in Nairobi, with additional services to other Kenyan destinations. The location offers spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities even during takeoff and landing, as the runway sits within the active game reserve. Aircraft must occasionally wait for wildlife to clear the runway, adding to the authentic safari experience that begins the moment passengers arrive.
Airlines Serving MRE
💡 Connection Tips
Mara Serena Airport (MRE) operates as a bush airstrip with ground transportation exclusively coordinated by safari lodges and camps. No public transportation, taxis, or car rentals are available - this is a restricted game reserve area where only authorized safari vehicles operate. Flights to Wilson Airport in Nairobi operate multiple times daily, with morning departures at 07:30 and 10:30, and afternoon flights at 15:30. Connections to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport require flying to Wilson Airport first, then arranging separate ground transfer across Nairobi (45-90 minutes depending on traffic).
All transfers are pre-arranged as part of safari packages, with lodge vehicles meeting each scheduled flight. Lodge transfers are conducted in open-sided 4x4 safari vehicles, providing game viewing opportunities during the journey. The 40-60 minute flight (depending on stops at other airstrips) costs approximately $300-350 one-way. Some lodges offer helicopter transfers for premium guests.
The journey to Mara Serena Safari Lodge takes approximately 5-10 minutes on rough dirt tracks, while transfers to other northern Mara camps can take 30-60 minutes depending on wildlife sightings en route. Drivers are trained guides who often stop for wildlife photography, so transfer times are variable. Strict baggage limits of 15kg per person in soft bags apply - excess luggage cannot be accommodated on these small aircraft. Weather can cause sudden cancellations during the rainy seasons (March-May and November-December), so flexible travel plans are essential.
Expert Travel Tips & Insights
Pro Traveler Secrets
• Maximum 15kg soft bags only - no hard suitcases allowed for better experience.
• Lodge vehicles meet all flights - no independent transport for better experience.
• Morning flights more reliable - afternoon weather issues common.
• Confirm flight 24 hours ahead during rainy seasons.
• Financial tip: Bring cash for park fees if not included in package.
• Runway shared with wildlife - delays for animal crossings normal.
Quick Facts
Minimum domestic connection:
30 minutes
International connections:
45 minutes
Interline transfers:
60 minutes
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