โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
30
minutes
Domestic โ International
45
minutes
Interline Connections
60
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
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.
๐ 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.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Angama Airport (ANA), located in the heart of the Maasai Mara ecosystem, currently operates as a small but vital airstrip primarily serving the Angama Mara Lodge and surrounding safari accommodations. The facility is in the process of a significant multi-phase upgrade aimed at transforming it into a fully operational international airport. At present, the terminal infrastructure is basic, consisting mainly of a small waiting area for passengers awaiting their scheduled safarilink or charter flights. While the airstrip functions efficiently for small aircraft, it lacks the extensive amenities found at larger commercial hubs, and there are currently no dedicated luxury lounges available, though a VIP lounge is planned for a future phase of development.
Security at the airstrip has been enhanced with perimeter fencing as part of the initial upgrade phase, ensuring a safe environment for travelers and aircraft. Operations are generally straightforward, with minimal processing times compared to major international airports. Passengers typically transfer directly from their safari vehicles to the waiting area or aircraft. The atmosphere is relaxed and focused on the safari experience, with lodge staff often facilitating the transfer process.
Future developments at Angama Airport are set to include the construction of new terminal points and expanded passenger facilities, which will significantly improve the travel experience. For now, travelers should expect a rustic but functional arrival and departure point that offers immediate access to the spectacular wildlife viewing of the Maasai Mara. Accessibility is generally ground-level, but passengers with specific mobility needs should coordinate in advance with their lodge or air carrier for assistance.
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting through Angama Airport (ANA) requires careful coordination between Kenya's primary international gateway and its regional domestic network. Most international travelers arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and must subsequently transfer to Wilson Airport (WIL), located approximately 18 kilometers away, for their 45-minute flight into the Maasai Mara. It is critical to recognize that Nairobiโs traffic is notoriously unpredictable; even a relatively short distance can take upwards of two hours during peak periods. To ensure a seamless same-day connection to the Mara, it is highly recommended that your international flight arrives at NBO no later than 11:00 AM, allowing a minimum buffer of four hours to clear immigration, collect your luggage, and complete the road transfer to Wilson Airport before the final bush flights depart in the early afternoon.
Commercial service to the Angama airstrip is provided by premium regional carriers such as Safarilink and AirKenya, which utilize small turboprop aircraft like the Cessna Grand Caravan or De Havilland Twin Otter. These operators enforce exceptionally strict baggage policies due to the limited cargo capacity and performance requirements of high-altitude bush flying. All passengers are limited to a maximum of 15 kg (33 lbs) of total luggage, which must be packed exclusively in soft-sided duffel bags that can be easily manipulated into the aircraftโs specialized under-fuselage cargo pods. Hard-shell suitcases or bags with rigid frames are typically not permitted on these flights; travelers with excess or non-compliant luggage should arrange for secure storage at their airlineโs terminal in Wilson Airport before heading to the Mara.
Upon landing at Angama, the 'connection' experience is exceptionally streamlined and immersive, reflecting the premium nature of the safari destination. Most travelers are met directly on the aircraft apron by their professional safari guides, transitioning immediately from the plane to customized 4x4 safari vehicles. This unique arrival process allows you to begin your wildlife viewing experience within minutes of touching down, as the drive from the airstrip to the nearby Angama Mara Lodge or other surrounding camps often serves as an introductory game drive. If your itinerary involves a 'lodge-to-lodge' transfer between different areas of the Maasai Mara, these hops are frequently handled as 'flag stops' by the regional airlines, requiring your lodge staff to confirm your presence on the flight manifest at least 24 hours in advance to ensure the pilot is scheduled to land.
Given the remote and rustic nature of the airstrip environment, travelers should be prepared for a facility that prioritizes function over luxury. While the airstrip is undergoing upgrades to enhance its capacity, the current terminal is a simple, shaded structure designed to provide a comfortable waiting area protected from the sun and wind. There are no traditional commercial services like duty-free shops or high-speed Wi-Fi at the airstrip, so it is essential to have your travel documents, camera gear, and any necessary medications easily accessible in your carry-on bag. Additionally, ensure you have sufficient Kenyan Shillings (KES) or US Dollars (USD) in small, clean denominations for gratuities or minor local expenses, as the airstrip itself is a cashless environment focused entirely on providing a safe and efficient gateway to the spectacular wildlife of the Maasai Mara.
โ Back to Mara Lodges Airport