Mara Serena Airport is an airstrip in Masai Mara, Kenya. Mara Serena Airport (IATA: MRE, ICAO: HKMS) is located in Masai Mara, in Narok County, in southwestern Kenya, close to the border with Tanzania. Mara Serena Airport lies approximately 225 kilometres (140 mi) southwest of Nairobi International Airport, Kenya’s largest civilian airport. The geographical coordinates of this airport are:1° 24′ 18.00″S, 35° 0′ 36.00″E (Latitude:-1.405000; Longitude:35.010000). Mara Serena Airport is an all weather gravel airstrip serving tourist flights to Masai Mara. This airstrip is one of several in Masai Mara, some of which are in fact tarmac paved airstrips such as Keekorok Airstrip. In total, Masai Mara and the surrounding conservancies have a network of close to 10 airstrips and which one you fly to depends on which camp or lodge you will be staying at in the Reserve. A useful link has been provided below to see both a Map of the various airstrips as well as the details of each including Masai Mara airport codes.
Mara Serena Airport Overview
Mara Serena Airport is a small civilian airport, serving Masai Mara and the neighboring communities. Situated at 1,707 metres (5,600 ft) above sea level, the airport has one unpaved runway measuring 3,445 feet (1,050 m) in length.
Airlines and destinations
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Airkenya Express | Nairobi–Wilson, Nanyuki, Samburu |
| Eastafrican.com | Nairobi–Wilson |
| Mombasa Air Safari | Mombasa |
| Safarlink | Lewa Downs, Migori, Nairobi–Wilson, Naivasha |
The recommended port of entry, when travelling to the Masai Mara, is Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO) in Nairobi. NBO Airport serves as East Africa’s biggest hub and as a result many convenient flight options are available. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Kenya Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Swiss all operate flights from a multitude of major airports around the world. Also many regional flights options (including flights to neighbouring countries and Southern African destinations) are available.
Domestic air travel
The favoured route for a Masai Mara fly-in safari is by flying from Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL). From here it is a short (between 45 and 60 minutes) flight to the Mara. For this reason, flying into the Masai Mara is our recommended mode of travel. Although road conditions have improved in recent years, there are still considerable stretches of road that are in very poor condition. There are several airstrips in and around the Masai Mara for you to fly into. Which one you fly into will depend on where you decide to stay during your safari. Flights to the Mara are operated by airlines such as SafariLink and AirKenya. Upon your arrival at the airstrip closest to your accommodation, a safari vehicle will be waiting to take you to your Masai Mara safari lodge. The good news is… you are now in the Masai Mara – so you can start spotting wild animals by air during your flight and on the ground while in the safari vehicle taking you to your camp. Read all about flights to Masai Mara.
It is also possible to fly from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Tanzania. There are also direct flights (mostly in high season) from the Kenyan coast (Mombasa and Diani) and other national parks in Kenya such Amboseli National Park and Samburu National Reserve.
