Flying to Nairobi
Pay in instalments with PayJustNow, Float or Happy Pay. Totals include every fee.
Johannesburg (JNB)
about 4 hours · Non-stop
R 1 612 ×3
R 4 837 all in
Search+3
Cape Town (CPT)
about 5 hours 30 minutes · Usually one stop
R 3 836 ×3
R 11 509 all in
Search+2
Per-payment figures are the all-in total divided by 3 and rounded. The number of payments and the schedule differ by partner — Happy Pay splits over 2 — and your own plan depends on that partner's approval. You see it in full before you confirm. Fares are the lowest seen for a sample date about six weeks out, not a quote; airline pricing moves constantly.
Best time to fly
Weather, crowds and fares move together in Nairobi. These are the trade-offs.
July to October
Dry season and the Mara's wildebeest migration window — the busiest and most expensive period, and the best game viewing.
January to February
Short dry season. Hot, clear and good for wildlife, with fewer visitors than the migration months.
March to May
Long rains. Green, cheap and quiet, with some camps closing.
November to December
Short rains — usually brief and localised, with good value.
Before you go
Malaria
Nairobi itself is high altitude and generally considered low risk, but the Mara, the coast and most safari areas are not. Take medical advice for your full itinerary.
Two airports
International arrivals land at JKIA; most safari flights leave from Wilson. The transfer between them can take an hour or more in traffic.
Traffic
Nairobi congestion is severe. Build far more time into airport runs than the distance suggests.
Yellow fever
Proof of vaccination is required for entry from some countries and may be requested on return. Check the requirement for your routing.
About Nairobi
Nairobi is the only major city in the world with a national park on its doorstep — you can see rhino and giraffe with office towers on the horizon. It is East Africa's business and aviation hub, and the starting point for most Kenyan safaris.
The Masai Mara is a short domestic flight or a long drive west, and the Rift Valley lakes are within a few hours. In the city, the elephant orphanage and the giraffe centre are the standard half-day stops.
Getting in from the airport
Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO) is about 18 km from the city centre, but Nairobi traffic is heavy and the drive can take well over an hour at peak times. Arrange a transfer in advance. Wilson Airport, separate and closer to town, handles most light-aircraft safari departures — allow generous time to transfer between the two.
Entry requirements for South African passport holders
Kenya has moved to an electronic travel authorisation system that applies to most arrivals, replacing its previous visa arrangements. Requirements for South African passport holders have changed in recent years — check the official Kenyan authorisation portal and confirm with your airline before you travel, as approval is needed before departure.
Entry rules change. Confirm the current requirements with the destination's embassy or consulate before you travel — this page is a guide, not an authority.
Flying to Nairobi, answered
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Last reviewed by Fly n Pay Later editorial team.