Getting to the Masai Mara and Serengeti from Dubai
Last checked 2 November 2026.
Both the Masai Mara and the Serengeti are within easy reach of Dubai. A direct flight and one short bush flight put you in the bush on the same day. This guide explains the route to each.
Dubai to the Masai Mara
Direct flights from Dubai to Nairobi take around five hours, and Nairobi is one hour behind Dubai. We arrange a meet and greet at the aircraft on arrival. Guests then transfer to Wilson Airport for a flight of roughly an hour to a Mara airstrip. See Kenya Safari from Dubai and why visit the Masai Mara.
Dubai to the Serengeti
Flights from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport take around five hours. From there, internal flights connect to the Serengeti airstrips, with a short road transfer if you stay near Arusha first. See Tanzania Safari from Dubai and why visit the Serengeti.
By road
Both parks can be reached by road, but the journeys are long and the roads can be rough. Most guests fly between camps because it saves a day of travel and leaves more time in the bush.
Visas and health
- Visas. Kenya and Tanzania have their own entry requirements. See East Africa tourist visas.
- Yellow fever. Requirements depend on your route, including connections and any crossing between Kenya and Tanzania. See yellow fever vaccination. The certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination.
- Malaria. Speak to a travel clinic about prophylaxis before you travel.
Luggage
Light aircraft limit weight and need soft-sided bags. See packing and luggage limits.
Quick answers
How long is the flight from Dubai to Kenya?
About five hours direct to Nairobi. Nairobi is one hour behind Dubai.
How do you get from Nairobi to the Masai Mara?
Most guests take a short flight of roughly an hour from Wilson Airport to a Mara airstrip. The road journey is much longer.
How do you get to the Serengeti from Dubai?
Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport, around five hours, then take an internal flight to a Serengeti airstrip.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Kenya and Tanzania?
Requirements depend on your route and recent travel, including connections and any border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania. See our yellow fever vaccination guide, and speak to a travel clinic about malaria prevention before you go. A yellow fever certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination.
To plan a journey, write to connect@oloishorua.com or message us on WhatsApp at +971 54 799 1152. You can also begin your journey here.