Luxury Fly-in Safaris in East Africa
Planning Luxury and Private Fly-in Safaris featuring Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Tours and Holidays in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya
Understanding what a Fly-in Safari is and how to top tips on planning a luxury and private Fly-in Safari
luxury fly-in safaris is the most exclusive and time-efficient way to experience East Africa’s most iconic wilderness areas. Instead of long drives between parks, travelers board small aircraft that connect them directly to remote airstrips inside national parks and private reserves. From the air, sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley, volcanic highlands, and endless savannah unfold before landing right in the heart of the wild.
Luxury fly-in safaris typically use two types of flights: private charters and scheduled services. Private charter flights offer complete flexibility, ideal for tailor-made itineraries where travelers set their own pace and route, often flying between luxury lodges in different regions or even across borders. Scheduled flights, on the other hand, operate on fixed routes and timetables, connecting popular safari destinations like the Maasai Mara, Serengeti and Bwindi. These flights provide a seamless and comfortable link between lodges, making them perfect for guests who want efficiency without compromising on luxury.
Why Choose Chartered or Scheduled Fly-In Safaris Over the traditional Road Safaris
Choosing a fly-in safari over a traditional road safari transforms your African adventure into a seamless blend of comfort, time efficiency, and exclusivity. While road safaris can be scenic and immersive, they often involve long hours on rough, dusty roads between parks. A fly-in safari eliminates that fatigue by offering direct access to remote destinations through short, scenic flights that showcase East Africa’s breathtaking landscapes from above.
Fly-in safaris take the experience a step further by combining convenience with luxury.
Planes land on small airstrips within or close to the reserves, where your guide and safari vehicle are ready to begin your adventure. The transition is seamless no crowds, no long waits, just an immediate immersion into the wild. For those seeking exclusivity, comfort, and a truly elevated way to explore Africa’s landscapes, a fly-in safari offers an unmatched level of sophistication and ease. It’s the perfect balance between adventure and indulgence.
The greatest advantage of a fly-in safari is the time it saves.
Instead of spending hours on long, bumpy drives between parks, travelers can take short scenic flights that get them directly into the heart of the wilderness. This allows for more time to enjoy game drives, unwind at the lodge, or take part in other enriching experiences without the fatigue of long road transfers. It’s also the most efficient way to access remote and untouched areas that are often difficult to reach by road.
Ready to experience Africa from a new perspective? Contact Engabi Tours and Travel today to start planning your luxury fly-in safari. Our team will design a personalized itinerary that takes you deep into the wild while keeping every detail effortless and refined.
Top Tour Destinations and Flight Routes for Flying Safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya & Tanzania
Flying from Entebbe To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience (Uganda)
You can take a chartered or scheduled flight from Entebbe International Airport to arrival Airstrips of Kihihi Airstrip (Closest to Northern Park entrances of Buhoma and Ruhija) or Kisoro Airstrip (Closest to the Southern entrances of Rushaga and Nkuringo) and its from here that you will transfer by road for approximately 1 Hour and 30 Minutes to your lodge. Scheduled flights to Bwindi Impenetrable National park typically depart from Entebbe International Airport as early as 7:00 AM with check-in times at around 6:30 AM with thr latest flight arriving at 2:45Pm. Flight schedules can vary by operator and season, so it’s best to check with us for availability on specific times.
Note that the airstrip you choose to fly into between Kihihi and Kisoro depends on the park section you plan to visit. For example, as earlier said, Kihihi is closer to the Buhoma and Ruhija areas while Kisoro is closer to the Rushaga and Nkuringo areas.
Other popular domestic flight routes that connect to major Uganda National parks from Entebbe include the following:
- Entebbe (EBB) to Kasese (KSE): Used for reaching Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife safaris and Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking.
- Entebbe (EBB) to Pakuba (PAF): The gateway to Murchison Falls National Park for Wildlife safaris.
- Entebbe (EBB) to Mbarara (MBQ): This route provides air access to the southwestern part of the country and Lake Mburo National Park.
Note that Charter flights are available for all the above routes and that most regional flights have a strict luggage allowance of typically around (15) kg.
Popular Domestic Flight Routes for Tourism in Tanzania
The most popular domestic flight routes for tourism and safari goers in Tanzania include Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar for coastal travel and Dar es Salaam to Arusha for safari access to the northern parks. Other popular routes are Arusha to Serengeti and flights connecting major hubs like Kilimanjaro (JRO) and Dar es Salaam (DAR) to safari airstrips.
The Domestic Flight Routes that Connect to Safari Hubs for safari-goers include direct flights from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airports to various airstrips in the Serengeti including Seronera, Kogatende and Grumeti or to Kuro Airstrip in Tarangire and Manyara Airport in Manyara.
The other domestic flight routes include the Southern circuit flights from Dar es Salaam to Selous or Ruaha for those exploring the less-visited southern part of the country and from Zanzibar to all the major safari destinations bypassing the need to travel through Dar es Salaam or Arusha.
Note that most regional flights have a strict luggage allowance of typically around (15) kg.
Flying from Kigali To Volcanoes National Park for Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience (Rwanda)
You can fly from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park only by charter of a helicopter with Akagera Aviation from Kigali International Airport to the Musanze Airstrip and from here you will be transferred by road to your lodge in the park. Helicopter flights take approximately 25 minutes.
Please Note that there are no Scheduled or commercial flights from Kigali to Volcanoes
Kindly confirm your trip booking with us and provide passenger weight in advance to ensure a suitable helicopter is arranged for your vacation.
Popular Domestic Flight Routes for Tourism in Kenya
The most popular domestic flight routes for safaris in Kenya include Wilson Airport to various airstrips in Maasai Mara route which connects the capital-Nairobi to one of the most famous wildlife reserves and Wilson Airport to Samburu Airstrip route among others. These routes are popular because they significantly reduce travel time between major hubs and remote safari locations or beach resorts.
List of Flight routes that connect Nairobi to safari and Beach Destinations in Kenya
- Wilson Airport to Various Airstrips in Maasai Mara
- Wilson Airport to Samburu Airstrip in the Samburu National Reserve known for its unique wildlife.
- Wilson Airport to Nanyuki Airstrip which is a gateway to the Mount Kenya region and surrounding private conservancies like Laikipia.
- Wilson Airport to Amboseli Airstrip in Amboseli National park which is a popular flight route for those wishing to see the iconic elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.
- Wilson Airport to Ukunda (Diani Beach) and Mombasa International Airport route which connects Nairobi to the popular coastal tourist area of Diani Beach.
- You can fly direct from Masai Mara to the Coast (Mombasa, Ukunda and Malindi) allowing for a seamless wildlife and beach holiday combination.
Note that most regional flights have a strict luggage allowance of typically around (15) kg.
Combining a Serengeti Safari with Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda by Flight
It is possible to combine a Serengeti safari with gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda by flight. There is a direct scheduled flight that departs daily from Serengeti to Entebbe international airport and Kigali international airport and vice vasa for a combined Serengeti Safari and Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda. For these flights to depart, there has to be a minimum of 4 Passengers on board or alternatively you can buy the rest of the remaining seats or book the flight on charter basis if you are less than 4 people. This direct flights operate mostly in High Season (June-October, December-February)
The other option is to arrive in Africa via Entebbe or Kigali Airports, fly to one of the Airstrips in Bwindi (Kisoro or Kihihi) on a scheduled flight depending on the location of your permit and accommodation in Bwindi or visit the Rwanda Gorillas by road or charter helicopter and thereafter take a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport from where you will be transferred to Arusha Airport for a flight to various Airstrips in Serengeti( Seronera, Kogatende, Ndutu, Grumeti etc) depending on which region of Serengeti you are flying into in relation to the location of your accommodation and your desired safari experience. For example, if you prefer to see the great migration Mara River crossing, you fly from Arusha to Kogatende Airstrip.
Note that most regional flights have a strict luggage allowance of typically around (15) kg.
Combining a Masai Mara Safari with Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda by Air
It is possible to combine a Masai Mara safari with gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda by flight. For a combined Masai Mara safari and Gorilla trekking tour in Uganda, there is a direct scheduled flight that departs daily from Entebbe to various airstrips in Masai Mara and vis vasa. For this flight to depart, there has to be a minimum of 4 Passengers on board or alternatively you can buy the rest of the remaining seats or book it on charter basis if you are less than 4 people. This direct flight operates mostly in High Season (June-October, December-February)
Note that there are no scheduled direct flights from Kigali to Masai Mara meaning that if you prefer a direct flight, then you have to charter.
The other option is to arrive in Africa via Entebbe or Kigali Airports, fly to the Uganda gorillas in Bwindi on a scheduled flight or visit the Rwanda Gorillas by road or charter helicopter and thereafter take a flight to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from where you will be transferred to Wilson Airport for a flight to an Airstrip in Masai Mara.
Note that most regional flights have a strict luggage allowance of typically around (15) kg.
How to Book Chartered or Scheduled Flying Safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania & Kenya
To book private charter or scheduled Flying safaris to Bwindi for gorilla trekking or to Masai Mara and Serengeti for big cats and wildebeest migration, Contact us with the particular safari activities you want to experience in Africa and in which East African countries, number of people you intend to travel with whether a couple, family or a small group of friends, the dates you intend to travel for your safari vacation and the accommodation option you would prefer between mid-luxury, luxury or super luxury.
Note that you can do a combined trip of Uganda/Rwanda and Tanzania or Kenya.
Our team at Engabi Tours and Travel will arrange your private charter or scheduled flying safari to national parks like Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth National Park Murchison Falls National Park, Volcanoes National Park Masai Mara Game Reserve, Samburu game reserve, Serengeti National Park and beaches like Zanzibar and Mombasa among others. We also help to customize or tailor-make your safari itinerary and ensure that that all safari logistics including transfers, activities and lodges are booked in advance.
Below are the key Things to consider while Planning a flying safari
- Note that Luggage limits are strict and typically 15 kg (33 lbs) in soft-sided bags due to aircraft size.
- Book your Vacation early especially in high season (June–October, December–February).
- Let your safari operator handle the flights bookings for a seamless itinerary less stress in case of flights changes.
- Early morning flights are ideal for maximizing safari time and avoiding afternoon storms.
Best Time to Book Chartered or Scheduled Fly-In Safaris in East Africa
The ideal time for a fly-in safari in East Africa varies depending on where you’re heading.
In Uganda and Rwanda, the best experiences usually fall between June and September or December and February, when the forests are drier and conditions are perfect for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking.
In Kenya and Tanzania, the cooler, drier months from June to October bring excellent visibility for wildlife and smooth flight conditions, especially for those hoping to catch the spectacle of the Great Migration.
The Great Wildebeest Migration is a continuous, year-round journey across Tanzania and Kenya, with each season offering a unique spectacle:
- January to March: Calving season in the southern Serengeti as thousands of wildebeest give birth on the lush plains.
- April to May: Herds begin moving north through the western and central Serengeti, attracting predators and offering excellent game viewing.
- June to July: Rutting season and dramatic Grumeti River crossings as the herds push northward.
- August to October: Iconic Mara River crossings between northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara—one of Africa’s greatest wildlife events.
- November to December: Herds return south as the rains begin, restarting the migration cycle.
- While timing varies with rainfall, these key months help travelers plan the best time to witness each stage of the Great Migration.
Even so, Engabi Tours and Travel offers exceptional fly-in safaris throughout the year. Each season has its own charm, and our team can help you plan the perfect journey based on when you wish to travel and what you hope to see.
Luxury Lodges and Camps for Fly-In Safaris in East Africa
During a fly-in safari, you can stay at some of East Africa’s most exclusive lodges and camps, each offering exceptional comfort and immersion in the wilderness. In savannah areas, luxury tented camps and lodges provide spacious suites, private decks, and panoramic views of wildlife-rich plains. Forest and mountain regions feature lodges built with natural materials, blending seamlessly into the environment while offering modern amenities and serene surroundings.
Examples of such accommodations include high-end safari lodges in the Serengeti, private tented camps in remote Maasai Mara conservancies, and intimate eco-lodges near gorilla and chimpanzee habitats. These properties often feature personalized service, private game drives, fine dining, and exclusive experiences that elevate a fly-in safari from adventure to indulgence.
Explore some of our Fly-In Safaris to Inspire your next adventure in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya & Tanzania
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