Safarilink Flights
at Wilson Airport
Safarilink is one of Kenya’s main safari and regional airlines, based at Phoenix House, Wilson Airport (WIL) in Nairobi. It operates scheduled flights from Wilson to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Nanyuki, Lewa, Loisaba, Diani, Lamu, Kisumu, Malindi, Mombasa and selected regional routes into Tanzania, Uganda and Zanzibar. This guide explains routes, baggage, check-in, terminals, fleet, lounge options, booking logic and the common questions passengers ask before flying Safarilink from Wilson.
Safarilink is a Wilson Airport safari airline for Kenya’s parks, coast and regional connections
Safarilink is a scheduled safari and regional airline based at Wilson Airport in Nairobi. It is built around the way East African travel actually works: short flights from Nairobi to national parks, conservancies, coastal airports, lake cities, and regional gateways that would take many hours to reach by road. For many travellers, Safarilink is the bridge between an international arrival in Nairobi and a lodge vehicle waiting at a bush airstrip.
The airline’s route map is useful for three passenger types. Safari travellers use Safarilink for the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Lewa, Loisaba, Nanyuki, Naivasha and Tsavo West. Beach travellers use it for Diani, Lamu, Malindi, Mombasa and Zanzibar. Regional travellers use it for Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Entebbe and other East African connections depending on schedule and booking availability.
Safarilink differs from a conventional airline because many flights operate on a circuit model. A Maasai Mara flight may stop at several airstrips before reaching your lodge’s strip. A northern circuit may link Nanyuki, Lewa, Loisaba and Samburu. This makes remote air access possible, but it also means your final arrival time may depend on the day’s passenger mix, aircraft routing, weather and operational sequence.
For WilsonAirport.org readers, the most important planning questions are not only “does Safarilink fly there?” but also: which terminal should you use, how strict is the baggage rule, whether your route has a 15 kg or 20 kg allowance, whether your flight is domestic or international, and how much time you need if connecting between JKIA and Wilson Airport.
Fast answer: choose Safarilink when your priority is a Wilson-based safari airline with a wide route network, strong Maasai Mara and coastal connectivity, online check-in, official baggage storage at Wilson, and the option to connect domestic safari sectors with selected regional routes.
Safarilink in images — Wilson Airport, safari aircraft, airstrips and the coast
Safarilink at Wilson Airport
Safarilink flights depart from Wilson Airport, Nairobi’s main domestic and safari aviation hub.
Image: Wikimedia Commons ·
Cessna Caravan safari aircraft
The Caravan is a classic safari aircraft: compact, high-winged, and suitable for game-park dirt airstrips.
Image: Wikimedia Commons · illustrative aircraft type
Maasai Mara air access
Safarilink serves major Mara airstrips on multi-stop bush circuits from Wilson Airport.
Image: Wikimedia Commons ·
Beach and bush routing
Safarilink’s network helps travellers combine safari airstrips with Diani, Lamu, Malindi, Mombasa and Zanzibar.
Image: Wikimedia Commons ·Safarilink fleet — aircraft designed for bush strips and regional routes
Safarilink’s fleet is built around two aviation jobs: small-aircraft access to dirt safari airstrips and larger turboprop capacity on busier scheduled routes. The airline’s own fleet page describes aircraft chosen for bush airstrips, short inter-airstrip sectors, varied passenger loads and charter flexibility.
Cessna Caravan C208B
Single-engine turboprop · rugged safari workhorse
De Havilland Dash 8-106
Twin-engine turboprop · longer route comfort
De Havilland Dash 8-315 / 311
Larger Dash 8 turboprops · 50-seat class
De Havilland Dash 8-202
37-seat pressurised turboprop · regional flexibility
Where does Safarilink fly from Wilson Airport?
Safarilink’s Wilson network covers safari airstrips, beach airports, domestic city routes and regional East African links. The exact timetable changes by season, aircraft rotation and passenger routing, so use this table as a planning map and confirm the current schedule on Safarilink’s website before booking.
| Route group | Main destinations / airports | Best for | Passenger notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maasai Mara | Multiple major Mara airstrips, including Keekorok, Ol Kiombo, Mara Serena, Ol Seki and other lodge/conservancy strips depending on schedule | Fly-in safaris, migration season, lodge transfers | Expect circuit routing; your final strip matters more than “Mara” as a general destination. |
| Amboseli | Amboseli Airport / Amboseli National Park | Elephant safaris, Kilimanjaro views, short safari add-on from Nairobi | Morning routing is helpful because Kilimanjaro is usually clearer earlier in the day. |
| Northern Kenya & Laikipia | Samburu, Nanyuki, Lewa Downs, Loisaba and related conservancy access | Samburu, Buffalo Springs, Shaba, Laikipia conservancies and Mount Kenya region | Some sectors connect between safari regions rather than only returning to Nairobi. |
| Kenya coast | Diani / Ukunda, Lamu / Manda, Malindi, Mombasa, Vipingo depending on schedule | Safari-and-beach combinations, coastal holidays, family travel | Several coast/city routes carry a 20 kg baggage allowance instead of 15 kg. |
| Domestic cities | Kisumu and selected domestic regional airports | Business travel, family visits, western Kenya access | Kisumu is one of the routes where Safarilink lists a 20 kg allowance. |
| Regional East Africa | Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Entebbe and Tanzania/Zanzibar connections depending on current schedule | Kenya–Tanzania safari circuits, beach extensions, Uganda connections | International sectors have a longer check-in closure cutoff and may require visa/eTA/entry documents. |
Route planning note: safari flights should be matched to your lodge or camp, not only to the park name. In the Maasai Mara, for example, the correct airstrip may be Keekorok, Ol Kiombo, Mara North, Ol Seki, Mara Serena, Kichwa Tembo or another strip. Confirm the airstrip with your lodge before buying your Safarilink ticket, then save the booking reference offline before travel.
Safarilink terminal at Wilson Airport — where to go and what to expect
Safarilink passengers should go to Safarilink Aviation at Phoenix House, Wilson Airport. Do not assume every Wilson airline uses the same terminal: AirKenya has its own terminal, and other operators may use different check-in points.
Phoenix House, Wilson Airport
Safarilink Aviation’s Wilson Airport base
Safarilink lists its main contact address as Phoenix House, Wilson Airport, Nairobi. Use this as your target when arranging an Uber, taxi, hotel transfer or safari operator pickup. If your driver only knows “Wilson Airport,” specify Safarilink / Phoenix House before departure.
Check-in and document check
Online check-in plus terminal counter process
Safarilink offers online check-in, but passengers still need to complete airport formalities, baggage weighing and document checks at the terminal. For domestic services, counters close 30 minutes before departure. For international services to or from Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro, counters close 45 minutes before departure.
Executive Safari Lounge
Paid lounge option at Wilson Airport
Safarilink’s Executive Safari Lounge is located at its head office on the first floor at Wilson Airport. The airline describes it as a private lounge with airside aircraft views, barista coffee, a drinks and snack bar, shower facilities and a quiet environment before departure.
Getting to Safarilink at Wilson
Nairobi hotels, JKIA transfers and traffic planning
From Nairobi city areas, Safarilink at Wilson is usually reached by Uber, taxi, hotel transfer or safari operator transfer. From JKIA, allow a generous cross-city transfer window because the 18 km airport-to-airport journey can take far longer than the map suggests in traffic.
How to get to Wilson Airport
Wilson Airport vs JKIA
Wilson Airport terminals guide
Safarilink destinations passengers most often compare
Use these destination cards to move from the airline-level guide into the correct WilsonAirport.org route page. This page should answer Safarilink-specific questions without duplicating every destination guide in full.
Maasai Mara
Safarilink operates to and from the Mara using multiple major airstrips. Confirm the exact airstrip with your lodge before booking. See the Wilson to Maasai Mara flights guide.
Amboseli
Safarilink runs scheduled Amboseli service and the route can connect onward to Mara, Nanyuki, Lewa, Loisaba, Samburu, Lamu, Diani and Kilimanjaro depending on current routing. See the Amboseli guide.
Samburu, Lewa, Loisaba & Nanyuki
The northern route is useful for Samburu, Buffalo Springs, Shaba, Laikipia conservancies, Mount Kenya and Ol Pejeta access. See the Samburu flights guide and Nanyuki guide.
Diani, Lamu, Malindi & Mombasa
Safarilink is useful for combining safari with the coast. These routes often have a 20 kg baggage allowance. See Diani, Lamu, Malindi and Mombasa.
Kisumu
Kisumu is a city-and-lake route rather than a bush airstrip route, useful for western Kenya and Lake Victoria access. See the Wilson to Kisumu flights guide.
Arusha & Kilimanjaro
Safarilink’s regional network helps connect Kenya safaris with northern Tanzania. International sectors require passport and entry-document planning. See the Arusha guide.
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a regional beach extension from the Wilson network. Confirm whether your chosen schedule is direct, routed, or codeshare-operated. See the Wilson to Zanzibar flights guide.
Entebbe and East Africa
Safarilink’s broader network includes Uganda and Tanzania connections. For international sectors, check eTA, visa, passport validity, health requirements and baggage allowance before travel.
Safarilink baggage policy — what passengers must know before arriving at Wilson
Safarilink’s baggage rules are strict because many routes use small aircraft with limited hold space. The rule is simple: pack light, use soft-sided luggage, and check whether your route has the standard 15 kg allowance or one of the 20 kg exceptions.
Rule 1 15 kg on most routes
Most Safarilink destinations are limited to 15 kg per passenger, inclusive of hand baggage and cameras. This is the number safari passengers should assume unless their exact route appears in the 20 kg exception list. Weigh your full bag before leaving your hotel.
20 kg routes Selected city/coast/regional routes
Safarilink lists a 20 kg allowance for Zanzibar, Kisumu, Diani, Lamu, Malindi, Entebbe and Mombasa. This is still inclusive of hand baggage and still requires soft bags. Do not assume a larger allowance applies to the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Lewa or Loisaba.
Storage Wilson baggage storage
Safarilink says excess baggage can be stored in a complimentary secure store at its Wilson Airport office. Ask at the check-in counter. This is useful if you arrive in Kenya with a large hard-shell suitcase and only need a soft safari bag for the bush section.
Practical packing rule: if your itinerary includes a safari airstrip, pack as if the limit is 15 kg total in a soft duffel. If you later fly a coast route with 20 kg, that extra allowance becomes a buffer — not a reason to arrive at Wilson with a rigid suitcase that may not fit the aircraft hold.
What flying Safarilink from Wilson Airport feels like
Safarilink from Wilson is more compact than a major airport experience but more structured than a simple airstrip transfer. The passenger flow is easy when you understand the terminal, timing, baggage and circuit model.
Confirm the route, airstrip and baggage allowance before booking
Start with the exact destination, not the broad region. In the Maasai Mara, your lodge may need one specific airstrip; in Laikipia, your camp may prefer Lewa, Loisaba or Nanyuki; at the coast, your hotel location may make Diani, Malindi, Lamu or Mombasa the better airport.
Pack in a soft bag and separate what stays in Nairobi
Safari flying is weight-sensitive. Put your bush clothing, toiletries, camera equipment and essential medicine in a soft duffel, then leave bulky luggage at your Nairobi hotel or ask Safarilink about its Wilson storage option. Keep valuables and medicine in hand baggage.
Arrive at Safarilink / Phoenix House, not the main Wilson building
Tell your driver you are flying Safarilink from Phoenix House at Wilson Airport. The correct terminal matters because Wilson Airport is not a single unified passenger terminal. AirKenya, Safarilink and other operators use different facilities.
Check in, weigh bags, clear security and wait for boarding
Online check-in can reduce friction, but your baggage still needs to be weighed and your travel documents confirmed. Security is normally quicker than JKIA. Boarding is often by walking across the apron to the aircraft rather than using a jet bridge.
Expect circuit routing on safari flights
A Safarilink aircraft may stop at more than one airstrip on a safari circuit. This is normal bush aviation. Your lodge vehicle should meet you at your booked strip, so share your flight details with the lodge and confirm your exact airstrip rather than saying only “Mara” or “Samburu.”
Before flying Safarilink from Wilson Airport
Most passenger problems are avoidable: wrong airport, wrong terminal, overweight luggage, hard-shell luggage, late arrival, or an airstrip mismatch with the lodge.
Safarilink flights at Wilson Airport — common passenger questions
These answers are written for snippet-style search questions passengers ask before booking or boarding a Safarilink flight from Wilson Airport.
WilsonAirport.org guides for every part of your Safarilink journey
Use these internal guides to move from Safarilink-specific questions into airport logistics, baggage rules, route comparisons and destination planning.
Wilson Airport Home
Airport overview and core guide
Live Arrivals
Track inbound Wilson flights
Live Departures
Check Wilson departure status
Check-In Guide
When to arrive and what to expect
Baggage Rules
Soft-bag limits and route allowances
All Wilson Airlines
Compare AirKenya, Safarilink and others
AirKenya Express
Compare another major safari airline
WIL vs JKIA
Which Nairobi airport do you need?
All Wilson Flights
Route map and destination index
Safari Flights Guide
How fly-in safaris work from WIL
Getting to Wilson
Taxi, Uber and JKIA transfer guide
Wilson Terminals
Find Safarilink / Phoenix House
Maasai Mara Flights
Airstrips, timing and safari pickup
Amboseli Flights
Elephants and Kilimanjaro route
Samburu Flights
Special Five and northern Kenya access
Diani Flights
Wilson to Kenya’s south coast
Lamu Flights
Wilson to Manda Island
Zanzibar Flights
Regional beach extension from WIL
Safarilink is one of the easiest ways to turn Nairobi into a fly-in safari or beach circuit.
The value of Safarilink is not only the flight time. It is the ability to leave Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and land near a lodge vehicle, a coastal hotel transfer, a lake-city taxi or a regional connection without spending a full day on the road. The route map is broad, the aircraft are matched to bush strips and busy regional sectors, and the rules are clear: use the correct terminal, pack soft, confirm your allowance, arrive early, and match your ticket to the exact airstrip or airport your itinerary needs.