Cheap flights to Kenya

With a spectacular landscape that includes the Maasai Mara reserve, Rift Valley, Kikuyu moorlands and Mount Kenya (the second largest mountain in Africa) natural habitats have arisen to suit all types of wildlife. Kenya is the number one destination for big game. 

From safari lodges throughout the country, tourists head off to spot elephants, lions, giraffe, buffalo and monkeys, baboons, cheetahs… the list is almost endless. 

Naturalists book Kenya flights to explore its varied terrain: forests, moors, mountains and huge expanses of plains, across which the famous migration of wildebeest takes place once a year.

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Kenya climate

Kenya’s rainy season lasts from April to June and October to early December. It’s hot and humid on the coast all year round, but onshore breezes make it more comfortable. It’s hot and dry in the lowlands while the highlands are more temperate and cooler at night. 

When is the best time to fly to Kenya?

Peak season:

The annual migration of wildebeest and other animals across the plains of the Maasai Mara takes place between June and September. Consequently, this is the peak season for safaris and prices rise drastically across the country.

Off season:

The rainy seasons are the main off-peak seasons, though still a good time to visit. Prices can be cheaper and there are better deals to be found. Though you will miss the migration, there are still plenty of big game to be spotted, as well as the other attractions of mountains, diving on the coast and the ancient tribe of the Maasai.

October-January, though still off-peak, is the best time to visit for snorkelling as the seas are at their clearest. January and February are the hottest and driest months, however, it can be easy to spot wildlife congregating around water holes.

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Getting around Kenya

There are many scheduled flights available from Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi to domestic destinations such as Mombasa, Lamu or the game reserves of the Maasai Mara. In total, Kenya has around 250 airports and internal flights are cheap, so it can be the most efficient way to travel both for time and cost.

Trains are available, though generally slow and not very reliable. Railways have been allowed to deteriorate a lot over recent years.

Shared taxis and minibuses, called matutas,are the most popular means of transportation for short distances and between cities. They used to be very dangerous, but a recent government crack-down on safety has improved the services somewhat. It is often recommended not to use matatus at night.

Rental cars are available from main cities. Remember that road conditions will be poor if you’re considering travelling any way off the beaten track (anywhere off the main roads that connect major urban centres). Hiring a four-wheel-drive vehicle is advisable.

How long is the flight to Kenya?

Kenya flight deals from Singapore have varying flight durations depending on the stopovers and their duration along the journey. There are no direct flights from Singapore to Kenya, therefore, travellers have to take connecting flights, with stopover durations determining the total flight time. Singapore has two main airports, Seletar Airport and Changi International Airport. Cheap flights to Kenya depart from Changi International Airport and arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kenya’s major international airport, or Mombasa Moi International. A flight from Seletar International with a single stopover in Addis Ababa International Airport takes about 14h 35min, generally operated by Ethiopian Airways. Whereas, a flight from Changi International also with a single stopover, in Dubai International Airport, takes approximately 17h 40min.

Where can you get direct flights to Kenya from?

Unfortunately, direct flights from Singapore to Kenya are not currently available. In this case, travellers can expect to have one or two stopovers. Addis Ababa International Airport and Dubai International Airport are common stopovers along the route from Singapore to Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Flights to Kenya with a stopover in Addis Ababa International are primarily serviced by Ethiopian Airlines, and flights via Dubai International are predominantly operated by Emirates. Flights from Singapore to Kenya’s Mombasa Moi International can have stopovers in Dubai Intl, Addis Ababa or Jomo Kenyatta.

What is the best way to travel around Kenya?

Kenya has several different options to get around the country. There are shared transport options available; however, if you have limited time in Kenya, an exclusive option would be a better option for you. Air travel is the easiest and quickest way between cities, you catch an approximately 1h flight from Nairobi to Mombasa. For a more independent journey, car hires are available, and most park attractions only accept private vehicles. Covering most of Kenya, bus services are also an option, with common routes between Mombasa and Nairobi. Compared to ordinary taxis, tuk-tuks are more economical but work just as efficiently for short-distance travel.

What are some things to do in Kenya?

There are very few places in the world that can conjure both the spirit of romance and adventure. People who visit Kenya are dazzled by its diversity of things to do, with wildlife at the top of the list. Thundering across the savanna, witness throngs of wildebeest during the Great Migration; marvel at Lake Nakuru, a sea of flocked flamingos; and come toe-to-toe with gentle and giant elephants in Amboseli. In almost desert, sun-soaked lands, visit ancient tribes, including Kikuyu, Samburu and Maasai, living in perfect harmony with nature. Take a trip to Africa’s most magnificent game reserve, Maasai Mara National Reserve, a wildlife corridor between Kenya and the border of Tanzania. Nairobi, a city in Kenya, has a variety of cultural attractions to see, from the Nairobi National Museum, Karen Blixen Museum to the Nairobi National Park, all popular tourist attractions in Kenya.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Kenya

Singapore passport holders are exempt and allowed to enter Kenya for 90 days without a visa. However, thereafter a visa is mandatory to be obtained. You will need a valid passport.

What is good to know if travelling to Kenya?

• The Maasai Mara reserve, on the border with Tanzania, is in the southwest of the country. It’s one of the most popular game parks because a huge amount of animals are concentrated into a relatively small space. The “Big Five” all live here: lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros. This can be extended to a “Big Nine” if you include zebra, giraffe, cheetah and hippo. To spot the animals, and for something a bit different than the usual jeeps, it’s possible to take a balloon safari over the plains, which gives a fantastic view of the great plains beneath.
• Don’t miss the Karen Blixen Museum in Nairobi. The house where the Danish author Blixen lived has been turned into a museum. Ever since her famous book Out of Africa (written under the name Isak Dinesen) was made into a Hollywood film, the area has made the most of the house. It is situated on “Karen Estates” on “Karen Street”. The museum itself is a recreation of the house as it was when Blixen lived in it and a peaceful place to spend half a day.
• Kenya’s second-largest city, Mombasa is a good starting point from which to visit the coast. A popular local beach is the white sand Coral Palm Beach, parts of which are private and parts public. If you’re feeling hassled by the many touts and vendors in the public section, head for the private parts, owned by the two big hotels. This section is guarded by hotel security and locals are fined if they come in here.
• North of Mombasa, also on the coast, is the town of Malindi, particularly popular with Italian vacationers. There is a lot to see, both in town, with mosques, markets and museums and along the coastline. When the tide is out, you can spy the coral reef. Or head to the point where Vasco da Gama landed – after being refused entry to Mombasa. There is a plinth marking the spot where the Portuguese explorer first came ashore.