🇿🇦 Kenya safaris from South Africa
Kenya Safaris from South Africa
Direct flights from Johannesburg, a completely different safari experience to Kruger, and the kind of trip that still surprises seasoned South African travellers.
Flight time
~4h direct from Johannesburg
Best season
June–October (Migration), December–February
Visa
South African citizens need an eTA — online, $30, 2–3 days.
Airlines
Kenya Airways (JNB–NBO direct), Airlink, South African Airways
Why travellers from South Africa choose us
Built for the way you travel
South Africans know game drives, but the Maasai Mara and the Migration are something else — open plains, big skies, density of cats that Kruger can't match. Short direct flight, completely different bush.
7–10 days is typical for South African guests, often a Mara-plus-coast escape that's hard to do from home.
Suggested itineraries
Trips designed from South Africa
6 days
Mara intensive
Four nights in the Maasai Mara, two nights Nairobi — pure cat-country immersion.
Customise this trip →8 days
Mara + Diani
Five days safari, three nights on Diani Beach — a different coast to anywhere in SA.
Customise this trip →10 days
Mara, Amboseli & Lamu
Two contrasting parks plus the dhows and quiet of Lamu old town.
Customise this trip →FAQ
Questions from travellers in South Africa
- How long is the flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi?
- Kenya Airways flies direct JNB–NBO in about 4 hours. South African Airways and Airlink also operate the route.
- Do SA passport holders need a visa?
- Yes, an eTA — apply online at etakenya.go.ke, $30, 2–3 days.
- How different is the Mara to Kruger?
- Very. Open plains versus thick bush, much higher cat density, the Migration, and you can drive off-road in the conservancies. Different sky, different feel.
- Can I pay in Rand?
- Lodges and parks typically price in USD; cards work everywhere serious. Rand can be converted on arrival but USD is more efficient.
- Best time for South African guests?
- June–October Migration season; or December–February for calving and quieter parks. Aligns nicely with SA winter or summer holidays.
Ready when you are
Let's plan your safari from South Africa.
Tell us your dates and what you'd love to see — we'll send back a tailor-made itinerary, usually within 24 hours.