Nairobi Wilson (WIL) → Mombasa (MBA)

Nairobi to Mombasa is Kenya's busiest air corridor — but flying it privately is a different experience altogether. Instead of check-in queues at a fixed hour, you depart Wilson Airport minutes after arriving at the terminal, and you land at Moi International about an hour later, on your schedule rather than an airline's.

The flight

The routing tracks south-east from Nairobi, crossing the vast wilderness of Tsavo — from a private aircraft's altitude you can often pick out the red-earth elephant country and the Galana and Athi rivers — before descending over the palms to the coast. Cruise time is around one hour in a turboprop or light jet.

Airports and arrival

Departures use Wilson Airport (WIL), far closer to Nairobi's CBD, Karen and Langata than Jomo Kenyatta International, with boarding measured in minutes rather than hours. Arrival is at Moi International Airport (MBA) on Mombasa's mainland side, where general-aviation handling keeps things brisk. From there it is a short transfer to the city, the north-coast beaches of Nyali and Shanzu, or onward to Kilifi and Vipingo. For south-coast destinations, consider flying direct to Diani's Ukunda airstrip instead — it avoids the Likoni ferry entirely.

The right aircraft

• Cessna Grand Caravan — economical for small groups and families, with room for coast luggage.
• Beechcraft King Air — pressurised turboprop comfort, ideal for business day-returns.
• Light and midsize jets — for executive travel, larger parties or when time on the ground matters most.

Good to know

• Day returns work. A morning departure, a full day of meetings or site visits in Mombasa, and an evening flight home is a routine private itinerary — impossible to do well by road, and awkward on airline schedules.
• Groups and events: for weddings, conferences and incentive groups, a dedicated aircraft moves everyone together with luggage, on one manifest.
• Cost factors: the aircraft type, timing and whether the aircraft waits for a same-day return are the main drivers of price — tell us your plan and we will quote the sensible options.
• Onward connections: Mombasa pairs easily with Diani, Malindi, Lamu or Zanzibar in a single itinerary.

Whether it is business on the island, a family beach week or a group event, tell us your dates and party size and we will send a quote the same day.