How much does a trip to Nairobi & the Maasai Mara cost from South Africa?
About R63 600 for 7 days, solo
Or R48 900 each for two people sharing a room. Saving for a trip a year from now means about R5 300 a month.
Estimates from Johannesburg, booked 3 to 6 months ahead, including a 20% buffer and the visa fee. Prices checked Sep 2026.
Join the waitlistThe Great Migration's river crossings in the Maasai Mara, giraffes on Nairobi's doorstep and white-sand Diani to finish, with no visa or travel authorisation for South Africans.
Cost by trip length and style (solo)
| Length | Tourist | Blend | Niche |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | R50 400 | R42 240 | R34 800 |
| 7 days | R63 600 | R53 040 | R43 200 |
| 14 days | R109 800 | R90 840 | R72 600 |
Tourist covers the famous sights. Niche swaps them for places locals love, usually with cheaper stays but more travel between them. Blend mixes both. Two people sharing pay less each, because the room is split.
Where the money goes (7 days, Tourist, solo)
| Return flight from Johannesburg | R8 500 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, 7 nights | R24 500 |
| Food, local transport and activities | R14 000 |
| Getting around (transfers, internal travel) | R6 000 |
| 20% buffer for surprises | R10 600 |
| Visa and entry fees | None |
| Total | R63 600 |
Visa for South Africans
No visa needed No. South African passport holders don't need a visa for Kenya.
Nothing to apply for, but get a yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before you fly.
Reconfirm before you book. This rule relies on secondary sources or changed recently. Check the official source.
When to go
| Best time | Jul–Oct (migration) and Jan–Feb |
|---|---|
| Cheapest time | Apr–May (long rains) |
| Currency | Kenyan shilling (KSh); park fees in US dollars |
Book 6 to 9 months out for July to October migration camps; the green season from November is cheaper.
Know before you go
| Getting there | About 4 hours direct from Johannesburg to Nairobi (Kenya Airways, SAA); light aircraft or road to the Mara. |
|---|---|
| Health | Yellow fever: South Africa requires a vaccination certificate when you return from Kenya, and airlines may check it at check-in. Malaria prophylaxis is advised for the Mara and the coast. |
| Money | Mobile money (M-Pesa) is everywhere; park and conservancy fees are paid in US dollars. |
A 7-day plan that mixes both
- Day 1 Arrive, check in and find dinner nearby
- Day 2 Game drives in the Maasai Mara
- Day 3 Walking safari in a Mara conservancy
- Day 4 Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Day 5 Lake Naivasha boat trip and Crescent Island walk
- Day 6 Hot-air balloon over the Mara
- Day 7 Final morning, then fly home
The classics
- Game drives in the Maasai Mara
- Great Migration river crossings (Jul–Oct)
- Hot-air balloon over the Mara
- Giraffe Centre in Nairobi
- Sheldrick elephant orphanage
- Nairobi National Park with the skyline behind
- Maasai village visit
- Diani Beach
Where locals go
- Walking safari in a Mara conservancy
- Lake Naivasha boat trip and Crescent Island walk
- Hell's Gate by bicycle
- Lamu's car-free old town
- Wasini Island and Kisite marine park
- Karura Forest in Nairobi
- Kazuri bead workshop
- Watamu's turtle conservation project
Hidden gems near Nairobi & the Maasai Mara
Lamu
A Swahili island town where donkeys and dhows outnumber cars, a short flight from Nairobi.
About R4 000 extra to get there
Watamu
A quieter Indian Ocean village with coral gardens and a sea-turtle rescue project.
About R2 500 extra to get there
Ready to book?
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Quick answers
How much does a trip to Nairobi & the Maasai Mara cost from South Africa?
About R63 600 per person for 7 days travelling solo, or R48 900 each for two people sharing a room, booked 3 to 6 months ahead. That includes return flights from Johannesburg, mid-range accommodation, daily spending, the visa fee and a 20% buffer. These are estimates checked in Sep 2026.
Do South Africans need a visa for Kenya?
No. South African passport holders don't need a visa for Kenya. Nothing to apply for, but get a yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before you fly.
When is the best time to visit Nairobi & the Maasai Mara?
The best time is Jul–Oct (migration) and Jan–Feb. The cheapest time is usually Apr–May (long rains).
How long is the flight from Johannesburg?
About 4 hours direct from Johannesburg to Nairobi (Kenya Airways, SAA); light aircraft or road to the Mara.
Sources
Checked Sep 2026.