Between Countries
East Africa in One Journey
The gorillas of Rwanda, the Maasai Mara and the Serengeti, flown between on your own aircraft, with no airline connections and no queues.
The Short Answer
What a private jet safari is.
A private jet safari links the great regions of East Africa on your own aircraft and schedule, from the mountain gorillas of Rwanda to the Maasai Mara, the Serengeti and the islands, without a single airline connection. We run two set private charter journeys for up to 12 guests, from USD 46,200 per person, and design private jet journeys around your own party. As a guide for 2026 to 2028, charter costs from about USD 3,500 per flying hour.
Jets land at international and regional airports, so we arrange the light aircraft or helicopter that completes each leg to camp. See our journeys, what it costs and the airports.
By Abner Ongeri, founder, Karen, Nairobi. Updated September 2026, with guides for 2026 to 2028.
What We Do
Four ways we use a private jet.
The ways our guests use private aviation. Every journey is designed from a blank page, around the people travelling.
Arriving by Jet
Your Own Aircraft to Nairobi
We meet your jet at the private terminal, clear you quickly through formalities, and have you on a light aircraft to your first camp the same day.
Jet to Bush
The Last Leg Arranged
Jets land at regional airports. We time a light aircraft or helicopter to meet you on the apron and fly you to the camp airstrip itself.
The Islands
An Ocean Finale
The Seychelles, Zanzibar and Mauritius, flown to directly from the bush, so the journey ends barefoot rather than in a transit lounge.
What It Costs
How much a private jet safari costs.
Charter is priced by the flying hour and depends mostly on the size of aircraft. These are guides for 2026 to 2028 in East Africa.
| Aircraft | Examples | Seats | Best for | Guide per flying hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | Pilatus PC 12, King Air | 6 to 8 | Short regional hops, and some larger bush airstrips | From about USD 3,500 |
| Light jet | Phenom 300, Citation CJ3 | 6 to 7 | Nairobi to Kilimanjaro, Kigali, Entebbe or Zanzibar | About USD 4,000 to 6,000 |
| Midsize jet | Citation XLS, Challenger 350 | 8 to 9 | Longer legs, the Seychelles and Mauritius | About USD 6,000 to 9,000 |
| Heavy jet | Gulfstream, Global | 12 to 16 | Arriving from Europe, the Gulf or further | About USD 10,000 to 14,000 or more |
Beyond the flying hours, a quote includes positioning when the aircraft is based elsewhere, landing and handling fees, overflight permits and crew accommodation on nights away from base. We set out every line in writing before anything is booked.
Our Private Charter Journeys
Two journeys, entirely by private charter.
Our two set departures travel between countries by private charter, for no more than 12 guests, with flagship lodges throughout. For your own party, we design from a blank page.
Private CharterSet departuresMax 12 guests
The Ultimate East Africa Luxury Safari
- DestinationsRwanda · Kenya · Tanzania
- Duration12 Days · 11 Nights
- DeparturesJune and September 2027
- HighlightsMountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, golden monkeys in the Virungas, a private morning with the Sheldrick elephants, three nights in the Maasai Mara and a finale in the western Serengeti with a sunrise balloon flight. Every leg by private charter.
Starting fromUSD 46,200 per person
Private CharterSet departuresMax 12 guests
Once in a Lifetime Africa Journey
- DestinationsKenya · Tanzania · Zimbabwe · Botswana · South Africa
- Duration15 Days · 14 Nights
- DeparturesMay and November 2027
- HighlightsFrom the big cat country of the Maasai Mara to the spray of Victoria Falls, the flooded plains of the Okavango and Cape Town, closing at One&Only on the V&A Waterfront. Five countries, six flagship lodges, every transfer by charter.
Starting fromUSD 65,050 per person
See every departure on our small group journeys.
Why by Jet
What a private jet changes.
East Africa rewards travelling between countries, and punishes doing it by airline. A jet removes the part nobody enjoys.
No airline connections
East Africa has few direct flights between its safari countries. A jet turns a day of connections into an hour in the air.
Your schedule
Leave when you are ready, not when the timetable says. The aircraft waits, and the journey fits your days rather than the other way round.
Privacy
Private terminals, quick clearance and a cabin that is yours, which matters for families, public figures and anyone who values discretion.
More countries, well
Gorillas, the Mara, the Serengeti and an island in one journey, without the fatigue that usually comes with it.
One team throughout
The jet, the light aircraft, the camps, the guides and every transfer, run by one team in Nairobi.
Honest routing
We tell you where a jet helps and where a light aircraft or helicopter is better, and we route accordingly.
Flying Times
How close it all really is.
Approximate flying times on a private jet between the places our guests combine most often.
RouteFlying timeWhy guests fly it
Nairobi to KilimanjaroAbout 45 minutesStraight to northern Tanzania, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater
Nairobi to EntebbeAbout 1 hour 15Gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda
Nairobi to ZanzibarAbout 1.5 hoursFrom the Mara to the Indian Ocean in an afternoon
Nairobi to KigaliAbout 1.5 hoursGorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, then back to the Mara
Kigali to KilimanjaroAbout 1.5 hoursFrom the gorillas straight to the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater
Kilimanjaro to ZanzibarAbout 1 hourFrom the northern circuit to the Indian Ocean the same afternoon
Nairobi to the SeychellesAbout 3.5 hoursA private island finale after a Kenyan safari
Nairobi to MauritiusAbout 4.5 hoursLagoons and long lunches after the bush
Nairobi to Victoria FallsAbout 3 hoursThe Falls and Botswana added to East Africa
Times are approximate and vary with aircraft and winds. The last leg to each camp is by light aircraft or helicopter.
Airports
Where private jets land in East Africa.
Jets use international and regional airports. These are the ones our guests use most, and how each one connects to the safari.
Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta International
The arrival point for jets in Kenya, with private aviation handling and quick clearance. Nairobi sits at about 1,624 metres, which affects aircraft performance, so aircraft are chosen accordingly.
Nairobi, Wilson Airport
The light aircraft airport for the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Laikipia, Samburu and Lamu, about 30 to 45 minutes by road from Jomo Kenyatta, or minutes by helicopter.
Kilimanjaro International
The gateway to northern Tanzania, for the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire, about 45 minutes from Nairobi by jet.
Kigali International
For the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park, about two and a half hours by road or a short helicopter transfer.
Entebbe International
For Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, with a light aircraft onward to the airstrips near the park.
Zanzibar, Mahe and Mauritius
The island finales: Abeid Amani Karume on Zanzibar, Seychelles International on Mahe, and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam in Mauritius.
Compared
Private jet, light aircraft or airline?
Three ways to fly between the regions of East Africa, and what each one gives you.
| Private jet | Light aircraft | Scheduled airline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connections | None, you fly direct | Direct between airstrips | Often via Nairobi or Addis Ababa |
| Schedule | Yours | Set by the operator, or chartered | Fixed timetables |
| Luggage | Generous | Around 15 kilograms in soft bags | Airline allowance |
| Reach | International and regional airports | Bush airstrips at the camps | Main airports only |
| Best for | Several countries, privacy and time | Moving between camps | Single country trips on a budget |
How We Plan It
One journey, one team.
Five steps, with a single point of contact in Nairobi from the first conversation to the last landing.
- Tell us who is travellingYour party, the countries you have in mind, your dates and how you like to travel.
- We design the journeyCamps, guides and the order of countries first, then the flying that links them as efficiently as possible.
- We recommend the aircraftThe right cabin for your party, luggage and longest flight, chartered through licensed operators.
- You receive an exact quoteCharter, positioning, permits, light aircraft and camps, set out in writing before anything is booked.
- We run every legPermits, ground handling, apron transfers and your guides at each camp, with one point of contact throughout.
Good to Know
The practical part, plainly.
What every guest should know about private aviation in East Africa, before the planning begins.
Jets and airstrips
Jets land at paved airports. The last leg to a camp is by light aircraft or helicopter, which we time to meet your jet.
Luggage
Generous on the jet, around 15 kilograms in soft bags on the light aircraft. The rest can stay with the jet or travel ahead.
The cost
Charged by the flying hour, including positioning when the aircraft is not based where you start. Efficient routing keeps it sensible.
Permits and clearance
Landing and overflight permits are arranged once the route is fixed, and private terminals make arrival quick and discreet.
Timing
Plan six to twelve months ahead for the best camps. Aircraft can often be found at shorter notice.
Operators
We charter through licensed operators and brokers, chosen for their safety standards and experience in the region.
Is It For You
When a jet is worth it, and when it is not.
We would rather tell you honestly than charter an aircraft you do not need.
Charter a jet if
- You want gorillas, the Mara, the Serengeti and an island in one journey.
- Airline connections would cost you days you do not have.
- Privacy matters to you or to someone in your party.
- You are travelling as a family or group, where the cabin cost divides.
- You are arriving on your own aircraft and want everything from the apron onwards arranged.
Fly scheduled or light aircraft if
- Your safari is in one country only, where light aircraft already do the job well.
- You would rather spend on camps and nights than on flying.
- Your route is mostly short hops between bush airstrips.
- You are travelling as a couple on a short trip.
Questions We Hear
Private jet journeys, answered.
Straight answers from our team in Nairobi. For your own plans, a designer replies within 24 hours.
+254 711 471 757 Call or WhatsApp, Nairobi Speak to an ExpertHow much does a private jet safari cost?
Charter is priced by the flying hour and depends on the aircraft, the route, positioning flights and time on the ground. We quote the exact figure for your route and party before anything is booked, with the camps, light aircraft and ground arrangements shown separately.
Can a private jet land at a safari camp?
No. Jets need longer, paved runways, so they land at international and regional airports such as Nairobi, Kilimanjaro, Kigali, Entebbe and Zanzibar. We arrange a light aircraft or helicopter for the last leg to the camp airstrip, timed to meet your jet on the apron.
Which countries can a private jet journey include?
Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Zanzibar, the Seychelles and Mauritius most often, and further afield Victoria Falls, Botswana and Cape Town. We route the journey so that each flight is as short and efficient as possible.
Can we fly our own jet to Kenya and start from there?
Yes. We meet your aircraft at the private terminal in Nairobi, arrange fast track clearance and ground handling, and connect you to your first camp by light aircraft the same day if you wish.
How much luggage can we take?
Generous luggage on the jet itself, but the light aircraft that complete each leg to the camp usually carry around 15 kilograms per guest in soft bags. We arrange for the rest to stay with the jet or travel ahead by road.
How far ahead should we plan a private jet journey?
Six to twelve months, mainly because the best camps fill early. Aircraft can often be arranged at shorter notice, and we secure landing and overflight permits once the route is fixed.
What size of aircraft do we need?
That depends on your party, luggage and the longest flight. Smaller jets suit a couple or a family on shorter regional hops, and larger cabins suit groups or long legs to the islands. We recommend the aircraft once we know the route.
Who looks after us during the journey?
One team in Nairobi runs the whole journey: the jet, the light aircraft, the camps, the guides and every transfer. You have a single point of contact throughout, in the same time zone as the journey itself.
Can a private jet journey include gorilla trekking?
Yes. Kigali is a short flight from Nairobi or Kilimanjaro, and Volcanoes National Park is about two and a half hours by road from Kigali, or a short helicopter transfer. We secure the gorilla permits as part of the journey.
Do you have set private jet safari journeys?
Yes, two. The Ultimate East Africa Luxury Safari is 12 days through Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania from USD 46,200 per person, departing in June and September 2027. The Once in a Lifetime Africa Journey is 15 days through Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa from USD 65,050 per person, departing in May and November 2027. Both travel entirely by private charter, for up to 12 guests.
Can I charter a private jet just for my own party?
Yes. Alongside our two set departures, we design private jet journeys entirely around your own party, dates and countries, with the aircraft chosen for your group.
Can you fly private to the Maasai Mara?
Not by jet, because the Mara airstrips are too short for jets. A private light aircraft or turboprop flies from Wilson Airport in Nairobi to the Mara airstrips in about 45 minutes, and we time it to meet your jet.
Which airports do private jets use in Kenya?
Jomo Kenyatta International in Nairobi is the main arrival point for jets, with private aviation handling. Wilson Airport in Nairobi serves the light aircraft that fly on to the safari airstrips, and Mombasa and Malindi serve the coast.
Is a private jet safari worth it?
It is worth it when your journey crosses several countries, when time matters more than cost, or when privacy is important. For a single country safari, light aircraft usually do the job just as well for far less, and we will tell you so.
What is an empty leg flight?
An empty leg is an aircraft flying without passengers to reposition, which can sometimes be booked at a lower price. They are occasional and not guaranteed, so we look for them where your dates allow but never build a journey around one.
Begin
Plan your private jet journey.
Tell us who is travelling and the countries you have in mind, and a designer in Nairobi will send a route, an aircraft recommendation and an exact price within 24 hours.
See also helicopter safaris, Rwanda, the Seychelles and our signature journeys.