Last reviewed: September 2026 · Africa Airport Guides
Operator summary
The Maasai Mara in south-west Kenya is served by several small airstrips near the main camps and lodges. Keekorok (HKKE / KEU) is one of the best known. These strips are unpaved, high and busy in the migration season. Foreign flights clear customs first at an international airport such as Nairobi JKIA.
| Example airstrip | Keekorok |
|---|---|
| IATA code | KEU |
| ICAO code | HKKE |
| Location | Maasai Mara, Narok County, south-west Kenya |
| Elevation | About 1,768 m (5,801 ft) |
| Runway | About 1,280 m, unpaved |
| Status | Domestic. Clear customs at an international airport first. |
| Main hubs | Wilson Airport (WIL/HKNW) and JKIA (NBO/HKJK), Nairobi |
| Time zone | East Africa Time, UTC+3 |
Planning a Mara flight? Send the aircraft type, route, dates, camp or lodge, passenger and baggage details. AAES can coordinate permits, handling and fuel in Nairobi from our 24/7 desk.
Which Mara airstrip to use
The right strip depends on the camp. Each lodge usually names its nearest strip. Ask the camp first, then check the strip’s length, surface and current condition for your aircraft.
Runway and elevation
Keekorok has one unpaved runway, about 1,280 m long, at about 1,768 m elevation. Short, high, unpaved strips limit which aircraft can use them. Run performance for the actual weight and temperature. Check the aircraft is approved for unpaved runways.
Rain can close or soften strips. Animals on the runway are common. Operations are daylight only in practice. Check current NOTAMs before each flight.
Nairobi: the gateway to the Mara
Most Mara flights start at Wilson Airport, Nairobi’s safari hub. International guests usually land at JKIA, clear customs, then transfer to Wilson. Plan that road transfer with enough time.
See our Wilson Airport guide, the JKIA guide and JKIA vs Wilson.
Permits for Kenya
Foreign non-scheduled flights need Kenya permits before departure. Read our Kenya flight permits guide. Park and landing fees also apply in the Mara reserve. Confirm them with the camp or your local agent.
Fuel and baggage
Do not rely on fuel at Mara strips. Uplift in Nairobi and carry enough for the return. Light safari aircraft have strict baggage limits. Soft bags are usually required.
Read the remote airstrip checklist, the bush flight baggage guide and our Kenya safari aviation page.
Common planning mistakes
- Picking a strip too short for the aircraft
- Flying to the Mara before clearing customs
- Planning to refuel at the strip
- Leaving too little time for the JKIA to Wilson transfer
- Scheduling late arrivals near sunset
FAQs: Maasai Mara airstrips
What is the airport code for Keekorok?
The IATA code is KEU. The ICAO code is HKKE.
Which Nairobi airport has flights to the Maasai Mara?
Most Mara flights leave from Wilson Airport. Some also operate from JKIA.
Are Maasai Mara airstrips paved?
Most are unpaved. Keekorok has an unpaved runway about 1,280 m long.
Can international flights land in the Mara?
Not directly. Clear customs at an international airport such as JKIA first.
Is fuel available at Mara airstrips?
Do not plan on it. Uplift in Nairobi before the flight.
Need 24/7 flight support in Kenya or across Africa?
AAES supports permits, flight planning, dispatch, Jet A-1 fuel coordination, ground handling, cargo support and concierge services.
Email: sales@aaes.aero
Phone: +254 725 284 509