Nairobi is the undisputed gateway to East African safari travel, one of the fastest-growing business destinations on the continent, and home to a large and influential UK Kenyan community. The London Heathrow to Nairobi route has never been more popular — and for good reason.
Whether you are planning a safari in the Maasai Mara, travelling for work, visiting family, or using Nairobi as a springboard to Zanzibar, Mombasa or Kilimanjaro, Ethiopian Flights can find you the best available fare. All bookings ATOL protected.
| Departure | London Heathrow (LHR) |
| Arrival | Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi (NBO) |
| Flight Time | 8–9 hours direct • 10–13 hours via Addis Ababa |
| Airlines | Ethiopian Airlines (via ADD) • Kenya Airways • British Airways |
| Economy Fares From | £319 return |
No other African capital puts you this close to the continent’s greatest wildlife. Nairobi National Park sits on the city’s southern edge — you can watch lions and giraffes with the Nairobi skyline behind them. The Maasai Mara, home to one of the world’s most spectacular natural events (the Great Wildebeest Migration, July–October), is a 45-minute flight or 4-hour drive away. Amboseli, with its elephants and views of Kilimanjaro, is a 4-hour drive. Mount Kenya is accessible in a weekend.
For UK travellers combining a safari with a beach holiday, Mombasa and the Kenyan coast are a 45-minute domestic flight from Nairobi. Zanzibar (Tanzania) is a 1-hour flight via a short transit.
Nairobi has become one of Africa’s premier business destinations. The city hosts the UN’s African headquarters, the African Development Bank’s East Africa office, and one of the continent’s most vibrant startup ecosystems. Mpesa — the mobile payments system that transformed banking across Africa — was invented here. The Westlands and Upper Hill business districts host major international firms. UK companies doing business across East Africa almost always route through Nairobi.
JKIA is East Africa’s busiest airport and handles international arrivals efficiently for a continental hub. A few practical notes:
For lowest fares: February, March, October and November. January (mid-month) is often good value. Avoid July–August (UK school holidays) and December–January (Christmas and peak safari season coincide, driving prices up sharply).
For best safari timing: The Great Wildebeest Migration in the Maasai Mara runs July–October, which coincides with higher flight prices. Amboseli and Samburu are excellent year-round. If you want migration and budget, target late October — migration is still happening and fares begin to ease.
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Also explore: Addis Ababa flights • Entebbe flights • Dar es Salaam flights
Looking for cheap flights to Nairobi from the UK? Ethiopian Flights offers the best fares and flexible booking options for your journey. Our UK-based travel specialists are available 24/7 to help you find the lowest fares and make your booking stress-free.
Book your cheap flight to Nairobi today and travel with confidence with Ethiopian Flights!