There are no direct flights from Australia to Kenya. Every route to Nairobi has at least one stop, usually Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg or Bangkok. Perth is the closest starting point, with about 13 hours of flying via Mauritius. From Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, expect roughly 18 to 20 hours in the air before you count the connection.
Here are the routes from each city, how they compare, and how to plan the first few days so the long trip doesn't eat into your safari.
From Perth
Perth has the most options and the shortest flying times. Approximate flying time only:
| Connect in | Airlines | Flying time |
|---|---|---|
| Mauritius | Air Mauritius, then Kenya Airways | About 13 hours |
| Johannesburg | Qantas or South African Airways, then Airlink or Kenya Airways | About 15 hours |
| Dubai | Emirates | About 16 hours |
| Bangkok | Thai, then Kenya Airways | About 16 hours |
| Doha | Qatar Airways | About 16.25 hours |
Qantas restarted Perth to Johannesburg in December 2025, which gives West Australians another Africa-facing option with an onward hop to Nairobi.
From Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane
| From | Main routes | Flying time |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Emirates via Dubai, Qatar via Doha, Etihad via Abu Dhabi, or Qantas to Johannesburg then Airlink or Kenya Airways | About 19 to 20.5 hours |
| Melbourne | Thai via Bangkok then Kenya Airways, Emirates via Dubai, Etihad via Abu Dhabi, Qatar via Doha | About 18.25 to 19.25 hours |
| Brisbane | Thai via Bangkok then Kenya Airways, Emirates via Dubai, Qatar via Doha | About 18.5 to 19.5 hours |
The Gulf carriers are the most common choice because they have daily flights from the major east coast cities and connect straight onto a Nairobi flight. Johannesburg suits people who want to combine Kenya with South Africa, Botswana or Victoria Falls on the same trip.
Time difference and the first day
Kenya runs on East Africa Time (UTC+3) all year. Nairobi is 5 hours behind Perth, and 7 or 8 hours behind Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane depending on daylight saving. You lose those hours on the way over, so most Australian guests arrive tired.
We usually suggest one night in Nairobi before heading out. It costs a day, but the first game drive is far better after a proper sleep. If you would rather keep moving, a short first leg such as Nairobi National Park or Lake Naivasha works better than a long drive to the Mara.
Entry: the eTA
Australian passport holders need a Kenya Electronic Travel Authorisation before they fly. Apply on the official site, etakenya.go.ke, at least two weeks ahead. The fee is about US$30 to US$32.50. Our Kenya eTA guide for Australians walks through the application, and the health and insurance guide covers vaccinations and malaria.
When to go from Australia
The July school holidays line up with the start of the Great Migration in the Masai Mara, which makes July and August the most popular months, and the most expensive. The September to October school holidays are often better value with the herds usually still around. Our guide to timing a safari around Australian school holidays compares each window.
Fitting the safari to the flights
After 20 hours of travel, aim for at least a week on the ground. How many days you need in Kenya breaks down what fits into 5, 7 and 10 days. Book the safari first, because the best camps sell out before the flights do, then book flights that land the evening before day one.
If your trip includes a light aircraft hop from Wilson Airport, the luggage limit is usually 15 kg per person in a soft bag.
Our Kenya safari packages for Australians are private trips with prices shown in Australian dollars. The 7-day Nakuru, Naivasha, Mara and Amboseli safari is a good first trip, and the 8-day luxury safari adds more time in the Mara.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
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