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JNB→NBO
Johannesburg to Nairobi
East Africa's main hub, and the usual connecting point for Zanzibar, the Kenyan coast and much of the region. Nairobi is also a destination in its own right for safari traffic — the Masai Mara migration season is what drives the July-to-October peak, and it moves fares well before the animals move.
At a glance
- Flight time
- about 4 hours
- Type
- Regional
- When to book
- 2 months ahead
- Typically flown by
- Kenya Airways, South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa)
- From
- O.R. Tambo International (JNB)
- To
- Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO)
When fares move
Demand on this route, described by season. This is a pattern, not a price quote.
Busiest
July to October and December to January
In between
February to March and June
Quietest
April to May
Worth knowing
- 01The Great Migration in the Masai Mara runs roughly July to October. Fares and lodges climb for it, and the best camps book out a year ahead.
- 02April and May are the long rains — the cheapest window by a distance, with the trade-off that some camps close and roads deteriorate.
- 03If Zanzibar or Mombasa is the real destination, price the through-fare via Nairobi against the nonstop from Johannesburg. Neither wins consistently.
- 04Nairobi sits at altitude and is far cooler than most visitors expect. Pack accordingly.
Check current fares
Live prices and availability for Johannesburg to Nairobi are shown on Travelstart, our booking partner.
Search JNB → NBOCommon questions
How long is the flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi?
About 4 hours nonstop.
When is the cheapest time to fly to Nairobi?
April and May, during the long rains. It is also the low season for safari, which is precisely why fares and lodge rates drop.