Lamu Kenya Flights - Routes, Airlines & How to Find Today's Timetable

Flying is by far the easiest way into Lamu because the archipelago is cut off from the mainland by water, so for most visitors, a flight into Manda Airport (LAU) is the natural starting point before the final boat crossing to Lamu Island itself. Here's how the routes, airlines, and fares actually break down.

Airlines and Routes to Lamu

From Nairobi (JKIA — NBO): Jambojet operates direct, nonstop flights to Lamu from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, making it the most straightforward option if you're flying in from elsewhere in Kenya or connecting from an international arrival at JKIA.

From Nairobi (Wilson Airport — WIL): Safarilink runs scheduled flights to Lamu from Wilson, Nairobi's dedicated hub for regional and safari routes. This is a handy option if you're combining Lamu with a Kenya safari circuit, since Wilson is also where most Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and Samburu flights depart from.

Other connections: Skyward Express also serves the route, typically flying via coastal towns like Mombasa, and Safarilink occasionally routes through Malindi as well. If your itinerary starts on the coast rather than in Nairobi, one of these connecting legs is usually your best option.

Lamu Flights From Mombasa

Mombasa-Lamu is a short regional hop, generally under an hour in the air, and is served by the same carriers that fly the Nairobi–Lamu route on their way through. It's a popular add-on for travelers already on the coast in Mombasa, Diani, or Malindi who don't want to backtrack overland.

Lamu Flights From Malindi

Malindi sits closer to Lamu than Mombasa does, and some flights route through it on the way up the coast. If you're already based in Malindi or Watamu, check whether your chosen airline has a direct Malindi–Lamu leg before booking the longer Mombasa or Nairobi route.

Diani to Lamu Flights

Although flights on this route can be limited or seasonal, Skyward Airlines and Safarilink typically offer connections through this route. It is important to check your schedule before planning on this connection as it relies heavily for flights routing through Nairobi or Mombasa.

NBO Lamu Flights (Nairobi to Lamu)

For most international travelers, this is the key route: fly into JKIA (NBO), then connect onward to Lamu the same day or the next. Jambojet's direct NBO–Lamu service is generally the fastest option; Safarilink from Wilson is the alternative if you're also visiting a safari destination on the same trip and want to keep everything on one airline's network.

Lamu Island Flights: A Quick Note on Where You Actually Land

Every scheduled flight to "Lamu" lands at Manda Airport, which is on Manda Island — not Lamu Island itself. After you land, you'll need a short boat crossing to reach Lamu Town, Shela, or wherever you're staying. This catches a lot of first-time visitors off guard, so it's worth planning for that extra leg when you book your onward transfer.

Lamu Flights Timetable & Today's Schedule

Flight timetables to Lamu shift by season and by airline, and frequencies can change with little notice — so rather than publish a fixed schedule here that could go stale, the most reliable way to check today's Lamu flights is directly through:

• Jambojet's booking site, for the JKIA–Lamu route
• Safarilink's booking site, for Wilson–Lamu and connecting coastal routes
• Skyward Express's booking site, for Mombasa-routed flights

If you'd rather skip comparing three separate sites, send us your travel dates and we'll pull together the current options and timings for you.

Mombasa Lamu Flights: Finding Cheap Fares

A few practical tips for keeping the cost down on Mombasa–Lamu flights:

• Book a few weeks ahead where possible — short-haul fares on these routes tend to rise closer to departure
• Compare Jambojet and Skyward Express directly, since pricing on this particular leg can vary more than on the Nairobi route
• Watch for early-morning or midday departures, which are often priced lower than the first or last flight of the day

Let Us Handle the Booking

With multiple airlines, seasonal schedule changes, and a boat transfer at the other end, piecing together the right Lamu flight can take more digging than it should. Tell us your dates and where you're starting from — Nairobi, Mombasa, or Malindi — and we'll find the best route and fare for you.