Kenya Airways (KQ) and Safarilink Aviation announced a landmark codeshare partnership on April 28, 2025 that is set to transform how international travelers access Kenya’s iconic safari destinations.
The two companies will collaborate to offer tourists seamless travel while bolstering local tourism and conservation efforts.
The collaboration also expands Kenya Airways domestic reach to nine new safari airstrips through a one-way codeshare agreement with Safarilink, Kenya’s premier safari airline.
Destinations now accessible under a single ticket include world-renowned reserves such as the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu, Nanyuki, and the celebrated Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
This means tourists can now connect directly from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to their end destinations in the wild such as Maasai Mara using their single ticket.
Hassle free transfers for tourists
This partnership enables tourists flying in on KQ’s international routes from cities like New York, Paris, London, and Mumbai to connect directly from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to the wilderness — without the hassle of juggling multiple bookings or navigating local transfers.
With two daily flights to each destination via Safarilink’s fleet of Cessna Caravans and Dash-8 aircraft, travellers can now land in Nairobi in the morning and enjoy a sundowner in the savannah by afternoon.
“All on one ticket,” remarked Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka at the partnership launch held at Mara Serena Safari Lodge. “This collaboration bridges our global reach with Safarilink’s local expertise, maximizing aircraft use and delivering a seamless travel experience that today’s explorer expects.”
Safarilink CEO Alex Avedi echoed this sentiment, noting that the integrated ticketing model “removes travel anxiety and facilitates smoother journeys, especially for those not using a tour operator.”
The system currently operates through tour agents and will soon be available for direct digital booking, creating a full-service travel solution through Kenya Airways Holidays, which will include flights, accommodation, and itineraries.
Conservation Key to Kenya Airways and Safarilink partnership
The Kenya Airways and Safarilink partnership holds significant promise not only for enhancing traveller convenience but also for driving economic and conservation benefits.
With leisure travel accounting for over 44% of tourist arrivals in Kenya in 2024, the move is poised to inject renewed vitality into local tourism — a critical economic driver for remote communities.
The impact extends to conservation as well, through a partnership agreement signed on May 9.
Kenya Airways has already committed to collaborate with the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, located in Nanyuki — one of the key destinations served by the new alliance.
Initiatives include digital auctions and event sponsorships, such as the upcoming OPC@20 Golf Tournament on 31 May 2025 at Ol Pejeta.
The Silent Digital Auction will see all proceeds directly funding vital programs within the conservancy. As part of our support, we will offer two sets of return international tickets to sought-after destinations like New York and London, providing participants of the auction with a unique opportunity to contribute to conservation while winning extraordinary travel experiences.
~ KQ General Manager for Digital Brand and Marketing, Martin Gitonga
“This is a model for corporate partnerships with purpose,” said Ken Kimani, Chief Commercial Officer at Ol Pejeta, praising the airline’s alignment with sustainability goals.
KQ General Manager for Digital Brand and Marketing, Martin Gitonga, emphasized the airline’s role as “a proud ambassador of Kenya’s natural and cultural heritage,” underlining its dual commitment to tourism and biodiversity protection.
Tourists benefit from more than just convenience. With the Maasai Mara offering one of the best seats on Earth for the Great Migration, Amboseli’s iconic elephant herds, Samburu’s rugged charm, and the biodiversity of Ol Pejeta, the experience promises a blend of awe and meaning. And thanks to the enhanced accessibility, Kenya’s remote conservation havens become more viable and better funded — a win-win for travelers and the environment alike.
As KQ Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu put it, “This is about reimagining how we bring the world to Kenya.” Through strategic partnerships and integrated travel solutions, Kenya Airways and Safarilink are not only making safaris more accessible but also more impactful — ensuring the magic of Kenya’s wilderness continues to thrive for generations to come.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) report 2025 showed that only 2% of passengers arriving internationally in Kenya continued to their final destination on domestic flights.
