Angama Airstrip—often referred to now as Angama Mara Airport—is a safari airfield on the Oloololo Escarpment overlooking the Mara Triangle. It was built to provide fast fly-in access to Angama Mara and nearby camps on the western/northern side of the Maasai Mara ecosystem.
1) Where Angama Airstrip is
Geographic setting
- The airfield sits on/near the Oloololo Escarpment (Great Rift Valley escarpment edge) with immediate access down into the Mara Triangle.
- Angama’s published GPS coordinates for the lodge area are approximately 1°16’33.38” S, 34°58’9.34” E, with altitude around 1,900 m (6,233 ft)—useful for understanding cooler mornings and aircraft performance considerations.
Why location matters
- If you’re staying on the western side of the Mara ecosystem (Mara Triangle / Oloololo escarpment edge), Angama is typically the most time-efficient landing point compared with eastern Mara airstrips (which can trigger long cross-reserve transfers).
2) Codes and naming: ANA vs “Angama Airstrip”
You will see multiple labels in the wild:
The reliable code to use when booking flights
- IATA code: ANA is widely referenced for Angama Mara Airport.
“Angama Airstrip” vs “Angama Mara Airport”
- It has historically been referred to as Angama Airstrip; public sources describe phased upgrades to convert it into a more formal airport facility.
Common confusion to avoid
- Some third-party pages claim a different “IATA code” for Angama Airstrip. If you are booking scheduled seats, use ANA and confirm by saying “Angama Mara (Oloololo Escarpment / Mara Triangle)” to avoid being mapped to the wrong Mara strip.
3) Runway and airfield basics (what it’s like operationally)
Runway orientation, length, surface
Public listings for Angama Mara Airport commonly specify:
- Runway: 09/27
- Length: ~1,260 m (about 4,134 ft)
- Surface: tarmac/hardtop
Angama also describes it as a private hardtop airfield with multiple daily scheduled flights from Nairobi Wilson (routing dependent), often cited as roughly 45 minutes flying time.
What to expect on arrival
- This is safari aviation: quick disembarkation, bags handed out planeside, and camp staff meeting you. Do not expect a commercial terminal experience.
4) Who should use Angama Airstrip
Angama Airstrip is a strong fit if:
- You are staying at Angama Mara (or a nearby property using Angama as the closest practical strip). Angama itself frames guest arrivals as “touchdown at Angama Mara’s private airfield,” followed by a descent into the Triangle for game viewing.
- You want fast access to the Mara Triangle side of the ecosystem (often fewer cross-reserve logistics than landing on the eastern side and driving across).
5) Flights to/from Angama (how fly-in safaris usually work)
Main routing pattern
- Most scheduled safari flights to the Mara depart from Wilson Airport (WIL) in Nairobi, with multiple daily services to “Masai Mara” as a destination umbrella.
- Some schedule aggregators explicitly show the Wilson ↔ Angama Mara pairing using WIL–ANA.
Key operational reality
- Many Mara flights operate as “milk runs” (multiple airstrip stops). Even if your ticket says Wilson → Angama, timing can flex due to routing, weather, and load planning—plan buffers accordingly.
6) Transfers from Angama Airstrip to camps
Typical transfer flow
- For Angama Mara guests, the transfer is typically seamless: staff meet you at the airfield, and the “transfer” often becomes your first scenic descent/game-viewing leg into the Triangle.
Timing expectations (practical planning)
Transfer time depends on:
- Whether your camp is on the escarpment top or down in the Triangle
- Track condition (especially after rains)
- Wildlife slowdowns (sightings can add time)
If you have a fixed-time commitment (ballooning, a border-area drive, onward flight), build conservative buffers.
7) Weather, altitude, and seasonality considerations
Angama’s own travel info notes:
- Altitude ~1,900 m, which often translates into cooler early mornings and sometimes breezy escarpment conditions.
- Rain patterns: long rains (Mar–May) and short rains (Nov–Dec), often in afternoon bursts.
What this means for flights:
- Visibility and storms can shift timings, and wet-season conditions can ripple across multi-stop safari flight circuits.
8) Baggage rules and what to pack for this airstrip
Even when the lodge/airfield is hardtop, the aircraft is the binding constraint:
- Expect strict baggage limits and a preference for soft-sided duffels on light aircraft.
- Keep essential items (medications, valuables, chargers) in a small daypack you can keep with you.
9) Fees, permissions, and development context
Airport/airstrip status and upgrades
- Public sources describe government/KAA-led phased works aimed at expanding the facility (including runway and associated airport infrastructure planning).
What you should do with that information:
- Treat published airline schedules and your operator’s latest routing confirmation as the source of truth for current access logistics, because infrastructure status can change by season and project phase.
10) Safety and etiquette at the strip
- Remain with your guide/crew; do not walk onto the runway without instruction.
- Secure hats and loose items (propwash and escarpment winds can be surprisingly strong).
- Keep photography quick and situational—aircraft turnarounds may be tight.
11) Quick “is Angama the right airstrip for me?” checklist
Angama Airstrip (ANA) is usually right if:
- Your camp is on/near the Oloololo Escarpment or you’re prioritizing the Mara Triangle side.
- You want to avoid long cross-Mara transfers from the eastern-side strips.