A tourist flight bound for Kenya’s renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve ended in tragedy on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, when the small aircraft plummeted into forested hills shortly after takeoff, killing all 11 people aboard. The Cessna Caravan operated by Mombasa Air Safari crashed at approximately 5:30 a.m. local time in Kwale County’s coastal region, leaving behind charred wreckage and unrecognizable remains scattered across the rugged terrain.
The passenger manifest included eight Hungarian tourists, two German visitors, and a Kenyan pilot. Hungary’s government has confirmed that the Hungarian victims included two families and an acquaintance, with two children among the deceased, and has dispatched its ambassador in Nairobi to liaise with Kenyan authorities. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on social media: “What a tragedy! Our sincere condolences to families of the Hungarians who died in the plane crash in Kenya.”
The spokesperson for the airline said that representatives of the Hungarian and German governments will be briefed by Kenyan investigators once the preliminary findings are available.
The aircraft had departed from Diani airstrip, a gateway to Kenya’s pristine white sand beaches along the Indian Ocean, with an intended destination of Kichwa Tembo, a private airstrip within the Maasai Mara. The reserve attracts thousands of international visitors annually to witness the spectacular wildebeest migration from Tanzania’s Serengeti.
The disaster unfolded roughly 25 miles from Diani in a hilly, forested area. Airport control tower personnel attempted to establish contact with the pilot for 30 minutes after he failed to communicate upon departure, according to airline officials. By the time rescue teams located the aircraft, flames had consumed the wreckage.
Local residents reported hearing a loud bang that morning before discovering the crash site. Witnesses arriving at the scene found human remains burned beyond recognition amid the debris. The aircraft had burst into flames upon impact, officials confirmed, complicating initial recovery and identification efforts.
Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde told reporters that investigating agencies were working to determine the cause of the crash. Weather conditions emerged as a potential factor, with heavy rain pelting the coastal region that morning. “The weather is not very good here at the moment. Since early in the morning, it is raining and it is very misty, but we cannot preempt [the findings],” Orinde explained to media outlets.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority initially reported 12 people aboard the Cessna Caravan-type aircraft before revising the figure to 11. The agency confirmed it had deployed investigators to the crash site to examine the wreckage and collect evidence. A discrepancy emerged regarding the exact crash time, with the Ministry of Transport later stating in a release that the incident occurred at 8:35 a.m. local time, conflicting with earlier reports.
Mombasa Air Safari released a statement acknowledging the loss of all passengers and crew. Chairman John Cleave confirmed the nationalities of those killed and indicated the company was cooperating fully with civil aviation authorities. “Our primary focus right now is on providing all possible support to the families affected,” the airline stated.
The flight path from Diani to the Maasai Mara typically takes two hours under normal conditions. The reserve represents one of Kenya’s premier tourism destinations, featuring vast savannas teeming with lions, elephants, leopards and other wildlife. The annual migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles between the Serengeti and Maasai Mara draws photographers and safari enthusiasts from across the globe.
Kenya’s aviation safety record has faced scrutiny in recent years. According to the most recent safety oversight audit posted on the International Civil Aviation Organization website from 2018, Kenya fell below the global average in accident investigation protocols. The country experienced another aviation tragedy in August when a medical charity aircraft crashed on the outskirts of Nairobi, claiming six lives and injuring two others.
Tourism represents a critical component of Kenya’s economy, with the coastal region’s beaches and inland game reserves attracting visitors year-round. The Diani area serves as a popular launching point for tourists, combining beach relaxation with wildlife safari experiences. Last year, devastating flooding forced helicopter evacuations from the Maasai Mara sanctuary.
Authorities indicated that determining the precise cause of the crash would require extensive investigation and analysis of the wreckage, weather data, and any available flight recorder information. The remote and forested location of the crash site presented additional challenges for investigators working to piece together the aircraft’s final moments.
