Getting around
Getting around
Fly-In Safari
Hop between parks by light aircraft, trading long drives for more time on the ground and a bird’s-eye view of the country in between.
Tanzania Travel Guide
Tanzania Travel Guide
Flying Into Tanzania for Your Safari
Which airport to choose, how to route from the US, and what small-plane flying between the parks is really like.
Start with the right airport
Getting to Tanzania is the longest leg of your journey, and the choices you make here (which airport, which connection, what time you land) quietly shape the first and last days of your trip. For most safaris, the answer is simpler than it looks: fly into Kilimanjaro for the northern parks, and consider flying home from Zanzibar if you’re ending on the beach.
For the southern parks, Nyerere and Ruaha, Dar es Salaam is the usual gateway, with light-aircraft flights onward. Many travelers combine both circuits, or add Zanzibar, and a good routing makes that feel effortless rather than rushed.
Tanzania’s Safari Airports
| Airport | Code | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Kilimanjaro International Airport | JRO | The main gateway for the northern circuit: Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. About an hour’s drive from Arusha. |
| Arusha Airport | ARK | A small domestic airport on the edge of Arusha for light-aircraft flights to the Serengeti, other parks and Zanzibar. Not for long-haul arrivals. |
| Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam) | DAR | The gateway to the southern parks, Nyerere and Ruaha, and a major hub for regional and domestic connections. |
| Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (Zanzibar) | ZNZ | Zanzibar beach stays, and a useful departure point for an open-jaw ticket home. |
| Park airstrips | — | Bush-flight arrivals at Seronera, Kogatende, Lake Manyara and many others, where your guide meets you. |
Routes and schedules change; this reflects typical patterns at the time of writing.
Routing From the United States
At the time of writing there are no nonstop flights between the United States and Tanzania, so most travelers connect once through a major hub.
Via Europe
Hubs such as Amsterdam and Istanbul suit many East Coast travelers: an overnight flight to Europe, a daytime connection and, often, an evening arrival at Kilimanjaro.
Via the Middle East
Doha and Dubai offer frequent connections and strong premium cabins. Some flights continue to Kilimanjaro directly, while others route via Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, so check the final leg.
Via Africa
Addis Ababa has nonstop links with several US cities, and Nairobi has had them at times. Both have short onward flights to Kilimanjaro, about an hour from Nairobi, which suits a combined Kenya safari.
Consider an open-jaw ticket
Flying into Kilimanjaro and home from Zanzibar avoids backtracking after a beach stay. Search it as a multi-city ticket and compare it with a simple return.
Allow for the journey
Door to door, expect very roughly 20–30 hours of travel from most of the US. A layover long enough to rest, or a night in a hub city, makes the first days of safari far more enjoyable.
Bush flights explained
Between parks, many safaris use scheduled light-aircraft services: small single-engine turboprops, typically carrying a dozen or so passengers, that link Arusha and Kilimanjaro with airstrips across the Serengeti and beyond. They turn a long day on the road into an hour or so in the air, with remarkable views of the plains and the crater highlands. See fly-in safaris for how flying and driving can be combined.
Most scheduled flights are “milk runs”. The aircraft stops at several airstrips to drop off and collect guests, so your flight may land once or twice before your own stop. Published times are approximate, and the order of stops can change on the day. Airstrips are simple gravel or grass strips with a shade shelter at most, and your guide meets you on the strip.
Flights can be bumpy in the heat of the afternoon, so if you’re prone to motion sickness, keep remedies in your pocket. For more privacy or flexibility, a private charter is possible on many routes, at a higher cost. From the Serengeti, scheduled flights also reach Zanzibar, typically in about 2.5–3.5 hours with a stop along the way.
Luggage for light aircraft
Luggage rules are the one part of bush flying that needs planning. Allowances vary by carrier, so check your itinerary notes, but these are typical.
- Expect a limit of about 15 kg (33 lb) per person, typically including hand luggage and camera gear.
- Use soft-sided bags without rigid frames or hard shells, so they fit small cargo holds. Many carriers prefer bags without wheels.
- Keep within the size limits in your notes, as tall or bulky bags may not fit.
- Extra luggage can often be stored in Arusha or sent ahead to Zanzibar. Let us know in advance so it’s arranged.
- If you need more weight, for serious camera equipment say, buying an extra seat is sometimes possible, subject to availability.
- Keep medication, a warm layer and valuables in a small bag you can hold on your lap.
- Many camps offer laundry, so you can pack less than you think. Our packing guide shows how.
Your arrival day
For a northern safari, this is how a typical arrival unfolds. Our Kilimanjaro Airport guide covers each step in more detail.
Land at Kilimanjaro
Many long-haul connections arrive in the evening. Have your passport, printed eVisa grant notice and, if your route needs one, a yellow fever certificate ready as you leave the aircraft.
Clear arrival formalities
Expect a health check where applicable, then immigration, baggage reclaim and customs. Immigration is often the slowest part, so keep your documents together.
Meet your driver
Your driver or guide waits in the arrivals area with a name board. The transfer is arranged in advance and your flight is tracked, so a delay doesn’t leave you stranded.
Drive to Arusha
The transfer takes about an hour on a paved road, a little more in evening traffic.
Rest before the safari
We plan a night in Arusha before your first game drive so you start fresh. Your guide briefs you the next morning before you set off.
Experiences
Related experiences
Extensions
Zanzibar Beach Extension
Trade dust for white sand: end your safari with a few days of Zanzibar’s beaches, reefs and Stone Town lanes.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Which airport should I fly into for a Tanzania safari?
For the northern parks (the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara), fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). For the southern parks, Nyerere and Ruaha, Dar es Salaam (DAR) is the usual gateway. If you finish on the beach, consider flying home from Zanzibar (ZNZ).
Are there direct flights from the US to Tanzania?
At the time of writing, there are no nonstop flights between the US and Tanzania. Most travelers connect once, through hubs such as Amsterdam, Istanbul, Doha, Dubai, Addis Ababa or Nairobi. Routes change, so check current schedules when you book.
How strict is the 15 kg luggage limit on bush flights?
It’s taken seriously, because small aircraft are weight-sensitive and bags may be weighed at check-in. The limit is typically about 15 kg per person, including hand luggage, in soft bags. Storing extra luggage in Arusha or buying an extra seat are the usual solutions.
Can I connect straight from my international flight to a bush flight?
It’s sometimes possible, but we generally advise against it. Long-haul flights can be delayed and bags can go astray, and missing a light-aircraft connection is disruptive. A night in Arusha gives you a buffer and a far better start.
Can I fly from the Serengeti straight to Zanzibar?
Yes. Scheduled light-aircraft services link Serengeti airstrips with Zanzibar, usually with a stop along the way, and the journey typically takes around 2.5–3.5 hours. It’s the simplest way to end a safari with a beach stay.
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