Reccommendations for airlines and flights to travel to tanzania safaris
✈️ Best Airports to Fly Into for a Serengeti Safari
🛬 1. Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) — Top choice
Closest international airport to the northern safari circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire). It’s near Arusha/Moshi — the main safari hubs — and many operators include transfers from here.
🛬 2. Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) — Alternative entry
Located in Dar es Salaam. Good choice if you find cheaper flights here, but you’ll likely connect onward to JRO or fly domestically up north.
🛬 3. Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) — For beach + safari combos
Ideal if you plan Zanzibar first or after safari — then connect to the northern circuit via domestic flights.
🌍 International Airlines & Routes to Tanzania
✈️ Middle East Carriers – Great for most regions
- Qatar Airways — Doha (DOH) to Kilimanjaro (JRO), Dar es Salaam (DAR), and Zanzibar (ZNZ). Often excellent service & connections from USA, Europe, Asia.
- Emirates — Dubai (DXB) to DAR/JRO, with wide global connections.
- Turkish Airlines — Istanbul (IST) direct to JRO & DAR on many days.
✈️ European Carriers
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines — Direct flights from Amsterdam (AMS) to Kilimanjaro (JRO) and Dar es Salaam (DAR). Very popular for safari travelers from Europe and North America connecting via AMS.
- Lufthansa — Frankfurt (FRA) to DAR (sometimes via stop/partner); good connections from across Europe.
- British Airways — London to DAR or via connecting carriers to JRO.
- Swiss / Air France / Condor / Edelweiss — Some seasonal direct or one-stop services to JRO/DAR from Zurich, Paris, or Germany.
✈️ African Carriers
- Ethiopian Airlines — Addis Ababa (ADD) hub with frequent flights into JRO, DAR, and ZNZ.
- Kenya Airways — Nairobi (NBO) connects to JRO/DAR — often a convenient route if coming from Europe or the U.S.
- RwandAir — Kigali (KGL) connections to JRO/DAR.
📌 Note: Typically there are no direct flights from the U.S. or Africa to JRO — you’ll connect through Doha, Amsterdam, Istanbul, or Nairobi.
🛫 Connecting to Serengeti / Safari Fields
🛩️ Domestic Flights to Serengeti Airstrips
From Arusha (ARK) or Kilimanjaro (JRO), small regional carriers fly into Serengeti airstrips such as Seronera, Kogatende, Ndutu, etc. — much quicker than driving:
- Coastal Aviation – trusted national carrier with many safari-oriented routes.
- Auric Air – good choice for scheduled flights between safari hubs.
- Regional Air – operates in the northern circuit (JRO ↔ safari airstrips).
⚠️ Tip: Make sure to coordinate your lodge or safari operator with your domestic flight; sometimes these short flights are included in safari packages.
✈️ Tips for Booking Flights to Tanzania
👍 Fly into JRO if your main goal is the Serengeti and northern parks — it’s closest and minimizes additional travel once you arrive.
👍 Book early for peak safari seasons (June–October, December–February). 👍 Consider open-jaw tickets — fly into JRO and out of DAR/ZNZ if you plan multiple activities (safari + beach).
👍 Domestic carriers may use smaller airports (Arusha ARK or smaller airstrips) and sometimes require flexibility — confirm baggage rules and timing.
