Flights to Tanzania, Kenya and East Africa
There are numerous airlines that service East Africa – the hub for people climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro – and there are numerous airports each with different advantages and disadvantages. Before you determine which airport, you should ask yourself these three questions:
- Are you looking for the cheapest possible option?
- Do you have lots of extra time, or are you on a tight schedule?
- Do you plan to travel through out Africa and leave from a different airport?
By answering these questions, you can help better determine where you should fly into.
Kilimanjaro International Airport:
The most easiest and efficient way is to fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which sits just outside of Arusha and Moshi. There are regular flights into Kilimanjaro from Amsterdam, London, Ethiopia and a handful of other countries. This is not for someone who is on a budget, and it’s best for someone who is on a tight schedule. You can fly into the airport, begin climbing the mountain the next day, and then fly out right after your climb is over.
Pros: Quick, Easy, Close to Mt. Kilimanjaro
Cons: Expensive
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport:
The cheapest way to get to East Africa is to fly into Nairobi, Kenya. Typically these flights come via London and are serviced by Kenya Airlines. Nairobi’s airport is about six to eight hours away from the starting points to climb Kilimanjaro. You can get to Kilimanjaro on any of a number of shuttle services.
Pros: Cheapeast Way to East Africa
Cons: Kenya Visa, Possible Night Spent in Nairobi, Six to Eight Hours on A Bus
Dar es Salaam International Airport: “Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA)
The last major airport into East Africa is in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania called the Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). Dar International Airport is farther away from Kilimanjaro than Nairobi, and therefore is typically the last resort in terms of flights. However, if you are interested in going to Zanzibar, then Dar would be the best airport to start your flights. Dar is a great city to fly out from. A good way to plan your trip would be to fly into Nairobi or Kilimanjaro Airport, and then fly out of Dar es Salaam. The reason is that most people like to end their adventures near a beach, and Dar is located just 2 hours from Zanzibar by boat. If you had to commute back to Nairobi, or Kilimanjaro, you w0uld spend more traveling time and more money.
Pros: Close to Zanzibar; Good departure airport if planning Zanzibar after mountain climbing or safari; great city to explore
Cons: Not conveniently located
Airlines that service East Africa:
From Europe:
From United States
- There are no direct flights from the United States. If you book with an American airline, the typically have partner companies that will service your flight. For example, Northwest Airlines partners with KLM to provide your trip from the United States to Europe, and then onward to Africa.
From Middle East and Asia:
From Africa:
Domestic Airlines:
Many of the Asia and Middle East airline do service Europe, so you can book a flight from Europe to Africa on a Middle East carrie, and find good prices on flights.
