Tanzania has three major international airports, and choosing the right one can save you a day of travel:
- Kilimanjaro (JRO), for safaris in the north and trekking on Kilimanjaro;
- Dar es Salaam (DAR), for the southern parks and the coast;
- Zanzibar (ZNZ), for beach vacations.
In addition to these, there is the domestic airport in Arusha, airports in smaller cities, and dozens of dirt runways within the parks, served by small planes. Starting in the summer of 2026, there will also be a direct flight from Italy, from Milan Malpensa to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.
| Airport | Code | Location | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kilimanjaro International Airport | JRO | Between Arusha (about 45 km) and Moshi (about 35 km) | Northern Parks, Kilimanjaro |
| Julius Nyerere International Airport | DAR | About 12 km from downtown Dar es Salaam | Southern parks, the coast, flights to Zanzibar and Mafia |
| Abeid Amani Karume International Airport | ZNZ | About 5 km from Stone Town | The Sea in Zanzibar, Flights to Pemba |
| Arusha Airport | ARK | About 8 km from Arusha | Domestic flights to the Serengeti, Zanzibar, and national parks |
| Mwanza Airport | MWZ | About 10 km from downtown, on Lake Victoria | Western Serengeti, Lake Victoria |
| Trails in the parks | Various | Serengeti, Manyara, Ruaha, Nyerere, Katavi, Mahale | Air Safaris |
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO): The Gateway to Safaris in the North
This is the airport to choose if your trip begins in the parks of the northern circuit: Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti. It’s also the right choice for those planning to climb Kilimanjaro, as it’s located on the plain between Arusha and Moshi—the two starting points for safaris and treks. On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped peak from the runway.
European and Gulf airlines—including Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Air Tanzania—fly to Kilimanjaro. Starting July 15, 2026, Neos will operate a weekly flight from Milan Malpensa to Kilimanjaro, continuing on to Zanzibar. This is the first direct flight from Italy to this destination: it eliminates the layover and shortens the trip by several hours. Other flights involve one stopover—in Doha, Istanbul, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Amsterdam, or Dubai—for a total travel time of 11–16 hours. Upon arrival, the drive to Arusha takes about an hour.
Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR): the busiest
Dar es Salaam Airport is the largest in the country by passenger numbers and has the most modern terminal, Terminal 3. It is the most logical choice for:
- safaris in the southern parks, such as the Selous Game Reserve—now largely part of Nyerere National Park—and Ruaha National Park, which can be reached by domestic flights lasting 45–90 minutes;
- those who want to visit the city, which we describe in our guide to Dar es Salaam;
- connections to Zanzibar,Mafia Island, and the rest of the country.
From downtown, the trip takes anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on traffic, which can be heavy in Dar es Salaam. You’ll need to factor in these travel times when heading to the port to catch the ferry to Zanzibar.
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ): Zanzibar
Zanzibar Airport is located a few kilometers southeast of Stone Town. Terminal 3 began operations in 2021. In addition to domestic flights from Kilimanjaro, Arusha, and Dar es Salaam, it receives direct international flights from the Gulf, East Africa, and, during certain seasons, charter flights from Europe, including those from Italy.
From the airport to the beaches, it takes:
- about an hour north, that is, to Nungwi and Kendwa;
- 45–60 minutes to the east and southeast coasts, namely Paje and Jambiani.
To help you choose an area, check out our guides on where to stay in Zanzibar and on the island’s beaches.
Arusha Airport (ARK): the hub for safari flights
It is a small domestic airport on the outskirts of Arusha, and is often more convenient than Kilimanjaro Airport for getting around during your trip. Almost all domestic flights to the airstrips in the Serengeti, Zanzibar, Ruaha, and Nyerere depart from here. A typical itinerary includes an international arrival at Kilimanjaro, a jeep safari, and then a flight from Arusha to Zanzibar for a few days at the beach.
Mwanza and the other regional airports
Mwanza is Tanzania’s second-largest city and is located in the northwest, on the southern shore of Lake Victoria. Its airport is a convenient gateway to the western corridor of the Serengeti, where the Great Migration passes through between June and July, and to Rubondo Island National Park.
The other regional airports mainly serve travelers with specific destinations:
- Kigoma: for Gombe and the Mahale Mountains, and thus for the chimpanzees of Lake Tanganyika;
- Dodoma: for the capital;
- Songwe (Mbeya): for the southwestern highlands;
- Mtwara: for the southern coast;
- Pemba: for the island.
What about Nairobi? When is the best time to fly into Kenya?
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi (NBO) is not in Tanzania, but it sometimes offers cheaper flights or more convenient schedules. There are two options for traveling from Nairobi to Arusha:
- by land: shuttles or private cars, 5–6 hours including the border crossing at Namanga;
- by plane: a flight of about one hour to Kilimanjaro.
This is a good option if you want to combine it with a safari in Kenya, or when the savings on the flight are significant. However, you’ll need to factor in an extra day and two visas. The differences between the two countries are explained in our Kenya vs. Tanzania comparison.
Domestic flights and air safaris
Tanzania is large: there are over 800 km of road between the Serengeti and Ruaha. For this reason, domestic flights are a standard part of many itineraries. They are operated by scheduled airlines such as Air Tanzania and Precision Air, as well as companies specializing in safari flights, with small 12–14-seater propeller planes landing on dirt runways within the parks.
A fly-in safari works like this: you fly from one park to the next, and your guide will be waiting for you at the airstrip with the vehicle. It’s the ideal solution for those with just a few days, for the remote southern and western parks, and for those who want to avoid long hours on dirt roads. It costs more than a jeep safari, but it offers spectacular views from above, such as the Ngorongoro Crater, the Rift Valley, and the Serengeti plains.
Before you leave, keep a few practical rules in mind:
- Luggage: On small planes, the limit is usually 15–20 kg per person, including carry-on luggage, and only in soft-sided bags without hard wheels. Trolleys often don’t fit in the cargo hold. To help you decide what to pack, check out our guideto safari clothing.
- Schedules: Safari flights often make multiple stops at airstrips within the parks, and schedules may change due to weather or cargo loads.
- Connections: Allow at least 2–3 hours between an international flight and a domestic flight, or better yet, spend the night in Arusha or Dar es Salaam.
Documents upon arrival
It’s still possible to obtain a visa on arrival at international airports, but it’s best to apply online before leaving to avoid queues. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Mandatory travel insurance must be purchased on the official website and is required in Zanzibar and, starting October 1, 2026, also in mainland Tanzania. Costs, procedures, and links to the portals are in our visa guide for Tanzania and Zanzibar .
Frequently Asked Questions About Airports in Tanzania
What is Tanzania’s main airport?
The busiest is Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam (DAR). For safaris in the north and trips to Kilimanjaro, however, the most convenient airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), located between Arusha and Moshi.
Are there direct flights from Italy to Tanzania?
Yes. Starting July 15, 2026, Neos will operate a weekly flight from Milan Malpensa to Kilimanjaro, which continues on to Zanzibar. Otherwise, flights involve a layover, for a total travel time of 11–16 hours.
Which airport should you fly into for a safari in Tanzania?
For the northern parks—namely Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Manyara—you’ll land at Kilimanjaro (JRO). For the southern parks, such as Nyerere (Selous) and Ruaha, it’s best to fly into Dar es Salaam (DAR) and then take a domestic flight.
How far is Kilimanjaro Airport from Arusha?
Kilimanjaro Airport is about 45 km from Arusha—about an hour’s drive—and about 35 km from Moshi.
What is the baggage allowance on domestic flights in Tanzania?
On small safari planes, the allowance is generally 15–20 kg per person, including carry-on luggage, which must be in soft-sided bags. On larger scheduled flights, the allowances are similar to those of international airlines.
Can you get to Tanzania by flying into Nairobi?
Yes. From Nairobi, you can reach Arusha in 5–6 hours by land, crossing the border at Namanga, or by taking a flight of about an hour to Kilimanjaro. However, you’ll also need a visa for Kenya and an extra day of travel.
Coordinating international flights, domestic flights, and transfers is the most tedious part of planning—and the easiest to get wrong. If you’d rather leave it to us, our team in Arusha welcomes travelers upon arrival and coordinates flights and transfers into your itinerary. Send us your dates and departure airport, or check out our guide on how to plan a trip to Tanzania first.
