A GUIDE TO AIRPORTS IN TANZANIA
A charter airplane touching down on Mtemere Airstrip, Tanzania. Tanzania is home to many airstrips that give the advantage to fly into most national parks across the country / Image: aron-marinelli
With several great airports in Tanzania, picking the best one for your trip just takes a little planning. While Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International Airport may seem like the obvious choice, it’s not the only option, and often, it’s not the most convenient either.
There’s Kilimanjaro International Airport, along with others like Mwanza International Airport, each serving different regions of the country. Still, not every airport will align with your travel plans. To help you make a well-informed decision, we’ve written this list of Tanzania's airports to ensure you choose the one that fits your itinerary.
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WITHIN THIS GUIDE
Major International Airports in Tanzania
Regional Airports in Tanzania
7. What you need to know about entering Tanzania
8. Main Airstrips in Tanzania’s National Parks
9. Tips for Navigating Tanzania’s Airports
10. FAQs
Dar es Salaam is where Tanzania’s biggest and most connected airport is. Here is one of the many roads you will take to get there / Image: samson-tarimo
Major International Airports in Tanzania
Julius Nyerere International Airport
Location: Dar es Salaam
Airport code: DAR
Most travelers begin their time in Tanzania at the country’s largest airport, Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. No matter your final destination, this airport serves as a central hub for domestic carriers like Precision Air and Coastal Aviation.
While you can fly from here to pretty much most regions with an airport in Tanzania, it's also an ideal starting point for anyone visiting nearby destinations like Nyerere National Park or Mikumi National Park, both of which are accessible by road. Plus, with daily flights to other key airports, such as Kilimanjaro International, it’s a practical choice for multi-stop itineraries.
Those spending a few days in Dar es Salaam, whether on a stopover or for business, the city center is just a 20-minute drive from the airport. You'll have the option of taking a traditional taxi, or for more affordable fares, consider downloading one of the popular ride-sharing apps like Uber or Bolt.
Julius Nyerere International Airport features three modern and well-designed terminals equipped with a wide range of amenities. These include airport lounges, SIM card providers, ATMs, duty-free shops, bars and restaurants, and luggage-wrapping services.
Airlines That Serve Julius Nyerere International Airport
International Airlines:
Oman Air
Qatar Airways
Emirates
Egyptair
KLM
Turkish Airlines
flydubai
South African Airways
Ethiopian Airlines
Domestic Airlines:
Precision Air
Air Tanzania
Flightlink
Tropical Air
As Salaam Air
ZanAir
Auric Air
Coastal Air
A view of Kilimanjaro Mountain with zebra and wildebeest in the forefront. Kilimanjaro is a wonderful airport to connect you to the northern circuit national parks / Image: stephan-bechert
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Location: Hai District, Kilimanjaro Region
Airport code: JRO
Kilimanjaro International Airport is the main entry point for travelers exploring Tanzania’s northern circuit. Located in Hai District, it's about a 1.5-hour drive from the city of Arusha. While Arusha does have its own airport, many travelers prefer flying into Kilimanjaro because it’s larger, better connected, and handles more international traffic. It’s often the preferred choice for direct arrivals from major hubs like Doha and Istanbul, especially if you want to avoid the longer journey from Dar es Salaam, even though some routes are seasonal.
Hikers planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro or travelers who want to embark on a safari through Arusha National Park will find Kilimanjaro International is the most convenient entry point as it’s the closest airport to the mountain. The airport offers a range of onward transport options, including taxis, private transfers, and shuttle buses, which can be arranged in advance or upon arrival.
Over the years, the airport has undergone significant upgrades with updated facilities like ATMs, currency exchange services, free Wi-Fi, clean restrooms, prayer rooms, and a designated smoking area.
Airlines That Serve Kilimanjaro International Airport
International Airlines:
Air France
Qatar Airways
Swiss
KLM
Ethiopian Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Domestic Airlines:
Flightlink
Air Excel
Safari Air Link
Regional Air
As Salaam Air
Air Tanzania
Auric Air
A fisherman floating along Lake Victoria in the morning sunrise after a night of fishing / Image: evans-dims
Mwanza International Airport
Location: Mwanza
Airport code: MWZ
In northern Tanzania near the Ugandan border and on Lake Victoria's shores, Mwanza International Airport is a small regional stop in the city of Mwanza. Despite its international status, the only international flights currently operate from Rwanda. However, the airport is well-connected regionally, especially through airlines like Auric Air, which uses Mwanza as a hub.
Mwanza International Airport is a great place to fly into for travelers heading to Serengeti National Park, as it's situated just about a 2.5-hour drive away. It can also be an option for people heading to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is approximately 8 hours and 45 minutes by road. Sure, it's a long trip, but manageable depending on your schedule.
While it doesn’t have the extensive amenities of some of Tanzania’s larger airports, it has everything you need to get by. Taxis with posted fares are readily available outside, and there’s a small shop inside where you can pick up snacks and essentials for your flight.
Airlines That Serve Mwanza International Airport
Domestic Airlines:
Auric Air
Precision Air
Coastal Air
Air Tanzania
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport
Location: Unguja Island
Airport code: ZNZ
Chances are, after exploring the savannah on a safari, many travelers will be craving some well-earned relaxation, and what better place to unwind than Zanzibar? Thankfully, there's no longer a need to hop on a ferry, as the island has its own airport, Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, which has a number of international connections from cities like Frankfurt, Madrid, Zurich, Johannesburg, and more.
Being the tropical paradise it is, people who come to Zanzibar do so to enjoy that fresh island lifestyle, which is a far cry from the raw national parks on the mainland. The popular beach towns of Nungwi and Kendwa are about an hour and a half away, while historic Stone Town is just a 15-minute drive from the airport, making it easy to settle into your island adventure as soon as you land.
The airport has three terminals, although Terminal 1 is currently closed. Domestic flights operate out of Terminal 2, while international travelers will use the newly renovated Terminal 3, containing luxury lounges, shops, cafés, toilets, and other amenities.
Airlines That Serve Abeid Amani Karume International Airport
International Airlines:
Uganda Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines
Etihad Airways
Oman Air
Air France
Egyptair
flydubai
KLM
Qatar Airways
Domestic Airlines:
Air Tanzania
As Salaam Air
Auric Air
Coastal Air
Precision Air
Regional Air Services
Tropical Air
ZanAir
Two giraffes stand next to a tree in Arusha National Park. Arusha Airport is only 20 minutes drive away from the national park! / Image: moses-londo
Regional Airports in Tanzania
Arusha Airport
Location: Arusha
Airport code: ARK
One of the better-known regional airports in Tanzania is Arusha Airport, which is about a 20-minute drive from Arusha itself. Although small in size, a handful of Tanzanian airlines fly there from major tourist hotspots like Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, making it a solid choice if you have plans to visit Arusha National Park or the Northern Circuit of national parks. Additionally, Arusha Airport is also the closest airport to the Ngorongoro Crater.
Pemba Airport
Location: Pemba Island
Airport code: PMA
If you're in Zanzibar and considering visiting the nearby Pemba Island, you'll be happy to know it has its own airport. The two islands are often combined into one trip, and Zanzibar provides the most departures, so it's relatively easy to tick both of them off.
Zanzibar is really the place you want to be flying from to reach Pemba because of the number of daily departures it has. There are some flights that leave from Dar es Salaam and Arusha, but there aren't as many as from Zanzibar. Bear in mind, if you're struggling to find a way there, many charter flights also go, which may not be listed on the typical flight websites.
Bukoba Airport
Location: Bukoba
Airport code: BKZ
Another airport on Lake Victoria that's possible to fly into is Bukoba. It sits on the western side of the lake, which means it's a solid choice for cruise-bound visitors whose travel plans don’t match up with flights into Mwanza.
As of now, the only place you can fly to Bukoba Airport from is Mwanza, even though Mwanza is also on the lake. There are some flights to Dar es Salaam, but they stop in Mwanza first, so they're not direct.
Dodoma Airport
Location: Dodoma
Airport code: DOD
The central Tanzanian city of Dodoma has its own airport, which opens the door to national parks like Mikumi and Tarangire; the sort of spots that are a bit more off the beaten path compared to the big-name parks.
Like many of Tanzania’s regional airports, Dodoma is small and pretty basic, with limited facilities, and it’s mostly used by locals. At the moment, the only places you can fly to Dodoma from are Dar es Salaam and Iringa.
A view of Zanzibar beach with beach huts and sailboats in the distance / Image: olga-budko
Songwe Airport
Location: Southern Highlands
Airport code: MBI
The biggest of all airports in southwest Tanzania, Songwe Airport, sits in the Southern Highlands near the border with Zambia. There aren't any national parks nearby, but some travelers use this to access the natural game reserves of Kipengere Mpanga Game Reserve and Usungu Game Reserve.
Dar es Salaam is the only place you can fly from to Songwe Airport. Be aware that transport options from there are quite limited, so you should consider arranging for someone to pick you up in advance.
Mtwara Airport
Location: Mtwara
Airport code: MYW
Thinking of adding southern Tanzania to your itinerary? Mtwara Airport could be your best bet. On the country's eastern coastline, it’s perfectly placed for diving into some of the country’s areas that are off the typical tourist path. Flights to Mtwara currently operate exclusively from Dar es Salaam, with services provided by Precision Air and Air Tanzania.
What You Need to Know About Entering Tanzania
Those coming to Tanzania will undoubtedly be wondering what the arrival process is like, but it's straightforward once you're prepared.
When arriving from abroad, you'll land at one of the international airports, exit the plane, and make your way toward immigration. You'll have either secured an e-visa beforehand or will opt for a visa on arrival. For e-visa holders, make sure to have your confirmed e-visa letter printed and any other necessary supporting documents with you. For those who want to get a visa on arrival, you'll need to give yourself some extra time, as you'll have to apply at the airport. The authorities will ask you to provide your passport, onward travel tickets, information about accommodation, and proof of a yellow fever vaccine if you've come from a high-risk country. Then you'll need to fill out the required form and make the payment, which depends on your nationality but ranges from $50 to $100.
Once you've been allowed to enter Tanzania, you can make your way to the luggage belt to collect your bags before exiting the airport and heading to your hotel. Most airports have transport connections, including taxis and buses, but if you're staying at a lodge or resort, they'll likely send transport to pick you up. If it's not included with your package, they'll almost always offer it for an extra fee, but your tour operator can take care of this for you.
A father and son stand outside four telephone boxes in the sunshine / Image: e-diop
Main Airstrips in Tanzania’s National Parks
If you're considering flying into a specific national park in Tanzania, you'll need to know the available airstrips to make an informed decision. Here are some popular options.
Serengeti Airstrips
Seronera Airstrip in the central part of the Serengeti National Park.
Kirawira Airstrip in the western part of the Serengeti National Park.
Kogatende Airstrip in the northern part of the Serengeti National Park.
Ndutu Airstrip in the southern part of the Serengeti National Park.
Other Airstrips in Tanzania
Lake Manyara Airstrip in Lake Manyara National Park.
Mtemere Airstrip in Nyerere National Park.
Kuro Airstrip in Tarangire National Park.
Msembe Airstrip in Ruaha National Park.
Tips for Navigating Tanzania’s Airports
Always Give Yourself Time When Departing
Regardless of whether it's a domestic or international departure, make sure to give yourself plenty of time before takeoff. Airports by nature are busy and chaotic, and Tanzania is no different.
Try to Avoid Exchanging Money at the Airport
Oftentimes, the exchange rates that are offered at airports in Tanzania aren't as favorable as those in the city. It's recommended to wait until you find a local exchange office instead, but oftentimes you have no choice, especially if you need to aquire a taxi to your lodge. If you find yourself in this situation, we suggest changing a small amount at the airport, and then exchange a larger amount at an office outside the airport.
Follow Up When Flying With Smaller Airlines
When using some of Tanzania's domestic carriers to reach certain national parks, its always recommended to check your flight time beforehand as well as follow up with the airline the day before to confirm your flight is still going ahead. It's not unusual for them to make last-minute changes due to weather or aircraft availability. This will allow you to prepare in case there is a change.
Pack Binoculars in Your Carry-on
Flying over Tanzania can offer a range of wonderful sights to see, so there's a good chance you might see some wildlife from your flight. Be sure to pack your binoculars in your carry-on bag and book the window seat to give yourself the best possible chance of catching some interesting observations.
FAQs
How many airports are there in Zanzibar?
Zanzibar has two airports in total. The first is Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) on Unguja Island, which acts as the area's international hub. The second is Pemba Airport (PMA) on Pemba Island, part of the Zanzibar archipelago, which mainly handles domestic flights.
Is it possible to get a SIM card at the main airports in Tanzania?
You can buy SIM cards at most of Tanzania's main airports, like Julius Nyerere International Airport and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. Providers like Vodacom, Airtel, and Tigo are known for their reliability. Prices vary by package and operator, so be sure to shop around to find a suitable deal.
Are there any ride-hailing apps I can use when I land at an airport in Tanzania?
Ride-hailing apps like Uber are a popular choice to get from the airport to your hotel, but it doesn't work in every city. As of now, you should be able to use Uber from Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar, Arusha Airport, Dodoma Airport, and Mwanza International Airport. Bolt is also another option, but be sure to research the coverage before relying on it.
Conclusion
Tanzania is home to a number of airports that welcome millions of tourists every year. While some primarily handle domestic flights, a handful also offer international connections, giving visitors flexibility based on their itinerary.
We hope this guide has cleared up any doubts you had about flying into Tanzania. If you’d like direct advice on the best airport for your safari adventure, don’t hesitate to reach out to us; we’re here to help.
A mother and baby elephant wander along the vast open plains in high grass in the Serengeti / Image: Hu Chen
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