Getting There – Tanzania

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Tanzania.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Map of Tanzania Map of Tanzania
Tanzania Map

There are direct and one-stop flights from overseas to Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro (near Arusha) and Zanzibar Island. Arusha town is the starting point for Tanzania's most popular Northern Safari Circuit. Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is situated 46km/29mi east of Arusha. Tanzania's main airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) located 13km/8mi southwest of Dar es Salaam. The latter is the entry-point for visitors to the southern parks.

Moving on from Arusha or Dar es Salaam you can fly or drive between reserves, or you can opt to do a bit of both. Some domestic flights out of Arusha will leave from Kilimanjaro International Airport, but most flights to reserves leave from the much smaller Arusha Airport (ARK) located 8km/5mi west of town. However you choose to travel, in most cases, your local tour operator will pick you up from the airport and arrange all further transportation as part of your safari package.

Flights & Airlines to Tanzania

Please check Skyscanner, or for multiple-destination flights check Expedia, to see which airlines can take you to Tanzania and what tickets would cost.

Domestic Airlines & Flights in Tanzania

Domestic and charter flights between parks are usually booked by tour operators as part of the tour package. Domestic flights can be booked with several domestic carriers.

Passport, Visa and Other Entry Requirements

Entry requirements can change, so please contact your local Tanzania embassy to verify the information below is current.

  • A passport is required for all foreign visitors and has to be valid for at least six months.
  • Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement.
  • When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
  • Citizens of most countries require a visa. A list of countries that don't need a visa is available.
  • Visas are best obtained in advance through an official online visa-application portal, but they can also be obtained through your local Tanzania Embassy or High Commission.
  • Visas can also be obtained on arrival but this is a lengthy process that can take one to two hours.

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