Tanzania Flights | Airlines, Airports, Arrivals and Airport Transport Guide

Important rule

Flight days and arrival times must be checked live

Airline operating days and arrival times change by season, aircraft rotation, public demand, airport operations, weather and airline network changes. A route that operates daily in one season may operate fewer days in another season.

For this reason, visitors should not rely only on a static website page for exact days and arrival times. Use this page to understand the airlines, airports and transport choices, then verify the final flight day and arrival time through the airline booking engine and the official airport arrivals or departures board.

Airport choice

Choose the airport that matches the trip

Use Dar es Salaam for business, ferries, southern safaris and city travel. Use Kilimanjaro International Airport for northern safari and Kilimanjaro routes. Use Zanzibar Airport for island holidays. Use Arusha Airport and safari airstrips for bush-flight connections.

The correct airport saves time, reduces transfer cost and makes the visa itinerary easier to understand.

Airports

Main Tanzania airports, where flights land, and airport transportation

DAR · Dar es Salaam

Julius Nyerere International Airport

Why visitors use it: Main international gateway, commercial hub, ferry connection to Zanzibar and gateway to southern safari routes.

Connects to: Dar es Salaam city, Zanzibar ferry terminal, Bagamoyo, Mikumi, Nyerere National Park, Morogoro, business districts.

Airport transport: Official airport taxis, hotel transfers, private cars, ride-hailing where available, shuttle/private transfers, domestic flight connections and ferry terminal transfers.

JRO · Between Arusha and Moshi

Kilimanjaro International Airport

Why visitors use it: Main gateway to northern Tanzania tourism circuit and a key airport for Kilimanjaro, Arusha and safari travel.

Connects to: Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Mount Meru.

Airport transport: Pre-booked safari transfers, hotel shuttles, taxis, private cars, shuttle services to Arusha/Moshi and domestic/bush-flight connections.

ZNZ · Zanzibar / Unguja

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport

Why visitors use it: Main airport for Zanzibar Archipelago with international, regional and domestic flights.

Connects to: Stone Town, Nungwi, Kendwa, Paje, Jambiani, Matemwe, Zanzibar beach resorts, ferries, Pemba connections.

Airport transport: Airport taxis, hotel transfers, private cars, resort shuttles, domestic transfers and ferry/boat connections where needed.

ARK · Arusha

Arusha Airport

Why visitors use it: Small domestic and safari airport close to Arusha city, useful for bush flights and regional hops.

Connects to: Arusha hotels, safari departures, Serengeti airstrips, Lake Manyara, Zanzibar and local safari connections.

Airport transport: Safari operator transfers, taxis, hotel cars and private vehicles.

MWZ · Mwanza / Lake Victoria

Mwanza Airport

Why visitors use it: Lake Victoria gateway and useful airport for western or northwest Tanzania travel.

Connects to: Mwanza city, Lake Victoria, western Serengeti routes, Musoma, Geita and Lake Zone travel.

Airport transport: Taxis, hotel transfers, private vehicles, local buses and regional road connections.

DOD · Dodoma

Dodoma Airport

Why visitors use it: Capital-city airport for government, business and central Tanzania travel.

Connects to: Dodoma city, government offices, central region, Singida and inland routes.

Airport transport: Taxis, private transfers, hotel cars and local road transport.

MBI · Mbeya / Songwe

Mbeya Airport / Songwe region access

Why visitors use it: Southern highland air gateway for Mbeya, Songwe and overland routes toward Malawi and Zambia.

Connects to: Mbeya city, Songwe region, Tunduma, Kitulo, Lake Ngozi and southern highland routes.

Airport transport: Taxis, private cars, hotel transfers, buses and overland transport.

TKQ · Kigoma / Lake Tanganyika

Kigoma Airport

Why visitors use it: Western Tanzania airport for Lake Tanganyika and Gombe access.

Connects to: Kigoma town, Lake Tanganyika, Gombe Stream, western Tanzania routes.

Airport transport: Taxis, hotel transfers, private vehicles and boat/lake transport connections.

MFA · Mafia Island

Mafia Island Airport

Why visitors use it: Island airport for marine park, diving and whale-shark-season travel.

Connects to: Mafia Island lodges, marine park, Kilindoni and island beaches.

Airport transport: Lodge transfers, local taxis and arranged island transport.

PMA · Pemba Island

Pemba Airport

Why visitors use it: Zanzibar-archipelago airport for Pemba Island.

Connects to: Chake Chake, Wete, Mkoani, diving lodges and clove-island routes.

Airport transport: Hotel/lodge transfers, taxis, private cars and local island transport.

International airlines

International and regional airlines operating Tanzania routes

Airlines visitors commonly use for Tanzania international and regional flights
Airline	Typical role	Common Tanzania airports used	How to check days and times
Air Tanzania	Tanzania flag carrier with domestic, regional and international routes.	DAR, JRO, ZNZ and domestic airports depending route	Check airline timetable and airport live boards.
Precision Air	Tanzanian regional/domestic airline with East African and domestic connectivity.	DAR, JRO, ZNZ, MWZ, ARK and other domestic points depending schedule	Check airline timetable and airport live boards.
Ethiopian Airlines	Major Africa connector via Addis Ababa.	DAR, JRO, ZNZ depending route season	Check airline and live airport arrivals.
Kenya Airways	Regional connector via Nairobi.	DAR, JRO, ZNZ depending route season	Check airline and airport boards.
Qatar Airways	Middle East long-haul connector via Doha.	DAR, JRO, ZNZ depending current routing	Check airline schedule and arrival board.
Turkish Airlines	Long-haul connector via Istanbul.	DAR, JRO, ZNZ depending current routing	Check airline schedule and airport live status.
Emirates / flydubai	Dubai-based long-haul and regional connections.	DAR and/or ZNZ depending airline and season	Check airline schedule and airport live status.
KLM / Air France	European connections, sometimes combined routing with Tanzania/Zanzibar sectors.	DAR, JRO, ZNZ depending current season and route	Check airline schedule and live arrivals.
RwandAir	Regional connector via Kigali.	DAR, JRO, ZNZ depending current schedule	Check airline and airport status.
Uganda Airlines	Regional connector via Entebbe/Kampala region.	DAR and/or ZNZ depending schedule	Check airline and airport status.
Oman Air	Gulf and Zanzibar/Dar connections depending schedule.	ZNZ and/or DAR depending current service	Check airline and Zanzibar airport board.
Condor / Discover / European leisure airlines	Seasonal leisure services may operate to Zanzibar or Kilimanjaro.	ZNZ or JRO depending season	Check seasonal timetable before publishing fixed days.

Airline operation may change by season. Always verify current airline schedule before publishing or booking a fixed day/time.

Domestic airlines

Local and domestic airlines operating within Tanzania

Domestic, regional and safari flight operators in Tanzania
Airline or operator type	Typical role	Common airports or airstrips
Air Tanzania	Domestic trunk routes and regional links.	DAR, JRO, ZNZ, DOD, MWZ, MBI and other points depending schedule.
Precision Air	Domestic/regional scheduled services.	DAR, JRO, ZNZ, MWZ, ARK and other domestic points depending schedule.
Coastal Aviation	Safari and coastal air services with small aircraft.	Arusha, Serengeti airstrips, Zanzibar, Mafia, Nyerere and safari regions depending schedule.
Auric Air	Safari, island and regional small-aircraft services.	JRO, ARK, Manyara, Serengeti airstrips, ZNZ, Mafia and other points depending season.
Regional Air	Safari and regional charter/scheduled services.	Northern Tanzania, safari airstrips and regional routes depending schedule.
Flightlink	Domestic and regional point-to-point services depending active schedule.	DAR, ARK, ZNZ and other points depending schedule.
As Salaam Air	Zanzibar/coastal regional services depending schedule.	ZNZ, DAR, Pemba and coastal/island routes depending schedule.
Safari Air Link / charter operators	Charter and safari routing for lodges and remote parks.	Safari airstrips, islands and remote destinations depending operator approval.

Small-aircraft and safari flights may have strict baggage limits and may stop at multiple airstrips before the final destination.

Schedule clarity

How users should check what days airlines fly and arrival time

How to avoid confusion with Tanzania flight schedules
Question	Clear explanation	Best user action
Flight days	Airlines publish operating days by route and season. Some routes are daily, some operate only selected days, and safari flights may depend on season or demand.	Check the airline website, airport live departures/arrivals, or ticket booking engine before travel.
Arrival times	Published arrival times are local airport times but can change due to aircraft rotation, weather, air traffic or operational updates.	Check the airport live arrivals board on the travel day.
Airport terminals	DAR, JRO and ZNZ can use different terminal or arrival areas depending route and airline.	Confirm terminal on ticket, airline app and airport board.
Safari airstrips	Small aircraft may stop at multiple airstrips before reaching the final camp route.	Ask the safari operator whether the flight is direct or multi-stop.
Zanzibar flights	Zanzibar has international, regional and domestic flights, but visitors must also remember the mandatory Zanzibar insurance rule.	Keep insurance proof ready before entering Zanzibar.
Connection time	Domestic and international connections may require baggage collection, immigration, customs or terminal movement.	Do not book tight self-connections without airline protection.

Step by step

How to check flights to and within Tanzania

Identify the correct airport

Use DAR for Dar es Salaam, JRO for northern safari/Kilimanjaro, ZNZ for Zanzibar, ARK for Arusha safari hops and regional airports for local routes.

Check the airline route

Confirm whether the airline operates the route directly, seasonally, daily or only on selected days.

Check live arrival time

Use the official airport live board or airline app on the day of travel because times and terminals can change.

Confirm baggage and terminal

Check baggage allowance, small-aircraft luggage rules, terminal details and whether bags transfer automatically.

Book airport transport

Pre-book safari transfers, hotel cars, taxis or resort shuttles, especially for late arrivals and family groups.

Keep entry documents ready

Carry passport, visa approval if required, Zanzibar insurance proof where relevant, ticket and accommodation details.

DAR airport

Flying into Dar es Salaam airport

Julius Nyerere International Airport is Tanzania’s main commercial and international gateway. It works well for Dar es Salaam business travel, Zanzibar ferry connections, southern safari routes, domestic flights and coastal travel.

From the airport, visitors commonly use official taxis, hotel transfers, private cars, ride-hailing where available, or pre-arranged transfers. For Zanzibar ferry departures, allow enough time for traffic between the airport and ferry terminal.

JRO airport

Flying into Kilimanjaro airport

Kilimanjaro International Airport is the main gateway to Tanzania’s northern tourism circuit. It is useful for Arusha, Moshi, Kilimanjaro climbs, Mount Meru, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara.

Visitors should usually pre-book a transfer to Arusha or Moshi. Late-night arrivals should not depend on negotiating transport after landing unless they already know the airport and area.

ZNZ airport

Flying into Zanzibar airport

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport is the main airport for Zanzibar. It handles flights from East Africa, Europe and the Middle East, plus domestic flights from mainland Tanzania and regional routes.

Airport transport includes taxis, hotel transfers, private cars and resort shuttles. Visitors entering Zanzibar should also prepare mandatory Zanzibar inbound travel insurance separately from the Tanzania visa or eVisa.

Connection warning

Do not book tight self-connections

If you book separate tickets, the second airline may not protect you if the first flight is delayed. This is especially important when connecting international arrival, domestic safari flight, ferry departure or Zanzibar resort transfer on the same day.

Leave time for immigration, baggage, customs, terminal changes, traffic, check-in cutoffs and possible schedule changes.

Airport transport

Transportation within and around airport locations

Airport transport options for Tanzania visitors
Transport option	Where it works best	What visitors should know
Official airport taxi	DAR, JRO, ZNZ and major airports.	Confirm price before leaving the airport or use an official desk/rank where available.
Hotel transfer	City hotels, beach resorts, safari lodges and late arrivals.	Best for first-time visitors, families, night arrivals and travelers with luggage.
Safari operator transfer	JRO, ARK, safari airstrips and northern circuit routes.	Usually the clearest option when a safari starts the same day or next morning.
Resort shuttle	Zanzibar, Mafia, Pemba and beach lodges.	Confirm if included in hotel price or charged separately.
Ride-hailing or private car	Main cities where available.	Availability can depend on city, time, internet connection and local regulations.
Shuttle bus	Some JRO-Arusha-Moshi routes and hotel/tourist corridors.	Cheaper than private transfer but less flexible for late arrivals.
Domestic flight or bush flight	Connecting major airports to parks, islands and remote regions.	Check baggage limits and whether the flight stops at other airstrips.
Ferry transfer	Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar or island/lake connections.	Allow time for road traffic, port check-in and weather changes.

Planning a Tanzania flight with visa and airport transport?

Choose the correct airport, verify airline days and arrival time live, prepare visa documents, and pre-book transport from the airport to your city, safari or beach destination.

Start Tanzania Visa Application

FAQ

Tanzania Flight FAQs

Which airport should I fly into for Tanzania safari?

For northern safaris, Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha Airport are most useful. For southern safaris, Dar es Salaam is common for Nyerere and Mikumi, while flights or road transfers may connect to Ruaha and other parks.

Which airlines fly to Tanzania?

Airlines operating Tanzania routes can include Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, RwandAir, KLM/Air France, Emirates or flydubai, Uganda Airlines, Oman Air and seasonal leisure airlines, depending on airport and season.

How can I know what days airlines fly and arrival times?

Flight days and arrival times change by season and operation. Visitors should verify the airline timetable, ticket booking engine and official airport arrivals or departures board before travel.

What airport transport is available in Tanzania?

Common airport transport includes official taxis, hotel transfers, private cars, safari operator transfers, resort shuttles, domestic flight connections and ferry transfers for Zanzibar travel.

Which airport is best for Zanzibar?

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar is the main airport for Zanzibar Island. Visitors may also arrive by ferry from Dar es Salaam.

Do I need a visa if I only transit through Tanzania airport?

Transit visa requirements depend on nationality, route, airport procedure and whether the traveler clears immigration. Check Tanzania visa rules before booking a self-transfer or long layover.