Tanzania is widely known for its great nature, beautiful national parks, and reserves. You can also call Tanzania the Land of Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and the Serengeti. You can easily get to Tanzania without any problem, thanks to its three international airports served by numerous airlines, including European ones. To these are added an important number of smaller airports and runways for domestic and private flights.
The choice of the airport or airports for arrival and departure essentially depends on the circuit and the type of holiday you have chosen. 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. Dar es Salaam is where Tanzania’s biggest and most connected airport is.
Tanzania is served by three international airports:
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
- Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)
- Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)
All three airports have good international connections from most major cities in Europe and North America.Many international airlines operate routes to Tanzania connecting through Europe, the Middle East or elsewhere in Africa.
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If you are doing a safari and beach trip, you will likely be flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport for your safari and flying home from Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport. In this case you will need to request a “multi city” flight that will allow you to arrive and depart from different airports. KLM/Delta, Qatar and Turkish Airlines are popular choices for these types of flights. At Brilliant, we work with a dedicated flight specialist who can find and book the right international flights on your behalf.
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. It is the biggest airport in Tanzania and among the largest in East Africa. The airport is named after the first president of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere. The airport handles about 2.5 million passengers per year.
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. Julius Nyerere International Airport (IATA: DAR, ICAO: HTDA) is the international airport of Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania. It is located in Kipawa ward of Ilala District in Dar es Salaam Region of Tanzania. The airport has flights to destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
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The airport has three terminals:
- Terminal 1 is a small terminal that handles chartered and private flights. It has an annual capacity of handling 500,000 passengers. This small terminal's operations as an International Airport ceased in 1984 after completion of Terminal II.
- Terminal 2 is used for domestic and regional scheduled flights. It has a capacity of handling 1.5 million passengers. In 2024, it was announced that the terminal is set for major renovation, with plans to transform it into a modern national hub for Air Tanzania capable of handling traffic of up to 3.5 million passengers.
- Terminal 3 is the newest terminal that opened in August 2019. It is used for International flights. The terminal consists of two phases, Phase I and II.
At Julius Nyerere International Airport alone, 20 airlines operate and serve flights to and from 22 destinations.
Airlines and Destinations
Below is a table of some airlines operating at Julius Nyerere International Airport and their destinations:
| Airline | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Air Tanzania | Accra (begins January 2026), Arusha, Bujumbura, Bukoba, Chato, Dodoma, Dubai-International, Entebbe, Guangzhou, Harare, Johannesburg-O. R. |
| Airlink | Johannesburg-O. R. |
| South African Airways | Johannesburg-O. R. |
What is Inside a World Class Airport Terminal in Tanzania? Africa is changing
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. It is an airport in the northern part of Tanzania. The airport is located close to the leisure destination Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and is mostly used by tourists since Northern circuit tourism destinations are well known by being the best site satisfying tourists. It is served by several European companies and with the most important international traffic in the country.
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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 most popular routes and airlines operating flights into Kilimanjaro International Airport are:
- Qatar Airways fly from the US/Canada via Doha and then to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Delta Airlines (codeshares with KLM) fly from the US/Canada via Amsterdam and then to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Turkish Airlines fly from the US/Canada via Istanbul and then to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Ethiopian Airlines fly from the US/Canada via Addis Adaba and then to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Kenya Airways fly from US/Canada via Nairobi and then to Kilimanjaro.
What is Inside a World Class Airport Terminal in Tanzania? Africa is changing
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.
This airport is the main airport of Zanzibar Archipelago. The airport is named after Abeid Amani Karume, the island’s first president. It is located just a few kilometers South of Stone Town and with ever-increasing traffic, opens the archipelago daily to world tourism.
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.
Other Airports in Tanzania
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.
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. Domestic flights also allow you to easily combine safaris with a stay on the Indian Ocean. For example, Arusha airport (ARK), located in Kisongo, is also near to Arusha Park and not far from Kilimanjaro. It is widely used to reach other parks or to move from parks to areas on the coast.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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