1. Arriving from Abroad: By Air

• Main International Airports:

  • Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es Salaam)

  • Kilimanjaro International Airport (near Arusha)

  • Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (Zanzibar)

• Major Airlines & Routes:

  • Long-haul carriers such as Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, and Etihad operate flights into these airports.

• Domestic and Regional Connections:

  • Coastal Aviation, Flightlink, and Air Tanzania connect travelers to safari hubs like Arusha, Serengeti, and the Zanzibar archipelago.

    • Coastal Aviation services over 42 destinations, operating from Dar es Salaam.

    • Flightlink runs scheduled flights to key tourism centers (e.g., Arusha, Zanzibar, Serengeti airstrips).

    • Air Tanzania, the national carrier, flies between major Tanzanian cities and Zanzibar.

2. Crossing by Land: Buses and Driving

• International Buses:

  • Buses from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zambia offer budget-friendly travel to Dar es Salaam or Arusha. For example:

    • From Nairobi to Dar es Salaam costs roughly $20–$30 and takes about 12–14 hours.

• Self-Driving:

  • Ideal for adventurers crossing from neighboring countries (e.g., Kenya). Be prepared to secure required paperwork:

    • Vehicle registration

    • Driving license

    • Road tax, fuel levy, third-party insurance, and a temporary import permit

3. Visas & Entry Requirements

• eVisa (Highly Recommended):

  • Apply via the official portal. Typical fees:

    • Single-entry: $50 USD

    • Multiple-entry: $100 USD

  • Processing generally takes up to 10 business days.

• On Arrival & Embassy Visas:

  • Visa-on-arrival is possible but not advised—expect delays. Instead, embassy applications avoid uncertainty.

• Passport & Documentation Essentials:

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months with blank pages.

  • Proof of onward/return ticket.

  • Evidence of funds and accommodation booking.

  • Yellow fever certificate if arriving from or transiting through risk zones.

• Zanzibar’s Mandatory Visitor Insurance:

  • Since October 2024, a visitor insurance from Zanzibar Insurance Corporation is required when arriving on the island. International insurance policies are not accepted.

4. Planning Tips for Safari Travelers

• Charter Flights to Remote Safaris:

  • Chartering flights (e.g., to Serengeti airstrips) can dramatically elevate logistics and experience.

• Seamless Multi-Destination Journeys:

  • Many visitors combine flights between Zanzibar and safari regions via Arusha or Kilimanjaro—making transitions smooth and scenic.