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Tanzania is a beautiful East African country with neighbours Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south and the Indian Ocean to the east. It is known for its vibrant culture, wonderful national parks, diverse fauna and flora and of course the great wildebeest migration. If you are planning a safari trip to Tanzania then you should find out all about flights to Tanzania, passport and visa requirements.
Flights To Tanzania
The best way to reach Tanzania is by air. Julius Nyerere International Airport (13 km/8 miles southwest of Dar es Salaam) and Kilimanjaro International Airport (46 km/29 miles east of Arusha) are the two main airports in Tanzania. There are two other regional airports: Zanzibar on the island of Zanzibar and Arusha (8 km/5 miles west of Arusha), which handles much of the safari traffic in and out of the reserves.
Your local ground handler or tour operator will arrange for you to be welcomed at the airport at the start of your safari and dropped off at the end.
Tanzania is well connected to the Middle East, USA, Asia, Africa and Europe through various hubs:-
- Air Kenya flies between London and Kilimanjaro International Airport via Nairobi
- Ethiopian flies between London and Kilimanjaro International Airport via Addis Ababa
- KLM flies between London and Kilimanjaro International Airport via Amsterdam
- Emirates flies between London and Kilimanjaro International Airport via Dubai
- FastJet connects South Africa and Tanzania
- ZanAir and Air Excel also offer various domestic options in Tanzania
There are frequent flights to Tanzania from London and Europe with a flight time of around 11 hours depending on stop-overs. From New York, you should expect to travel for about 19 hours, including stopovers. It is best to check websites like SkyScanner and Expedia to find out more about how to fly to Tanzania as well as checking with the travel partner you are booking with to get guidance on which airport to fly in to for the beginning of your safari. When you book a flight to Tanzania the departure tax is included in the price of the ticket.
Passport and Visa Requirements To Visit Tanzania
Before booking your air tickets you should contact your local Tanzania Embassy to enquire about entry requirements and any recently introduced policies.
The main points to note are:-
- All foreign visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months
- The passport must have a full blank page for the visa endorsement
- If you are arriving from a yellow fever country you will need a yellow fever vaccination certificate
- Most travellers will require a visa but please check to see who is exempt – Tanzania Ministry of Home Affairs http://www.immigration.go.tz./index.php/en/services/visa-information
- Get your visa ahead of time through the online service – https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/
A visa for Tanzania can be obtained from the Tanzania Embassy, local high commission in your home country or through the official online visa application portal of the Tanzania immigration department (see link above). Visas can also be obtained on arrival in Tanzania but this can cause delays to your entry into the country because of long queues. You don’t want to wait in queues in the airport at the beginning of your holiday. It’s always advisable to obtain a visa a month before your visit.
If you are planning a trip in the dry season, late June to October, then it’s an ideal time for game viewing and walking safaris. The temperature is not too high so you’ll be able to enjoy your wildlife adventures with your friends or family without getting overheated. March to May is the rainy season when you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery and new growth. This season is especially good for bird watching.
Start planning your Tanzania safari now and begin your own African adventure!