Exploring Main International Airports In Tanzania

Tanzania is renowned all over the world due to its amazing nature with numerous gorgeous national parks and reserves. You can also call Tanzania as the Land of Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and the Serengeti. Tanzania has three international airports that are served by a large number of airlines, including European ones, making travel there simple and problem-free. A sizable number of smaller airports and runways for private and domestic travel are added to these.

The circuit and the type of vacation you have chosen are the main determinants of the airports you will use for arrival and departure.  This article will explore the main airports in Tanzania, their unique features as well as the roles they play in the country’s tourism and transportation sectors.

How Many Airports In Tanzania?

Tanzania is home to more than 300 private airstrips and 58 airports that serve both locals and visitors, as well as corporate travelers. This vast network emphasizes how crucial aviation is to linking Tanzania's many regions and fostering the country's economic growth.

List Of International Airports In Tanzania

Many people wish to travel to Tanzania at some point in their lives. The airports in Tanzania are perhaps one item you would like more information about if you were considering visiting the country.

However, if you want to visit Tanzania, you need to fly there.Here is our list of airports in Tanzania. Keep on reading for more information.

Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)

Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)

Julius Nyerere International Airport is the biggest airport in Tanzania and one of the largest in East Africa. Located in Dar es Salaam, it is the primary gateway for travelers, handling millions of passengers each year. With state-of-the-art facilities, it connects Tanzania to the world, offering flights to various continents.

For travelers planning to visit Southern Parks like Mikumi National Park, Ruaha, the Udzungwa Mountains, and the Selous Game Reserve, this is the best airport.

The third terminal was added to increase the airport's overall infrastructure and passenger handling capacity to six million passengers annually. Although the airport is active every day of the week, there may be traffic on the days leading up to and following holidays, celebrations, and religious occasions.

Freight handling is a twenty-four-hour operation; however, on weekends and holidays, when customs, clearing agents, and other support services might not work, bottlenecks could occur. These can be avoided by making advance plans and requesting arrangements.

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)

It is the main airport in the Zanzibar Archipelago located on Unguja Island, roughly 5 km south of Zanzibar City, and provides flights to East Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. As a significant international airport in Tanzania, it welcomes visitors to the island’s pristine beaches and historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The airport has three terminals: Terminal 1 which is inactive. It is a small building found on the northern side of Terminal 2 and is currently used as the airport office. Terminal 2 is for domestic flights and New Terminal 3 which was officially opened in October 2020, is used for international flights.

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

Kilimanjaro International Airport is in the northern region of Tanzania, near the popular tourist destination Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. This major airport in Tanzania is mostly used by travelers because Northern Circuit tourism locations are well known for being the best sites satisfying travelers. Kilimanjaro International Airport serves several European companies and has the most important international traffic in Tanzania. 

It is the ideal airport for those who want to visit the Northern Parks such as Arusha NP, Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire.

There are some ways to get to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport: taxis are easily found at the airport and are a convenient but more expensive option; shuttle services are less expensive but may need reservations in advance; renting a car gives you more freedom but you should make sure you have the required documentation and consider Tanzanian driving conditions. Check out these options to see which one best fits your needs.

Mwanza Airport (MWZ)

Serving the Mwanza region, this is another major airport in Tanzania. It is only a few kilometers from the city, close to the shores of Lake Victoria. Mwanza is primarily of economic interest, while many visitors also use it as a stopover.

The Mwanza Airport serves a variety of domestic and international airlines. Among these, Regional Air Lines, Air Tanzania, Precision Air, and Eurocypria Airlines are the airline companies that fly more regularly. The most popular routes from Mwanza are Mwanza to Dar Es Salaam and Mwanza to Bukoba.

Mwanza Airport (MWZ)

Arusha Airport (ARK)

Arusha Airport in Tanzania is a small airport that only handles domestic travel. The longest flight from Arusha to Dar es Salaam is 300 miles (483 km) nonstop. Coastal Aviation operates this direct flight, which takes around one hour and fifty minutes to complete.

7 airlines operate flights to and from Arusha in total. Arusha's most popular destinations are Lake Manyara, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Seronera, Dar es Salaam, and Grumeti. The carriers that provide these flights include Air Excel, Auric air, Regional air, Coastal aircraft, Precision air, Zanair, and Air Tanzania.

Arusha Airport (ARK)

Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi's principal airport serving East Africa, is another intriguing entry point into Tanzania. From there, you can drive to Arusha in five hours or take a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is just an hour away.

Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) 

Conclusion

You will first have to pass through immigration when you arrive at any airport in Tanzania. There are lines for those obtaining visas upon arrival and for those who already have their visa. Present your passport and complete a visitor arrival card after that. Once the immigration officer has stamped your passport, you will be allowed to enter the country.

To speed up the procedure, do not forget to prepare any required documents close at hand. Additionally, it's highly recommended to apply for a Tanzania eVisa via Tanzania Immigration Services website before your trip to further expedite your entry. Our streamlined online application process is quick, secure, and user-friendly, allowing you to obtain your eVisa from the comfort of your home or office. By doing so, you will save valuable time at the airport, as you won't have to worry about lengthy visa-on-arrival procedures.

You will proceed to customs after passing through immigration so that your luggage can be checked. To prevent any problems, you must declare any commodities or items you are carrying into Tanzania.