New and Expanded Airline Routes to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar in 2025

Getting to Tanzania is becoming easier, with several international carriers upgrading frequency or adding new routes to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar (ZNZ). If you have been holding off on booking because of limited connectivity, the 2025 schedule has improved options from Europe, the Middle East, and East Africa.

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

Kilimanjaro Airport serves as the gateway for the northern safari circuit — Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Arusha. It has historically been a smaller operation compared to Dar es Salaam, but demand from safari travellers has pushed several airlines to improve their JRO connections.

KLM operates a non-stop service between Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and Kilimanjaro, currently the only direct link to Western Europe from this airport. It runs several times a week, making it particularly popular with European safari groups who want to avoid a Dar es Salaam connection.

Ethiopian Airlines runs regular flights from Addis Ababa Bole Airport (ADD) to JRO, with onward connections from cities across Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia. Addis Ababa remains one of the most convenient hubs for reaching northern Tanzania.

Qatar Airways connects Doha Hamad Airport (DOH) to Kilimanjaro, offering connections from a wide range of international destinations. Qatar has been expanding African routes in recent years and JRO is part of that push.

Kenya Airways operates routes between Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta (NBO) and JRO, useful for travellers combining a Kenya safari with Tanzania, or for those routing through Nairobi from intercontinental connections.

Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ)

Zanzibar’s airport has seen the most significant growth in the past two years, driven by the island’s rising profile as a beach destination. A range of charter and scheduled services now connect Zanzibar directly to Europe during peak season.

Turkish Airlines added Zanzibar to its network, operating via Istanbul (IST). This opened up a very well-connected hub for travellers from Europe, the Americas, and Asia seeking to fly into Zanzibar directly rather than connecting through Dar es Salaam.

Emirates and Flydubai — both operating out of Dubai — provide options from the Gulf and beyond. Dubai is one of the most transferred-through airports for travellers from South Asia and Australia heading to East Africa.

Condor (Germany), TUI fly (Netherlands and Belgium), and other European charter operators run seasonal services to Zanzibar during the European winter, targeting the beach-and-sun market. These charters are typically sold as part of package holidays but can sometimes be booked as seat-only tickets.

Air Tanzania operates domestic routes between Julius Nyerere (DAR) and Zanzibar and between JRO and Zanzibar, giving travellers flexibility to combine a safari on the mainland with a beach stay on the island without backtracking through Dar es Salaam.

Practical Tips for Booking

• JRO vs DAR: If your trip is primarily focused on the northern circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro), flying into Kilimanjaro saves the overland transfer from Dar es Salaam, which can add 12 or more hours of travel. See our Kilimanjaro airport transfer guide for logistics.
• Zanzibar connections: If you want to combine a safari with Zanzibar, flying JRO in and ZNZ out (or vice versa) is a common pattern. Air Tanzania domestic connections are generally reliable during the main tourist season.
• Booking timing: Peak season flights (July–October for the Great Migration, December–January for Zanzibar beach season) sell out many months ahead. Booking 4–6 months in advance is wise for the best fares.
• Check-in requirements: Confirm yellow fever vaccination certificate requirements and current visa documentation before departure. See our Tanzania visa guide for details.

Route details and frequencies change — check airline websites directly for the latest schedules before booking.