Which airport to fly into, when flying beats driving, and how the internal flights actually work.
Where you land shapes your whole itinerary, so it is worth thinking about before you book flights.
Which airport
Kilimanjaro International (JRO) sits between Arusha and Moshi and is the right choice for the northern circuit — the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Manyara — and for climbing Kilimanjaro. It is about 50 minutes from Arusha.
Julius Nyerere International (DAR) in Dar es Salaam is the gateway to the southern parks, Nyerere and Ruaha, and a common connection point for Zanzibar.
Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ) on Zanzibar takes a growing number of direct international flights, which makes ending a trip on the island straightforward.
A very common and sensible shape is to fly into Kilimanjaro and out of Zanzibar. Ask your airline about an open-jaw ticket; it usually costs little more than a return.
Driving versus flying inside Tanzania
The country is large and the distances are real. Arusha to the central Serengeti is around 325 km, but much of it is unsealed and it takes the better part of a day.
Driving is not wasted time — the transfer is itself a game drive once you are inside the parks, and the descent from the Ngorongoro highlands onto the plains is one of the great views in Africa. But on a shorter trip, flying one leg converts most of a day of transfer into two extra game drives.
Our usual recommendation on a week-long northern circuit is to drive in and fly out. You get the drama of the approach and you do not lose your last day to a six-hour drive.
How the light aircraft work
Internal flights are on small aircraft, typically Cessna Caravans, operating on scheduled circuits that may touch down at two or three airstrips before yours. Flights are frequently rescheduled by an hour or two; this is normal and your camp will know.
The luggage limit is around 15 kg per person in a soft-sided bag, including hand luggage. Airstrips are gravel, unfenced and often have a giraffe standing near them.
Getting between the mainland and Zanzibar
Short flights run frequently from Arusha, Dar es Salaam and the Serengeti airstrips. There is also a fast ferry from Dar es Salaam that takes around two hours. Note that you pass through an immigration desk in both directions even though Zanzibar is part of Tanzania.
