Getting to Tanzania
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is located 50km/31mi to the east of Arusha, which is the gateway to Tanzania’s popular Northern safari circuit. The journey from the airport to Arusha takes approximately 1½ hours*. For those visiting the southern parks, Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) is Tanzania’s primary airport, situated 13km/8mi southwest of Dar es Salaam.
Travel between reserves is possible by flying or driving from either Arusha or Dar es Salaam. Some domestic flights departing from Arusha may depart from Kilimanjaro International Airport or the smaller Arusha Airport (ARK) located 8km/5mi west of the town. Regardless of your chosen mode of transportation, your local tour operator will likely pick you up from the airport and make further transportation arrangements as part of your safari package.
Entry Requirements
Please note that entry requirements may change, so it is recommended to contact your local Tanzanian embassy or high commission to confirm the accuracy of the information provided below.
PASSPORTS:All foreign visitors are required to possess a passport that is valid for a minimum of six months as well as a flight card which you will receive on the plane. Passports must contain at least one clean and full visa page for endorsement purposes.
VISA:Most visitors from other countries must obtain it in advance through the official online visa-application portal, or alternatively, via your local Tanzanian embassy or high commission or on arrival in Tanzania at the international airports. However, a list of countries whose citizens are exempted from visa requirements is available.
The cost is $100 for United State of America passport holders and $50 for other countries. If you are a citizen of a different country, please check with your embassy if you can obtain a visa upon arrival
INSURANCE:If you’re planning to climb Kilimanjaro, it’s important to note that travel insurance is mandatory for high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters. Due to the challenging nature of the climb, remote location, and high altitude, all participants must provide proof of insurance before embarking on the journey.
Investing in the right insurance policy can help protect you from unforeseen circumstances, which can be especially valuable for such a significant trip to Africa. In addition to covering unexpected trip cancellations, interruptions, missed flight connections, travel delays, and lost baggage, travel insurance may also provide coverage for emergency medical evacuation and other situations like injury or family emergencies.
VACCINESS:
When planning a trip to Tanzania, getting vaccinated is a crucial step in ensuring your health and safety while abroad. By scheduling an appointment with your local travel clinic or GP a month or two before your trip, you give yourself ample time to discuss and receive the necessary vaccinations. It’s important to keep in mind that some vaccines require multiple doses and may take time to become effective.
Yellow Fever is a mandatory vaccine for travelers entering Tanzania from countries that are considered high-risk for the disease. The vaccine is required to prevent the spread of the virus and protect the population of Tanzania from potential outbreaks. It’s important to note that the vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before your arrival in Tanzania to be considered valid.
While there are no other mandatory vaccines for Kilimanjaro climbers, it’s important to consider any additional areas you may be visiting before and after your climb. For example, if you plan to visit other regions in Tanzania or neighboring countries, additional vaccines may be recommended to prevent the spread of diseases like typhoid, hepatitis A and B, and rabies.
When deciding which vaccines to get, it’s important to discuss your travel itinerary with your healthcare provider. They can advise you on which vaccines are necessary based on your specific travel plans, medical history, and current health status. Additionally, some vaccines may not be suitable for certain individuals, such as pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems.
It’s also important to keep in mind that getting vaccinated is not a substitute for other preventive measures, such as practicing good hygiene, avoiding mosquito bites, and taking precautions against food and waterborne illnesses. It’s recommended to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, and any necessary medications, such as anti-diarrheal or anti-malaria medication, with you on your trip.
In conclusion, getting vaccinated before traveling to Tanzania is an essential step in ensuring your health and safety while abroad. By scheduling an appointment with your healthcare provider early, you give yourself ample time to receive any necessary vaccinations and allow any potential side-effects to subside before your journey. Remember to discuss your travel itinerary with your healthcare provider and take other preventive measures to protect yourself while abroad.(If arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas, visitors must present a yellow-fever vaccination certificate.)
Which airlines fly to Kilimanjaro?(Tanzania)
Dutch airline KLM.
This is the most popular Dutch airline KLM. Flying to Kilimanjaro and Julius Kambarage Nyerere International airports, it’s largely because they fly frequently every day in the high season with extensive network of regional flights in the US and Europe.The most convenient and reliable.
Ethiopian Airlines.
Ethiopian Airlines: They have also been flying to Kilimanjaro International airport for many years. They have better rates and they fly via Addis Ababa, which means you may be able to stop over and see a bit of the country if time allows which is something everybody should do at least once in their life for the memory.
Turkish & Qatar Airlines:
These-two airlines started flying at approximately the same time to Kilimanjaro airport , are Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airlines. The former are often the cheapest.They arrive at 2 to 3am, which means that you’ll have to pay for an extra night’s accommodation is an option depending on exact time of landing and checking out procedure. For example, say you fly into Kilimanjaro Airport on the 2nd, you’ll actually need to book accommodation for the 1st as you are arriving so early in the morning on the 2nd. Please note that you are not allowed to sleep in the airport as no comfortable facilities.
Emirates and fly dubai:
The most recent company to offer flights to Kilimanjaro Airport is flydubai. They offer about 7 flights a week from Dubai, though none on Sunday or Monday. Unfortunately, for 3-4 of their flights they arrive around 4am. You therefore have much the problem as outlined with Turkish Airlines above. That is to say, you can either book a room in Arusha for that night, even though you won’t get to it until about 5-6am. Despite the inconvenient flight times, these flights are proving popular as people like the airline Emirates, which of course uses Dubai as their hub.
Local Tanzanian airlines:
In addition to the above there are the local airlines including Precision Air. They are a subsidiary of Kenya Airways and one that most people use to get around the rest of Tanzania and Kenya. Other airlines include Rwandair, which serves that country. Plus the local budget airline fastjet which connects JRO with Dar es Salaam , Zanzibar and Entebbe in Uganda.
In addition, you’ll also find a swarm of smaller airlines, many connecting JRO, Arusha airport and northern Tanzania with Zanzibar.
Tanzanian airport departure tax.
Airport tax is currently US$40 for international flights (US$25 from Zanzibar) though this most of the time is included in the flight fare. Internal flights are subject to airport taxes is US$9 –which most of the time is included in the ticket price .
Flights to Nairobi
In addition to flights to Tanzania, you may wish to consider flights to Nairobi in Kenya. From Nairobi ‘s Jomo Kenyatta Airport it’s only a five-hour shuttle bus ride to Arusha which cost $30. Nairobi is also usually rather cheaper to fly to.
Note, however, that by choosing to fly to Kenya you may need a multiple-entry Kenya visa. At least, you will if you’re flying out of Kenya, too, and spend longer than a fortnight in Tanzania). This, of course, will reduce or eliminate any saving you may have made in airfares.
Travelling overland to Tanzania.
Tanzania has borders with many countries including Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia. The Burundi border is now open again and is most easily crossed on the venerable old MV Liemba that sails to Kigoma, cutting across the northern corner of Lake Tanganyika from Bujumbura.
Tanzania’s borders with Rwanda, Uganda (most commonly crossed at Mutukula, north-west of Bukoba), Zambia (main crossing Tunduma), Mozambique (Kilambo), Malawi (Songwe River Bridge) and Kenya are all relatively straight forward and served by public buses and in Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria are served by Ferries.
Tanzania and Zambia are also linked by express train, running twice weekly between Dar es Salaam and Mbeya.