How to travel to Tanzania from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Mexico and Ireland

Travel to Tanzania from the USA

There are usually no regular nonstop flights between the United States and Tanzania, so most travellers make one connection, sometimes two. Common routes connect through a European hub such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris or Istanbul, a Middle Eastern hub such as Doha or Dubai, or an African hub such as Addis Ababa or Nairobi. From the East Coast, total journey times are often roughly 18–24 hours including the connection; from the West Coast, expect longer. Times vary a lot with the route and layover, so check current schedules.

Which airport

• Kilimanjaro International Airport for northern safaris (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire) and Kilimanjaro climbs.
• Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam for the coast and southern parks.
• Abeid Amani Karume International Airport on Zanzibar for beach and Stone Town stays.

Entry for US citizens

US citizens need a visa to visit Tanzania as tourists. Many apply online in advance through the official eVisa system of the Tanzania Immigration Services Department. Your passport should usually be valid for at least six months after arrival, with blank pages. Check the State Department's country information at travel.state.gov and the official Tanzanian immigration website for current rules, fees and processing times. You may need a yellow fever certificate if your route passes through a country with yellow fever risk, so check your connection carefully.

Time difference

Tanzania is on UTC+3 all year. It is usually 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Time during American daylight saving and 8 hours ahead in winter, and 10–11 hours ahead of Pacific Time. The overnight eastbound flight means many Americans arrive tired; plan a rest day in Arusha or Moshi before a safari or climb.

Travel to Tanzania from the UK

From the UK, most travellers fly to Tanzania with one connection. Typical routes go via Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels, Zurich or Istanbul in Europe, Doha or Dubai in the Middle East, or Addis Ababa and Nairobi in Africa. Some airlines have flown direct from Europe to Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar at times, including seasonal and holiday services, and direct options from the UK can appear and disappear, so check current schedules. Flying time from Europe to Tanzania is roughly 8–10 hours, and the whole journey with a connection is often around 12–18 hours.

Entry for UK citizens

British citizens need a visa for Tanzania. Many apply online in advance through Tanzania's official eVisa system, and visas on arrival have been available at main entry points at times, but applying ahead is usually the calmer option. Your passport should normally have at least six months' validity on arrival and blank pages. Read the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania, which also covers entry rules, health and any areas to avoid.

Zanzibar

Zanzibar has its own arrangements for visitors, including a travel insurance requirement introduced in recent years. If Zanzibar is on your route, check the current Zanzibar requirements as well as the mainland visa rules.

Time difference

Tanzania is 3 hours ahead of the UK in winter and 2 hours ahead during British Summer Time. Because the time difference is small, jet lag is mild; the bigger challenge is usually an overnight flight with little sleep. Many UK flights arrive in the morning or early afternoon, which works well for a transfer to Arusha, Moshi or Stone Town and an early night.

Combining with other countries

Some UK travellers fly into Kenya and cross overland to Tanzania, or fly into Tanzania and out from Zanzibar. Check visa rules for each country and whether your Tanzanian visa allows the entries you need.

Travel to Tanzania from Canada

There are usually no direct flights from Canada to Tanzania. Travellers from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver or Calgary normally connect through a European hub such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, London or Istanbul, a Middle Eastern hub such as Doha or Dubai, or an African hub such as Addis Ababa. Some itineraries include two connections, especially from western Canada. Total travel time from eastern Canada is often roughly 18–24 hours and longer from the west; it varies with layovers, so compare routes carefully.

Entry for Canadian citizens

Canadian citizens need a visa to visit Tanzania as tourists. Many apply online in advance through the official Tanzanian eVisa system. Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity on arrival and blank pages. Read the Government of Canada's travel advice for Tanzania at travel.gc.ca, which also covers health requirements such as yellow fever certificates for certain routes, and confirm details on the official Tanzanian immigration website.

Health preparation

Book a travel clinic appointment well before departure. Malaria is present in much of Tanzania, including Zanzibar and the safari areas, and the clinic can advise on prevention and vaccinations. If you plan to climb Kilimanjaro, ask about altitude and make sure your travel insurance covers high-altitude trekking and medical evacuation.

Time difference

Tanzania is UTC+3 with no daylight saving. It is usually 7 hours ahead of Toronto and Montreal in summer and 8 hours ahead in winter, and 10–11 hours ahead of Vancouver. Eastbound jet lag can be tough, so try to sleep on the overnight flight, get daylight soon after you land and keep the first day light.

Which airport to choose

For a safari or Kilimanjaro, fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport. For Zanzibar only, look at flights into Zanzibar directly, and for the south or coast, Dar es Salaam. An open-jaw ticket, arriving at Kilimanjaro and leaving from Zanzibar, avoids backtracking.

Travel to Tanzania from Australia

There are no regular direct flights between Australia and Tanzania. Australians usually connect through a Middle Eastern hub such as Doha or Dubai, through Johannesburg in South Africa, or via Southeast Asian or African hubs such as Singapore, Addis Ababa or Nairobi. From Perth the journey is shorter than from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Total travel times are often roughly 20–30 hours depending on the route and connections, so check current schedules and allow for a long layover.

Entry for Australian citizens

Australian citizens need a visa for Tanzania. Many apply online in advance through Tanzania's official eVisa system. Your passport should generally be valid for at least six months on arrival with blank pages. Read Smartraveller's advice for Tanzania at smartraveller.gov.au, which covers entry rules, health and safety, and confirm details on the official Tanzanian immigration website. If you connect through Johannesburg or another African hub, check whether the transit affects any yellow fever certificate requirement.

Time difference

Tanzania is UTC+3. It is usually 7 hours behind Sydney and Melbourne in the Australian winter and 8 hours behind during Australian daylight saving, and around 5 hours behind Perth. Flying west is generally easier on the body than flying east, but the long journey still takes a day or two to recover from.

Best time to go from Australia

The Tanzanian dry season, roughly late June to October, overlaps with the Australian winter and the July school holidays, which is a popular time for safaris and Kilimanjaro climbs. January and February are also good, especially for calving in the southern Serengeti, and fit the Australian summer holidays, though Zanzibar is hot and humid then.

Combining with southern Africa

Because many Australians connect through Johannesburg, it is common to add South Africa, Botswana, Zambia or Namibia. Check visa rules for each country and allow enough time for connections between regional flights.

Travel to Tanzania from Mexico

There are no direct flights from Mexico to Tanzania. Travellers from Mexico City, Cancún or Guadalajara usually fly with two connections: first to a European hub such as Madrid, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt or Istanbul, or to a Middle Eastern hub such as Doha or Dubai, and then on to Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. Some travellers connect via the United States, which can require a US transit visa or travel authorisation depending on your passport. Total travel time is often more than 24 hours, so look for routes with reasonable layovers.

Entry for Mexican citizens

Entry rules for Mexican passport holders can differ from those for European or North American travellers, so check carefully before you book. Most visitors to Tanzania need a visa, and the official Tanzanian immigration website explains which nationalities can apply online and which need to apply through an embassy. You can also check the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs at gob.mx/sre for travel information and consular contacts. Check any transit visa requirements for the countries you connect through, especially in Europe or the USA.

Time difference

Mexico City is on UTC−6 all year, so Tanzania is 9 hours ahead. From Cancún, which is on UTC−5, Tanzania is 8 hours ahead. This is a big eastward shift, and it can take several days to adjust fully.

Jet lag tips for the long journey

• Break the trip with a night in Europe or the Middle East if your schedule allows.
• Start shifting your sleep an hour or two earlier a few days before departure.
• On arrival, get outside in the morning light and avoid long naps.
• Plan a quiet first day in Arusha, Moshi or Stone Town before any safari, climb or long drive.

Language

Spanish is not widely spoken in Tanzania. English is used in tourism and Swahili is spoken everywhere, so learning a few Swahili greetings is helpful and appreciated.

Travel to Tanzania from Ireland

There are no direct flights from Ireland to Tanzania. Travellers from Dublin, Shannon or Cork usually connect through a European hub such as London, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt or Istanbul, or a Middle Eastern hub such as Doha or Dubai, then continue to Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. The whole journey is often roughly 14–20 hours including the connection, depending on the route and layover; check current schedules.

Entry for Irish citizens

Irish citizens need a visa to visit Tanzania. Many apply online in advance through Tanzania's official eVisa system. Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity on arrival and blank pages. Read the Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice for Tanzania at dfa.ie/travel, and confirm details on the official Tanzanian immigration website. If you are going to Zanzibar, also check its current visitor requirements, including travel insurance.

Time difference

Tanzania is 3 hours ahead of Ireland in winter and 2 hours ahead during Irish summer time. Jet lag is mild, and the main tiredness comes from overnight flights and early safari starts.

Planning from Ireland

• Flights via London: if you connect at a London airport, check the minimum connection time and whether you need to change airports.
• Separate tickets: if you book a cheap flight to a European hub and a separate long-haul ticket, leave a generous gap, as a missed connection is your own risk.
• Season: the Tanzanian dry season, from around late June to October, matches the Irish summer holidays and is busy, so book safaris and Kilimanjaro climbs early.

Health

Visit a travel clinic several weeks before you go to discuss malaria prevention and vaccinations, and check whether your connection route means you need a yellow fever certificate. Make sure your travel insurance covers medical evacuation and, if relevant, trekking up to the summit of Kilimanjaro at about 5,895 metres.

Arriving in Tanzania alone

Arriving alone in a new country after a long flight can be the most stressful part of a trip. In Tanzania, a little planning makes it straightforward.

From the airport to your base

• Kilimanjaro International Airport: about an hour's drive to Arusha or Moshi. There is no convenient public transport for visitors, so most people pre-book a transfer through their accommodation or trip, or take an official airport taxi.
• Dar es Salaam: traffic can be heavy, and the drive into the city or to the ferry port may take an hour or more at busy times. Use a pre-booked transfer, an official taxi or a ride-hailing app where available.
• Zanzibar: the airport is close to Stone Town, usually a short drive, while the northern and eastern beaches are around one to one and a half hours away.

Arriving at night

If your flight lands after dark, book your first night's accommodation in advance and arrange a transfer, so someone is waiting with your name. Avoid accepting offers from people in the arrivals hall, and do not walk from the airport or around town at night.

First practical steps

• Have your visa approval, passport, return ticket and accommodation address ready, plus a yellow fever certificate if your route requires one.
• Withdraw some Tanzanian shillings from an ATM inside the airport or in town.
• Buy a local SIM card with data at the airport or in town; you will need your passport to register it.
• Keep valuables out of sight and your bag close in the arrivals area.

Joining a group trip on arrival

Many group safaris and Kilimanjaro climbs start in Arusha or Moshi with a welcome meeting the evening before departure. Arriving a day early gives you a buffer if your flight is delayed or your luggage is late, time to rest, and a chance to check rented gear. Ask whether the trip includes an airport pick-up and confirm the meeting point and time in writing.

Best time to fly to Tanzania

The best time to fly to Tanzania depends on what you want to do, but for most travellers the long dry season, from roughly late June to October, is the most popular. Wildlife gathers around rivers and waterholes, the parks are easier to drive and Kilimanjaro has its most reliable weather. January and February, between the two rainy seasons, are another good window.

From the northern hemisphere

For travellers from the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland and Mexico, the dry season matches the northern summer holidays. That makes July and August the busiest and most in-demand months, so book flights, safaris and climbs early. September and early October are often a good balance of dry weather and slightly fewer visitors. A trip in January or February is a way to escape the northern winter, with warm weather, green landscapes and calving in the southern Serengeti.

From the southern hemisphere

For Australians, the Tanzanian dry season coincides with the Australian winter and the July school holidays, which is a popular time to go. December to February matches the Australian summer holidays and offers good safari conditions after the short rains.

Months that are harder

The long rains, usually from around March to May, bring heavy showers, muddy roads and some camp closures. April is often the wettest month. Flights may be easier to book, and the parks are green and quiet, but it is not the best time for a first visit, Kilimanjaro or Zanzibar beaches. The short rains, around November and early December, are usually lighter.

Booking tips

• Check public holidays and Ramadan dates if Zanzibar is on your route, as opening hours change.
• Arrive at least a day before a group safari or climb starts.
• Allow a rest day at the end before your long flight home, especially after Kilimanjaro.

Combine Tanzania with Morocco

Tanzania and Morocco are both in Africa but at opposite corners of the continent, several thousand kilometres apart. They do not combine overland, but they can work well on one longer trip if you plan the flights carefully: the Sahara and Atlas Mountains of Morocco contrast beautifully with the savannah and Indian Ocean beaches of Tanzania.

How to connect them

Flights between Morocco and Tanzania usually involve at least one connection. Common options are via a Middle Eastern hub, via Istanbul, via an African hub such as Addis Ababa or Cairo, or via a European city. Schedules change, so check current routes. Another approach is an open-jaw trip from home: fly into Marrakech or Casablanca, then onward to Tanzania via a hub, and fly home from Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar.

Best season for both

• September to October: usually dry in Tanzania and pleasantly warm in Morocco after the summer heat, a good match for a combined trip.
• January to February: a good dry window in Tanzania, while Morocco has sunny days but cold desert and mountain nights.
• June to August: ideal in Tanzania, but very hot inland in Morocco, so focus on the coast and Atlas Mountains there.

Entry and practicalities

You will need to meet the entry rules for both countries separately. Many passport holders can visit Morocco without a visa for short stays, while most visitors need a visa for Tanzania; check both official sources and your government's advice. Ask a travel clinic about any yellow fever certificate rules for travel between African countries, and pack layers, as you may move from cold Saharan nights to tropical heat.

A balanced combined trip might be around one week in Morocco for Marrakech and the Sahara, then a week or more in Tanzania for a safari and Zanzibar.