Kilimanjaro International Airport
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Tanzania has plenty of tourist destinations, from top wildlife national parks to towering peaks and mirror-like lakes. But places located in the North are famous among many safari-goers compared to the rest. And if you are planning a Tanzania safari, then you should know Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Located in northern Tanzania in Arusha, this airport is the main entry point for travelers going to Northern Tanzania, particularly to access parks, including Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Kilimanjaro, and more. In this article, we describe this wonderful airport.
In which city is Kilimanjaro Airport located?
Kilimanjaro Airport is strategically located between two towns in northern Tanzania: Arusha and Moshi. Arusha is, of course, the base of most Tanzania safaris. It’s about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the airport, which is one hour and 20 minutes of comfortable driving. The airport is also about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the town of Moshi, which is a one-hour drive. While Arusha is a base for safari-goers, Moshi positions itself as the starting point (and actually finishing point) for most Kilimanjaro climbing tours.
Both Arusha and Moshi have excellent lodges and hotels to stay in as soon as you land. Thinking about the drive? Please don’t be. Our driver will be there on time to pick and transfer you to the hotel or lodge.
International flights to Kilimanjaro Airport
Kilimanjaro Airport connects Northern Tanzania to the world of nature lovers, climbers, and business people. Big-brand airlines take off and land on KIA, welcoming visitors to the peaceful atmosphere of Tanzania. This airport has reliable international flights to and from various cities, including:
- Amsterdam by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Istanbul by Turkish Airlines
- Doha by Qatar Airways
- Paris by Air France
- Zurich by Swiss International Airlines.
As you can see, Kilimanjaro Airport is directly connected with Europe and, somehow, Asia. However, there are good options for visitors coming from the Americas, especially the US and Canada. The best option is to connect through Amsterdam via KLM. The same applies to travelers coming from the UK.
Other carriers include Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, AirKenya, Air Tanzania, and Rwanda Air. Ethiopia and Kenya are crucial hubs for travelers from various locations. Nairobi, for example, has direct flights from London Heathrow run by Kenya Airways and British Airways. This is a good option for travelers from the UK or those connecting through it. However, if you have a layover of 12 hours or more in any of these countries, you may be asked to present proof of yellow fever vaccination.
Domestic Flights to Kilimanjaro Airport
Apart from Kilimanjaro, Tanzania has two other international airports: Dar es Salaam (DAR) and Zanzibar (ZNZ). Dar es Salaam, the top airport in Africa, has slightly more flight options than Kilimanjaro Airport, with a lot of connections to Zanzibar. Similarly, Zanzibar Airport has plenty of flight options from Europe and Asia. If you land at any of these airports, you will have to transfer via domestic airlines to Kilimanjaro Airport.
Some of our favorite airlines include Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, Safari Air Link, Regional Air, and Flightlink. There are a lot of flight options from various national parks, such as Serengeti, Nyerere, Ruaha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and more. But you should be aware of the baggage limit, which often circles around 15–20 kg (33–44 lbs).
Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport
At the airport, there’s one terminal. Head to the international arrival zone where you clear customs. Immigration officers check the passport and process your visa application. If you started an online visa application, then it’s time to complete it. If you didn’t start any application, you are still allowed to apply for a single-entry visa at the airport. There are other services at the airport, such as currency exchanges and ATMs. If you are coming from or have a 12-hour layover in a yellow risk country, you can visit the clinic inside the airport.
Departure from Kilimanjaro Airport
Our packages often include a transfer to and from the airport. On this day, our driver will take you to Kilimanjaro Airport at least three hours before your flight. That will give you enough time to go through security and the related. The airport has a spacious lounge and free WiFi where you can relax as you wait for your flight.
Now you know the Kilimanjaro International Airport. If you are planning a safari or a climb soon, we are here to help you. Our experience with Tanzanian destinations has made us experts in crafting wildlife safaris and hiking tours. Let’s get in touch.
