How to get to Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, attracts adventurers worldwide. Reaching the mountain is easy because multiple international airlines offer regular flights to Tanzania.

Most travelers arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, the gateway for those aiming to climb Kilimanjaro. It’s also a great starting point for safaris in Tanzania, with easy access to famous parks such as Tarangire, Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater.

There are also other travel options for those planning to visit Mount Kilimanjaro.

In this article, we provide detailed insights into various ways of traveling to Kilimanjaro and essential tips to help you plan your journey to the Roof of Africa.

What airport to fly into for Mount Kilimanjaro?

The easiest way to reach Kilimanjaro is to fly from a major local airport hub near your city to Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is close to Africa’s highest mountain. Numerous airlines offer regular flights to this airport.

Flights to Kilimanjaro typically route through either Europe or Western Asia.

We especially recommend six reliable and well-established airlines that operate regular flights to Kilimanjaro Airport:

• KLM with a stop in Amsterdam
• Turkish Airlines with a stop in Istanbul
• Qatar Airways with a stop in Doha
• Swiss International Air Lines with a stop in Zurich
• Ethiopian Airlines with a stop in Addis Ababa
• Air France with a stop in Paris (starting November 18, 2024).

KLM and Turkish Airlines are excellent choices for flights from the United States. KLM also provides convenient flights from Canada. Traveling from Europe to Kilimanjaro is the easiest, thanks to a wide range of airlines and direct flights. Ethiopian Airlines effectively manages routes from Asia. However, there are no direct flights from Australia, so you will need to transfer at one of the airports in Asia.

Closest international airport

In addition to the airlines mentioned, others offer flights to Kilimanjaro Airport. Notably, Kenyan carriers Kenya Airways and Airkenya Express operate direct flights via Nairobi, which is just 200 km (125 miles) from Kilimanjaro. When flying with these airlines, remember that their flights occasionally experience delays in Kenya, which may lead to complications.

Tanzania requires travelers who have spent more than 12 hours in Kenya to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Failing to have this certificate can disrupt your plans and travel schedule.

What is the cheapest way to get to Kilimanjaro?

You can find convenient international flights to Kilimanjaro Airport at the best prices on:

• Google Flights
• Kayak
• Skyscanner
• Expedia.

Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)

The Kilimanjaro International Airport is just 33 kilometers (20 miles) from Mount Kilimanjaro in a straight line. It stands on the border of the Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions, making it equally convenient to reach both Moshi and Arusha from there.

These two cities serve as the primary launching points for most safari tours in Tanzania, with Moshi being the perfect base for embarking on a Kilimanjaro trek.

Are there other international airports in Tanzania?

Tanzania has three international airports:

• Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)
• Julius Nyerere Airport in Dar es Salaam (DAR)
• Abeid Amani Karume Airport in Zanzibar (ZNZ).

Suppose you have a comprehensive travel itinerary in East Africa that includes visits to national parks, beach resorts, and various cities. In that case, the best option is to fly into the airport closest to your tour's starting point, like Lake Manyara or Arusha Airport. However, if you are going to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro, a direct flight to Kilimanjaro Airport is ideal.

Domestic flights in Tanzania

If flying through Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar is more affordable or convenient, you can catch a domestic flight to Kilimanjaro Airport. These flights are also convenient for travelers departing to remote national parks on safaris.

For flights within Tanzania, we recommend the following airlines:

• Auric Air Services Limited
• Flightlink
• Regional Air
• Air Excel
• Safari Air Link
• As Salaam Air.

Additionally, Precision Air and Air Tanzania airlines offer domestic flights within Tanzania. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend them due to frequent flight delays and cancellations. However, if you have extra time between flights, you might consider using their services, which are generally cheaper than other options. Both carriers operate flights from Kilimanjaro Airport.

Can you fly to the top of Kilimanjaro?

It is impossible to land on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro by plane, as there are no runways or suitable landing spots on the mountain.

While you cannot land on the summit, you can take a scenic helicopter flight over Mount Kilimanjaro and see the snow-covered Kibo Crater. This does not involve landing on the summit, as it is prohibited by Mount Kilimanjaro National Park regulations.

If you're interested in both climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and experiencing it from above, you can take a beautiful helicopter tour around the Roof of Africa. We recommend it for those with the time and budget to spare.

Buses to Kilimanjaro

Long-distance buses to Moshi are the best option for those who are ready for an adventure and want to travel through Tanzania by land.

For instance, if you arrive in Tanzania on an Emirates flight, you will land in Dar es Salaam. From there, you can take a bus to Moshi, which takes about 9 hours. Long-distance buses depart from Magufuli Bus Terminal, also known as Mbezi Bus Terminal.

If you arrive in Nairobi airport, you can also take a bus to Moshi. This journey will take about 6 hours, not including the time needed for border crossing procedures. Remember that you must present a certificate proving that you are vaccinated against yellow fever when crossing the border, as this will be required when traveling by land.

Traveling from Kenya to Tanzania, you can use carriers such as Riverside Shuttle and Impala Shuttle. However, delays are always possible.

Other types of transport

While it's possible to travel by a rented car or long-distance taxi in Tanzania, we can't recommend this due to concerns over vehicle reliability and driver responsibility.

If you decide to drive in Tanzania, exercise extra caution for yourself and other drivers. Reckless driving is typical, including speeding into oncoming traffic and overtaking on blind curves. Tanzania has one of the highestThe traffic fatality rate in Tanzania is 31.1 per 100,000 inhabitants, much higher than the global average of 16.7. This data is provided by the World Health Organization. In comparison, the mortality rate while climbing Kilimanjaro is just 0.03%. road traffic mortality rates in the world, with motorcyclists being particularly vulnerable.

Another way to travel to Mt Kilimanjaro from Dar es Salaam is by train. While adventurous travelers sometimes choose this option, we cannot recommend it to everyone. Additionally, the railway service to Moshi may not be reliable due to road repairs, track washouts, and other issues.

Recommendations for travelers

Check out our blog for more helpful tips for travelers eager to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. You can also read about getting a visa for Tanzania and the necessary vaccinations. We have also prepared general recommendations for those visiting Tanzania.

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