How to Get to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park – Kilimanjaro Trekking
Traveling by air to Tanzania
Are you having a plan for visiting Mount Kilimanjaro on your bucket list but are wondering how you will make it there? No more worries, I have provided different flights that you will use to reach the mountain and make your dream come true. Although it is logical to prioritize searching for flights to Kilimanjaro, there are alternative choices available.
Certain individuals first arrive in Nairobi. In addition, Tanzania boasts three prominent international airports: Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Kilimanjaro.
The latter option, as anticipated, is the most convenient for Kilimanjaro, located a mere 42km from the mountain town of Moshi and 50km from Arusha. There has been a significant increase in the number of airlines operating at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), also known as JRO.
In addition to the three established carriers, namely KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, and Kenya Airways, two prominent airlines, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines, have just started operating flights to Kilimanjaro. Consequently, airfares are starting to decline significantly from their previously exorbitant rates. Fly dubai, which is a partner of Emirates, has expanded the range of airline choices by becoming the sixth airline.
To obtain specific information regarding the optimal timing for booking your flights, kindly refer to the aforementioned site that discusses the most economical period for purchasing your Kilimanjaro plane tickets.
Which airlines provide service to Kilimanjaro?
KLM
KLM is the most widely favored carrier among passengers. What is the reason? The main reasons for this are twofold: a) they have a high frequency of flights, often operating daily during peak seasons, and they have a comprehensive network of regional flights throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. These factors contribute to their superior convenience compared to other airlines.
Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways has been providing service to the airport for a considerable number of years. Based on my previous experience flying with them, I must admit that I was thoroughly impressed by the level of service provided and the high quality of the aircraft. Considering that Nairobi, their central hub, is located within a flight duration of less than one hour from Kilimanjaro Airport, it follows that they would be the logical option for those seeking the most straightforward route (depending on the departure location, naturally). Moreover, they are also quite inexpensive.
Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines has been operating flights to Kilimanjaro for a considerable period of time. The airline has two significant advantages: 1) It offers affordable prices; and 2) it operates flights through Addis Ababa, allowing passengers the opportunity to have a layover and explore the nation, which is a highly recommended experience due to its beauty and intrigue.
Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways
Two carriers, Turkish carriers and Qatar Airways, commenced operations to JRO at the same period. The former option is frequently the most economical, however there is an undisclosed cost associated with it. They typically arrive between 1 and 2am, necessitating an additional night’s hotel charge. For instance, if you arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport on the 2nd, it is necessary to reserve accommodation for the 1st due to your early morning arrival on the 2nd. (For clarification, it is prohibited to sleep in the airport.)
Qatar Airlines has a commendable reputation for its service and is highly favored by travelers flying to the rest of Asia.
Emirates and fly dubai
Fly dubai is the latest operator to provide flights to Kilimanjaro Airport. They provide approximately seven flights every week from Dubai, excluding Sundays and Mondays. Regrettably, for three to four of their flights, they arrive at the early hours of the morning, around about 4am. Consequently, you face a similar issue as described with Turkish Airlines, as mentioned earlier. In other words, you have the option to reserve a room in Moshi/Arusha for that particular night, even if you will not arrive until approximately 5-6am. Alternatively, you have the option to refrain from taking any action and patiently wait until approximately midday to proceed with the check-in process for your accommodation. (Typically, on their other flights to Kilimanjaro Airport, you arrive at a more convenient time of 9pm.)
Although the flight hours may be problematic, these flights are gaining popularity due to people’s preference for the airline Emirates, which utilizes Dubai as its central base.
Tanzanian domestic airlines
Furthermore, there are local airlines such as Precision Air. They are a subsidiary of Kenya Airways and are commonly utilized for transportation inside Tanzania and Kenya. Rwanda air is another airline that operates in that country. In addition, the regional low-cost carrier fast jet provides direct flights between Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam, as well as Entebbe in Uganda.
Furthermore, there are other smaller airlines that operate flights between Kilimanjaro and northern Tanzania, facilitating travel to Zanzibar.