Flights · The Arusha Airport hub
Flights from Arusha Airport
Arusha (ARK) is a busy little domestic hub — scheduled safari hops and charters to the Serengeti, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam and beyond. Here’s where you can fly, who flies there, and how it all works.
What flights operate from Arusha Airport?
Arusha Airport handles domestic flights — scheduled light-aircraft services and charters — to Tanzania’s safari parks, the coast and other cities, plus short cross-border hops to Kenya. You can fly non-stop to destinations such as Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, the Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Mwanza. There are no long-haul international flights from ARK; those use Kilimanjaro International (JRO).
Two kinds of flight
Scheduled or charter: what’s the difference?
Scheduled flights run on fixed routes and times and are booked by the seat — most safari fly-in flights are scheduled shared services that stop at several airstrips, like a bus. A charter is a whole aircraft hired privately, flying you directly on your own schedule — more flexible and more expensive, and the usual way to reach the remotest camps or move as a group.
Scheduled flights
- Fixed routes and departure times
- Booked by the seat, per person
- Shared — may stop at a few airstrips en route
- How most fly-in safaris and city hops work
Charter flights
- A whole aircraft hired privately
- Fly directly, on your own schedule
- Best for groups and the remotest camps
- More flexible, and more expensive per trip
The route network
Where can you fly from Arusha Airport?
From Arusha you can fly to the northern safari parks, to Zanzibar and the coast, to Dar es Salaam and other domestic cities, and on short cross-border hops into Kenya. Almost all services are scheduled light-aircraft flights and charters — there are no long-haul international flights from ARK.
Safari & parks
- Serengeti — Seronera & area strips
- Lake Manyara — and Ngorongoro by road
- Tarangire
- Grumeti — western Serengeti
Cities & coast
- Zanzibar
- Dar es Salaam
- Mwanza
- Mafia & Pemba — seasonal
Cross-border (Kenya)
- Nairobi
- Mombasa
- Regional light-aircraft routes; carriers vary by season
| Destination | Type | Example airlines | Approx. flight time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zanzibar (ZNZ) | Coast / beach | Coastal, Precision, ZanAir, Regional, Air Tanzania | ~1½ hr |
| Dar es Salaam (DAR) | City | Precision, Coastal, Regional, Air Tanzania | ~1¼–1¾ hr |
| Seronera / Serengeti | Safari | Coastal, Regional, Air Excel, Auric | under ~1 hr |
| Lake Manyara (LKY) | Safari | Coastal, Regional, Air Excel | ~20–40 min |
| Tarangire | Safari | Coastal, Air Excel | ~30 min |
| Mwanza (MWZ) | City | Coastal, Regional | ~1½ hr |
| Kilimanjaro (JRO) | Regional | Coastal, Regional | ~10 min |
| Nairobi, Kenya | Cross-border | Regional carriers (seasonal) | ~1 hr |
Go deeper
Route & flight guides
Fly to the parks
How light-aircraft safaris work, and the airstrips they reach.
Flying safari → RouteArusha → Zanzibar
The busiest leisure route, for the classic safari-and-beach combination.
Zanzibar flights → RouteArusha → Dar es Salaam
The longest scheduled route from ARK, and onward connections.
Dar flights → Cross-borderArusha → Nairobi
The one regular international-city route, over the border to Kenya.
Nairobi flights →Booking
When should you book flights from Arusha?
Book domestic legs early, especially for the peak safari seasons — roughly June to October and December to February — when flights to the parks and Zanzibar fill up. Fares and schedules change through the year and by carrier, so book directly with the airline or through your safari operator rather than relying on a fixed timetable.
One bag, packed soft. Flights to the safari airstrips use small aircraft with a strict soft-bag limit — usually about 15 kg — and hard suitcases are refused. Check the full rules before you pack. Bush-flight baggage rules →
Quick answers
Flights from Arusha: FAQ
What flights leave from Arusha Airport?
Domestic scheduled and charter flights to the safari parks (Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Tarangire), to Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam and Mwanza, and short cross-border routes to Kenya. Nearly all are operated by light aircraft and small turboprops.
Are the flights scheduled or charter?
Both. Most fly-in safari and city services are scheduled and booked by the seat, often stopping at several airstrips like a bus. Charters — a whole aircraft hired privately — are used for direct flights, groups and the remotest camps.
Can I fly from Arusha to the Serengeti?
Yes. There are regular light-aircraft flights to Seronera and other Serengeti airstrips, usually under an hour. For Ngorongoro, you fly to Lake Manyara and drive up to the crater rim.
Can I fly from Arusha to Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam?
Yes. Zanzibar is one of the busiest routes from ARK, popular for combining safari with the beach, and Dar es Salaam is the longest scheduled route. Several carriers operate both.
Are there international flights from Arusha Airport?
Only short cross-border hops to Kenya, such as Nairobi and Mombasa. For long-haul and other international flights, you use Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), about 50 km east.
How early should I arrive for a flight from ARK?
About 60 to 90 minutes before a domestic departure. Check-in and the single security point are quick, but the margin covers weather-related schedule changes on light-aircraft routes.
What is the baggage limit on flights from Arusha?
On light-aircraft safari flights it is usually around 15 kg per person in a soft bag, with hard cases refused; larger routes such as Zanzibar may allow up to about 20 kg. Always confirm with your airline.
How do I book a flight from Arusha Airport?
Book directly through the airline’s website or through your safari operator, who often includes fly-in legs in the trip. Because schedules and fares change, avoid relying on fixed timetables and confirm close to travel.