Before you fly
Arrival and airport transfers in Tanzania
What happens when you land, who meets you, how long the transfer takes, and what to tell us so your first day starts smoothly, whether you arrive early, late or after a long layover.
- About 1 hour
- By road from Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha
- We meet you
- Your guide or a Lemala Safaris representative
- Send flights early
- As soon as they are booked
- Any hour
- We take you from the airport to somewhere you can rest
The short answer
Lemala Safaris arranges your airport transfers, and your guide or a Lemala Safaris representative will meet you on arrival. Please send us your flight details as soon as they are booked, and tell us if they change. If you land late, arrive early or have a long layover, let us know and we will plan around it so that you reach your first lodge or camp comfortably.
Kilimanjaro International Airport is between Arusha and Moshi. The road transfer to Arusha is about an hour, a little longer in heavy traffic. Many guests spend their first night in Arusha and set out on safari the next morning, though it depends on the time you land.
What happens when you land
- 01
Land and clear immigration
You go through immigration with your passport and visa, and collect your bags. Keep your printed visa and itinerary to hand.
- 02
Meet your guide or our representative
Look for them outside arrivals. We share who will meet you, and how to recognise them, before you travel.
- 03
Transfer to your first stay
From Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha takes about an hour by road. We arrange the vehicle, and the drive is a good first look at the country.
- 04
Settle in and rest
Many guests have an overnight in Arusha and set off the next morning. Whatever time you land, we take you from the airport to a place where you can rest.
If your arrival is not the usual one
You land late at night
Late arrivals are arranged by special agreement, so tell us your flight number early. Whatever time you land, you are met and taken from the airport to somewhere you can rest.
You arrive very early
Tell us. We can plan around an early arrival so you are not left waiting with nowhere to rest.
You have a long layover
A long connection is better than a missed one. If your layover is long or your flights are delayed, let us know and we will adjust the pick-up.
You arrive in Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam is the usual gateway for the southern parks, the coast and onward domestic flights. We arrange the transfer and any connecting flight.
You arrive on Zanzibar
Zanzibar serves guests who start or finish with a beach stay. We arrange the transfer to your stay on the island.
You are climbing Kilimanjaro
We advise arriving a day or two before your climb begins, so you can rest, meet your guide and pack calmly. Tell us your flights early so we can plan your transfer.
Why you do not fly from Kilimanjaro to Arusha
Arusha has its own small airport, which handles domestic flights only, and international flights land at Kilimanjaro. A few light-aircraft services link the two, but for most guests the road is simpler, and it is the transfer we arrange.
What to send us before you fly
Your flights
- Flight numbers and arrival time, as soon as they are booked
- Your departure flight details
- Any change or delay, as soon as you know
Your arrival
- Everyone's names as they appear in the passports
- A phone number you will have with you
- Anything that could affect your arrival, such as a late flight or a long layover
Your luggage
- Whether you are flying on light aircraft, where soft bags are needed
- Whether you want extra luggage stored in town
- Any special gear, such as camera equipment or a mountain kit
On your last day
We plan your last transfer around your flight home. Tell us your departure flight as early as you can, and keep your passport and printed documents in your hand luggage. Every airline sets its own check-in times, and we follow them, so we agree the pick-up time with you based on your airline's rules.
Questions answered
What travellers ask us
Your guide or a Lemala Safaris representative meets you on arrival. We share the details before you travel.
About an hour by road, a little longer in heavy traffic. The airport sits between Arusha and Moshi.
Yes. Lemala Safaris arranges your airport transfers, and your guide or a Lemala Safaris representative meets you on arrival.
Late arrivals are arranged by special agreement, so tell us your flight number early. Whatever time you land, we take you from the airport to somewhere you can rest.
It depends on the time you land. Many guests spend the first night in Arusha and set out on safari the next morning. Whatever time you arrive, we take you from the airport to a place where you can rest.
Yes. We advise arriving a day or two before your climb begins, so you can rest, meet your guide and pack calmly.
Let us know as soon as you can, and we adjust the pick-up. Please tell us if your flight details change.
Arusha has its own airport for domestic flights, and a few light-aircraft services link it with Kilimanjaro, but the usual transfer is the road drive of about an hour.
Often, yes. We can usually arrange storage in town, so tell us what you plan to leave.
Every airline sets its own check-in times, and we follow them. We agree the pick-up time with you, based on your airline's rules.
Keep planning
Where to go next
Flights to Tanzania
Which airport to fly into, who flies there and how to plan your routing.
Read moreDomestic flights
Light aircraft between parks, baggage rules and which safaris fly.
Read moreEntry checklist
Documents, health, money and the rules to know before you fly.
Read moreTalk to a planner
Rather talk it through? Book a call.
Read more
Free guides
Take the planning with you
A free PDF to read at your own pace: where to go, when, and what each park is best for. Tell us where to send it.
Free PDFFree guide
The Tanzania Safari Planning Guide
Where to go, when, and what each park is best for: a clear primer before you choose a safari.
- The best months for every park, park by park, on one page
- A profile of each destination: the landscape, the wildlife to expect and the size of the park
- The ways to travel, from classic game drives to walking, beach and combination trips
Your Tanzania journey
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- 01
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