General Discussion and Alternative Flight Pricing

Our sample safari itineraries and prices on our website are based upon a NWA / KLM arrival into Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO). Kilimanjaro is the launching point for all our Tanzania safaris. The daily NWA / KLM flight from the U.S. to Kilimanjaro (via Amsterdam) is the most convenient and efficient flight routing available.

If the direct Kilimanjaro arrival on NWA / KLM is not possible, there are several alternatives on British Airways, Swiss Air, Kenya Airways and Emirates Airlines. Each of these alternative airlines has arrivals into Nairobi, Kenya and/or Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We can easily arrange internal flights, transfers and meet and greet services from either Nairobi or Dar es Salaam to Kilimanjaro where you would begin your safari. Besides our main operational office in Arusha-Kilimanjaro, we have satellite offices in both Nairobi and Dar es Salaam to facilitate connections to Kilimanjaro.

Below is a listing of additional costs associated with an alternate Nairobi or Dar es Salaam arrival should you choose not to book a direct Kilimanjaro arrival.

Nairobi Arrival Option A - 1 Night at Palacina

( download itinerary )

• $988 per person
• Includes 1 X overnight accommodations at the Palacina Hotel in Narobi
• Includes VIP meet and greet services in Nairobi
• Includes Kenya Visa Fees
• Includes Airport transfers Nairobi / Palacina / Nairobi
• Includes flights Nairobi / Kilimanjaro / Nairobi**

Nairobi Arrival Option B - 2 Nights at Palacina

( download itinerary )

• $1,398 Per Person
• Includes 2 X overnight accommodations at the Palacina Hotel in Narobi
• Includes full day tour in Nairobi including Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Sanctuary, Karen Blixen Museum and KWS Animal Orphanage visits
• Includes VIP meet and greet services in Nairobi
• Includes Kenya visa fees
• Includes Airport transfers Nairobi / Palacina / Nairobi
• Includes flights Nairobi / Kilimanjaro / Nairobi**

Nairobi Arrival Option C - 1 Night at Giraffe Manor

( download itinerary )

• $1,131 Per Person
• Includes 1 x overnight accommodations at the Giraffe Manor in Nairobi
• Includes VIP meet and greet services in Nairobi
• Includes Kenya Visa Fees
• Includes Airport transfers Nairobi / Giraffe Manor / Nairobi
• Includes flights Nairobi / Kilimanjaro / Nairobi**

Nairobi Arrival Option D - 2 Nights at Giraffe Manor

( download itinerary )

• $1,684 Per Person
• Includes 2 x overnights accommodations at the Giraffe Manor in Nairobi
• Includes full day tour in Nairobi including Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Sanctuary, Karen Blixen Museum and KWS Animal Orphanage visits
• Includes VIP meet and greet services in Nairobi
• Includes Kenya Visa Fees
• Includes Airport transfers Nairobi / Giraffe Manor / Nairobi
• Includes flights Nairobi / Kilimanjaro / Nairobi**

Dar es Salaam Arrival

• $875 Per Person
• Includes overnight accommodations at the Dar es Salaam Kempinski
  hotel upon arrival on a bed and breakfast basis
• Includes day room at the Dar es Salaam Kempinski hotel upon departure
• Includes meet and greet services in Dar es Salaam
• Includes airport transfers in Dar es Salaam
• Includes flights Dar es Salaam / Arusha or Kilimanjaro / Dar es Salaam**
• Excludes Tanzania Visa Fees* ($100 Per Person Visa credit available)

General Notes:

* We are unable to issue VIP Tanzania Visas at the Dar es Salaam Airport
** Clients may wish to book their internal flights directly online with Air Kenya or Precision Air

International Flights on NWA / KLM Airlines

As discussed above, we recommend a NWA / KLM arrival into Kilimanjaro Airport as it is the most convenient and efficient flight routing. NWA / KLM Airlines offer daily flights from most major cities in the U.S. to Kilimanjaro International Airport. The flight consists of two segments. The first segment is from your departure city in the U.S. direct to Amsterdam. The second segment is from Amsterdam non-stop to Kilimanjaro. The daily flight from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro arrives into Kilimanjaro in the late evening. Accordingly, we highly recommend Arumeru River Lodge, which is located close to the airport, on your arrival night. Our signature fly in and drive back safaris begin early the following morning with a short flight (which we arrange) to the Serengeti. On the outbound flight from Kilimanjaro to Amsterdam after your safari is over, the KLM flight departs late at night and we normally incorporate a day room at Arumeru River Lodge to relax in before your departing flight.

The only major airline serving Kilimanjaro is KLM Airlines, a code share partner of Northwest Airlines (NWA). NWA / KLM flights can easily be booked directly at www.nwa.com. Airport codes for major East African cities are Kilimanjaro (JRO), Dar es Salaam (DAR), Nairobi (NBO), Entebbe (EBB) and Zanzibar (ZNZ).

For those individuals having completed an extension to Zanzibar island after a safari, it is more optimal to depart from Dar es Salaam (15-minute flight from Zanzibar) as opposed to Kilimanjaro (1-hour and 15-minute flight from Zanzibar). Additionally, the daily return KLM flight from Kilimanjaro stops in Dar es Salaam before continuing on to Amsterdam. In conclusion, for those adding a Zanzibar extension, we recommend a Kilimanjaro arrival and a Dar es Salaam departure. This routing is not considered an ‘open jaw’ ticket and can easily be arranged. For those individuals adding a Kenya or Uganda safari extension, we recommend a Kilimanjaro arrival with a Nairobi departure. Again, this is not considered an ‘open jaw’ ticket and can easily be arranged.

Arrival Procedures on Northwest / KLM Airlines

Tanzania Visa fees are included in your safari price and are prepaid upon your arrival. Our dedicated Visa specialist will meet you in the customs area upon your arrival into Kilimanjaro International Airport at 8.00pm on the daily NWA/KLM flight arrival. He will have your name posted on a sign and will issue your Tanzania Visas enabling you to avoid the long custom lines. Each person will simply need to provide a passport which is valid for at least six months past your arrival date. You will be immediately transferred to Arumeru Lodge, which is only 30-minutes from the airport, for a late dinner and a good night’s sleep. The next morning you will be transferred to the small domestic airport for your short flight to the Serengeti to begin your safari. Upon arrival in the Serengeti, your driver-guide will welcome you to the most prolific wildlife viewing area in the world. Your expert guide will accompany you from this point forward until your departure from Kilimanjaro Airport at the conclusion of your safari. All Africa Dream Safaris are 100% escorted.

British Airways Alternative Flights

British Airways offers flights to both Nairobi (NBO) and Dar es Salaam (DAR) where you can connect to Kilimanjaro on a regional flight to begin your safari. There are daily flights from the U.S. to Nairobi via London and 3 flights a week from the U.S. to Dar es Salaam.

The British Airways’ daily Nairobi flight arrives arround 9.00pm requiring an overnight in Nairobi. Upon arrival we can issue Kenya visas and will provide transfers and hotel accommodations at the charming Palacina Hotel in Nairobi. The following morning we will transfer you to the Nairobi Wilson airport for a short flight to Kilimanjaro at 1.00pm to 1.45pm. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro, we will issue your Tanzania visas and fly you to the Serengeti to begin your safari on Regional Air departing Kilimanjaro at 2.30pm and arriving in the Serengeti at 5.00pm via Arusha. The return British Airway flight departs Nairobi at about 11.00pm, which conveniently lines up with a Precision Air flight from Kilimanjaro to Nairobi at 7.40pm to 8.30pm.

The British Airways Dar es Salaam flight arrives around 7.00am into Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival we can provide transfers to the domestic terminal and a Coastal Aviation flight departing Dar es Salaam at 9.00am and arriving in Arusha at 11.00am. Upon arrival at Arusha, we can either fly you to the Serengeti (Coastal Aviation Arusha to Serengeti 12.30pm - 2.10pm) to immediately begin your safari or you may wish to spend the night in Kilimanjaro-Arusha before flying to the Serengeti the following morning. We highly recommend the latter. The return flight departs Dar es Salaam at about 8.35am and an overnight stay in Dar es Salaam is required the night before. The afternoon before your return flight we would fly you via Coastal Aviation from Arusha to Dar es Salaam at 12.15pm to 2.20pm. We would then provide transfers and accommodations at the Kempinski Hotel in Dar es Salaam. The following morning we would transfer you back to the Dar es Salaam Airport for your morning British Airways departure.

Swiss Air Alternative Flights

Swiss Air has several flights a week between the U.S. and East Africa via Zurich, Switzerland. The second leg of the flight departs Zurich in the morning and arrives in Nairobi at about 6.30pm and then continues onward to Dar es Salaam arriving at about 8.30pm. The return flight departs Dar es Salaam at about 9.30pm to Nairobi and then departs Nairobi at about 11.30pm arriving Zurich the following morning. When using Swiss Air, we recommend flying into Dar es Salaam* and out of Nairobi. This is the less expensive option as you avoid Kenya visa requirements.

Upon your evening Swiss Air arrival into Dar es Salaam* we can provide transfers and accommodations at the charming Kempinski Hotel. The following morning we would transfer you back to the Dar es Salaam Airport for your Coastal Aviation flight departing Dar es Salaam at 9.00am and arriving Arusha at 11.00am. We can then fly you to the Serengeti to begin your safari on Coastal Aviation departing Arusha at 12.30pm and arriving in the Serengeti at 2.10pm. The return flight on Swiss Air departs Nairobi at about 11.30pm, which conveniently lines up with a Precision Air flight from Kilimanjaro to Nairobi at 7.40pm to 8.30pm.

* Note we are unable to issue VIP Tanzania Visas at the
Dar es Salaam Airport

Emirates Airlines Alternative

Emirates Airlines has daily flights from New York (JFK) to Dar es Salaam or Nairobi via Dubai using the brand new A340-500 aircraft. Emirates Airlines consistently receives the highest ratings and awards for service and comfort. The economy seats are a little larger then most other airlines and each comes equipped with a personal entertainment system with video on demand. The flight consists of two non-stop segments with the first from JFK to Dubai and the second from Dubai to Dar es Salaam or Nairobi.

South African Airways Alternative

South African Airways offers daily flights from Johannesburg (JNB), South Africa to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This is a good option for those individuals routing through South Africa for any number or reasons or for those adding a South African extension to Cape Town or Victoria Falls. The daily flight (approximately 4-hours in duration) departs Johannesburg at 9.50am and arrives in Dar es Salaam at 2.20pm.

Upon arrival into Dar es Salaam, we can provide transfers to the domestic terminal and a Precision Air flight departing Dar es Salaam at 6.00pm and arriving in Kilimanjaro at 7.15pm, or an Air Excel flight departing Dar es Salaam at 4.20pm and arriving Arusha at 6.25pm. The return flight on SAA departs Dar es Salaam at 3.20pm and arrives in Johannesburg at 6.05pm. To facilitate this return flight at the end of your safari, we would fly you on Precision Air departing Kilimanjaro at 9.15am and arriving in Dar es Salaam at 10.30am or departing Kilimanjaro at 11.00am and arriving in Dar es Salaam at 12.50pm via Zanzibar. An overnight at one of the lodges in the Arusha-Kilimanjaro area is required the night before your departing flight.