Well prepared for your trip
Flying to Zanzibar
Are you flying directly to Zanzibar, or are you starting your journey with a safari on the mainland? We explain how long your travel time will be, which route fits best, and why the order of safari and beach makes a difference.
Bahari - Sea
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Pwani - Coast
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Kisiwa - Island
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Karibu Zanzibar - Welcome
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Pole pole - Take it easy
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How long is the flight?
How long is the flight to Zanzibar?
From Schiphol, you can fly non-stop to Zanzibar (ZNZ) in about 9 hours. This flight does not operate every day, meaning your travel dates will partly depend on the flight schedule. With a layover in Doha, Istanbul, Addis Ababa, or Nairobi, the journey takes between 13 and 17 hours.
Are you combining Zanzibar with a safari? Then you will often fly directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). After your safari, a bush flight will take you from an airstrip to Zanzibar in about 1.5 to 3 hours.
Are you unsure about the route or the order? Ask your question. We would be happy to calculate it for you, even before you book anything.
How long are you on your way?
Flight times per route
The total travel time mainly depends on the route you choose. These are the options our travelers use most often.
direct · Amsterdam - Zanzibar
about 9 hours
The fastest option, and ideal when Zanzibar is the entire purpose of your trip.
Please note: direct flights only depart on a few days a week.
With stopover · via Doha or Istanbul
usually 1 to 5 p.m.
More choice in dates and often a better price, but your journey will take half a day longer.
Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways fly daily.
Safari first · AMSTERDAM - KILIMANJARO - ZANZIBAR
8–9 hours, plus 1.5 to 3 hours
First nonstop to JRO, and after the safari a short flight to the beach.
This is the route that most of our travelers fly.
Plan in margin ✦
The shortest or cheapest flight is not always the smartest choice. Arrival times, layovers, and the sequence of safari and beach together determine which route best fits your trip. That is why we always look at the complete journey, not just the flight ticket.
The order
Safari first or Zanzibar first?
For most travelers, we recommend starting with the safari and ending in Zanzibar. This way, your trip builds up from adventure to relaxation. Sometimes the reverse order fits better.
Our advice
First safari, then beach
You land at Kilimanjaro, do your safari in the north, and finish by the sea. For most travelers, this is the best itinerary.
+ You have the energy for the early safari days
+ After all the impressions, you can unwind in peace
+ The beach forms a natural barrier
+ You save the relaxing days for the end
− Do you prefer to end actively? Then the reverse order is a better fit
For most travelers, this order feels the most comfortable.
Sometimes better
First beach, then safari
Starting on Zanzibar might be a better fit if the direct flight is convenient or if you want to recover from the long journey first.
+ You start quietly before the safari begins
+ Nice for families who want to get used to things
+ You end the trip with the adventure of the safari
− After the beach, the early safari days will follow
− You miss the relaxing ending by the sea
Tell us what you want to do, and we will calculate the sequence with you.
Take care when diving
Keep at least 24 hours between your last dive and your next flight, even for a domestic bush flight.
Our best tip
One ticket, two airports
If you are flying to Zanzibar via a safari, book an open-jaw/multi-city ticket: outbound to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), returning from Zanzibar (ZNZ). No detour back to Arusha, and no vacation days wasted on traveling back and forth.
1
Amsterdam → Kilimanjaro
8 to 9 hours nonstop with KLM. First night quietly in Arusha, then into the parks.
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Safari in the north
Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, at your own pace and with your own guide.
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Bush flight to Zanzibar
From an airstrip in the Serengeti to the island, in 1.5 to 3 hours. The view along the way is already worth the flight.
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Zanzibar → Amsterdam
After your beach days, straight home from ZNZ, in about 9 hours.
We arrange the domestic flight, coordinate everything, and keep an eye on any changes.
Where do you land?
ZNZ, JRO or DAR: where do you land?
Zanzibar has its own airport, but it is not always the smartest arrival option. Here is when to choose which one.
Zanzibar Airport
If you fly here, the beach takes center stage. A non-stop flight from Schiphol takes about 9 hours, and this is also the return flight of an open-jaw ticket.
From ZNZ, it takes just over an hour to drive to Nungwi or Kendwa.
Kilimanjaro Airport
The arrival point for anyone going on safari first: the Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro are closest from here.
With us, most Zanzibar trips start here.
Dar es Salaam
From Dar es Salaam, you can fly to Zanzibar in about 20 minutes, and there is also a ferry service. This is especially relevant when you combine it with the south of Tanzania.
For a northern safari with a beach, this is usually a detour.
From savanna to sea
The bush flight to the beach
From an airstrip in the Serengeti, you board a small plane and land on Zanzibar. Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, Flightlink, and Air Tanzania fly this route daily.
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Bring a soft duffel bag. This is sometimes mandatory.
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The baggage allowance is often 15 to 20 kg and varies by airline
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Flight times may change; sometimes the time is only announced the day before
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Flight times may change. We are keeping an eye on this for you
How many days in Zanzibar?
Three to five nights is comfortable for most travelers. With three nights, you have two full days on the island. Five nights also allows time for Stone Town, a boat trip or snorkeling activity, and a few quiet days at the beach.
From the airport to your hotel
The travel time depends on where you are staying. Stone Town is about 20 minutes from the airport. For Nungwi, Kendwa, and the beaches in the southeast, you can usually count on 1 to 1.5 hours. If you book with us, we will arrange the transfer.
For many travelers, the bush flight is one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip. First you see the savanna below you, and a moment later the Indian Ocean appears. We will integrate the flight into your itinerary and keep track of any changes for you.
Frequently asked questions
Flying to Zanzibar in brief
Answers to the questions we get most often. Can’t find your question? We’d love to hear it.
How long is the flight to Zanzibar?
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Non-stop from Schiphol takes about 9 hours. With a layover, it takes 13 to 17 hours. If you go on safari first, you will fly 8 to 9 hours to Kilimanjaro Airport and then take a 1.5 to 3-hour domestic flight to the island.
Can you fly directly to Zanzibar?
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Yes, from Schiphol, but only on a limited number of days per week. If that doesn't fit your travel dates, a layover or arriving via Kilimanjaro is often more convenient.
How do you get from the Serengeti to Zanzibar?
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With a domestic flight from an airstrip in the park. Non-stop, this takes about an hour and a half; with a layover in Arusha or Dar es Salaam, it can take up to about three hours. We will book that flight and monitor any changes.
Is it smarter to go on safari first or to Zanzibar first?
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Safari first, in almost all cases: you will then have the energy for the early safari days, and the beach will be the grand finale. We reverse this for young children, on difficult departure days, or when you want to go diving early in your trip.
How many days in Zanzibar should I plan?
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Three to five nights after a safari. Two is just too short, and from five nights onwards, you can combine Stone Town and the water with truly lazy days.
Do you need a separate visa for Zanzibar?
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No, Zanzibar is part of Tanzania and your Tanzanian visa is also valid there. In addition, a mandatory local travel insurance applies to visitors. We keep track of the current regulations and will let you know what you need to arrange.
Safari njema - safe travels
We put the route in the correct order
Tell us how many days you have and what you want to see, and we will plan the mainland first and the island as a finale, with one ticket covering both.