Cheap Flights to East Africa — Nairobi, Kilimanjaro & Zanzibar
Search cheap flights to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda & Rwanda, or book safari flights on domestic bush planes and charter aircraft to every national park with an airstrip
Kenya Bush & Domestic Flights — Fly to Masai Mara & Beyond
Skip the long drives — fly to Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Kenya's national parks, reserves, and coastal destinations in under an hour. Scheduled and charter bush flights depart daily from Wilson Airport, Nairobi, connecting seamlessly with your safari flights Kenya Tanzania itinerary.
Nairobi → Masai Mara
~45 minOl Kiombo / Keekorok / Mara Serena
Skip the 6-hour drive and fly directly to the heart of the Great Migration.
Nairobi → Amboseli
~35 minAmboseli Airstrip
Arrive with stunning aerial views of Mount Kilimanjaro and elephant herds below.
Nairobi → Samburu
~1 hrSamburu / Buffalo Springs Airstrip
Access Kenya's northern frontier — home to rare Samburu Special Five wildlife.
Nairobi → Lewa Conservancy
~50 minLewa Downs Airstrip
Fly to one of Africa's most successful rhino sanctuaries in the Laikipia Plateau.
Nairobi → Tsavo
~50 minTsavo East / Tsavo West Airstrip
Reach Kenya's largest national park — famous for red elephants and the Maneaters.
Nairobi → Lamu
~1 hr 30 minManda Island Airport
Reach the UNESCO World Heritage Swahili island on the Kenyan coast.
Nairobi → Diani Beach
~1 hrUkunda Airstrip
Fly to Kenya's premier beach destination — voted Africa's leading beach multiple times.
Nairobi → Mombasa
~1 hr 10 minMoi International Airport (MBA)
Fly to the coast for beach holidays, marine adventures, and Fort Jesus history.
Nairobi → Nanyuki / Mt Kenya
~40 minNanyuki Airstrip
Gateway to Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and the Laikipia wilderness.
Nairobi → Lake Naivasha
~25 minNaivasha Airstrip
Quick hop to the Great Rift Valley — flamingos, boat rides, and Hell's Gate.
Nairobi → Malindi
~1 hr 20 minMalindi Airport
Reach Malindi Marine Park, Watamu, and the Gede Ruins on the north coast.
Mombasa → Masai Mara
~1 hr 30 minOl Kiombo / Keekorok
Combine your beach holiday with the ultimate safari experience — coast to bush.
Tanzania Bush & Safari Flights — Serengeti to Zanzibar
Fly between Tanzania's legendary national parks — from the Serengeti plains to the beaches of Zanzibar. Affordable flights to Tanzania and bush flight connections link all major safari circuits, so you spend more time on safari and less time on the road.
Arusha → Serengeti
~1 hr 30 minSeronera / Kogatende / Lobo / Grumeti
Fly over the Ngorongoro Crater rim into the endless Serengeti plains.
Arusha → Tarangire
~40 minKuro Airstrip
Reach the park of giant baobabs and the largest elephant herds in Tanzania.
Arusha → Lake Manyara
~30 minLake Manyara Airstrip
Gateway to tree-climbing lions and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Dar es Salaam → Nyerere (Selous)
~45 minNyerere / Selous Airstrips
Access Africa's largest game reserve — wild dogs, boat safaris, and untouched bush.
Dar es Salaam → Ruaha
~1 hr 30 minMsembe Airstrip
Tanzania's hidden gem — massive lion prides, wild dogs, and zero crowds.
Arusha → Katavi
~2 hr 30 minKatavi Airstrip
Reach one of Africa's most remote and untouched wilderness areas.
Serengeti → Zanzibar
~2 hrAbeid Amani Karume (ZNZ)
The classic combo — from the Serengeti plains straight to Zanzibar beaches.
Dar es Salaam → Mafia Island
~30 minMafia Airport
Pristine coral reefs, whale sharks, and untouched tropical island paradise.
Popular International Flight Destinations to East Africa
From cheap flights to Nairobi and Kilimanjaro to direct connections into Zanzibar, Entebbe, and Kigali — explore the nine airports that connect travelers worldwide to East Africa's iconic wildlife, mountains, and beaches. Every route below is served by internationally recognized airlines with excellent safety records and safari-friendly baggage policies.
NBONairobi, Kenya
Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO)
Nairobi is the undisputed gateway to Kenya safaris, connecting travelers directly to the Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Tsavo national parks. Cheap flights to Nairobi land at JKIA, East Africa's busiest hub, with onward bush flights to every major reserve. Direct flights to Nairobi are offered by Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, and KLM from most world capitals.
Starting from
$650
MBAMombasa, Kenya
Moi International (MBA)
International flights to Mombasa deliver you straight to Kenya's idyllic coastline — Diani Beach, coral reefs, and the historic Fort Jesus. Combine a beach holiday with a Tsavo safari for the classic bush-to-beach itinerary. Affordable connections run via Nairobi, Dubai, and Doha for travelers seeking cheap flights to Kenya's coast.
Starting from
$700
JROKilimanjaro, Tanzania
Kilimanjaro International (JRO)
Cheap flights to Kilimanjaro put you at the foot of Africa's highest peak, minutes from Arusha and the launchpad for Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safaris. KLM operates the only direct flight from Europe, while Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, and Qatar Airways route seamlessly through their hub cities for excellent fares.
Starting from
$780
ZNZZanzibar, Tanzania
Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ)
Flights to Zanzibar from major cities worldwide land you on this spice island paradise of powder-white beaches, Stone Town's winding alleys, and dhow sunset cruises. Zanzibar pairs perfectly as a post-safari beach extension after a Serengeti migration safari, with frequent connections from Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, and the Gulf hubs.
Starting from
$720
DARDar es Salaam, Tanzania
Julius Nyerere International (DAR)
Affordable flights to Tanzania through Dar es Salaam open the door to the wild, uncrowded southern safari circuit — Nyerere (Selous), Ruaha, and Mikumi national parks. As Tanzania's commercial capital, DAR offers strong international connectivity and easy onward links to Zanzibar and the northern parks.
Starting from
$740
EBBEntebbe, Uganda
Entebbe International (EBB)
Flights to Entebbe Uganda are the essential first step for gorilla trekking Uganda adventures in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, plus Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls national parks. Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and KLM offer well-timed connections into Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Starting from
$760
KGLKigali, Rwanda
Kigali International (KGL)
Fly into Kigali for premium gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and big-game safaris in Akagera. Rwanda's spotlessly clean, walkable capital has become a major East African aviation hub thanks to RwandAir's growing global network, complemented by Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines connections.
Starting from
$790
ADDAddis Ababa, Ethiopia
Bole International (ADD)
Addis Ababa is East Africa's largest aviation hub and home base of Ethiopian Airlines, the region's largest carrier. Most cheap flights to East Africa from the Americas, Europe, and Asia connect here, making Addis a smart stopover for travelers hunting for last minute flights to Africa at the best possible fares.
Starting from
$600
DOHDoha, Qatar
Hamad International (DOH)
Doha is one of the best connection hubs for booking flights to Africa, with Qatar Airways operating an extensive network of daily flights to Nairobi, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Entebbe, and Dar es Salaam. Hamad International's five-star transit facilities make Doha a favorite stopover for premium and business class safari travelers.
Starting from
$680
Expert Tips for Flying to East Africa
Everything you need to know to find cheap flights to safari destinations and travel like a seasoned expert — from baggage rules to visas, connection hubs, and airport transfers
Best Time to Book
Book 3-6 months in advance for the best fares on cheap flights to Kenya and Tanzania. Peak safari season (July-October) fills up fast, so plan early for the Great Migration and secure Nairobi flight deals before prices climb.
Best Airlines to East Africa
Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, KLM, and Turkish Airlines all offer excellent connections. Ethiopian Airlines flights via Addis Ababa and Kenya Airways deals via Nairobi are consistently among the most affordable options for booking flights to Africa.
Visa & Health Requirements
Most nationalities need an e-visa or East Africa Tourist Visa for Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required if transiting through an endemic country — we help guide you through every step.
Currency & Payment Tips
US Dollars (post-2013, no marks/tears) are widely accepted for park fees and flights, alongside Kenyan Shillings and Tanzanian Shillings. Carry a mix of cash and cards, and notify your bank before departure to avoid transaction blocks.
Bush Flight Baggage Rules
Small aircraft to bush airstrips enforce strict limits — typically 15kg per person in soft-sided duffel bags only (no hard-shell suitcases). Pack light, layered clothing; we advise every guest booking domestic safari flights on exact allowances.
Best Connection Hubs
Addis Ababa, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, and Amsterdam are the top connection hubs for flights to East Africa, each offering short layovers and onward same-day connections to Nairobi, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, and Entebbe.
Budget & Timing Tips
Flying mid-week (Tuesday–Thursday) typically yields cheaper fares than weekend departures. Connecting flights via Addis Ababa or Doha are often more affordable than direct routes — ideal for travelers seeking last minute flights to Africa.
Airport Transfers & Coordination
We coordinate every arrival and departure with your safari schedule, arranging private airport transfers so your international flight, domestic bush flight, and lodge transport connect seamlessly — no waiting, no missed connections.
Everything You Need to Know About Flights to Africa
What is the cheapest time to fly to East Africa?
What is the baggage allowance on bush flights?
How do I get from Nairobi airport to Wilson Airport for a bush flight?
Do you book the flights directly or through partners?
Can I fly directly from the Serengeti to Zanzibar?
What airlines fly to Nairobi from Europe and North America?
Is it safe to fly on bush planes in Africa?
How far in advance should I book safari flights?
Need Help Planning Your Trip?
Let our safari experts help you coordinate flights with your safari itinerary. We'll create a seamless travel experience from takeoff to your first game drive.