PLAN YOUR SAFARI
GETTING TO NYERERE NATIONAL PARK
Reaching Porini Camp involves an international flight to Tanzania and a short bush plane connection into Nyerere National Park. This guide covers your routing options, airline choices, luggage limits, and transfers.
International flights
Which international aiports serve southern Tanzania?
Two airports serve as international gateways for a Nyerere safari: Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) on Zanzibar. From either, you connect via bush plane to Beho Beho or Kiba airstrip inside the park.
Which airlines fly to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar?
• Qatar Airways – via Doha
• Emirates – via Dubai
• Turkish Airlines – via Istanbul
• Ethiopian Airlines – via Addis Ababa
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – via Amsterdam
• Lufthansa – via Frankfurt (codeshare/partner connections)
• Swiss International Air Lines – via Zurich (partner connections)
• Oman Air – via Muscat
• Kenya Airways – via Nairobi
• RwandAir – via Kigali
• Air Tanzania – regional and selected international routes
• Precision Air – regional East African connections
• FlyDubai – via Dubai
• British Airways – via partner and codeshare routes
• Condor – seasonal leisure routes to Zanzibar
Popular routes to Tanzania include:
• Europe → Doha/Dubai/Istanbul → Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar
• Europe → Nairobi/Addis Ababa → Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar
• Middle East → Direct to Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam
• East Africa → Regional connections via Nairobi, Kigali, or Addis Ababa
Zanzibar International Airport has become increasingly popular for international leisure travel, while Dar es Salaam remains Tanzania’s primary commercial and domestic aviation hub, offering excellent onward connections to safari destinations such as Nyerere National Park.
What happens if my international flight is delayed?
Please note that most bush flights to Nyerere National Park operate in the morning. For this reason, we strongly recommend avoiding short international flight connections and ideally planning an overnight stay in Dar es Salaam before your safari departure.
In the event of an international flight delay, we will do our very best to coordinate with the airline and, where possible, request the bush plane to wait. However, due to operational limitations, airstrip schedules, and park regulations, this unfortunately cannot be guaranteed.
To ensure a smooth and stress-free journey, we highly recommend allowing sufficient connection time between your international arrival and domestic safari flight. Our team will gladly assist with flight planning and overnight accommodation arrangements in Dar es Salaam if required.
Bush Flights
Which bush flight operators serve Nyerere?
Three carriers run scheduled flights into Nyerere: Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, and Safari Air Link. All operate small Cessna Caravans or similar aircraft from DAR and ZNZ to the park airstrips, with daily morning and afternoon departures during the main season.
How long is the bush flight from Dar to the park?
The flight takes 45 minutes.
What are the luggage restrictions on bush flights?
Please note that bush flights in Tanzania operate with small aircraft and therefore have strict luggage limitations for safety and operational reasons.
Most safari airlines, including Coastal Aviation, allow a maximum luggage allowance of 15 kg (33 lbs) per person, including hand luggage. Soft-sided bags or duffel bags are strongly recommended, as hard-shell suitcases may not fit into the aircraft’s cargo compartments.
Recommended maximum bag dimensions are approximately:
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76 cm x 48 cm x 29 cm (30 x 19 x 11 inches)
Excess luggage may sometimes be accommodated at an additional charge, subject to aircraft capacity and the pilot’s approval. Final loading decisions are always at the discretion of the airline and pilot for safety reasons.
We highly recommend packing light and using soft safari bags whenever possible. Large suitcases can often be stored at your hotel in Dar es Salaam during your safari.
Our team will gladly assist you with luggage planning and any special baggage requirements prior to your journey.
Pick up
Will we get picked up by the team?
Yes — we complimentary offer airstrip transfers from both Beho Beho and Kiba Airstrip. Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by a member of the Porini Camp team, and your transfer to camp will already become part of your safari experience.
