Arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport: What to Expect

Kilimanjaro International Airport, known as KIA, is the main gateway for northern Tanzania. It sits between the towns of Arusha and Moshi, making it the natural arrival point for safaris on the northern circuit and for Kilimanjaro climbs.

KIA is a relatively small airport, which makes it easy to navigate. Still, after a long-haul flight it helps to know what to expect. Here is the arrival process as our guests typically experience it.

Before you land

Keep your entry documents in your hand luggage, not in your checked bag. Have them together and ready before the plane doors open, as the walk from the aircraft to the terminal is short.

• Your passport.
• A printed copy of your e-visa grant notice.
• Your yellow fever certificate, if your route requires one.
• The address of your first night's accommodation.
• A pen for any arrival forms.

Immigration and health checks

After you leave the aircraft, you may pass a health screening point before reaching immigration. Join the correct queue for visa holders or visa on arrival. Officers will check your passport and visa, take your fingerprints and photograph, and stamp your passport.

Answer questions simply and politely. If you are on a safari or climb, it helps to know your operator's name and the places you will visit. Check your passport stamp before you leave the desk.

If you are applying for a visa on arrival rather than holding an e-visa, expect a longer wait, and be ready with any documents and payment that may be required. Several flights can land within a short window, and queues build quickly. This is one of the main reasons we encourage guests to arrange the e-visa before departure.

Baggage and customs

Bags arrive in a small reclaim hall. If a bag is missing, report it at the airline's lost baggage desk before leaving the terminal and get a written reference number. Then pass through customs. Do not bring plastic carrier bags, as Tanzania has banned them since 2019, and they may be confiscated. Drones also require permits and should not be brought without prior approval.

Money and phones

There are usually currency exchange and ATM facilities at the airport, though they may not always be working. We recommend arriving with some US dollars in clean, recent-issue notes for incidentals, and withdrawing Tanzanian shillings as needed.

Local SIM cards are available from the main mobile networks in Tanzania, and your passport is required for registration. Some guests prefer to buy a SIM in town, where shops are open longer and staff have more time to help you set it up.

Meeting your transfer

Once you exit, look for your driver holding a sign with your name. Only go with the person arranged by your operator, and if you cannot see them, call the emergency number you were given rather than accepting offers from strangers. The drive to Arusha usually takes roughly an hour, and to Moshi a little less, depending on traffic.

Many international flights arrive in the evening or at night. If so, we recommend a rest night in Arusha or Moshi before starting your safari or climb.