British Airways has announced a new flight route from London Gatwick Airport to Tanzania that includes stops at Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. The airline will operate flights three times per week beginning May 29, 2027, through October 31, 2027.
Flights will run during Tanzania’s peak safari season and coincide with UK school holidays. This scheduling aims to attract travelers seeking safari experiences and beach vacations.
Departures from Gatwick are scheduled for 9:05 a.m., with arrival in Kilimanjaro at 8:20 p.m. following an approximately 11-hour flight. After a brief stopover, flights continue to Zanzibar, landing at 10:25 p.m. The return service departs
Zanzibar at 12:25 a.m., arriving at Gatwick by 7:55 a.m.
Route Highlights and Tourist Attractions
Kilimanjaro Airport serves as the entry point to Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit, which includes notable parks such as Serengeti Wildlife Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park. Travelers can also access Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak and a popular destination for trekking.
Zanzibar is recognized for its white sand beaches, coral reefs, and cultural sites such as Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island is also famed for its spice plantations.
Official Statement and Strategic Expansion
Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ chief planning and strategy officer, stated: “We’re excited to
be launching flights to two exceptional new destinations that showcase the very best of Tanzania. From the vast plains of the Serengeti and the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro to the turquoise waters and white-sand beaches of Zanzibar, these new routes strengthen our footprint in East Africa and open the door to some of the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences.”
This new route enhances British Airways’ presence in East Africa. Additionally, the airline is set to launch Gatwick-Colombo flights to Sri Lanka on October 23, 2026.
