The Official Airport Assistance Network of the World Airports
The Official Airport Assistance Network of the World Airports
Kilimanjaro International Airport is a small airport, which has a good set of facilities available for international passengers. The shopping experience at the airport is also a pleasant one, having Tanzania's authentic souvenirs and enjoying freshly brewed local coffee before take-off – it is a testimony to the rich cultural and hospitality traditions of the country. While you are waiting for your safari charter, international flight or just arrived for your safari in Tanzania, there are some things you can do to make your time in the airport fun.
A major Duty-free center is located after immigration and security screening. There are also several small souvenir and travel shops in the public areas of the terminal that will be accessible to both outbound and inbound travelers.
Here visitors will shop through a well-bred selection of high quality spirits, wines, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, chocolates, confectionery, travel goods, sunglasses and electronics. The airport is especially known for the high quality of Tanzanite gemstones, Kisumu coffee, hand-made wooden carvings, Maasai beadwork, colourful fabrics, locally grown spices and safari themed gifts.
Duty Free Tanzania carries some International brands such as Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal, Hennessy, Absolut, Toblerone, Lindt, Chanel, Dior, Lancôme or Calvin Klein. Speciality retailers feature handcrafted African art and artisanal sculptures, leather accessories, woven baskets, paintings and high quality coffees directly from coffee plantations in the area surrounding Mount Kilimanjaro.
One of the special touches of the airport is the emphasis on local rather than foreign luxury items. The folk from Tanzania can also be purchased genuine souvenirs to the good of the locals and with a special reminder of the visit. There are also a number of shops selling beautifully wrapped boxes for international travel.
Traveller Tip: The airport is one of the places that are safest to buy Tanzanite gem stones or Kilimanjaro coffee before departure from Tanzania. There are also plenty of gourmet items, local crafts, spices and Maasai arts that make a great present, and don't occupy much space in suitcases.
There are some small but nice cafés and restaurants in the Kilimanjaro International Airport to buy freshly made food, quality coffee, light snacks and beverages. For those folks who are travelling to and from Tanzania, some offer local produce alongside the popular international dishes, ideal for the travellers to start, or end, their journey.
The Kilimanjaro Coffee Lounge is one of the most popular cafés at the airport where they offer freshly roasted Arabica coffee from the rich volcanic soils around Mount Kilimanjaro. They can also enjoy a cup of espresso, a cappuccino, fresh pastries, sandwiches, and cakes and tropical fruit juices to calm their nerves before take-off. It's not rare for travelers to sample locally grown coffee at airports.
The airport has one main restaurant that provides both Tanzanian and international cuisine under a nice ambiance. Grilled chicken, rice dishes, pasta, burgers, vegetarian dishes, soups, salads and freshly-prepared daily specials are available. An ideal place to prepare for and enjoy your final evening's supper.
There are also mini cafés at each terminal to allow passengers with short wait times their coffee fix. Fresh sandwiches, muffins, pastries, cookies, bottles, tea, coffee and light snacks are available for passengers for their way to their boarding points.
Shortly before departure, visitors can sample freshly brewed Kilimanjaro coffee and chapati, samosas, grilled beef skewers, East African tropical fruit juices, cassava snacksticks and traditional East African pastries. These easy to make, true flavours will cook up a memorable finish to any safari or climbing trip.
Dining Tip: They are not open 24 hours a day and tend to be in line with the international flight schedule. Choices of restaurant meals may be limited, very early in the morning or late at night, so it would be better to purchase refreshments at the airport before coming.
There are various stores in town where handmade African art, Maasai jewellery, wood carvings, woven baskets, colourful fabrics and authentic Tanzanian mementoes can be bought. The stores on the main street are wonderful to shop at and to support local artists!
If passengers experience clear skies, they will be able to enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro from some parts of the terminal and also from the aircraft while taxiing in and out of the terminal. The next shot is from Tanzania, and after all this incredible scenery the country offers, this is just one of the many shots I captured before departing for the next destination.
It's a quiet airport and in the wake of a safari or an ascent to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, it is a welcome respite before the journey home. After an extraordinary adventure in northern Tanzania visitors can relax and refresh themselves while sitting down in comfortable seating, visiting cafés and enjoying high quality lounge facilities.
Many travelers enjoy a peaceful spot from which to start a journey and begin to unwind after an adventurous safari or a trip up the Mount Kilimanjaro before they head off on their international flight. A high end lounge is offered at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, which offers a comfortable seating area, business facilities and refreshments away from the hectic atmosphere of the airport.
The airport's main high-end lounge is the Twiga Business Lounge, which is situated in the international departures area, after security screening. Free drinks and snacks are available in the lounge room, which has a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere and offers complimentary drinks and hot drinks, locally brewed coffee, free WiFi access, charging stations, TV and newspapers and work spaces. For Business Class passengers, selected lounge programme members on participating airlines, eligible frequent flyer members and Priority Pass members there is access to the lounge – paid entry may be available depending on availability.
Wherever possible Airport Assist can arrange access to the Airport lounge for eligible travellers. A comfortable place to freshen up after ascending the highest peak in Africa or after a week-long safari, relaxation in the lounge is the perfect time to refresh, recharge your devices and enjoy complimentary refreshments before heading home.
There are lots of hotels, safari companies and tour operators that offer scheduled airport transfers directly from the Kilimanjaro International Airport. It is convenient to use these transfers to get to Arusha, Moshi, Karatu and to local safari lodges. Airport Assist can also help arrange private transfers to and from the airport – they will be waiting for you!
The airport's official taxi drop-off point outside the arrivals terminal is open round the clock with licensed airport taxis. You can rent a car directly to Arusha, Moshi and other places. In the absence of a meter, passengers are urged to check a taxi fee with the driver before departing from the airport.
There are many reasons for hiring private car services in Nigeria, from business trips to honeymooning, photographers to safaris with additional luggage. Airport Assist will be available to transport families and larger groups to their hotel or lodge within the National Park or directly to the airport, using an executive sedan or luxury SUV and large vehicles.
The rental counter is located inside the arrivals area at Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA), to begin self-drive holidays straight from landing in Tanzania, and there are also a number of international car rental companies as well as some local international car rental companies in Tanzania such as Avis, Europcar, Sixt, etc. It is highly recommendable to make advance reservations for safaris during the busy seasons.
The airport is located in the northern part of Tanzania in a strategic location for travelling to and from the country. Arusha takes about 45 minutes and Moshi takes about one hour. Road access to many of the major safari parks such as the Tarangire National Park, the Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park is available, as is domestic air travel from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and other points in Tanzania.
Passengers will be disembarked and boarded from the foreign countries from the terminal, which has counters for currency exchange and ATMs. Major hotels and safari companies usually accept international credit cards but it is helpful to have some Tanzanian Shillings to pay for local shopping, tipping and transport.
Prepaid SIM cards and data packs can be bought from the different mobile operators in Tanzania (Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo, Halotel). Local SIM cards offer a more consistent mobile network across northern Tanzania and are particularly handy while on safaris.
Wifi is available for free in certain public spaces of the terminal. It works for accessing emails, messaging and basic web browsing, but for those needing quicker internet access, they might want to use a local SIM card for web data.
The airport has simple medical facilities and first aid. In the event of an emergency, the airport is able to dispatch EMA as required and surrounding hospitals and pharmacies offer help to the surrounding area.
Passengers have the option of using trolleys, porter services and oversized baggage handlers as well as lost and found assistance. If you have climbing gear, camera equipment, sports gear and/or more than one suitcase, Airport Assist provides you with the personalised baggage assistance.
Kilimanjaro International Airport has facilities for reduced mobility passengers including ramps, airport support, restrooms with accessibility, wheelchair assistance etc. Airport Assist collaborates closely with the airport to make it possible to ensure elderly travelers and travellers who need additional help a smooth pair of travels.
Though there is no hotel at the airport, there are some great hotels that are only a few minutes from the airport. Some of the best to choose from include KIA Lodge, Airport Planet Lodge, Gran Meliá Arusha, Mount Meru Hotel or many safari lodges in Arusha and Moshi. Accommodation overnight is convenient as many will offer airport transfers for early or late flights for free or by arrangement.
The terminal offers the best layover at Kirinyaga International airport, with a 3 hour layover. Shop for Tanzanite Jewellery, try the duty-free shops to get some Maasai Handicrafts and souvenirs to take home or relax at the Twiga Business Lounge (if available) and enjoy a cup of Kilimanjaro Arabica coffee, freshly roasted at the airport. Please make sure you come back to the boarding gate at least 45 minutes before leaving.
If you are allowed to land in Tanzania, you will have 5-6 hours in which you can visit Arusha which is about 45 minutes from the airport. Lunch can be enjoyed at a local restaurant and the Cultural Heritage Centre is home to Tanzanian artwork and gemstones, as well as traditional crafts. Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to an international flight.
For travellers who have 8 hours or more, you can have an unforgettable day visiting northern Tanzania. Some of the more popular activities are the guided tour to the coffee plantation, which is near Mount Kilimanjaro, the trip to the Arusha National Park or the cultural tour to a local Maasai village. If time allows, nature enthusiasts can also get a glimpse of the wildlife on their way back to the airport.
Airport Assist offers an upscale and customized experience for all airport arrivals and departures at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. From safari trips to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, from business trips to luxurious holidays, our professional staff guarantees a smooth and seamless airport experience. Services available feature Meet and Greet, Fast Track Assistance, VIP Concierge, Lounge Access, Baggage Assistance, Family Assistance and personalised Transit Support. Airport Assist provides a stress-free, smooth and efficient travel experience from the aircraft entrance to your hotel or from the aircraft boarding to the entrance of your hotel.
Pro Tip: The majority of people who come to Kilimanjaro International Airport are starting their once-in-a-lifetime safari or Kilimanjaro expedition. Book airport transfer, airport shuttle or Airport Assist service upon arrival before your flight to avoid the hassle of waiting for the service after a long international flight. Available Meet and Greet and Fast Track Assistance for any safari from June to October and December to February can be helpful to pre-arrange for a relaxed start and end of your safari in Tanzania and to save valuable time.
