British Airways Launches New Route to Tanzania: Safari and Zanzibar Awaits Travelers

British Airways Launches New Route to Tanzania: Safari and Zanzibar Awaits TravelersCan't decide between a safari and a beach vacation? Thanks to British Airways, you may not have to.

The British flag carrier just announced it is returning to Tanzania for the first time in roughly 15 years with a clever new summer route that makes it considerably easier to pair some of Africa's most famous wildlife experiences with a few blissful days on the beach.

Beginning May 29, 2027, the airline will fly from London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro before continuing on to Zanzibar three times a week. The seasonal service will operate through Oct. 31, 2027, and fares start at £849 round trip, including taxes and fees.

In other words: Spot lions in the Serengeti, gaze up at Mount Kilimanjaro and then swap your safari gear for a swimsuit in Zanzibar. Not a bad vacation itinerary.

"We're excited to be launching flights to two exceptional new destinations that showcase the very best of Tanzania," Neil Chernoff, British Airways' Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, said in announcing the service. He pointed to everything from the Serengeti and Mount Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar's turquoise water and white-sand beaches as experiences the new flights will make easier to access.

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There's one important detail travelers should know before booking: This isn't a traditional round-trip route.

Instead, BA will operate it as a triangle: London Gatwick → Kilimanjaro → Zanzibar → London Gatwick aboard a Boeing 777 with World Traveller economy, World Traveller Plus premium economy and Club World business-class cabins.

Flights leave Gatwick on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9:05 a.m., arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport at 8:20 p.m. local time. The plane then departs Kilimanjaro at 9:20 p.m. and reaches Zanzibar at 10:25 p.m. Return flights leave Zanzibar on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 12:25 a.m. and arrive back at Gatwick at 7:55 a.m.

That means there's no nonstop BA return flight from Kilimanjaro to London on this route. And that's where things get interesting.

Travelers looking to do both destinations could fly into Kilimanjaro, spend several days exploring Tanzania's northern safari circuit and then make their way to Zanzibar before flying nonstop back to London. If Zanzibar is the only goal, passengers can simply remain on the BA service during its roughly one-hour stop at Kilimanjaro before continuing to the island.

The Gatwick-to-Kilimanjaro flight takes about nine hours and 15 minutes, while continuing all the way to Zanzibar brings the total journey to approximately 13 hours and 20 minutes, including the stop.

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Kilimanjaro International Airport is about much more than climbing its namesake mountain. It's also a gateway to Tanzania's famed Northern Safari Circuit, putting travelers within reach of Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park.

And then there's the ever-dreamy, otherworldly Zanzibar.

The Indian Ocean archipelago is known for white-sand beaches, coral reefs and spice plantations, along with Stone Town, the historic center of Zanzibar City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The timing isn't accidental either. British Airways says the May-to-October schedule overlaps with the peak safari season as well as the U.K.'s summer school holidays.

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British Airways says round-trip fares will start at £849, including taxes and fees. Flights are already appearing for booking on BA's website, although exact prices will naturally depend on travel dates and cabin.

And this isn't BA's only big network move for 2027. The carrier is also increasing summer service to Cape Town from seven to 10 weekly flights, making San José, Costa Rica, a year-round route and increasing its Latin America capacity by 25 percent compared with summer 2026.

Still, it's hard to beat the appeal of this particular addition. One flight itinerary that can take you from safari drives and one of the world's most famous mountains to a white-sand beach on the Indian Ocean? We'll start packing the binoculars and bathing suits now.

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This story was originally published by Parade on Sep 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.