How to go around East Africa by Air?
It’s quite easy to fly around east Africa and to Europe, Middle East or elsewhere around Africa. East African air transport has been liberalised since 2006 when the East African Community partner states (EAC) initiated the implementation of Yamoussoukro decision on the liberalisation of air transport in the region and established an air transport committee which is mandated with its implementation. The objective of the project is to create a single block of upper airspace over Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, operating from a single area control centre.
There is an increasing demand in the connectivity of tourism destinations in East Africa where the foreign and local tourists have a better value of money where the various attractions and tourist potentials that can be reached in one circuit. Kenya (Nairobi) being one of the major air hub and a destination for finding special air fares, there is however some other major gateways like Entebbe in Uganda, Arusha and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
The main international airports in east Africa are:
- Entebbe international airport Uganda
- Kigali international airport Rwanda
- Bujumbura international airport Burundi
- Julius Nyerere international airport, Dar es Salaam Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro international airport, Arusha Tanzania
- Jomo Kenyatta international airport, Nairobi Kenya
- Juba international airport, South Sudan
Going around in East Africa is quite expensive especially in the months of December and January, and again in June through august and they are lowest in March through May however, they go up during the Easter holidays. When buying an air ticket, one should consider buying an open-jaw ticket which enables you to fly around from one country to another which is cheaper than booking a standard return flight in and out of one city.
There are a number of flights and airways that one should consider but charter flights are generally cheaper than scheduled flights, some come as part of the package that includes accommodation however most charter companies sell ‘flight only’ tickets. Jomo Kenyatta airport being one of the busiest airports in Africa, takes the 9th place in Africa therefore, here are the best airlines and airports that everyone should consider when booking a flight:
Airlines operating the East African Region
- Air Mauritius
- British airways
- African express airways
- Uganda airways
- Qatar airways
- Kenya airways
- RwandAir
- KLM
- South African airways
- Swiss international airlines
- Charter airlines
- Linhas Aereas de mocambique
Airports in Kenya
- Jomo Kenyatta international airport
- Moi international airport
- Eldoret international airport
- Isiolo international airport
- Wilson airport
- Kisumu airport
- Malindi airstrip
- Wajir airport
- Lokichoggio airport
- Manda airport
- Ukanda airport
Airports in Uganda
- Entebbe international airport
- Jinja airport
- Tororo airfield
- Kajjansi airfield
- Kasese airport
- Moroto airport
- Mbarara airport
Airports in Tanzania
- Julius Nyerere international airport
- Kilimanjaro international airport
- Mwanza international airport
- Bukoba airport
- Arusha airport
- Songwe airport
- Pemba airport
- Dodoma airport
- Moshi airport
Airports in Rwanda
- Aero port de kamembe
- Kigali international airport
- Butare airport
- Bugesera international airport
Airports in Burundi
- Bujumbura international airport
- Gitega airport
- Nyanza-lac airport
- Kirundo airport
Airports in South Sudan
- Juba international airport
- Malakal airport
- Wau airport
There are a couple of things that everyone planning to travel using a plane that you should have and these are the five essentials needed before travelling:
Passport: ever one is required to have a passport especially if you need visas from foreign embassies. This may however take much longer therefore one is required to get one earlier before the flight date
Visa: visa specifics vary from country to country, before travelling out of east Africa, one is required to find out the visa you need and in case this takes long, the embassy addresses and phone numbers can be found on GoAbroad.com’s Embassy and consulate directory.
Visit the doctor: Before anyone travels in east Africa or into east Africa, you are required to see a doctor and examine every part of your body to detect if there is any disease and do any necessary vaccinations required
Get insured: whether you can get a healthy insurance or travel insurance to secure yourself in case of an accident.
Airline and Airport: Choose the airport and airline you are going to use especially that you find comfortable and fit in your wallet and these have been provided above as listed above.
