Airline reveals plans to launch UK flights to one of Africa’s cheapest countries and there’s NO jet lag
BRITS could soon be able to fly to a destination in Africa with winter highs of 30C, beautiful beaches and beers for 71p.
Air Tanzania has revealed it’s planning to launch direct flights, for the very first time, between the UK and Tanzania next year.
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The airline’s CEO Peter Ulanga announced the flights will operate from London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro International Airport and wants to start the route from July 2027.
Talking to Africa Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA), Peter Ulanga said there be a ‘minimum’ of three flights a week to Tanzania.
Not only that, but he also said they want to run flights to its well-known archipelago as well.
He added: “We will also run direct flights to Zanzibar, expanding the tourism potential of that destination from the UK, too.”
Currently there are no direct routes to Tanzania or Zanzibar – and historically there haven’t been any from the UK.
Airlines from the UK currently have to stopover at the likes of Nairobi to get there.
The new route would make travel for Brits much easier and reduce flight time that is currently between 11 and 15 hours.
The most popular part of Tanzania for Brits is Zanzibar which lies just of the coast, thanks to its white-sand beaches, winter highs of 30C and pretty resorts.
Despite its luxury feel, Zanzibar is cheap too with meals costing around £3.54 and beer can be from 99p.
Zanzibar has an incredible coastline, some of the best beaches include Nakupenda, Nungwi and Paje which have powder-like sand and are lined with palm trees.
One Sun Writer who visited enjoyed snorkelling, exploring Zanzibar’s capital, Stone Town, and taking a boat trip to Prison Island to see the giant tortoise sanctuary.
Even better news for Brits is that there’s barely any jet lag either as Zanzibar is just two hours ahead of the UK.
One of TUI’s resorts there called Riu Palace Zanzibar can be booked from £2,000pp which is a seven-night, all-inclusive stay including flights.
It has bright and airy rooms, five bars, four restaurants, three swimming pools and a gym.
Zanzibar is getting even more TUI hotels too – last year, it announced it would be expanding across destinations in Africa, including Tanzania.
JAZ Amaluna, an adults-only, five-star resort on the east coast at Uroa Beach, is set to open this year.
TUI described it as having a ‘village vibe’ with tropical gardens, authentic Africa decor and two swimming pools.
Meanwhile on the mainland, Tanzania’s capital is Dodoma and the country as a whole is known for being especially cheap.
According to Wise, Tanzania is even cheaper than Zanzibar with meals start from £1.99, coffee from £1.46, and beer as little as 71p.
Aside from its affordability, lots of the country’s appeal lies in its national parks.
Right next to the airport is Mount Kilimanjaro National Park which is where you’ll find the tallest mountain in Africa.
Tanzania is also home to the Serengeti National Park and a popular activity is to book a safari tour to see the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras.