Should I book through a third-party site to save money?

No. Always book directly through the airline's website. If there is a flight cancellation or schedule change, dealing with a third-party agency in East Africa can become a logistical nightmare.

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar directly?

Usually, no. It is almost always cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam (DAR) or Nairobi (NBO) and take a short, inexpensive regional flight or ferry to Zanzibar.

How to Book Flights to East Africa

Book your international arrival into Nairobi (NBO) or Addis Ababa (ADD) for the most competitive fares and flight options. Use multi-city search tools to fly into one hub and out of another to avoid backtracking across the region.

Select your primary hub. Nairobi (NBO) is the primary gateway for Kenya and Tanzania, while Addis Ababa (ADD) offers the most efficient network for Ethiopia and northern connections. Kigali (KGL) is the best entry point for Rwanda and Uganda.
Use the 'Multi-City' search tool. Don't book two one-way tickets. Use the 'Multi-City' function on Google Flights to book your inbound flight to your first destination and your outbound flight from your final stop. This is almost always cheaper than two individual tickets.
Track prices 3–6 months out. For travel to East Africa, prices rarely drop significantly for last-minute bookings. Set a price alert on Google Flights for your specific dates 4 months in advance and book once the price hits your target range.
Check regional carriers for connections. If you are visiting multiple countries, check regional airlines like Kenya Airways, RwandAir, or Precision Air separately. Sometimes it is cheaper to book the long-haul leg on a major carrier and a separate regional ticket for the short hop.

Should I book through a third-party site to save money?: No. Always book directly through the airline's website. If there is a flight cancellation or schedule change, dealing with a third-party agency in East Africa can become a logistical nightmare.
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar directly?: Usually, no. It is almost always cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam (DAR) or Nairobi (NBO) and take a short, inexpensive regional flight or ferry to Zanzibar.