Plan a Trip to Africa From USA Airports
Gateways, hubs and the regional flights that get you to camp.
Get a Free Africa Trip QuoteHow to Plan a Trip to Africa From USA Airports
The flight is often the longest and most expensive single piece of the trip, so it pays to plan it carefully. When you plan a trip to Africa from USA cities, you have three basic routings: a nonstop to an African gateway where one exists, a connection through a hub in Europe or the Middle East, or a connection through an African hub. The right choice depends on your home airport, your first stop in Africa and how you handle long flights.
Main gateways
| Region | Common gateway airports | Onward to |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | Nairobi (NBO) | Masai Mara, Amboseli and Samburu by light aircraft, many from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport |
| Tanzania | Kilimanjaro (JRO), Dar es Salaam (DAR), Zanzibar (ZNZ) | Serengeti and the northern circuit via Arusha |
| Rwanda | Kigali (KGL) | Volcanoes National Park by road |
| South Africa | Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT) | Kruger-area airports and private airstrips |
| Botswana and Victoria Falls | Maun (MUB), Kasane (BBK), Victoria Falls (VFA), Livingstone (LVI) | Delta and Chobe camps by light aircraft |
| Namibia | Windhoek (WDH) | Self-drive or fly-in safaris |
| Egypt and Morocco | Cairo (CAI), Casablanca (CMN), Marrakech (RAK) | Domestic flights and trains |
Nonstop or Connecting?
Nonstop flights from the United States have operated to a handful of African cities, including Johannesburg, Cape Town (seasonally), Nairobi, Accra, Lagos, Dakar, Addis Ababa, Casablanca and Cairo, but routes come and go. Connections through European hubs such as London, Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt, through the Gulf, or through African hubs like Addis Ababa and Johannesburg open up many more options and can break up the journey.
Plan a night in your gateway city on arrival. Light-aircraft flights to safari camps usually leave in the morning or midday, and a missed connection can cost a day in the bush. A night’s rest also helps with jet lag. Hotels for gateway cities can be compared on Rooms Cheap.
Booking Tips for Flights to Africa
- Book long-haul flights early for peak safari months and holidays.
- Use open-jaw tickets (into one city, out of another) to avoid backtracking across the continent.
- Keep international and regional flights on one booking where possible, so a delay is the airline’s problem, not yours.
- Check baggage rules on every leg, especially light aircraft.
- Remember that a transit country may have its own health or entry rules.
Compare fares on Airfares for Less, or let a specialist book the flights with the rest of your trip: request a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there nonstop flights from the USA to Africa?
Yes, to a limited number of cities, and routes change by season and year. Many travelers connect through a European, Middle Eastern or African hub instead. Check current schedules when you book.
How do I get from the international airport to a safari camp?
Usually by a scheduled or charter light-aircraft flight from a regional airport or airstrip, or by road with a driver-guide. Your specialist or camp arranges the transfer, and luggage limits for small planes apply.
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