East Africa is closer to London than most people think. With one connection via Amsterdam, Istanbul, or Addis Ababa you are in Kilimanjaro or Nairobi by the following morning. And booking directly with a Tanzanian operator instead of a UK safari agency saves you the 20-40% markup that companies like Kuoni, Audley, or Scott Dunn charge for essentially subcontracting the same trip to someone like us.
Getting There from London
| Airline | Route | Total Time | Notes | Return Fare (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KLM | LHR → AMS → JRO | 12-13h | Most popular UK-Tanzania route. Clean connection. | £550-£900 |
| Turkish Airlines | LHR → IST → JRO | 12-14h | Excellent service. Also flies to NBO (Nairobi). | £500-£850 |
| Ethiopian Airlines | LHR → ADD → JRO/NBO | 13-14h | Often the best value. Good connections to Entebbe (Uganda) too. | £450-£750 |
| Qatar Airways | LHR → DOH → JRO/NBO | 14-15h | Premium option with Doha lounge. | £600-£1,000 |
| Kenya Airways | LHR → NBO (direct) | 8.5h | Direct to Nairobi. Best for Kenya-first itineraries. | £550-£950 |
For Tanzania safaris, fly into Kilimanjaro (JRO). For Kenya, fly into Nairobi (NBO). For combined trips, you can fly into one and out of the other. For gorilla trekking, fly into Entebbe (Uganda) or Kigali (Rwanda). We advise on the best routing once we know your itinerary.
Visa Information for UK Passport Holders
Tanzania: Visa required. Apply online at immigration.go.tz ($50, 3-5 business days) or on arrival at JRO ($50). E-visa recommended to save time.
Kenya: ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) required. Apply at etakenya.go.ke ($30, processed within 72 hours).
Uganda: Visa required. Apply online at visas.immigration.go.ug ($50). Can also be obtained on arrival.
Rwanda: Visa on arrival for UK passport holders (free for stays under 30 days).
Best Timing for UK Travellers
UK Summer Holidays (July-August)
Peak safari season. Dry weather across East Africa. Great Migration in the Masai Mara and Northern Serengeti. Gorilla trekking in good conditions. This is the most popular time for UK families. Book lodges and permits 4-6 months in advance.
February Half-Term
Calving season in the southern Serengeti. Newborn wildebeest, exceptional predator action. Green landscapes, fewer tourists than summer. Good value on lodge rates. An excellent option for families wanting to avoid peak-season crowds.
October Half-Term
End of the dry season. Migration still in the Mara (Kenya). Excellent wildlife viewing across both countries. Shoulder-season pricing at many lodges. A smart choice for value-conscious travellers.
Popular Itineraries for UK Guests
| Itinerary | Days | Per Person (2 pax) | Destinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania Classic + Zanzibar | 10 | $4,000 - $5,500 | Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Zanzibar |
| Kenya Highlights | 7 | $3,500 - $5,500 | Amboseli, Nakuru, Masai Mara |
| Kenya + Tanzania Combined | 12 | $5,500 - $8,500 | Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Zanzibar |
| Gorilla Trek + Safari | 12 | $5,500 - $8,000 | Uganda gorillas + Tanzania/Kenya safari |
| Full East Africa | 16 | $8,000 - $14,000 | Tanzania + Kenya + gorillas + Zanzibar |
Why Book Direct Instead of Through a UK Agent
Save 20-40%. Same Lodges. Same Parks. Direct Relationship.
UK-based safari agencies (Audley Travel, Scott Dunn, Kuoni, Abercrombie & Kent) charge a premium because they maintain London offices, UK staff, and marketing budgets. They subcontract the actual safari to a local operator in Arusha or Nairobi. When you book directly with Westway, you are booking with the team that actually runs your trip. Same lodges. Same guides. Same parks. Significantly lower total cost. And a direct WhatsApp line to the person managing your safari, not a call centre.
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Plan Your Safari from London
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