British Airways launch flight to ‘bucket list’ country after 13 years

British Airways has launched a new route to Tanzania in Africa (Picture: Getty Images) British Airways has launched flights to a ‘bucket list’ country for the first time in more than a decade. From summer 2027, Londoners will be able to fly directly from Gatwick Airport to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar in Tanzania. Here, tourists can take a dip in the sea, hike the highest mountain in Africa, or catch a glimpse of the Great Migration, one of the most unique experiences in the animal kingdom. This is the first time British Airways has operated a flight to Tanzania in 13 years, as the airline told Metro that a previous route to Dar es Salaam was axed back in 2013. From May 29, BA’s new flight will run through the warmer months until October 31, with three flights per week. It’ll operate as a stopover flight, landing in Kilimanjaro and then going on to Zanzibar. Prices start from £849 for a return package. At the moment, around 75,000 British tourists visit Tanzania each year, and between 2021 and 2024, visits increased by a dramatic 130%. British Airways described the country as being ‘home to bucket list travel experiences,’ while Neil Chernoff, chief planning and strategy officer, said the destinations ‘showcase the very best of Tanzania.’ He added: ‘From the vast plains of the Serengeti and the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro to the turquoise waters and white-sand beaches of Zanzibar, these new routes strengthen our footprint in East Africa and open the door to some of the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. ‘Alongside these new routes, we are strengthening our wider long-haul network, adding capacity to a number of popular destinations across Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean. ‘By increasing frequencies and extending seasonal services, we’re giving customers more choice and flexibility, while deepening London’s connectivity to key destinations around the world.’ British Airways is also adding extra flights to Latin America, including non-stop options to Buenos Aires, Santiago, Rio de Janeiro, and San José, as well as extra flights to Cape Town and Las Vegas from March 2027. Around 75,000 British tourists visit Tanzania each year (Picture: Matt Dirksen/Getty Images) Things to do in Tanzania Found along the Northern Safari Circuit, Kilimanjaro is the place to experience Africa’s wildlife, being home to the Serengeti Wildlife Park, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park. If you’re feeling brave, you can take on Mount Kilimanjaro, which passes through not one, but five climate zones. Experience rainforest, alpine desert, and end up at the snow-capped summit, towering at 19,341 feet above sea level. Meanwhile, Zanzibar is known for its white, sandy beaches, most notably Nungwi, which has famously low tides, making for perfect, all-day swimming conditions. Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa, at 5,895 metres (Picture: Getty Images) Stone Town, an old quarter of Zanzibar City, is known for its UNESCO-listed streets. Take a wander down at Darajani Market, where you’ll find local spices and textiles, or marvel at historic buildings, including St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Cathedral. Looking for a path less travelled once you’re done in Tanzania? Just over the border into Kenya lies one of 2027’s ‘not hot’ destinations. @zanzibardestination You, Me & Zanzibar… when are we going? 🏝️✨ 5 days of pure island magic… where every day feels unreal. 💙 From swimming with dolphins at Mnemba Atoll, relaxing on white sandbanks, exploring historic Stone Town, sunset cruises, Safari Blue adventures, to dining at the iconic The Rock Restaurant… this is the getaway you deserve. 🌊🐬🌴 Imagine us here: Day 1️⃣ Mnemba half day(Dophins & snorkeling) Day 2️⃣ Nakupenda Sandbank , spice farms & Stone town Tour Day 3️⃣ Clear kayaks + jet ski fun & Sunset cruising Day 4️⃣ Safari Blue Day 5️⃣ Salaam caves, Mtende beaches, The rock restaurant & dhow sailing(Ngalawa) 💰 Package Rates: 1 Person – $700 2 People – $400 pp 3-6 People – $350 pp 📩 DM “ZANZIBAR” for full itinerary & booking info 📍Tag the person you’d bring with you 👀 #zanzibar #zanzibartravel #zanzibarbeach #visitzanzibar #africatravel ♬ original sound – Zanzibar 🇹🇿 Now, that’s not to say no one wants to go there: while plenty of popular destinations across the world battle overtourism, there are just as many screaming out for some visitors. Intrepid Travel’s new list focuses on destinations that aren’t visited as often, but are also equipped to handle tourism, and have either new infrastructure coming in 2027 or major events to entertain new visitors. When visiting Kenya, most tourists have a safari at the top of their to-do list. Stone Town is part of Zanzibar City (Picture: Getty Images) The Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of the country’s most popular, but it’s increasingly accumulating pressure from overtourism; so much so that the Great Migration routes animals take are changing, owing to traffic from visiting vehicles and an increasing number of luxury campsites. Found in northern Kenya, the Samburu National Reserve is one of the most ecologically protected parts of East Africa. With riverine forests and palm groves, lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and cheetahs all live in the area. And, with little to no light pollution, it’s hard to beat the stargazing opportunities visible under Samburu’s skies. Other BA flight news Elsewhere, British Airways is switching up the London airport that four major routes depart from, starting this October. The four destinations affected are: Costa Rica (San Jose), Tampa, Fuerteventura, and Innsbruck. For Costa Rica, flights will depart from London Heathrow instead of London Gatwick, while the route to Tampa, Florida, will now set off from Heathrow instead of Gatwick. For Fuertaventura, it’ll be Heathrow over Gatwick, and for Innsbruck, Gatwick instead of Heathrow. Got it? Our Top Shopping Picks Primark's new £14 co-ord has autumn styling on a budget covered Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale BA, which flies to over 200 destinations, is also set to introduce new routes this autumn and winter, including a seasonal route to Finland, just in time for Christmas. Do you have a story you’d like to share? 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