AFCON 2027 Tanzania travel guide

The essentials

• Dates: 19 June – 17 July 2027.
• Hosts: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda — the first co-hosted AFCON in East Africa.
• Expected visitors: CAF expects more than 1.5 million fans across the three countries.
• Venues: host cities and the match schedule are still being finalised by CAF — build flexibility into your plan.

Why base yourself in Arusha

Arusha sits at the centre of northern Tanzania's travel circuit: under an hour from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and the gateway to Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro, and the Serengeti. If you're travelling for football and want a real Tanzanian experience between matches, it's hard to beat — waterfalls, coffee farms, game drives and a proper food scene, all within a day's reach.

Getting there

Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) — served by KLM, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian, Turkish and regional carriers — or into Dar es Salaam (DAR) and connect by domestic flight or bus. From JRO, Arusha is about 50 minutes by road; arrange an airport transfer in advance rather than negotiating at arrivals.

Visas

Most visitors can apply for a Tanzanian eVisa online before travel; East African Community citizens travel with fewer requirements. Apply early during tournament season — processing queues will grow as the tournament approaches.

When to book

Accommodation near any AFCON host city sells out fast once the schedule is confirmed. The smart move is to secure refundable or flexible bookings early, then adjust once CAF confirms venues and fixtures. That is exactly what Arusha Living's early-access list is for: priority booking and early-bird rates before public packages open.

Budget notes

• June–July is high season in northern Tanzania (it's also great safari weather — dry and mild).
• Apartments are meaningfully cheaper than hotels for stays of 3+ nights, especially for groups.
• Self-drive rental plus an apartment is usually the most economical setup for a group of friends.

One honest caution

Until CAF confirms host cities and the match schedule, treat any package promising "accommodation near the stadium" with scepticism. Plan the trip around the country, add the matches when fixtures are announced.