AFCON 2027 in Tanzania: How to Plan the Ultimate Football, Safari & Zanzibar Trip
By Naru Zanzibar · Naru Guide · AFCON 2027
Planning to travel to Tanzania for AFCON 2027? You could come for the football and leave having experienced so much more.
From 19 June to 17 July 2027, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will jointly host the Africa Cup of Nations under the name PAMOJA 2027 — the first AFCON ever hosted by three countries and the first time the tournament has returned to East Africa since Ethiopia hosted in 1976.
For fans travelling to Tanzania, this is an opportunity to combine match days with a Tanzania safari, Zanzibar beach escape, culture, food and some of East Africa's most iconic experiences.
Here’s what to know before you start planning.
What is AFCON 2027?
The Africa Cup of Nations, commonly known as AFCON, is Africa's biggest men's international football tournament.
In 2027, 24 national teams are expected to compete for the continental title, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda automatically qualifying as the three host nations.
The tournament will run for almost a month:
19 June 2027: Opening match
17 July 2027: Final
The name PAMOJA means "together" in Swahili, reflecting the idea behind bringing Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda together to host the tournament.
And this isn't just a football trip, we’re expecting more than 1.5 million fans to travel across the three host countries during the tournament so planning early is essential to secure the best hotels and prices.
Where will AFCON matches be played in Tanzania?
Tanzania is one of the three host countries, alongside Kenya and Uganda.
The Tanzanian government is preparing venues in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Zanzibar, with major stadium and infrastructure projects underway ahead of the tournament.
However, there's an important detail for anyone booking their trip early:
CAF has not yet released the final match schedule or officially confirmed which matches will be played at each Tanzanian stadium.
The full tournament draw and schedule will be especially important for fans deciding whether to base themselves in Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Zanzibar.
Need help planning your AFCON 2027 trip?
If you're travelling to Tanzania for AFCON, you don't need to figure out the entire trip yourself.
We’re Naru Zanzibar, a licensed tour operator in Tanzania and we can help you plan your entire AFCON experience — accommodation, transfers, tickets, Zanzibar experiences and a wider Tanzania itinerary — around your match schedule. We can help you build the rest of your trip around the games you're attending.
Don't Just Come for the Football
If you're already coming to Tanzania for AFCON 2027, make the most of your trip. Combine your match days with a Tanzania safari in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro, then head to Zanzibar for a few days of beaches, Stone Town, dhow trips and Swahili culture. From football → safari → Zanzibar, you can experience some of the best of Tanzania all in one trip.
What else should you book early?
AFCON will bring a huge number of visitors to East Africa. CAF expects more than 1.5 million fans across the three host countries, so accommodation and transport are worth thinking about early.
If you're planning a Tanzania AFCON trip, keep an eye on:
Match tickets
International flights
Hotels
Domestic flights between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar
Airport transfers
Safari accommodation
Safari flights and game drives
Zanzibar tours and boat experiences
You don't necessarily need to book everything a year in advance, but waiting until the tournament is around the corner could mean fewer choices and higher prices.
We’re here to help you handle all of the bookings so you can arrive stress-free, email hello@naruzanzibar.com or click the link below to submit a booking request
