Carry-On Rules in East Africa (2026)

East Africa is home to some of the continent's most significant aviation hubs and a growing number of regional carriers. Carry-on limits in the region tend to be strict — 7 kg is the dominant economy allowance — and security procedures at major hubs are thorough. Whether you are transiting through Addis Ababa or flying a domestic bush-plane leg to a safari camp, knowing the rules saves both time and money.

Carry-On Limits by Airline

Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines is Africa's largest carrier and a Star Alliance member, operating an extensive network across the continent and intercontinentally.

Class	Size Limit	Weight	Personal Item
Economy	55 × 40 × 20 cm	7 kg	Laptop bag or small personal item, free
Business	55 × 40 × 20 cm	7 kg	Laptop bag or small personal item, free

Ethiopian Airlines' 7 kg limit is firmly enforced, but the allowance of a separate laptop bag or briefcase alongside the main carry-on is a useful benefit. Pack your laptop, chargers, and medications in the personal item to keep weight out of the main bag. The 20 cm depth limit is shallower than many popular rolling suitcases — always check your bag against the template sizer at the airport if in doubt.

Kenya Airways

Kenya Airways is the Kenyan flag carrier and a SkyTeam member, operating from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Class	Size Limit	Weight
Economy	56 × 45 × 25 cm	12 kg
Business	56 × 45 × 25 cm	12 kg

Kenya Airways is more generous than most East African carriers with a 12 kg economy limit and larger dimensional allowance. Enforcement is nonetheless consistent — bags are weighed at check-in counters in Nairobi. The 12 kg limit is particularly useful for photographers and travelers carrying heavy equipment.

RwandAir

RwandAir operates from Kigali International Airport and serves destinations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

Class	Size Limit	Weight
Economy	55 × 40 × 23 cm	7 kg
Business	55 × 40 × 23 cm	10 kg

RwandAir is known for modern aircraft and consistent service standards. The 7 kg economy limit is enforced. Kigali airport security is efficient and straightforward compared to larger regional hubs.

Uganda Airlines

Uganda Airlines re-launched in 2019 and serves regional East African routes from Entebbe International Airport.

Class	Size Limit	Weight
Economy	55 × 40 × 20 cm	7 kg
Business	55 × 40 × 20 cm	10 kg

Uganda Airlines strictly applies the 7 kg limit on all routes. Entebbe security requires laptops removed at screening.

Precision Air

Precision Air is Tanzania's largest private airline, operating domestic routes and regional connections to Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar.

Class	Size Limit	Weight
Economy	55 × 40 × 20 cm	7 kg
Business	55 × 40 × 20 cm	10 kg

Precision Air's 7 kg limit is enforced particularly on smaller turboprop aircraft. Overhead bin space on regional aircraft is limited.

Jambojet

Jambojet is a Kenyan low-cost carrier and subsidiary of Kenya Airways, operating domestic Kenyan routes.

Class	Size Limit	Weight
Economy	55 × 40 × 20 cm	7 kg

Jambojet enforces its 7 kg limit at Nairobi's Wilson Airport and JKIA. As a budget carrier, exceeding the limit will result in additional charges.

Airport Security: What to Expect

Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)

JKIA is the region's busiest hub and a significant transit point for intercontinental connections. Security is multilayered:

• Perimeter vehicle check: Your car or taxi is stopped at the airport entrance. Do not have items in an immediately accessible position in the vehicle that could cause concern.
• Terminal entrance screening: All passengers pass through a detector and bags through an X-ray machine before entering the terminal.
• Gate security: A second round of security occurs at or near the departure gate, including a separate laptop bin.
• Manual baggage screening: Bags may be opened for inspection at any stage.

Arrive at least 3 hours before international departures. Security lines at JKIA can be unpredictable and the multi-layer process takes time even when moving efficiently.

Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)

Bole is the hub for Ethiopian Airlines and handles high passenger volumes from the airline's extensive African network.

• Dual X-ray scanning: All carry-on bags are X-rayed at terminal entry and again at gate security. Be prepared to open your bag for inspection at either point.
• Laptop removal required: Remove laptops at both screening stages.
• Liquid rules enforced: The 100 ml per container, 1-litre bag rule applies consistently.
• Long queues possible: Transit passengers combined with departing passengers can create significant lines during peak hours. Ethiopian Airlines recommends arriving 3 hours before international flights.

Safari Photography Gear Strategy

Safari travel demands special planning for carry-on photography equipment. The general rule is simple: camera gear always travels in the cabin.

Why: Camera bodies, telephoto lenses, and drones are expensive and fragile. Hold baggage at remote airstrips is often handled manually and exposed to heat and dust. Safari aircraft such as Cessna Caravans and Pilatus PC-12s have small, unpressurized holds.

How to make it work within 7 kg:

• Use a camera bag as your personal item. Ethiopian Airlines permits this alongside the main 7 kg carry-on.
• Remove camera lenses from their cases and wrap in clothing inside the main bag if over limit.
• Wear a jacket with large pockets on travel days for memory cards, batteries, and filters.
• A lightweight mirrorless system (Sony A7-series, Fujifilm X-T series) weighs significantly less than DSLR equivalents without sacrificing image quality for wildlife work.

Drones: Check the civil aviation regulations for each country you visit. Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda all require permits for commercial drone operation, and some national parks ban drones entirely.