What Is Actually Happening in the Middle East

On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the Gulf region. The conflict caused flights in and out of the Middle East to come to a near-complete stop, stranding passengers and disrupting global aviation hubs including Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.

After more than six weeks of escalating conflict, the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on 8 April 2026. Negotiations are now underway in Islamabad under Pakistani mediation. A fragile diplomatic window has opened, though analysts are warning the next fortnight will be decisive, either opening a genuine path to resolution or allowing tensions to flare again.

The ceasefire is fragile. I am not going to pretend otherwise. The Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed to normal tanker traffic, and Iran's parliamentary speaker has accused the US of violating elements of the agreement. This is a situation I am watching daily, and I will not stop watching it.

What I can tell you with complete confidence is this: none of it is happening anywhere near Tanzania.

Tanzania Is Safe. Kilimanjaro Is Operating Normally.

Tanzania is in East Africa. It is thousands of kilometres from the Middle East. There are no direct security impacts on tourism in Tanzania related to the conflict. Travellers continue to visit for safaris, trekking, and beach holidays.

The Northern Safari Circuit, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar continue to maintain robust safety records, with tourism police providing 24-hour coverage across Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara. Kilimanjaro climbing routes are fully accessible. Our ground team in Arusha is operational. The mountain does not care what is happening in the Gulf.

The practical impact of the conflict on Tanzania is indirect. It concerns flight routing and costs, not safety on the ground. That is an important distinction, and it is worth understanding clearly.

The Flight Picture: What You Need to Know Right Now

British Airways via Doha: What Has Happened

British Airways has suspended flights to Doha until 31 May 2026 as a result of the regional airspace disruption. BA plans to resume flying to Doha on 1 July, though at a reduced frequency of one daily service.

If you have a confirmed BA ticket routing through Doha with a departure before 1 July, you need to take action. Contact British Airways directly. They have been operating a disruption rebooking policy and should be able to reroute you via an alternative hub, most likely Nairobi, at no additional cost. If your departure is after 1 July, the Doha route is currently expected to be reinstated, though I would continue to watch BA's announcements as the ceasefire situation develops.

Qatar Airways via Doha: Where Things Stand

Qatar Airways had the most severe disruption of any major carrier. Doha's Hamad International Airport was effectively closed to scheduled commercial traffic from the start of the conflict, with Iran striking Qatar with 14 ballistic missiles and four drones in the first week of fighting alone.

The picture has improved considerably since then. Qatar Airways is now operating approximately 109 departing passenger flights from Doha daily as of 9 April 2026, roughly 40% of its pre-war schedule and rising. Kilimanjaro is confirmed as one of the destinations included in their restored network. Qatar had already confirmed Kilimanjaro on its expanded destination list from late March.

The important thing to understand about Qatar's approach to this disruption is the rebooking and refund policy. Qatar Airways has extended its flexible rebooking and refund policy for disrupted itineraries through 15 June 2026. Passengers with confirmed bookings between 28 February and 15 June 2026 receive complimentary date changes, with rebooking open to 31 October 2026, and refunds are available for cancelled flights.

In practice, this means: if your Qatar flight via Doha is operating, you will likely travel as planned. If it is disrupted closer to your departure, you have the right to rebook to a later date at no charge, or claim a refund on the unused ticket value and book with an alternative carrier. Check the Qatar Airways app or website regularly as your travel date approaches. They are updating their schedule in stages, and the picture for flights departing in June and July is becoming clearer by the week.

The Reliable Alternatives Right Now

The good news is that getting to Kilimanjaro does not depend on Doha. Several strong alternatives are operating normally and have been throughout this period.

Turkish Airlines via Istanbul operates year-round, direct to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Istanbul has not been affected by the conflict. Turkish Airlines has been one of the most consistent options for European and US travellers throughout this period and is, frankly, one of the best connections to JRO in normal times too.

KLM via Amsterdam offers a direct service from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro that is currently unaffected. This is one of the longest non-stop flights to JRO, at around 8 hours 25 minutes, and it is operating reliably. For UK travellers, connecting from London Heathrow to Amsterdam and then on to Kilimanjaro is a solid routing.

Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa flies direct to Kilimanjaro and has continued to operate its full schedule throughout the conflict. Ethiopia is entirely unaffected by the Middle East situation. Ethiopian flies to Kilimanjaro from Addis Ababa in approximately 2 hours 20 minutes, and connects directly from London, Manchester, and dozens of other departure cities with a single transit.

British Airways via Nairobi is also an option worth knowing about. BA is not flying into the Gulf right now, but its Nairobi service continues normally. From Nairobi, you can connect onward to Kilimanjaro via Kenya Airways or Precision Air, a well-established routing that many of our climbers use regardless.

If You Are Booked Via Doha and Worried About Getting Home

This is the question I am asked most often, and I want to address it directly.

If your inbound flight via Doha operates normally and you complete your climb or safari, but conditions deteriorate again before your return, you will not be stranded in Tanzania. There is no scenario in which a client of ours is left without a route home. Our ground operations team monitors flight status daily. If a return via Doha becomes impractical, we work with you to reroute through Istanbul, Addis Ababa, Amsterdam, or Nairobi, all of which have capacity to Tanzania. It costs more. It takes longer. But it works.

Tanzania's own airports, Kilimanjaro International, Julius Nyerere in Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar, are all fully operational and unaffected.

One further thing worth checking is your travel insurance. Read the policy carefully, particularly the disruption and curtailment clauses. Some policies may include exclusions for travel to or via regions on government advisory lists. Doha and the Gulf states are currently on several governments' "advise against all but essential travel" lists, and transiting counts in some policies' definitions. If you are unsure, speak to your insurer before your departure date, not after.

What We Are Doing at Legend

We have not paused, postponed, or reconsidered a single expedition. Every climb this dry season is going ahead. Our team in Arusha is fully operational. Our guides are on the mountain. Maridadi Hotel is ready.

I led my first Kilimanjaro expedition in circumstances that were considerably more uncertain than these. The mountain is not connected to what is happening in the Gulf. Neither is the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, or Tarangire. These places are as they have always been: extraordinary, remote, and very much open for business.

What we are doing is monitoring the airline situation daily. We have relationships with travel agents who specialise in last-minute rerouting and can help any climber whose Doha connection is disrupted close to their departure date. If you need to be rerouted to Istanbul or Addis Ababa, we will help you work through that, whether you are booked with us or not.

FAQ

Is Tanzania safe to visit given the situation in the Middle East?

Yes. Tanzania has no involvement in the conflict, is geographically far removed from it, and has no travel advisories relating to it. The country's tourism infrastructure is operating normally. The FCDO does not advise against travel to Tanzania's main tourist areas. The conflict affects your journey to Tanzania, not what happens when you arrive.

My Qatar Airways flight via Doha is in June. Will it operate?

Qatar Airways is currently operating approximately 40% of its pre-war schedule out of Doha and is increasing flights in stages as conditions allow. Kilimanjaro is confirmed on its restored network. If your flight is cancelled, Qatar's current policy gives you the right to rebook without fees to any date up to 31 October 2026, or to claim a refund. Check the Qatar Airways app regularly as your departure date approaches. If your flight is cancelled within a few weeks of departure, contact them immediately, and contact us, because we can help you identify alternative routings.

British Airways has cancelled flights to Doha until May. What are my options?

BA's Doha suspension runs until 31 May 2026, with a reduced service expected to restart on 1 July. If you hold a BA ticket routing via Doha before that date, contact BA directly to rebook via an alternative hub. Most passengers in this situation are being rerouted via Nairobi, which connects cleanly to Kilimanjaro. If you have trouble navigating BA's rebooking process, get in touch with us.

What is the best alternative flight to Kilimanjaro that avoids the Gulf entirely?

Three options stand out right now. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul operates year-round direct to JRO and has been completely unaffected. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is the second-strongest option, direct to Kilimanjaro and fully operational. KLM via Amsterdam also flies direct to JRO. All three have been running normal schedules throughout the conflict.

What happens if I complete my climb but cannot get home via Doha?

You will not be stranded. Tanzania has multiple airline connections out via Istanbul, Addis Ababa, Amsterdam, and Nairobi that do not touch the Gulf. It may involve a different routing than you originally booked, and the cost of rebooking can vary, which is why travel insurance with disruption cover is important. We monitor return flight availability for all clients on expedition and will advise you before you fly out if there is a meaningful risk to your homeward journey.

Should I still book a Kilimanjaro climb this dry season?

Yes. Tanzania is safe, the mountain is accessible, and the alternative flight routes to JRO are operating reliably. The dry season, June through October, is when the mountain is at its best. Visibility is sharp, the routes are dry underfoot, and summit success rates are at their highest. We have over 150 climbers booked and we are not slowing down. Book through a route that avoids Doha if you want complete peace of mind, or book via Doha with full confidence in Qatar's rebooking protection.

A Final Word

I started Legend Expeditions because I believe that time on a mountain, or in the bush, changes people. The world being noisy is not a new condition. It has always been noisy. The question is whether you let it stop you from going to the places that matter.

Tanzania is one of those places. Kilimanjaro is one of those mountains. Neither is going anywhere, and neither are we.

If you have concerns about your specific booking, whether you are on a Legend expedition or booked with another company entirely, you are welcome to reach out. I am happy to give you a straight answer on your routing, your options, and what I would do in your position.

Book a call with me here: https://calendly.com/legendexpeditions/book Or email me directly: jack@legendexpeditions.com

No obligation. Just a conversation.

Jack Fleckney, Founder, Legend Expeditions