Written on
Mar 4, 2026
Written on
Mar 4, 2026
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With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, it's natural to wonder whether travel plans further afield are affected. If you've been considering a safari in Africa, or already have one booked, the short answer is: Africa is safe, and safaris are operating as normal.
All of the major safari destinations across Southern Africa and East Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda) are thousands of miles from the conflict. Lodges, national parks, and ground operators report no disruption whatsoever. The wildlife doesn't know there's a war on, and neither would you.
When you book a safari with us, we handle everything: flights, transfers, lodges, and travel insurance. That last one is particularly relevant right now, so let's start there.
Travel Insurance: We've Got You Covered (Literally)
For some time now and up until 25 March 2026, we are including complimentary Bronze travel insurance with every Safari.com booking. It covers the things that matter on any trip: medical emergencies, lost luggage, trip cancellations due to illness, and travel delays under normal circumstances.
Unfortunately, these times call for additional protection.
No travel insurance provider in the world covers war or armed conflict as standard. This isn't a gap in our cover specifically. It's an industry-wide exclusion that applies to every insurer and every policy. It means that whether you choose to cancel your trip due to personal concerns about the situation, or your travel is directly disrupted by the conflict, a standard policy would not cover it.
But here's the thing: we can fix that too.
Through our insurance partner, we can arrange a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) upgrade on your booking. As the name suggests, it lets you cancel your trip for any reason whatsoever, no questions asked, and claim up to 75% of your non-refundable trip costs. The only requirement is that you cancel at least 48 hours before departure.
CFAR is available for an additional cost, and there is one important detail: it must be added within 24 hours of making your first trip payment. It cannot be added retrospectively. So if this is something you'd like, just let us know before you pay and we'll make sure everything is in place.
It's genuine peace of mind, and in the current climate, it's worth having.
Flight Routing: How to Avoid the Middle East Entirely
The only practical consideration for travel to Africa right now is how you get there. Some popular routes connect through hubs in the Middle East, such as Dubai or Doha. While these flights may still be operating, many travellers understandably prefer to avoid the region altogether.
This is another thing we handle as part of your booking. We'll always ensure your routing avoids any areas of concern. Here are the options available:
From the United States and Canada
Delta flies direct from Atlanta to both Johannesburg and Cape Town. United flies direct from Newark to Johannesburg, and from both Newark and Washington D.C. to Cape Town. For those who prefer a European connection, KLM, Air France, and Lufthansa offer well-established routes via Amsterdam, Paris, and Frankfurt respectively.
For East Africa, Kenya Airways operates a direct flight from New York (JFK) to Nairobi. It's a popular choice for travellers heading to the Masai Mara or using Nairobi as a gateway to Tanzania.
From the United Kingdom
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both fly direct to Johannesburg and Cape Town from London. For East Africa, British Airways and Kenya Airways fly direct to Nairobi.
From Australia
Qantas and South African Airways fly direct from Perth to Johannesburg. Singapore Airlines offers a well-timed connection via Singapore. Air Mauritius also flies from Perth via Mauritius, which pairs well with a beach extension before or after your safari.
For Uganda and Rwanda
Brussels Airlines flies direct to both Entebbe and Kigali from Brussels, and KLM connects to Kigali via Amsterdam. Both are excellent options that avoid the Middle East entirely.
Wherever you're flying from, there is a route to Africa that doesn't go anywhere near the conflict.
The Bigger Picture
Africa is a vast continent. The distance between the Middle East and the safari destinations of Southern and East Africa is roughly equivalent to the distance between London and New York. The two regions are geographically, politically, and operationally separate.
Safari lodges across the Kruger, the Okavango Delta, the Serengeti, the Masai Mara, and the gorilla forests of Uganda and Rwanda are welcoming guests every day, exactly as they have been. The only thing that's changed is the conversation around it, and that's worth having openly.
If you're considering a safari, don't let events thousands of miles away change your plans. We handle the flights, the insurance, the lodges, and every transfer in between. All you need to do is show up.
Start Planning Your Safari with Confidence
Ready to make timeless family memories? At SAFARI.COM, we’re here to help you find the best safari deal for you and your loved ones. Let our expert team craft something extraordinary.
We’ll guide you with heart, insight, and insider knowledge every step of the way, before, during, and long after your journey. It’s time to explore.
Email us at [email protected], hit the WhatsApp button above, or call us toll-free on 1-888-SAFARIS (US & Canada)
