Reaching Africa’s tallest peak is set to become easier for European travellers, as airlines expand direct and simplified flight connections to northern Tanzania, improving access to Mount Kilimanjaro and the wider safari region.
European carriers are increasingly targeting Tanzania as demand grows for adventure tourism and nature-focused travel. New routes are expected to reduce travel times and limit the number of stopovers previously required for visitors heading to Kilimanjaro International Airport, the main gateway for climbers and safari travellers.
Brussels Airlines has added Kilimanjaro to its African network, strengthening connections between Europe and East Africa through its Brussels hub. The airline said the expansion is part of its broader strategy to grow its long-haul presence on the continent, offering more streamlined access for European passengers heading to Tanzania. “Tanzania is a top destination for safaris, and we’re proud to contribute to the local economy by connecting Kilimanjaro to Brussels and beyond,” Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO, Brussels Airlines.
Italian carrier Neos Air is also set to launch seasonal direct flights between Milan Malpensa and Kilimanjaro from 14 July to 20 October 2026, before continuing to Zanzibar. The new route will provide travellers from southern Europe with more non-stop connections to Tanzania, as demand grows for itineraries combining safari experiences, beach holidays, trekking and climbs of Kilimanjaro.
Looking further ahead, Air Tanzania is preparing to enter the European market with a new long-haul link. The airline plans to launch direct flights between London Gatwick and Kilimanjaro International Airport in July 2027, operating at least three times per week. The carrier also intends to connect the UK with Zanzibar, positioning the route as part of a broader expansion aimed at attracting both leisure and diaspora travel between Britain and Tanzania.
For many European travellers, reaching Kilimanjaro has traditionally required multiple connections through hubs in the Middle East or Africa. The addition of more direct services from airlines based in Europe — and now from Tanzania itself — signals a shift toward simpler, more time-efficient travel options.
The improved flight connections to Kilimanjaro are also expected to boost access to Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, including Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park. The region is home to the annual Great Migration, when more than 1.5 million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra cross the plains.
Alongside wildlife highlights, Mount Kilimanjaro, a UNESCO World Heritage site, continues to draw tens of thousands of trekkers each year, with popular routes such as Machame and Marangu offering different approaches to the summit experience.
The improved connectivity is also expected to benefit Tanzania’s tourism economy. The Kilimanjaro region supports a wide network of guides, porters, hotels and safari operators, and Mount Kilimanjaro remains one of Africa’s most visited natural landmarks, drawing climbers from around the world.
