Africa together on unlimited growth potential
Indaba, South Africa’s annual showcase of tourism products and experiences across the continent, welcomed 27 African nations, underpinning a drive to unify the continent in the promotion of tourism worldwide.
Under the theme of ‘Unlimited Africa’, the event in Durban (May 12-15) also saw the launch of South Africa Tourism’s new global brand campaign, ‘South Africa Awaits – Come Find Your Joy’, which invites travellers to “rediscover their sense of wonder as they experience the country’s energy, culture and extraordinary experiences”.
“We have cemented Africa’s Travel Indaba as a proudly Pan African event with a notable increase in the number of African countries participating. The significant business conducted reflects the robust growth and immense potential of the African tourism sector under the banner of ‘Unlimited Africa’”, commented South Africa Tourism’s CMO, Thembisile Sehloho (below).
Tourism arrivals to South Africa from the UK and Ireland between January and March this year grew by 4.4% over the same period last year, up to 130,887.
Safari Awards recognises top tourism products
Of the 19 Winners of this year’s Safari Awards, which were announced at Indaba, were Onguma Camp Kala in Namibia for “Best New Safari Property”; Grootbos Garden Lodge, South Africa for “Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property”; Flatdogs Camp, Zambia for “Best Value Safari Property” and Rwanda for “Best African Tourism Board”. Chem Chem in Tanzania landed the “Best Safari Cuisine” award.
Drifters for African Collection
Africa Collection has been appointed UK GSA for Drifters Adventure Tours, a renowned pioneer in off-the-beaten-track safaris.
Drifters tours range from five to 24 days and operate in South Africa, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in state-of-the-art custom-built vehicles.
drifters.co.za; africacollection.com
Creating affordable safaris
Botswana-born Duncan Enga (below) is a man with a mission and over the last 19 years has sought to create affordable luxury safaris in Botswana.
A self-funded registered guide back in 1997, Duncan now runs six lodges entirely owned and managed by Botswana citizens, with plans for a new mobile camp in 2026.
He is also venturing into a new collaboration with Zimbabwean-Graham Hingeston, with a mission top continue to create luxury lodges in the Mana Pools area that offer “great wildlife without the price tag”.
Sustainability in the Cederberg
A South African National Heritage Site, Bushmans Kloof protects more than 130 unique rock art sites across the 7,500-hectare reserve in the Cederberg, Western Cape, located around 250km north of Cape Town.
Bushmans Kloof is a Red Carnation property: the hotel group offers a range of sustainable experiences chosen for the positive impact they have on the traveller and communities.
Journeys of Distinction
UK operator Africa & Beyond is launching a new luxury travel brochure designed to position Africa at the forefront of high-end tourism.
Journeys of Distinction will feature a handpicked selection of exceptional properties, bespoke itineraries, and immersive experiences with a focus on authenticity, conservation, and personalised service.
Manchester to Malawi
The “Warm Heart of Africa” will be that more accessible when Ethiopian Airlines begins daily flights between Manchester and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 3, with through ticketing to Malawi.
With daily flights from Heathrow and Manchester, and a four-times-weekly from London-Gatwick, the airline says it is responding to a surge in demand for African destinations. Meanwhile, the award-winning Blue Zebra Lodge is the only resort on privately-owned Nankoma Island on Lake Malawi offering water-based activities and total seclusion.
Treehouse for Imvelo
Imvelo Safari Lodges in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, will offer a fully immersive safari experience for guests when its new Tum Tum Treehouse lodge opens later this year.
Situated in teak and camelthorn woodland, the lodge will consist of four treetop tents on wooden platforms. Imvelo are promising “close-up wildlife encounters and community-based conservation activities”.
Exploring the Kavango Zambezi region
UK representative company Ethos Marketing is managing a global tourism marketing campaign on behalf of the Kavango Zambezi Partner States: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) is one of the largest conservation landscapes in the world and the campaign focuses on raising awareness of the region as well as encouraging longer stays and promoting tourism that directly benefits and local communities, ensuring sustainable growth.
One initiative, The Great Kavango Zambezi Birding Route, will be launched later this year.
Children welcome!
Wilderness’ family-friendly camps accommodate children six years and older and run a Bush Buddy programme where a dedicated staff member is paired with every child.
The Bush Buddies have been trained in childcare and tailor each experience to suit the age and individual interests, with the hope that the child goes home feeling inspired to appreciate and conserve the natural world.
Seychelles for all
Seychelles’ Director for Destination Marketing, Bernadette Willemin, used Indaba top showcase the destination as a year-round product offering diverse and sustainable activities and “authentic experience”.
Noting the destination’s accommodation for all budgets and its suitability for families, she said UK visitors particularly would enjoy the Creole vibe.
Uganda non-stop
Uganda is anticipating a strong upsurge of UK arrivals following the reintroduction of direct flights between the UK (London Gatwick) and Uganda by Uganda Airlines.
Gorilla tracking in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a major draw for UK visitors and Ugandan-based Wild Jungle Trails designs packages for up to eight people on seven-, nine- and ten-day safaris that combine birding, hiking, chimpanzee and gorilla trekking and include all the requisite permits.
gorillatrailsafaris.com; ugandairllines.com
WHAT THE TOUR OPERATORS SAY…
Robin Russell-Pavier, Director of Briggate Travel (left), said: “Indaba offers a fantastic showcase and is a real treasure trove of products. I have been coming to this show for many years and the excitement never seems to go away. I always leave on a high. I am excited to be adding Malawi to our programme for the first time.”
Ann Ashley, Product Director at Major Travel (right), added: “Indaba was a fantastic opportunity to connect with potential suppliers, catch up with existing partners, and explore fresh product innovations. One standout discovery was the concept of ‘sound safaris’— a unique way to immerse yourself with nature using a microphone and an amplifier, meaning bush sounds are brought into a close and intimate range.
“Imagine hearing the whisper of trees or the footsteps of elephants before they even come into view, and one that’s incredibly inclusive for travellers with visual impairments, too.”
Air France into Durban
It is estimated that 800 staff will be employed at Club Med’s Tinley Manor Resort when it opens in June 2026. One of the fastest growing tourism regions in South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal hopes the opening of the resort will be complemented by direct air services from Europe with Air France.
Kruger Untamed
Committed to delivering a low-impact safari experience, Kruger Untamed’s two seasonal tented camps in the National Park are “fully off-the-grid”.
Tshokwane River Camp is ideal for bird watching while 45 kilometres to the north, Satara Plains Camp sits in the heart of big cat territory.
Both camps promise “an immersive experience without compromising on comfort”.
Beyond Green greener in Africa
Beyond Green, a global portfolio of hotels, resorts and lodges personify sustainability leadership, has expanded its portfolio of properties. In Africa, Beyond Green now spans properties in Tanzania, Namibia, Kenya, South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique.
It includes several andBeyond lodges such as andBeyond Bateleur Camp, andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve and andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge.
Rooted in Africa
Kgomotso Ramothea, CEO of ATTA, highlighted the global tourism trends revealed in the association’s new publication Rooted in Africa, claiming that Africa has been ahead of the game all the time.
“Wellness, sustainability, slow travel and authenticity have always been at the heart of the African tourism culture and what the world now celebrates as innovation is how Africa has always travelled. We need only recognise the value of what we already have and tell that story with clarity and pride.”
