Africa, Middle East
Egypt plus in Travelmarvel release
Travelmarvel has released its 2028-29 Egypt, Jordan & Morocco programme It showcases the best of Egypt, including Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum, as well as a seven-night cruise between Luxor and Aswan aboard Travelmarvel’s newest river ship, Travelmarvel Sirius.
Morocco culinary tour
Exotic Holidays is operating an immersive eight-day journey through Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes and Marrakech that focuses on Morocco’s food.
New mandatory travel insurance for Tanzania
Viva Expeditions is advising travel agents of a new mandatory travel insurance requirement for visitors to mainland Tanzania, effective 1 October 2026.
Rovos highlights new Malawi itinerary
Rovos Rail’s Malawi Meander will see the train operator visit that destination for the first time, and was among the itineraries promoted at Viva Expeditions’ Beyond the Brochure events this week.
Bike safaris in Botswana, cocoa leaf reading on Lake Titicaca and a big incentive
Active safaris, particularly by bicycles, is a growing niche for Botswana, agents heard at Viva Expeditions’ Beyond the Brochure event in Christchurch last night.
Wilderness and wellness in Serengeti
Warangi Ridge by The Wilderness Collection in Serengeti National Park recently launched its new spa and wellness concept, Asili Spa & Wellness, designed by Dubai-based spa expert Nadine Joubert.
Tanzania’s south for less crowds
World Journeys recommends the rising star region of southern Tanzania for clients concerned about how busy the most popular safari spots in Africa are becoming.
New Contiki Africa, Mexico itineraries
Contiki has launched its new East Africa and Mexico trips.
Marking Contiki’s return to Uganda, the 19 day Best of Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania tour forms an East African loop starting in Entebbe and concluding in Arusha. Priced from $13,915, it encompasses seven modular itineraries, allowing travel agents to tailor trips to their clients’ specific time-frames, budgets and wildlife priorities.
East Africa safari company targets ANZ
Tulia, the values-driven safari sister brand to premium luxury operator Lemala Camps & Lodges, has debuted in the New Zealand and Australian markets.
Revamped safari camp’s ANZ rep
Luxury Travel Marketing (LTM) has added Enkishui Safari Camp, an intimate luxury safari camp in Kenya’s Mara Triangle, to its portfolio of African properties.
Africa Showcase spotlights Taj Greater Kruger lodges, plus Kwazulu developments
The recent opening of Taj Bush Lodge is the first step in a major move into Greater Kruger in South Africa and was among the talking points at the Africa Showcase in Hilton Auckland late last week.
Nomad Africa adds to growing options with premium tours
Nomad Africa Tours & Safaris is expecting strong interest in its recently launched premium tour range, utilising four-star accommodation.
Record interest in Africa Showcase as operators reveal new options to trade
The Africa Showcase which wrapped up at the Hilton Auckland last night has had its biggest response since it started visiting Australasia in 2011, says co-owner Jacqui Reynolds.
Lemurs and humpbacks: Viva says Madagascar’s trending
Viva Expeditions is seeing a notable uptick in enquiry for Madagascar, with the island emerging as a genuine trend within its Africa portfolio.
Viva Expeditions announces Rovos Rail’s new Malawi Meander
Viva Expeditions is promoting the Malawi Meander, a new Rovos Rail journey. Spanning 16 nights and 3,600km, the expedition crosses five countries — South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi — connecting Pretoria with the shores of Lake Malawi.
World Journeys recommends andBeyond Suyian Lodge
World Journeys is highlighting andBeyond’s Suyian Lodge – the only safari lodge in the new 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy in Kenya’s lesser-visited Laikipia region.
Essential Botswana: three safaris in one
Viva Expeditions has released Essential Botswana, a nine-day safari that packages three distinct safari experiences into a single itinerary — the Kalahari and two separate regions of the Okavango Delta, each with a different landscape, wildlife focus and set of activities.
Agents back from South African safari
TTC Tour Brands and Flight Centre Australia and New Zealand have wrapped up their ‘Roar & Soar’ sales incentive, hosting top-performing Aussie and Kiwi travel advisors on a South Africa safari.
Viva adds new Zambia camp to portfolio
Viva Expeditions has announced the availability next year of Musesenji River Camp, a new five-star property from Ker & Downey Zambia due to open its doors on 1 April 2027.
Viva Expeditions revamps Taste of Morocco itinerary
Viva Expeditions has relaunched Taste of Morocco with a 14-day premium journey from Casablanca to Marrakech, for clients who want to experience the country through its food and culture.
andBeyond highlights reinvestments
African operator andBeyond’s sales manager Tristan Fiser and local sales rep Norman Harper met with the World Journeys team last week, and marketing manager Caroline Clegg says the clear theme of the update was reinvestment.
Kruger lodge in South Africa redesigned
The redesign of Singita Lebombo in Kruger National Park has been unveiled.
Africa Showcase heads to NZ: Demand for complex itineraries puts travel advisors in box seat
New Zealand travel agents will be able to connect with about 30 suppliers of high-end Africa based product at an event in Auckland on 30 July.
Viva sees strong momentum for Africa
Viva Expeditions’ Africa product manager Tanya Gurtin has returned from Africa’s Travel Indaba with fresh product updates, new supplier developments, and confidence in continued demand for premium African travel experiences from the New Zealand market.
Viva highlights Rovos Rail for 2028
Viva Expeditions reports that Rovos Rail has released its 2028 departure dates, giving travel agents the opportunity to get ahead with planning for one of Africa’s most iconic rail journeys.
Viva gives agents taste for South Africa
Viva Expeditions’ Africa product manager, Tanya Gurtin, is hosting a group of travel agents in South Africa as part of South Africa Tourism’s MegaLekker famil.
New date for Viva’s Saudi Arabia tour
Viva Expeditions has announced new travel dates for its Beyond the Abaya: Saudi Arabia Women’s Tour with Wendy Petrie, which will now run from 25 October to 5 November 2026.
Viva secures Kruger safaris in August
Viva Expeditions has secured two exclusive departures of the Drifters Kruger Park Safari small group tour, well timed for New Zealanders heading to Johannesburg for the first rugby test match on 22 August 2026.
Drifters brochure with new tour structure
The latest Drifters brochures have arrived in New Zealand, highlighting a refreshed approach to small group travel across Southern and Eastern Africa.
Safari Company 2026 spaces
The Safari Company has limited spaces available on two fully accommodated safaris designed for the 50-plus traveller and escorted by Andy Kibby.
Events focus on Africa
World Journeys hosted events in Tauranga and on Auckland’s North Shore last week for agents and their clients, promoting African safaris with luxury safari operator andBeyond.
GEM to give Egypt a boost
Managing director of Innovative Travel, Robyn Galloway who returned from Cairo two weeks ago, says tourism to Egypt is already expanding as the result of the destination’s latest big attraction.
WJ's Southern Africa highlights
World Journeys has released a 12-day itinerary covering the most popular highlights of Southern Africa.
Naumi opens property in Dubai
Naumi Hotels has opened the 237-room Naumi Hotel Dubai.
Rugby kickstarts surge in Africa enquiries
Viva Expeditions has seen a surge in enquiries for South Africa over the past week, as interest builds for next year’s All Blacks tour.
Egypt with Innovative Travel
Lynda Morrison from Innovative Travel has returned from a nine-day tour to Egypt hosting 10 agents.
Viva's Tanzania Untamed
Viva Expeditions has launched Tanzania Untamed: Crater, Plains & Chimpanzees. The new 12-day small-group safari itinerary was developed in partnership with local operator Asilia Africa.
Viva’s Africa-Middle East brochure
Viva Expeditions’ new Africa and the Middle East brochure has landed – a 60-page showcase of wildlife, destinations, stays and experiences across the region.
Explore launches Algeria
Explore Worldwide has unveiled Algeria as a new destination for 2026, marking an expansion into the North African region.
Autograph Collection camp for Serengeti
Marriott International has signed an agreement to open the first Autograph Collection safari camp.
Arabian Adventures price match
Arabian Adventures, part of the Emirates Group, has launched a ‘price match guarantee’ for its trade partners across major global markets including New Zealand, aiming to ensure the most competitive rates across its portfolio of over 500 contracted hotels in the UAE.
Bookings open for new Botswana lodge
Bookings are now open for the Sediba Sa Rona lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, which is set to open from 16 March 2026.
Rovos Rail delights agents
World Journeys’ recent South Africa fam trip, part of South Africa Tourism’s Mega Lekker event, included an experience aboard a luxury Rovos Rail train while in Cape Town.
Extra touches in Egypt
World Journeys reports that it can now add special touches to tailor-made Egypt itineraries which will enhance clients’ experiences.
Wild time in South Africa with WJ
World’s Journeys’ South Africa fam trip participants have returned home, having experienced Cape Town and the Winelands, luxury safaris in Ngala Private Game Reserve and Madikwe Game Reserve, the South African Tourism Mega Lekker event at Sun City and a boutique hotel night in Johannesburg.
Kiwi agents join second Mega Lekke
South African Tourism has delivered its second annual Mega Lekker Escape sending 100 New Zealand and Australian travel agents and media on 10 simultaneous famils across South Africa.
New lodge near Ngorongoro
Lemala Camps & Lodges is launching its newest property, Lemala Osonjoi Lodge on 15 July, on the edge of Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater.
Kenya's new mobile camp
The newly launched experiential mobile camp – Sarara Wilderness in Kenya – is open.
Crooked Compass launches North Africa
Boutique tour operator Crooked Compass has launched its Maghreb Mosaic Tour, a 22-day journey spanning Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco operating in 2026. The tour showcases preserved Roman Empire sites, plus the history and cultures of North Africa’s Maghreb region.
Rep named for Lion Camp, Zambia
Australian-based Africareps has been appointed to represent the Lion Camp in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.
Africareps managing director Herbie Rosenberg points out that the camp is strategically situated in a remote area of the most northern section of the South Luangwa National Park, yet remains accessible thanks to Mfuwe International Airport which is a two-and-a-half hour drive (or a short helicopter flight) away.
‘An attractive added value opportunity is the ability to create a Zambian package by adding Royal Zambezi Lodge in the Lower Zambezi Valley to an itinerary with Lion Camp. There are excellent flight connections between the Royal Air Strip and Mfuwe utilising Royal Air Charters and Proflight schedules,’ says Rosenberg.
‘A visit to Victoria Falls where Africareps represents the Victoria Falls Hotel, Mpala Jena Lodge and Elephant Hills Resort, would round an itinerary off beautifully,’ he adds.
The Best of East Africa
With so many options, operators and accommodation, it can be difficult to know what kind of itinerary to put in front of a client looking at an East African safari, according to World Journeys marketing manager Caroline Clegg.
WJ guide to Africa
World Journeys has produced a Guide to Africa for agents and their clients, taking into consideration all variables when it comes to safaris in Africa.
Viva-QF for Africa trip
Viva Expeditions has partnered with Qantas to offer an exclusive airfare discount for clients booking its Africa By Rail journey with Hilary Barry. Since launching the tour a few months ago, Viva Expeditions has seen a surge of interest, with some clients waiting for flights to be available before confirming their spot. Now, with this partnership, agents can easily book the complete package.
Africareps partners with Ethiopian DMC
Africareps has entered into a partnership with Ethiopian camp owner and DMC, An African Canvas.
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Africa showcase returning to NZ
A strong delegation of African suppliers and tourism offices are set to converge on Auckland for the New Zealand leg of a showcase on 23 July, which will then head to three Australian centres.
Club Med for Oman
Club Med has announced the newest addition to its Exclusive Collection portfolio - Club Med Musandam, Oman, the first Club Med resort in the Middle East. Set to be unveiled in 2028, the development of Club Med Musandam marks an investment surpassing the US$100 million mark.
SA’s Mega Lekker Escape
South African Tourism’s inaugural Mega Lekker Escape has been hailed a huge success by those involved from New Zealand.
Luxury rail add-on in Africa
World Journeys is promoting Rovos Rail luxury train journeys as an addition to any southern Africa itinerary.