‘We’ve had a real uptick in registration numbers and we were putting agents on a waitlist within four days of launching this year’s roadshow,’ Reynolds says. ‘I think that reflects the level of enquiry the trade is receiving for Africa now.’
Margi Jansma of O&L Leisure was highlighting the company’s six properties in Namibia, all of which are four or five-star.
‘We have two newly acquired properties, including Le Mirage Sossusvlei, which resembles an historic castle,’ says Jansma.
‘It is right by the The Gate and guests can climb the Big Daddy sand dune for views over Deadvlei Basin. Also new in our portfolio is Divava Okavango Resort & Spa (on the Namibian side) which is just 500 metres from the famous Popo Falls.’
She says they both offer exciting options in Namibia, a country which is growing in popularity out of this market. ‘It’s got such diverse landscapes and it’s also good value – the Namibian dollar and the South African Rand are linked.’
Jansma says O&L has recently launched its own DMC arm – Leisure Tours. ‘We have a fleet of vehicles from land cruisers to Toyota Quantums and we can provide anything an agent and their clients need.’
Monet Tiuran of Bespoke Destination Marketing says the company has opened a new property in Masai Mara. ‘Surana Mara has 12 luxury suites and it’s the most southern property on the Mara River – it’s five minutes from a traditional river crossing point and 45 minutes from the Tanzania border so the location is hard to beat. It also has its own cellar, wellness lab and photo studio.’
Herbie Rosenberg, a regular exhibitor at the Africa Showcase, highlights, two new luxury camps in Kenya that will be operated by Great Plains Conservation.
Shampole will open in December 2026 and is a complete rebuild on an allocation that once housed accommodation that was popular with famous and high profile visitors to the region.
‘It was closed by the Masai but they have seen the impressive things Great Plains Conservation is doing and the new property will be operated with them,’ he says. ‘Also opening in Masai Mara is Zamara, a private, sole use camp with six suites.’
Davina Bennetto, World Journeys; Herbie Rosenberg, Africareps
Natasha (Flamingo) Jones, Robert Schroder, Ruth Turner, all Mondo Travel
Graham Ware, Airlink; Jacqui Reynolds, co-owner (with Amanda Margison), Africa Showcase; Stephen Tanner, South African Airways
