Entry rules, air capacity and ownership are all shifting under East and Southern Africa sales

Since Oct 5, every non-exempt foreign traveller to Kenya needs an individual Kenyan inbound health insurance policy, tied to the ETA. The rule covers minors and ETA-exempt African nationals, and it applies regardless of when the trip was booked.

For advisors, existing Kenya bookings are affected, not only new ones. Add the policy to pre-departure checklists and cost quotes now. Clients who arrive without it risk being refused boarding. Check with clients already holding departure dates this season, since the cost was not in their original quotes.

The three co-hosts are pursuing a joint visa for AFCON 2027, which runs 19 June to 17 July. Tanzania is excluded from the East African Tourist Visa, so a joint visa could close a real gap for multi-country safari routing.

Fees, validity and a timetable are unresolved, so don't promise anything to clients yet. The tournament falls in peak safari season and may strain lodge and flight availability. Advisors with 2027 June and July clients in the region should look at holding space early.

The US route is capped at 23 weekly frequencies, and Delta and United use all of them. The two governments are exploring more, with a technical meeting set for the second week of November. No numbers or timing are confirmed.

Separately, Air India has applied for a permit for direct India–South Africa flights. Indian arrivals are down 29.8% year on year. Neither development changes seat supply or fares today, but both bear on long-haul capacity and pricing in two key source markets.

Proposed amendments to the National Land Transport Regulations would speed licensing for accredited tourist transport operators to 10 working days. They would scrap vehicle certification and could let SATSA accredit operators.

The changes target a long-running bottleneck in transfers and vehicle supply, and could reduce compliance risk for ground handlers. They remain proposals, so there is no change to current operator capacity or pricing.

SANParks has reversed earlier negative results and confirmed foot and mouth disease in kudu at Addo Elephant National Park. Measures include vehicle disinfection and restrictions on moving cloven-hoofed animals.

SANParks says tourism is unaffected, and no visitor restrictions are in place. Advisors should watch for tighter biosecurity at gates, which could affect self-drive and Garden Route itineraries, and for delays to game-capture and translocation work in the Eastern Cape.

Virgin Limited Edition's Ulusaba in the Sabi Sand is closed for a full redesign and is now slated to reopen in April 2027. Don't sell it before then, and line up Sabi Sand alternatives for 2027 bookings. The same release adds Virgin's Kenya properties to an Indian distribution partner.

In the Greater Kruger, IHCL's six-key Taj Bush Lodge has opened with 20% off breakfast-inclusive rates at launch. Two more Taj lodges are expected in the coming months.

Guests staying at least three nights at both Marataba and Lion Sands get half their flight cost covered. Connections are same-day via OR Tambo.

The offer makes Marakele plus Sabi Sand itineraries cheaper and easier to package. It applies only to stays of three nights or more at each reserve.

A Squared Holding AG wants sole control of Nawiri, parent of Asilia (about 15 Tanzanian camps) and DMC Go2Africa. Tanzania's competition regulator is reviewing the deal. The company says management and operations will not change, but advisors should watch commission structures, supplier terms and net rates.

In Mauritius, protests followed a police shooting on Oct 9, with schools closed and businesses told to work from home. Advisors with safari-and-beach itineraries ending there should monitor government advisories, check supplier flexibility and prepare client communications.

Separately, TANAPA's 18-hole Serengeti golf course at Fort Ikoma opens Oct 18, a niche add-on for luxury and corporate itineraries.