Kenya's mandatory US$44 policy draws operator pushback
Since 5 October, every non-exempt visitor to Kenya, minors included, must buy the government health insurance policy through the ETA process. Comprehensive private travel cover does not exempt a traveller, which reverses an earlier signal that existing cover might count.
For advisors the issue is clients already booked and paid. The extra cost has to be explained and added to pre-departure paperwork. Operators say they may have to absorb it on some bookings.
Expect friction at the ETA stage and questions about booking pace for October and November groups. Confirm with each client that the policy is purchased before travel.
Tanzania adds its own compulsory insurance, about US$44
From 1 October, all visitors to mainland Tanzania must hold the NIC policy, at roughly US$44 and valid for 92 days. One policy covers both the mainland and Zanzibar, but the entry point determines which version to buy.
Add the cost to quotes and pre-departure documents for Serengeti, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar combinations. With Kenya's rule in force, East Africa safari pricing and paperwork have changed within the same fortnight. Itineraries that cross both countries carry two separate policies, so check this before quoting.
EAC strategy points to a joint visa; AFCON 2027 will test inventory
EAC ministers have adopted a 2027–2036 tourism strategy that includes a single tourist visa. Separately, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are discussing a common visa for AFCON 2027, which runs 19 June to 17 July 2027.
Fees, validity and eligibility are unresolved. Tanzania is also excluded from the current East African Tourist Visa, so multi-country itineraries are not simpler today.
The commercial point is inventory. AFCON will pressure rooms and flights in mid-2027, so advisors with clients travelling in that window should plan and hold space early.
Ulusaba closed for rebuild; reopening set for April 2027
Virgin Limited Edition's Ulusaba in the Sabi Sand is closed for a full redesign, with reopening scheduled for April 2027. The property was newly added to an Indian distribution portfolio, so it is being promoted despite the closure.
Do not book Sabi Sand clients there before reopening. Expect a repositioned product and likely new rates, so hold off on firm pricing until the lodge publishes them.
Draft rules would cut tourist transport licensing to 10 working days
Proposed amendments to National Land Transport regulations would shorten operating licences for accredited tourist transport operators to 10 working days. They would also scrap vehicle certification and open the way for SATSA to accredit operators.
If implemented, they could ease the ground-transfer and guide-vehicle bottlenecks that disrupt South African itineraries. This is still a draft with comments pending, so nothing changes in operations yet.
Kruger rest camps change restaurant operators
SANParks has appointed new restaurant operators to replace Wimpy and Mugg & Bean at Lower Sabie, Pretoriuskop and Berg-en-Dal. Skukuza's Cattle Baron will be refurbished.
Self-drive and budget clients may find limited temporary menus at some camps in the coming months. Tell them to plan for simpler dining, and to bring provisions where they can.
SAA's Zimbabwe debt adds to carrier-viability worries
A parliamentary committee has criticised the failure to recover about US$55m of blocked ticket revenue from Zimbabwe. In April the Auditor-General warned of possible SAA insolvency within 12 months. African blocked funds total US$624m, 76% of the global figure.
The timeline is uncertain. Advisors who rely on SAA for regional connections should keep contingency routings in mind for southern Africa itineraries.