Pilanesberg's air gateway stays closed to scheduled flights into 2027/28
The Pilanesberg Airport redevelopment has gone to tender, but SACAA indicates the airport will not be recertified before the 2027/28 financial year at the earliest, and possibly not until 2028/29. For advisors selling Sun City and Pilanesberg, the commercial point is simple: do not build itineraries around direct flights.
Keep routing guests through Johannesburg with road transfers, or use charters from other airfields. Build the extra transfer time into pricing and client expectations, particularly for short stays where a road leg takes a large share of the trip.
South Africa's entry process: a firm SARS declaration rule and Uganda joins the ETA
SARS will not extend the 24-hour window for the mandatory traveller declaration. Every traveller, including those with nothing to declare, must submit the form within 24 hours of arrival or departure, and there is no bulk registration. Add it to pre-departure checklists, and for groups assign someone to confirm each traveller has filed.
Separately, South Africa has added Uganda to its online ETA visa system for visits of up to 90 days. Ugandan passport holders can apply online without visiting a mission. It is a narrow change, but it points to ETA expansion that advisors handling African-origin or multi-country itineraries should track.
Radisson takes over at iSimangaliso as commercialisation continues
Ezemvelo has exited facility management at iSimangaliso. Radisson will manage the Charters Creek resort, interim operators (Tourvest and Dream Hotels) are running other sites, and long-term concessions of 40 and 20 years have been awarded. Cape Vidal and Mantuma go to market this month, with Kosi Bay and further concessions to follow.
For advisors booking KZN coastal and wetland stays, expect changes in who operates and sells these properties. Check contracting, rates and cancellation terms with each operator before confirming 2027 business.
Namibia's tented lodges hit 83.7% occupancy, led by the north
High-end tented accommodation in Namibia reached 83.7% occupancy in the third quarter, up from 74%. Northern Namibia was strong, while the south softened and overall arrivals declined.
The practical read is tight availability and pricing power for premium tented stays in the north, including Etosha, in 2027. Advisors with clients targeting these camps should hold space early. Clients flexible on region may find better value in the softer south.
Qatar Airways adds Johannesburg seats and resumes daily Zanzibar
From Dec 2, Qatar Airways increases Johannesburg from 14 to 18 weekly flights, resumes daily Zanzibar service and boosts Seychelles. That adds Gulf-connected lift into Southern and East Africa for the 2026/27 season.
More seats may ease peak-season constraints and fares for safari-and-beach itineraries combining the bush with Zanzibar or the Seychelles. Check schedules against your December and January departures.
East Africa: a proposed AFCON visa, and suppliers jockeying for safari share
A joint tourist visa for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda has been proposed around AFCON 2027 in June–July. It is not operational, and the legal framework, fees and eligibility are unconfirmed. It could ease multi-country routing, but the tournament will also strain hotel and flight availability in host cities, so watch dates and rates.
On the supply side, Wilderness is promoting seven East Africa camps across the Serengeti migration, Mara and Rwanda gorillas. Travel Weekly reports large hotel groups are eyeing the safari market. Both reports are thin on detail, but expect more competition for shelf space and possible shifts in commission and distribution terms.