June 2026
Latest travel news, product updates, planning insights, and more…
Keeping you in the know…
Here’s your June round-up of important travel updates from across Southern and East Africa.
From access updates and revised flight costs to new experiences and updated activity rate sheets, this Southern and East Africa summary brings together the key information you need to plan with confidence. We’ve also included relevant offers and itinerary inspiration to help you craft the meaningful, extraordinary journeys your guests are looking for.
Click on the region below to be taken directly to the update that interests you.
Botswana | South Africa | Mozambique | Kenya | Tanzania | Important information | Sales & Operation team
Condé Nast Traveler Triple Crown recognition
We’re delighted to share that &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, Benguerra Island and Ngorongoro Crater Lodge have been honoured in the Condé Nast Traveler Triple Crown Awards.
The Condé Nast Traveler Triple Crown recognises properties that have appeared across three of the publication’s most prestigious annual accolades: the Hot List, Gold List and Readers’ Choice Awards. This recognition celebrates properties that have earned both editorial acclaim and continued reader appreciation, standing out not only as exceptional places to stay, but as travel experiences that stay with guests long after they return home.
The Hot List honours the best new properties to have opened in the past year, the Gold List is selected by Condé Nast Traveler’s editors, and the Readers’ Choice Awards are voted for annually by the publication’s global audience.
Southern Africa
Botswana
Updated &Beyond Botswana helicopter, transfer and activity rates
There has been an increase in the cost of helicopter flights and selected activities in Botswana due to rising fuel prices.
Updated 2026 &Beyond Botswana transfer and activity rate sheet: Download here
&Beyond Sandibe and Nxabega Under Canvas
In case you missed it, our new Sandibe and Nxabega Under Canvas camps offer two intimate ways to experience the Okavango Delta.
With just three tents at each camp and a maximum of six guests per camp, these low-impact safari experiences are ideal for guests seeking a more immersive, close-to-nature Delta journey. Sandibe brings guests into a game-rich landscape with a strong sense of wilderness, while Nxabega offers a gentler Delta rhythm, with water-based activities available when seasonal conditions allow.
Updated 2026 &Beyond Botswana accommodation rate sheet: Download here
Fly Me around Botswana: Under Canvas
OFFER: Explore up to three &Beyond Botswana Under Canvas camps over seven nights, all for one inclusive price.
Now, your guests can experience it all. One itinerary. One clear price. Their chosen all-inclusive Under Canvas accommodation, immersive experiences and seamless shared fixed-wing charter or helicopter flights between each destination, from USD 5,880 per person per 7-night stay. Every detail considered. So your guests can simply just arrive.
South Africa
2027 South Africa ground handling rates updated
Our 2027 South Africa lodge activity rates are now ready and live.
Updated 2026 and 2027 &Beyond South Africa lodge activity rate sheet: Download here
Airlink to launch first non-stop Cape Town to Zanzibar service
Airlink will launch the first-ever non-stop Cape Town to Zanzibar service in October 2026, operated by its new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. This new route will be particularly useful for guests combining Cape Town, safari and the beaches of Zanzibar within one itinerary.
The weekly Saturday service will begin on 03 October 2026, offering a convenient new connection between Cape Town and one of East Africa’s most popular island destinations. This follows the launch of Airlink’s Johannesburg to Zanzibar service on 03 June 2026.
New Mzinene River boating experience at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve
Guests at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve can now experience the reserve from a different perspective on the Mzinene River boating experience.
This gentle river journey offers a slower, more reflective way to explore Phinda’s landscape, with reed-lined channels, riverine trees and excellent birdlife creating a beautiful contrast to the rhythm of a traditional game drive. It’s a wonderful option for guests looking to add variety and depth to their safari experience.
Updated 2026 &Beyond South Africa lodge activity rate sheet: Download here
&Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve access update
With Airlink withdrawing from Richards Bay air service effective 01 November 2026, we would like to reassure trade partners that &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve remains easily accessible, with a range of convenient air and road connections available.
Guests can connect to Phinda in the following ways:
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Daily commercial flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Nelspruit, providing convenient connections with Federal Air
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Federal Air scheduled flights from Nelspruit directly to Phinda’s private airstrip, exclusive to &Beyond guests
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Connections via Johannesburg, Nelspruit or Skukuza, with variable layovers
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Private charters arranged directly into Phinda’s private airstrip
- Private road transfers to and from Durban (King Shaka International Airport)
Regional connections include:
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Vilanculos (VNX): Outbound connections from Phinda operate from June to January on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays only. Same-day connections are not available outside of these days or during the remainder of the year.
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Victoria Falls (VFA): Daily connections available both to and from Phinda
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Livingstone (LVI): Connections from Phinda operate on Mondays and Fridays only
Guests can also connect to or from Phinda via Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve and the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve.
Fly Me to Phinda
OFFER: Stay for more than 3 nights at selected &Beyond Phinda lodges, and receive credits per leg or complimentary private road transfers.
Stay three nights or more at any combination of select &Beyond Phinda lodges and receive credits to the value of ZAR 5,250 per Federal Air flight leg, to or from the Phinda airstrip.
Alternatively, if you choose not to fly directly into the game reserve’s airstrip with Federal Air, we will provide you with complimentary private road transfers between Durban (King Shaka International Airport) and Phinda. What’s more, we give you extra flexibility so that additional nights may be added by using our applicable long-stay rates.
What to do at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve
From Big Five safaris and conservation experiences to seasonal coastal adventures.
Updated 2026 &Beyond South Africa lodge activity rate sheet: Download here
Rhino conservation experience
Your guests can help us ensure the longevity of this wild animal by participating in either a rhino notching or a rhino de-horning experience.
The rhino conservation experience at &Beyond Phinda continues to offer guests a rare opportunity to contribute meaningfully to rhino conservation. Accompanied by specialist conservation teams, guests gain hands-on insight into the ongoing efforts to protect one of Africa’s most iconic and threatened species.
Turtle nesting adventure
Our turtle nesting adventure is officially open for bookings for the November 2026 to February 2027 season.
Seasonal turtle nesting experiences remain a memorable addition for guests combining &Beyond Phinda with the KwaZulu-Natal coast. This guided coastal experience offers guests the rare opportunity to witness one of nature’s most moving seasonal events, as loggerhead and leatherback turtles return to the shoreline to nest.
Phinda volunteer programme
For those wanting a deeper conservation-led journey, this programme offers an immersive, hands-on experience at &Beyond Phinda.
The &Beyond Phinda volunteer programme gives participants the opportunity to learn more about wildlife conservation, ecological monitoring and reserve management, while contributing to important work taking place on the ground. A hands-on experience offering a deeper understanding of care and collaboration.
Specialist safari experiences at &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve
A reminder that specialist safari experiences are available at &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve, subject to availability. These experiences are ideal for guests wanting to deepen their time in the bush through a more focused safari lens, whether they are interested in photography, tracking, walking or a more privately guided style of exploration.
Please speak to your preferred travel advisor for guidance on the most suitable options for each guest.
Explore &BEYOND Ngala Tented Camp
A glimpse into the wildlife, wilderness and wonder of &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve.
Step into the quiet magic of immersive wilderness living in our latest showcase video, where Ngala Tented Camp unfolds beneath a canopy of riverine trees—bringing you closer to the wild with canvas-draped intimacy, lantern-lit evenings, and the stillness of a Big Five landscape that stirs the senses at every turn.
&BEYOND Ngala Treehouse
EXPERIENCE: Nostalgic, secluded and undeniably romantic.
Experience the romance of Africa under a blanket of stars in the luxurious Ngala Treehouse, a remote, yet safe retreat in the middle of the reserve. With a leafy 360°view out over the dense bushveld and wildlife-frequented banks of the Timbavati River, the Ngala Treehouse boasts both a weatherproofed bedroom and an al fresco sleepout platform.
Explore &BEYOND Ngala Safari Lodge
Step into the wild beauty of &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve.
Discover the timeless charm of a classic safari in our latest showcase video, where Ngala Safari Lodge shares the warmth of life on the edge of Kruger National Park—inviting you into unforgettable Big Five encounters, guided bush walks, and fireside moments filled with family connection and stories that linger long after the dust has settled.
Mozambique
Fly Me to Benguerra Island offer update
Our &Beyond Fly Me to Benguerra Island 2026 and 2027 offer rates have been updated to reflect the recent fuel increases.
The offer has also been extended to include new bookings travelling from 01 November to 20 December 2026 and is now available for 2027, giving guests an additional window to enjoy this Indian Ocean island escape.
Updated 2026 and 2027 &Beyond Fly Me to Benguerra Island rate sheet: Download here
East Africa
Fly Me around East Africa
Seamless safari connections across East Africa.
Fly Me around East Africa continues to offer a convenient way to connect key safari destinations across the region. This offer is now available for 2027.
Updated 2027 &Beyond Fly Me around East Africa rate sheet: Download here
Kenya
More Mara, less Park Fees
Save 50% on Masai Mara National Reserve park entry.
Between 01 July and 31 December 2026, we will cover 50% of the daily park fees for the Masai Mara National Reserve for guests staying at either &Beyond Bateleur Camp or Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp. That’s a saving of USD 100 per adult and USD 25 per child. Applicable to new bookings made from 18 May 2026.
Updated 2026 &Beyond Kenya lodge accommodation rate sheet: Download here
Horseback riding safaris &Beyond Suyian Lodge
A reminder that horseback riding safaris are available at &Beyond Suyian Lodge, offering guests a quiet, immersive way to experience the landscapes of Laikipia. This experience is recommended for confident riders who want to move through the conservancy at a different pace, with the possibility of seeing wildlife from a more natural vantage point.
Please note that the maximum rider weight has been updated to 95 kg (209 lbs), and all necessary equipment is provided at the lodge.
Updated 2026 &Beyond Kenya lodge activity rate sheet: Download here
Scenic helicopter flights at &Beyond Suyian Lodge
Scenic helicopter flight rates at &Beyond Suyian Lodge have been updated and now include all applicable landing fees. The rates reflected on our rate sheets are based on the EC130 helicopter type, which accommodates up to six guests. Both doors-off and doors-on options are available, with the applicable flight option for each experience clearly indicated in the notes section.
Should fewer guests travel than originally quoted, or should guests prefer a doors-on helicopter experience, please let us know and we will be happy to provide an updated quotation. Please note that the current helicopter accommodates a maximum of six guests. Should the group exceed this number, an alternative helicopter would need to be chartered on a private basis, which would result in an additional cost.
The Mt Kenya golf and lunch experience has been removed, as it is no longer available.
Updated 2026 &Beyond Kenya lodge activity rate sheet: Download here
Tanzania
Drive Me around Tanzania
Private road transfer options in Tanzania.
Drive Me around Tanzania remains a useful option for guests who prefer private overland connections, or where road transfers create a more seamless itinerary between camps, lodges and air access points. This offer is now available for 2027.
Updated 2027 &Beyond Drive Me around Tanzania rate sheet: Download here
Important information
Ebola: Guest health and safety
We’re aware of the recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, and the concern this may cause for guests and travel partners planning travel in East Africa.
The health, safety and wellbeing of our guests, staff and partners remain our highest priority. We’re monitoring the situation closely through our teams on the ground, local health authorities, industry partners and official public health sources, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While travel is continuing as planned, we encourage guests and travel partners to equip themselves with accurate, up-to-date information from official health authorities, and to contact us with any questions relating to upcoming travel.
Fuel availability and fuel surcharge levies
Global fuel supply and pricing remain under pressure due to ongoing geopolitical factors affecting aviation and transport markets. While the situation is constantly evolving, our preferred suppliers continue to monitor fuel availability closely.
Due to sustained increases in fuel costs, a number of flight and transport operators have introduced fuel surcharge levies on both existing and new bookings across our regions. These increases are outside of our control, and suppliers have assured us that every effort is being made to keep any adjustments to a minimum. Where an existing booking is affected, you will be contacted directly with the relevant details and any applicable cost adjustments.
Please note that at this stage, suppliers have indicated that they do not foresee Jet A1 fuel shortages in the short term. We will continue to check in regularly and will share any material updates should the outlook change.
Move freely with Sherpa
Confidently navigate the visa requirement landscape.
Your one-stop-shop; we have partnered with the renowned Sherpa platform to offer your guests a faster, more reliable and convenient access to all visa-related requirements, supporting information, and costs.
Simply select your guests’ nationality, and where they are travelling to, and Sherpa will do the rest. We love the interface and seamless navigation; ensuring a hassle-free travel experience for all.
Meet our &Beyond Sales & Operations team
Clearer support across every stage of the journey.
To make it easier for you and your guests to know who to contact, we have clarified the way our support teams are structured.
Our Sales & Operations team supports you and your guests across international time zones, offering expert guidance across our three regions: Africa, South Asia and South America. This includes itinerary support, destination and lodge advice, and assistance for partners and guests throughout the planning process. From there, our Travel Concierge team focuses on the in-destination details once your guests are travelling in Africa, helping each journey unfold as smoothly as possible.
Together, these teams provide seamless support at every stage, with the right expertise available at the right moment.
For Sales & Operations support, Marta and Eileen are here to help.
Say hello to Marta Knowles.
With more than 20 years in luxury hospitality, Marta brings a refined and intuitive approach to client service, shaped by her career in the private club space and nearly two decades of travel across Africa, Asia, the Pacific Rim, the Middle East, Europe and South America.
As part of the &Beyond Sales & Operations team, Marta supports guests and trade partners with thoughtful itinerary guidance, destination advice and highly personalised travel support. Known for her discretion, creativity and attention to detail, she brings a global perspective and a deep understanding of what makes each journey feel seamless, personal and memorable.
Get to know Marta
1. What does it take to truly understand a guest, anywhere in the world?
At the deepest level, understanding a guest means recognising that people want to feel safe, respected, seen and understood, even when their customs, expectations and ways of travelling differ.
It takes attentive listening, cultural awareness and the ability to anticipate what will make someone feel comfortable and cared for. The details may change from guest to guest, but the need for trust and thoughtful service is universal.
2. What have two decades of travel taught you about people and places?
Travel has taught me that adaptability is often more valuable than a perfect plan. It has also shown me that nature has a remarkable way of restoring perspective.
Across different countries and cultures, I have seen that kindness is universal and that language is often secondary. The most meaningful connections often come through gestures, shared experiences and a willingness to understand one another.
3. Of all your travels, what has been your favourite destination and why?
It’s difficult to choose just one, as different places have stayed with me for very different reasons.
Trekking through the highlands of Sumatra to see orangutans in the wild was unforgettable. There was something incredibly moving about seeing them in their natural habitat.
Walking along the Great Wall of China outside Beijing also left a lasting impression. The scale of it gives you an overwhelming sense of history, ambition and human effort.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was another extraordinary experience. To be eye to eye with one of our closest living relatives is deeply humbling and something I will never forget.
Say hello to Eileen Goh.
Eileen is a seasoned travel and sales professional with more than two decades of experience across the travel, hospitality and corporate sectors. At &Beyond, she supports guests and trade partners across Africa, South Asia and South America, assisting with itinerary guidance, destination advice and lodge support.
Her career spans travel management, logistics and sales support, including roles with Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Amadeus and DHL. This experience has given her a strong understanding of client service, cross-market coordination and the details that help shape smooth, meaningful journeys.
For Eileen, travel is as much about human connection as it is about place. She is passionate about helping guests experience the world through authentic, carefully considered journeys that stay with them long after they return home.
Get to know Eileen
1. What does it take to truly understand a guest, anywhere in the world?
Understanding a guest begins with attentive listening and the ability to anticipate their needs. Every traveller is different, and every journey has its own purpose.
I believe guests value authenticity, meaningful personal connection and experiences that are thoughtfully curated around their individual preferences. When these elements come together, they create memories that remain with guests long after their journey has ended.
2. What have two decades of travel taught you about people and places?
I feel privileged to have experienced the world not only through its extraordinary places, but also through the people who bring those places to life.
Over the years, travel has shown me how landscapes, cultures and geography shape the identity of a destination, while human connection gives it meaning and soul. Through both observation and personal encounters, I have come to appreciate the many different ways people live, celebrate and connect across the world.
More recently, I have found myself valuing the unscripted moments of travel most: the quiet conversations, unexpected encounters and simple experiences that often leave the deepest impression. These moments have taught me that the true essence of travel lies not only in discovering new places, but in feeling genuinely connected to them.
3. Of all your travels, what has been your favourite destination and why?
This is always a difficult question to answer, as every destination leaves behind something different and deeply meaningful. If I had to choose, Africa holds a very special place in my heart.
There is something profoundly humbling about its vast landscapes, extraordinary wildlife and the sense of stillness and connection one experiences in the wilderness. Beyond the wildlife, it is the people who make the journey truly unforgettable. The warmth of the communities, the storytelling traditions and the deep respect for nature all come together to create experiences that feel authentic and deeply moving.
Whether it is watching the sunrise over the savannah, hearing lions calling in the distance at night, or sharing stories around a fire, Africa has a way of making you feel both grounded and inspired. It is a destination that stays with you long after the journey ends, not only for what you see, but for how it makes you feel.
Witness incredible sightings seen by our guides and guests
Partner Resources
Tools for you to use
Here you will find all the resources you need to be an &BEYOND expert. Specially curated for your convenience, visit our Partner Resources page – your comprehensive toolkit of resources – to help you promote and, where appropriate, encourage you to convert new business.