Despite some initial concerns, the recent Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has had little or no impact on African safari tourism, industry leaders report. Operators said some travelers had inquired about the situation, but bookings remained brisk and cancellations were rare.
“Mpox does not appear to have any impact on travel to Africa at the moment,” said Pearl Jurist-Schoen, Africa sales director at Extraordinary Journeys. “Botswana has implemented screening procedures (for all inbound travelers), but that is it. Customers have not expressed any concerns. At best, a few people have inquired out of curiosity, but the overwhelming majority are proceeding with their actions as usual. “We made plans, we haven’t had any cancellations and it’s business as usual.”
Sarah Morris, Private Client Sales and Operations Manager at Ker & Downey Africa, echoed this sentiment. Morris confirmed there had been no significant change in the situation, emphasizing that the outbreak was still confined to the Democratic Republic of Congo and did not pose a widespread risk to the continent.
“The situation appears to be well under control,” Morris said. “Health authorities are closely monitoring the outbreak, and effective management combined with the widespread availability of vaccines has helped curb the spread. The fact that Mpox is not as highly contagious as Covid-19 has also helped keep the situation manageable. contributed to it.”
Regarding border controls, Morris noted that they have had little to no impact on the situation. “Because the outbreak is localized and not spread by airborne transmission, there is no need for large-scale border restrictions. Most African countries continue to welcome travelers and regular health precautions ensure travel is kept safe.”
The minimal impact on tourism demand is particularly encouraging for the industry. Morris reported that while there have been inquiries from customers, no one has suspended their reservations or canceled their trips. “Inquiries are mostly precautionary and once customers understand that the outbreak is concentrated in a specific area and the risk is minimal, they proceed with their travel plans with confidence,” she said.
The update comes as a relief to many in Africa’s tourism sector, who initially feared a repeat of past scenarios where media reports of health concerns led to widespread cancellations and economic hardship.
