BLACK@ Industry Updates 19 August 2026
TABLE MOUNTAIN CABLEWAY REOPENS TO VISITORS
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway has reopened following a scheduled 2-week maintenance closure.
The cableway resumed operations on Monday, August 10, with the Upper Cable Station and visitor facilities at the summit also welcoming guests again. Restaurants, shops and other facilities are now open, allowing visitors to once again enjoy the views and experience of Table Mountain.
Shamwari Private Game Reserve’s Explorer Camp in the Eastern Cape is set to reopen in September following a refurbishment.
The camp has been enhanced with 3 new tents, each featuring a screened bathroom, separate lounge, larger deck and private plunge pool. Guests will also find new dining and lounge tents, while the viewing decks have been repositioned to provide a closer connection to the surrounding wilderness.
Open from September to May, the Explorer Camp offers guided walking safaris with Shamwari’s guiding team. Guests can discover the bush on foot while learning to track animals, identify signs and better understand the surrounding landscape.
Located on a plateau among the reserve’s basalt and granite outcrops, the camp is fenced for guest safety and provides an immersive way to experience Shamwari’s wilderness.
TINTSWALO WATERBERG ENTERS AN EXCITING NEW ERA
Big game adventures and luxury bush escapes are set to become even more memorable at Tintswalo Waterberg, which will undergo a full lodge refurbishment during November 2026.
The transformation includes the conversion of existing three-bedroom suites into individual one-bedroom luxury suites, offering guests greater privacy and flexibility. A new Family Suite for two adults and two children will also be introduced, creating the perfect setting for unforgettable family safaris.
These enhancements reflect Tintswalo Waterberg’s ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional safari experiences in one of South Africa’s most beautiful wilderness destinations
BUSH MEETS SEA: SOUTHERN AFRICA’S WILDLIFE TREND
International travellers are increasingly pairing traditional bush safaris with marine wildlife experiences, creating richer and more diverse Southern African itineraries.
Rather than ending their journey with a typical beach escape, visitors are choosing coastal adventures that showcase the region’s extraordinary marine biodiversity. From whale watching and penguin colonies to shark cage diving, seal encounters and the annual sardine run, South Africa’s coastline offers a natural extension to the safari experience.
Popular destinations include northern KwaZulu-Natal, the Wild Coast, the Garden Route and Cape Town, where guests can explore a different side of Africa’s wildlife while soaking up spectacular coastal scenery.
The trend is also encouraging longer stays and increased visitor spend, as travellers seek to experience both the iconic wildlife of the bush and the wonders of the ocean in a single journey.
For many, the ultimate Southern African safari no longer ends at the bushveld’s edge. It continues beyond the coastline, where a whole new wildlife adventure awaits.
OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO UNDERGO MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS
OR Tambo International Airport is planning a series of upgrades over the next 3 years to improve facilities and the overall passenger experience.
The improvements include fully refurbished ablution facilities, expanded retail and dining options, and a new mezzanine level in Terminal A. The mezzanine will provide additional seating, lounge areas and charging stations, with completion expected in December 2028.
6 new busing gates are also planned for Terminal A, with construction expected to start in June 2027 and finish in August 2029.
Construction will be carefully managed to minimise disruption, with temporary routes and off-peak work planned where necessary to keep passengers moving safely through the airport.
Please note that our offices will be closed on the following public holidays:
24 September 2026 – (Thursday)
16 December 2026- (Wednesday)
25 December 2026 (Friday)
