Despite some initial concerns, the recent mpox outbreak originating in the Democratic Republic of Congo has had little to no impact on African safari tourism, industry leaders report. Operators say that while some travelers have inquired about the situation, bookings remain strong, and cancellations are virtually nonexistent.
"Mpox doesn't seem to be affecting African travel at all right now," Pearl Jurist-Schoen, Extraordinary Journeys' head of sales for Africa, said. "Botswana has implemented a screening process [for all inbound travelers], but that's the extent of it. Clients aren't expressing any concern -- at most, a few have asked out of curiosity, but the overwhelming majority are moving forward with their plans as usual. There have been no cancellations, and it's very much business as usual."
This sentiment is echoed by Sarah Morris, sales and operations manager for private clients at Ker & Downey Africa. Morris confirmed that there hasn't been any significant change in the situation, emphasizing that the outbreak remains largely localized in the DRC and poses no widespread risk across the continent.
"The situation appears to be well under control," Morris said. "Health authorities are closely monitoring the outbreak, and their effective management, combined with widespread availability of vaccines, has helped contain the spread. The fact that Mpox is not highly contagious like Covid-19 has also contributed to keeping the situation manageable."
Regarding border controls, Morris noted that they have had little to no impact on the situation. "Since the outbreak is localized and not spread by airborne transmission, there has been no need for major border restrictions. Most African countries continue to welcome travelers, and regular health precautions in place have ensured that travel remains safe."
The minimal impact on tourism demand is particularly encouraging for the industry. Morris reported that while there have been some inquiries from clients, no one has stopped booking or canceled their trips. "The inquiries are mostly precautionary, and once clients understand the facts -- that the outbreak is concentrated in a specific region and poses minimal risk -- they proceed confidently with their travel plans," she said.
This update comes as a relief to many in the African tourism sector who initially feared a repeat of past scenarios where media coverage of health issues led to widespread cancellations and economic hardship.