Fuel surcharges

Recent events in the Middle East have not only adversely affected the people in the region but also the global availability and price of fuel. This, in turn, is impacting tourism across the globe (and no doubt your wallet as well). In an endeavor to keep you abreast of when these significant and sustained expenses can no longer be absorbed by our partners and must be passed on to consumers, we will update this blog as conditions warrant. See below for current specific partner information.

New Frontiers

In light of ongoing fuel surcharges being implemented by suppliers across the region with immediate effect, New Frontiers has taken the decision to absorb all air surcharges implemented on existing bookings for the month of May.

Please note the following:
• This is only applicable on all confirmed or fully invoiced bookings due to travel in May and does not apply to provisional bookings.
• This is only applicable on air sectors booked by NFT where surcharges are being applied and excludes private charters which will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
• Any surcharges applicable on NEW bookings will still apply and are being communicated as a separate line item on the quote for transparency.
• All applicable surcharges will apply for ALL bookings from June 1, whether confirmed/invoiced/paid or new and will reflect on the confirmation/invoice as a separate line item.

This should assist in limiting both the administrative and financial burden for the immediate future, while New Frontiers will continue to engage with suppliers to help lessen the impact while fuel volatility remains an issue.

For more information and current surcharge status by supplier, visit the Agent Zone (login required).

Ultimate Safaris

Fuel increases are materially affecting the cost of ground transportation, however, for the time being, Ultimate Safaris has elected to continue absorbing these costs in the hope that conditions stabilize before further adjustments become necessary.

Depending on the carrier, fuel charges for air travel may come into effect for new and existing bookings, and will be addressed your Journeysmith by booking, if one applies.

Your Journeysmith will be in contact to advise on any fuel surcharges relating to existing bookings, with the aim of providing notice one to two months prior to travel. Wherever possible, these will be aligned with final balance payments.

Albatros East Africa

Several domestic airline operators in East Africa have introduced a fuel surcharge in response to increased operating costs. Please note that these surcharges take effect immediately. As a result, all reserved but unticketed itineraries will be subject to the additional charge at the time of ticket issuance.

For safaris that have been paid in full, Albatros will absorb surcharges. However, for bookings that are confirmed but where only a deposit has been received, or where payment is still outstanding, the applicable surcharge will need to be applied.

Albatros will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you updated on any further developments.

To view the current surcharges, visit this page.

Imvelo Safari Lodges

Mack Air has implemented a surcharge for internal flight rates (13% increase) to and from Hwange. These rate changes are for all existing and new bookings from May 1, 2026 onwards.

Going forward, please note that future fluctuations in fuel prices, whether increases or decreases, may necessitate further rate adjustments and these will be communicated accordingly.

Classic Africa Safaris

Classic Africa Safaris (CAS) must apply a $10 per day fuel surcharge to their vehicle rates (both within Entebbe and on safari). This surcharge will apply to safaris operating from May 1, 2026, including those paid in full.

Effective May 1, 2026, air carrier Aerolink will implement a $25 fuel surcharge per ticket, per segment. CAS is currently working with Aerolink to issue tickets as far in advance as they will allow to minimize additional costs.

Effective April 20, 2026, air carrier Pearl Sky will implement a $30 surcharge on one-way flights and $50 surcharge on round-trip tickets.

CAS will continue to monitor the situation and keep trade partners informed of any future surcharges that third parties may implement.