Africa Travel, a leading travel and tourism operator on the continent, has officially entered the Kenyan market through the strategic acquisition of Pollman’s Tours & Safaris, one of Kenya’s most established and respected travel companies. The move marks a major milestone in Africa Travel’s growth strategy as it deepens its footprint in East Africa’s tourism industry.
Founded over 60 years ago, Pollman’s has long been a cornerstone of Kenya’s tourism sector, offering high-quality safari experiences, ground handling, and logistics services to international tour operators and individual travelers. The acquisition allows Africa Travel to inherit Pollman’s extensive local expertise, operational infrastructure, and loyal client base, giving it a powerful springboard to scale its operations in the region.
The buyout reflects Africa Travel’s commitment to offering authentic and seamless African travel experiences, while also ensuring continuity and quality for Pollman’s existing partners and clients. It is expected that the company will retain Pollman’s brand identity in the short term, given its strong reputation in the market, while gradually integrating it into Africa Travel’s broader portfolio of services.
Speaking on the acquisition, Africa Travel’s CEO emphasized the strategic importance of Kenya as a tourism hub in East Africa. With its iconic national parks, wildlife reserves, and established travel industry, Kenya provides an ideal environment for growth and innovation in sustainable and experiential tourism. The CEO also highlighted that the move aligns with the company’s long-term vision of creating a unified pan-African travel network that delivers consistent service quality across borders.
Pollman’s, known for its deep roots in Kenya’s safari history, brings to the table a fleet of safari vehicles, a skilled team of guides and drivers, and long-standing partnerships with lodges and hotels across the country. These assets will now be backed by Africa Travel’s investment capacity, technology platforms, and international reach, creating new opportunities for both inbound tourism and local employment.
The integration process is expected to focus on strengthening service delivery, expanding digital booking capabilities, and enhancing customer experiences while preserving the local knowledge and authenticity that Pollman’s is known for. The deal also signals a broader trend in African tourism: increasing consolidation and investment as the sector recovers and adapts post-pandemic.
Industry analysts see this acquisition as a strong signal of confidence in Kenya’s tourism potential, with Africa Travel poised to play a significant role in shaping its next phase of development. As one of Africa’s most visited safari destinations, Kenya offers vast opportunities for eco-tourism, cultural exploration, and adventure travel key areas that Africa Travel intends to grow in partnership with local stakeholders.
