A group of 18 African specialist Travel PRs and 15 expert journalists gathered on 11 November 2026 for the second annual Ubuntu Africa Media event hosted at the Rubens at the Palace Hotel in London, arranged by Claire Roadley of Umlingo Travel PR. Sincere thanks to Isi Railton and Red Carnation, who generously hosted our fabulous venue free of charge again - and to Angola Tourism who sponsored our welcome bubbles.
Guests gathered in the perfectly themed Leopard Bar, and the team from Rubens did a splendid job of looking after us, serving up delicious canapes with an African twist including butter chicken Bunny Chows, sweet potato & lentil Potjie, Bobotie spring rolls and cheese and tomato Braai Broodjies whilst dessert was mini Malva Puddings.
What a fabulous bunch with a shared passion for African tourism - Ubuntu Africa 2026 media event in London. WATCH OUR REEL HERE.
We were delighted to again have a full house and a waitlist!
Journalist guests included
Abi Flanagan - Freelance
Emma Gregg - Freelance
Teresa Machan - Freelance
Lisa Johnson - Freelance
Sarah Marshall - Freelance
Stanley Stewart - Freelance
Tim Fay - Conde Nast Johannsens
Lauren Jarvis - JRNY Magazine
Mark Edwards - Land & Marine Publications
Hannah Wild - National Geographic Traveller
Steve Hartridge and Jo Austin - Selling Travel Magazine
Sue Watt - Travel Africa & freelance
Andrea Thompson - Travelling for Business magazine
Katie McGonagle - Travel Weekly
Travel PRs that attended:
Claire Roadley Umlingo Travel PR (host/organiser) representing Bushtops, Carmines River Lodge, Shearzone Safaris, Kaelo Destinations, Nsele Private Game Reserve, Mosetlha, Onguma, The Carte Collection Drakensberg, Tembe Elephant Park, The Wilderness Collection, OurAfrica.Travel and Travel Promoters.
Isabelle Thomas for Red Carnation (who generously hosted our venue)
Adele Cutler from Pindrop PR for Angola Tourism (who generously hosted our warm welcome)
Frances Tuke from ATTA
Sally Brunning from Marketing Worldwide
Laura Shelbourne for Elewana Collection
Li Boatwright and Becky Hampson from Storrington for Desert & Delta Safaris
Michelle de Klerk for Last Word
Susie Aust and Caroline Calvert for Rainbow Tours
Ewelina Turek and Rachel Lewis from South African Tourism
Issy Abel Smith from Abel & Graham for Thanda
Emily Owen and Natasha Eldred from MMGY for Marasa Africa & Africa Albida
Saskia Nowicka from Dovetail for the Sabi Sabi Collection
Juliet Wheater from MG PR for Yellow Zebra
FAB COLLABS
“Ubuntu” is primarily about community and working together in solidarity for the greater good. Essentially the spirit of “I am because we are”. We hope it will encourage more collaborations - be they more events like this (where all the PRs kindly shared the costs of the delicious food and wine) or even joint press trips. Pooling our skills, resources and wonderful clients in Africa can only offer our media an enhanced, more rounded in-destination experience.
GIVING BACK
Ubuntu is also about making a positive impact on community, so any funds left over from the event will be donated to the Royal Drakensberg Primary School in rural KwaZulu-Natal in time for Christmas - supporting the wonderful children that made gorgeous beaded bracelets which were either draped around your bottle of Amarula (thanks to Onguma in Namibia!) or attached to your choccies. Thanks to all the PRs who contributed to the very generous, rather heavy goody bags!
SAFARI PRIZES
Congratulations to:
Tim Fay from Conde Nast Johannsens on winning the 6-night safari in Tanzania with 2 nights at Serengeti Bushtops, 2 nights at Craters Edge Ngorongoro and 2 nights at Warangi Ridge by The Wilderness Collection.
Emma Gregg who won the 4-night safari in Zambia, staying 2 nights at at Mozhi Bush Camp in Kafue and 2 nights at Nzovu Rundu Luxury Camp in Lower Zambezi, both by Shearzone Safaris.
UBUNTU AFRICA MEDIA EVENT 2026 IMAGE GALLERY
#TravelPRs #Ubuntu #UbuntuAfrica2026 #TravelWriters #AfricanTourism #fabcollabs
