Banyan Group has acquired a majority stake in Newmark Hotels & Reserves, adding 26 hotels, lodges and reserves across seven African countries to its global portfolio.
The Cape Town-headquartered hospitality management company will join Banyan Group as a collection brand under a phased ownership structure that is expected to lead to full ownership over time.
Newmark will retain its existing brand, teams and local operating approach. The arrangement is intended to preserve its market knowledge and established relationships across Africa.
The Newmark portfolio spans Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
With the addition of Newmark Collection, Banyan Group’s portfolio will comprise nearly 130 hotels, resorts and reserves, more than 30 branded residences, and over 140 spas and galleries across 14 hospitality and residential brands in 28 countries.
The partnership combines Newmark’s regional hospitality management experience with Banyan Group’s international distribution, development and commercial capabilities. It is also expected to support Newmark’s further growth in Africa and increase its international reach.
We welcome Newmark to Banyan Group with confidence in the strength of the business it has built in Africa and the entrepreneurial spirit that has shaped it. We see in Newmark many of the qualities that shaped Banyan Group from the beginning: independence of thought, a long-term view and the conviction to build something distinctive. We look forward to what we can build together across Africa.
Ho Kwon Ping, Founder and Executive Chairman of Banyan Group
Over nearly two decades, Newmark has built its business through strong teams, trusted owner and partner relationships and a portfolio where each property retains its own identity. Joining Banyan Group gives us greater international reach and access to a wider network of expertise while retaining what has made Newmark successful. It also gives us greater scope to introduce travellers around the world to the destinations and experiences across our portfolio.
Neil Markovitz, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Newmark Hotels & Reserves
From Cape Town to Africa’s Wild Heart
Neil Markovitz founded Newmark in 2007. His Cape Town hospitality career dates to 1990 and includes serving as General Manager of the Victoria & Alfred Hotel.
The hotel occupies a converted 1904 warehouse overlooking Cape Town’s harbour and Table Mountain. It was the first hotel to open at the V&A Waterfront and later became one of the first properties in Newmark’s portfolio.
Today, Newmark operates properties across several segments, including heritage and city hotels, nature and country lodges, island retreats and private game reserves.
Its portfolio extends from Cape Town and Victoria Falls to destinations across the continent, covering urban, nature-based, wellbeing and wildlife hospitality.
In South Africa’s Waterberg, QWABI Private Game Reserve covers 11,000 hectares within a UNESCO-designated biosphere. The reserve combines a Big Five safari experience with the regeneration of land previously used for agriculture.
Meanwhile, Motswari Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger ecosystem marks its 50th anniversary in 2026. The property has been part of the Newmark portfolio since 2013 and has a long history of conservation.
Further north, Gorilla Heights Lodge is located on the edge of Uganda’s UNESCO-listed Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to endangered mountain gorillas.
Future Found Sanctuary, on the slopes of Table Mountain, adds a regenerative wellness component to the portfolio, with experiences centred on nature and restoration.
Newmark’s presence in Zanzibar and Mauritius also brings Indian Ocean island properties into the wider group.
From One Vision to a Wider World of Discovery
Banyan Group began with its first flagship Banyan Tree resort in Phuket. The resort was developed following the rehabilitation of a former tin-mining site and was recognised for its approach to nature-focused hospitality.
Over more than three decades, Banyan Group has expanded into a multi-brand hospitality business.
In 2025, the Group marked the opening of its 100th resort globally with Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree in Singapore.
Africa has become part of that expansion. Banyan Group currently operates four hotels and four spas across Morocco, Mauritius, South Africa and Tanzania.
These include Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay, Marrakech Riads, Angsana Heritage Collection and Ubuyu, a Banyan Tree Escape, which is the Group’s first safari lodge.
The Group is also preparing to enter West Africa with the upcoming Dhawa Ouidah in Benin.
Newmark will broaden that regional network by extending Banyan Group’s presence into Namibia, Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe. It will also add management experience in wildlife and nature-based hospitality.
The deal comes as international travel to Africa continues to grow. According to UN Tourism, the continent recorded 81 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, an 8% increase year on year. The organisation said Africa recorded the strongest growth among global regions that year.
WTTC expects Africa’s Travel & Tourism economy to grow by a further 5.4% in 2026.
Africa is a long-term growth market for Banyan Group. Newmark brings an established management business, long-standing owner relationships and strong operating capabilities that deepen our presence in the region and strengthen our asset-right model. Its local market knowledge and development pipeline, combined with Banyan Group’s international sales, distribution and development network, give us a stronger platform to pursue the right opportunities across Africa.
Eddy See, President and Chief Executive Officer of Banyan Group
Continuity and the Next Stage of Growth
Newmark will continue operating under its existing brand and leadership, led by Neil Markovitz and the current management team.
Day-to-day operations, property branding, owner relationships and existing commercial arrangements will remain unchanged. Newmark’s local teams will continue to manage relationships with owners, guests, partners and communities.
Newmark’s hotels, lodges and reserves are closely connected to the places in which they operate. We want to preserve that local approach, particularly in nature-based and wildlife hospitality, where culture, communities and the natural environment are integral to the guest experience. As we grow together, we want each property to retain the character and sense of place that have shaped its success.
Ho Ren Yung, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Banyan Group
Newmark will retain its own brand presence and direct channels, including the Newmark website.
Guests will continue to book through existing channels, while confirmed reservations will be honoured under their existing terms.
Over time, Newmark properties will also become available through Banyan Group’s booking platforms and participate in withBanyan, the Group’s guest recognition programme.
Members will have access to rates and benefits at participating properties, while Newmark will gain exposure to Banyan Group’s international audience.
As integration progresses, the two portfolios are expected to become more connected through booking and guest recognition systems. The companies said the partnership will also maintain a shared focus on sustainability, conservation and travel experiences connected to local destinations.
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