Banyan Group Buys a Majority Stake in Newmark's 26 African Hotels
The Banyan Tree parent is paying about $33 million for 70 percent of Cape Town-based Newmark, adding lodges and game reserves across seven countries.
Banyan Group, the Singapore-listed owner of the Banyan Tree brand, is buying its way deeper into African leisure. On September 17, 2026, Skift reported that Banyan agreed to acquire a 70 percent stake in Newmark Hotels & Reserves, a Cape Town operator of 26 hotels, lodges, and private game reserves, with a path to full ownership over the next several years.
The deal values Newmark at about 756 million South African rand, or roughly $47 million. Banyan is paying about $33 million in cash for the majority stake. Newmark's portfolio spans seven African countries and more than 1,300 rooms. Once closed, Banyan's collection grows by about a third to nearly 130 hotels, resorts, and reserves across 14 brands in 28 countries.
Why this matters if you book safari and beach trips
Newmark will sit as a collection brand inside Banyan's platform rather than as a pile of newly purchased real estate. That "asset-right" model adds management contracts and owner relationships first, then folds properties into Banyan's booking and loyalty systems. Travelers who already chase Banyan Tree spa resorts should eventually see more African lodge and reserve inventory in the same ecosystem, including options that pair well with a beach week in South Africa.
African tourism is part of the bet. International arrivals to the continent reached about 81 million in 2025, up 8 percent, and Banyan will compete with established players such as Marriott's Protea Hotels and Radisson for leisure share. Newmark's leadership is staying on, which should keep local operating knowledge in place while distribution scales.
The 2029 earnout is the fine print
Full ownership is tied to Newmark hitting about 63 million rand in stabilized EBITDA by fiscal 2029, more than double its recent run rate near 28.8 million rand. That target is aggressive. If Newmark misses it, Banyan's path to 100 percent ownership could stretch or change. Guests will not feel that clause at check-in, but it explains why the company is buying fee income and market access rather than pouring capital into new builds overnight.
For now, treat the news as a pipeline signal: more African lodges and game reserves are likely to appear under Banyan's umbrella over the next few years. If you are planning a 2027 or 2028 South Africa itinerary that mixes safari and coast, watch Newmark properties for Banyan loyalty and booking integration once the companies publish the conversion calendar.