Travel to North Africa is bouncing back after a challenging start to the year, when flight disruptions and regional uncertainty led many travellers to put their plans on hold.
But while headlines continue to focus on conflict in the broader region, demand for North Africa is returning as travellers are ready to discover everything that makes it such a remarkable destination.
After a precautionary pause on trips to Egypt and Jordan in March, Intrepid Travel quickly resumed full operations across North Africa, including Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.
Since then, confidence has grown, with North Africa bookings up 82 per cent month-on-month in June. Morocco has also ranked third in passenger volume across all Intrepid destinations since March, while Jordan trips including Discover Egypt & Jordan are set to resume in June.
‘After a brief pause earlier this year, it’s encouraging to see travellers returning to North Africa’, said Yvette Thompson, Intrepid’s General Manager of Sales and Marketing ANZ.
‘While headlines can shape perceptions, travel has a unique ability to help people experience a place for themselves and connect with the communities who call it home. From Egypt and Morocco to Tunisia, this is a region rich in history, culture and human connection. As confidence returns, travellers are rediscovering not only some of the world’s most iconic destinations, but also the people behind them. For many local communities and small businesses, the return of tourism provides an important source of income and opportunity, making travel a positive force for both visitors and the destinations they explore.’
Remarkable travel experiences
North Africa’s famous landmarks and diverse cultures have long drawn travellers, but in 2026, many are looking for deeper ways to connect with the places they visit. Intrepid’s small group trips are designed to do just that, bringing travellers closer to local communities and everyday life.
In Egypt, that might mean sharing a home-cooked meal with a Nubian family or sleeping under the stars on a traditional felucca on the Nile. In Morocco, it could be sharing mint tea in bustling medinas or spending a night in a gite in an Amazigh village.
Booking with confidence
Experiences like these are made possible by the people behind the scenes. That’s where Intrepid’s long-standing presence in North Africa makes a difference.
Their expert trip leaders are backed by local teams and offices that have operated in Egypt and Morocco since 2010, with 24/7 support available throughout the journey.
Flexibility before departure matters too. Travellers can secure a trip with a deposit, pay in instalments and convert deposits into credit if plans change. Intrepid has also committed to a no-surcharge policy in 2026 for both new and existing bookings, helping travellers lock in their plans with confidence.
That support is already resonating. Intrepid’s General Manager of Egypt and Jordan, Salam Shaqdeeh, said ‘Visitors this month from the US, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and more are telling us they’ve felt supported, cared for and deeply connected to the people they’ve met.’
Travel as a force for good
As North Africa continues to recover, travellers have the chance to support local communities and small businesses that rely on tourism. The return of visitors to the region highlights how travel can benefit both travellers and the destinations they explore.
For many people, that connection doesn’t just end when the trip is over. In recent weeks, past Intrepid travellers rallied behind a fundraiser for Intrepid Foundation partner Ezwitti, a social restaurant initiative in Amman that provides meals to vulnerable communities.
Beyond the economic impact, travel also has the power to foster understanding, challenge perceptions and create meaningful connections between people and cultures.
‘Those travellers who choose to visit now will support livelihoods, help sustain small businesses and, ultimately, send an important message: that moving through the world with curiosity, empathy and open-mindedness has the power to shape a better future, for everyone,’ said Shaqdeeh.
