Walthers DMC

IMEX America 2026 — Las Vegas, here we come!

Walthers is excited to be heading to IMEX America 2026 in Las Vegas, taking place from 13–15 October.

Our Managing Director, Daryl Keywood, will be representing Walthers and showcasing the very best of Southern Africa — from unforgettable incentive experiences and exceptional safari destinations to creative MICE programmes designed to leave a lasting impression.

With 45 years of creating authentic African memories, we’re looking forward to reconnecting with industry friends, strengthening partnerships and meeting new partners from around the world.

If you’re attending IMEX America, come and meet Daryl at Stand F845 and discover what Southern Africa can offer your next incentive, conference or group.

See you in Las Vegas!

BusinessEvents

🐘 Animal Interactions: Why We Don’t Offer Them
We love wildlife. Which is exactly why we’re careful about how our guests experience it. ❤️
Lion cub petting, walking with lions, cheetah encounters and elephant-back safaris may look like unforgettable experiences, but the reality behind them can raise serious animal welfare concerns.
At Walthers, we believe there are better ways to experience Africa’s incredible wildlife — ways that respect animals, support genuine Conservation and benefit local communities.
We don’t offer animal interactions unless operators can demonstrate that their practices meet our ethical and sustainability standards. We follow SATSA’s Animal Interaction Guidelines and were among the early signatories of the ‘Born to Live Wild’ pledge for Blood Lions.
It’s a position that has occasionally cost us business. But for us, it’s non-negotiable.
The good news? Ethical wildlife experiences do exist. 🐾
Your guests might not get to cuddle a lion cub or ride an elephant, but they can enjoy something far more meaningful: seeing wildlife in its natural environment and understanding the Conservation work that protects it.
Wildlife is best experienced wild! 🌍

Don't say we didn't tell you!

Tourism in South Africa with Trevor Noah: Don’t Say We Didn’t Tell You Remember when you asked about South Africa? It turns out the questi...

A great surprise and a huge honour - we are very proud of our Intrepid leader .

IMEX Frankfurt Day 1.

February marks a special milestone for Walthers as we step into our 45th year in business. Heidi and I recently paused to reflect on how far we’ve come, what has evolved along the way, and—most importantly—how we continue to shape the future.
Founded in 1982, Walthers began as a predominantly outbound-focused business. As South Africa’s political landscape shifted in the early 1990s, so did we. With remarkable foresight, our founder Klaus Walther recognised the opportunity to welcome Inbound incentive traveller to our shores and brought his daughter Heidi into the business to establish our Inbound division—well before Nelson Mandela’s release. This vision positioned Walthers as one of South Africa’s first specialist inbound DMCs.

Building on our Outbound incentive expertise, the move into Inbound incentives was a natural progression. In 1995, we were entrusted with organising an international medical conference, marking the start of a 30+ year relationship with our longest-standing client. From there, repeat business followed and this trust allowed us to expand our footprint across Southern Africa, the Victoria Falls and beyond, including Madagascar and Ethiopia.
Along the way, we’ve reached important industry milestones and broken new ground—but at the heart of everything we do are our people. We’re incredibly proud of our dedicated team, many of whom have been with us for over a decade, and a few for nearly 20 years.

Despite global and local challenges and rapid technological change, our founding values remain unchanged: integrity, authenticity, highly personalised service, and always delivering on our promises.

“Experiences with Impact” has guided us long before sustainability became a buzzword. Three of our six SITE Crystal Awards recognise our sustainability initiatives, including more than a decade of support for a school near the Kruger Park—creating a legacy that’s still felt today. We’re also proud to have recently been awarded the internationally accredited Biosphere Certification.

As we look ahead, our mission remains clear: take care of our people, who take care of our clients, while playing our part in caring for our communities and the environment. And, of course—to have fun. After 45 years, that purpose feels more relevant than ever. Here’s to the journey—and what’s still to come.

It will be a year of celebrations for the Team, but the real Celebration will have to wait until things quieten down!

2026 New Year's Resolution - Visit South Africa!

So exciting that the Walthers family is growing - a new is on his way! Congrats to the proud parents Mpho and Thabo, we can't wait to meet him.