Hundreds of Holidaymakers Reportedly Ill at RIU Karamboa, Cape Verde

We are now representing a number of British holidaymakers whose holidays were ruined by a suspected salmonella outbreak at the RIU Karamboa hotel in Boa Vista, Cape Verde.

A growing number of guests have contacted us after suffering severe illness, particularly those who stayed at the hotel over the New Year. Sadly, this is not the first time we have had to raise concerns about hygiene standards at this resort.

The RIU Karamboa Hotel five-star, all-inclusive hotel was already on our radar for food poisoning incidents, and now a fresh wave of complaints has emerged.

British guests have reported severe gastric symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and fever. One guest told us that around 100 people fell ill after the New Year’s Eve buffet in early January 2026, and that they received little to no support from the hotel, leaving many to find their own bottled water and fend for themselves.

Our Clients’ Worrying Experiences

The stories our clients are sharing paint a worrying picture of food safety at the RIU Karamboa, especially concerning the buffet food:

Michelle fell ill during her stay and is now awaiting UK test results to confirm a salmonella diagnosis. She has told us that TUI’s legal team is now involved. She has also been in touch with other families from Sweden and Germany who fell ill on the same day and have since had salmonella confirmed. She is sharing their details with us to help build a clearer picture of the scale of the outbreak.

Lena’s son-in-law has tested positive for salmonella, which the family believes he contracted from breakfast at the hotel. She also informed us of a group legal action being organised by guests against TUI.

Katarina’s family holiday was ruined by food poisoning, and her son has since been diagnosed with salmonella. They too are determined to claim compensation from TUI, and we are now working with them to build a strong case.

These personal accounts are backed up by wider reports we’ve seen about the RIU Karamboa. Common complaints include food served lukewarm or undercooked, dishes left uncovered, and poor general hygiene, with guests noticing dirty plates and even birds, cats, and flies near buffet areas.

Growing Media and Legal Pressure

The severity of the outbreak has now caught the attention of the national media, with The Sunday Times investigating the story. One of our clients is speaking with the newspaper to ensure the experiences of those affected are heard.

This growing scrutiny adds to the legal pressure on TUI. The RIU Karamboa is one of several Cape Verde resorts linked to serious gastric illness in recent years, with over 1,400 UK holidaymakers thought to have pursued claims since 2022 for infections like salmonella, E. coli, and shigella.

Cape Verde Success Stories

Our team has a strong track record of securing compensation for clients who have fallen ill in Cape Verde, including:

£5,000 for Mark Hudson following illness at RIU Touareg
£3,900 for Joanne and Robert after falling ill at RIU Funana
£2,700 for Lilly and Jordan after their holiday was ruined due to illness

These successful claims show that tour operators like TUI can, and should, be held responsible when their partner hotels fail to meet basic hygiene standards, ruining holidays and causing real suffering.

As our Partner Michael Walker notes, “This is part of a deeply troubling pattern in Cape Verde. Tour operators have a responsibility to ensure the hotels they sell to UK holidaymakers are safe.”

How We Can Help You Claim Compensation

If your holiday at the RIU Karamboa or another resort in Cape Verde was affected by illness, you could be entitled to compensation for:

The pain and suffering caused by your illness
The loss of enjoyment of your holiday
Medical bills and other related expenses

Been affected? Start your claim today

We offer a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your case. We can represent you on a No Win No Fee basis, so you won’t have to worry about legal fees. To find out how we can help, get in touch with our team today.

You can reach us by:
Calling 0161 813 2131
Using the live chat on our website
Filling out our online claim form

We are here to help you get the maximum compensation you deserve and hold tour operators accountable for their failings.