It’s KLINK Season

It is time for visitors and locals alike to make their opinion count in the fourth annual KLINK Wine Tourism Awards. The Klink Awards, partnered with Wesgro, is now in its fourth consecutive year of honouring the very best in South African wine tourism – from the greenest estate, coolest festival, to the hippest haute…

Tangier – restored to its former glory

After decades of neglect, the north Moroccan city, once talked about in the same breath as London, Paris and New York, is undergoing a renaissance. During its glory years from the mid-1920’s, it was an international zone, administered by a joint convention including France, Spain and Britain. The big mystery is how and why Tangier…

Algal bloom occurring around Mahe & Praslin

Press Release By the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change   There are confirmed reports of algal bloom (fr: Proliferation d’algues) occurring around the island of Mahe, Praslin and satellite islands. An algal bloom is a natural phenomenon, involving the rapid growth and population explosion of algae in fresh water and at sea, whenever…

TripAdvisor launches free analytics dashboard

TripAdvisor has announced the launch of the Review Performance Report – an enhanced online analytics dashboard, available for free to all registered businesses on the site. The new dashboard design is based on user feedback and the dashboard provides registered business owners with insights and trend data about their reviews, ranking and competitors in an…

South African Immigration Amendments

The South African Cabinet has agreed to amend the immigration regulations, so that, within the next three months, travel to South Africa will be made easier. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will accept visa applications by post from countries that require a visa to visit South Africa, but which do not have a South…

Zambia Launches E-Visa

The Zambia Tourism Agency (formerly Zambia Tourism Board) is pleased to announce that the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (Department of Immigration), launched the e-Visa facility on Wednesday, 14th October, 2015.   The launch, officiated by the Minister of Home Affairs, took place at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in…

US Lifts Travel Warning On Kenyan Coast

The United States government has lifted travel restrictions it issued to its citizens on visits to most parts of Kenya’s coastal region. The US Embassy stated travel restrictions to Malindi through Mombasa and Kwale counties to the Tanzanian border have been lifted. “There are no longer general restrictions on travel to Malindi city in Kilifi…

EgyptAir Announces Discounted Fares

Up to 30% discount on all of EGYPT AIR’s 78 international destinations including Cairo, Sharm El-Sheikh, El Gouna, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, New York, Toronto, Jakarta, Bangkok, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Kuala Lumpur for only a fraction of the price. EGYPT AIR is the flag carrier airline of the Arab Republic of Egypt,…

Exploring Tanzania’s Rubondo Island

The wild and unlikely tale of Rubondo dates to the 1960s, when the Tanzanian National Park service turned over the keys to this densely forested Nantucket-size island in southwestern Lake Victoria to famed German zoologist and Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Bernhard Grzimek. Quickly seeing the deserted island’s potential as a protected habitat for endangered wildlife, Mr.…

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS VACATIONS® 2016 COLLECTION

South African Airways Vacations® (SAA Vacations) launched its 2016 Collection brochure, featuring an expanded portfolio of air-inclusive vacation packages to destinations in Southern and East Africa. All SAA Vacations packages include round-trip air transportation on South African Airways, with origins from over 100 cities in the U.S., as well as hotel accommodations, airport transfers, sightseeing…

Classic Representation Survey Results

CLASSIC PORTFOLIO is a leading collection of Eco-sensitive camps, private game reserves, luxury hotels, secluded beach retreats and renowned wine estates in Southern and East Africa.  After a recent survey of hundreds of travel agent partners across the globe, some interesting statistics and results have came to light vis-à-vis the effectiveness and perceived value of various…

Limited Time South Africa Safari Special

GLENDALE, Cali. — Award-winning luxury safari outfitter Great Safaris is kicking off the fall season with a limited time special offer on its Cape Town & the Magical Mystery Safari. This nine-day luxury land and air package not only includes accommodations and touring, it also includes international airfare from New York or Washington D.C. and…

The Sharing Economy in Africa

The growth in the sharing economy will see a dramatic surge in the peer-to-peer business sector, the Abta Travel Convention heard. The next decade will see 30% annual growth. The value of peer-to-peer companies is estimated to hit $335 billion by 2025, against $15 billion in 2013.  This forecast came from PwC partner, David Trunkfield,…

First Ever Africa Geographic Yearbook

December 2015 will herald the very first annual print edition of the Africa Geographic Yearbook.  Expect a visual celebration of Africa – featuring the best from the continent for that year.  This showcase of the very best photographs and stories from the fields of natural history, culture and travel will live on your coffee table…

Constance Ephelia launches chefs academy

Seventeen students from the Seychelles Tourism Academy are the first to be enrolled in the newly-launched Constance Ephelia chef’s academy training. They are following apprenticeship programmes at the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA). The one-year training, which started on September 28, is aimed at simultaneously developing their culinary talents to promote the art within the local tourism…

The Strand Hotel Swakopmund Opens

The Strand Hotel Swakopmund promises to become an integral part of the town’s historical centre and a beachfront entertainment destination in itself, hosting both visitors and locals. With its extensive, superb Restaurants, Bars, Lounges, Deli, sea-facing Terraces and Conference & Banqueting Centre, the Strand Hotel is destined to become the social epicentre of Swakopmund, Namibia. …

Kapani Lodge – a New Chapter

In 1986, Kenneth Kaunda, the first President of Zambia, opened the famous Kapani Safari Lodge – Norman Carr’s pipe dream come true and final home in the South Luangwa National Park. Kapani has since provided countless guests from across the world with authentic first-class safaris – from first-timers, safari experts, royalty and politicians to sport…

SkySafari Update & Discounts

Seats are still available on some existing SkySafari departures.   SkySafari offers a bespoke blend of incomparable game-viewing opportunities, luxurious accommodations, intimate dining choices and a unique aerial perspective, courtesy of Elewana’s very own executive-class Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft.  The Safari encompasses 8 days of unforgettable safari experiences, either in Kenya or Tanzania.   For the Ultimate…

New Tour Combines ZIM attractions

Springbok Atlas Tours and Safaris has launched a new flying Zimbabwe Circuit Tour that combines three spectacular areas of Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and the Matusadona National Park. The tour starts with two nights at Victoria Falls River Lodge in the Zambezi National Park, a sunset river cruise, game drives and a tour…

Carlson Rezidor brings Radisson Blu to Nairobi

Carlson Rezidor, one of the largest and most dynamic hotel groups worldwide, continues to strengthen its presence in Africa, the company’s most important growth market. The group has announced the first Radisson Blu Residence in Nairobi, Kenya. The property with 123 units will be located adjacent to the State House and welcome the first guests…

Rwanda To Conduct Gorilla Census

By Dan Ngabonziza in KT PRESS  Rwanda has assembled a team of 60 scientists and tasked them with conducting a head count of all living mountain gorillas along the Greater Virunga Trans boundary. The census, the government says, will provide data for policy and ways of boosting the country’s tourism and conservation efforts. Indeed, on…

Malawi Introduces Visa Fees to Mixed Reviews

Malawi has instituted new visa fees that tourism operators say are just a further blow to the country’s already struggling tourism industry.Malawi introduced the $75 visa fee from October 1 in a bid to boost government revenue. The new measure applies to citizens of all countries that require Malawians to pay visa fees. “But also there…

Travel like a local in Cape Town

Cape Town Tourism (CTT) is thrilled to announce the launch of the “Love Cape Town Neighbourhood Series,” a collection of videos intimately revealing three of the city’s suburbs. The videos are a direct response to the “Travel like a Local” trend. Visitors want to experience the quirky and interesting features enjoyed by locals in the…

Airlink Fixes the Missing Link

Airlink will launch flights between Cape Town and Maun, Botswana, from March 11, 2016. Flights will initially take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, departing from Cape Town at 10h35 and arriving in Maun at 13h05. The return flights will depart from Maun at 13h35 and arrive in Cape Town at 16h10. The…

SAA opens new domestic lounge at OR Tambo

Cape Town – South African Airways Passengers can now enjoy a stylish new domestic departures lounge – called the VIA lounge – at OR Tambo International Airport, following months of extensive refurbishment. The airline points out that the new facility has been appropriately named VIA lounge, as the lounges are a transition point for passengers…