Friday, July 8, will go down in history for not only the residents of Kigali, but for Rwandans in general, as the day the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), was inaugurated. The facility is now billed one of the capital’s greatest landmarks, President Kagame thanked chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and the entire AU Commission for trusting…
The Table Mountain Cableway will be shutting down from Monday 27 July to Sunday 9 August, 2016, for its annual maintenance. This year, maintenance will include servicing the generators, sewage and water pumps and more. Besides this, something of a makeover will be undertaken: The cable cars will be re-branded in shiny new creative artwork and have their heel…
Beautifully-set in the heart of Olare Motorogi Conservancy, and bordering Africa’s greatest reserve, Masai Mara, is the stunning Olare Mara Kempinski, a luxury tented camp to enjoy authentic African experience and unparalleled class and comfort. The award-winning camp is surrounded by riverine woodland on the banks of the famous Ntiakitiak River where hippos and other…
South African Airways (SAA), the national flag carrier of South Africa – and Africa’s most awarded airline – is pleased to announce that Todd Neuman has been named as the Executive Vice-President for the Americas, effective immediately. A 35-year airline and travel industry veteran, Neuman joined South African Airways in 2006 as head of sales,…
Fair Trade Tourism has launched a new app magazine designed to bring both discerning travellers and members of the travel trade stories, information and travel ideas from its impressive portfolio of world-leading sustainable tourism products across Africa. Available on both Apple and Android devices (tablets and smartphones), the launch edition focuses on bush and beach…
Bwabwata National Park, established in 2007, covers 6,274 kilometers of northeast Namibia and forms part of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), the world’s largest conservation area.The park is located between Botswana and Angola, on an important migration route for African elephants and other wildlife. It aims to use its substantial natural resources…
Do you have last minute clients looking to see the migration? If so then think Mara Expedition! Mara Expedition is a 5 tent camp that sits on the footprint of the old Mara Toto camp on the shaded banks of the Ntiakitiak River. Set just inside the Masai Mara Reserve, Mara Expedition is ideally placed…
As from 1 October 2016, Saadani River Lodge and Saadani Safari Lodge will be operating independently from Sanctuary Retreats. From this date, therefore, Sanctuary Retreats will no longer be involved in the operational management, sales, marketing and reservation activities of Saadani River Lodge and Saadani Safari Lodge. However, all sales and marketing contracts entered into…
Forget the pub crawl. ‘Vine hopping’ is the fun, sophisticated way to indulge your wine cravings…. Instead, head to Stellenbosch for a well-deserved holiday, made more memorable by discovering exciting, award-winning wines from South Africa’s Western Cape Winelands. Stellenbosch is said to have the highest concentration of quality wine producers in the world – a blend…
Under African Skies is excited to introduce Dunhu Ramambo to our portfolio. It is the premiere provider of luxury houseboats on Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe, offering scheduled departures from Binga (a few hours drive from Victoria Falls and Hwange) Activities include: game viewing from tender boats, fishing, sundowner activities, or just luxuriating on the deck of…
Retreat. Just the word conjures up images of a serene place, far away from the rest of the world, where you can relax and revive. And this is exactly what Azura Retreats offers with its new luxurious bush-and-beach dual private villa honeymoon experience. If you’re looking for a unique honeymoon in some of the world’s…
Seychelles wins #1Travel + Leisure Island Award CAPE TOWN, 6 July, 2016 – The Seychelles has today been named the #1 Top Island in Africa and the Middle East in Travel + Leisure’s 2016 World’s Best Awards. The prestigious Travel + Leisure 2016 World’s Best Awards are voted by readers of the international publication, who…
A yoga retreat is the perfect way to unwind and truly experience Africa and African Luxury Hideaways is offering a yoga retreat with Capetonian yoga teacher Stuart Kirton this December – a 5-night, 6-day safari package for travellers who wish to recharge mind, body and soul. Clients can experience the Zimbabwean country’s beauty and hospitality, connect…
As of January 2017, Federal Airlines will operate four weekly flights between Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) and the Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal. Nik Lloyd-Roberts, Commercial Manager at Federal Airlines, points out that the new service will open up both the Kruger area and the Phinda reserve and its surrounds. He adds…
As of 21st July, any visitor needing a visa to enter Uganda is required to apply through the online application system (https://visas.immigration.go.ug) prior to arrival. The applicant must upload clear copies of current passport, yellow fever certificate and a passport photo. On completion of the online application, travellers will receive a bar-coded e-mail notification to…
Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape has undergone soft refurbishments of two of its 5 star lodges – Riverdene Family Lodge and Sarili Lodge. Riverdene Family Lodge and Sarili Lodge have seen soft refurbishments, to improve on the existing luxury five star standards, by Grahamstown based Interior decorator, Tracy Mills Interiors. Interior refurbishments have…
Kiki Paris is pleased to announce the launch of the Wanderlust Portfolio, a full service, creative marketing and representation firm. Multi generation owned and managed Takims Holidays in Tanzania and Dinknesh Ethiopia Tours are the Wanderlust Portfolio’s first Africa suppliers. The Takim family opened the first travel agency in Zanzibar in 1950 and was licensed…
On Sunday night as the country was celebrating the July 4th weekend, Ethiopian Airlines touched down at Newark International Airport marking the beginning of new direct service from EWR to ADD via Lome, Togo. The event was attended by over 300 Ethiopian stakeholders including the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr Tweolde GebreMariam and Ambassadors from…
Introducing the Trails of Botswana: a discovery of Botswana’s sought after safari destinations, both well travelled and unexplored. Sun Destinations combines world renowned national parks, game reserves, and exclusive private concessions in these expertly tailored itineraries linking the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Linyanti, and Savuti regions of Chobe National Park. Participating safari camps range…
If you’re in the business of selling travel, one of the most important things to know is to whom you are selling it. What makes up the American travellers – who they are, where they want to go – is constantly shifting. While it’s impossible to know everything about travellers, we can look to MMGYs…
White Pearl Resorts, a luxury five-star resort in Mozambique, remembers Mandela; his legacy; his love for children and the importance he placed on our youth’s education. Mandela Day was launched in 2009 in recognition of Nelson Mandela’s birthday on 18th July. It’s more than a commemoration of Madiba’s life and legacy, it’s a call to…
The Boma – Place of Eating, on the premises of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge Resort in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, has been re-branded as The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show. The Boma’s food offering is being fine-tuned under the guidance of South African chef, Arnold Tanzer, as part of a refreshment exercise to enhance…
In another remarkable development, Ethiopian Airlines has broken a Guinness World Record for making the largest ever human image of an Airplane on June 29, 2016. The event was part of Africa’s first Airbus A350 XWB delivery and 350 Ethiopian Employees have gathered at Ethiopian Maintenance hangar to create an image of the actual A350…
Blood Lions says it is proud to be able to launch the “Born to Live Wild” pledge, which has become a central part of what the overall campaign is trying to achieve. It announced that as a follow on from the initial pledge ‘document’, a new page has been added to the website, where an…
Property worth millions of shillings was destroyed after a deadly fire razed the popular Neptune Hotel in Diani beach, Kwale County on Tuesday, June 28. More than fifty tourists had to be evacuated as the fire spread. Fire fighters from the Mombasa County fire department and Kenya Navy were called in to try and contain…
ARUSHA, Tanzania – The Tanzanian finance and planning minister, Dr. Philip Mpango has defended the proposal to introduce Value Added Tax (VAT) on tourism services. Presenting the Tanzania 2016/17 budget proposals in Parliament two weeks ago, Dr. Mpango said the government would impose VAT on tourism services, such as park fees, ground transport services,…
The Responsible Tourist: How to find, book and get the most from your holiday, by Anna Spenceley & Andrew Rylance “Two important factors are influencing how we travel. Firstly, we are becoming increasingly aware of how our over-consumption is impacting on the environment. Secondly, the working environment is becoming even more demanding. Working hours increase…
Cheli & Peacock Safaris is operated by Stefano Cheli and Liz Peacock. Ever since the company was started in 1985, Liz and Stefano have been running it hands-on. As a fun dynamic team that has worked together for many years, they are passionate about what they do. Some senior officers in the company have been…
&Beyond’s image gallery has been updated to include the latest photographs of &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp’s new suites and a few new images of &Beyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp. Both camps underwent extensive refurbishments, including: &Beyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp Nine tents were completely rebuilt and refurbished to offer a revised room layout with…
The European Commission has updated the EU Air Safety list and Zambia has been removed from the so-called “banned” list”. This is a very positive step for the country’s aviation and tourism industry.Read More
Hi, I would like to share with you: ‘R10 million boost for Robben Island’, The Interim CEO for Robben Island Museum, Mava Dada, has welcomed a destination development grant of R10m (€597 000) for the island from the National Department of Tourism (NDT). Please follow the link below to read more:Click here: http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/110748/R10-million-boost-for-Robben-Island?utm_source=Now%20Media%20Newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TU%20Daily%20Mail&utm_term=http:%2F%2Fwww.tourismupdate.co.za%2F%2Farticle%2F110748%2FR10-million-boost-for-Robben-Island Regards,Yvette
Local and foreign investors are atttending a two-day conference in Durban, to discuss a proposed Drakensberg cable-car project. The proposal has been promoted as a no-brainer and game-changer for tourism and the communities living near the Maloti-Drakensberg Park UNESCO World Heritage site in KwaZulu-Natal. IndependentOnline reported that some potential investors are keen to back the project at the Drakensberg Cable Car…
We are excited to announce that Azura is launching a new villa type: The Royal Beach Villas. At 172 square metres they are the largest and most lavish of our villas, and are packed with features, including a 10m infinity pool and adjoining Jacuzzi that spans the entire front deck, a separate lounge area with…
Air Namibia will indefinitely suspend flights to Maun (Botswana) from Windhoek on October 30 as part of its ‘flight schedule rationalization’. Flights on the Windhoek-Victoria Falls route will continue to operate as normal. In a statement, the airline said affected passengers would be accommodated on alternative flights or refunded. All affected passengers are advised to…
A new mobile app has taken off for the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) that can be installed on smartphones and tablets. The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) has launched its new mobile application, MyMauritius, on Monday, June 20, in the presence of Kevin Ramkeloan, the Directeur the Tourist office of Mauritius; Ashvin Sawmynaden, e-marketer…
Park rangers and warders will no longer have to worry about the hustle involved with monitoring of fauna in Akagera National Park, thanks to a drone whose design is nearly complete in the United States. The drone is being developed by Alger-Meyer and Nathan Lepore, both aged 18. The two teens, who are based in…
The New Frontiers team has been out and about, exploring Mashatu and the Tuli Block in Botswana.Thanks to the Tented Camp (ages 12+) and Lodge, everyone – from hard-core adventurers to families – can be catered for in this private reserve. Twice-daily game drives are offered (max 6 pax/vehicle), as well as more active pursuits, such…
Fair Trade Tourism’s expanding footprint in southern Africa has been given a boost with the signing of a ground-breaking mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with Botswana Tourism Organisation’s Ecotourism Certification System. Under the terms of the MRA, Fair Trade Tourism’s approved travel trade partners and tour operators can now incorporate the BTO’s Ecotourism certified businesses in…
Tsogo Sun recently invested in the refurbishment and renewal of the Sabi River Sun hotel in Hazyview, Mpumalanga. It is the perfect destination for visitors seeking an exceptional wildlife experience in the warm heart of Mpumalanga province. No corner of the property was left untouched. All bedrooms, public areas and restaurant spaces were refurbished and renewed,…
The board of fastjet has appointed Nico Bezuidenhout as chief executive of the company. Bezuidenhout will join the board as an executive director on August 1st, 2016. He will be joining fastjet from Mango Airlines, the low-cost carrier subsidiary of South African Airways, where he has been chief executive since Mango commenced operations ten years…
Complimentary access into the Maasai Mara National Reserve: We are delighted to advise with immediate effect, that guests staying at Mahali Mzuri during High Season will receive one complimentary access pass per adult to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, when staying for 3 nights or more. The offer applies to to all new bookings, plus…
Ethiopian Airlines is introducing an exciting new programme, which will offer passengers the option to bid for upgrades from Economy Class to CloudNine (Business class). Using “CloudNine Upgrade”, customers who have a valid Ethiopian Economy class ticket, can make individual bids for upgrades to Business Class. Passengers who win the bid, will be able to…
The senior communications manager at the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN), Jerome Mutumba, has been seconded to the Zambezi Waterfront and Tourism Park (ZWFTP) in Katima Mulilo to assist the board in formulating, designing and implementing a new business model to help sustain the state-owned tourism enterprise. Mutumba’s secondment was approved by the DBN board…
Cheli & Peacock Safaris invites you to join Virginia McKenna and Will Travers on a unique, all-inclusive safari. Hear their stories of filming ‘Born Free’ and meeting Joy and George Adamson, see wonderful wildlife and meet experts. Visit projects, meet the Born Free lion-proof boma and de-snaring teams, enjoy Elsa’s Kopje in Meru, Tortilis Camp…
The Test Kitchen has been named number 22 in the world and the best restaurant in Africa for the 2016 edition of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by Acqua Panna and S.Pellgrino. It is the only African restaurant to make the top 50, with the next local darling, La Colombe, coming in at number…
Protea Hotels today announced the signing of agreements for the development of its first hotel in Botswana, the ninth country in Africa in which the brand will have a presence. First established in South Africa, Protea Hotels has expanded over recent years into Zambia, Nigeria, Namibia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania and Ghana. “This latest development reflects…
By Doug Newhouse | TR Business Tourvest Inflight Retail Services has won a management contract in a competitive tender to operate the in-flight duty-free programme and provide technical expertise to Ethiopian Airlines – the fastest-growing and most profitable airline in Africa. Commenting on the new appointment, Mr Tewolde Gebremariam, Ethiopian Group CEO, said that in…
Tourism players have expressed concerns that government plans to impose Value Added Tax on tourism services will handicap the growth of the sector which currently leads in foreign exchange earnings. TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators) Executive Secretary, Sirili Akko, stressed TATO’S concern about the cross-cutting negative consequences of the tax measures on the tourism…
Following the release of the documentary, Blood Lions, Singita is among the African-based tourism leaders who have joined the campaign against predator breeding and a host of other exploitative wildlife activities. The award-winning film, which follows long-time wildlife campaigner Ian Michler, has placed a much-needed spotlight on the atrocities behind the captive-bred lion industry in…
We are delighted to announce that Likweti Lodge has chosen Extraordinary as its sales, marketing and reservations solution. Extraordinary – A collection of luxury hotels and lodges in Southern Africa, is responsible for all aspects of this unique four-star lodge. Located a mere 15 minutes’ drive from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), just 12 minutes…