There has never been a more exciting time to be an African than now, as the continent collectively wakes up to the potential that exists within Africa and rises to overcome the challenges it faces. A number of indicators point to massive growth potential for the tourism industry in Africa. Here are a few reasons…
May 31 2016Fair Trade Tourism has finalised an extensive review of criteria for tourism businesses with volunteer offerings, which are effective from June 1 2016. Since the organisation’s initial review of its standard to include additional criteria on volunteering in 2009 there has been a significant upsurge in both the supply and demand for volunteer…
Lewa Downs – Few thought it would work. Even the experts gave it no chance. But 24 hours after the road underpass opened, the bull elephant slowly stepped through and re-established safe passage on an ancient trail. Reaching high into the clouds, Mount Kenya is a waypoint on the elephant’s inbuilt GPS. For centuries, herds in this…
“Because of our careers in photography, many guests and travellers to our camps expect something photographic, a cut above others. At Zarafa, Zarafa Dhow, Duba, Mara Plains and ol Donyo Lodge each tent or room has its own professional level camera kit for our guests to use. Often, very keen photographers want to learn more,…
Just in time for the summer travel season, South African Airways (SAA), the national flag-carrier of South Africa and Africa’s most awarded airline, announces the “Sizzling Summer Sale” with our lowest fares of the season for travel from New York and Washington, DC to Johannesburg. Sale fares start at $1,199.00 * (restrictions apply) round-trip from…
Tad Bradley is excited to announce two new additions to the Kusini Collection team: Sonya Bradley, who joins Kusini as Business Development Manager, spent 13 years at Country Walkers, where she managed the Latin America product and then launched the highly successful CW Safaris division. Her product knowledge in both regions will be a huge asset…
An emergency committee recently convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) called the outbreak “a serious public health event,” but not a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC), because the spread of the disease has slowed and vaccine supplies are recovering. In Botswana, a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is only required for travellers coming…
There’s only one event in Uganda where you have the chance to run and bike alongside zebras, impalas, topi and warthogs. The Mihingo Charity Run and Mountain Bike Race is an annual event that brings together athletes and bikers for an exciting weekend at Lake Mburo National Park. This year’s event will take place on…
THE Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has announced a special drive to curb poaching, ensure extensive tourism promotion and marketing and enable advanced forestry conservation.These are among major highlights of the 135.8bn/- budget estimates for the 2016/2017 fiscal year — an increase of 43 per cent from the previous year — unveiled by the…
Having ventured into a strategic partnership with Sun International in August 2014 to own 50% of the Royal Livingstone hotel, Minor Hotels has now acquired 100% ownership and will also be taking over full operation of the hotel. As part of the acquisition, Minor is rebranding the Royal Livingstone by adding the hotel to its…
Last week, President Yoweri Museveni handed over marketing contracts to the Performance Horizon Group (PHG) of North America, Kamageo of UK and KPRN of Germany. These firms were hired to represent Uganda in their respective travel markets at a total cost of $1.5m per annum. Kamageo, KPRN and PHG will also provide training to the…
With its 43 rooms, a bar, restaurant, gym, sauna bath, meeting hall and a laundry service, Zebidar International Hotel has created job opportunities for more than 80 citizens. .Built with a capital of 55 million birr in Burayu Town, on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, Zebidar International Hotel was inaugurated on Saturday (May 21).At the…
Seychelles and South African tourism boards sign MoU for better cooperation Better cooperation and exchanges are expected in the field of tourism between Seychelles and South Africa after the two countries’ respective tourism boards signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the INDABA trade fair last week in Durban. The MOU was signed on behalf…
Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, located in the exclusive Mombo concession of the Moremi Game Reserve, will re-open on 1 June 2016, after an extensive re-design and rebuild. “Luxury, Naturally’ is reflected in the interiors through the use of natural materials, textures and neutral, earthy tones. This contemporary, yet simple design blends naturally into the surroundings, complementing, rather…
Myths about who luxury travellers are, can affect travel agents’ success in selling to these clients. “It’s the fashion in all industries to categorize. As humans, it’s what we do best,” says R.D. Gavel of Travel Repertoire, a Travel Experts agency in Harvard, Mass. “Everyone seems to love statistics, probabilities, percentages and pie charts. The…
Zainab Ansell’s ZARA Tanzania Adventures has now reached 30 Years of providing high quality services in tourism sector in Tanzania by organizing wild park safaris all over Tanzania mainland and Kenya and Zanzibar as well as organizing Mt. Kilimanjaro and Meru expeditions. Sheer determination made Mrs. Ansell , a successful businesswoman and she has an…
The 2017 brochure showcases a newly-designed nine-day “Zimbabwe Highlights” tour, which takes guests on a discovery of the country’s highlights, combining places of natural beauty, such as Lake Kariba, the Eastern Highlands and Hwange National Park, with places of historical significance, namely the Great Zimbabwe Ruins and Matobo National Park. The Botswana offering has also…
Cape Town – Another major milestone for St Helena was achieved when Air Safety Support International (ASSI) issued an Aerodrome Certificate to the island’s first-ever airport on Tuesday afternoon, 10 May. This follows a final inspection of the Airport by an ASSI team last month, after the first large passenger jet touched down on the island. …
2016-05-13 12:30 – Louzel Lombard Cape Town – The extensive set of planned upgrades for the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park is finally expected to start at the Storms River Rest Camp within the next two weeks. In August last year, GRNP announced that upgrades to the value of more than R17 million were…
(CNN) There’s the Paris Ritz, the New York Astoria, London’s Savoy — and then there’s Hargeisa’s Oriental. Admittedlh, this $15-a-night hotel, without an air-con unit in sight, on the Horn of Africa, in the heart of Somaliland’s rambunctious capital, might not be in the same luxury league as its big city rivals. However, stuck resolutely…
Jenman African Safaris’ first tour in a series of many, has been certified by Fair Trade Tourism. As tourists become more eco-conscious,travel companies and tour operators are starting to change their game plan. The company philosophy at our Cape Town headquarters is about making a difference through the small things we do. We have a…
When Robin and Jo Pope first embarked on the adventure of opening their own safari lodges, they could not have had any idea of what was to come. What started as a couple of lodges in Zambia, quickly developed into what is now one of the best wilderness experiences in the South Luangwa. 30 years…
The KAI Collection’s Dulini Private Game Reserve is proud to announce the growth of its portfolio of private, luxury lodges in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. The exceptional safari experience offered by Dulini is to be extended by the inclusion of two spectacular lodges: Leadwood and River Lodge. Originally managed by &Beyond as Exeter Leadwood…
The APTA National Forum will now take place on September 23 & 24 at Lago Mar Resort & Club in a Ft Lauderdale, Florida. More Details will be available shortly, but please SAVE THE NEW DATE! Since our last “beach” meeting on Catalina Island in 2013, we’ve taken an urban turn in Chicago’s Oak Park…
Newmark hotels, reserves and lodges is embarking on an aggressive growth plan on the African continent. A key strategic intervention for the group’s expansion is the establishment of Newmark’s first office outside South Africa in Lusaka and the creation of the Kaufela Collection in Zambia. Kaufela, which means ‘together’ in Lozi, brings together lodges of…
Wonderfully comfortable and exclusive, Kirurumu Serengeti North Camp will again be located at the Kogatende area of the Northern Serengeti National Park, Tanzania – the place-to-be for the Wildebeest migration river crossings at the Mara River between July and October. This luxury mobile camp is moved seasonally to take best advantage of the vast Serengeti.…
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 12, 2016) – South African Airways Vacations® (SAA Vacations®) has launched a new safari vacation package for travellers to explore the scenic beauty of Kenya’s national parks and experience Africa’s exciting wildlife – a life-changing opportunity. The 7-night “Discover Kilimanjaro & the Masai Mara” package is a scheduled safari, starting at…
Air Mauritius has added two new destinations from Mauritius (MRU) to its African network. On 4 May, the carrier began weekly (Wednesday) flights on the 2,633-kilometre route to Maputo (MPM) in Mozambique. The return flight operates via Durban. Two days later, on 6 May, it began weekly (Friday) flights on the 2,494-kilometre route to Dar…
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge is Uganda’s Leading Safari Lodge 2016. This was confirmed at this year’s Africa and Indian Ocean World Travel Awards 2016 gala held on 9th-April 2016 at the 5* Diamond La Gemma dell’ Est resort in Zanzibar. The colourful event dubbed’ the travel Oscars’ night brought together hundreds of industry leaders and…
Cape Town – New hospitality data grading to raise the benchmark of SA’s tourism offering In the online age, which brings with it accommodation bookings made on the fly via various devices, employing the likes of geo-location and all manner of trends, quality assurance becomes vital. As a direct result, the The Tourism Grading Council…
The Table Mountain Cableway will be closed for annual maintenance from 25 July 2016 to 7 August 2016, weather permitting. As of 3 May 2016, Table Mountain Café will only be open from 10.30am to 4pm. Breakfast will, therefore, no longer be served at 11.30am and only lunches and light meals are available for the remainder…
According to Ultimate Concepts Limited (UCL), who own the project, the multi-million Kigali Convention centre in Rwanda’s capital is set to be opened officially in June this year. Furthermore, the Kigali Convention Centre, which is expected to become the hub of numerous services in the East African Community, will host the 27th African Union Summit…
Don’t Miss the 2017 Travel & Adventure Shows! How can two days make a difference? When you are meeting face-to-face with thousands of travel enthusiasts, you can deliver a personalized message directly to your target demographic group. Influencing over $2.5 Billion in bookings since 2004, the Travel & Adventure Show Series has established itself as the…
Exeter River Lodge and Leadwood Lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which have been managed by &Beyond for a number of years, have been sold by their current owner. Consequently, &Beyond will conclude its management responsibilities for both lodges on 31 August, 2016. Thereafter, these lodges will be managed by the lodge operators currently…
Last week saw the launch of the brand new Land & Life Foundation, the new charitable face of Elewana and Cheli & Peacock Safaris. Building on the work of the former Cheli & Peacock Trust, Land & Life Foundation will continue to work with communities and conservation projects in the areas surrounding Elewana’s properties. Please visit…
Joburg offers world-class experiences at astonishing value. The Four Seasons’ interactive website, as well the assistance of our concierge team, will enable you to unlock Joburg’s “Big Five”, witnessing a vibrant urban revival first-hand: 1. Arts & Culture: Immerse yourself in the many galleries, or in the creative inner-city hub of Maboneng, then see the…
As of 01 June 2016, Uganda’s e-Visa applications will come into effect. A barcoded email notification (sent after the appropriate documentation has been completed online) will be required upon entry, where a Visa sticker will then be printed (including a scanned picture) and inserted into the guests’ passport. Guests requiring a Visa extension must apply…
Sun Destinations, in association with Wildside Africa, is pleased to announce that we have opened two new camps in Botswana: Tuskers Bush Camp is an 8-bed classic safari camp that lies on a 365 000 ha private concession, between Nxai Pan National Park in the east and Moremi Game Reserve in the west. Xobega Island…
This year, KARIBU Travel Market Tanzania, presented by the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators, will be held at the Magereza grounds, opposite the International school of moshi Arusha campus. It is a superb, secure, new and more convenient venue in a natural setting with ideally-designed layout and new exhibition tents. Read More:
Eco tourism and carbon-neutral are all buzzwords we’ve grown accustomed to. No, they’re not sexy – not in the least. But then again, neither is wiping out an entire species or coming to terms with the idea that our consumerist nature has some unforgiving consequences. More and more, however, we’ve seen the collective social…
The Saile Airstrip, which is the access point to Linyanti Camps, is back in operation after some work on it. Guests will now be able to fly direct to Linyanti for Saile Tented Camp, Camp Linyanti, Linyanti Ebony & Linyanti Bush Camp. However, in the event of wet & rainy conditions, guests may still need…
Trackers and park rangers from Rwanda, Uganda and DR Congo have started using the Global Positioning System (GPS) for the gorilla census exercise in the Virunga Volcanoes Region. Enumerators followed a gorilla trail through Rwanda’s thick towering bamboos of Volcanoes National Park until they located the nest site, from where they carried out a scientific…
It is with mixed feelings that we report that the HESC accepted another two baby orphaned rhinos over the last month. The first newcomer, a young rhino bull, arrived on Wednesday the 13th of April 2016 at the centre. The approximately 2 weeks old tiny baby had been discovered by a field guide on one…