More flights to Cape Town

Emirates Airlines has announced a third daily flight between Cape Town and Dubai from 04 July. The new flight will be operated on a three-class 777-300ER aircraft and will leave Dubai at 10:50 am and arrive in Cape Town at 6:30 pm (local times). Return flights will depart from Cape Town at 8:05 p.m. and…

East Africa Yellow Fever Vaccine Update

  Uganda & Rwanda have advised that a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is now mandatory for all visitors.  Kenya & Tanzania have advised that passengers arriving from the countries listed below are required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate: Angola Argentina Benin Bolivia Brazil Burkina Faso Burundi Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Colombia Cote d’Voire Democratic Republic…

Four More Cubs Spotted in Mutumba Hills

The lions in Akagera keep growing in numbers, making the conservation one of the most successful in history. Four newest cubs were seen in the Mutumba Hills by a film crew documenting the return of lions to Akagera. This comes nine months after seven lions from South Africa – five females and two males –…

FAIR TRADE TOURISM LAUNCHES NEW APP MAGAZINE

June 1st saw the launch of the new Fair Trade Tourism app magazine for tablets on both the Apple App store and Google Play store. The app has been designed to bring discerning travelers and the travel trade stories, information and ideas from the Fair Trade Tourism portfolio of sustainable tourism products across Africa. “The…

New – Kirurumu Ngorongoro Pakulala Camp

We have pleasure in introducing you to Kirurumu Ngorongoro Pakulala Camp, the only tented camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater and with incredible views. Kirurumu Ngorongoro Pakulala is open now and indeed all year long and has ten comfortable and stylish ensuite tents, with traditional safari showers and flush loos. For further images…

Northstar Travel Group acquired by Wasserstein

SECAUCUS, NJ USA — Wasserstein Partners acquired Northstar Travel Group, the leading provider of business-to-business information, content, events, data, research, custom content and software dedicated to the global travel and meeting industries, from the Wicks Group of Companies. Wasserstein Partners IV’s co-investors in this venture are Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund Board, John Hancock, and Storebrand…

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Adventure and Rejuvenation Package

With this special package, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti provides the perfect balance of adventure and rejuvenation. Revitalize your mind, body and spirit with mornings of safari adventures in the wilderness and afternoons of relaxation and recuperation at our Spa and Wellness Retreat. This all-inclusive four-day program includes three signature wellness experiences along with unforgettable…

Scott Dunn in US expansion

Luxury UK operator Scott Dunn has set up a new business in the US, after taking over California-based Aardvark Safaris. The company, based in San Diego, will be run by Aardvark’s president, John Spence, who will become Scott Dunn USA president. Spence will report directly to Scott Dunn chief executive, Simon Russell, who commented: “John…

Hilton seeks SA expansion

Johannesburg – Hilton Worldwide, one of the world’s top hotel groups, is negotiating with potential partners to build three to five new hotels in major cities in South Africa, underscoring its confidence in the local tourism sector. Jan van der Putten, vice-president for Hilton Worldwide in Africa, told journalists about the group’s expansion plans on…

Is Africa losing its authenticity?

By Dorine Reinstein / Travel Weekly / May 26, 2016 Africa has been placing so much focus on luxury that it might be at risk of losing its uniqueness. So said a panel of U.S. tour operators, wholesalers and travel agency owners who were invited to a workshop in South Africa hosted by the Southern…

Secrets of Serengeti – An exclusive 17-day special exploration of Northern Tanzania

INCA International Nature and Cultural Adventures, as part of their 40th Anniversary celebration, will be taking 8 guests on a very special 17-day exploration of Northern Tanzania. The multi-faceted itinerary will include a classic wildlife safari, an in-depth cultural encounter with the Hadzabe, Africa’s last hunter-gatherer tribe, the Maasai, and a four day walking safari…

SAA – Sizzling Summer Sale

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…

New Faces at The Kusini Collection

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…

Yellow fever update: Threat is ‘serious’ but not an ’emergency,’ WHO

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…

Running wild in Mihingo

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…

Minor Hotel Group acquires Royal Livingstone

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…

Uganda Hires U.S Firm to Promote Tourism

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…

Zebidar International Hotel Inaugurated

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…

Sanctuary Chief’s Camp Re-opening 1 June 2016

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…

Top Myths About The Luxury Traveller

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…

Zara Tours celebrates 30 years

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…

St Helena Airport one step closer to operating

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. …

APTA Forum goes Back to the Beach…

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 announces expansion into Africa

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…

SAA VACATIONS® PROMOTES KENYA TOURISM

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 adds two new African destinations

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…

New grading for SA’s tourism offering

 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…

Table Mountain Annual Maintenance

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…