National Geographic Traveler magazine revealed this week the 2018 Best of the World, its annual list of the 21 must-see destinations to visit in the year ahead. Traveler editors selected their top picks for places in three key categories- Cities, Culture, and Nature. Number one on the list: Harar, Ethiopia. Calling it the “most surprising…
How can architecture become a mechanism for experiencing the adventure, magic and romance of a safari? You decide. In collaboration with Eleven Magazine, a heralded architecture, design and creative-lifestyle magazine, African Bush Camps is running a ‘Design a Safari Camp’ Competition. African Bush Camps has partnered with Eleven Magazine for their eighth international architecture &…
Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters has been crowned Miss Universe 2017. Nel-Peters was honored on-stage along with first runner-up Miss Colombia Laura González and second runner-up Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett Sunday night in Las Vegas. Nel-Peters, 22, recently earned her degree in business management at North-West University. During a pre-taped interview, the Western Cape native…
EcoTraining (ecotraining.co.za) instructor Andreas Fox recently shared his memories of a group from China that took part in the Masai Mara EcoQuest Course in Kenya. Transported to Africa by Ye-Travel, the group of seven were lucky enough to see lions on every game drive for three consecutive days. They also sighted a leopard and its…
Airlink and Safair, two independent South African aviation groups, will tomorrow (Tuesday 28 November 2017) apply to South Africa’s Competition Commission for approval to unite under the common umbrella of the Airlink group of companies. The proposal sees the Airlink and low-cost FlySafair airlines and Safair’s other businesses, including humanitarian aid flights, continuing to operate…
Robert Mugabe resigned as Zimbabwe’s President after 37 years of autocratic rule on Tuesday, finally succumbing to the pressure of a military takeover and the humiliation of impeachment. The announcement came minutes into a joint session of the Zimbabwean Parliament in Harare, convened to prise the 93-year-old from power. As the Speaker read out a…
Africa’s largest airline group, Ethiopian Airlines, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded SKYTRAX 4-Star certification at a special ceremony held in London on November 8, 2017. SKYTRAX, the most prestigious international air transport standards and quality rating organization, operates certified airline rating, a global airline standards ranking program. Ratings are determined through…
Ethiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group and SKYTRAX certified 4-Star Airline, is pleased to announce that it has won Airline of the Year Award, for the 6th consecutive year in a row, by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) during its 49th Annual General Assembly held on November 13, 2017, in Kigali. The AFRAA annual awards…
The United States Tour Operator Association (USTOA) announces the 2018 Associate Member Advisory Committee to be chaired by USTOA Board Member, Scott Wiseman, President of Travel Impressions. The committee includes APTA members David DiGregorio and David Kartagener. The 2018 Committee will consist of the following individuals: Airlines Nick Panza, Air Tahiti Nui Steve…
Adventure Consults – adventureconsults.com realizes that most (if not all) travelers don’t enjoy spending lots of time in motor vehicles or motorized boats. As a result, we’ve decided to introduce cycling safaris as a way to complement the safari experience for those traveling with us in Uganda. Bike safaris are certainly not new. It’s how…
With our properties in some of the most biodiverse areas on the continent, Elewana Collection embraces the responsibility of protecting the wildlife in the surrounding habitats. Elewana Tarangire Treetops is located in a private Wildlife Management Area (WMA) called Randilen. We are one of the largest contributors to the conservation projects of Randilen WMA, administered…
Olkiombo Airstrip, in the centre of the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, will close for part of the day for the next two weeks for repairs and maintenance work. The closures will be from 05h30 to 10h00 and from 16h00 to 19h30 daily, from Wednesday, November 22 until the first week of December, Air Kenya…
The Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) has appointed Nomasonto Ndlovu as CEO. LTA has been operating without a CEO since the departure of Ndumiso Matlala in April. Ndlovu’s role and functions will be central in assisting the Board to fulfil its mandate of marketing the province as a destination of choice. Ndlovu has gained experience from…
On Harare’s streets, many expressed amazement and delight Wednesday that President Robert Mugabe’s long reign may be coming to a close, but people also admitted the future looked unstable. Mugabe, 93, has ruled Zimbabwe since 1980 — longer than many can remember — and the sudden move against him by the military left some hoping…
Zimbabwe’s army seized control of the country on Tuesday night, claiming it was removing “criminals” around Robert Mugabe. An army spokesman said on Wednesday that the army is holding Mugabe for his own safety. There is no official word from the Mugabe family as to their whereabouts.
In June 2018 Sanctuary Olonana will relaunch as an exceptional luxury lodge with an impressive showcase of modern design blended with distinct traditional African finishes, and is the latest to be announced in Sanctuary Retreats’ extensive investment programme.Sanctuary Olonana is set in lush woodland on the banks of the Mara River in the Masai Mara,…
The Trump administration plans to allow hunters to import trophies of elephants they killed in Zimbabwe and Zambia back to the United States, reversing a ban put in place by the Obama administration in 2014, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service official confirmed to ABC News today. Even though elephants are listed as endangered under…
Given the fact that much of East Africa’s wild animals actually lives outside the protection of national parks on private or community lands, Cheli & Peacock: chelipeacock.com shares the belief with other eco experts that local residents must be able to see, understand and directly benefit from wildlife tourism in order to create a strong…
Stellenbosch was highlighted as an international tourism destination at the recent Annual General Meeting held by Stellenbosch Publicity and Marketing (SPM), the entity responsible for administering the Stellenbosch Tourism levy. SPM reported that, during the past fiscal year, more than R700 000 (€42 700) was made available for the tourism activities of Stellenbosch 360, as…
Africa’s largest airline group, Ethiopian Airlines, is pleased to announce that it has finalized preparations to start five weekly flights to Buenos Aires, Argentina, as of March 8, 2018.Buenos Aires is the world’s capital of Tango, home of centurion old buildings and a vibrant cultural scene. Argentina is one of the largest economies in Latin…
Jenman African Safaris has taken the steps to reduce water bottle usage on their tours through Madagascar as part of their responsible tourism policy. Unfortunately, bottled water is unavoidable in Madagascar as the local water is not safe to drink. Heat is another factor, with Madagascar’s hot climate and high temperatures it’s important for travellers…
In December 2017 Sanctuary Retreats will launch the exclusive new Sanctuary Kichakani Serengeti Camp in Tanzania. This extraordinary new escape, based in three set locations across the Serengeti, invites guests to intimately experience the movement of a million-plus wildebeest and zebra as they follow the fresh grasses across the Serengeti plains during the annual migration…
In April 2018, this boutique riverside retreat will reopen with an enlightened take on sophisticated safari life. Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma is in the heart of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, and all 12 treehouses set amid jackalberry trees have been restyled, and to maximise the magic of staying right here at the edge of a…
In April 2018, Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp will be reborn with 10 brand new luxury canvas tents. Here on this 260,000-acre private concession in the renowned Okavango Delta, the distinguished accommodation has been crafted with sustainability in mind to evoke the days of explorer Henry Stanley, whom the camp is named after. The classic-style tents have…
Elewana is always trying to raise the bar on African romance. And it’s not only travelers who notice. Travel & Style magazine recently tabbed Loisaba Star Beds one of “12 Most Romantic Star Beds in Africa.” Part of the Elewana Collection: elewanacollection.com/loisaba-star-beds-laikipia/at-a-glance Loisaba’s Star Beds in north-central Kenya offer guests the rare treat of sleeping…
Expecting the youth of today to be custodians of our natural heritage tomorrow entails connecting them with nature and showing how much there is to protect and love. This was the thinking behind a recent Safari Guide Training program for community members in South Africa. Organized by EcoTraining: ecotraing.co.za and the Good Work Foundation (GWF):…
Camp Jabulani, located within the Kapama Private Game Reserve in Hoedspruit in the greater Kruger area, has played an important role in the preservation of the rhinoceros population. The Kapama Private Game Reserve has been in the Roode family since 1952 and has continued to evolve over the years. From humble beginnings as a degraded…
This April, Thanda Island, the exclusive Indian Ocean hideaway located off the Southern coast of Tanzania, welcomed a female Green Turtle ashore, who laid her eggs on the beach between the boathouse and the helipad. In early June, the staff witnessed the final two hatchings make their way back to the water, for a total…
The New York Travel Show will be held on 26 January 2018 – 28 January 2018 at the Javits Convention Centre in New York. This is the largest travel-trade show of its kind in the US, and the largest consumer travel show in the country, attracting more than 20,000 consumer attendees over 3 days. More…
MSC Cruises Immigration Officer on board MSC Sinfonia has advised that with immediate effect, all non-Southern African Development Community passport holders require a Mozambican visa. The visa must be obtained prior to departure, should guests want to disembark at any Mozambique port, including Portuguese Island, Pomene, Maputo, and Ilha de Mozambique. Immigration services will no…
Airlink has added a second direct flight to its Cape Town – Nelspruit KMIA routing. The additional flights operate every day of the week except Saturday. Flight SA8665 and SA8668 are operated on a 36-seater Embraer RJ135. SA8665 departs Cape Town at 15h00 and arrives at Nelspruit KMIA at 17h15. SA8668 departs KMIA at 17h35…
Intense, alien, and relatively unscarred by tourism – Djibouti’s a worthy addition to your travel plans, says Georgina Wilson-Powell I say Djibouti. You say – bless you? A tiny east African nation, Djibouti is one of Lonely Planet’s top places to visit in 2018. Never heard of it? Don’t worry, they’re used to it here.…
It’s one of those nights where the travel and tourism role players in South Africa come together to celebrate the best of the best in the industry. The black tie gala dinner for the national Lilizela Tourism Awards 2017 was held at the Sandton Convention Centre last night. KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga were among the provinces…
Uganda Lodges Ltd is currently constructing their newest lodge in Uganda, Elephant Plains, within Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. The lodge is set beside the existing Simba Safari Camp and nestled atop a hill overlooking Lake Kikorongo. The site will feature panoramic views across the park’s extensive savannah plains teeming with wildlife as well as…