We have learned that one of the most special ways to experience a safari is with the family, but often the accommodations at lodges don’t suitably cater to this unique market sector. As parents, we understand that children seldom fit into schedule, and that each of their personalities and needs are unique. We are pleased…
It’s here! Announcing the launch of our newly redesigned website.We’ve launched our new website and we’re excited to introduce you to our new look. We’re really proud of the new Inyati Game Lodge, Sabi Sand’s website and feel it will create the experience you’re looking for when you pay us a visit. To experience the…
Great Lakes Safaris of Uganda will be hosting two FAM trips for tour operators and travel agents this coming November 2017 and May 2018. Qualified tour operators and agents with an interest in selling Uganda/Rwanda should contact David DiGregorio at CornerSun Destination Marketing for more information. dave@cornersun.com. Great Lakes Safaris is the most established DMC…
After a ten-year absence, Eastern black Rhinos have been translocated to the Akagera National park in Rwanda from South Africa. In the last 70’s more than 50 Eastern black rhinos thrived in the Akagera national park but severely declined due to wide spread poaching of the rhinos for their horns that are believed to be…
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has hired CornerSun Destination Marketing to recruit Hosted Buyers for the upcoming Sanganai 2017, which is Zimbabwe’s premier international B2B expo slotted for September 27-1 October in Bulawayo. Sanganai/Hlanganani – World Tourism Expo is an annual Tourism Trade Fair organized by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. It showcases the widest variety of…
Here are five simple things your adventure travel company can do today to help increase awareness about and ultimately stop wildlife trafficking: Read More
Guests traveling in the 2018 season on Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris’ 14-Day Guided South Africa Odyssey Tour now have the option to enhance their tour with the newly introduced Franschhoek Winelands Option. This supplement to the popular SA Odyssey Tour includes a wine tasting, a guided Franschhoek village tour and a tour of the…
At Azura Selous, families enjoy authentic African safaris, with no other cars in sight during game drives and children stay for free (max 2, ages 6 – 16, sharing with parents). Children from 6 years and older are welcome at Azura Selous. Offer valid 1 June 2017 – 31 March 2018, 1 June 2018 –…
Wine worth travelling for: South Africa’s wine tourism goes digital Thanks to the newly-launched wine tourism portal, www.visitwinelands.co.za.- the winelands tourism offering is now just a click away, welcoming wine enthusiasts from far and wide with even greater ease. The portal gives users access to everything on offer in SA’s wine tourism industry, inspiring visitors…
With 368 alleys squeezed into just one square kilometer, the old walled city of Harar in eastern Ethiopia is a colourful maze that begs exploration. Its thick, five-metre-high walls were erected in the 16th century as a defensive response to the neighbouring Christian Ethiopian Empire, but today Muslims and Christians share the city in peacRead more:
The Chobe River joins the Zambezi River where four countries meet, making up the Zambezi River basin in Southern Africa – Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana. Until quite recently, this region was referred to as Zambesia. Thanks to its proximity to the Falls (a mere 75km drive) and some of the best wildlife experiences in Africa,…
With the launch of its interactive, evolved elephant experience, Camp Jabulani, the Relais & Chateaux accredited luxury lodge near Hoedspruit in Limpopo, enters a new phase in its journey with elephants. Since 1 April 2017 elephant-back safaris have no longer been offered. Adine Roode, owner and CEO of Camp Jabulani, says, “The decision, taken already…
After a long, tough drought last year, African Bush Camps is thrilled to announce that flood waters have pushed through to the marshes in front of Linyanti Bush Camp and Linyanti Ebony. The marshes and waterways are now lush and flowing and we have reintroduced mokoro activities at Linyanti Bush Camp and Linyanti Ebony. The…
Africa’s Travel Indaba – South African Tourism’s flagship travel trade show, previously known as Indaba – will take place from 8 to 10 May 2018 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, preceded by a Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) for exhibitors on 7 May.Read more:
International visitors to Ethiopia can now obtain their visas online.The initiative, made possible by a partnership between the Ethiopian government and Ethiopian Airlines, is expected to draw more international travellers to the country.“This project is part of a new national initiative to transform the tourism sector in the country. The full commencement of the Online…
South African Airways (SAA), the national carrier of South Africa and Africa’s most awarded airline, has introduced the new Airbus A330-300 on the Washington DC-Dulles to Accra, Ghana, route. This service complements the existing Washington DC-Dulles to Dakar, Senegal, route operated by the A330-300. “We are thrilled to have our newest aircraft operating daily on…
Addressing a group of investors on 13 June, 2017, during his investment outreach tour to the United States, Herman Mashaba, Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, declared the City open for business.The lunch event, organised in collaboration with Brand South Africa and SA Tourism, was attended by a number of dignitaries representing a wide range of industries, which had expressed interest…
Tanzania’s bustling northern safari capital of Arusha boasts that it is producing its own green public oasis at Themi Living Garden, thanks to the City Council and Oikos East Africa’s partnering in the project. Oikos East Africa is an Arusha-based non-governmental organization promoting the protection of biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources as tools…
The Results Are In! APTA is pleased to announce its new executive board effective August 1st. Our existing Directors Cheryle Velsor, Valerie Sewell, David DiGregorio, Liz Crookston, Lisa Greyhill and Marion Valderrama will be joined by newly elected Directors Todd Neuman, Tracy Anderson and Kiki Paris. For the first time, we had a tie with…
Elephant’s Eye Hwange has decided there is no time to waste in combating the plight that our wildlife is facing. As of the 1st of July 2017, the conservation levy will be compulsory for all guests staying at Elephant’s Eye, Hwange. The amount is set at $10.00 per person per night. Simply put, without wildlife,…
After flooding during the heavy rains in the green season, Khwai Airstrip has dried out and is now ready to land planes. Khwai airstrip is only a 20-minute drive from Khwai Tented Camp, which makes it an easy transfer from the plane to the start of your safari at Khwai Tented Camp. In 2018, guests…
The African Bush Camps sales team of safari aficionados, Kate, Coral, Maneta, Ingrid and Mona, took some time to visit our newly opened property, Thorntree River Lodge in Livingstone, Zambia. In order to give the right recommendations to agents and guests, it was important that the sales team experienced the beautiful Thorntree first-hand. They had…
The German government has released 18 million euro to support conservation of wildlife in the Selous Game Reserve (SGR) in Southern Tanzania.Germany also donated 6 brand-new Toyota Land Cruisers for anti-poaching patrols in the Selous, the biggest wildlife conserved reserve in Africa.The Germany ambassador to Tanzania, Mr. Egon Kochanke, explained that the Selous Ecosystem Conservation…
The Land of Origins, Ethiopia has been voted the World’s Most Welcoming Country by global followers of Rough Guides; one of the leading travel publishers known for its “tell it like it is” review; providing traveler’s up-to-date content and authoritative contemporary writing.According to the review, digital followers of Rough Guides were asked to share their…
June marks the re-opening of not one, but two andBeyond luxury safari camps: the intimate, six-suite andBeyond Phinda Rock Lodge, overlooking Leopard Rock in South Africa and the rustic, yet elegant nine-tent andBeyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp in Botswana’s wildlife-rich grasslands.Read Report
Twenty years ago, Volcanoes Safaris was the first company to set up simple camps around the gorilla parks. Today, we are the leading luxury lodge company in Rwanda and Uganda and run four luxury lodges: (Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Virunga Lodge) and specialize in great ape safaris to the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda and Rwanda.…
Wilderness Safaris is delighted to commence the rebuild of its flagship camps, situated in the world-renowned Mombo Concession in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. The proposed opening date for both Mombo and Little Mombo Camps is end February 2018. “We are thrilled to have begun the exciting process of rebuilding both Mombo and Little Mombo camps…
Marnie Delaney-Parker has joined the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town, as Director of Sales and Marketing. Previously with the Cape Grace and Sun International, Marnie has more than 20 years’ experience in the tourism and hospitality industry. Read More
The Overseas Development Institute (ODI), a British think tank, estimates that every year 40,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro, bringing with them tons of waste and other environmental threats, including water contamination and soil erosion…. The environmental challenges are significant but the initiatives implemented by the Tanzania National Parks Authority seem to be paying off. Read…
Despite security challenges in the country, with frequent terror attacks on restaurants and hotels, Somalia is in the process of creating a master plan to revive the country’s tourism industry, according to the Minister of Information, Culture & Tourism Abdirahman Omar Osman. During a recent visit to Madrid, Spain, he met with the Secretary General of…
The award-winning documentary film, Blood Lions™, sheds light on the sad truth that between 6,000 to 8,000 lions are held in captivity in South Africa, for cruel and unethical canned-lion trophy hunting. Before captive adult lions become targets for unethical trophy hunters, while they are cubs, they are offered to tourists to pet or, when they…
Aircraft, just like cars, accumulate massive amounts of dirt and grime all the time, making every flight less fuel efficient. But a bucket of soapy water won’t cut it when it comes to cleaning these massive planes. Traditionally, an average of 11,300 litres of water is used to clean an Airbus A380 – a process that…
Everyone expects going on safari to be an exhilarating trip to a really spectacular place – with scrumptious food, a magnificent view and endless wildlife action. There are many contenders, but, just when you think you know a place, it goes and changes. Click Here for the Good Safari Guide low-down on the best…
The public areas at Lion Sands River Lodge in the Sabi Sand Reserve, Mpumalanga, have burned down after a fire broke out around 04h00 on Wednesday June 21. The fire was contained within the hour and none of the accommodation was affected. The cause of the fire is still unknown. All staff and guests are…
Dear APTA Corporate Members We’re getting ready to print our 2018 APTA Corporate Directory and now is your chance to have your company featured. All directory advertisements are due by July 21st . Rates & Specifications can be found here. The print version of the APTA Corporate Directory is distributed to all APTA members and is…
The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa in Johannesburg and Shambala Private Game Reserve in the Waterberg, comprising of Zulu Camp and Nelson Mandela Villa, has announced the launch of their newly redesigned websites, www.saxon.co.za and www.shambalaprivategamereserve.co.za, offering users an improved and innovative design concept in conjunction with an easy-to-use booking process, and seamless integration of…
Flydubai will have 6 flights every week to Kilimanjaro. 3 of these flights will have one stop at Dar es Salaam. In addition, the Dubai based airline will increase direct flights to Zanzibar from 3 to 8 flights a week. Kilimanjaro is the 3rd destination in Tanzania and the 12th in flydubai’s African flights network.…
South Africa’s Garden Route had been included on a list of global biosphere reserves, said the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). Unesco members voted in favour of the inclusion of the Garden Route as a biosphere reserve at a meeting in Paris, France, on 14 June 2017. Read More
Africa’s largest airline group, Ethiopian Airlines, is pleased to announce that it has won SKYTRAX World Airline Award for The Best Airline in Africa on June 20, 2017 at the Paris Air Show. Skytrax is the most respected global air transport rating organization that conducts the world’s largest annual airline passenger satisfaction survey where customers…
Tourism players in Tanzania have launched a lifetime bid that will see them plough back cash towards the country’s fresh conservation drive. For the first time in history, the tour and hotel operators have officially committed themselves to becoming responsible tourism players, by supporting conservation initiatives in the country’s national parks. Last week, they followed…
Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Kenya- Africa. The reserve is located in the Great Rift Valley in primarily open grassland. Wildlife tends to be most concentrated on the reserve’s western escarpment. The Masai Mara is regarded as the jewel of Kenya’s wildlife viewing areas. The annual wildebeest’s…
In a letter to the Association of Uganda Tour Operators, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has made it clear that Uganda’s gorilla-tracking permit fees will not be raised as previously rumoured.. Sources close to UWA have also confirmed a significant increase in advance sales for gorilla permits, which are now already open for up to…
The World Travel & Tourism Council’s recent Global Summit in Bangkok, Thailand took as its theme ‘Transforming our World’ and sessions dissected the role, challenges and opportunities for Travel & Tourism to contribute to the global sustainable development agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Protecting environments, habitats and biodiversity is a fundamental part…
It’s a great thrill for the JG Black Book Collection to welcome the Elewana Collection and its 14 properties across Kenya and Tanzania. It’s also a pleasure to welcome James Haigh, the Director of Sales and Marketing for Elewana, back to the JG Black Book family, who many of you will know from his days…
Coastal Aviation have recently opened a transit lounge in Dar es Salaam nearby the airport (only four minutes driving). Our guests can enjoy a complimentary transfer and take a nap in case of long layover, totally free of charge! It is open 24/7, useful for night arrivals and departures (e.g. Turkish, Ethiopian…) Read More
It’s now easier than ever to combine the traditional “Northern Circuit” with a few days in Selous or Ruaha. Coastal Aviation have made it possible to Fly FAST and direct from Serengeti to Selous & Ruaha and then to Dar Es Salaam / Zanzibar in a comfortable (fast and pressurized) 9-seater Pilatus PC12 aircraft. Flight CQ500 Depart Arusha 08:15…
California Dreamin’ – APTA is going back to the Beach! Join us in San Diego, California September 15th & 16th, 2017 The Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA) is pleased to announce that our annual National Forum will be held in San Diego, California on September 15th & 16th, 2017 at the Bahia…
The new African Dream is coming along for its debut on the Chobe & Zambesi Rivers in December. Please Enjoy this rendering of the elegant vessel with only 8 suites. This will be a 9 day program inclusive of: 1 – Night in Johannesburg 3 – Nights on the RV Africa Dream 3 – Nights…
George Cohen, Managing Director of The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa is excited to announce the appointment of Tom Rutherford as the new General Manager from 1 June 2017. Rutherford joins with a wealth of hospitality experience beginning with a seven-year stint at the Cape Grace Hotel where he gained a strong background in both guest…
As an increasingly popular destination on Africa’s travel radar, Zambia is fast becoming a safari hotspot due to its unspoilt wilderness, abundant wildlife, thrilling Zambezi River activities and a growing collection of exceptional luxury lodges on offer. Mariska Yntema, Product Manager at Jenman African Safaris says “One can now explore the best of Zambia’s natural…