The APTA Executive Board is pleased to welcome our newest member, Jessie Bligh of Emerging Destinations. Jessie recently won a national election to become the newest board member of APTA. We look forward to working with her for years to come. Jessie joined the Emerging Destinations team in 2014, Jessie is a Georgia native who…
The Uganda government plans to buy six passenger aircraft for Uganda Airlines, which is scheduled to resume flying in late November after ceasing operations in May 2001. Minister of Works and Transport, Monica Azuba-Ntege, said the government had made an initial cash deposit of US$1.2 million (UGX4,43bn) for the purchase of the aircraft for Uganda Airlines,…
Beginning in January, guests on board will now enjoy two night’s accommodation as opposed to one night on board the most lavish train on the planet as they travel between Pretoria & Cape Town (or reverse). Here are the benefits in an easy to digest recap: Both guests travelling from Pretoria or Cape Town will now experience a uniform, guaranteed 2…
Located on the west coast of Madagascar, Morondava and its surroundings, one of the famous destinations of international and even local people, Bemaraha National Park is now open to all nature lovers and hikers. In addition to the beautiful beaches of Morondava, this is the ideal time to visit the Tsingy of Bemaraha and discover…
Saruni, the Kenyan portfolio of lodges in Samburu and the Masai Mara, is launching new exciting activities from its Northern Kenya properties: panoramic air excursions and transfers with an aircraft based at Kalama airstrip, starting from 1st July until the end of September 2018. The plane – a 6-seater Cessna 206 – will provide quicker, easier…
An interview with Anton Lategan, one of the owners and managing director of EcoTraining Guides & Guardians, which offers a range of field courses in South Africa, Botswana and Kenya to would-be guides, environmental students or anyone else who wants to learn more about the African bush or mankind’s interrelationship with nature. What was it…
Jenman African Safaris are thrilled to announce the impending arrival of Jenman’s most exclusive product range yet – JENMAN SELECT. Designed to provide personalised itineraries with exceptional service and exclusive overnight experiences, this new tailor-made product category will offer privately guided custom tours in exclusive and remote areas of Africa. Travel ideas include itineraries of up to…
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Air Seychelles is adding a Tuesday flight to Johannesburg from July 3, taking the frequency to six flights a week following the addition of a Wednesday flight in March. Remco Althuis, CEO of Air Seychelles, said: “The new service, which will be operated by an Airbus A320, will provide an additional 252 seats per week.” Althuis also…
Swaziland has officially changed its name to Eswatini. The change comes after King Mswati III made the announcement at the country’s celebration of its 50th year of independence in April. The full name will be The Kingdom of Eswatini and means the place of the Swati people in the local siSwati language. During his speech at the celebration…
Ethiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX certified Four Star Global Airline, is pleased to announce that it will take delivery on 5 June 2018 of its 100th aircraft, a Boeing 787-900, the 1st for an African airline to operate 100 aircraft fleet in the history of the continent, thus maintaining its…
Travelers and adventurers who wanted to experience the most heightened and thrilling escapade must take advantage of the 2-Day Gorilla Trek in Uganda offered by Congo Discovery Safaris. This 2-day tour will begin and will end in Kigali, a closer drive to Bwindi National Park than from the Kampala. The first day of this gorilla…
The inauguration date has officially been scheduled for the longest suspension bridge in Africa, the Maputo-Catembe Bridge. The inaugural event, which will take place on June 25, coincides with Mozambique’s Independence Day. The bridge, which will link Maputo and the Catembe district, will reduce travel times significantly. Furthermore, the bridge is part of a larger project…
The service was launched with a reception at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday, May 12. Event photo shows Ethiopian crew with Nigusu Worku, (third from left), Ethiopian’s Regional Director, USA and Ismael Sanogo, (second from right), from the Cote d’Ivoire Economic Promotion Office In New York. Under the new codeshare partnership, passengers flying from…
São Tomé and Príncipe is best known for stunning beaches, Galapagos-caliber birdwatching and historic coffee plantations. But in recent years, the maritime nation has acquired a new reputation as one of Africa’s most successful countries in fighting malaria, a disease that kills more than 400,000 people across the continent every year. According to the World Health…
(Seychelles News Agency) – After a 20-year absence, Air France is returning to Seychelles through its subsidiary airline, Joon, an event marked by an inaugural ceremony on Tuesday. Joon has been linking Seychelles – a 115-island archipelago in the western Indian Ocean – with Paris, France since May 5, with three weekly flights on Tuesdays,…
In 2017, Prince Harry spent three weeks in Malawi where he worked alongside volunteers, vets and experts on the frontline of one of the largest and most significant elephant translocations in conservation history. During that time he developed a great affinity for the Warm Heart of Africa and has since become President of African Parks,…
Ethiopian Airlines has been granted a second daily flight to Mombasa’s Moi International Airport (MIA) following an agreement between Kenya President, Uhuru Kenyatta, and Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiv Ahmed Ali. The additional daily flight is expected to boost tourism in the southern coastal region of Kenya, which, until now has been heavily reliant on charter flights from…
The Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has closed to tourists until June 4. The announcement comes after two British tourists were kidnapped on May 11 and later released. Their ranger, 25-year-old Rachel Masika Baraka, was killed in the ambush. Until the attacks last week, no incidents against tourists had been reported…
South African bus companies have announced that services have resumed following a three-week-long strike over wages. The South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council confirmed that an agreement had been reached late Monday (May 14). All unions involved have agreed to a 9% wage increase in the first year and an 8% increase is to be…
Ethiopian Holidays, the tour operator wing of Ethiopian Airlines, is pleased to announce the launching of its newly revamped website. The new website avails accessible, affordable and attractive tour packages to Ethiopian Airlines’ major tourist destinations in Ethiopia and its vast international network. Announcing the launch of the newly designed website, Ethiopian Group CEO,…
Malawi is in the process of rebranding itself as a Big Five safari destination, expanding its marketed tourism offering beyond Lake Malawi. Increased conservation efforts, including the introduction of more lions and cheetahs, as well as the dispersion of 500 elephants across the three major national parks – Majete, Nyika and Liwonde – are increasing…
Malawi is making plans to construct a new airport to take the world directly to Lake Malawi, President Arthur Peter Mutharika announced on Friday, May 4. Mutharika said his government was transforming air transport in the country further with plans to rehabilitate and upgrade two other airports. “We are making progress with rehabilitation and expansion works at…
A decision by British Airways to introduce a direct, non-stop flight between London’s Heathrow Airport and Durban’s King Shaka International Airport is a game changer for KwaZulu-Natal as it will be instrumental in contributing to an increase in international arrivals from the United Kingdom and North America. British Airways announced the introduction of the route…
The new Camp Moremi officially opened after completion of a full rebuild. After closing late last year, the camp welcomed their first guests with every room booked for the first full day of operation on the 1st May 2018. The new Camp Moremi is a breathtaking design made up of extensive public areas raised within…
Praveen Moman, the founder of Volcanoes Safaris, has been at the forefront of reviving tourism in Uganda and Rwanda and creating the great ape ecotourism model for over 20 years. He continues to create long-term, self-sustaining projects that enrich the livelihoods of local communities and promote the conservation of the great apes through his non-profit the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT).…
Earth Day is now a global event with more than 1 billion people in 192 countries taking part in what is the largest civic-focused day of action in the world. Every year on the 22 April people march, sign petitions, plant trees and clean up their towns to name a few activities. This year the…
Marriott International today announced the opening of Sheraton Bamako Hotel marking its entry into Mali, in West Africa. This milestone further solidifies Marriott International’s portfolio across West Africa, and promises to revolutionize the hospitality landscape in the country through Sheraton’s distinct product offering coupled with its commitment to go above and beyond for its guests.…
Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline group in Africa and SKYTRAX certified Four Star Global Airline, is proud to announce that it has been recognized by TripAdvisor, one of the largest and most reputed global travel sites, as “The Best Business Class in Africa and Indian Ocean”. TripAdvisor has evaluated the world’s top carriers based on…
The second annual Malawi International Tourism Expo (MITE) wrapped up this past Saturday and was largely considered a smashing success. The show nearly doubled in size since its inaugural instance in 2017 with over 80 participating suppliers and 54 buyers representing over 10 countries traveling to Lilongwe for the expo. Both Malawi’s Minister of Tourism…
The nationwide strike affecting the South African bus industry is continuing, with many services still not operating. MyCiTi service in Cape Town and the Gautrain buses remain suspended until further notice. The nationwide strike is still ongoing and, as such, buses are not operating. With the strike entering its third week, there was still no…
Malawi and Zambia have signed a tourism pact that will see them complementing each other rather than competing in the sector. During the Malawi Tourism Exposition, ‘Takulandilani’, Malawi’s Minister of Tourism, Henry Mussa, suggested that the marketing synergy for the two countries could yield better results if they promoted their tourism products jointly. He acknowledged that…
Back in March there was excitement at Elewana AfroChic Diani as a new Turtle trail was found coming up from the sea leading onto our beach area. The team followed the trail and realised that we had another Turtle’s nest, making it our second nest of season 2018. We protected the nest and straight away the…
April 30th, 2018 CroisiEurope, the Largest River Cruise operator in Europe, has launched a brand new website to support its growing catalog of Cruises and Cruise-Tours in Europe and around the world. The company, which began its operation in Southern Africa earlier this year with the launch of the MS African Dream, has been in…
April 2018: Lake Mburo National Park (Uganda) welcomes the first Baby Giraffe. April 2018 brought lots of excitement to the Giraffe Conservation world after receiving a new baby at Lake Mburo National park. This is the first baby Giraffe born in the area since it was gazetted as a National park. The new born is the 16th member…
Today Malawi officially welcomed international, regional and local buyers, media and tourism enterprises, operators & stakeholders, to the 2nd edition of Takulandirani Malawi International Tourism Expo, MITE, being held from 26th to 28th April, 2018 at the Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convention Center (BICC) in Lilongwe.
Air Botswana is in negotiations with the Botswana government to secure funds for the acquisition of a new aircraft to service the Cape Town-Gaborone direct route. Minister of Transport and Communications, Kitso Mokaila, recently told a press briefing that the Ministry intended to procure a new jet within three months. “The Cape Town-Gaborone route is currently…
Emirates has announced its renewed support to Mauritius and the Seychelles by extending its global marketing agreement with the respective Tourism Boards of the two countries. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the 2018 Arabian Travel Market, by Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations for Africa and Sherin Francis, Chief Executive Officer…
Located on a large open plain stretching towards the Shire River in Liwonde National Park, you will find Kuthengo Camp nestled among Fever trees and Baobabs. With resident fish eagles nesting in these Baobabs, you will be woken to ‘Africa’s voice’ calling as you rise in this wild and natural paradise. Our four spacious and…
There are not many people in the world who are able to change the name of a nation. But King Mswati can – he is one of the world’s few absolute monarchs. King Mswati III of Swaziland announced on Wednesday that he was renaming the country “the Kingdom of eSwatini”. The monarch announced the official…
With increased choice for upmarket safari camps and lodges, how can visitors and travel industry professionals differentiate between the truly responsible camps and the fakers? Cheli & Peacock Safaris says that one of the best ways are the eco-ratings determined by Ecotourism Kenya (EK), an internationally recognized committee of environmental professionals that inspect and “eco-rate”…
Cruise Line CroisiEurope is offering a temporary flash sale on all 2018 departures of its tours to Southern Africa. This includes the Journey to the Ends of the Earth Program – including a visit to Capetown, Johannesburg, Cruising Lake Kariba, a Lodge Stay in Impalila Island, and visit to Victoria Falls. Highlights include water Safaris…
Effective 6 May 2018, Airlink will launch direct flights between Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. The new service will be served by one of Airlinks recently acquired 74 seat Embraer E170 aircraft, The flights depart from OR Tambo International Airport at 18h10 arriving at Port Elizabeth International Airport at 19h40, Monday to Friday and Sundays. The return flight departs Port Elizabeth at 06h45 arriving at Johannesburg…
It is with a heavy heart we report that tour guide Rusten of Blue Crane Safaris, a Namibian based tour company, passed away this past weekend. He had recently led a group of US and Canadian journalists on a 10-day press tour tour of Northern Namibia’s four rivers region. The group had nothing but praise…
Attracting more foreign and domestic tourists makes a great deal of sense for Zimbabwe, as the country forges ahead with efforts to turn around the economy and create more jobs. Given that tourism is a “low hanging fruit” the world over, the country stands to benefit immensely from this global industry, provided all enablers are…
Heartbreaking news out of Uganda from Adventure Consults: Sometimes if not all the time, it can be extremely difficult to share bad news with the world especially when you lose a National treasure! A pride of three lionesses and eight cubs have been reported dead due to suspected poisoning by the local community at Queen…
African Parks have been responsible for transforming Malawi’s wildlife in recent years, helping it to emerge as one of Africa’s most complete destinations as the quality of its safaris develops to match the cultural, scenic and adventure experiences already well established. With new initiatives and projects continuing to be announced through 2018, their commitment to…
With a vision to become the most comprehensive information hub in the Lowveld (Greater Kruger Area) region, we’re thrilled to announce that we hosted a soft launch of the new Greater Kruger Information Centre in March. The formal launch will happen hopefully in August 2018. We invite and welcome all to learn more about nature, conservation,…
As we (Wellworth Hospitality) continue to make progress on our Luxury Collection Lodges & Camps in Northern Circuit in Tanzania, we are excited to share the latest news with you. Construction is in Full Swing at the Ole Serai – Kogatende, as we approach our opening dates during the end of June 2018. This camp…
Mid-March Lewa Wildlife Conservancy with the support of Kenya Wildlife Service and Save the Elephants, translocated nine elephants from Lewa to Tsavo. The reason behind this move was to address the human-wildlife conflict and by moving individual elephants that are associated with conflict cases, reduces future encounters. Tsavo National Park is split into East and…