Kenya Hosts Destination Readiness Webinar

Kenya is hosting a destination readiness webinar on August 5th at 9:30am EST. The 4 panelists are CEOs of the following institutions:  –          Kenya Airways –          Kenya Airports Authority –          Kenya Assoc. of Hotelkeepers and Caterers –          Kenya Associ. of Tour Operators You can register to participate here – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RrB1MutpTWCfJTry0vIUpw

Malawi’s Newly Renovated Thawale Lodge Opens in Majete Wildlife Reserve

Reservations are now being taken for the beautiful Thawale Lodge in Majete Wildlife Reserve, which will open its doors to visitors on July 1st 2020. Thawale is now fully managed and operated by African Parks, the conservation non-profit which manages Majete in partnership with Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). Their 17-year collaboration has overseen the restoration…

Eswatini Gears Up to Welcome Tourists

The Kingdom of Eswatini has published its official Tourism COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines as part of an ongoing process to help relaunch the country’s tourism industry. The guidelines, endorsed by the World Health Organization, have been created by the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) and Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs in partnership with the Hospitality &…

Great Plains Return of the Safari Pioneers

Return of the Safari Pioneers. Staring…You! Departing November 2020 We have done our homework. We have solid Great Plains protocols. We have tested our camps and systems ensuring your safety. And we have heard from you about your desire to escape but to do it when the time is right. The time to plan your return is now…

‘Blood Lions’ Launches Series of Webinars Leading Up To World Lion Day

BLOOD LIONS has launched their first two webinars relating to the captive predator breeding industry in South Africa. These webinars unpack important elements of the industry and, amongst others, include topics such as the conservation “con”;  the impact that cub interactions and lion walking have on the international tourism and volunteer sector;  the truth about captive (canned)…

Zimbabwe Approves COVID-19 Protocols

The Zimbabwe government has approved the COVID-19 Guidelines and Protocols for the Tourism and Hospitality Sector developed by the Zimbabwean Tourism Authority (ZTA). The ZTA emphasised the need for all players in the tourism industry to strictly observe and adhere to the set COVID-19 guidelines and protocols. These guidelines are meant to protect both the…

RwandAir to Resume Operations August 1st

RwandAir will resume operations on August 1, initially flying between Kigali and selected destinations in Africa, including Dar es Salaam and Lusaka, as well as Dubai. More destinations will be added as countries lift travel restrictions. RwandAir CEO, Yvonne Makolo, said: “The demand will grow gradually as passengers become more comfortable travelling during this pandemic.” Commenting…

SAA Greatly Reduces its Fleet

SAA will terminate all its aircraft leases by the end of the month, leaving it with one functional A320, which it charters to a world food programme, and nine old uneconomical A340s, which the airline owns but is struggling to sell. SAA has been returning all leased aircraft over the past few months, the last…

Virtual African Tourism Takes Off

African countries are offering tourists from all over the world the chance to travel the continent and even go on safari by virtual means. But is this a satisfactory substitute for the real thing? The sun rises slowly above the horizon of the African savanna. Against its glowing light can be seen the silhouettes of…

Rwanda Slowly Reopens

Following the increased numbers of the COVID-19 outbreak and as guided by the World Health Organization (WHO), the government of Rwanda had to suspend all tourism activities and closed the international airport sometime in March 2020. This was an immediate effort to protect all residents, visitors and wildlife from the deadly global pandemic. Adventure Consults reports…

Malawi Considers Casino Tourism

Although Malawi has historically not been one of the most visited African countries, times appear to be changing. Over the last decade, tourism has grown steadily, with the last five years seeing a rapid acceleration. Malawi has a beautiful landscape and friendly population, so it is a natural choice for holidaymakers. However, one avenue that…

Seychelles to Market “Safe Tourism”

The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) will focus on safe tourism as a main part of its marketing strategy. STB Chief Executive, Sherin Francis, conveyed this to key stakeholders via an online meeting as Seychelles prepares to welcome commercial flights from August 1. Francis reiterated the precautionary measures taken by the destination through the Department of Tourism,…

Pamoja Fund Silent Auction is Underway

Bid and win three nights for two at Elewana Sand River Masai Mara Camp, whilst raising funds for The Land & Life Foundation’s Pamoja Fund.  The auction will start on Friday, July 17 and end on Sunday, July 26 2020. The package is valid until December 31, 2021 and is fully inclusive,* however, does not include flights…

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge Named Among Top 5 in Africa

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge has been named among the Top 5 Africa Resort Hotels in the 2020 World’s Best Awards by United States magazine Travel + Leisure for the second consecutive year. Each year thousands of Travel + Leisure readers vote in the World’s Best Awards on their favorite hotels, cities, islands and more, with hotels rated on their facilities, location, service,…

Elewana AfroChic Diani Reopening 17th July

We are delighted to announce that after three and a half months, Elewana AfroChic Diani will once again welcome guests to enjoy our warm coastal hospitality. Located along a secluded section of Diani Beach, the hotel offers a magical setting of white sands, rustling palm trees, and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The…

Lewa Wilderness Launches New Website

Discover the new Lewa Wilderness website: http://www.lewawilderness.com We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new website. It has a fresh new look with our wonderful new photography throughout. Enjoy more detailed explanations of everything we have on offer, 360 degree tours of our rooms and main house, a detailed WALKING WILD page and of course a wonderful new dedicated Conservation page. Please also check out the new…

Safari Choreographers Garth Jenman and Brett Mcdonald Share Safari Experiences

An unforgettable safari experience is choreographed from the heart, a value shared between directors Garth Jenman, Hideaways, and Brett Mcdonald, Flame of Africa. It is these values that formed the foundations of a partnership between the two, joining forces and visions to create exceptional African getaways.  CEO Katja Quasdorf hosted the conversation stage by interviewing Garth…

Commissionable Jabulani Virtual Elephant Experiences

Now you can book a private and exclusive Jabulani Virtual Elephant Experience on behalf of your clients, and make commission too! Because we are #inthistogether. We have two VIRTUAL ELEPHANT EXPERIENCES to choose from. Each of these has been loaded onto a local South African activity booking platform called ACTIVITAR. For that reason, the rates are only in ZAR. If…

Safari Guides Rally to Invest in the Future of Females

Education is the currency of survival, however not an economy everyone has access to. This harsh truth pertains mostly to women and is exemplified for the local female residents in rural areas. Jonathan Dube, Jenman African Safaris Guide, recently spoke to CEO Katja Quasdorf on our “Safari Guide Chronicles” platform about the importance of community project funding…

EcoTraining Discounts Courses for Industry Pros

NEW DATE JUST LAUNCHED Due to the overwhelming response that EcoTraining Guides and Guardians received from their first-ever Online Field Guide course, dates for the next course just opened beginning August 10, 2020. You will be entertained for 8 weeks with a proper glimpse into the incredible natural world and knowledge of a Field Guide. All of this can…

Marriott Brand Debuts in Botswana

The Protea Hotel by Marriott Masa Square opened in Gaborone, on July 2, the first of its brand in Botswana. It features 152 rooms and 30 extended-stay apartments. It is located in Masa Square lifestyle centre in Gaborone, a 20-minute drive from Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. The hotel also offers conference facilities and meeting…

New Xigera Safari Lodge to Open in Botswana

The Red Carnation Hotel Collection’s Xigera Safari Lodge in Botswana will open in October. The lodge is on the western side of the Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta. The 12 individually designed air-conditioned suites include a two-bedroom family suite situated on two linked islands. Xigera Safari Lodge will feature two luxury spa rooms,…

Major Uganda Hotels Reopen

The Kampala Serena Hotel reopened its doors this month, following Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa, which reopened on June 1. Hotels have been allowed to reopen from June 1. “We are selling to the local market, since regional borders and international flights are not open yet,” said Country Sales Manager of Kampala Serena…

ARP’s COVID Standard Operating Procedure

With the news of Tanzania opening borders to international arrivals, Ranger Safari’s has been working hard in the past weeks to put together a document with well-thought COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures. Following the recommendations set by the Government of Tanzania, as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO), this document is aimed at ensuring guests…

Kenya Receives World Travel Safety Stamp

As steps get into high gear on re-opening the country, Kenya has been awarded the Safe Travel Stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) which is a forum for the travel and tourism industry. The accreditation came in recognition of the country’s adoption of the global health and hygiene standardized protocols dubbed ‘Safe Travels’ in the wake…

West Africa Reopening Borders

A meeting of the Ministerial Coordination Committee for Transport, Logistics and Trade of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has just ended. It took place over 4 days by videoconference resulting in West Africa reopening borders. The objective was to provide a coordinated response to the fight against the coronavirus and to examine the possibility of reopening…