Rangers Receive Million-Dollar Relief Fund

Wildlands Conservation Trust has been awarded emergency relief funding by The Wildlife Ranger Challenge to combat the immediate threat to operations posed by COVID-19. The Wildlife Ranger Challenge is a pan-African virtual fund-raising race uniting ranger teams across the continent to raise money needed to support the thousands of rangers affected by the  COVID-19 pandemic…

Eswatini Receives WTTC Safe Travels Stamp

The Kingdom of Eswatini is one of the first southern African countries to receive the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels Stamp. “Eswatini is pleased to join other destinations in being part of the globally recognised WTTC Safe Travels protocols,” said Minister of Tourism, Moses Vilakati. “Implementation of these protocols is part of our message…

Swiss Air Resumes Flights to Nairobi

The Lufthansa Group has announced that Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will resume flights to Nairobi from September 5. The airline will operate a weekly flight, departing from Zurich at 13h25 on Saturdays, arriving in Nairobi at 22h35. The return flight departs Nairobi at 23h00 on Sundays, arriving in Zurich at 06h10 the next day.…

Malawi’s Lilongwe Wildlife Trust Offers Conservation Trip

Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT), responsible for running Malawi’s only wildlife rehabilitation centre, saving malawi’s wildlife in the wild, and educating and campaigning for wildlife crime prevention, have released their latest newsletter. The work that Lilongwe Wildlife Trust do can be experienced first hand by you. The Malawi Conservation Experience trip, perfect for animal lovers and adventurous…

Tanzania Receives WTTC Safe Travels Stamp

Tanzania is the latest East African country to receive the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels Stamp. Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Hamisi Kigwangalla, said Tanzania would use the stamp to promote its attractions in all its global source markets. “It will give travellers the confidence to visit our rich and varied attractions. We…

Malawi Gears Up to Open Borders

The Malawian government is working on developing risk management plans for the tourism industry as it gears up to resume international flights in the first week of September. This is according to Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture, Michael Bizwuick Usi, who was quoted by the Malawi News Agency as saying the plans would ensure proper management of…

All South African Tourism Attractions Open for Business

South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, announced that all tourism attractions were open to operate under Alert Level 2 of the COVID-19 risk-adjusted strategy, at a media briefing earlier today (August 19). “These include, but are not limited to, theme parks, amusement parks, water parks, family entertainment centres, zoos, aquariums, science centres, nature and game…

Military Uprising Underway in Mali

A military uprising is reportedly underway in Mali, as the reports of gun battles at a military base and arrests of prominent politicians and high-ranking military officers are pouring in. The mutiny apparently started following weeks of protests calling for the president to resign. There have been several reports of gunfire at a base in…

CAS Uganda Delivers Food Relief to Bwindi Porters

Last week, Classic Africa Safaris delivered food supplies to the 464 gorilla trekking porters who assist guests as they track the mountain gorillas on the slopes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Due to COVID-19, tourism has been suspended and the porters’ primary means of income has disappeared. In June, CAS launched a Go Fund Me…

Holden Safaris Prepares for Expected Demand

Travelers are getting restless and will be anxious to explore the world as soon as they can.  Holden Safaris in Newport Beach, CA is anticipating a surge in interest in Africa, especially as Virtuoso travelers have put South Africa at the top of their international destinations list for 2021. Travel Advisors can certainly expect lots…

Kenya Tourism on Recovery Path

President Uhuru Kenyatta says the tourism sector which was worst hit by COVID-19 economic effects is now on a recovery path. Speaking during a video link with Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, Narok Governor Samuel Ole Tunai and the magical Kenya ambassador, marathoner, Eliud Kipchoge in Masaai Mara on Saturday, the Head of State exuded…

Kruger Reopens Camps

South African National Parks has announced that the Kruger National Park will partially open some of its camps for accommodation from August 14. KNP management advises that there will be strict enforcement of the regulations that are stipulated in the protocols around the easing of travel and leisure accommodation restrictions. Satara and Pretoriuskop Rest Camps…

New Mbano Manor Luxury Hotel Opens in Victoria Falls

Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Mangaliso Ndlovu, presided over the official launch of the new Mbano Manor  Hotel in Victoria Falls last week. The all-suite premium luxury hotel was completed earlier this year and comprises 19 suites. It is located on the edge of Zambezi River in the Zambezi National…

Mauritius Races to Contain Oil Spill

More than 1 000 tons of fuel have reportedly already leaked from the bulk carrier vessel, MV Wakashio, according to a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination on Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released today (August 11). A CNN report today quoted Sunil Dowarkasing, a former strategist for Greenpeace International and former Mauritian MP saying: “The way the leakage and…

Seychelles Tourism Board and Visa Sign MOU

The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) and Visa, the world’s leader in digital payments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote Seychelles as a destination of choice for tourists around the world. The MOU is aimed at enabling the tourism board to strengthen its marketing strategy globally through the promotion of electronic payments technology and services…

Nomad’s Latest and Greatest

We thought we’d bundle together a bunch of our latest and greatest, so gather round and we’ll regale you with titbits, tips and tales from Tanzania.   Rates, offers & T&C’s A reminder that we’ve frozen our rates for next year! And in addition to our normal fab specials, we’re also offering low season rates…

Major International Airlines Resume Flights to Kenya

Major international airlines have resumed flights to Kenya, bringing hope to the tourism sector after months of travel restrictions. This follows the announcement by President Uhuru Kenyatta that international flights would resume on August 1. The country has also been awarded safe travel status by the World Travel and Tourism Council. “This stamp will allow travellers to…

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…

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,…