Experience Morocco From Home

The current global situation puts face-to-face interaction on hold for many of us around the world. But even in these times of distance, Experience Morrocco hopes to shed light on the ways we can stay connected and engaged with one another. Given this, we’re sharing one of our favorite Moroccan words, Ijtimaa, meaning a gathering…

Hideaways CEO Shares Words of Solidarity

From her home and her heart to yours, Hideaways CEO Katja Quasdorf shares words of solidarity and inspiration as we go forward, together. In the shared passion for Africa and the love of travel, Katja empathises with all member of the travel tribe, as we accompany each other through this journey. In reflection and gratitude…

Hwange National Park Conservation Efforts Remain Top Priority

Recreational exposure and environmental awareness are now irreversibly connected in the world of travel. The conservation and sustainability arena, extensively supported by community conservation tourism, confronts trying times in the ongoing Covid-19 Situation. Without the flow of clients, funds decrease substantially. To support the incredible work accomplished in our National Parks, honouring past efforts and…

SAA Repatriates Stranded South Africans From Miami

SouthAfricanAirways(SAA), repatriatedover300South African citizens on April 14, 2020 aboard a specially planned charter flight from the Miami International Airport (MIA) to South Africa. This flight, chartered by Workaway International, operated with SAA’s new state-of-the art flagship Airbus A350-900 aircraft, departed Miami on Tuesday evening en route to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Workaway International is…

US Secretary of State Thanks Ethiopian Airlines

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke Monday with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.  Secretary Pompeo thanked the Prime Minister and Ethiopian Airlines for their continued support to provide flights to American citizens stranded overseas by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Secretary underscored the United States’ commitment to supporting Ethiopia and working with international partners to…

Secretive Forest Species Such as Giant Pangolins and Congo Peafowl Revealed by Camera Traps in DR Congo

Camera traps set up by researchers in DR Congo have revealed 43 secretive forest species such as giant ground pangolins, African golden cats, leopards, cusimanses (a species of mongoose), bonobos, forest elephants and the endemic Congo peafowls. Researchers in the 3,6 million hectare Salonga National Park (Africa’s largest tropical rainforest reserve) in the Democratic Republic…

Kenya Extends Ban on International Flights

The Kenyan government announced on Sunday (April 5) that it would extend the ban on all international flights by 30 days as the country intensified the fight against spread the COVID-19 pandemic. The previous two-week ban, implemented on March 25, expired at midnight on April 5. Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, James Macharia, said…

Seychelles to Enter Lockdown

The Seychelles will enter a 21-day period of restricted movement of people and shutdown of essential services from midnight April 8 as part of the government’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. At a press conference April 7, the Seychellois Department of Health announced these new measures, after a Seychellois man – who works as…

Ethiopian Cargo Recalibrates Its Operations in the Wake of COVID-19

Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services, the multiple award-winning and largest cargo network operator in Africa, is adapting its operations to the evolving global demand for air cargo services following the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the current situation, Ethiopian Cargo has extended its reach to 74 destinations globally, and caters to charter flight needs anywhere in the world boundlessly, carrying much needed medical supplies in the ongoing fight against COVID-19.    In the month of March alone,…

Jabulani Introduces Newest Elephant Orphan, Khanyisa

A lot of exciting things have been happening at Jabulani and HERD – Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development! The integration phase of Khanyisa, the albino elephant orphan currently in the care of HERD, into the Jabulani herd is continuing step-by-step. The little orphan has been enjoying special trunk-to-trunk meetings with Jabulani, the original orphan whose story…

New Hiking Tours in Eswatini

Vaya Trails is a new tour company offering hiking experiences through the escarpment of Eswatini. The company is the brainchild of five Swazi locals who are keen to share their love and knowledge of this unique environment, says a statement from Eswatini Tourism. “Vaya Trails offers guided, tailormade hiking experiences,” said one of the founders, Anna McGinn.…

Kenya Plans $4.7MM COVID-19 Recovery Strategy

Kenya’s government has created a National Tourism Crisis Steering Committee to not only plan the country’s tourism recovery post COVID-19 but include mitigating measures for emergencies during the pandemic. This was announced by Kenyan Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Najib Balala, who said the COVID-19 pandemic had caused a major impact on tourism sectors across the…

Botswana to Implement Lockdown

The President of Botswana, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, today (March 31) declared a State of Public Emergency that includes Botswana going into a nationwide lockdown from midnight on April 2. “Where the President declares a state of emergency when Parliament is not sitting, such state of emergency ceases after 21 days,” explained Masisi in a live broadcast.…

Zimbabwe & Namibia Go Into Lockdown

Zimbabwe has implemented a 21-day total lockdown, effective March 30, in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced that all non-essentials services would come to a halt during the lockdown. “Everyone must stay at home, except those seeking health services or buying food, medicine and vital supplies, as well as those manning…

Air Botswana Suspends Operations Until June

The national Airline, Air Botswana, has suspended scheduled services on its domestic and regional route network from the 27th March to 31st May 2020. This is in support of the national call to restrict non-essential travel in efforts to slow-down and arrest the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension period is, however, subject to…

Industry Warns Suppliers Will Lose Business Due to Inflexible Policies

If local tourism suppliers are not flexible with cancellation policies and fees amid the COVID-19 pandemic they could potentially destroy long-term relationships with global tour operators and DMCs and lose future business. This is the opinion of Juliane Loubser, MD of Cape Town-based DMC, Fairfield Tours, who told Tourism Update that many South African tourism suppliers were sticking…

Ethiopian Extends Solidarity to Africans Amid Global Crisis, Delivers Emergency Medical Supplies

Ethiopian Airlines, the Pan-African carrier, has delivered medical supplies donated by Jack Ma, the founder of China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba, to 39 African Countries within 5 days. Ethiopian has transported  Jack Ma’s support including testing kits, masks and protective suits. Following its historical track record of serving Africa in both good and bad times, Ethiopian…

Airlink to Suspend All Operations

Airlink, the South African-based domestic and regional airline, is suspending all operations after midnight this Thursday, 26 March 2020 in support of South Africa’s lock-down to slow and contain the spread of the COVID-19 “Coronavirus”. “In the face of this global public health emergency, the safety and well-being of our customers, crew, employees their families…

South Africa Tourist Attractions to Be Closed

Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane says she has instructed that tourist attractions across the country be closed following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of a national lockdown from midnight on Thursday to curb the spread of COVID-19. “We are saying to tour operators and tour guides, you have an obligation to be responsible and protect South Africans…

Kenya Airways Suspends International Flights

Please see the following message from Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO, Allan Kilavuka Greetings, We in Kenya Airways have been working hard to help our passengers return to their homes given the increased travel restrictions across the world. As we mentioned in our previous communication, we have been forced to reduce our network…