Qatar Airways has been announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ by the international air transport rating organization, Skytrax, in addition to securing five additional awards including World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge, World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat, World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering and Best Airline in the Middle…
Why is now the best time to visit Southern and East Africa? Top luxury suppliers are offering amazing specials and discounts for your safari holiday. View all of our 2021 and 2022 specials here.
With South African Airways (SAA) resuming operations, Emirates has been working closely with SAA to reactivate its long-standing partnership which aims to improve the customer experience and provide more value to travellers when flying on both carriers. The move also helps cement SAA’s standing and position and will build growth momentum as the carrier initially…
APTA has joined forces with Africa Showcase to present this year’s Africa Showcase Online North America 2021! This year’s show will take place virtually on 20-21 October. This year’s event will include an innovative live-networking format that doesn’t require you to spend time pre-scheduling meetings. Africa Showcase has also designed the event to span two days where one day’s timing is…
United Airlines and regional airline, Airlink, have forged a new codeshare agreement that will offer customers more connections between the US and Southern Africa than any other airline alliance, according to a press release from the two carriers. The new agreement (subject to government approvals) will give United’s travellers from the US one-stop connections to…
The world’s longest zipline, more than 3km long and up to 500m high, is coming to Caledon, next to the N2 and just an hour’s drive from Cape Town. Installation of the zipline, named the K3, commences this month and it should be operational later in the 2021/22 summer season. The project is a joint…
TAAG Angola Airlines has announced the gradual resumption of its international flight operations. From early October, the carrier will resume flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Windhoek and Maputo. Below is a summary of the new schedule from Luanda, with the start date: Johannesburg on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – October 5 Cape Town on Thursdays…
To update the trade on developments in Seychelles, Tourism Seychelles is organising a Virtual Travel Expo on October 12 and 13. During the Expo, the trade can meet and chat to 15 exhibitors from Seychelles, including resorts, hotels, DMCs, Air Seychelles and South African tour operators offering packages to the islands. Who is invited to…
The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) observed World Tourism Day by calling on players in the entire tourism value chain to be proactive in its painstaking efforts to see that nobody is left behind as the industry begins to rebound. TATO has been working around the clock to devise urgent measures to help revive…
The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) has launched a new grading system to ensure quality-assured accommodation and facilities that are accredited and graded by TGCSA to comply with international standards. “South Africa takes service excellence very seriously. The gradual recovery of travel since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has instilled some renewed…
Sure, the kids are keen on the animals. But how do you keep them busy between game drives and bush walks? Sopa Lodges in Kenya and Tanzania have got you covered with a wide range of family friendly services and activities. From Lake Naivasha and Samburu to Tarangire and the Serengeti, every one of the eight…
There’s always something good about Rhinos! The latest from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is that the two organizations have come to a mutual understanding and long-term partnership to keep the Rhinos at the sanctuary. Contrary to earlier plans of relocating the Rhinos, these giants will stay at the sanctuary for some…
Safaris can be idyllic, but they also present a unique set of challenges that will at times push you out of your comfort zone. Emma Summers, the EcoTraining camp manager at Selati Game Reserve, offers her tips for surviving and thriving in the Africa bush. First and foremost, Emma advises that everyone should embrace the unexpected and…
RwandAir has announced the resumption of the daily flights to and from Entebbe International Airport. The halt of this route since June 2021 was due to a surge in Covid cases in the region. Following consistent reduction in covid confirmed cases, the regional flights to and from Uganda will restart on 17th September 2021. The…
As the world deals with the ongoing challenges of travel during COVID-19, we strive to continue to support and assist you and your clients wherever possible. In an effort to ensure a hassle free experience at our properties, we are pleased to confirm that we can now offer on-site COVID-19 testing at our properties in…
Following months of preparation after exiting business rescue, South African Airways (SAA) resumes both domestic and regional Africa service. The carrier’s first scheduled flight is an early morning take-off from OR Tambo International in Johannesburg to Cape Town International on September 23rd and is one of three return flights per day between the two cities.…
VIRTUAL EXPO 05 – 06 OCT 2021 #MKTE2021 https://mkte.co.ke/ 2 Day Virtual Experience Pre-scheduled appointments 4 Market Presentations to reignite source markets 4 Power Panels with industry thought leaders 4 Speed Networking events 2 Business Buzz sessions to meet trade 100 African Exhibitors from across East Africa Media interviews with global media Over 200 pre-qualified…
From October 4, Uganda Airlines will launch flights between Entebbe and Dubai using its recently acquired Airbus A330neo. The flights will operate initially on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. On Mondays, flight UR444 will depart Entebbe at 11h25 arrive in Dubai at 17h25. The return flight UR445 will depart from Dubai at 20h00 and arrive in…
The rehabilitation and expansion of Namibia’s flagship airport, Hosea Kutako International in Windhoek, is set for completion by the end of the month. Namibia Airports Company spokesperson, Dan Kamati, said the work on the airport, amounting to N$95m (€5.5m), would elevate it to meet global standards set by other airport terminals around the world. According to The Namibian, the…
The Malawi Ministry of Health released a statement recently confirming that the country’s borders have now reopened to all international travellers, with remaining travel restrictions and quarantine requirements lifted. Malawi originally closed its borders in June to everyone except Malawi residents and citizens in an effort to limit the impact of a third wave of…
Emirates is increasing flight frequencies to a number of US destinations from October. The airline has been building up connectivity in response to growing customer demand on the back of rising travel confidence and the easing of international travel protocols. There has also been a growing interest from US travellers to visit Dubai, a city…
South Africa is already home to a host of unique travel experiences, but soon you can walk the sky at God’s Window Skywalk in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. Dubbed as the first skywalk of its kind in South Africa, and one of a very few to have been built around the world, the…
Visitor arrivals to Seychelles in 2021 surpassed the 100,000 mark on Sunday, an important milestone showing that efforts made by the government and tourism partners are bearing fruit, a high tourism official said. To celebrate the moment, passengers arriving in the island nation from Tel Aviv, Israel on board El Al’s flight LY055 were treated…
The Seychelles’ national carrier, Air Seychelles, plans to resume flights to Johannesburg, South Africa as of September 24, the airline announced on Tuesday. The return of Air Seychelles to South Africa comes after the local Ministry of Health lifted travel restrictions between the two countries. Commercial flights had been suspended for several months due to…
SIR RICHARD BRANSON’S KASBAH TAMADOT IS A TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD’S BEST AWARDS 2021 WINNER Kasbah Tamadot, part of the Virgin Limited Edition collection of luxury retreats around the world has been named the #1 Best Resort Hotel in North Africa and the Middle East for the fourth year in the prestigious Travel + Leisure…
Visitors from South Africa are again allowed to enter Seychelles, as of September 13, after the Ministry of Health removed the country from its restricted list. Following a Sunday update made to the Health Entry and Stay Conditions for Travellers, entry and stay conditions will not be affected by the COVID-19 vaccination status of visitors. Visitors however…
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of Hyatt Regency Cairo West. The 250-room hotel marks Hyatt’s return to Cairo and strengthens its growing brand footprint in North Africa. As part of the Hyatt Regency brand, the hotel is designed with productivity in mind to deliver seamless experiences and an energizing hub for both…
East Africa has seen a positive turnaround in its recovery strategy for the tourism sector owing to the conscious efforts by East African Community (EAC) Partner States to work together in promoting growth in the sector. The sector has benefited from “significant” private-sector investments in hotels, transportation, marketing and product development, and dedicated government efforts…
A raging veld fire that broke out last week in the Mabuasehube area on the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, has destroyed Polentswa Lodge, a nine-unit tented camp. The fire was successfully contained on the South African side on Saturday morning (September 11) but it is reportedly still burning on the Botswana side…
Kenya is set to host the 2021 Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) virtually between 5th and 6th of October 2021. The annual event which was postponed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic is the largest tourism fair in the region and is set to bring together domestic, regional and international tour operators, travel agents,…
Radisson Hotel Group, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has set a record in its North African expansion, with the signing of nine hotels, to date this year. This has boosted the group’s North Africa portfolio, comprising the Maghreb countries along with Libya and Egypt, to over 30 hotels in operation and under development,…
The Virgin Limited Edition property takes two coveted spots as the World’s Best Hotel and Best Safari Lodge Mahali Mzuri, Sir Richard Branson’s Kenyan Safari Camp located in the world-famous Maasai Mara ecosystem, has been ranked as the #1 Hotel in the World, as well as the #1 Safari Lodge in Travel + Leisure’s 2021…
A new coronavirus variant, C.1.2, has been detected in South Africa and a number of other countries, with concerns that it could be more infectious and evade vaccines, according to a new preprint study by South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform. The study is awaiting peer review. Scientists first…
In 2019, Africa was deemed the second fastest growing tourism region in the world. Travel contributed $194 billion to the continent’s gross domestic product, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria had made the largest tourism contributions to GDP, and Tunisia and Rwanda showed over 10 percent growth, ranking among the…
Air Senegal operated its first flights between the US and Dakar, Senegal this past week. Twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays is available from New York’s JFK Airport and Baltimore/Washington Airport (BWI) with convenient connections to many of Air Senegal’s regional routes JFK/BWI to Dakar Starting at $ 906* roundtrip, all in Find out…
Kenya will next month host a virtual international tourism fair bringing influential travel trade representatives from more than 50 key tourism market countries across the globe to help market the country as a tourist destination, organizers said on Wednesday. Najib Balala, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary said the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) set to…
The highest urban bar in Africa, on the 57th floor of The Leonardo in Sandton, opened this past weekend. Named Alto234, the space can accommodate up to 100 people across seven seating areas and offers 360-degree views of Sandton and Johannesburg. Entry costs R300 (€18) per person. Both the drinks and food on offer, which…
A new luxury tented eco-camp, Khwai Expeditions Camp, has opened in the Khwai Village, east of the Okavango Delta. The six luxury tents and one family cottage, which sleeps two adults and two children, are built on raised platforms and feature a balcony with a view of the seasonal lagoon. The en-suite tents have indoor…
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife is targeting to raise Ksh100 Million during the upcoming inaugural Magical Kenya Tembo Naming Festival. This was said by Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala when he received contributions towards the initiative from 4 organizations: East Africa Safari Rally, Chandaria Foundation, Oltukai Lodges and African Wildlife Foundation at…
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has begun implementation of its electronic visa system (e-Visa) to 15 countries. The implementation would be released in a phased approach, starting with Kenya and Cameroon, said DHA Chief Director of Port Control, Rika Anker, in a letter to the airline industry on Monday (September 6). She noted that only…
The Board of Directors of Wesgro – the official tourism, trade investment and film promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape – has appointed Wrenelle Stander as CEO. After a “lengthy and rigorous” recruitment process, Stander takes over from Tim Harris as CEO of Wesgro. She will begin her tenure in October. Michael Spicer, Chairman of the Wesgro Board,…
An Elewana Collection Update Elewana Kilindi Zanzibar’s series of 15 white-domed Pavilion guest rooms, set within 50 acres of lush tropical gardens, offer a new, cooler feel for guests. Renovations included structural updates to the guest pavilions to improve the air conditioning experience while white wooden-slatted shutters allow the gentle Indian Ocean breeze to waft throughout, maintaining Kilindi’s ‘open-to-nature’ atmosphere. At Elewana Collection,…