Rhino in Rwanda & Discounted Gorilla Permits

Travelers can save 30% on gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park when they include other Rwanda National Parks (Akagera or Nyungwe) for 3 days or more in their safari plans. This special offer is valid through May 2022, reports Classic Africa Safaris. The 29 Nov 2022 announcement by African Parks of the historic translocation…

Feasting in Paradise: New Fine Dining on the Indian Ocean

The cuisine at Anatara’s Bazaruto Island Resort on Mozambique’s Indian Ocean coast is inspired by the surroundings. Fresh-from-the-boat locally sourced seafood, as well as the indigenous herbs and spices from the resort garden, infuse the complex layered flavors of Mozambique, Portugal and beyond at the resort’s two restaurants. Tartaruga Restaurant & Bar Wander to the deck…

Africa’s Eden Tourism Association Shares Open Letter Regarding Southern Africa Travel Bans

Appeal for taking a “risk-based and scientific approach” to travel bans to Southern Africa with consideration of the devastating human implications following the announcement of the B.1.1.529 variant of COVID-19. Africa’s Eden Tourism Association is a private sector, membership based organisation representing the tourism ecosystem in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. We are appealing to…

Seychelles Closes Borders to Southern African Countries Due to New COVID-19 Variant

Visitors from seven southern African countries will not be permitted to enter Seychelles from Saturday November 27 until further notice under new travel measures announced by the local health authorities on Friday due to a new variant of COVID-19. The Ministry of Health said that the new restrictions apply to South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia…

Malawi’s National Parks Making Big Progress

The development of two of Malawi’s ecologically-crucial wilderness areas, Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve – which form part of the Nyika-North Luangwa section of the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area – is “progressing in leaps and bounds”. This according to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Wildlife, Dr Michael Usi, who visited the parks…

Babanango: One for the (Wildlife) History Books

The largest conservation project in South Africa since apartheid isn’t a national park or government wildlife program, but the funding and creation of Babanango Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal province. Located in a malaria-free area of KwaZulu-Natal province near South Africa’s Indian Ocean coast, the history making reserve sprawls along the White Umfolozi River in the beautiful…

Jenman African Safaris Launches New Zimbabwe Villas

Jenman African Safaris is excited to announce the launch of our Zimbabwe Villa Collection, encouraging exclusive and safe family travel. Our carefully selected high-end, socially conscious and remote properties offer the perfect solution to provide peace of mind for a COVID friendly getaway. Zimbabwe is truly a destination unrivalled. Environmentally unique and varied in landscape as well as colourful and…

Qatar Airways Privilege Club and JetBlue TrueBlue Launch Loyalty Partnership

Qatar Airways and JetBlue are launching a reciprocal loyalty partnership, bringing additional perks to members of both airlines’ loyalty programmes. Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can now earn Qmiles on flights operated by JetBlue and JetBlue TrueBlue members can earn points on Qatar Airways flights. Privilege Club members can now fly to more destinations across the…

New Hotel to Open in Zanzibar

The Zanzibella Hotel & Spa is set to open in Zanzibar, Tanzania in January 2022. Located in Kiwenga – the north eastern part of Zanzibar – the hotel will initially open with 28 rooms, with additional rooms to be added later. The rooms will have either garden or ocean views. There is also a family…

Emirates and JetBlue Partnership Update

If you’re planning your next adventure to or from the Americas, enjoy a seamless travel experience with Emirates JetBlue partnership. Book your entire journey with Emirates and connect to the US, the Caribbean, or South America, all on one ticket. Codeshare flights are available to 50 domestic cities via New York (JFK), 41 cities via…

Mabula Guide Training Program Success

Mabula Game Lodge are delighted to announce that the first two candidates have received their FGASA qualification and have completed the Mabula Guide Training internship. The pilot program was born in 2019 from a need to address the skills gaps within the industry and to offer upliftment within the Bela Bela community. After a pause…

Hideaways Expands its Portfolio

Broadening its horizons, Hideaways welcomes new properties across Zimbabwe to its portfolio. Zimbabwe’s charm resonates from one side of the country to the other, its rich and varied landscapes irresistible to the safari aficionado. One may satiate a myriad of travel appetites by exploring the country with Hideaways, each property offering its own particular personality.…

US Reopens Borders After 20 Months

The United States reopened its borders Monday to foreign visitors fully vaccinated against Covid-19 after 20 months of travel restrictions, paving the way for eagerly anticipated reunions among family members and friends. The ban, imposed by then president Donald Trump in early 2020 and upheld by his successor Joe Biden, has been widely criticized and…

APTA’s Webinar Library is Growing

APTA’s Webinar Library is growing! New content is being added all the time, including: APTA’s recent session during Africa Showcase 2021 APTA’s Explore Africa Webinar Series – Welcome Back to East Africa Tanzania is Rebooting Its Tourism Industry APTA North East Panel Discussion on Travel to East Africa The Story of Kasbah Tamadot APTA members…

Skydiving Comes to Zanzibar

 It is a few minutes past 11am local time. The sky above is bright. The sound of ocean waves calmly splash the shores, welcoming another busy day on the beaches of Nungwi in Zanzibar. Excitement is palpable among a group of people gathered around a coffee table nestled on the white sand in Kendwa Rocks…

Emirates to Resume Twice-Daily Flights to Seychelles

Emirates will soon resume twice-daily flights to Seychelles, President Wavel Ramkalawan announced while heading a delegation at the Dubai Expo 2020. The Dubai-based airline, Emirates, which previously operated twice-daily flights to Seychelles prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed daily passenger services to Seychelles in August last year. Speaking at a press conference, Ramkalawan said the Seychellois…

ANEW Hotels Adds Two New Johannesburg Properties

ANEW Hotels & Resorts has announced two new additions to its portfolio with the grand opening of ANEW Hotel Parktonian (formerly Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Parktonian) in Braamfontein and ANEW Hotel Roodepoort (formerly Protea Hotel Roodepoort) on November 1. ANEW Hotel Parktonian will be the largest hotel in the group’s portfolio, offering 300 rooms…

Airlink to Trial IATA Travel Pass

In a great leap forward for aviation and health in the region, Airlink is to become the first carrier in Southern Africa to trial the Iata Travel Pass, a secure digital smartphone app that allows passengers to provide accurate information on their COVID-19 health status and also to access the entry requirements of any countries they…

Malawi’s Lilongwe Wildlife Trust Making Strides

Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT), responsible for running Malawi’s only wildlife rehabilitation centre and a key campaigner in Malawi’s fight against wildlife crime, have released their latest newsletter covering a collection of latest projects and conservation successes. This month, the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust were excited to announce the launch of their apprenticeships programme which will offer Malawian…

Tanzanian Tour Operators Contribute 150 Million Schillings in War Against Poaching

Tanzania Tourism players have pumped multi-millions of shillings into an extensive anti-poaching program designed to protect the priceless wildlife heritage of Africa’s animals in the Serengeti National Park. Under the auspices of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), tourism investors have dished out 150 million shillings (US$65,300) to boost a de-snaring program, redoubling their…