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…

South Africa Has a New Glamping Adventure Operator

Another adventure tour operator is joining the South African market, with LEETO Nomads, a self-described outdoor lifestyle experience hosting and trade marketing services agency, announcing its official launch this past weekend. Tourism Update caught up with the founder, Lehlohonolo Pitso, who has 22 years’ experience in the tourism industry – including heading the South African Tourism Regional…

Americans Tap Into Pent-up Holiday Funds

Announcements that the US has moved South Africa down to Level 3 and that it will open borders from November 8 to fully vaccinated travellers only bodes well for market recovery. This is according to Sense of Africa, South Africa Chief Operating Officer, Martin Botha. He told Tourism Update the North American market would likely pick up for travel…

BA and Kenya Airways Ink Codeshare

British Airways and Kenya Airways have signed a codeshare, enabling passengers to fly to 20 destinations across east and central Africa. Destinations include Zanzibar, Tanzania; Mombasa, Kenya; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and Entebbe, Uganda. Passengers flying with Kenya Airways to London can connect to 26 destinations including Glasgow, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam and Frankfurt. BA currently offers four…

Travulous to Offer Exclusive Itineraries in Rwanda, Guided by Former Colleagues of Gorilla Primatologist Dian Fossey

Travulous, a Destination Management Company located in Rwanda, known for its innovative, conservation-based itineraries and events, today announces a series of exclusive tours and events personally guided and hosted by former research staff and colleagues of the legendary gorilla primatologist, the late Dian Fossey. The owners and management team of Travulous have worked extensively across…

Strategic Partnership Set to Revive Tanzania Tourism

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is supporting the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) to revive the Tanzania tourism industry to spur other businesses, recover thousands of lost jobs, and generate revenue to the economy. Wildlife tourism in Tanzania continues to grow with nearly 1.5 million tourists visiting the country annually, earning the country $2.5 billion…

Delta Increases Frequencies to Johannesburg

On December 19, Delta Air Lines will increase its flights between Atlanta and Johannesburg from three flights a week, to five. So said Jimmy Eichelgruen, Delta’s Director of Sales for Africa, Middle East and India in an email to Tourism Update. From December 19, flights from South Africa will be offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and…

Tanzania Unveils FAM Trip Program

Join the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) for a webinar introduction of Tanzania’s FAM trip program which seeks to bring members of the travel trade to experience Tanzania’s world-class safari based experiences first-hand. During this webinar session you’ll hear from TATO leadership on the 2021 FAM program and what to expect in 2022. TATO…