New Luxury Lodge Opens at Ngorongoro Crater

Meliá Hotels International has recently unveiled its latest addition in Tanzania – the luxury Ngorongoro Lodge – marking the company’s fourth property in the country. The lodge joins Gran Melia Arusha, amidst the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro peaks, and Meliá Zanzibar and Meliá Serengeti Lodge. Ngorongoro Lodge features 52 rooms, each with views of the Ngorongoro…

Expanded Zim International Airport Opens Thursday

The expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare has been completed, and the revamped facility will be officially opened on July 13. According to the chronicle.co.zw, while touring the airport, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the completion of the revamp was a sign that the government was taking modernisation and industrialisation seriously. The government’s airport expansion project,…

Sky Safari Extends Green Season Special

Take advantage of this unbeatable opportunity to safari in style with SkySafari for less. We are extending green season rates for any SkySafari itinerary between 1st November and 19th December 2023 in Tanzania or Kenya. Offer is applicable to new bookings only, subject to availability and non combinable with any other offer. For more information,…

Airlink to Open Malawi to the World with New Flights

In what will be a monumental step in increasing seamless travel to Malawi from not only across Africa but worldwide, privately-owned and regional airline Airlink are launching flights to both of Malawi’s international airports in Lilongwe and Blantyre from September 2023. Malawi becomes the 16th country to be included in Airlink’s comprehensive route network. Airlink…

Airlink Increases JNB/Vilanculos Services

Independent regional carrier, Airlink, will increase return flights between Johannesburg and Vilanculos, Mozambique, to 11 a week from January 8 next year. Airlink currently operates a daily service on the route. The decision to add another flight every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday is in response to increased demand for direct services to the popular Indian Ocean…

FlyCemAir Confirms Launch of JNB-VFA Service

South African private carrier FlyCemAir has announced the launch of its latest regional route, with a service between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls, set to start on August 9. The flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The schedule is as follows: JNB to VFA: Departing 11h20 and landing at 13h00 VFA to JNB:…

Introducing ARP’s New Adults Only “Highlights of Tanzania” scheduled safari starting January 2024!

An extraordinary adventure into the wild heart of Tanzania! ARP is thrilled to announce the launch of their highly anticipated scheduled tour, taking you on a thrilling journey through the mesmerizing landscapes and incredible wildlife of this East African gem. A touch of tented accommodation along with luxury lodge stays. Destination: Tanzania, East Africa –…

Kenya Airways Launches New Loyalty Program

Kenya Airways has rolled out its new loyalty programme, Asante Rewards, with redemptions due to begin in October. Customers can redeem points for benefits such as reward ticket flights, seat upgrades, extra baggage allowance, priority services, seat selection, and more, reports afritraveller.com.  Ruby is the lowest tier, giving savings on extra checked baggage, discounts on preferred…

MORE Collection Extends Footprint into Thornybush with Monwana Game Lodge

MORE Family Collection, which owns and manages a collection of luxury safari lodges, boutique hotels, and exclusive-use residences in South Africa and Zimbabwe, welcomed Monwana Game Lodge to its property portfolio last week. Previously allied with Safari Lodges and Classic Retreats (SLACRSA), Monwana Game Lodge offers an exclusive safari experience in the Thornybush Nature Reserve,…

WeTravel’s Tech & Innovation Summit

WeTravel is hosting travel and tech thought leaders and industry experts for our inaugural virtual Tech and Innovation Summit. The tools and systems that support our industry are evolving faster than ever before. With so much new technology at our fingertips, how can you ensure that you’re leveraging the innovations you really need in order to…

No Magical Kenya Travel Expo in 2023

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) wishes to inform all stakeholders that the 13th edition of Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) 2023 wil not take place this year. Kenya will instead host the 3rd edition of the East African Regional Tourism Expo (EARTE). EARTE is a regional travel fair showcasing the region’s diverse tourism offering to consumers,…

Emirates and KQ Forge Partnership

Emirates and Kenya Airways announced an interline partnership yesterday (June 12), which allows customers of both airlines access to new destinations on the two airlines’ networks within a single itinerary. The agreement will provide customers with increased travel options and seamless baggage check-in to their final destination. Emirates customers will now be able to fly…

Marriott to Expand Protea Brand with New Hotels in Botswana, Ethiopia, Tanzania & Nigeria

Marriott International has signed five new deals in Africa under its Protea Hotels brand, spanning four countries: Botswana, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Nigeria. Karim Cheltout, Regional Vice President of Development, Africa, and All-Inclusive, EMEA at Marriott International, said: “Protea Hotels has a rich legacy in Africa, and we are thrilled to further strengthen the brand’s footprint.…

Zimbabwe Finally Drops COVID Entry Regs

Zimbabwe has now dropped its COVID-19-related entry health regulations with immediate effect, putting it in step with the rest of the region. There was some confusion when the Zimbabwean government announced on May 12 that regulations would be dropped, when entrants to the country found that the old rules were still in force and they…

LAM Reinstates Lusaka Flights After 30+ Years

Mozambique’s national carrier, LAM, has announced the resumption of flights to Lusaka, a route it had ceased serving over 30 years ago. From June 30, LAM will operate flights to Lusaka three times a week, on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The decision reflects LAM’s commitment to expanding its regional network and fostering greater connectivity between…

Exciting Upgrades at Hideaways Mogotlho Safari Lodge

Hideaways Mogotlho Safari Lodge, a distinguished property under the renowned Hideaways brand, is proud to announce a series of significant improvements aimed at elevating the guest experience. With a steadfast commitment to upholding the exceptional standards associated with the Hideaways brand, Hideaways Mogotlho Safari Lodge has recently completed two upgrades that are set to improve wildlife encounters…

SAA Reports First Profit since 2011

SAA has reported a profit to National Treasury this financial year ending March 31, 2023. According to Daily Investor, Treasury has told Parliament that SAA (as a group) had turned a profit of R500 million (€24.2m) for the year, versus a budgeted loss of R740 million (€35.8m). SAA (the airline) turned a profit of R31 million…

CPT Reaches Pre-COVID Recovery Numbers

In April 2023, the share of overseas tourists to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) reached full recovery compared with pre-pandemic levels in April 2019. In April this year, the airport recorded 67 747 tourist arrivals, 87% of whom originated from overseas markets and 13% from the African continent. This is according to the monthly tourism…

Malawi Sets Out to Woo Investors

Malawi is actively prospecting for investment in tourism-related projects in an effort to increase visitor numbers by rolling out engaging activities at tourism sites. Speaking at the Malawi Investment Forum in Johannesburg on May 24, Malawi’s State President, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, introduced multiple investment opportunities in tourism in the country known as ‘the warm heart…

Eswatini Air Launches First Flights to Cape Town

The route will initially offer three flights per week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with a carefully planned schedule to cater for both leisure and business travellers. The route is between King Mswati III International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. RN 301departs SHO at 10h20 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and arrives in CPT…

New Lodge Managers at Hideaways Camp Kuzuma

The Hideaways team is thrilled to announce the appointment of our new lodge managers at Hideaways Camp Kuzuma in the Chobe Region, Botswana. Please join us in welcoming Arno and Adele, a dynamic duo with a shared passion for Africa and a deep appreciation for the wonders of nature. Arno brings a wealth of experience…

Airlink to Launch New South Africa to Malawi Route

A brand new route from Airlink will soon allow travellers to fly direct from Johannesburg to the two main cities of Malawi. Starting in September 2023, Airlink will begin operating flights between Johannesburg and Lilongwe and Blantyre, making Malawi the 16th country to be included in Airlink’s comprehensive route network, reports Travel News. Airlink CEO and MD,…

One & Only Rwanda Offers Free Heli Hop

Classic Africa Safaris is pleased to report on a special offer with One&Only Rwanda. Helicopter transfers are FREE of charge between lodges if staying 3 nights at O&O Nyungwe House and 3 nights at O&O Gorilla Nest applicable for bookings from 01 Oct through 14 Dec 2023 only.   Request availability for this special offer in…

Tanzania Greenlights New Luxury Hotel in Serengeti National Park

With its traditional elegant architecture and furnishings reminiscent of the early 1920s, the hotel would have 75 luxurious residential units. Tanzania has approved a construction of a multi-million-dollar five-star lavish contemporary hotel within the Serengeti National Park, as it seeks to enhance leisure travel. The $18 million, stylish and eye-catching, Lake Magadi Serengeti Hotel, stands…

Kenya Airways Completes Africa’s First Long-Haul Sustainable Flight

Last week (Thursday, May 25), Kenya Airways successfully undertook the first long-haul commercial flight from Africa to Europe using sustainable aviation fuel produced by Italian oil and gas company Eni, reports airspace-africa.com. The Boeing 787-800b Dreamliner departed on the ground-breaking flight from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for Schiphol, fuelled by a blend of JetA1 fuel…

Reign Debuts at Emperors Palace

Peermont’s Emperors Palace in Kempton Park opened it’s newest culinary destination on 1 December 2022. Reign replaces the long-standing Aurelia’s Restaurant which closed in July, and establishes a new trendy food destination for lovers of quality cuisine. Reign is a full service destination eatery that offers a contemporary spin on classic dishes that are complicated…