Accor to bring Mantis Collection’s eco-minded charm to Madagascar with new hotel & spa on Sainte Marie Island

Mantis Soanambo Hotel & Spa Sainte Marie will be the first internationally branded resort in Nosy Boraha Accor, a world leading hospitality group, today announced plans to open Mantis Soanambo Hotel & Spa on Nosy Boraha (Ile Sainte-Marie) in Madagascar. The Mantis Collection, part of Accor, is a leading conservation-led hospitality company renowned for its…

Mauritius Resort Closed Due to Virus

Mauritius beach resort, Outrigger, on the south coast of the island at Bel Ombre, has been temporarily closed to visitors since February 18, due to the detection of the presence of Legionnella, the microorganism that causes Legionnaire’s disease. Although no new cases related to the hotel have been identified since February 18, the property has…

RwandAir Signs Turkish Airways Codeshare

RwandAir has signed a new codeshare with Turkish Airlines. Passengers coming to Africa on Turkish Airlines’ flights into Kigali will have access to RwandAir’s growing African network in Southern, West, Central and East Africa, in a seamless experience, including their baggage. RwandAir passengers, when travelling from Africa, will now have access to the Turkish carrier’s…

Welcome Silver Africa Tours and Safaris

Silver Africa Tours and Safaris, in business for 20 years, is a boutique Kenya DMC with fully customized vehicles that have extra large windows, pop-up roof, padded seats, charging points and more.  Their experienced guides are full time employees, their safari planners experts in all things Kenya and their internal air team can book flights…

Victoria Falls Raises Entry Fees

Zimbabwe’s National Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) will raise the conservation fees for accessing Victoria Falls National Park from April 1. This decision was made despite the previous backlash from stakeholders who claimed they were not consulted earlier this year when Zimparks first proposed the increase. Back in December, the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe…

SAUDIA Launches Direct Flights to Dar es Salaam

SAUDIA, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, launched its first direct flight to Dar es Salaam this past weekend. The airline will be operating four weekly flights between King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The flights are operated with an…

WTM Africa Back to Pre-COVID Numbers

While there are major actions needed to elevate the tourism sector – improving safety, increasing air access, increasing investment, and growing tourism’s contribution to the economy – the industry is ready to come back with a bang! This was the positive message from the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, speaking at WTM Africa, which kicked…

Ethiopian Airlines To Resume Flights From Côte d’Ivoire To JFK

Continuing with its impressive international route expansion, Ethiopian Airlines is set to operate yet another route between New York and Côte d’Ivoire starting on May 23. The airline will resume the flight between New York JFK international and Felix Houphouet Boigny International Airport in Côte d’Ivoire, commonly known as the Ivory Coast. This route was launched in June 2019…

Airlink to Resume Service to Nosy Be, Madagascar

Johannesburg to Nosy Be will re-commence from 25 June 2023 with a once-weekly direct flight on Sundays as part of the drive to restore flights between South Africa and Madagascar to pre-pandemic levels. “Having just recently re-established connectivity between Johannesburg and Antananarivo, which is a predominantly business and trade route. Airlink is preparing to re-ignite tourism…

Uganda Lifts Covid-19 Entry Requirements

Classic Africa Safaris is pleased to report that Ugandan officials have lifted the Covid-19 vaccination requirement for all arrivals into Entebbe International Airport (EBB) effective immediately. For departing passengers, proof of vaccination will be checked only if the airline or an onward country of destination requires it. CAS asks that trade partners confirm any Covid-19…

Indaba Expected to Double in Size

Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023 is expected to almost double in size, drawing growing revenue and attracting thousands of delegates and international buyers to the Durban International Convention Centre from May 9-11. This is the forecast business and government tourism leaders, including Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, gave of the continent’s upcoming premier tourism and travel business…

Victoria Falls Raises Entry Fees

Zimbabwe’s National Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) will raise the conservation fees for accessing Victoria Falls National Park from April 1. This decision was made despite the previous backlash from stakeholders who claimed they were not consulted earlier this year when Zimparks first proposed the increase. Back in December, the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe…

New Entebbe Forest Lodge Opens in Uganda

Classic Africa Safaris is pleased to report the opening of a new luxury property in Uganda, the Entebbe Forest Lodge. Our general manager Hilda recently visited the property and reports that the lodge sits in a beautiful forested area overlooking Lake Victoria (approx. 30 minutes from EBB Airport). The six cabins have forest views and…

Shenton Safaris Launches the Ultimate Zambian Adventure

Shenton Safaris are offering the ultimate Zambian adventure. Launching all-new 2-week and 3-week itineraries, the emphasis is on personalized, owner-run camps in remote areas, with passionate guides, excellent wildlife and incredible experiences. “The Shentons and their extended family of extraordinary guides, have been sharing the magic of South Luangwa National Park with guests from all…

Zambia Drops COVID Entry Requirement

As of 22nd March 2023, Zambia no longer requires proof of Covid vaccination or a negative PCR test to enter the country. Botswana, Namibia and Zambia now offer free movement with regards to any Covid-19 restrictions. We hope that Zimbabwe will soon follow. For up-to-date travel information regarding Covid-19, please refer your clients to the…

International Tourist Centre Launched in Serengeti

Tanzania has launched an international tourist centre at the iconic Serengeti National Park in a bid to promote the country’s vast tourism offerings. Opened by Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mohamed Mchengerwa, the visitor centre provides information on the country’s 22 national parks and 29 game reserves, including maps and key attributes of the various…

Deadline Looms for SAA’s Unflown Tickets

SAA has alerted the trade that clients who are holding open tickets and travel EMD vouchers (Electronic Miscellaneous Document), have travel credit vouchers that expire on Friday, March 31, 2023. Following its Business Rescue, SAA created the option for customers holding unflown tickets to exchange them for credit vouchers. These unused tickets and credit vouchers…

Zambia Airways Goes Regional

Zambia Airways will debut its regional operations with thrice-weekly flights between Lusaka and Harare from March 28, as the relaunched national carrier seeks to achieve its goal of carrying 1.9 million passengers annually by 2028. The airline was relaunched in December 2021 through a partnership between the Zambian Government, the Industrial Development Corporation and Ethiopian…

Chiawa Camp in Zambia Opens to the Stars

A new ‘Star Bed’ tower and ‘Star Drift’ experience will debut at Chiawa Camp in the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia on May 1. Located just downstream of the main camp, the ‘Star Bed’ tower – an open-to-the-skies sleep-out experience – is positioned on the banks of the Zambezi River, overlooking ‘Scout’s Hollow’, an…

Cyclone Freddy Slams Malawi, You Can Help

The cyclone has unleashed torrents of water in built-up areas of Blantyre along the rivers, and terrible landslides have swept down hillsides. Boulders more enormous than houses have rolled down the mountainside leaving no trace of dwellings, humans or life behind. The plains in Chikwawa and Nsanje have again disappeared under water, leaving thousands of…

Exclusive-Use Villa Launched at Greater Mabula Private Game Reserve

Luxury property owner and management company Extraordinary to launch exclusive-use villa in the Greater Mabula Private Game Reserve Luxury property owner and management company Extraordinary is set to launch an exclusive-use luxury villa in Limpopo’s Greater Mabula Private Game Reserve in January 2023. Located only two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Johannesburg in the Waterberg, Kingfisher Villa…

Extraordinary Launches New Luxury Exclusive-Use Villa in Limpopo

Luxury property owner and management company Extraordinary has launched its exclusive-use luxury villa in Limpopo’s Greater Mabula Private Game Reserve.   Located only two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Johannesburg in the Waterberg, Kingfisher Villa offers an exclusive and elegant bush getaway for family and friends to come together and enjoy a private safari experience. An airstrip on…

Airlink Moves Forward in North America

Airlink has appointed AVIAREPS as its GSA to consolidate the airline’s presence in the crucial North American and Asian source markets. “North America is a significant source market, not just for Airlink but for businesses, entrepreneurs and leisure travellers. Economic activity between South Africa and North America is increasing, including tourism, trade and commerce,” said…

SAUDIA Adds Johannesburg Flights

SAUDIA, in collaboration the Saudi Air Connectivity Programme (ACP) and the Saudi Tourism Authority, is launching flights to four new destinations including Johannesburg, Kano (Nigeria), Birmingham (UK), and Beijing. The new direct flight routes are being launched in response to the increase in consumer demand from travellers looking to visit or transit through Saudi from…

Airlink Adds Seasonal JNB-St Helena Flight

St Helena has welcomed a new mid-week Airlink flight connecting the remote destination with Johannesburg from November 2023. The new seasonal flight, which will operate on Tuesdays, will complement the regular scheduled flights to St Helena on Saturdays. The additional flight will be available during the Southern summer season, from November 28 to the end…

Hideaways New Partner Properties

The new year has seen some exciting changes within our Hideaways portfolio! In addition to our own lodges and camps, we’ve added a selection of partner properties that are privately owned and managed independently, in order to provide the absolute best experiences for our clients. These partner properties share the same values and views on eco-philosophy…

Mozambique Villas added to JENMAN Collection

JENMAN African Safaris is opening the travel treasure chest of Mozambique with the addition of four exquisite villas to their already impressive Private Villa Collection. Situated on the unspoilt tropical island of Benguerra and in the vibrant coastal town of Vilanculos, these properties are the epitome of a sublime Mozambique getaway. The balmy turquoise waters of…

Tanzania to Shine at ITB Berlin

Tanzania Association of Tour Operators – TATO, is the largest association of tour operators, travel agents, DMCs, airlines, hotels, and different activity providers in Tanzania, East Africa. TATO members are experts in all tourism and travel services Tanzania has to offer: ~ wildlife safaris in the world-famous national parks, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, and…

Flydubai Expands to Somalia

Flydubai will expand its East Africa network with a new daily direct flight to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, from March 9. The carrier will double the frequency of flights from June 1, making it the first carrier to connect Somalia directly with Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. Hamad Obaidalla, FlyDubai Chief Commercial Officer, said the…