Emperors Palace Goes Further Green

Palace of Dreams Builds Onsite Boreholes and Water Reservoir to reduce impact on environment and local municipal services In the hospitality industry going green and embracing sustainability are vital for environmental preservation, resource conservation, and long-term economic viability. It has become a corporate responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to global efforts in…

Historic News from VulPro@Shamwari!

We are beyond ecstatic to announce the arrival of the first-ever Cape vulture and first white-backed vulture chicks born in captivity in the Eastern Cape, right here at VulPro@Shamwari! These precious hatchlings born in June and July respectively, are a milestone in our mission to protect and restore vulture populations. These tiny yet mighty chicks…

JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge Officially Reopens

Marriott is delighted to announce the reopening of the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge. The team is ready to once again welcome guests, reaffirming their commitment to providing transformative, wellness-forward experiences amidst Africa’s renowned wildlife and wilderness conservation area. More information here: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/nbomj-jw-marriott-masai-mara-lodge/overview/

FlyNamibia to Expand its Regional Routes

Namibia’s only airline, FlyNamibia, told Tourism Update that its expansion plans were well under way, having specifically targeted Victoria Falls and Maun as new routes with significant growth potential. The airline launched its new thrice-weekly service from Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) to Maun International Airport (MUB) on July 3. The return flight to WDH operates…

Marriott Commits to Growing Ethiopian Tourism

Marriott International Inc.’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Anthony Capuano, recently engaged in discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed regarding the company’s ongoing commitment to improving Ethiopia’s hospitality and travel sector. Capuano discussed Marriott’s expansion plans in Ethiopia, with the expected addition of nine properties. This would bring the company’s current portfolio in the country to 11…

Protea Hotels by Marriott Debuts in Angola

To celebrate its 40th birthday, Protea Hotels by Marriott has announced the opening of two new properties, including its first in Angola. The Protea by Marriott Luanda is situated between the Luanda CBD and Talatona, with easy access to a range of businesses and private event destinations. The 84 guest rooms and suites are decorated in…

Sun City Hotel Gets a Revamp

The Sun City Hotel will undergo a complete upgrade of all 340 rooms, bedroom corridors, bedroom terraces and the Sun Terrace beginning in August. The refurbishment, which will be carried out in phases, is set to be completed in November 2026. The first 67 renovated rooms will be ready by the end of November, just…

Mobile Migration Camp Set for 2025 Launch

Tanzanian hospitality operator TAASA Luxury Lodges & Camps has announced the launch of a new family-friendly mobile tented camp in the Serengeti, due to open in July 2025. Designed as a complement to its existing flagship TAASA Lodge in the Great Migration circuit of Northern Tanzania, TAASA Migration Camp will relocate throughout the year to…

Kenya Reasserts High-Season Readiness After Protests

Kenya’s Tourism and Wildlife Ministry has called on visitors to continue with their travel plans to the country during the July to September high season, asserting that the tourism sector has been unaffected by recent public protests. The ministry’s Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua led a high-profile meeting with key industry stakeholders at the start of the month…

Hideaways Nantwich Lodge Wins 2024 Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Award

Hideaways Africa is proud to announce that Hideaways Nantwich Lodge has been recognized in Tripadivsor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards for 2024. This recognition places Hideaways Nantwich Lodge in the top 10% of hotels worldwide, reflecting our commitment to exceptional guest experiences and sustainable tourism. The Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Award celebrates accommodations that consistently receive authentic traveler…

Webinar, Volcanoes Safaris Launches Kibale Lodge

Thursday, July 25th at 1pm Eastern Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1162894515442909022 Volcanoes Safaris, pioneer of great ape ecotourism in Uganda and Rwanda, have opened a new chimpanzee lodge in Uganda, Kibale Lodge. Join Kevin James, COO Volcanoes Safaris, and Betty Nassuna, Sales Manager for an introduction into Kibale Lodge, updates from Volcanoes community and conservation projects, and…

Travulous Announces 2024 & 2025 FAM Trips to Uganda

Travulous is delighted to announce the dates for two unique 7-day Familiarisation Trips to Uganda in 2024 and 2025: FAM Trip 1: visits Entebbe, Murchison Falls NP, Fort Portal and Bwindi Impenetrable NP View Itinerary Online Complete Application Form FAM Trip 2: visits Entebbe, Queen Elizabeth NP and Bwindi Impenetrable NP View Itinerary Online Complete Application…

TAASA Luxury Lodges & Camps Announces the Opening of TAASA Migration Camp in the Serengeti

TAASA Luxury Lodges & Camps, a renowned hospitality operator in Tanzania, is thrilled to unveil its newest addition, TAASA Migration Camp, set to open in July 2025. This unique and family-friendly tented camp, designed to complement their existing “TAASA Lodge” in Northern Tanzania, offers families and adventurers an unforgettable opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring Great…

Singita Opens Premium “Singita Milele” Villa in the Serengeti

Premium lodge collective Singita has added an exclusive-use five-bedroomed villa, Singita Milele, to its offerings in the Serengeti. Situated on the top of Sasakwa Hill, in the national park’s Grumeti Reserve, the residence features individually designed suites, named Journey, Pride, Coalition, Dazzle and Crash, paying tribute to the Serengeti’s iconic wildlife, namely giraffe, lion, cheetah, zebra…

Calm in Kenya as Controversial New Bill is Revoked

Peace has returned to Kenya. This after Kenyan President, William Ruto, pulled the controversial Finance Bill 2024/2025 this evening (June 26) following widespread protests. The Bill, published earlier this month, sought to raise US$ 2.7 billion in additional taxes to reduce the budget deficit and state borrowing. This Bill impacted a number of business sectors in…

Desert and Delta Launches Tsodilo Hills Sleep-Out Camp in Botswana

Desert and Delta Safaris has launched the Tsodilo Hills Sleep-Out Camp in Botswana, an exclusive overnight expedition from Nxamaseri Island Lodge, offering access to one of the world’s most undiscovered Unesco World Heritage Sites, Tsodilo Hills. The camp features eco-friendly pods inspired by traditional nomadic Bushman dwellings, providing an immersive experience in the region’s cultural…

New “Game Changer” Flight Connects Addis to Maun

Industry players have hailed Ethiopian Airlines’ new flight linking East Africa (Addis Ababa) to Maun, Botswana – location of prime tourism hotspot, the Okavango Delta – as a ‘game changer’ for tourism in the country. The airline has commenced three times weekly services to Maun, its second destination in Botswana. Gaborone was the first. Miriam Tichapondwa, Wilderness Botswana…

Uganda Signs MoU for New International Airport

Uganda’s government has signed an MoU with the United Arab Emirates for the construction of an international airport to boost tourism to the underappreciated Kidepo Valley National Park in the northeast of the country. Signed on Thursday, June 20, the agreement comes after talks between the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Ugandan…

Air France Connects Paris with Kilimanjaro

Air France will inaugurate a thrice-weekly route from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro International Airport, as an extension of the Zanzibar flight, from November 18. The additional destination is among the first new additions to the airline’s 2024-2025 winter schedule, and forms part of its long-haul network diversification strategy. The route will operate on…

Pacific Northwest APTA Chapter Officially Launched

The Pacific Northwest Chapter (PNW) of APTA launched on June 18, 2024 with great success, with three suppliers from Kenya, and a local Kenyan caterer providing authentic Kenyan cuisine, and entertainment was a drumming troupe and dancers, which had the attendees up and dancing and playing instruments. The grand prize winner received an all-expenses-paid trip…

James Haigh Appointed Chairman of ATTA

The African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) has appointed James Haigh as its new Chair, effective October 1. A leading figure in the African tourism industry, Haigh brings over 15 years of extensive experience across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, and beyond, from Morocco to the Seychelles and São Tomé and Príncipe. Half day Gauteng easy e-Bike…

Nomad Tanzania Introduces Star Beds at Kigelia Camp

Tour operator, Nomad Tanzania, has introduced star beds at its Kigelia camp. Every room at Kigelia now features a hand-crafted star bed, offering guests a unique and immersive experience under the African night sky. Elevated platforms provide a new perspective on the wildlife below, enhancing the safari experience. Kigelia comprises six tented accommodations, including a…

An Underwater Train Could Link Europe and Africa by 2030

Imagine being able to board a train from Spain to Morocco, and travel efficiently—and sustainably—between Europe and Africa in under six hours. Thanks to a historic rail tunnel project currently being considered by the two countries’ transportation ministries, the first-ever rail link between the two continents could become a reality in just a few years. Undersea tunnels connecting…

Emirates to fly to Madagascar via Seychelles

Emirates will launch flights to Madagascar from 3 September 2024, offering more choice and connectivity for travellers, and driving inbound leisure and business travel to the country. The four-weekly flights between Dubai (DXB) and Antananarivo (TNR), will operate via a linked service with the Seychelles. Boosting international travel to and from Madagascar, the flight times…

Introducing Bush & Beyond Private

As requests for exclusive use properties grow, we are thrilled to present Bush & Beyond Private for your travelers! Conde Nast Traveler has recently featured the exclusive options found onboard NaiSabah and at House in the Wild. Good thing for planners and their travelers is that there are options at all of our Bush & Beyond family…

South Coast Hotel to Relaunch as All-inclusive Resort

Southern African hotel group Dream Hotels & Resorts will relaunch its Blue Marlin Hotel on KwaZulu Natal’s South Coast as an all-inclusive establishment following a sweeping refurbishment, just in time for the country’s spring season in September. The Blue Marlin All-Inclusive Seascape will offer an upgraded pool area and modernised facilities, along with an array of…

Intrepid Backs Female Anti-Poaching Heroes

In the run-up to World Female Ranger Day on June 23, Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure travel company and a leader in responsible tourism, is putting the spotlight on its ongoing partnership with the Black Mambas, South Africa’s renowned all-female anti-poaching unit. This collaboration is a testament to the power of women in conservation…

The Reimagined Kapama Karula Family Villa’s

Dear Travel Partner,   Finally, an exciting announcement: The Reimagined Kapama Karula Family Villa’s.   We are bursting with pride, ready to invite you to explore the refurbished Superior Family Villa’s at Kapama Karula. Our 5-star premium lodge, setting an even higher benchmark for luxury and comfort in the heart of the African bush.  …

Namibia to Remove US & Canada From Visa-exempt List

Namibia could soon see its top tourism source markets removed from its visa exemption list, due to the countries “not reciprocating the favourable treatment granted to their nationals when visiting Namibia”. In a statement on May 24, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, said Namibia’s Cabinet had granted authorisation for the introduction…

Exclusive Discounts Available at TAASA Lodge

Enjoy exclusive discounts on contracted rates when booking at TAASA Lodge for stays between October 2024 and May 2025 Stay dates between October 2024 – February 2025 • Receive an additional 15% off your contracted rates Stay dates between March 2025 – May 2025 • Receive an additional 30% off your contracted rates T&C’s •…

ATTA Launches the ATTA for Action Awards to Spotlight Meaningful Impact in Tourism Across Africa

Marking its 30th anniversary, the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA®) announced the launch of the ATTA® for Action Awards. This new programme aims to recognise and celebrate organisations and companies across Africa making significant strides in impactful tourism practices. The launch of the ATTA® for Action Awards comes at a crucial time when the…

Volcanoes Safaris Opens Kibale Lodge on 1 July 2024

Volcanoes Safaris, the pioneer of gorilla and chimpanzee ecotourism in Uganda and Rwanda since 1997, announces the opening of Kibale Lodge in Uganda on 1 July 2024. Bookings now open! Volcanoes’ fifth lodge is a landmark development: it creates a unique circuit linking the finest gorilla and chimpanzee sites in Africa. Kibale Lodge sits on a…