Airline Drops Licensing Compliance Bombshell in SA

A recent decision by the Air Services Licensing Council (ASLC) finding FlySafair non-compliant with domestic licensing rules, could jeopardise the operations of other major airlines in South Africa and potentially bring significant disruption for air travel, says FlySafair in a media release issued yesterday afternoon, January 14. “The Council has issued a ruling that calls into…

Radisson Blu Waterfront Cape Town Joins Radisson Luxury Lifestyle Portfolio

After an extensive refurbishment, Radisson Blu Waterfront Cape Town has rebranded as the first South African hotel under the global hotel group’s luxury lifestyle portfolio, Radisson Collection. Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town, features 175 rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies overlooking either the ocean or the marina. In line with the…

Air Tanzania Banned from EU Airspace

The European Commission has added Air Tanzania to the EU Air Safety List, banning it from flying in the EU. “The latest update adds Air Tanzania to the list due to safety concerns identified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency,” said the Commission, which did not specify any particular violations. The airline has subsequently…

Malawi Positioning as a Bird Watcher Paradise

While many African countries claim to be a birdwatcher’s paradise, Malawi’s credentials are particularly impressive. The country is a birder’s paradise. Few places in Africa can rival Malawi’s range of bird species, combined with the accessibility of its birdwatching. Around 650 different species have been identified here, with 10% seen nowhere else in southern Africa.…

Lesotho Boutique Hotel Reopens

A Lesotho boutique hotel, which closed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, is reopening its doors in mid-December. Situated in the capital, Maseru, Mpilo Boutique Hotel shut its doors in 2021. Parent company Flame Lily Hospitality has since completed an extensive transformation to welcome guests back with enhanced amenities including a fine dining…

Sierra Leone Makes Significant Strides in Visa Openness, Boosting Tourism Potential

Sierra Leone has achieved a remarkable transformation in its visa openness policies, significantly enhancing access for travelers and strengthening its appeal as a tourism destination. Between 2023 and 2024, the country’s Visa Openness Index (AVOI) score rose by 0.309 points to reach 0.811, propelling its ranking from 22nd to 13th among African nations. This change…

Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) Unveils Unique Travel Experiences at MATKA Helsinki and FITUR Madrid 2025

The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) is excited to announce its participation in the MATKA Nordic Travel Fair in Helsinki, Finland, from 16th to 19th January 2025. TATO will be represented by 14 co-exhibitors, including safari and trekking operators, Zanzibar tour specialists, activity providers, and accommodation suppliers, all promoting Tanzania as a premier travel…

Proposed Five-star Hotel Attracts Controversy in Seychelles

A non-profit environmental protection organisation, with Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan as patron, has called for construction of a five-star hotel on Assumption Island close to the Aldabra Atoll – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – to stop. The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) manages and protects the uninhabited Aldabra Atoll located over 1 000km southwest of the main island…

The Africa Rally Returns to Malawi in 2025

Sub-Saharan Africa’s Biggest Road Trip Event, in which anyone and any vehicle can enter, is returning to Malawi in 2025! The 5,000km three week epic starts in Hartbeespoort, South Africa on 5th July before travelling through Botswana, past the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, through Chobe National Park, and to Victoria Falls in Zambia.  It then heads east,…

Singita Announces First Property in Botswana

Singita has announced plans to open its first Botswana property in the Okavango Delta. Singita Elela is set to open in July 2026 and will offer travellers exclusive year-round access to a 170 000-hectare concession. “As our presence in Africa gradually and naturally grows, we are privileged to be expanding into Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Singita Elela…

Airlink Halts Johannesburg-Maseru Service

Airlink has halted its daily service between Johannesburg and Maseru due to unavailability of fire and rescue services and equipment at Moshoeshoe I International Airport. All flights on the route have been cancelled. The airline will resume normal service as soon as the airport operator has restored the necessary emergency support services. Daily flights affected…

SAA Pilot Strike Underway

SAA has announced that the strike by the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA) will go ahead today, December 5. This comes after a wage dispute between SAA and SAAPA, with the latter demanding a 30% pay increase. SAA only offered an 8,46% pay increase. In response to this situation, the following travel advisory has been issued…

Africa Showcase 2024 Wraps Up with Resounding Success in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Toronto

Africa Showcase 2024, hosted in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Toronto over the past two weeks, proved to be an extraordinary celebration of African tourism, business connections, and cultural exchange. With a vibrant turnout of top-producing travel agents and Africa specialists, the event highlighted the growing appeal of Southern, East, and West African destinations in the…

Africa’s Eden North America Roadshow Announced for January 2025

Africa’s Eden is set to bring its renowned North America Roadshow to Austin, Texas, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in January 2025. This immersive two-day event provides African travel experts and U.S. buyers an unparalleled opportunity to connect, learn, and build lasting relationships. The Roadshow combines destination workshops, one-on-one round-robin meetings, and social networking activities, all…

Sierra Leone and UN Tourism Unite to Boost Women’s Roles in Tourism Across Africa

In a landmark event, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, together with UN Tourism, orchestrated a three-day Women in Tourism Regional Congress under the theme “Beyond Empowerment to Education, Innovation, and Finance Access.” This pivotal gathering attracted over 500 attendees from varying sectors including hospitality, cultural, and creative industries throughout Sierra Leone and…

Anantara Debuts at Zim’s Victoria Falls

Minor Hotels has announced its debut in Zimbabwe with the Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel – complementing The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara and completing an unparalleled Victoria Falls offering with luxury accommodation on both sides of the Zambezi River. Marking a significant step in the Minor Hotels expansion strategy in Africa,…

Emirates Ups Services in Africa

Emirates has further increased its presence across Africa with the introduction of additional flights to Entebbe in Uganda, Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and Johannesburg in South Africa. Since the inaugural flight into Africa with Cairo as its first destination in 1986, Emirates has grown its presence on the continent and now serves 20 passenger and…

Atzaró Okavango Reopens in the Delta

Atzaró Okavango, located in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, recently reopened after extensive renovations. A collaboration between Atzaró Group and African Bush Camps, the lodge has been reimagined with focus on sustainability and cultural heritage. It features eight suites and two villas constructed with eco-friendly materials, including repurposed tree roots and solar-powered infrastructure. Each unit includes private…

New Service Connects CPT to the Vic Falls

Proflight Zambia has introduced a new service between Cape Town and Livingstone, starting December 1. The service offers dual benefits: tourism access to the Victoria Falls and enhanced business connectivity to Lusaka, with passengers to Zambia’s capital remaining onboard during the brief Livingstone stopover. The flights operate on Thursdays and Sundays, while an additional Saturday…

Norse Atlantic and Air Tanzania Add Connections to South Africa

Air Tanzania continues its international expansion in Africa, with the launch of services to South Africa in late November. The airline plans to operate four flights per week with Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, configured for 181 passengers in two seating classes (16 Business and 165 Economy). In accordance with its website, Air Tanzania’s inaugural flight to Johannesburg will depart from Dar-es-Salaam, the…

Lebombo Border Closed

The Lebombo Border Post between South Africa and Mozambique has been temporarily closed due to security concerns after vehicles were torched on the Mozambican side yesterday, November 5. Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the decision prioritised the safety of cross-border transporters and travellers. The BMA is working closely with Mozambican authorities and South African…

Cape Town Airport Upgrades Set to Start in 2026

Long-awaited upgrades at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) are set to start in 2026 with a view to completion by 2029. Speaking at the recent arrival of the first Norse Atlantic Airways flight in Cape Town, ACSA Regional General Manager Mark Maclean said CTIA is growing exceptionally well with a 15% plus increase in international passengers compared…

Calm Returns to SA/Moz Border

Calm has returned to South Africa’s Komatipoort border with Mozambique on the N4. According to a Freight News report, transporters using the border facilities say that this morning a sense of calm had returned to the Mozambican side of the border at Komatipoort. This followed unrest in the country since the October 9 election results were issued.…

KwaZulu-Natal Expands Protected Areas

KwaZulu-Natal’s network of protected areas has expanded with the recent declaration of the 5 657 hectare UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve – a step towards strengthening conservation efforts in the province. Located near the town of Colenso, UmPhafa is now part of a conservation corridor linking Spioenkop Nature Reserve to the west with the Tugela Drift and Weenen…

Ethiopian Airlines Welcomes Africa’s First A350-1000 Aircraft

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa proudly announces the arrival of Africa’s first Airbus A350-1000. This significant milestone was celebrated in a grand ceremony attended by government officials, ambassadors, diplomats, and esteemed representatives from Airbus and Thales. The aircraft landed at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, basking in a warm welcome marked by a…

Kenya Airways Expands Services for Peak Season

Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced the following network adjustments in anticipation of the upcoming peak season to ensure more efficient operations: Plaine Magnien, Mauritius Effective October 27, there will be an additional flight from Mauritius to Nairobi. The flights will now operate on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Moroni, Comoros Islands Effective October 28, there will…

Qatar Airways Offers First Starlink-equipped Flights

Reaching an in-flight connectivity milestone, Qatar Airways has completed its first commercial flight with Starlink’s high-speed internet service in a Boeing 777. The flight from Doha to London earlier this month introduced free, ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet from gate to gate for all passengers. The airline plans to install Starlink across its entire Boeing 777 fleet…

Sierra Leone and UN Tourism Join Forces to Host Women in Tourism Regional Congress

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of the Republic of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with UN Tourism, proudly announces the Women in Tourism Regional Congress, a pivotal three-day event aimed at reshaping the tourism landscape and opportunities for African women through enhanced education, technological innovation, and improved finance access. Women make up 54% of…