Radisson Hotel Group has an ambitious African growth plan. The group has signed five new hotels across the continent so far this year, adding almost 600 rooms to its African portfolio. This year, the group aims to add more than a dozen hotels, reaching just over 100 hotels in operation and under development in Africa.…
Award-winning Celebrity Chef Siba Mtongana reached global recognition with her televised food show and internationally acclaimed cookbook but it was a while before she ventured into business by opening her own restaurant in 2020. At the outset of the pandemic, Mtongana opened Siba The Restaurant as a pop-up in The Table Bay hotel in Cape Town. And this year she…
Eswatini has reopened to all vaccinated international visitors without the need for a negative PCR test result. According to The Kingdom of Eswatini’s official tourism website, those entering the country must produce one of the following upon arrival: either a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a valid negative PCR test result that is no older…
KLM has announced that it will increase the flight schedule between Cape Town and Amsterdam as a result of greater demand for flights between the cities. The airline has increased its flight schedule between Cape Town and Amsterdam to six flights per week and daily flights will commence from July 11. The flights depart Cape…
Airlink’s inaugural flight between Harare and Durban, using its modern Embraer ERJ135, arrived in Durban on Tuesday (April 5). Durban Direct, the KZN Route Development Committee, arranged a water cannon salute as the aircraft touched down with a full load of passengers, the first of thousands who are expected to boost trade and tourism between…
South African Airways is nearing the completion of processing ticket refund requests for customers whose travel plans were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in flight cancellations, border closures, and various travel restrictions. It has been South African Airways’ utmost desire to fulfill our commitment to provide a duty of care to our customers that…
Bush and Beyond is excited to announce the premiere of Land of the Living – the inspiring documentary featuring The Emakoko, Tangulia Mara Camp, Lewa House and Ol Malo. To quote the film’s director, Goh Iromoto, “The concept for this film originated out of personal loss over 6 years ago, and eventually, after a long…
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is now open to visitors! As of February 1, the general public can enjoy the campus’ exhibits and interactive learning tools. As the new permanent site of the Karisoke Research Center’s state-of-the-art facilities, this campus will also help researchers and conservationists make great strides in…
All travelers arriving into Kenya through any point of entry must have a certificate of COVID- 19 vaccination. The following categories of travelers are exempt from the requirement: Travelers with medical conditions precluding vaccination. Such persons shall be required to provide a letter from a recognized medical practitioner detailing the medical reason precluding vaccination. Travelers…
With effect from March 28, vaccinated arrivals no longer need to present a negative PCR test result to be granted entry to Zambia. Unvaccinated travellers, however, still need to submit a negative PCR test taken within the 72 hours prior to departure. Children aged 11 years and younger are exempt from having to present proof…
Zimbabwe had scrapped PCR for inbound vaccinated travellers. The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting said in a tweet that a valid vaccination certificate showing travellers were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 would suffice. Custom Websites for the Travel Industry
Africa Showcase is the travel industry’s premiere destination to meet face-to-face with a selection of key travel providers from across the African continent. This year’s event will take place in-person April 5th in Ft Lauderdale, FL and April 7th in Los Angeles, CA. By participating in Africa Showcase you’ll have the opportunity to reconnect with top…
Starting April 2022 Airlink offers five weekly flights to Beira in Mozambique with quick access to Gorongosa National Park in the Great Rift Valley. The convenient flights from Johannesburg allow for a memorable African bush safari. Airlink flights are scheduled to provide convenient connections with its domestic and regional services as well as with long-haul…
Montebelo Hotels & Resorts has opened a new luxury beach resort, Montebelo Milibangalala Bay Resort, in Maputo National Park. The park is located in the south of Mozambique, about two and half hours from the center of Maputo and the city’s airport. The lodge is accessible by a 4×4 vehicle. The hotel offers twenty villas…
In a bid to construct and repair the bridges that had been affected by the weather changes, Uganda Wildlife Authority has issued a temporary halt on chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura for an approximate of three months.
Nigeria, the West African nation, will soon have a new national airline. Nigeria Air is due to make its scheduled flight by the middle of 2022. Let’s look at the planned airline, its operations and investigate how it intends to transform commercial aviation throughout Nigeria and beyond. A new Nigerian national carrier Nigeria is once again…
Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam, who transformed the airline into Africa’s biggest carrier, said on Wednesday he had resigned to focus on his medical treatment. In an internal memo to employees seen by Reuters he said he had had health issues for almost a year and had been working from the United States for the past…
Radisson Hotel Group has confirmed a transition in its African leadership team with the appointment of Bert Fol as regional director for Africa. He will have a focus on English speaking Africa. At the same time, Sandra Kneubuhler has been promoted to district director for South Africa, in addition to her role as country director…
The South African government has announced amendments to their Covid19 protocols, effective 23 March. This has positive effects for both South Africans travelling, and incoming international visitors. If you’re arriving in South Africa soon, here are a few changes to be aware of Fully vaccinated travellers arriving into South Africa no longer require a negative…
Tanzania has relaxed its COVID-19 measures, dropping off the requirement of a 72-hour negative RT PCR result and rapid antigen test for the fully vaccinated arrivals. Airlines flying to Tanzania are free to allow the travelers who are fully vaccinated to board their flights without necessarily carrying a negative PCR result certificate with them. Announcing…
Marriott International has signed an agreement with Baraka Lodges as its entry into the safari segment of the market in Africa. The JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will be located within the Mara National Reserve in the south east of Kenya, one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife conservation and wilderness regions. It expects to welcome…
Turkish Airlines will return to Durban from June 16, with a twice-weekly service linked to its Johannesburg flights. Industry watchers expect the flights to double to four a week in October, but this is still to be confirmed by the airline. Flights will operate on Thursdays (with an A350-900) and Saturdays (using an A330-300). From…
Botswana has eased Covid-19 requirements for foreigners wishing to enter the country, with those fully vaccinated against the virus now allowed to entry without needing to undergo mandatory testing at the border or airport. The Ministry of Health and Wellness said with effect from this past weekend, all those who have completed the required shots…
One of the most famous names in the safari industry, Nicky Fitzgerald, is to retire after an adventure-filled 40-year career. She is handing over the reins of Angama to its co-founder, the current COO, Steve Mitchell. This will take effect on July 1. The Fitzgeralds took over the Arniston Hotel in 1982 and since then, Nicky has…
After five months of closure following a fire at the central lodge in October last year, Camp Figtree Mountain Safari Lodge, in the Eastern Cape’s Greater Addo area, reopened its doors on March 18. Rising from the ashes is a completely rebuilt main lodge area with a state-of-the art new kitchen, a more spacious indoor…
Malawi, known fondly as the ‘Warm heart of Africa’, has opened all land and air borders to international visitors. As showcased in a recent African Travel and Tourism Association-hosted webinar, the country has a wide range of offerings for visitors, and pairs well with tours to neighbouring Zambia and Mozambique. One of its most well-known…
Fastjet Zimbabwe today launched flights from Zimbabwe’s tourism capital, Victoria Falls, to South Africa’s Mbombela Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, which serves the Kruger National Park and other nearby wildlife reserves. The schedule services operate three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays using a 50-seater Embraer ERJ145 aircraft. Flights depart VFA at 10h30, arriving…
Namibia has relaxed COVID-19 measures and scrapped the requirement of a 72-hour negative PCR test result for vaxxed arrivals. Namibian President, Hage Geingob, said on Tuesday (March 15) that the new public health regulations would come into effect from midnight on March 16 until April 15. Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula, said fully vaccinated…
The Republic of Mauritius has announced waiving off the requirement of producing a negative PCR test for all incoming visitors. Earlier, fully vaccinated travellers were also required to show a negative PCR test that had been taken within 72 hours before departure, to gain entry into Mauritius. Reports have it that the Ministry of Health…
Effective March 15, 2022, visitors over 18 years, having received the first two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine including a booster dose after 6 six months since completing the primary series; will be considered fully immunized. Fully immunization for visitors aged 12 to 18 years, necessitates the completion of only two vaccine doses. All fully…
South African Airways (SAA) has taken note of a decision by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) to indefinitely ground all Comair flights in South Africa. Comair is the parent company that operates both the British Airways franchise and low-cost carrier Kulula in Southern Africa. As a result, demand for seats across all domestic airlines in South…
A proposed multi-million-dollar cable car plan on Mount Kilimanjaro is facing a litmus test following Tanzania Prime Minister Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa doubting the feasibility of the controversial project. In March 2019, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism unveiled the plan to install cable cars on the Africa’s highest Mountain to attract more visitors and…
Since March 5, the following entry regulations apply for entry into Rwanda. All travellers must have a negative COVID-19 certificate – the only accepted test result is that of a PCR test performed in the 72 hours prior to departure. Other tests, such as Rapid Diagnostics Tests (RDTs), are not accepted. The test certificate is…
With effect from last Friday, March 4, travellers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may now travel into Zimbabwe across all land borders. Zimbabwe press report that the government has now put in place the necessary legal instruments in line with the latest Cabinet decision on the matter (taken two weeks ago) following the gazetting…
Exhibitor registration has opened for Africa’s Travel Indaba 2022 – held at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre from May 2 to 5. Hosted buyer registration will open on Thursday, March 10. “Africa’s Travel Indaba is back with renewed energy and focus on creating a platform for the recovery of our industry. As the…
Rwanda operator Travulous has announced their new educational evenings in Rwanda which offer the chance to meet the former research colleagues of legendary gorilla primatologist, Dian Fossey. These exclusive Dian Fossey-inspired Events are designed to be either a specialist afternoon or evening activity that will easily slot into any one of your existing or forthcoming client itineraries.…
Kenya’s Ministry of Health has denied it has scrapped PCR testing for inbound passengers. A document – seemingly from the Kenya Ministry of Health – has been circulating online in the last week, stating that, since March 1, the PCR testing requirement for inbound fully vaccinated travellers has been removed. However, the Ministry’s official Twitter…
Abu Dhabi-based airline, Etihad Airways, has announced that it will return to Zanzibar, Tanzania, from mid-June for the summer season. Flights will operate three times a week on Fridays, Tuesdays and Sundays. Flight EY637 will depart Abu Dhabi at 23h50 and arrive in Zanzibar at 04h40 the next day. The return flight EY638 will depart…
UNITED Airlines has applied for regulatory approval in the US and South Africa to introduce year-round flights between Cape Town and Washington DC, starting with three flights per week. It is not known how long the approval process will take. United said it hoped to launch the new service on, or close to, November 17…
With a backdrop of lush greenery, clear ocean waters and tropical landscapes, a vacation at Four Seasons Resorts Seychelles is organically connected to the nature of the islands. To capitalize on the natural energy of the destination, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island are announcing the new Four Elements…
Airlink’s flights on this route will commence on April 04, 2022 and will operate daily excluding Saturdays by modern Embraer Regional Jets. Airlink’s great value fares include a 20kg free economy class checked-in luggage allowance plus a 15kg sporting equipment allowance. Onboard, customers are treated to a complimentary light meal, refreshments, comfort with generous leg…
It’s only February, but 2022 is promising to be a great year for tourism to Southern Africa. Admittedly, it got off to a bit of a rocky start with the omicron variant still fresh on everyone’s minds. But — dare I say it? — things finally seem to have turned a corner: there are new…
In July 2021, eight African wild dogs were successfully translocated to Liwonde National Park in Malawi. We are delighted to announce that after seven months establishing themselves in their new environment, pups have now been seen by visitors and caught on camera! Six weeks after the pack, composed of five males and three females, arrived…
African Bush Camps’ (ABC) newest luxury safari camp, Lolebezi Safari Lodge, will begin welcoming guests on June 1. The camp is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River on five hectares of wilderness in the eastern part of Lower Zambezi National Park and can accommodate up to 16 travellers in four signature suites and…
A new camp, Akagera Safari Camp, is set to open in Akagera National Park, in Rwanda’s Great Lakes region. Martin Chege, Reservations Manager of 3B Group of Hotels, told Tourism Update that construction was ongoing and was expected to be complete in July. The camp will have 30 rooms and is expected to welcome guests in August.…
The Department of Public Enterprise (DPE) has finally signed an agreement for the sale of 51% of SAA to strategic equity partner, Takatso Consortium, says the Ministry in the Presidency following a Cabinet meeting on February 23. The signing took place after eight months of negotiations between the two parties, due diligence and evaluation by the…
Iata expects overall air traveller numbers to reach four billion in 2024 (counting multi-sector connecting trips as one passenger), exceeding pre-COVID-19 levels (103% of the 2019 total). “The trajectory for the recovery in passenger numbers from COVID-19 was not changed by the Omicron variant. People want to travel. And when travel restrictions are lifted, they…
US carrier Delta Air Lines applied on Thursday (February 17) to the US Department of Transport for the rights to operate a non-stop direct service between its hub in Atlanta and Cape Town. Should the application be approved, Delta plans to operate three flights a week year-round on the route using a 306-seat Airbus A350-900…
Last week, South African Tourism met with its bid partners for Africa’s Travel Indaba – including Durban Tourism, Tourism KwaZulu Natal and the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban – and preparations for the show are in “full swing”, said Chief Convention Bureau Officer of the South African National Convention Bureau, Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo. She…
Border Air has finally been folded into the aviation GSA, Rogers Aviation, after Rogers Aviation increased its South African footprint by acquiring the company, which previously belonged to Lu Dowell, in March 2019. This means that, effective from January 1 this year, the name Border Air became defunct and the company became known as Rogers Aviation…