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…
Botswana has increased its park and licence fees for all its visitors and guides, effective April 1. For visitors, citizens, residents and non-residents, current entry park fees are BWP10 (€1), BWP30 (€3) and BWP120 (€9) respectively. The revised user and service fees for citizens, residents and non-residents in Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve…
Africa is transitioning out of the pandemic phase of the COVID-19 outbreak and moving towards a situation where it will be managing the virus over the long term, the head of the World Health Organization on the continent has said. “I believe that we are transitioning from the pandemic phase and we will now need…
The Ministry of Health and Wellness in Botswana has confirmed that, with effect from today (February 14), fully vaccinated travellers do not need to show a negative PCR test result on entry. Travellers who are unvaccinated must present a negative PCR test result obtained within the 72 hours preceding travel, and will be vaccinated at…
Tsogo Sun Hotels has welcomed the newly rebranded Garden Court Victoria Junction into its portfolio. The industrial-chic Green Point hotel opened its doors today (February 15). In November last year the Protea Hotel by Marriott Victoria Junction closed and handed the property back to HPF Properties, which is owned by Tsogo Sun. “The impact of…
The luxury Blue Train will return to service after it has undergone a thorough technical assessment, according to Transnet spokesperson, Ayanda Shezi. A specific date for restarting operations has not yet been set. “We would like to apologise to guests who have booked trips, for the inconvenience that this has caused,” Shezi said. Lekkerwater…a luxurious off-grid…
Two female giraffes under two years old and one male, four years old, recently arrived in their new home at the River Club Lodge in Zambia. They will live in their holding boma at the lodge for a few more months until they can be released to roam the property at their leisure. Geraldine, Justyne…
The Radisson Hotel Group has opened three properties in Madagascar – Radisson Blu Hotel, Antananarivo Waterfront, Radisson Hotel Antananarivo Waterfront and Radisson Serviced Apartments Antananarivo City Center. Radisson Blu Hotel, Antananarivo Waterfront is close to the recently developed premier business district, which is surrounded by shops, entertainment and businesses. The hotel has 168 rooms and…
Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank opened yesterday (Tuesday, February 15), marking the expansion of the Hyatt House brand globally. Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank is the third Hyatt hotel opened in collaboration with an affiliate of Millat Investments. “Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank is everything the name represents – a welcoming and warm environment that encourages guests to…
Dubai-based hotel management company, Aleph Hospitality, has debuted in Uganda following the signing of a management contract to operate two boutique hotels, Masheda Palms in Buyala and A’lure Hotel & Suites in Kampala. Bani Haddad, Founder and MD of Aleph Hospitality said: “I am personally very excited to start operations in Uganda. This is a…
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reshuffled its four-tier travel advisory list on Monday (February 7), dropping South Africa from ‘Level 4: COVID-19 Very High’ to its ‘Level 3: COVID-19 High’ category. While the CDC originally recommended that holidaymakers ‘avoid travel’ to South Africa, the new risk assessment has seen the advice relaxed to…
Registrations for Africa Travel Week (ATW) 2022 – held in Cape Town from April 11 to 13 – have opened. The trade show will once again bring together pan-African and international exhibitors as well as buyers from across the globe at headline shows, World Travel Market Africa (WTM Africa) and International Luxury Travel Market Africa (ILTM Africa). The highly anticipated…
Africa Showcase North America will return IN-PERSON April 5th in Fort Lauderdale and April 7th in Los Angeles. The event format delivers productive meetings and networking, face-to-face. You can choose the time that works best for you: the morning meeting session with lunch (09:30AM – 2:00PM) or, the afternoon meeting session with cocktails (2:30PM –…
Following its success in the Maasai Mara, Angama will expand with a second location in Kenya — Angama Amboseli NAIROBI, KENYA (9 February 2022) — With exclusive traversing access to Kimana Sanctuary — a 5,700ha game-filled oasis and critical wildlife corridor linking the greater Amboseli, Chyulu Hills and Tsavo ecosystems — Angama will bring its signature blend of…
The pandemic has all but ended in South Africa. Sure, there are still signs warning everyone to maintain a social distancing. And people continue to wear masks in public. But talk to South Africans, and you get the sense that it is, as they say in the American South, all over but the shoutin’. The…
South African Airways will reinstate its popular twice-weekly service to Mauritius will resume on March 1, 2022. The Mauritius government suspended SAA flights late last year due to COVID-19 and concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant. Flights between Johannesburg and Mauritius will be operated with Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring Business and Economy Class…
Emirates will make a full return of passenger services to and from Casablanca from 8 February. The return of Casablanca in Morocco marks a full restoration of Emirates’ pre-pandemic African network including 21 cities spread across the continent. Customers flying to and from Casablanca can safely travel on Emirates to Dubai, and enjoy an array of…
After two months of uncertainty about mandatory quarantine for travellers arriving in Zimbabwe, including reports of quarantine not being implemented, the government has now lifted the requirement for all arrivals with immediate effect. The removal of mandatory quarantine will be welcome news to local tourism businesses as well as those in the hospitality industry who have spent…
When the results of his study came in, Kondwani Jambo was stunned. He’s an immunologist in Malawi. And last year he had set out to determine just how many people in his country had been infected with the coronavirus since the pandemic began. Jambo, who works for the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, knew the total number…
National carrier of the UAE, Etihad, intends to resume flights between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg from March 3, following the UAE Government’s approval of passenger flights to South Africa and 11 other African countries. The UAE lifted the restrictions on flights from the 12 countries and a ban on passengers from those countries, plus a…
The long-awaited announcement from Emirates regarding the restarting of its passenger services on the South African route was finally made today. This came after the news broke yesterday that the UAE would begin to allow in foreign visitors from African countries that had been ‘red-listed’ due to the Omicron variant. The airline says it will…
A new chapter began yesterday (February 1) when one of the Western Cape winelands’ most iconic hotels, The Lord Charles, opened its doors. The hotel closed in August 2020 after the Spanish-based NH Hotel Group said it would not renew the contract. The new owner-managed organisational structure allows for flexibility in managing the day-to-day operations…
African Bush Camps will open a new luxury lodge in June in the eastern part of the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia. Lolebezi is African Bush Camps’ second safari property in the country, along with Thorntree River Lodge in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Accommodation includes standard suites and two family suites with riverfront views. Each…
After a successful relaunch in September last year, South African Airways (SAA) has just recorded operating over 1,000 flights and is now leading its local competitors when it comes to on-time performance. Furthermore, since its restart in September last year SAA has also recorded a 100% completion rate – the percentage of completed scheduled flights…