The Blue Train announced that it would resume full operations this month, after a temporary shutdown in December, and a partial offering in January. “We are happy that, as the year begins, we are back on track, offering the best of African luxury rail experience,” said Lekhetho Mokoena, Operations Manager of The Blue Train. In line…
Ethiopian Airlines and CemAir are implementing an interline agreement that will allow passengers to travel seamlessly with a single ticket between points within the carriers’ networks. “Ethiopian Airlines is a strong partner and, with the significant changes in the South African airline industry, we look forward to working closely with it as we expand our…
Coffee is a widely consumed beverage all over the world and in Uganda, a country that also lists it as one of its main cash crops. The hilly and mountainous areas in the east are ideal for its growth. Kapchorwa in eastern Uganda is one of the many places where Arabica coffee favourably grows. From…
President Joe Biden is expected to block travel for non-United States citizens who have recently visited South Africa as the spread of a new and concerning coronavirus variant has been detected. The ban is to begin on Saturday. Biden will also reinstate a ban on most travel from the United Kingdom, many countries in Europe,…
Uganda is conducting clinical trials of a domestically developed drug to cure COVID-19 infections after nearly a year of research by Ugandan scientists, the government said on Wednesday. Uganda has confirmed 39,188 COVID-19 cases and 318 deaths – a much lower toll than in most countries. Experts attribute the East African country’s relative success so…
Emirates will increase its weekly flights to Zimbabwe and Zambia from February. The airline, which has recorded a gradual increase in travel on the Dubai-Harare-Lusaka route, said frequency would be increased from three flights a week to four. The fourth flight will operate on Wednesdays, using a Boeing 777-300ER. This complements its current Friday, Saturday and…
For their 33rd annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, Conde Nast readers leaned in heavily into nostalgia. With travel largely on pause this year, it seems what they may have missed most was a coveted beach vacation where they could get away from it all. Whether you’re looking for a calm stretch of sand in the Caribbean or a family-friendly…
Airlink will resume scheduled air services to and from Skukuza Airport in the Kruger National Park, with effect from Thursday, January 28. The airport was temporarily closed on January 14, after a local outbreak of COVID-19 in the nearby Lower Sabie rest camp. A media release said Airlink flights would operate on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays…
Qatar Airways has signed an interline agreement with Mango, further expanding its presence in South Africa. The agreement with Mango will provide passengers with connectivity via Johannesburg and Cape Town to Zanzibar, and Durban, Port Elizabeth, George, Bloemfontein and East London in South Africa. “Mango Airlines is delighted to announce an interline e-ticketing agreement between…
With immediate effect, Seychelles will be welcoming vaccinated visitors from any part of the world. Vaccinated Visitors: To be recognized as “vaccinated”, visitors must be able to show that they have taken the complete dose of the vaccine i.e., two doses plus 2 weeks after the second dose for the four vaccines currently receiving heavy media…
Mozambique has instituted a lockdown with effect from today, Friday, January 15. Beaches must close, along with casinos, nightclubs, bars, gymnasiums, cinemas, theatres, museums and galleries. President Filipe Nyusi announced new restrictive measures for 21 days, to combat the spread of the pandemic. Other measures are: All commercial establishments must close at 18h00. No private events, including…
Emirates has announced the suspension of its flights between Dubai and South Africa, with effect from Saturday, January 16. Flights are expected to resume on January 28. The last three flights from Dubai to South Africa will be on Friday, January 15. EK772 will depart Dubai at 02h50 and arrive in Cape Town at 10h35.…
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has reopened nature reserves, with adequate access control measures in place. According to a statement made on the organisation’s Facebook page, the following reserves have reopened in line with current COVID-19 regulations: Kloofendal Municipal Nature Reserve in Roodepoort Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve in Johannesburg South Rietfontein Nature Reserve in Sandton Beaulieu Bird…
Land and Lake Safaris, one of Malawi’s most reputable tour operators, has created a new initiative that helps preserve the country’s beautiful hotspots, supports local communities, and encourages tourism – a Picnic Sites Project. Land and Lake Safaris regularly run guided tours across Malawi and something that has become clear is that guests often like…
Taking place February 1-3, 2021 and February 22-24, 2021 on digital screens across the world, the Africa’s Eden Travel Trade Show is an interactive three-day virtual conference featuring 65+ destination partners from across the Kaza region and tour operators and travel buyers from the Americas. You can see a list of participating exhibitors here. Qualified…
The Dzalanyama Forest Reserve, close to Lilongwe, provides both international and domestic tourists an experience different from Malawi’s more famous lake, national parks and mountains: a hilly Brachystegia/miombo forest escape that is great for walking, forest bathing, trekking and mountain biking as well as being a premier woodland birding location. Its distinctive ecosystem attracts both animal…
Nigeria’s air transport is set to experience a revolution as a proposed low-cost carrier – Green Africa Airways – is set to commence operations. It has already reached the final stage of certification. Regulatory sources hinted that promoters of the carrier are putting finishing touches to secure the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the Nigerian…
Kenya’s electronic visa (eVisa) came into effect this month and is mandatory for visitors from all applicable countries. Principal Secretary in the Kenyan Ministry of Home Affairs, Alexander Mukeshi Imbenzi, said in a statement that implementation was timely as it eliminated the need for physical contact between applicants and officials as well as reducing the handling of…
South Africa says it will import 1.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to inoculate the country’s health workers. This is South Africa’s first announcement of the purchase of a COVID-19 vaccine as its cases soar. The first 1 million doses will be delivered later this month from the Serum Institute of India, followed by an additional…
Wesgro has appointed Monika Iuel as its new chief marketing officer. David Maynier, Western Cape Minister of finance and economic opportunities comments: “We welcome Monika Iuel to the team. With the tourism industry hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, we are grateful to have someone of her calibre and experience on the team to promote Cape…
Four of the singer’s six kids were born in the African nation before she adopted them. David Banda, 15, Mercy James, 14 and eight-year-old twin girls Stella and Estere were all born there. Madonna, 62, also shares Lourdes, 24, with former personal trainer Carlos Leon, and Rocco, 20, with ex-husband and film director Guy Ritchie.…
As part of the new measures enforced and effective immediately, visitors already in Seychelles will be required to remain in one accommodation establishment for the first ten days of their stay in the destination and this measure extends to all new visitors entering Seychelles as of Sunday, January 3, 2020. No transfer of accommodation will…
Prospective South African airline, Webclift Airways, has ambitious plans. The start-up is yet to get planes, its air operator’s certificate and is seeking further funding. But already, Webclift Airways is eyeing flights between Johannesburg and Miami sometime in 2022. According to the airline’s website, Webclift Airways wants to operate international services in and out of…
British Airways will suspend its direct flights between Durban and London as part of a network reduction due to the impact of COVID-19. Durban-Heathrow is just one of 13 destinations earmarked for suspension. “Coronavirus is having a major impact on customer travel. Like other airlines, due to the pandemic and global travel restrictions, we are…
After almost a decade, St Lucia Lake has reconnected with the sea following a recommendation to iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authorities that natural processes needed assistance in the re-establishment of the estuary. According to a statement from the park, without the flow of water to and from the sea, the ecology of the estuary has been…
The Rwenzori mountain ranges are among the UNESCO World Heritage sites. In a fresh drive to revive the tourism sector that has suffered as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns globally and locally, Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), sponsored by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organised an expedition to Mt. Rwenzori located in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts.…
South Africa’s confirmed COVID-19 cases surpassed 1 million on Sunday to reach 1,004,413, the highest in Africa. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced that South Africa has breached the 1 million mark, adding that in the past 24-hour period, there were 9,502 new confirmed cases and 214 deaths, bringing the death toll to 26,735. The country…
As per the announcement by the South African president on Monday 28 December 2020, South Africa has moved to an adjusted level 3 – these changes were implemented at midnight (29 December 2020), South Africa will enter an adjusted level 3 lockdown until January 15, to minimize the risk of super-spreading events even further. International…
Time was running out for Asiwa, a Rothschild’s giraffe in western Kenya. For years, she and seven other giraffes had been living on a peninsula that reached out into Lake Baringo. But rising lake levels, caused by relentless rain, had gradually turned the peninsula into an island, leaving the animals stranded. It was especially grim…
As countries begin placing orders and administering COVID-19 vaccines, questions have been asked about who will handle the logistical nightmare that is transportation and distribution of the vaccines (when they become available) in Africa. Ethiopian airlines has announced the launch of a cold chain air freight to transport temperature-sensitive medicines, including a potential COVID-19 vaccine.…
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese star of Juventus Turin (D1 Italy), continues to invest in a variety of promising ventures, particularly that of the hotel industry. In February 2021, the player who had just won the Globe Soccer Awards as “Best Footballer of the Century” will open his first hotel in Marrakech by February. He announced a postponement…
Uganda has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330neo aircraft in time for launch of new flights to the Middle East and Asia. Delivery of the second plane, is scheduled for January 2021. The Airbus planes are central to Uganda Airline’s launch of long-range operations with non-stop intercontinental flights to Europe, the Middle East, and…
At the 2019 APTA Forum in Chicago the raffle Grand Prize was won by Ron Cohen. Due to various circumstances Ron is unable to take the trip and has donated it to the Midwest Chapter. The suppliers have graciously extended the trip validity and allowed us to transfer the award to another person. That person…
South Africa is facing increasing isolation as more countries ban travel over the discovery of a new variant of the coronavirus. Israel, Turkey, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland are among countries that have halted air travel to and from South Africa following the announcement that a new variant of the COVID-19 virus is driving South…
Malawi has been named as the country of the year by the Economist newspaper for “reviving democracy in an authoritarian regime.” The London-based newspaper, which operates in over 80 countries, cited the nullification of the country’s presidential result and the peaceful shift of power that followed as best examples of how democracy should be handled. In May…
Uganda Airlines has taken delivery of its first A330neo, the latest version of the most popular widebody airliner. It is the first Airbus aircraft delivered to Uganda Airlines, which was established in 2019. The A330neo will enable the new airline to launch its long-range operations with non-stop intercontinental flights to the Middle East, Europe and…
Radisson Hotel Group debuts its Radisson Collection in Africa by opening a Radisson Collection Hotel in Bamako, the capital and largest city of Mali. Perfectly placed in one of the city’s most sought-after neighborhoods, ACI 2000, the new Radisson Collection Hotel, Bamako is the epitome of convenience, just 20 minutes from Bamako’s Modibo Keita International Airport and…
A walking safari is one of the best ways of exploring South Africa’s diverse parks and reserves – just as our ancestors once did, on foot, in the tracks of wild animals, attuned to the scents and sounds of nature. In the capable hands of the country’s best-trained trail guides, walkers experience the thrill of…
Malawi on Wednesday closed its border for the next 14 days following a new surge in coronavirus cases in the country. “The only people who will be allowed through the entry border posts are Malawians deported from other countries, those returning home and providers of essential services,” Information Minister Gospel Kazako said at a news…
International interest for Namibia is growing with promise for the early months of 2021. “We have surprisingly had a lot of interest for what is typically our low season, in February, March and April,” said MD of Natural Selection Namibia, Ally Karaerua. He told Tourism Update that should the tourism situation in the country remain positive, Natural Selection…
With 866,127 COVID-19 cases and 23,451 deaths, South Africa is the hardest-hit country on the African continent, Africa News reported last week. Despite the staggering numbers, the nation opened its borders to international travelers, as long as they are able to show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departure, the nation’s tourism site states. South Africa’s…
The Blue Train is to suspend operations for the remainder of the year due to the recent alert of a second wave of COVID-19. The decision will affect the remaining four journeys on the Pretoria-Cape Town route for 2020, scheduled for yesterday, December 14, and December 16, 17 and 19. The Blue Train resumed operations in…
Pointe Larue International Airport in Seychelles welcomed British Airways again on Sunday, (December 13) after the airline took a four-week break amid a second wave of COVID-19 in Europe and the UK. The airline resumed its weekly flight after the UK loosened restrictions over several areas within BA’s network. Some 171 visitors disembarked from the…
Set to open in January, Xigera Safari Lodge is said to be the culmination of a lifelong dream of South African-born hoteliers, the Tollman family, and their love letter to the African bush. Xigera, pronounced ‘kee-jera’ and named after the endemic Pied Kingfisher, is a member of the Tollman-owned group, Red Carnation Hotels, which includes…
Ethiopian Airlines has started a direct flight from Lome, Togo to New York recently, revealed the carrier on its LinkedIn page. Last month, the carrier has restored its service to Johannesburg and Victoria Falls. Recently, Ethiopian Airlines Group has completed a new passenger terminal at its hub Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with emphasis on…
With tourism all but gone, the pandemic could provide the momentum necessary to activate much-needed changes in how we approach conservation. Kafue National Park in the heart of Zambia is one of the largest protected areas in Africa, encompassing a wilderness the size of New Jersey. Rivers meander through woodlands, teak forests, and open plains that…
Pioneers Lodge is set to open next year in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Located in a quiet residential area of Victoria Falls, 2.5km from the Falls, the lodge has 50 rooms, four of them family rooms. The main lodge offers indoor and outdoor dining, a cosy lounge, and a beautiful terrace opening on to the gardens…
It now takes around 20 minutes from the centre of Nairobi to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Kenyan Transport Cabinet Secretary, James Macharia, officially launched the new rail link this week – the JKIA Express Service – noting that it was an extension of the Nairobi commuter rail service upgrade project that would alleviate congestion on…
Zimbabwe has lined up tourism marketing initiatives at home and abroad for 2021, to create a more positive image of the country post-COVID-19. “Key activities in 2021 will include hosting educational and familiarisation tours for influencers, including celebrities, local and international media, and the travel trade,” said a government spokesperson. There will also be engagement…
Twelve beaches in Durban have been awarded national blue flag status for the 2020/21 season, according to a release on the Ethekwini website. Five of the city’s beaches received full status – uShaka, Durban North, Point, Amanzimtoti and uMhlanga Main. Seven received blue flag pilot status – South Beach Central, Umgababa, Umdloti Tidal, Westbrook, Ansteys,…