Ecotourism, sustainability and responsible travel may be current ‘buzz words‘ but Malawi’s tourism operators have always taken their responsibilities to the local environment and local communities very seriously – long before it started to become common practice. They are behind a very wide range of conservation initiatives and projects, as well as introducing practices within their…
International visitors to Africa are to be offered ‘twin-centre’ packages by the Seychelles Tourism Board this year. These offer the combination of a safari in Africa followed by a stay on the beaches of the Seychelles. This programme targets European and American travellers to Africa. This marketing strategy is supported by daily flights between Africa…
Although there are many factors that have led to Kigali’s solid infrastructure and booming development, one thing stands out as the organising principle: umuganda. I was sitting on the terrace of La Brioche, a popular bakery-cafe in Kigali’s Gacuriro neighbourhood. It was twilight – the streetlights were coming on, and the first hint of cool wafted…
SAA will be implementing ADHOC cancellations on our flights operating between JNB-LVI-JNB, Effective 08 Jan 2020 through 31 January 2020, on flights SA048 JNB-LVI and SA049 LVI-JNB. Due to above flight cancellations, South African Airways (SAA) would like to notify its customers of its decision to re-accommodate passengers on the alternate scheduled flights or the following options listed below: …
LESOTHO A quiet mountainous country isa wonderland for adventurers Joao Silva/The New York Times The tiny country of Lesotho — a picturesque enclave of jagged desert mountains fully surrounded by South Africa — has been lost to most African itineraries. But things are changing in landlocked Lesotho, known as the “mountain kingdom,” where most residents,…
British troops have helped a conservation organization relocate critically endangered black rhinos from South Africa to Malawi, the Ministry of Defence announced Thursday, in what it described as “one of the largest international rhino translocations to date.” Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles worked alongside African Parks to transport the animals by air and road…
Newmark Hotels is set to launch The Catalyst Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, toward the end of the year. The Catalyst Hotel will offer 207 rooms for long or short stays by business and leisure travellers. The hotel will also feature a restaurant, conference facility, gym, swimming pool and a full-service spa. It will be situated…
Ghana’s economy has benefited from a revenue of $1.9 billion through activities linked to the Ghana Tourism Authority’s ‘The Year of Return, Ghana 2019’ marketing campaign. The campaign was launched to mark 400 years since the first black slaves from Ghana landed in Jamestown, Virginia. The Year of Return campaign encompassed air travel, accommodation, transport…
The Tanzanian government has secured funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for construction of a new international airport 12km from the administrative capital, Dodoma. Work will be carried out over four years and the new facility is expected to handle at least 50 000 aircraft and a million passengers per year – the majority of…
Voyages Afriq has published a tourism review of 2019 and it is one of the most comprehensive overviews of the advances seen in the African tourism industry we have yet to see. The report includes a comprehensive overview of airport and airline updates, tourism policy and updates on African Continental Free Trade Area, VISA updates,…
For a long time Malawi’s stunning beaches, beautiful and varied landscapes and fascinating and friendly cultural experiences have been some of the best that Africa has to offer. With the wildlife transformations continuing courtesy of African Parks, Malawi’s safari experiences are now starting to match its other attractions as it emerges as one of the most…
An increase in the number of endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda has been partly put down to help from the tourism industry. Results from the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s 2018 Bwindi-Sarambwe mountain gorilla population survey has revealed at least 459 of the species in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – up from 400 in 2011. With…
Elba was born in London in 1972, but this year marks a new type of birth – that of becoming a citizen of Sierra Leone. Elba’s father, Winston, was from Sierra Leone, and his mother, Eve, from Ghana. His parents got married in Sierra Leone and later moved to London. After decades of living between…
All-inclusive specialist Club Med will open a 294-room luxury resort next October, on the private island of Sainte Anne in the Seychelles. Club Med Seychelles will be an Exclusive Collection resort, featuring three swimming pools, a Zen zone, beach lounge and yoga school. Set in a national park, the island is 15 minutes by speedboat…
African parks, responsible for restoring Malawi’s Liwonde National Park to its former glory through their massive conservation efforts in the park, have now launched helicopter flights so you can see with your own eyes the success they’ve had in turning this park into the wildlife hotspot it is today. Liwonde National Park, covering a relatively…
The Kenya Tourism Board has launched a sales incentive campaign for travel agents. Agents interested in participating should visit the following link, and complete details of their Kenya sales for September, October, November and December. The agent with the highest verifiable Kenya sales will be invited to visit Kenya in early 2020 on an exclusive…
Kachere Kastle, the towering castle situated on the pristine shores of Lake Malawi, enchants guests with its Moroccan-style interior design, courtyard pool, and meals fused with international and local ingredients. Introducing Kachere Kastle, where tropical vibes, relaxation, and rejuvenation collide to create a magical, getaway. Russ and Kate Smith, the owners from the U.K, opened…
Tourism and wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has urged tourism providers to model their offerings to suit today’s demanding traveller’s expectation. He said this during the inaugural Magical Kenya Signature Experiences (MKSE) Award Ceremony held to unveil outstanding tourism offerings among Kenyan travel industry players. Fifteen facilities were awarded after meeting the required criteria of…
Wildlife excursions in Africa are going deeper, highlighting less-visited regions and ecosystems while also leading the charge for conservation in innovative ways. Here are three unconventional safaris in Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and South Africa that reveal as well as protect the extraordinary animals that travelers long to see. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Sierra Leone Why go: This…
APTA has a single booth available at the New York Times Travel Show taking place from 24-26 January 2020 as part of the APTA Pavilion. If you are interested in securing this space for your company, please contact Cheryle Velsor at cheryle@svi-marketing.com. You must be an APTA corporate member to qualify. Cost is $3,000, which…
Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe Sunday night after excelling through rounds of swimsuit and evening gown struts, questions on social issues and one final chance to explain why she was the right choice. “I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me — with my kind of skin and my kind of…
The inaugural flight between Cabo Verde and the U.S. Capital Washington DC, took place this Sunday, December 8th, and departed from Amílcar Cabral International Airport, in Sal, at 09:30 am, landing at Dulles International Airport at 02:00 pm. Before leaving, Jens Bjarnason, CEO of Cabo Verde Airlines, praised the beginning of the connection to the…
David Attenborough’s much-loved BBC series, ‘Seven Worlds, One Planet’, has had the UK gripped for the last 6 weeks. Viewers have been educated on how humankind is impacting the planet and its wildlife in both a positive and negative way, as well as learning more about a variety of species and habitats. The series has…
The US was the top market for Kenya for foreign arrivals from January to September this year, according to the Kenya Tourism Research Institute’s January-September 2019 tourism performance report. The report highlights international arrival statistics breakdown by points of entry, the Top 30 source markets, the Top 10 source markets in comparison with January-September 2018…
Due to current financial conditions, South African Airways’ Board of Directors and the Department of Public Enterprise within the South African Government have announced that South African Airways will be placed under business rescue with immediate effect. The business rescue process in South Africa is very similar to the Chapter 11 protection under U.S. bankruptcy laws, which will allow South African…
When United Airlines announced its new non-stop route from the New York City area’s Newark Liberty International Airport in April, it was seen as a huge win for tourism to the South African city, which is the legislative capital of the country, as well as home to top attractions like the flat-topped Table Mountain and…
The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) will host the 5th annual Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) from February 4-6 at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo. The three-day tourism and travel trade exhibition will bring together regional and international tour operators, travel agents, destination agencies and other service providers to network and facilitate tourism business. Lilly…
AirVentures Balloon Safaris and An African Anthology have launched hot air ballooning in the Chobe region in Botswana. The operation, managed by AirVentures, will be based at Elephant Valley Lodge within the Kasane Forest, but the activity is also available to guests at other camps in the region. AirVentures offers balloon safaris over the vast Seloko Plains concession. The…
This month, chefs on Mumbo Island, a camp on an uninhabited island in the Lake Malawi National Park, paired with South African food stylist and recipe guru Juleta Hirner, for a week of intensive kitchen training. Juleta focused on the global Vegan food trend and helped the team develop a delicious new Vegan menu; with…
South African Airways (SAA) says the first day of normal operations went smoothly as workers returned to work Saturday, following an eight-day wage strike which ended with a deal between management and unions on Friday, 22 November 2019. Employees affiliated to unions, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) and the South African…
The longest beachfront promenade in Africa was officially opened on November 16 in Durban. The 750m extension of the promenade has increased the promenade to over eight kilometres, from Blue Lagoon to the Durban Harbour mouth. The promenade extension is wheelchair friendly and boasts a first aid room, undercover parking bays and a lifeguard tower,…
Pact Malawi has been awarded a grant of $12 million to implement a project called ‘Restoring Fisheries and Sustainable Livelihoods in Lake Malawi’ (REFRESH) by USAID to be implemented from 2019 to 2024. Speaking during a startup workshop for the project on Monday, Chief of Party for PACT Malawi, Alan Brooks said the purpose of…
Rwanda has been voted one of the top 30 global emerging travel destinations for 2020, and number-one overall in Africa, in the 2020 Emerging Destination Awards by TravelLemming.com. The site promotes emerging destinations around the world as a solution to over-tourism. Winners were selected from votes by 30 popular travel bloggers, who collectively have more…
South African Airways is implementing the re-accommodation policy due to the ongoing industrial action by SACCA (South African Cabin Crew Association) and NUMSA (National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa). All SAA international flights to/from New York-JFK, Washington, DC-Dulles, London, Frankfurt, Munich, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong and Perth were restored by Monday, November 18…
Taylors Africa Mobile Safaris (TAMS) has launched a safari train between Victoria Falls and Bulawayo. The train, which comprises six compartments, carries a minimum of 10 and up to 12 guests, however special arrangements can be made for more guests. TAMS MD, Charles Taylor, says the adventure can start at either Bulawayo or Victoria Falls. “If…
South African Airways (SAA) regrets to announce that South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) have given required notice of the intention for their members to embark on industrial action against South African Airways, possibly as early as Friday, November 15, 2019. In an effort to…
In one of the largest international rhino translocations to date, 17 Endangered Black Rhinos have made the historic journey from South Africa to Liwonde National Park in Malawi In a unique collaboration between WWF South Africa’s Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP), African Parks, Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife,…
Effective today, The Department of Home Affairs in the Republic of South Africa has announced an exemption of the requirement to carry supporting documents for children from visa-exempt countries. FOREIGN CHILDREN FROM VISA EXEMPT COUNTRIES ENTERING OR DEPARTING THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA In terms of section 31(2)(c) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act…
Kenya Airways has signed an agreement with Safarilink, to provide passengers with connectivity to tourist destinations in Kenya and Tanzania. The airlines will partner on destinations in Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Diani, Kapese, Kitale, Lewa Downs, Loisaba, Migori, Samburu, Lamu, Zanzibar, Ukunda, Vipingo, Kilimanjaro, Tsavo West, Samburu, Nanyuki and Lodwar. Safarilink has a network of connecting…
South African government will deliver endangered black rhinos to Malawi following signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two countries on Friday in Lilongwe. Minister of Natural Resources Energy and Mining Bintony Kutsaira and the South Africa High Commissioner Ahlangene Sigcau finalised the paperwork for the MOU in Lilongwe The deal was sealed…
The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) has launched the Seychelles Nature Trail (SNT) competition, to be held in May 2020. It aims to further promote the archipelago’s concept of green tourism as well as enticing potential visitors to discover Seychelles’ rich biodiversity. The 25km trail, which will take place in Mahé on May 3, will go…
Airlink is pleased to announce that it will be re-introducing its early morning flight between Cape Town and Windhoek from 18 November 2019. The additional morning flight will operate weekdays, Monday to Friday departing from Cape Town International Airport at 05h55 arriving at Windhoek – Hosea Kutako at 08h00. The return flight will depart from…
Malawi made aviation history this week as it became the first African country to host an extraordinary profile world conference for female pilots, tagged the Ninety-Nines (The 99s). In an interview, Ivana Alvares-Marshall, a pilot who operates from Malawi and who also governs the African Chapter of the Ninety Nines, said the grouping decided to…
The Malawi Department of Immigration and Citizenship Service wishes to announce the launch of an online visa service for visitors to Malawi effective 1st November 2019. Through the Malawi online visa service, applicants will be able to register and login on the e-visa platform, fill and submit and application, upload supporting documents including applicants photo…
A new study released at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) by food and beverage (F&B) strategy & design firm KEANE (www.KeaneBrands.com), forecasts that 700 new hotel restaurants and bars will be opened in Africa by 2025, in internationally branded hotels. The prediction is based on KEANE’s research into 410 F&B venues across the 100 internationally branded hotels…
Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking Nairobi with the resort town of Naivasha, welcomed its first passengers on October 18, a day after its launch by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. “The completion of the Nairobi to Suswa section of SGR is expected to revolutionise development of this region through affordable transport. It will also stimulate tourism…
South African National Parks reports that Numbi Gate at Kruger National Park will remain closed owing to protests on the access road to the park. Visitors are requested to use alternative gates to enter or exit the park. Read more from Tourism Update
‘Sustainable Tourism and National Parks – Plastic-free National Parks,’ was the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) theme at this year’s Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) in Nairobi. KWS was one of the participants (and the only wildlife conservation organisation) at MKTE exhibition – an annual, influential platform for tourism networking and business transactions whose focus is…
Cox & Kings, The Americas has suspended operations and is unable to pay its suppliers for trips that have already been booked, according to a confidential email obtained by Travel Weekly. Although the tour operator said it is in talks with an investor interested in taking over the company, travelers who have already booked trips…
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was awarded the 100th Nobel Peace Prize in an announcement Friday morning. The prime minister last year helped broker a historic peace deal between Ethiopia and Eritrea, where leaders of the neighboring countries signed a “Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship” and declared an end to nearly two decades of…