Seychelles Institutes Corona Virus Travel Ban

In a revised travel advisory issued by the Public Health Authority, no persons from Seychelles apart from returning residents are allowed to travel to China, including the Special Administrative Region (SAR), South Korea, Italy and Iran with immediate effect. This ban would also impact tourists visiting Seychelles who have recently traveled to infected countries. The revision is part…

Eswatini Confident of Growing Tourism Numbers

Eswatini’s tourism sector is confident that it will exceed the goal of more than two million tourist arrivals by 2023 through strategic partnerships with other southern African tourism organisations. CEO of the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA), Linda Nxumalo, explained to Tourism Update that although the tourism industry was doing well, there was always room for growth. “The government…

Zanzibar Unveils Freddie Mercury Museum

The Elewana Collection reports that the first-ever museum dedicated to music legend Freddie Mercury has opened on the island of Zanzibar. Officially partnered with Queen Productions in the UK, the museum aims to showcase his birth as Farrokh Bulsara, his roots with the Zoroastrian religion, his childhood and upbringing in Zanzibar, followed by his schooling…

New 4-Day Wilderness Trail to Lake Malawi

Luwawa Forest Lodge, located on the Viphya Plateau, offer guests a unique downhill hike from Luwawa Forest Lodge, high up on the Viphya Plateau, to Kachere Kastle located on the shores of Lake Malawi. The 74km trail spans four days, allowing the opportunity to wild camp for three nights amid stunning natural beauty with close proximity to safe,…

New Bank Notes for Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe will soon release new higher denomination Zimbabwe dollar banknotes to meet transactional demand for both locals and tourists. Zimbabwe’s Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, said the new notes – $10, $20 and $50 – would be in circulation within the next few months. “We are injecting cash into the economy, but we…

Malawi’s Tongole Rebrands as “Tongole Wilderness Retreat”

Tongole Wilderness Lodge, located in the untouched rugged terrain of the Nkhotakota Wilderness Reserve, have rebranded to the Tongole Wilderness Retreat (TWR). TWR is made to make guests rest and reflect disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with nature in the pristine Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. Because of its tranquil surroundings and healthy fresh air, staying at Tongole, whether…

Ghana’s “Go Back to Africa” Campaign Shows Early Success

Almost a year later, Black & Abroad is still getting dividends from its provocative Go Back to Africa marketing campaign, designed to combat racism, diversify travel advertising, and help black Americans envision themselves on the continent. The boutique Atlanta-based company sells international trips and is a staple of the black travel movement. The campaign was unexpectedly popular in Ghana, according to…

Malawi is Home to Africa’s First Drone Academy

Malawi this month opened the first African Drone and Data Academy, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF.  The academy aims to improve drone technology skills across Africa, beginning with Malawi and neighboring countries. Karen Asaba developed an interest in drones at Uganda Flying Labs, a Kampala-based drone mapping and data hub. As…

Wilderness Safaris Completes Refurbs at Hwange Camp

Wilderness Safaris’ Linkwasha Camp – situated on a private concession in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park – has completed refurbishments that incorporate the local Ndebele culture. PR and Media Relations Manager, Nirvani Pillay, said the vibrant Ndebele pattern was also incorporated into the handmade embroidered cushions, which add a colorful touch to the natural hues, while locally sourced…

Malawi Going Greener

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…

Seychelles to Market ‘Best of Both Worlds’

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…

SAA Implements Adhoc Cancellations on Livingston Flights

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: …

Endangered Black Rhinos Relocated to Malawi from South Africa by British Troops

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…

New Hotel Set to Launch in Sandton

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…

New International Airport for Tanzania

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…

Wildlife Transformation ‘Completing’ Malawi

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…

Uganda Sees Sharp Rise in Gorilla Numbers

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…

Club Med to Open Seychelles Resort

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…

Kachere Kastle: A Stunning, Unique Lodge On The Shores of Lake Malawi

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…

Kenya Announces 15 “Signature Experiences”

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…

Sierra Leone, Rwanda & South Africa Recognized by NatGeo for Conservation Excellence

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…

US Leads Kenya Tourist Arrivals

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…