This past week, APTA has learned of the passing of one of our own, Valerie Sewell. A member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter and also the APTA Executive Board, Val played a key role in APTA’s success over the past 7+ years and was personally responsible for organizing the annual APTA Forum as well as…
Sierra Leone late last week became the latest African country to announce a new visa policy that gives visa on arrival for all African nationals and other selected citizens from across the world. A statement from the Internal Affairs Ministry through the Immigration Service said the new regime will with immediate effect grant visa-free entry…
In May this year, following multiple joint operations by the Malawi Police Service and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, three Malawian and nine Chinese nationals were arrested in connection with a variety of wildlife crimes. The suspects were charged with offenses including the illegal possession of protected species and their parts, such as live pangolins,…
Registration is now open for APTA Forum 2019: Chicago. Africa Inspires is the theme for the 2019 APTA Forum taking place in Chicago, Illinois at the Downtown Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago. This is your chance to meet some of the influencers, change makers and pioneers in the world of Africa, conservation & travel. Plus, reconnect with your…
Africa has become “a second home” to Prince Harry, he revealed this weekend. The Duke of Sussex said he was looking forward to introducing Meghan and baby Archie to South Africa during his trip to the continent this autumn. Harry will also carry out solo visits to Angola, Malawi and Botswana. In a post on…
Uganda Airlines has finally resumed operations after an 18-year hiatus. The inaugural flight to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport took off from Entebbe International Airport on August 27, with technical officers, government officials and media on board. The flight came a day ahead of the airline’s first scheduled commercial flight on August 28. The first…
A large sign on the way to the Ghanaian city of Assin Manso shows an image of two African slaves. Each person is wearing a single piece of cloth. Their arms and legs are secured in chains. Next to them are the words, “Never Again!” The sign marks what is known as “slave river.” Centuries ago,…
The Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has confirmed its commitment to the closure of domestic ivory markets, agreeing by consensus to focus scrutiny on remaining legal markets such as Japan and the European Union. A number of parties, including several African elephant range States such…
Conservation-led travel company &Beyond has reintroduced the highly endangered Temminck’s ground pangolin at Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, to reverse the local extinction of the species KwaZulu Natal. Working in conjunction with the African Pangolin Working Group (APWG), the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital and the Humane Society International (HSI) Africa, &Beyond has released…
Around 80 per cent of Malawi’s and indeed the world’s agriculture depends on rain, however rainfall is becoming more erratic forcing farmers to change traditional practices. A UN Development Programme-supported (UNDP) project in the southern African country is helping to mitigate variable rainfall patterns through the introduction of new crops and practices, such as tomatoes and beekeeping, and the installation of a solar-powered irrigation system. Read more here about how farmers in Malawi are fighting climate…
South African Tourism has officially opened registrations to exhibitors for Africa’s Travel Indaba 2020. The event will take place from May 11-14 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban. Over 6,500 delegates – which included 1,033 exhibitors and 1,502 buyers – attended this year’s Indaba, which was filled with a series of…
Just 16 years ago, Majete was an empty forest with nothing but a few remaining antelope, only 12 employees and zero tourists. Today, after we reintroduced more than 2,900 animals of 15 species, employment is up 10-fold with more than 160 full-time employees, and over 11,000 tourists (50% of whom are nationals) who contributed $500,000…
South Africa has won permission to almost double the number of black rhinos that can be killed as trophies after arguing the money raised will support conservation of the critically endangered species. The decision was made at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) after receiving support from some African nations and opposition from…
Kenya Airways has announced that it’s adding two direct flights to the weekly Cape Town – Nairobi service commencing from 27 October 2019 on a Boeing 737-800. Kenya Airways started flying the Cape Town route network in June 2016 with three flights between Cape Town and Nairobi. The addition of two direct flights on the…
A couple captured stunning images of a rare “strawberry” leopard feasting on a dead giraffe at a South African game reserve. Images of the leopard, named for its red-colored coat, were caught on a motion-sensitive camera set up by Alan Watson, 45, and his wife Lynsey, 41, at the Thaba Tholo Wilderness Reserve in late July. The pair pinned…
With immediate effect, the government of Tanzania has changed the process of issuing visas on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Visa’s are still available on arrival following the new process is as below: Queue for a Government Control number which is required for any government payment Queue to pay the visa fee against the control number at…
Uganda Wildlife Authority have revised their tariff to introduce new products, new rates for some products, new fines as well as clarification on some UWA products and services. From 1st July 2020: Gorilla Permit fee will be $600 for Foreign Residents (FR) and $700 Foreign Non-Residents (FNR) — this is an increase of $100 Gorilla habituation permit will be $1500 (remains the same) both Foreign Residents (FR) and…
Something new is coming to the lake, Lake of Stars Discovery. A boutique festival like no other, taking place in a beautiful, remote part of Malawi where a castle stands on the curve of a tropical lake. Offering a unique, immersive adventure, Lake of Stars Discovery will bring your clients a curated line up of music, talks, poetry,…
African Tourism Board Chairman Cuthbert Ncube today officially declared the African Tourism Board open and operational after less than 2 years in the making and more than 400 members included in 36 African and 25 non-African countries. It is a New Dawn for the Continent as we usher in the voice of Africa by Africa…
Terminal III at Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) has been officially opened by Tanzania’s President John Magufuli. The new terminal, which cost TZS705bn (€275m), will handle international flights and enable the airport to increase capacity. The opening of the new terminal comes at a time when Tanzania has embarked on a drive to…
The Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House in Rwanda officially opened on August 1, spread over 72 hectares on the edge of the Volcanoes National Park. Singita Kwitonda Lodge consists of eight individual suites. Most of the building materials were sourced from the local community in the Musanze district. The lodge also has an on-site…
Malawi’s High Court has reinstated a ban on plastic bags. The government imposed the ban on thin plastic bags in 2015 but the move was overturned by the High Court after a number of plastic manufacturers who operate in the country obtained an injunction, citing an infringement of business rights. Delivering the verdict on Thursday,…
Bushlife Safaris now offers river cruises on the Zambezi at Vundu Camp in Mana Pools. The motorised pontoon seats eight guests and has a removable canopy. The afternoon river cruises are favoured by wildlife enthusiasts and photographers as this is when the elephants and buffaloes move on to the islands, providing up-close wildlife encounters. Snacks…
Figures recorded by the Seychelles National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed a growth in tourism arrivals for June. A total of 25 761 holiday visitors were recorded at Seychelles International Airport. NBS figures showed that visitor arrivals from the beginning of the year to end of June were 187 108. This represents an increase of 9%…
Tanzania has started a process to establish the Nyerere National Park in the Selous Game Reserve, a Unesco Heritage Site. Recently, Tanzania’s President John Magufuli issued a directive to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to begin the process of splitting the Selous Game Reserve into two wildlife sanctuaries. Adolf Mkenda, the Permanent Secretary in the…
Two years after cheetahs were reintroduced to Malawi, in Liwonde National Park, four individuals were safely translocated from South Africa to Majete Wildlife Reserve to form a crucial founder population and help grow the range of the vulnerable big cat. A small founder population of wild cheetahs has been successfully translocated from South Africa to…
Following 11 months of preparation and planning, 16 critically endangered Black rhinos have been successfully captured, translocated, dehorned and released into the Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland). The rhinos include adult breeding bulls and cows, young adults and calves from a private game reserve in South Africa, where the cost of protecting them from poachers…
The Mozambican government has doubled the cost of entry visas under a decree jointly signed by Economy and Finance Minister Adriano Maleiane and Interior Minister Basilio Monteiro, APA learnt on Wednesday.Under the decree, the cost of a single-entry visa valid for 30 days jumps to US$100 from US$50 with immediate effect while a visa valid…
Green Safaris are delighted to announce they’ve tested their brand new eQuadbike at Kaya Mawa. In sync with their eLandy and eBoat at Ila, their other property in Zambia’s Kafue National Park, the team are about to start offering silent & eco-friendly quad biking safaris around Likoma island. This brand new ‘adrenaline-fuelled’ experience will add…
Shongwe Lookout in the suburbs of Victoria Falls has been opened by the Mayor, S Dhlamini, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The lodge has 23 bedrooms, a restaurant area, a bar, an outdoor infinity pool and a firepit. Deluxe and Executive rooms have a shower and a bath, and the studio rooms have a shower. All rooms…
This is not the first year that the Seychelles, an archipelago of 116 islands, has scored the top spot, thanks to its natural beauty and memorable hotels. (Kate Middleton and Prince William evidently agree — they spent their honeymoon here, as did Amal and George Clooney.) Almost half the land is protected for wildlife to thrive,…
When some of the most well-known faces from the African diaspora arrived for a recent vacation in Accra, Ghana, it looked like just another gathering of famous people. Actors including Idris Elba rubbed shoulders with supermodel Naomi Campbell, TV sports presenter Mike Hill, and author Luvvie Ajayi. Behind this meet-up of box office stars, fashion…
The Telegraph Travel’s safari expert Brian Jackman on the Kenyan plains which inspired Disney’s writers, his own fascinating lion encounters, and ten of the best lodges in Africa to have yours. Read the full article from The Telegraph
South Africa’s Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West is set to enjoy greater global recognition after being voted the top winery on the African continent, it said on Wednesday. Vergelegen placed 34 overall in the prestigious World’s Best Vineyard 2019 competition, where a global voting panel analysed 1,500 wineries from 17 countries. Argentina’s Zuccardi Valle de Uco…
President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has given assent to the Uganda Wildlife Bill 2017, effectively making the Uganda Wildlife Act law. The new law comes with significant reforms, transforming wildlife conservation in Uganda. Highlights: Community participation in wildlife management is strengthened through Community Wildlife Committees for each protected area. Penalties up to life sentences and…
It’s been an exciting time for Blue Zebra Island Lodge recently as they enter their diving season (June to September). As avid scuba divers from around the world delve into the underwater world of Lake Malawi and discover the resident blue zebra cichlids, a rather unexpected animal awaits as they arrive back on the island. Check out this blog all…
New study reveals that Madagascar, which is a magnet for nature-loving tourists thanks to its unique flora and fauna and its unspoilt, authentic character, looks set to experience a tourism-driven boom this year. Visitor arrivals in Madagascar in 2018 were 8% up on the previous year and they are 19% up in the first five months…
Well-known South African marketing and advertising executive, Jerry Mpufane has been appointed as the new president for South African Tourism North America. Mpufane will be based at the organization’s New York office and will lead a dynamic team responsible for driving growth into South Africa from the USA and Canada. North America is a key…
Domestic travel between the islands of the Seychelles is expected to be easier following the opening of a new domestic terminal at Seychelles International Airport in Mahé. The development includes a larger floor area, new check-in and baggage areas, arrival and departure lounges, drop-off and pick-up areas and security posts. The new terminal also has…
In recent months, there have been a number of negative travel advisories in place covering Mozambique’s northernmost region. These have a direct bearing on &Beyond Vamizi Island, which is situated off the coast of this area. &Beyond has been monitoring the situation carefully. Operations to be suspended Travel to this troubled area has decreased significantly,…
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will make a long-rumored trip to Africa this fall, stopping in South Africa, Angola, and Malawi, Buckingham Palace confirmed Thursday. Meghan and Harry’s trip to South Africa will be an official visit at the request of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. “In addition, the Duke of Sussex will…
Blue Zebra, the idyllic island lodge set on the deserted Marelli Islands in the the Lake Malawi National Park, has been voted the ‘Best Location in Malawi’ in the recent Safari Awards, as well as picking up a raft of other awards across a variety of categories! The Safari Awards give credit to lodges in/near wildlife reserves “that…
“It is with great sadness that I announce today the closure of RAW Botswana’s Motswiri Camp. RAW Botswana was unable to agree terms with Linyanti Explorations for an extension on its lease. The lease will come to an end on 31st December 2019, at which point the company will cease its safaris at Motswiri Camp. The…
South African Airways (SAA), the national flag carrier of South Africa, and South Africa-based event organizer, On Show Solutions, announce the 2019 dates and locations for the Africa Showcase in North America. This year, the Africa Showcase, which is the largest travel trade show in U.S. and Canada that focuses exclusively on promoting tourism to…
President Prof. Peter Mutharika has said his strong desire to turn lakeshore district of Mangochi into the tourism capital of Malawi like Mexico’s Acapulco by constructing state of the art international airport, a mega city and five-star hotel. He made the revelation on Sunday at St. Augustine 3 Primary School ground in Mangochi where he…
Giraffe Manor’s doors have reopened for the season! Despite being closed for two months, we have been incredibly busy and have lots of exciting developments to reveal. Three of the main manor bedrooms have undergone significant renovations.Lynn and Marlon are now charming superior rooms and the Karen Blixen Suite now has two large en-suite bedrooms with an adjoining lounge area and…
Uganda’s revived flag carrier, Uganda Airlines, intends to start commercial operations next month, with the first flight from Entebbe to Nairobi. In his State of the Nation address, Uganda President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, said the carrier would deploy the recently acquired Bombardier CRJ900s on the first regional routes. The airline received two Bombardier CRJ900s in April…
Singita is honored to be opening Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House on August 1st in Rwanda, an extraordinarily beautiful, small country where more than one third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live in the high-altitude cloud forests of Volcanoes National Park. The presence of Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House on the park border will help to…
Ethiopian Airlines will launch three weekly flights to New York JFK via Abidjan, from June 17. The new flights, along with the carrier’s four weekly services to Newark via Lomé, bring the New York schedule to a daily service. Flight ET 0512 will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing Addis Ababa at 09h00 and…
In a victory for queer people in Botswana, the Gaborone high court on Tuesday ruled sections of Botswana’s Penal Code which criminalizes same-sex sexual conduct unconstitutional. Certain sections of the penal code impose a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations. The court, however, ruled these provisions “discriminatory because they take away…