The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), in collaboration with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, is in the process of translocating 15 giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Kidepo Valley National Park. The translocation is primarily due to conservation efforts that aim to boost the giraffe population in Kidepo, according to UWA Communications Director, Bashir Hangi. This will…
Government last week dissolved Air Zimbabwe management board and appointed Grant Thornton Chartered Accountants as caretaker administrators for the country’s airline. Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Joram Gumbo confirmed yesterday that the disbandment of the board and the appointment of a caretaker was meant to safeguard the airline’s assets. “The Ministry of Finance and Economic…
The architect who rebuilt the World Trade Center in New York has started work on a new museum celebrating human evolution that Richard Leakey has commissioned in the remote deserts of northern Kenya. Leakey, famous for discovering the most complete skeleton of an early human known as Turkana Boy, wants the building to become a…
Join us in Denver and hear from travel expert and TV host Nate Fluellen. “From Chicago to the Congo”. Nate Fluellen’s latest series “will change the way you think about exploring Africa” according to Forbes. Come and hear more from this amazing adventurer & story teller at our APTA National Forum in Denver on September…
The APTA National Forum will be taking place in Denver, Colorado at the historic Oxford Hotel situated in the popular Lower Downtown (LoDo) area 14-15 September. This is your chance to meet some of the influencers, change makers & pioneers in the world of Africa, conservation & travel plus reconnect with your fellow APTA members. The…
African Parks have been responsible for transforming Malawi’s wildlife in recent years, helping it to emerge as one of Africa’s most complete destinations. Their 2017 report shows all the success they’ve had in 12 months, including successful relocations of cheetah into Malawi’s Liwonde National Park and elephant into Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, developments to bring more…
Often overlooked and rarely found on travelers’ bucket lists, Malawi has been mainly known as “the warm heart of Africa” thanks to its friendly and welcoming people. However, the country is starting to position itself as an interesting wildlife destination, as well. Three of the country’s reserves Majete, Liwonde and Nkhotakota are now run by…
The tourism sector in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, is set to receive a major boost as plans to construct a Grand Prix Circuit have been cemented. Feonirich, a Dubai-based company funding the construction, attended the ground-breaking ceremony in Victoria Falls over the weekend, which was presided over by Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga, to commemorate the $1.2…
Registrations have opened for exhibitors for Africa’s Travel Indaba, to take place from May 7-9, 2019. The event will once again take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban. The three-day tradeshow is hosted by South African Tourism, in partnership with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and eThekwini Municipality and attracts buyers from all over…
Tsogo Sun will open a new hotel in Zambia next month – Garden Court Kitwe. Christopher Nsenje, General Manager says: “The hotel is well located close to the Makuba Mall and adjoins the ECL Business Park. It is an ideal base for conducting both business and corporate functions with a host of professional services.” There…
Wild Hospitality has announced the launch of two new lodges, as part of the Explorers Luxury Tented Lodge portfolio of lodges. The lodges are situated in the tourism mecca of Hazyview – the gateway to the Kruger National Park on the banks of the Sabi Sands. Lions Rock River Lodge is a family-friendly lodge situated…
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — While visiting Kenya, former U.S. President Barack Obama praised Kenya’s president and opposition leader for working together but said this East African country must do more to end corruption. On his first visit to Africa since stepping down as president, he commended President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga for…
On Friday 22nd June, Central African Wilderness Safaris (CAWS) signed a 20-year lease extension with the Government of Malawi for Chintheche Inn, a stunning property overlooking Lake Malawi. In 1993, CAWS signed the first-ever public-private partnership with the Government of Malawi, to run Mvuu Camp and Mvuu Lodge in Liwonde National Park. The company is delighted to…
A full 100 years after Nelson Mandela’s July 18, 1918, birth, he is remembered around the world as a symbol of peace and freedom, for ushering South Africa into a democratic, post-apartheid future.
This year marks Pumulani Lodge’s 10th anniversary in Malawi! And what a wonderful ten years it has been. As Pumulani enters the double digits, we look back at a few fond memories and interesting facts over the decade. • Approximately 21,600 bed nights occupied since opening. • The ‘world’ has been to stay – hosted…
South African Airways (SAA), the leading airline from the U.S. to South Africa with the most daily flights, was honored with the “Best Airline Staff in Africa” award at the 2018 World Airline Awards hosted by world renowned aviation experts SkytraxTM. The award presented at a special ceremony held at the Farnborough International Airshow attributed…
During the 21st-25th October 2018, 60 luxury African travel exhibitors, along with 60 high-end luxury travel designers from across North America, will be descending on Sundance. For 4 days, this pop up event will consist of carefully curated business meetings, powerful bonding experiences as well as learning, discussing and sharing information about the majestic African continent.…
Ethiopia’s state-owned airlines will resume flights to Eritrea’s capital Asmara next week, a state-affiliated news agency reported on Monday, hours after the neighbours and longtime foes declared their “state of war” over. Fana television reported the news on its Twitter feed. The restoration of diplomatic ties and trade links was agreed on Monday after a…
We are thrilled to announce the opening of Robin Pope Safaris’ Kuthengo Camp in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. Meaning “the wild” or “the bush” Kuthengo is located among fever trees on a large open plain along the spectacular Shire River. The camp boasts four spacious en-suite safari tents, each featuring an outdoor shower, bathtub, basin…
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has launched the annual Kwita Izina Festival, which will culminate in September with the naming of 23 gorillas born over the last year. This is the 14th annual Kwita Izina Festival and, under this year’s theme of ‘Conservation in Life’, organisers aim to highlight the need for conservation, particularly of the…
South African Tourism, Travel LAB South Africa, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, Nelson Mandela Museums and Mqhekezwein Great Place in the Eastern Cape are proud to launch the upcoming “Heroes Walk 2018” in honor of Nelson Mandela. The walk is comprised of a 10 km (blue), 20km (yellow), 40 km (green) routes aimed at…
On Monday the Portfolio Committee on Tourism in Parliament welcomed the development. The Makhonjwa Mountains, known as the Barberton Greenstone Belt in Mpumalanga, have been declared as South Africa’s 10th World Heritage Site. On Monday the Portfolio Committee on Tourism in Parliament “welcomed” the development. Chairperson of the Committee Lusizo Sharon Makhubele-Mashele said: “The Committee…
Virunga – Africa’s oldest national park – is home to over half the global population of mountain gorillas The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has decided to open up parts of two protected national parks, home to endangered species such as mountain gorillas, to oil drilling. The proposals to allow oil exploration in Virunga and Salonga were met with fierce opposition from environmental activists,…
Cape Town Ziplines, an SA Forest Adventures initiative, reopened on Monday, July 2. The zipline is 2.3km long and located in Silvermist Estate on the Hout Bay Road. The zipline tour, one of the longest and highest in Africa, begins with a 4×4 trail up the mountain, offering guests views of Table Mountain, the Constantia…
Tristar Air, a new passenger airline, has joined a growing number of budget airlines taking to the Kenyan skies. Donald Kigali Band, Head of Sales and Marketing at Tristar Air, told Tourism Update that the new airline is a product of a joint venture between three other airlines in Kenya, namely BushAir, Rudufu and BuffAir. Each airline…
Renowned primatologist and anthropologist, Dr Jane Goodall, believes that chimpanzees provide Uganda the opportunity to unlock tourism fortunes in a way not imagined before, adding that chimpanzee tourism could earn the country as much in tourism revenue as gorilla trekking. The last study done in Uganda (2002) revealed that there were 5 000 chimpanzees in the country,…
CornerSun Destination Marketing is once again recruiting buyers for Zimbabwe’s annual Sanganai Tourism Expo to take place in Zimbabwe 6-8 September. In addition to the annual tourism expo, hosted buyers will participate in a small group FAM for North American buyers which will provide an overview of the entire country including Harare, the medieval city…
Seychelles has been complemented by the region for its standard of ferry services being offered between its main islands. The one hour run between Mahe and Praslin islands, as well as the fifteen minutes service between Praslin and La Digue, are seen as a model in standard and service. Both Inter Island Boats and the…
On the 1st of July 2018, Lanzerac Hotel & Spa will reopen after a year-long regeneration journey that has seen the Hotel being restored to its former grandeur following a devastating fire in 2017. Like the fynbos endemic to the Cape, which rejuvenates by fire every few years, this iconic landmark is now blooming with enhanced…
Tsavo National Park in Kenya is set to develop a new tourist attraction: the park will package its World War One battlefield as a cultural heritage sight for tourists. The package will include a visit to Mwashoti Hill, the location of a British fort and cemeteries for both British and German soldiers. Other sites will…
Former US president Barack Obama is set to visit Kenya next month. According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Obama Foundation, the former president will be in the country on July 16 before he heads to South Africa where he will deliver the 16th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Johannesburg. He is expected to…
In a poll titled “Travel World Cup”, which was posted by British newspaper The Telegraph, comparing World Cup groups as travel destinations, Egypt came as the voters’ most popular travel destination within group A, surprisingly taking over Russia and Uruguay and less surprisingly taking over Saudi Arabia. Telegraph Travel posted a tweet on 14 June…
Last month, a team of biologists, logistical crew, researchers and plant experts were led on their first expedition to Mount Lico in Mozambique by Dr Julian Bayliss, from Oxford Brookes University in the UK, where an undisturbed tropical rainforest was discovered in the heart of a volcano. Bayliss was looking at satellite imagery from Google Earth…
The Uganda government has earmarked a staggering Shs 32bn for the tourism sector which is expected to attract at least 4 million tourists per year by the year 2020. Finance Minister Matia Kasaija said the tourism sector today earns USD 1.4 billion compared to USD 498.3 Million in 2008. “By 2020, tourism is targeted to…
A surprise announcement by Ethiopia’s prime minister to mend relations with neighbouring Eritrea is highlighting the rapid pace of his government’s agenda just eleven weeks since he was sworn in. Abiy Ahmed of the ruling EPRDF coalition is offering to cede control of the northern border town of Badme and other disputed regions to Eritrea and abide fully…
Various countries have updated their travel advisories for Mozambique, advising travellers to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling in Cabo Delgado Province, or ideally, avoid all travel in the area. The US Embassy issued a security alert for the district headquarters of Palma, situated in Cabo Delgado Province, advising American citizens to consider…
RwandAir, has been granted a licence to start direct flight services to the United States (New York) and China (Guangzhou). While details are still being finalised, the arrival airport in New York will be either JFK or Newark, and the flights are likely to start towards the end of the year. Thembela Dladla, Country Manager…
28 African penguin chicks have been rescued following recent stormy weather that caused flooding of some of the nests on Dyer Island, a 20-hectare nature reserve situated 8.5km from Kleinbaai harbour in Gansbaai, Western Cape. The chicks, which are not yet waterproof and would therefore die from exposure if not rescued, were admitted to the…
A new museum is set to open in Uganda, showcasing the country’s volatile history, in a bid to attract more tourists to the East African nation. The museum will display Uganda’s history, including its pre-colonial and colonial past. Furthermore, it will exhibit the violent reign of Idi Amin, former President of Uganda, reports BBC. Stephen Asiimwe, CEO…
In Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, Hwange Bush Camp is a rustic camp that provides the comforts of home. With running water but no internet, the camp offers a down-to-earth safari experience that’s comfortable without the excessive “glam” of other glamping experiences. At this exclusive hotel you won’t just be surrounded by the nature and wildlife of the…
Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi are in Africa right now. They visited Kenya and stayed at the famous Giraffe Manor in Nairobi. Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi are now in Rwanda and visited the Genocide Museum on Tuesday following an in-office meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame before heading to Volcanoes…
Zuri Zanzibar has confirmed its opening date of July 2, following a series of delays. Marketing and PR manager, Michaela Karabcova, says that the delays were caused by unusually heavy rains. At this stage, the main beach bar, wellness area and spice house will not be completed by the beginning of July deadline, but rather by…
The APTA Executive Board is pleased to welcome our newest member, Jessie Bligh of Emerging Destinations. Jessie recently won a national election to become the newest board member of APTA. We look forward to working with her for years to come. Jessie joined the Emerging Destinations team in 2014, Jessie is a Georgia native who…
The Uganda government plans to buy six passenger aircraft for Uganda Airlines, which is scheduled to resume flying in late November after ceasing operations in May 2001. Minister of Works and Transport, Monica Azuba-Ntege, said the government had made an initial cash deposit of US$1.2 million (UGX4,43bn) for the purchase of the aircraft for Uganda Airlines,…
Beginning in January, guests on board will now enjoy two night’s accommodation as opposed to one night on board the most lavish train on the planet as they travel between Pretoria & Cape Town (or reverse). Here are the benefits in an easy to digest recap: Both guests travelling from Pretoria or Cape Town will now experience a uniform, guaranteed 2…
Saruni, the Kenyan portfolio of lodges in Samburu and the Masai Mara, is launching new exciting activities from its Northern Kenya properties: panoramic air excursions and transfers with an aircraft based at Kalama airstrip, starting from 1st July until the end of September 2018. The plane – a 6-seater Cessna 206 – will provide quicker, easier…
Air Seychelles is adding a Tuesday flight to Johannesburg from July 3, taking the frequency to six flights a week following the addition of a Wednesday flight in March. Remco Althuis, CEO of Air Seychelles, said: “The new service, which will be operated by an Airbus A320, will provide an additional 252 seats per week.” Althuis also…
Swaziland has officially changed its name to Eswatini. The change comes after King Mswati III made the announcement at the country’s celebration of its 50th year of independence in April. The full name will be The Kingdom of Eswatini and means the place of the Swati people in the local siSwati language. During his speech at the celebration…
The inauguration date has officially been scheduled for the longest suspension bridge in Africa, the Maputo-Catembe Bridge. The inaugural event, which will take place on June 25, coincides with Mozambique’s Independence Day. The bridge, which will link Maputo and the Catembe district, will reduce travel times significantly. Furthermore, the bridge is part of a larger project…
São Tomé and Príncipe is best known for stunning beaches, Galapagos-caliber birdwatching and historic coffee plantations. But in recent years, the maritime nation has acquired a new reputation as one of Africa’s most successful countries in fighting malaria, a disease that kills more than 400,000 people across the continent every year. According to the World Health…