South Africa will allegedly scrap the child visa requirements after visitor number declined by “1.5% year-on-year in the first seven months of this year,” Business Tech SA reported. The official announcement is expected to be detailed by President Ramaphose on Friday. According to a statement issued after a Cabinet Meeting on Wednesday, 20th September, a…
U.S. first lady Melania Trump will visit four countries in Africa next month, on her first major solo international trip. Mrs. Trump, the wife of U.S. President Donald Trump, will make stops in Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt during the first week in October, according to a White House statement released Wednesday. “October 1 will…
More than 200 people have died in a ferry capsize in Tanzania, as rescuers continue the rush to find survivors. At least 42 people drowned after the ferry sank in Lake Victoria, but government officials fear the final death toll could be more than 200, a senior official claimed. Read more here
The APTA Forum wrapped up in Denver Saturday night and it was one of our most successful Forums ever. Speakers from all aspects of the travel industry came together to educate, inform, promote and network all that Africa has to offer. APTA Forum is the nation’s premier gathering of the African travel industry with 100…
Uganda’s national government has announced that a number of agencies in the country have been dissolved and will be incorporated into their relevant ministries. The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) are among the 71 agencies to be disbanded. The announcement was made following a Cabinet meeting that took place on Monday,…
Qatar Airways will launch flights from Doha to Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa on December 9. The flight will operate four times a week and is Qatar’s second Kenyan destination, with the airline currently flying to Nairobi. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, said: “Qatar Airways sees Kenya as an important market for…
Make sure you are at the APTA National Forum in Denver this week so you can hear Peter Lindstrom speak about the Changing Dynamics of Community Based Tourism in East Africa. You don’t want to miss his presentation “Talking with the Elders … and Now the Youngers.” Peter Lindstrom, Kenya born of Danish parents, grew…
Serendib Hotels and Resorts, responsible for running several large hotels and conference centres around Malawi have launched a unique lakeside dining experience on their new ‘floating restaurant’ docked at Blue Waters by Serendib. The Namalenje Lake Cruise is a self-powered boat which allows you to experience the beauty and magic of Lake Malawi whilst enjoying…
Lucinda Kerschensteiner, MBA, is the Founder of Uhambo USA, a nonprofit that is dedicated to supporting children with disabilities in Africa through its partner organization, the Uhambo Foundation of South Africa. Lucinda felt compelled to support the work of Uhambo after conducting project work in southern Africa for her graduate program, being inspired by the…
Takulandirani Malawi International Tourism Expo (MITE) will be held 25-27 April 2019 at the Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convention Center. This is the place to sample Malawi’s unique tourism products all under one roof while you meet and mingle with international buyers, media, local and regional exhibitors and other industry players who showcase the various tourism products and services…
Emily Davenport has spent nearly two decades devoted to providing care to both pets and wildlife. She spent eight years working as a veterinary technician for a community animal hospital and over six years, Emily worked in several capacities with wildlife such as birds of prey and currently serves as President of the Board of…
Tapiwa, a born and bred Malawian and has been Malawian Style’s leading lady for the last 4 years. Having extensively travelled round Malawi & Zambia she is an expert in the African market of the travel community and can easily answer any queries you have for this area. Tapiwa is a passionate Malawi advocate having…
The newest edition of the annual APTA Corporate Directory will debut at the upcoming APTA Forum in Denver but you can get a sneak peek right now on the APTA website! Click here to see it
On 28th October 2018, Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways (KQ) will begin a whole new flight; an inaugural flight that has been in the making for over a decade now. It is on this date that Kenya Airways will commence direct non-stop flights between Nairobi and New York. This will be a major historic milestone…
We still have a few rooms on our group rate at The Oxford and The Maven available to Forum attendees. If needed, please contact events@apta.biz for rooms right away. Bookings must be made via APTA for reduced rates. More info on APTA National Forum – https://apta.biz/forum
Algeria and Mauritania on Sunday opened a first ever border crossing between the two countries, Algerian media reported. Algeria’s Interior Minister Noureddine Bedoui and his Mauritanian counterpart Ahmedou Ould Abdallah inaugurated the post near the Algerian town of Tindouf, telling journalists that it would boost security and trade. The national news agency APS said the…
The One&Only Nyungwe House resort, on the edge of the Nyungwe rainforest in the mountainous landscape of Rwanda’s southwest, will start welcoming guests on October 1, and is the first new property in the One&Only Nature Resorts’ portfolio. “It is an absolute privilege and an honour to confirm the opening of One&Only Nyungwe House, the…
Dave Johnson is a Zookeeper from Denver, Colorado. He has been working with the pachyderm collection there since 1998, but his career actually encompasses so much more. Dave has written three conservation books for kids, all focusing on the protection and passion it takes to save other species from extinction. He leads people on treks…
The return of Malawi’s wildlife to protected parks and reserves is just one of myriad reasons discerning travelers are flocking to this landlocked country in southeast Africa. Though renowned worldwide for its friendly and welcoming culture, Malawi once seldom made the list as a coveted safari destination due to decades of poaching and deforestation. But thanks…
After more than a century behind bars, the beasts on boxes of animal crackers are roaming free. Mondelez International, the parent company of Nabisco, has redesigned the packaging of its Barnum’s Animals crackers after relenting to pressure from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA, which has been protesting the use of animals in…
2018 has been a year of celebration in Uganda’s conservation fraternity as the country continues to welcome wildlife births! Earlier in the year, Adventure Consults must have shared the exciting news of the first baby giraffe in Lake Mburo National Park, in the past few months, we have recorded a number mountain gorilla babies and…
We are thrilled to have Tristan Cowley as one of the speakers at the APTA National Forum in Denver on September 14th & 15th! Tristan is also the founder of the Conservation Travel Foundation, which in the last 5 years has invested in excess of USD 400,000 into conservation and rural development projects, and also co-founded the…
Lions, lions, and more lions have dominated Liwonde National Park’s management time of late. Today they can proudly report to all their supporters that another milestone has been reached. Just this morning they released the second lion pride consisting of three females, and two males into the greater park. Two of these animals have been…
The Only One, a luxury yacht charter based in Cape Town, Western Cape, has introduced Around Robben Island Trips. Beverley Dean, a representative from The Only One, told Tourism Update that the new offering was introduced because of Robben Island no longer allowing them to do private yacht tours to the island itself. “We thought we had…
Poachers have broken into Botswana’s prime tourism concession, killing more than 40 elephants. Michael Chase, Founder of Elephants without Borders (EWB), said in a report that the elephants were killed in a famous wilderness area, managed by one of the world’s largest eco-tourism travel companies. He called for help from tourism companies in prime tourism…
“For my birthday, I can think of no better gift than connecting my global family with this beautiful country and the children who need our help most” Madonna will celebrate her upcoming 60th birthday with an online fundraiser to benefit her Raising Malawi foundation. “I have an unwavering commitment to providing vulnerable children with a loving home. For my birthday,…
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…