World Celebrates Nelson Mandela’s 100th Birthday
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.
Malawi’s Pumulani Celebrates 1o Years
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…
SAA Honored for “Best Airline Staff in Africa” By Skytrax
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…
‘We Are Africa’ is Going to Sundance in Utah
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.…
With “State of War” Over, Ethiopian Airlines to Resume Flights to Eritrea’s Asmara Next Week
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…
Robin Pope Safaris Expands into Malawi’s Liwonde National Park, Offers 15% Discount
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…
Annual Gorilla Naming Festival Kicks Off in Rwanda
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 Africa Launches Heroes Walk 2018 in Qunu
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…
Makhonjwa Mountains Named South Africa’s 10th World Heritage Site
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…
DRC Approves Oil Drilling in UNESCO World Heritage Virunga National Park
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 Zipline Reopens
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…
New Domestic Airline Launches in Kenya
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…
Jane Goodall Believes Chimpanzees Are the Future of Uganda Tourism
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 Recruiting Buyers for Zimbabwe’s Annual Sanganai Tourism Expo
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 Ferry Service Lauded as Global Best-in-Class
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…
Lanzerac Hotel & Spa in Cape Winelands to Reopen July 1st After Year Long Renovation
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…
Kenya Plans World War One Tourism Package
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…
Barack Obama to visit Kenya on July 16
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 ‘Travel World Cup’ Poll Egypt is Most Popular Destination
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…
Secret Rainforest at the Heart of a Volcano Discovered in Mozambique
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…
Uganda Sets Ambitious Target of 4 Million Visitors Per Year by 2020
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…
Ethiopia and Eritrea Close to Peace
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…
Unrest in Northern Mozambique
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 Granted License to Fly to New York
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 Endangered African Penguin Chicks Rescued
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…
Uganda Proposes New Museum to Showcase its Dark History
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…
Hwange Bush Camp Named One of Smarter Travel’s “6 Ultra-Exclusive Hotels for the Top of Your Bucket List”
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 in Africa! Ellen Visits Kenya and Rwanda
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 Confirms July Opening
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…
Jessie Bligh of Emerging Destinations Joins APTA Executive Board
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…
Uganda Airlines to Resume Operation in November for First Time Since 2001
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,…
Blue Train Changes to Two Night Experience
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 Launches Scenic Flights and & Air Transfers from Samburu into Northern Kenya
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 Adds New Flight to Johannesburg
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 Officially Re-named Eswatini
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…
New Maputo-Catembe Bridge Cuts Travel Time from Maputo to Kosi Bay from 6 Hours to 90 Minutes
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 Teaching Africa How to Beat Malaria
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…
Inaugural ceremony marks return of Air France to Seychelles
(Seychelles News Agency) – After a 20-year absence, Air France is returning to Seychelles through its subsidiary airline, Joon, an event marked by an inaugural ceremony on Tuesday. Joon has been linking Seychelles – a 115-island archipelago in the western Indian Ocean – with Paris, France since May 5, with three weekly flights on Tuesdays,…
Prince Harry and Meghan to Honeymoon in Malawi?
In 2017, Prince Harry spent three weeks in Malawi where he worked alongside volunteers, vets and experts on the frontline of one of the largest and most significant elephant translocations in conservation history. During that time he developed a great affinity for the Warm Heart of Africa and has since become President of African Parks,…
Ethiopian Airlines Increases Flights to Mombasa
Ethiopian Airlines has been granted a second daily flight to Mombasa’s Moi International Airport (MIA) following an agreement between Kenya President, Uhuru Kenyatta, and Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiv Ahmed Ali. The additional daily flight is expected to boost tourism in the southern coastal region of Kenya, which, until now has been heavily reliant on charter flights from…
Virunga National Park in DRC Closes Temporarily
The Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has closed to tourists until June 4. The announcement comes after two British tourists were kidnapped on May 11 and later released. Their ranger, 25-year-old Rachel Masika Baraka, was killed in the ambush. Until the attacks last week, no incidents against tourists had been reported…
South Africa Bus Services Resume After Weeks of Strike action
South African bus companies have announced that services have resumed following a three-week-long strike over wages. The South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council confirmed that an agreement had been reached late Monday (May 14). All unions involved have agreed to a 9% wage increase in the first year and an 8% increase is to be…
Malawi Repositions as a Big Five Destination
Malawi is in the process of rebranding itself as a Big Five safari destination, expanding its marketed tourism offering beyond Lake Malawi. Increased conservation efforts, including the introduction of more lions and cheetahs, as well as the dispersion of 500 elephants across the three major national parks – Majete, Nyika and Liwonde – are increasing…
New International Airport Planned for Malawi
Malawi is making plans to construct a new airport to take the world directly to Lake Malawi, President Arthur Peter Mutharika announced on Friday, May 4. Mutharika said his government was transforming air transport in the country further with plans to rehabilitate and upgrade two other airports. “We are making progress with rehabilitation and expansion works at…
British Airways Launches London to Durban Direct Route
A decision by British Airways to introduce a direct, non-stop flight between London’s Heathrow Airport and Durban’s King Shaka International Airport is a game changer for KwaZulu-Natal as it will be instrumental in contributing to an increase in international arrivals from the United Kingdom and North America. British Airways announced the introduction of the route…
Marriott International Debuts in Mali with Opening of Sheraton Bamako Hotel
Marriott International today announced the opening of Sheraton Bamako Hotel marking its entry into Mali, in West Africa. This milestone further solidifies Marriott International’s portfolio across West Africa, and promises to revolutionize the hospitality landscape in the country through Sheraton’s distinct product offering coupled with its commitment to go above and beyond for its guests.…
Malawi International Tourism Expo (MITE) a Smashing Success
The second annual Malawi International Tourism Expo (MITE) wrapped up this past Saturday and was largely considered a smashing success. The show nearly doubled in size since its inaugural instance in 2017 with over 80 participating suppliers and 54 buyers representing over 10 countries traveling to Lilongwe for the expo. Both Malawi’s Minister of Tourism…
South African Bus Services Remain Suspended Due to Ongoing Strike
The nationwide strike affecting the South African bus industry is continuing, with many services still not operating. MyCiTi service in Cape Town and the Gautrain buses remain suspended until further notice. The nationwide strike is still ongoing and, as such, buses are not operating. With the strike entering its third week, there was still no…
Malawi and Zambia Sign Tourism Pact
Malawi and Zambia have signed a tourism pact that will see them complementing each other rather than competing in the sector. During the Malawi Tourism Exposition, ‘Takulandilani’, Malawi’s Minister of Tourism, Henry Mussa, suggested that the marketing synergy for the two countries could yield better results if they promoted their tourism products jointly. He acknowledged that…
Malawi International Tourism Expo Kicks Off Today!
Today Malawi officially welcomed international, regional and local buyers, media and tourism enterprises, operators & stakeholders, to the 2nd edition of Takulandirani Malawi International Tourism Expo, MITE, being held from 26th to 28th April, 2018 at the Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convention Center (BICC) in Lilongwe.