Skukuza Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park will close temporarily from January 1 to facilitate change management and refurbishments as part of SANParks’ Commercialisation Strategy. This seeks to enhance parks as nature tourism destinations by diversifying tourism offerings in partnership with the private sector. SANParks undertook a public tender process for the appointment of…
The Winchester Hotel, which overlooks Cape Town’s Sea Point Promenade, has announced several new developments in time for the festive season this December. An in-house spa and a new suite are opening and Harvey’s Bar and the hotel’s well-known Shoreditch restaurant are also relaunching following a refurbishment. CEO of Newmark Hotels & Reserves, Neil Markovitz, said…
Sierra Leone is on the brink of an exciting transformation, poised to become a beacon of sustainable development and a must-visit destination for eco-conscious travelers. In a groundbreaking move, Octopus Energy, in collaboration with Idris Elba and Siaka Stevens’ Sherbro Alliance Partners, is set to establish the country’s first wind farm in 2024, as part…
A new luxury tented camp, Sango Dadiso Camp, is scheduled to open in May in Zimbabwe’s 200-sqkm Sango Private Game Reserve. The camp comprises four luxury tents, three guides’ tents, a gym and spa tent, a spacious dining tent, a swimming pool and a barbecue area featuring an open pizza oven. Guest tents have ensuite…
Swiss-Belhotel International has entered into a management agreement for its second property in Nairobi, reinforcing its footprint in Kenya’s capital. This comes within a month of the signing of Swiss-Belinn Nairobi, in the city. Situated in Nairobi’s Central Business District, the Nairobi Safari Club will be rebranded as Nairobi Safari Club by Swiss-Belhotel, with the transition set…
South Sudan, one of the world’s least-visited countries, is intent on stimulating tourism, despite post-conflict struggles and political instability. The country has experienced various periods of political upheaval and violence since gaining independence in 2011. According to a World Bank report, tourism contributed just 1.8% to the country’s GDP in 2013, with the World Travel…
Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1754030444752800086 Tuesday, December 12th at 2pm Eastern Join this webinar to find out more about Chem Chem Safaris. Discover Chem Chem’s high end properties, which include 2 tented camps and a lodge set on an exclusive-use concession — linking the Tarangire and Manyara national parks in northern Tanzania — and learn about its…
Serengeti Balloon Safaris in Tanzania will launch a new flight in the Tarangire National Park from December. The launch site will be in the north-west corner of the Silale Swamp where travellers will take off in time to enjoy a sunrise across Boundary Hill and Lolkisale. From there, travellers will witness views of the vast open…
After more than a decade of delays, corruption, and project mismanagement, a key tourism project in the North West province has been unblocked by the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille. Construction has restarted on the ambitious Manyane Lodge tourism project in Mahikeng this month – which was first identified for a massive upgrade by the…
Bookings are now open for SAA’s special seasonal schedule from Johannesburg to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). The airline says it is putting on two flights a day, seven days a week, commencing Wednesday, December 13, until Saturday, March 31, 2024. The schedule is still unknown. The airline has a promotional one-way fare of R713 (€34.8) (G…
Seven cheetah cubs have been born in Malawi’s Liwonde National Park, Malawi, in recent weeks from two different females. This is great news, considering that six years ago, there were no cheetah in the park and the species as a whole was threatened in the country. In 2017, African Parks, in partnership with the Endangered…
Mozambique’s state-owned national airline, Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM), plans to resume flights between Maputo and Lisbon, operated by Fly Modern Ark, starting from December 12. The airline is scheduled to operate flights on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, using a Boeing 777. This service to Portugal will be LAM’s longest non-stop route, and Lisbon will…
In response to popular demand, Airlink are adding a fourth weekly frequency on their Johannesburg-Lilongwe route with the introduction of a Saturday flight from 16 December 2023. Airlink will now fly to Malawi every day of the week, serving Lilongwe on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and Blantyre on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. All Lilongwe…
Kenyan low-cost carrier Jambojet has announced the launch of a new route between Mombasa and Zanzibar from July 1, 2024, in line with the airline’s strategy to grow as a regional player. Jambojet Chairperson Vincent Rague announced the four-times weekly route and the launch of ticket sales at the combined East African Regional Tourism Expo and Magical…
FlyNamibia is to launch a Windhoek to Victoria Falls route, starting April 4 next year. Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between Hoseo Kutako International Airport and the Zimbabwean resort town of Victoria Falls. “This new route is a key element in Zimbabwe’s regional network expansion strategy which aims to enhance regional connectivity,…
Legacy Collection isn’t just a jewelry collection. Each piece is a poignant work of art made from the Robben Island fence, once the fence was a symbol of oppression is now a new symbol of hope, forgiveness and freedom. Legacy Collection products are handmade and locally produced in Cape Town. Each range (Peace; Rights; Justice;…
The development of rural tourism gives visitors a unique experience beyond the traditional sites. On the KwaZulu Natal South Coast, the Agri Tourism Route is one such offering, with the farmlands offering a chance for outdoor adventure and home-grown tastes. Now, the KZN South Coast has another addition to its popular Agri Tourism Route with…
Wednesday, November 29th at 2pm Eastern REGISTER HERE: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5452628130477007959 There is no better place for an adventurous safari than at our owner run and managed camps – renowned for friendliness and warmth, you’ll feel like you’ve a member of the family when you leave. Crafted for all ages and abilities, the wide range of activities…
The North American Hosted Buyer Show is an exclusive opportunity for travel agents from across North America to meet and do business with exhibitors from Africa’s Eden (Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe) during a two and a half day, qualitative event in two locations: Washington DC and San Diego. The event is designed to incentivize…
National carrier, SAA, has opened its new international lounge at OR Tambo International Airport. “Our commitment to offering customers exceptional services both in the air and on the ground, is revealed by the recent upgrades to our world-class airport lounges, called, The Lounge,” said an SAA spokesperson in a press release. The opening of the…
Motorists are breathing a sigh of relief following the reopening of the Hemel-en-Aarde road (R320) in the Western Cape yesterday (November 14). A stop-and-go system is in now place at the Hemel-en-Aarde Estate and Camphill farm. There is currently no restriction on vehicle size as the new road section has been done to facilitate the…
Lepogo Lodges, a non-profit safari lodge in South Africa’s Limpopo province, has recently successfully reintroduced cheetahs and buffalo to the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, contributing to the preservation of native wildlife. Lapalala now boasts a third generation of lions and the birth of Wild Dog pups, further aiding endangered species conservation. Nestled within 50 000ha of pristine…
The Tree Project have been granted £15,000 from the Welsh Government Africa-Wales partnership grant. The Welsh Government is part funding the project, which is supported by Culford School, Monkton School, Xcel Bowl, Tree Twinning and a host of individual donors. Fisherman’s Rest want to take a moment and thank ALL of you for keeping the…
RwandAir has continued to expand its fleet with the recent delivery of its seventh Boeing 737 aircraft. The Boeing 737-800 will be based at the carrier’s Kigali hub and will operate throughout Africa and the Middle East. The aircraft will allow RwandAir to further expand its regional operations and offers customers connectivity and quick transfers…
Sun International is making an urgent appeal to visitors not to respond to any social media posts purportedly offering accommodation and dinner at any Sun City hotel for only R25 (€1.2) a night. Sun City General Manager, Brett Hoppé, said: “This is a scam clearly intended to defraud people, and we’re asking members of the public…
Ethiopian Airlines soared back to the top of the African aviation scene as they reclaimed the prestigious title of ‘Africa’s Leading Airline’ at the 2023 World Travel Awards, which took place in Dubai for Africa and the Indian Ocean regions. In a stunning comeback, Africa’s largest airline managed to regain the title it had held…
COMBINING COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP AND DIGITAL TOOLS, THE CITY OF FREETOWN’S INITIATIVE, FREETOWN THE TREETOWN, IS GALVANISING A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT FOR TREE PRESERVATION IN SIERRA LEONE’S CAPITAL. Over the past half century, Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, has undergone rapid population growth, resulting in the loss of millions of trees due to urban development in…
Over the next decade, Africa’s travel and tourism sector could add US$168 billion to the continent’s economy and create over 18 million jobs. This was revealed at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, last week based on a report by the WTTC titled, ‘Unlocking Opportunities for Travel & Tourism Growth…
The Council of the City of Cape Town has supported the proclamation of six new City-managed nature reserves across Cape Town, and the extension of various nature reserves. The proposed new nature reserves are Ariesfontein Nature Reserve; Haasendal Nature Reserve; Soetwater Nature Reserve; Symphony Way Nature Reserve; Van Schoorsdrift Nature Reserve and Westlake Nature Reserve.…
Wilderness’s luxury tented camp Desert Rhino Camp in Namibia’s vast Palmwag Concession in Damaraland, will close on December 7 to undergo an extensive rebuild. The reconstruction will enhance guests’ safari experience in the unique Namib Desert landscape. The camp, which is expected to reopen in July, was built in 2003, with eight Meru-style tents and…
Seychelles’ highly anticipated 2023-2024 cruise season was launched with the arrival of the newly built SH Diana late last month. To kick off the new season, Mahé Shipping, the Seychelles shipping agent responsible for co-ordinating this year’s launch event, orchestrated a ceremony in collaboration with the Seychelles Ports Authority, the Tourism Department, and key partners such as…
Starting March 1, 2024, Halsted’s Aviation Corporation (HAC) will begin operating weekly flights between Buffalo Range Airport (Chiredzi, Zimbabwe) and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Mbombela, South Africa), enhancing connectivity between two sought-after safari destinations in sub-Saharan Africa. This new flight routing will enable guests to seamlessly link Singita Malilangwe in Zimbabwe and the Singita Kruger…
Angama Amboseli, a new 10-suite lodge from the team behind Maasai Mara’s Angama Mara, has opened in Kenya’s private 5,700-acre Kimana Sanctuary against the dramatic backdrop of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain. Angama, which was opened in partnership with Big Life Foundation, helps protect a critical wildlife corridor. Elephants are the star of the show at…
Gondwana Collection Namibia has recently unveiled the latest addition to its upmarket Secret Collection, The Pearls, in the coastal town of Swakopmund. Situated just steps from the beach, The Pearls’ accommodation offering includes all meals and drinks, a fully stocked kitchen, and a private bar. There is also a central dining area and lounge with…
Land and Lake Safaris, one of Malawi’s longstanding tour operators offering some of the best experiences in the country, have just launched a huge discount on their vehicle hire during the green season, giving adventurous travellers the opportunity to travel Malawi on their own terms for a fraction of the price! The discount is available…
Cable Cars Botswana (CCB) has revealed ambitious plans for the installation of cable cars in the southern region of Gaborone, atop the scenic Kgale Hill. The cable cars will offer an exciting urban adventure, providing visitors with panoramic views of Gaborone and its surroundings. In 2019, CCB initially tried to launch cable cars in Chobe…
There is a drive to develop rural tourism assets globally, with inclusive tourism economies beneficial for both tourists and hosts. Through rural tourism, outlying communities are included in mainstream economies, tourists are afforded more authentic, nature-based experiences, and conservation becomes a central tenet. On the KZN South Coast, this welcome trend has unearthed unique tourism…
Zimbabwe’s tourism industry has welcomed fastjet Zimbabwe’s continued route investment into the country, celebrating the additional flight frequencies from Bulawayo’s JM Nkomo International Airport to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport that launched on Monday (October 30). The new weekday flights increase the daily service to 12 weekly flights from Bulawayo to Johannesburg, introducing choice and…
WETRAVEL – THE BOOKING & PAYMENTS PLATFORM FOR MULTI-DAY AND GROUP TRAVEL BUSINESSES EVENT DETAILS Wednesday, November 15th at 2pm Eastern REGISTER HERE: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/292904651107414 Join this webinar to learn about WeTravel, a platform built to support travel businesses by digitizing and simplifying the booking and payment process. Now used by more than 5,000 travel companies,…
Airlink, Southern Africa’s premier airline, will expand its South Africa – Malawi operations with additional flights between Johannesburg and Lilongwe from 16 December 2023. In September, Airlink launched services to both Lilongwe and Blantyre in its foray into the Malawi market, which became the 15th country in the independent regional airline’s comprehensive route network. “As anticipated,…
Ethiopian Airlines soared back to the top of the African aviation scene as they reclaimed the prestigious title of ‘Africa’s Leading Airline’ at the 2023 World Travel Awards, which took place in Dubai for Africa and the Indian Ocean regions. In a stunning comeback, Africa’s largest airline managed to regain the title it had held…
Lilongwe Wildlife Centre has been selected as the winner of the GFAS 2023 Outstanding International Sanctuary Award. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is one of the leading global bodies for accrediting ethical sanctuaries. Lilongwe Wildlife Centre has been accredited by GFAS since 2015 and was selected from over 200 other GFAS-certified sanctuaries for the…
More than two dozen suppliers and destinations – from South Africa to Saudi Arabia – took part in Goway’s Africa & Middle East event, the first since 2019. Moira Smith, Goway’s VP, Africa and Asia, connected with Travelweek to talk about what’s new. Moira Smith, Goway’s VP, Africa and Asia, connected with Travelweek to talk…
Heritage Hotels has introduced their newest property, Mara Elatia Camp, in a new webinar. Mara Elatia Camp is a new and exciting addition to the Heritage Hotels brand in Kenya. This luxury camp is set on the interlocking hills of the Mara triangle and offers impressive panoramic views, indulgent amenities, and easy accessibility. Mara Elatia…
THE government of Zambia has approved an almost 25% increase in the budget allocated for tourism in 2024, with a focus on the development of tourism infrastructure, marketing, wildlife management and development of tourism products. Presenting the 2024 National Budget at the end of September, Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwanesaid government had…
Uganda Airlines has launched flights between Entebbe and Lagos, with the inaugural flight touching down in Nigeria last week. The flight will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sundays, using a 258-seat Airbus A330-800neo. “Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy while Uganda’s central location on the continent makes it the ideal connection hub between East, West, North…
SAA and SunExpress – a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines – entered into a damp lease agreement that will allow SAA to operate a schedule using two SunExpress aircraft for six months, commencing this month. The first of the two aircraft was received on October 11. The SAA lease covers the provision of…
The African Development Bank has provided US$53 million to develop a cutting-edge aviation training facility in Rwanda. The facility, the Centre of Excellence for Aviation (CEAS), scheduled to open in 2025, is designed to accommodate 500 students annually. It will offer pilot training, maintenance instruction, air traffic control expertise and drone piloting proficiency, reports airspace-africa.com. In anticipation of…
Selati Bridge – where the Kruger Shalati Train on The Bridge is located – marked 100 years today (October 25) since the first tourists entered Kruger National Park by rail. The rich history of Kruger Shalati began in 1886 with the discovery of gold in the Selati River basin, drawing a surge of fortune seekers…
THE World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has endorsed the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) as a new member, raising the profile of the country tourism high. TATO, is Tanzania’s leading members-only group advocating for over 300 private expert tour operators in Tanzania, the home of the number one safari destination in the world. “I’ve the…