Several of Kartagener Associate’s partners across the African continent have recently been recognized for their outstanding product delivery, and one is currently up for two awards… Sarova Hotels won multiple honor at the World Luxury Hotel Awards in Hong Kong: Sarova Hotels, Resorts & Game Lodges was named Africa’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand. Sarova Mara…
Turkish Airlines has officially launched direct flights between Cape Town and Istanbul. The daily flights were launched due to an increase in demand for direct travel between Cape Town and Istanbul, Turkish Airlines said at the official launch on Monday, 26 October. Istanbul to Cape Town – Flight TK 044 Departure: 01:15 – Arrival: 12:50 and…
A family room unit will soon be added to both Camp Moremi and Savute Safari Lodge. At each property, one of the existing rooms will be renovated and adapted to include an additional bedroom. This will be carried out during the closure period of the properties, from 01 February 2016 to 01 March 2016. Camp…
Elewana is about to open a new luxury camp in the Loisaba Conservancy on the site of the old Loisaba Lodge. Scheduled to open in March of next year, the new Loisaba Tented Camp will include four stylish and extremely spacious double rooms, one deluxe tented suite, two family tents and an exclusive family residence…
Bangu Masisi has been appointed SA Tourism US Country Manager, with effect from November 1. South African-born Masisi has more than 15 years’ experience in the travel industry, working primarily on developing and implementing marketing initiatives for South African Tourism globally. Masisi was appointed SA Tourism Country Manager for Australia in 2004 where, for six…
KAMPALA, UGANDA – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the USAID/Uganda Biodiversity Program implemented by African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), has donated a full set of road equipment, worth USD 1,6 million, to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The road equipment is part of the USD $10-million support to biodiversity conservation in Uganda by…
Uganda Tourism Board is mandated to develop a local calendar for domestic tourism activities and publicize it to all stakeholders, run domestic tourism promotion campaigns in partnership with media and organize national tourism events. The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo is one of the annual events in the East African region organized by Uganda Tourism…
Press Release By the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change There are confirmed reports of algal bloom (fr: Proliferation d’algues) occurring around the island of Mahe, Praslin and satellite islands. An algal bloom is a natural phenomenon, involving the rapid growth and population explosion of algae in fresh water and at sea, whenever…
Advocate Travel Marketing has been designated the North American sales and marketing representative for Karen Blixen Camp, Kenya. Located in the Mara North Conservancy, the eco-luxe property is comprises 22 en-suite luxury tents, furnished with Persian rugs and day beds. Guests can choose to enjoy game drives, nature walks, balloon safaris and community visits (village,…
Botswana has topped Lonely Planet’s Best-in-Travel list for 2016, closely followed by Japan and the USA. The land-locked African country, which will celebrate 50 years of independence next year, is known for its rare combination of desert and delta, as well as its vast array of wildlife. A total of 17 per cent of the country…
After decades of neglect, the north Moroccan city, once talked about in the same breath as London, Paris and New York, is undergoing a renaissance. During its glory years from the mid-1920’s, it was an international zone, administered by a joint convention including France, Spain and Britain. The big mystery is how and why Tangier…
It is time for visitors and locals alike to make their opinion count in the fourth annual KLINK Wine Tourism Awards. The Klink Awards, partnered with Wesgro, is now in its fourth consecutive year of honouring the very best in South African wine tourism – from the greenest estate, coolest festival, to the hippest haute…
International Air Transport Association (IATA) has described the government’s decision to amend some of its visa and immigration requirements as “a positive move in the right direction”. IATA pointed out that it was now especially important for the changes to be communicated “clearly, expeditiously and effectively to all markets, so that there is no confusion”.…
The Zambia Tourism Agency (formerly Zambia Tourism Board) is pleased to announce that the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (Department of Immigration), launched the e-Visa facility on Wednesday, 14th October, 2015. The launch, officiated by the Minister of Home Affairs, took place at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in…
The South African Cabinet has agreed to amend the immigration regulations, so that, within the next three months, travel to South Africa will be made easier. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will accept visa applications by post from countries that require a visa to visit South Africa, but which do not have a South…
The 10th Eco Warrior Award ceremony was held at Leisure Lodge, Diani, on 16th October 2015. The event, under the 2015 theme, “Sustainable Tourism: Keeping the Magic Alive”, drew a large number of local, regional and international tourism stakeholders to witness and celebrate corporates that had succeeded in championing responsible tourism in Kenya. The Eco…
To mark the twenty years of its existence, the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) has planned a series of activities to lead up to the end-of-year grand celebrations in December. The association launched the celebrations, dubbed “AUTO@20,” during this year’s World Tourism Day with a low-key event at 291 suites in Lira Town and…
South African Airways Vacations is pleased to introduce their 2016 Collection of “Great Escapes to Africa”. The new collection, which is available as a digital e-brochure, features a broad spectrum of our most popular air-inclusive packages, along with some special savings offers. One highlight is the “Garden Route Splendour”. This 14-day package was crafted for…
The New York Times Travel Show (Jacob Javits Center, New York, January 8, 9 & 10), provides numerous ways for exhibitors to increase their visibility at the show beyond the booth, many of which at no additional charge. Booth packages abound with benefits that no other travel show offers, including a complimentary lead retrieval app.…
TripAdvisor has announced the launch of the Review Performance Report – an enhanced online analytics dashboard, available for free to all registered businesses on the site. The new dashboard design is based on user feedback and the dashboard provides registered business owners with insights and trend data about their reviews, ranking and competitors in an…
The United States government has lifted travel restrictions it issued to its citizens on visits to most parts of Kenya’s coastal region. The US Embassy stated travel restrictions to Malindi through Mombasa and Kwale counties to the Tanzanian border have been lifted. “There are no longer general restrictions on travel to Malindi city in Kilifi…
CLASSIC PORTFOLIO is a leading collection of Eco-sensitive camps, private game reserves, luxury hotels, secluded beach retreats and renowned wine estates in Southern and East Africa. After a recent survey of hundreds of travel agent partners across the globe, some interesting statistics and results have came to light vis-à-vis the effectiveness and perceived value of various…
South African Airways Vacations® (SAA Vacations) launched its 2016 Collection brochure, featuring an expanded portfolio of air-inclusive vacation packages to destinations in Southern and East Africa. All SAA Vacations packages include round-trip air transportation on South African Airways, with origins from over 100 cities in the U.S., as well as hotel accommodations, airport transfers, sightseeing…
The wild and unlikely tale of Rubondo dates to the 1960s, when the Tanzanian National Park service turned over the keys to this densely forested Nantucket-size island in southwestern Lake Victoria to famed German zoologist and Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Bernhard Grzimek. Quickly seeing the deserted island’s potential as a protected habitat for endangered wildlife, Mr.…
Up to 30% discount on all of EGYPT AIR’s 78 international destinations including Cairo, Sharm El-Sheikh, El Gouna, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, New York, Toronto, Jakarta, Bangkok, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Kuala Lumpur for only a fraction of the price. EGYPT AIR is the flag carrier airline of the Arab Republic of Egypt,…
Dubbed the Bayside Precinct Plan, the project aims to link the existing beachfront promenade from uShaka Marine World, down to the harbour mouth, past the refurbished cruise terminal, along the embankment, ending at Wilson’s Wharf. The plan, revealed by the province at The Mercury Business Breakfast event, includes houses and a recreational park built on…
ORLANDO Haraseb, who works as a guide for Ultimate Safaris in Namibia, won a silver award at the Wanderlust Travel World Guide Awards on Tuesday, at an event held at the Royal Geographic Society in London. “This is quite a feather in the cap for us and for Namibia; acknowledging the quality world-class service to…
Zara Tours is proud to announce the opening of a USA subsidiary which joins their Canada and Tanzania offices. The ZTA office is located in Golden Colorado. With a Mountain Time Zone, we are able to answer questions and get back to you with details and pricing immediately. Zara Tours Adventures also means that Zara…
Seventeen students from the Seychelles Tourism Academy are the first to be enrolled in the newly-launched Constance Ephelia chef’s academy training. They are following apprenticeship programmes at the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA). The one-year training, which started on September 28, is aimed at simultaneously developing their culinary talents to promote the art within the local tourism…
Since 27 August, SAA has been charging a fee for pre-assigned seats for all bookings in most classes of service from the USA to Johannesburg: $25 for any seat, $40 for extra-leg-room seats, and $60 for emergency-exit-row seats. Reservations made by travel agencies are accessible on www.flysaa.com, so that the seats can be selected and…
December 2015 will herald the very first annual print edition of the Africa Geographic Yearbook. Expect a visual celebration of Africa – featuring the best from the continent for that year. This showcase of the very best photographs and stories from the fields of natural history, culture and travel will live on your coffee table…
The growth in the sharing economy will see a dramatic surge in the peer-to-peer business sector, the Abta Travel Convention heard. The next decade will see 30% annual growth. The value of peer-to-peer companies is estimated to hit $335 billion by 2025, against $15 billion in 2013. This forecast came from PwC partner, David Trunkfield,…
Bushtracks Africa are offering visitors the chance to get a whole lot more, for a whole lot less. Book 2 consecutive nights at Elephant’s Eye, Hwange, for a visit in 2015 or 2016 and Bushtracks will give you a third at no extra cost. While you save on the price, you won’t lose out on…
Anticipation was high for this year’s 2014-2015 Passenger Choice Awards, held month at the Oregon Convention Center Ballroom. Ethiopian Airlines was nominated in 8 categories, and clinched the top spot as the “Best in Africa” and Emirates that took away seven awards and a trophy for each category it was nominated in. And the Winners…
Seats are still available on some existing SkySafari departures. SkySafari offers a bespoke blend of incomparable game-viewing opportunities, luxurious accommodations, intimate dining choices and a unique aerial perspective, courtesy of Elewana’s very own executive-class Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft. The Safari encompasses 8 days of unforgettable safari experiences, either in Kenya or Tanzania. For the Ultimate…
In 1986, Kenneth Kaunda, the first President of Zambia, opened the famous Kapani Safari Lodge – Norman Carr’s pipe dream come true and final home in the South Luangwa National Park. Kapani has since provided countless guests from across the world with authentic first-class safaris – from first-timers, safari experts, royalty and politicians to sport…
The Strand Hotel Swakopmund promises to become an integral part of the town’s historical centre and a beachfront entertainment destination in itself, hosting both visitors and locals. With its extensive, superb Restaurants, Bars, Lounges, Deli, sea-facing Terraces and Conference & Banqueting Centre, the Strand Hotel is destined to become the social epicentre of Swakopmund, Namibia. …
Spectacular photos were taken recently from the air show of an almost-dry gorge on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls. For better views, it is recommended that tourists staying on the Zambian side of the falls secure Univisas and plan to visit the Zimbabwean side of the falls, where plenty of water is still…
By Dan Ngabonziza in KT PRESS Rwanda has assembled a team of 60 scientists and tasked them with conducting a head count of all living mountain gorillas along the Greater Virunga Trans boundary. The census, the government says, will provide data for policy and ways of boosting the country’s tourism and conservation efforts. Indeed, on…
Aiming to become the first discount pan-African carrier, fastjet has signed a deal with Emirates airline, which will allow passengers of the Dubai carrier to buy tickets on its network in East and Southern Africa. Fastjet is the British holding company for low-cost carriers in Africa, which operates fastjet Tanzania and received a licence for…
Carlson Rezidor, one of the largest and most dynamic hotel groups worldwide, continues to strengthen its presence in Africa, the company’s most important growth market. The group has announced the first Radisson Blu Residence in Nairobi, Kenya. The property with 123 units will be located adjacent to the State House and welcome the first guests…
Kampala — Uganda’s tourism sector contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the financial year 2014/15 increased to Shs6.3b up from Shs5.6b the previous year. GDP is the total value of goods and services produced within a country annually. The performance is captured in the annual tourism sector performance review released in Kampala recently. The…
Malawi has instituted new visa fees that tourism operators say are just a further blow to the country’s already struggling tourism industry.Malawi introduced the $75 visa fee from October 1 in a bid to boost government revenue. The new measure applies to citizens of all countries that require Malawians to pay visa fees. “But also there…
The Rhino Conservation Safari offers a unique insight into the white rhino and its behavioural patterns. During the three night, four day program a group of 2 (min) to 10 (max) guests will accompany an allocated ranger to explore the reserve and spot the rhino. Prior to venturing out, guests will undergo a comprehensive briefing…
To track the herds as they head across the grasslands, the Jouberts take to the skies. They film the elephants following ancient networks of paths in search of their daily requirement of nearly a quarter pound of salt. Aerials also track each herd as it methodically crosses the floodplains, led by a matriarch giving commands…
Cape Town Tourism (CTT) is thrilled to announce the launch of the “Love Cape Town Neighbourhood Series,” a collection of videos intimately revealing three of the city’s suburbs. The videos are a direct response to the “Travel like a Local” trend. Visitors want to experience the quirky and interesting features enjoyed by locals in the…
Google has introduced its Street View program in Kenya, giving viewers a chance to see interactive photos of the elephants that call this part of East Africa home. In partnership with Save the Elephants and thanks to funding from Kenya’s Samburu County Government, the program allows viewers to tag along as the elephants go about…
Airlink will launch flights between Cape Town and Maun, Botswana, from March 11, 2016. Flights will initially take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, departing from Cape Town at 10h35 and arriving in Maun at 13h05. The return flights will depart from Maun at 13h35 and arrive in Cape Town at 16h10. The…
The Ethiopian Minister of Transport, Workneh Gebeyehu, has announced that Ethiopia is to break ground for a new mega hub airport in the vicinity of Addis Ababa. “The new mega hub will move the aviation industry in Ethiopia to a higher level.” When completed the new mega airport will have the capacity to handle 120…
Manual visa application for those visiting Kenya will continue until the newly introduced e-visa is fully operational, President Uhuru Kenyatta said on September 9, 2015. The president said though the e-visa application is in use this will run concurrently with manual applications at entry points so as not to lock out last minute visitors into…