Franschhoek, South Africa – May 2015 – The 14th edition of The World’s Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, has been announced. The Tasting Room was honoured with position 88, and is the only South African restaurant to have made it into the 51-100 list. According to the organisers, the awards provide ‘an annual…
Cape Town – Mantis has confirmed that its renowned Zambezi Queen luxury river boat will now form part of the Zambezi Queen Collection, teaming up with three smaller existing luxury river boats, previously known as Ichobezi Safariboats and The Pride of the Zambezi. The three safari boats have been renamed the Chobe Princesses and join the…
The inconsiderate behaviour of tourists has led Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park to lose its unique selling point – unescorted walking. Until now, the game sanctuary has been one of a very few in Africa that has allowed visitors to wander about unguided in big game territory. The practice has been marketed as one of…
South African Airways (SAA), the leading carrier on the African continent, and its feeder partner airline, Airlink, have entered into a joint commercial venture which, as a first ever, will offer scheduled air services at Tshwane City’s Wonderboom Airport. Effective 16 August, the service will operate between Wonderboom and Cape Town, a key domestic route…
It is with great excitement that we launch the newly-refurbished and totally-redecorated rooms at Chobe Game Lodge. The rooms have been completely refurbished with a lively, contemporary finish, in keeping with the beautifully-designed public areas. The bathrooms have tripled in size, with his-and-hers twin basins, walk-in, frameless glass showers and large, free-standing baths. “A new range…
President Obama will travel to Kenya in July for bilateral meetings and the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit, an annual conference that connects entrepreneurs with business leaders, international organizations, and governments. “His trip will build on the success of the August 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and continue our efforts to work with countries in sub-Saharan Africa,…
Djibouti is out of this world! It’s a claim no travel writer should ever make, but it really is as if a great chunk of Mars has been carved out and jigsawed on to the Horn of Africa. Seated on the Afar Triple Junction – the meeting point for three of the Earth’s tectonic plates,…
South Africa’s hospitality industry is prepared to grow further in the next five years, with most growth in the sector expected to be generated in Cape Town, according to a report released by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) today. Nikki Forster, the hospitality industry leader for PwC Southern Africa, says: “Although South Africa’s economy has weakened, the hotel…
Cape Town – The advance of South Africa’s budget airlines, recently joined by FlySafair and Skywise, looks set to benefit air travel consumers, as competition between the private and state-owned sector strengthens. A study undertaken in February indicated that FlySafair had already helped bring prices down on some domestic routes. Now hopes are pinned on Skywise…
In the face of a long chain of crises across Africa, specialists and suppliers have had to remain vigilant and get creative with their marketing and selling initiatives to prevent their businesses from becoming yet another casualty of the continent’s catastrophes. “Specialist tour operators focusing on Africa have to be prepared for the peaks and…
The 2015 Travel & Adventure Show Season broke records regarding attendance and exhibitor participation attracting over 135,000 qualified travel enthusiasts and over 2,000 exhibitors. With misconceptions regarding travel to Africa at an all-time high, this is your best opportunity to get in front of tens of thousands of interested consumers who are looking to book…
From 1 June 2015, a person traveling with a child will be required to possess an unabridged birth certificate of the child, and written consent from the parent or parents authorizing such travel, that is, if the child is traveling with somebody else or with only one parent.For countries abroad, any legal document issued by…
‘Given the continued insistence of governments to place travel advisories to specific areas of Kenya where the Congress was to be held, the Executive Committee and Chair of the LOC have agreed to postpone the congress and that Kenya will reconsider holding a congress in 2018.’ READ MORE:
Recently, Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) announced a new regulation which, experts say, will confine tourists within the national parks. If enforced, the regulation will compel tourists who wish to visit communities or stay outside the parks after game driving, to pay multiple entry fees. This means that, having previously paid a single fee for a…
Windhoek In an effort to curb an upsurge in wildlife crimes, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, says no private guns will be allowed into national parks, following a spate of illegal poaching of rhinos and elephants. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has been working with other law enforcement and conservation agencies to…
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) has announced the opening of Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay, the first Hyatt Place hotel to open in Africa. Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay, an upscale select service Hotel, is located at the new Taghazout Bay Resort, just 17 kilometers from Agadir. Offering a prime situation, Hyatt Place Taghazout overlooks the Atlantic…
The government of Malawi has announced its development of a strategic five-year 2020 Tourism Development plan to guide the country’s developments in the tourism sector. Minister of Information, Tourism and Wildlife, Kondwani, said in the capital, Lilongwe, that the plan will be due for implementation in the next financial year. “The plan will see tourism…
Elephant’s Eye, Hwange, recently introduced game walks experience. The new activity will see you step out of the safari vehicle to walk amidst the African wildlife. Our ZimPro guide/ranger will take a small group of 6 guests on these intimate walks in the morning or afternoon. This nature encounter brings guests closer to where lion,…
Hoopoe Safaris is very proud to host the Clinton Foundation here in Tanzania once again. In the recent past, we have had the privilege of organising a major conference for Clinton Healthcare Access Initiative (CHAI), as well as safaris for the delegates. This time around, we hosted visits by President Bill Clinton and the top…
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When we set out to invent Wild Luxury, we knew we had to strive for perfection. So our plan for the spa at Mara Bushtops was simple: Create the best luxury safari spa in the world. The great news is we’ve achieved our aim: On 30 April 2015, the World Luxury Spa Awards announced that…
Cape Town – South African Airways Cargo has taken a decision to place a total embargo on its worldwide services for the transportation of hunting trophies, effective 21 April 2015. The embargo was issued after SAA Cargo was fined by the Civil Aviation Authority following an incident in which hunting trophies were allegedly shipped to Perth, Australia…
San Diego APTA invites all members to an Informative and Inspiring Evening at Phil’s BBQ, Point Loma, on Tuesday, May 12th. Featured Speakers will be: Chris Liebenberg, Piper & Heath Safaris and Todd Grigsby, Emirates Airlines. To reserve your seat, email Linda Serrano muttznut@sbcglobal.net Save the Date: Orange County APTA will be hosting their annual…
There are countless reasons why some 40,000 trekkers are drawn to Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro each year – the glory of climbing the world’s highest free-standing mountain, the wonder of standing atop Africa’s pinnacle, with the great continent at one’s feet and the reward of seeing Kili’s majestic summit glaciers, some of the very few equatorial…
As of 01 June 2015, Airkenya will offer a scheduled flight into Migori and ground transfers to Tarime. Sister airline, Regional Air Services (RAS), will fly passengers onwards from Tarime to Seronera, Serengeti and the Selous. The new service is set to reduce the time taken to move between the Masai Mara and the Serengeti…
After 25 years based in offices in Woodstock, Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris, advises that the company has moved to grand new offices in central Cape Town. “We are very excited to be housed in brand- new modern offices in the city area now, close to all amenities and the most-visited tourist attraction, the V&A…
DELRAY BEACH, Florida – Today, African Travel, Inc. announced the appointment of Sherwin Banda as President, effective August 2015. African Travel, Inc.’s current President, Jim Holden, who had previously announced his plans to resign, effective in July, said “I’ve truly enjoyed my time at African Travel, Inc. and I wish the team my very best..…
Classic Portfolio is thrilled to welcome LEGENDARY SERENGETI CAMP to their portfolio. Part of Legendary Expeditions’ offering, together with Legendary Lodge and Mwiba Lodge, this mobile camp moves between 3 incredible locations in the Serengeti, according to migration and weather patterns: 1. PRIVATE CONCESSION – the camp is in the private concession of Maswa (Southern…
Travel to Africa: Separating Fact From Fiction in Today’s Media ReportsCountries across Africa have experienced unfortunate tragedies and major setbacks since late 2014, creating continuous media frenzy and a flood of sensational reports to gain viewers/readers. Topics such as Ebola, acts of terror and pirates are not only displayed in excess but these stories also…
He is a professional tour guide specializing in bird guiding and identification, and boasts a 15-year track record. That is not all; Kirenga Kamugisha is also president of the Rwanda Safari Guides Association, the umbrella body that brings together tour guides in the country. Kirenga’s foray into tourism was born of sheer passion and dates…
With its vast and diverse geography, ancient civilization, Red Sea coastline, and safari potential, Sudan can be considered one of the untapped frontiers of Africa’s tourism industry. Though the industry has been held back by a lack of infrastructure, outside investment, and travel alerts in some Western countries, increasing inflows of tourists from the Middle…
PRECISION Air will spend more than 400m/- on recruiting local pilots through a special programme that will see more than 30 employed as part of the airline’s turnaround plans and restructuring of its operations. The airline issued a statement announcing that 15 local pilots had already been recruited. 10 of them were undergoing training at…
For seven years, this Kenyan national has been guiding tourists up some of East Africa’s most treacherous peaks, including Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya, and through some of the region’s most scenic safari parks. As one of the few female guides operating in East Africa, she has faced skepticism and downright discrimination. In many lodges,…
WINDHOEK – Christo Viljoen, Head of Tourism at FNB Namibia, handed over the 2014 FNB tourist guide of the year award to winners Kurt Schlenter (Tourist Guide of the Year 2014) and Emiliano Benolich (Runner up). The bank supported the awards, which were handed out during the Tourist Guides Association of Namibia’s (TAN) 21st Anniversary,…
Following its 25th Anniversary Celebration in NYC on March 31st, Tusk’s Royal Patron, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, has written a personal article, published in the organization’s annual report. The Prince highlights today’s greatest conservation challenges and the reason he believes that Tusk is having an impact in Africa. “I was initially drawn to…
Wyndham Hotel Group, the world’s largest hotel company based on number of hotels and one of three hospitality business units of Wyndham Worldwide, announced the opening of the 139-room RamadaR Resort Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Complementing Wyndham Hotel Group’s existing portfolio of franchised properties in Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria and Tunisia, the hotel marks not…
In a special ceremony at World Travel Market Africa in the City on 17 April, Gansbaai took the coveted position of Overall Winner in the African Responsible Tourism Awards out of 22 finalists gathered from around Africa. “It is exciting to bring the World Responsible Tourism Awards to Cape Town & Africa,” said Harold Goodwin,…
In 2016 The Blue Train will be heading up to “Big 5” country with the launch of its brand-new Hoedspruit departures. The Blue Train will make two round trips up to the Limpopo Province – one in July and the other in August, offering guests the choice of four spectacular 19-hour one-way journeys. These new…
The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls main-line runs almost dead straight along the northern boundary of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. At Impofu Siding, in the shade of ancient Zambezi teak trees 8km from the Hwange main camp, tourists board the newly-tested Elephant Express rail-car for a two-hour, 70km rail safari to Ngamo Siding, for transfer to the Bomani…
Cape Town – The Robben Island Museum will reduce the frequency of its daily tours, from the usual four per day during peak season to only three per day for the off-peak season, which starts from the middle of April. From this week, until the end of August, ferries will depart from the V&A Waterfront…
GOVERNMENT plans to relocate the Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) and National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) headquarters from Lusaka to Livingstone. This is aimed at enabling the two institutions to market the tourist capital’s potential aggressively, Vice-President Inonge Wina said last Monday, when she called on Chief Mukuni of the Toka-Leya people in Kazungula. Ms…
South African Tourism held its Ubuntu Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Museum of Natural History in New York. The Ubuntu Awards recognize the top contributors to the tourism industry in South Africa. The name of the awards is based on the Zulu word “Ubuntu,” which translates to “I am because you are.” The awards…
Airlink will launch a lodge-link system of scheduled flights between Skukuza Airport and a number of luxury lodges in the Kruger Park. Guests travelling from anywhere in the world will now be able to fly in to a number of luxury lodges in the Kruger on a single ticket. The tickets will be bookable through…
Air Botswana will no longer operate direct flights between Maun and Cape Town from May 4. The service will be routed through Gaborone. Consequently, from May 4, flight frequency between Gaborone and Cape Town will increase from twice a week to four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. All reconfirmations/rerouting must be…
WEBINAR EDUCATIONAL SERIES: NEW African Travel, Inc. Safari Academy African Travel, Inc. is thrilled to announce our NEW African Travel Safari Academy webinar series. We have partnered with our associate company Wilderness Safaris, widely acclaimed as the continent’s foremost ecotourism safari camp operator, to create an educational, informative and unique program. Wilderness Safaris’…
Lupita Nyong’o is currently in Uganda to begin work on her next project, Disney’s Queen of Katwe. The film will tell the story of Ugandan chess wunderkind Phiona Mutesi, whose rise to prominence in the international chess circuit was documented in a 2011 ESPN The Magazine article by Tim Crothers. Crothers subsequently expanded the article…
Cape Town – Tsogo Sun announced on Tuesday that it is investing a total of R680m in building a new 500-bedroom hotel complex in the heart of Cape Town’s central business district. The hotel group has reached an agreement with the owners of the site where the Tulip Hotel was recently demolished on the corner…
There’s something about Kenya that makes you feel there’s magic in the air, wonder at every turn, and an ever-present sensation of oneness with nature. A trip to Kenya can be an incredibly cleansing experience. Open spaces, so vast and untouched, lend perspective and instil a sense of peace. I love to visit the country, and,…
As of April 1st, SA Express has introduced three weekly flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Pilanesberg International Airport (NTY) and two flights a week between Pilanesberg and Cape Town International Airport. The CRJ 200, a 50-seat passenger jet, will be deployed for the service. SA Express is confident that adding this route…
Malawian Airlines plans to connect flights between Lake Malawi and Victoria Falls, a development that will improve tourism and increase frequencies into Zimbabwe. Speaking at a function to celebrate Malawian Airlines’ first anniversary of the Harare-Lilongwe Blantytre route in the capital yesterday, a senior official from the Transport ministry, George Manyaya, who spoke on behalf…