WeTravel’s Tech & Innovation Summit

WeTravel is hosting travel and tech thought leaders and industry experts for our inaugural virtual Tech and Innovation Summit. The tools and systems that support our industry are evolving faster than ever before. With so much new technology at our fingertips, how can you ensure that you’re leveraging the innovations you really need in order to…

No Magical Kenya Travel Expo in 2023

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) wishes to inform all stakeholders that the 13th edition of Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) 2023 wil not take place this year. Kenya will instead host the 3rd edition of the East African Regional Tourism Expo (EARTE). EARTE is a regional travel fair showcasing the region’s diverse tourism offering to consumers,…

Emirates and KQ Forge Partnership

Emirates and Kenya Airways announced an interline partnership yesterday (June 12), which allows customers of both airlines access to new destinations on the two airlines’ networks within a single itinerary. The agreement will provide customers with increased travel options and seamless baggage check-in to their final destination. Emirates customers will now be able to fly…

Marriott to Expand Protea Brand with New Hotels in Botswana, Ethiopia, Tanzania & Nigeria

Marriott International has signed five new deals in Africa under its Protea Hotels brand, spanning four countries: Botswana, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Nigeria. Karim Cheltout, Regional Vice President of Development, Africa, and All-Inclusive, EMEA at Marriott International, said: “Protea Hotels has a rich legacy in Africa, and we are thrilled to further strengthen the brand’s footprint.…

Zimbabwe Finally Drops COVID Entry Regs

Zimbabwe has now dropped its COVID-19-related entry health regulations with immediate effect, putting it in step with the rest of the region. There was some confusion when the Zimbabwean government announced on May 12 that regulations would be dropped, when entrants to the country found that the old rules were still in force and they…

LAM Reinstates Lusaka Flights After 30+ Years

Mozambique’s national carrier, LAM, has announced the resumption of flights to Lusaka, a route it had ceased serving over 30 years ago. From June 30, LAM will operate flights to Lusaka three times a week, on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The decision reflects LAM’s commitment to expanding its regional network and fostering greater connectivity between…

Exciting Upgrades at Hideaways Mogotlho Safari Lodge

Hideaways Mogotlho Safari Lodge, a distinguished property under the renowned Hideaways brand, is proud to announce a series of significant improvements aimed at elevating the guest experience. With a steadfast commitment to upholding the exceptional standards associated with the Hideaways brand, Hideaways Mogotlho Safari Lodge has recently completed two upgrades that are set to improve wildlife encounters…

SAA Reports First Profit since 2011

SAA has reported a profit to National Treasury this financial year ending March 31, 2023. According to Daily Investor, Treasury has told Parliament that SAA (as a group) had turned a profit of R500 million (€24.2m) for the year, versus a budgeted loss of R740 million (€35.8m). SAA (the airline) turned a profit of R31 million…

CPT Reaches Pre-COVID Recovery Numbers

In April 2023, the share of overseas tourists to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) reached full recovery compared with pre-pandemic levels in April 2019. In April this year, the airport recorded 67 747 tourist arrivals, 87% of whom originated from overseas markets and 13% from the African continent. This is according to the monthly tourism…

Malawi Sets Out to Woo Investors

Malawi is actively prospecting for investment in tourism-related projects in an effort to increase visitor numbers by rolling out engaging activities at tourism sites. Speaking at the Malawi Investment Forum in Johannesburg on May 24, Malawi’s State President, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, introduced multiple investment opportunities in tourism in the country known as ‘the warm heart…

Eswatini Air Launches First Flights to Cape Town

The route will initially offer three flights per week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with a carefully planned schedule to cater for both leisure and business travellers. The route is between King Mswati III International Airport and Cape Town International Airport. RN 301departs SHO at 10h20 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and arrives in CPT…

New Lodge Managers at Hideaways Camp Kuzuma

The Hideaways team is thrilled to announce the appointment of our new lodge managers at Hideaways Camp Kuzuma in the Chobe Region, Botswana. Please join us in welcoming Arno and Adele, a dynamic duo with a shared passion for Africa and a deep appreciation for the wonders of nature. Arno brings a wealth of experience…

Airlink to Launch New South Africa to Malawi Route

A brand new route from Airlink will soon allow travellers to fly direct from Johannesburg to the two main cities of Malawi. Starting in September 2023, Airlink will begin operating flights between Johannesburg and Lilongwe and Blantyre, making Malawi the 16th country to be included in Airlink’s comprehensive route network, reports Travel News. Airlink CEO and MD,…

One & Only Rwanda Offers Free Heli Hop

Classic Africa Safaris is pleased to report on a special offer with One&Only Rwanda. Helicopter transfers are FREE of charge between lodges if staying 3 nights at O&O Nyungwe House and 3 nights at O&O Gorilla Nest applicable for bookings from 01 Oct through 14 Dec 2023 only.   Request availability for this special offer in…

Tanzania Greenlights New Luxury Hotel in Serengeti National Park

With its traditional elegant architecture and furnishings reminiscent of the early 1920s, the hotel would have 75 luxurious residential units. Tanzania has approved a construction of a multi-million-dollar five-star lavish contemporary hotel within the Serengeti National Park, as it seeks to enhance leisure travel. The $18 million, stylish and eye-catching, Lake Magadi Serengeti Hotel, stands…

Kenya Airways Completes Africa’s First Long-Haul Sustainable Flight

Last week (Thursday, May 25), Kenya Airways successfully undertook the first long-haul commercial flight from Africa to Europe using sustainable aviation fuel produced by Italian oil and gas company Eni, reports airspace-africa.com. The Boeing 787-800b Dreamliner departed on the ground-breaking flight from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for Schiphol, fuelled by a blend of JetA1 fuel…

Reign Debuts at Emperors Palace

Peermont’s Emperors Palace in Kempton Park opened it’s newest culinary destination on 1 December 2022. Reign replaces the long-standing Aurelia’s Restaurant which closed in July, and establishes a new trendy food destination for lovers of quality cuisine. Reign is a full service destination eatery that offers a contemporary spin on classic dishes that are complicated…

Major Refurb for Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

The renowned Victoria Falls Safari Lodge in Zimbabwe is getting a fresh new look, with new furniture, soft furnishings and décor across its 72 rooms and central area, which includes the Buffalo Bar and MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant. Africa Albida Tourism (AAT) CEO, Ross Kennedy, said the refurbishment, which should be completed by the end of June, was part of the…

Seychelles Signs Codeshare with Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways and Air Seychelles have signed a codeshare agreement. Under the codeshare, Qatar Airways will place its code on Air Seychelles-operated flights between Mahé and Praslin, enabling passengers to continue their journey using a single booking. Currently, Qatar Airways operates a daily flight between Doha and Seychelles International Airport (SEZ). Qatar Airways serves over…

Spotlight on Endangered Species Day: Insights into the Mabula Ground-Hornbill Project with Dr Lucy Kemp

They look wildly different from us but Southern Ground-Hornbills have surprisingly ‘human’ characteristics when it comes to their behaviour. According to Dr Lucy Kemp, this is just one of the reasons that this species is truly remarkable, and she is certainly the expert.   “Southern Ground-Hornbills are amazing tourism attractions; they are a flagship umbrella…

Tanzania Developing Africa’s Largest Carbon Offset Project

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) entered between the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) and GreenCop Development PTE, Ltd., a Singapore-registered company, will develop the carbon-offset project as they seek to hook a share of the carbon credit billions to bankroll conservation of a territory covering 2.4 million hectares in Southern Tanzania. The voluntary carbon offset project that…

Indaba Highlights Strong Africa Tourism Rebound

Post-outbreak travel to Africa tourism is rebounding strongly, with key destinations including South Africa experiencing significant visitor growth, outpacing global arrivals in 2023. African tourism was “one of the hardest-hit sectors” during the pandemic, said Patricia de Lille, South Africa’s minister of tourism, speaking at the Africa Travel Indaba conference in Durban, South Africa this past…

Kenya Removes COVID Entry Requirements

Kenya has revised its COVID-19 travel regulations, removing the requirement for all travellers entering the country to show proof of either vaccination or a pre-departure COVID-19 test, with effect from May 9. Now, only travellers arriving at any port of entry into Kenya with flu-like symptoms will be required to fill the passenger locator form…

Future Looks Bright for St Helena

The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected the island of St Helena’s tourism sector, but since the lifting of restrictions in August 2022, the remote destination has shown strong signs of recovery. Estimates forecasted that the peak tourist demand season for 2022/23 (between October to March) was likely to see around 50% of the number of visitor…

APTA Webinar | Welcome to Waybird for Individuals!

REGISTER HERE Welcome to Waybird for Individuals! If you’ve ever wanted to build (or are currently building!) your own travel business, this is the platform for you. Included is liability insurance, licensing and a whole host of other features. What can you expect from Waybird for Individuals? — Cutting edge tech — Liability insurance and…

JENMAN Photo of the Year Competition: Celebrating the Beauty of Wildlife in Africa

JENMAN African Safaris proudly presents our exciting new Photo of the Year competition, open to all passionate travelers who have explored the breathtaking landscapes of Africa and Madagascar. Entries are now open for the highly anticipated JENMAN Photo of the Year competition. This year’s theme is “Wildlife,” inviting photographers and travelers from around the world…