CornerSun Destination Marketing and Emerging Destinations have been selected to lead all North American travel trade and media relations for Marriott International’s first luxury safari lodge in Africa, the soon to open JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge. Scheduled to open in February 2023, the luxury tented camp is located on the banks of Kenya’s Talek…
Airlink will resume scheduled services between Johannesburg and Richards Bay from September 19. This follows the securing of the necessary resources to accommodate scheduled airline services at Richards Bay Airport after an enforced 20-month hiatus. “We are ready to welcome Richards Bay customers back on board our flights and help reignite growth and economic activity…
Two weeks ago, eTurboNews reported a Nigerian government scam to withhold payment to the Dubai-based UAE airline Emirates. Emirates Airlines on Thursday from September 1, 2022. Emirates said the suspension became necessary following its inability to repatriate its funds from Nigeria. In the 1980th, many western airlines lost millions servicing the Nigerian market due to a similar…
Mount Kilimanjaro is a major tourism attraction for Tanzania, with approximately 35,000 people attempting to scale its peak every year. This week, in what Tanzanian officials called a ‘historic’ event, the “roof of Africa” has been connected to the Internet for the first time. The country’s Information Minister, Nape Nnauye, declared that the national landmark…
TAITA HILLS SAFARI RESORT & SPA REFRESHED, RENEWED AND READY! The long wait is over! We are happy to announce that we are now open and ready to welcome you back in the heart of Tsavo after a 2 month closure for various renovations to improve the experience for our guests. We can’t wait to…
Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto has been elected as the country’s next President, the electoral commission announced Monday. Ruto won with 50.49% of the vote, narrowly defeating veteran opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was contesting his fifth election. He will become Kenya’s fifth President since independence, winning the seat on his…
Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023 has been confirmed as running from May 9-11, with an additional BONDay (Business Opportunity Networking) being held on May 8. This was highlighted by the African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA), citing a communiqué sent yesterday (Monday, August 15) by the organisers of Africa’s Travel Indaba. ATTA said after a very…
Air Algerie (AH) has announced it will recommence flights and increase frequencies from Algiers to several destinations NEW! Algiers (ALG) – Doha (DOH), Qatar – twice weekly – as of August 4th, 2022 For more information on flights check your GDS. Air Algerie operates to 35 domestic and 44 international destinations, covering 28 countries in…
Zambia may be under the radar by comparison with safari destinations such as South Africa and Kenya, but its commitment to wildlife is impressive. One third of it is devoted to game reserves, some of them the size of Switzerland. What it has long been known for is its mid-range and budget hotel scene. Now…
Mohahlaula Airlines has revealed plans to launch a local Lesotho airline within the next year. The operation will initially service the Maseru to Johannesburg route with plans to extend to other destinations in South Africa. Mohahlaula Airlines is one of two Lesotho companies holding an airline operating certificate (AOC) which allows the company to apply…
Until a year ago, crossing the Zambezi River between Botswana and Zambia was a slow and congested affair. For trucks moving along a key transport corridor, stretching from Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Durban, South Africa, the river was an obstacle without an elegant solution. Vehicles would load onto a pontoon,…
Evolve Back Gham Dhao Lodge, on the northern boundary of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana, has recently upgraded and renovated a number of its facilities. The lodge’s airstrip is now compliant with the latest safety landing norms and is licensed for a maximum landing weight of 5 700kg. Visitors can bring their own aircraft or…
All restrictions against COVID 19 are now lifted. No more quarantine. No more PCR test on departure. No more antigen test upon arrival. No vaccination required. Visa for free for 15 days stay.
From spine-tingling wildlife encounters to legendary landscapes and a whole lot of wine, we can’t say enough about South Africa – it really does seem to have it all. With luxury travellers itching for something new, we hosted an exclusive ‘Relaunch South Africa’ FAM trip in March for our US trade partners. Our goal was…
Classic Africa Safaris is pleased to share the news that the Mukiza gorilla family welcomed a new baby this week! The family resides in the Ruhija sector of northern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Congratulations to Mugwere, the proud mom, and the rest of the Mukiza family which now has 28 members. Ruhija is approximate two…
Two days after Kenya’s general election, officials had yet to announce who is leading the presidential race in East Africa’s regional powerhouse, as confused citizens struggled to make sense of divergent tallies from the media in a nail-bitingly close race. Media houses are compiling results from images of forms that the election commission uploaded on…
The Kafue National Park in Zambia is the latest reserve in Africa (of 89) to join the Unesco World Biosphere Network. The addition of Zambia, along with Georgia in Eastern Europe and Chad in central Africa, was announced recently by Audrey Azoulay, Director General of Unesco, who said: “I am delighted to see three new member…
The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius is seeing huge demand from international visitors, including the South African market and new source markets such as the Middle East. Tourism Update discovered this on a Constance Hotels educational visit to the east coast of the island late last month, with the hotels noting that they were experiencing high…
The 31st of July, 2022 marked the conclusion of the successful translocation of 263 elephants and 431 additional wildlife from Liwonde National Park to Kasungu National Park in Malawi. The translocation was undertaken by Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) in partnership with African Parks and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), in an effort to…
Starting October 15, 2022, Airlink will offer a weekly service between Johannesburg (JNB) and St Helena Island (HLE). The flight will operate every Saturday with a modern 98-seat Embraer E-190 jetliner making a fuel stop at Walvis Bay on the Namibian coast on the west-bound flight only. St Helena Island is known for the abundance…
The Bushcamp Company pays tribute and says farewell to our great friend, and much loved colleague, Phil Berry, who sadly passed away in the USA on the 30th July. Phil was a remarkable man… an incredibly knowledgeable guide, outstanding naturalist and tireless conservationist who devoted his life to the wildlife and people of Zambia’s Luangwa Valley.…
We are excited to launch our revamped Hideaways website to best showcase our collection of bespoke Hideaways safari lodges that are superbly positioned across the most exclusive wilderness areas, national parks and game reserves of Zimbabwe and Botswana. Savour the pristine natural environment of our epic safari accommodation in breath-taking locations like Hwange and on the…
Delta Air Lines is adding a brand-new nonstop flight from Cape Town to Atlanta, effective December 18. These direct flights will complement the airline’s existing service between Johannesburg and Atlanta, and will operate three times weekly. The new Cape Town flights will operate using the airline’s new, state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900, with all four Delta cabin…
Southern Sun has announced the rebranding of the InterContinental Sandton to Sandton Towers, which reopened this week. This landmark hotel on the Sandton skyline, together with the Sandton Sun hotel, will be operated as one destination complex, integrated into the Sandton City Shopping Centre Diamond Walk. Accommodating guests for business, leisure, groups or conferencing travel,…
Asilia Africa has opened Usangu Expedition Camp, a new luxury tented camp, in the remote corner of Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park. The seasonal camp, on the banks of Usangu wetlands, is the first tourism operation in the area. It operates from June to November and accommodates a maximum of eight guests. The four solar-powered guest…
Welcome to Zambia – the land of the legendary African walking safari, Victoria Falls, the wild Zambezi River, abundant wildlife, and raw wilderness, all in one friendly country. Zambia is blessed with awe-inspiring natural wonders, an abundance of wildlife, huge water bodies and vast open spaces offering unforgettable holidays exploring the real Africa. You are…
The Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) is set for a physical return from October 5-7 after a two-year hiatus occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic. Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Chief Executive Officer, Betty Radier says that the 2022 expo is expected to attract participation from about 30 countries from across the globe. “We have not been…
Airlink, Southern Africa’s premier airline, will launch nonstop service between Cape Town and Maputo in Mozambique starting August 31, 2022. The service between the two coastal cities will operate 3 times a week using the modern and efficient Embraer 135 regional jet. Flight schedule For more information check your GDS. Airlink’s Route Network Airlink currently…
With a new month, comes more exciting news from Index Select out of East Africa! It is with great pride and joy that Index Select welcomes a true pioneer in great ape ecotourism, Volcanoes Safaris. Made up of 4 luxury lodges in Uganda and Rwanda, these luxury lodges offer unparalleled accommodation and experiences in the Great Lakes, celebrating not only nature…
The Kusini Collection (www.kusinicollection.com) is pleased to announce that Marc Sison has joined our team as Business Development Director. Marc brings over ten years of travel industry experience, extensive product knowledge in Africa and a personal passion for intrepid explorations. Born in the Philippines, raised in the Middle East and now living in Toronto, Canada,…
On World Female Ranger Day, EcoTraining would like to introduce you to some of the strong and inspiring women who risk their lives daily to protect African wildlife. Black Mambas (South Africa) The only group of female rangers in South Africa protect rhinos in the private Nature Reserve Balule on the outskirts of Kruger National…
On Friday, 29 July 2022, Rwanda updated its entry and exit requirements. International travellers arriving and departing Kigali International Airport no longer require COVID-19 testing. “Relaxing the arrival and departure process makes visiting Rwanda so much easier”, comments Kristin McGee from Travulous. “Travellers still need to remember to check the COVID-19 protocols for their airline,…
Emerging Destinations is pleased to announce the addition of Avani Victoria Falls Resort to its family of cool destinations and companies around the globe. Located inside Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Avani is the closest hotel to the legendary falls on either side of the Zambezi River. Many of the guest rooms offer views of the enormous cascade…
Air Mauritius has confirmed it will resume non-stop flights between Cape Town and Mauritius from November 16, operated with its A350/A330neo aircraft. The flights will depart from Cape Town at 22h05 on Wednesdays and Sundays, and arrive in Mauritius at 05h10 the next morning. Nooriena Davids, Acting Regional Manager Southern Africa and Latin America, tells Travel…
As the Government of Uganda seeks to prioritise water transportation tourism on Lake Victoria, cruise operator Nyanza Evergreen Waterways has opened a new regular weekly route between the capital, Kampala, and the country’s adventure destination, Jinja. Water-based transport, utilising the vast expanse of Africa’s largest lake, has been identified as not only a cost-effective alternative to…
Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) have signed a six-month agreement with QA Venue Solutions to open and manage Nyandungu Eco-Park. QA Venue Solutions is a pan-African venue solutions provider in the event venue, entertainment & hospitality industry in South Africa and Rwanda. From a degraded wetland to an educational and recreational eco-park in…
With 65% of the Seychelles’ GDP dependent on tourism, the training of tourism and hospitality staff is a crucial factor for the recovery of the sector post-COVID. As Hilton Hotels continues to expand its Seychelles footprint, it is aiming to train at least 200 new tourism and hospitality graduates at the Fitir Academy at Hilton…
Index Select is pleased to welcome the Tribe Hotels Group into their portfolio and Africa Collection. Made up of Tribe Hotel and Trademark Hotel. Two gems in Nairobi, these properties offer a wonderfully modern, unique, and authentic African city experience and are the ideal options to stop off and explore the city, or as a launch pad for a…
Babanango Game Reserve has launched guided day trips to renowned battlefields in KwaZulu-Natal including Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, where Zulu warriors faced off against the British Army in the 1870s. The reserve lies in the heart of the region that legendary leader Shaka transformed into the Zulu Empire between 1816 and his death in 1828. His…
The Northern Experience Tour from Hideaways is a 24-day small group lodge safari incorporating the best of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Your journey starts in Cape Town. Head through the Cedarberg Mountains, explore the Orange River by canoe and marvel at the Fish River Canyon. Experience breath-taking sand dunes in Sossusvlei and encounter…
Incredible sunsets, thrilling game viewing and birdwatching, and lots of rest and relaxation await on your 2 or 3-night Lake Kariba houseboat safari with Hideaways aboard the Sovereign Houseboat. Moored at Binga, the Sovereign is fully equipped with everything you will need for the Zimbabwe houseboat safari. The 10 air-conditioned, en-suite cabins are spacious, with…
The landmark conservation partnership between Imvelo Safari Lodges and the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative (CRCI) in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe has been recognized by Time Magazine as one of their top travel opportunities for 2022. Named in Time’s ‘World’s Greatest Places’ list, Zimbabwe, specifically Imvelo Safari Lodges in Hwange National Park, is a varied and…
After a closely fought contest over the last remaining rights for US carriers to fly to Cape Town, both Delta and United have emerged victorious. There were four frequencies available to US carriers of the total of 21, and both carriers had applied for thrice-weekly flights. The applications by the two airlines resulted in the…
As destinations around the globe accelerate tourism sector recovery efforts following more than two years of the pandemic and related restrictions, South African Tourism released an encouraging report highlighting that for the first time, the US was its top source market for overseas travel. In 2021, the US bested the UK who has held this…
Adrift, the Uganda-based adventure brand associated with Lemala Camps and Lodges, has announced the expansion of its range of activities, along with the opening of its two new Adrift-branded properties close to Lemala Wildwaters. The two new child-friendly facilities at Adrift Overland Camp and Adrift River Club are on the western banks of the River Nile, two hours east of Kampala. Adjacent to the…
Get your credit card out and your favorite booking platforms at the ready: US magazine and news website TIME has just released its list of the world’s 50 greatest places of 2022. The list was compiled by its international network of correspondents and contributors, and, says TIME in a statement, “with an eye toward those offering…
Victoria Falls has become the first inclusive destination in Zimbabwe, and Africa, catering for visually impaired members of society locally and globally. The historic milestone was launched last week by the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry in conjunction with Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Vic Falls City Council and Airports…
It looks as though SA Express may finally have run out of runway. According to a News24 report on July 13, the Air Services Council has cancelled all licences and related route rights currently allocated to this clearly defunct airline, with immediate effect. The Licensing Council has already come under fire over the past year for the fact…
The Anantara Royal Livingstone offers several ways to view Victoria Falls from above including helicopter flightseeing and adrenalin-pumping microlight flights. An exhilarating Microlight Flight offers unique breathtaking views of the world-famous cascade and the spectacular gorge that the Zambezi River has carved into the surrounding landscape. Rates vary from US$179 for a short flight to US$360…
https://youtu.be/mys_pJdnn4c Naledi is a junior ranger and has been part of the Black Mambas since 2019, while Qolile, who is a senior Black Mamba, has worked for them since 2014. This is a great opportunity for them to learn about the intricacies of the African bush such as animal tracking, animal behaviour and bird identification.…