The Zanzibella Hotel & Spa is set to open in Zanzibar, Tanzania in January 2022. Located in Kiwenga – the north eastern part of Zanzibar – the hotel will initially open with 28 rooms, with additional rooms to be added later. The rooms will have either garden or ocean views. There is also a family…
SAA has announced that with effect from December 12, it will commence operating three flights a week to Lagos in Nigeria. SAA has been flying to Nigeria for the past 23 years and the resumption of its service to Nigeria’s largest city and commercial hub will be a welcome addition to its growing continental offering.…
The island nation is open to visitors from all countries again after travel restrictions were removed for India, Brazil, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The five were removed from the restricted list in a revised travel advisory released Friday by the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health said that for entry into Seychelles visitors have to…
If you’re planning your next adventure to or from the Americas, enjoy a seamless travel experience with Emirates JetBlue partnership. Book your entire journey with Emirates and connect to the US, the Caribbean, or South America, all on one ticket. Codeshare flights are available to 50 domestic cities via New York (JFK), 41 cities via…
The Ceres Rail Company’s vintage steam train is set to resume services between Cape Town and Elgin on November 28 – after 20 months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trips will resume every Saturday and Sunday, where the train departs Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites on Dockrail Road in Foreshore, Cape Town at…
Mabula Game Lodge are delighted to announce that the first two candidates have received their FGASA qualification and have completed the Mabula Guide Training internship. The pilot program was born in 2019 from a need to address the skills gaps within the industry and to offer upliftment within the Bela Bela community. After a pause…
Broadening its horizons, Hideaways welcomes new properties across Zimbabwe to its portfolio. Zimbabwe’s charm resonates from one side of the country to the other, its rich and varied landscapes irresistible to the safari aficionado. One may satiate a myriad of travel appetites by exploring the country with Hideaways, each property offering its own particular personality.…
The cruise ship season in Seychelles will reopen after an 18-month hiatus with the arrival of Le Bellot from le Ponant group on 18 November, a top official said on Thursday. The last cruise ship to visit Seychelles, an archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, was in March last year before a temporary closure was announced by…
The United States reopened its borders Monday to foreign visitors fully vaccinated against Covid-19 after 20 months of travel restrictions, paving the way for eagerly anticipated reunions among family members and friends. The ban, imposed by then president Donald Trump in early 2020 and upheld by his successor Joe Biden, has been widely criticized and…
After a long hiatus because of the pandemic, Shanga has revived its popular events, activities and information sessions at Arusha Coffee Lodge for guests and local residents of northern Tanzania. One of the latest activities was hosting a local primary school group where students first watched Shanga’s glassblowing and glass beadmaking artisans and then got busy making…
Leading global travel publisher Lonely Planet have released their hotly anticipated Best in Travel list for 2022 and rising African star Malawi has been include in the Top Ten Countries once again – making its second appearance in 8 years on this most respected of travel inspiration lists. The destinations chosen by Lonely Planet span…
Kenya’s tourism marketer, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has released exciting new courses in the Magical Kenya Travel Specialist Program. The program which was launched earlier this year in March is designed to deliver and maintain effective online training targeted at travel agents around the world. Kenya is an iconic travel destination in East Africa, owing…
So there are now new things you have to do before you can see Rwanda’s famed gorillas. Effective immediately, fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in Rwanda no longer need to quarantine at designated hotels while waiting for airport-administered PCR test results. Proof of full vaccination is required to avoid quarantine requirements, and travelers who cannot…
Brand-new Babanango Game Reserve in South Africa offers three overnight options, each of them tucked into its own slice of pristine bush and with distinct offerings, activities and facilities to better cater to your South African safari wants and needs. Situated in a remote valley, Babanango Valley Lodge offers four-star accommodation for no more than 22 guests in a…
EcoTraining is at it again, pioneering new and innovative ways to experience Africa and its incredible wildlife. The latest offering is Real Life Experiences — three adventures that allow participants to tag along with skilled conservation teams doing their everyday jobs in the South African bush. Remote Animal Monitoring Participants help conduct a track transect to collect…
Imvelo Safari Lodges invites young adults to experience one of the largest community-based conservation partnerships in Zimbabwe in a special conservation course to be held twice in 2022: May 19-27, 2022 and June 23 – July 1, 2022. Participants will be accommodated at Imvelo’s Camelthorn Lodge in Hwange National Park, the largest and most diverse…
Imvelo Safari Lodges is excited to offer an exceptional special for travel professionals wishing to visit Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. All travel professionals and their travel partner can spend 5 nights at two Imvelo camps absolutely free of cost between November 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 when bringing 4 paying family, friends or…
APTA’s Webinar Library is growing! New content is being added all the time, including: APTA’s recent session during Africa Showcase 2021 APTA’s Explore Africa Webinar Series – Welcome Back to East Africa Tanzania is Rebooting Its Tourism Industry APTA North East Panel Discussion on Travel to East Africa The Story of Kasbah Tamadot APTA members…
An Immersive, Hassle-Free Safari – Perfect for Families and Multi-Generational Travel Let SkySafari take care of you and your family with a carefully curated private plane safari where every detail is taken care of. Fly between some of East Africa’s most luxurious camps and lodges in the comfort of our 9-seater Executive-class Cessna Caravan, which can also…
Tanzania has been voted as Africa’s leading travel destination ahead of South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda and other countries of the continent. Tanzania was voted Africa’s leading destination in the 2021 World Travel Awards (WTA). World Travel Awards is the travel industry’s most prestigious awards programme, rewarding leaders in the tourism, airline, hotel and hospitality sectors.…
British Airways has added Airbus A380 flights to Johannesburg to its schedule from January 10th. As things stand, the route will be the fourth long-haul flight operated by the giant of the skies, following its return to passenger service with the airline, planned for next Monday. British Airways is slowly bringing the Airbus A380 back…
It is a few minutes past 11am local time. The sky above is bright. The sound of ocean waves calmly splash the shores, welcoming another busy day on the beaches of Nungwi in Zanzibar. Excitement is palpable among a group of people gathered around a coffee table nestled on the white sand in Kendwa Rocks…
Emirates will soon resume twice-daily flights to Seychelles, President Wavel Ramkalawan announced while heading a delegation at the Dubai Expo 2020. The Dubai-based airline, Emirates, which previously operated twice-daily flights to Seychelles prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed daily passenger services to Seychelles in August last year. Speaking at a press conference, Ramkalawan said the Seychellois…
ANEW Hotels & Resorts has announced two new additions to its portfolio with the grand opening of ANEW Hotel Parktonian (formerly Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Parktonian) in Braamfontein and ANEW Hotel Roodepoort (formerly Protea Hotel Roodepoort) on November 1. ANEW Hotel Parktonian will be the largest hotel in the group’s portfolio, offering 300 rooms…
In a great leap forward for aviation and health in the region, Airlink is to become the first carrier in Southern Africa to trial the Iata Travel Pass, a secure digital smartphone app that allows passengers to provide accurate information on their COVID-19 health status and also to access the entry requirements of any countries they…
Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT), responsible for running Malawi’s only wildlife rehabilitation centre and a key campaigner in Malawi’s fight against wildlife crime, have released their latest newsletter covering a collection of latest projects and conservation successes. This month, the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust were excited to announce the launch of their apprenticeships programme which will offer Malawian…
Tanzania Tourism players have pumped multi-millions of shillings into an extensive anti-poaching program designed to protect the priceless wildlife heritage of Africa’s animals in the Serengeti National Park. Under the auspices of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), tourism investors have dished out 150 million shillings (US$65,300) to boost a de-snaring program, redoubling their…
On Thursday, October 21, World Travel Awards, a global initiative that recognises and rewards excellence in travel and tourism unveiled its Africa 2021 winners. World Travel Awards also recognised Ngorongoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro among Africa’s leading destinations, making the three Tanzanian national parks claim a spot on the 2021 conservation awards list. Tanzania won…
Another adventure tour operator is joining the South African market, with LEETO Nomads, a self-described outdoor lifestyle experience hosting and trade marketing services agency, announcing its official launch this past weekend. Tourism Update caught up with the founder, Lehlohonolo Pitso, who has 22 years’ experience in the tourism industry – including heading the South African Tourism Regional…
Announcements that the US has moved South Africa down to Level 3 and that it will open borders from November 8 to fully vaccinated travellers only bodes well for market recovery. This is according to Sense of Africa, South Africa Chief Operating Officer, Martin Botha. He told Tourism Update the North American market would likely pick up for travel…
British Airways and Kenya Airways have signed a codeshare, enabling passengers to fly to 20 destinations across east and central Africa. Destinations include Zanzibar, Tanzania; Mombasa, Kenya; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and Entebbe, Uganda. Passengers flying with Kenya Airways to London can connect to 26 destinations including Glasgow, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam and Frankfurt. BA currently offers four…
With summer on the doorsteps, Airlink is re-introducing flights between Johannesburg (JNB) and George (GRJ) starting November 01, 2021. Flights will operate early in the morning and late afternoon. A midday service will be added starting November 06. Airlink’s modern E-jet offers more comfort with wider reclining seats and generous legroom. Complimentary meals and drinks…
Travulous, a Destination Management Company located in Rwanda, known for its innovative, conservation-based itineraries and events, today announces a series of exclusive tours and events personally guided and hosted by former research staff and colleagues of the legendary gorilla primatologist, the late Dian Fossey. The owners and management team of Travulous have worked extensively across…
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is supporting the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) to revive the Tanzania tourism industry to spur other businesses, recover thousands of lost jobs, and generate revenue to the economy. Wildlife tourism in Tanzania continues to grow with nearly 1.5 million tourists visiting the country annually, earning the country $2.5 billion…
Ghana’s Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal has said the country expects to receive 150,000 tourists between now and the festive season in December. According to him, the feat will be realised under the ‘December in GH’ initiative as it presents an array of activities for travelers seeking to spend the…
It’s been over 20 months since the World Health Organization announced COVID-19 as a global health emergency and pandemic. It’s estimated that the resulting reductions in travel in 2020 alone wiped US$4.5 trillion from the global tourism economy and cost millions of jobs. In Africa, half of all the people working in tourism lost their jobs. A recent United Nations…
Effective October 27, 2021, all arriving passengers to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda must undergo PCR testing for COVID-19. The Ministry of Health recently set up government-run testing labs at the airport with a capacity of processing 7,200 samples within 24 hours. Turnaround time for the PCR test results is expected to be within 2-3…
United Airlines, which operates flights between New York (Newark) and Johannesburg, will soon be announcing the restart of its Cape Town flights. A short media release from the airline noted that the flights would resume in the coming weeks. A detailed announcement is expected soon from the airline. A lack of flight capacity to Cape…
On December 19, Delta Air Lines will increase its flights between Atlanta and Johannesburg from three flights a week, to five. So said Jimmy Eichelgruen, Delta’s Director of Sales for Africa, Middle East and India in an email to Tourism Update. From December 19, flights from South Africa will be offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and…
Join the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) for a webinar introduction of Tanzania’s FAM trip program which seeks to bring members of the travel trade to experience Tanzania’s world-class safari based experiences first-hand. During this webinar session you’ll hear from TATO leadership on the 2021 FAM program and what to expect in 2022. TATO…
The Okavango Spirit, a houseboat that will give visitors a new way to view the abundant game and wildlife of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, is due to be launched in April 2022 by Natural Selection. The houseboat will spend its nights moored along the banks of the Okavango River in an area that is recognised as being…
Madagascar government has just announced the opening of its borders to international travelers after 20 months of closure. It will be done in 2 steps: For the Indian Ocean islands, flights from Mauritius and Reunion will resume on October 23rd . For the rest of the world mainly European countries, the border will open by November…
It’s green for go We’re off UK’s red list! We’re jumping for joy at the UK giving Tanzania the green light, just in time for green season. With Christmas just round the corner, now’s the time to take advantage of last-minute offers and get out to where it’s good. Our one-stop Covid doc All…
Our recent guest Hutton flew in from the US for a post-Covid holiday in South Africa. She shares her “recipe” for a perfect South Africa trip, her favourite boutique hotels, as well as what not to do when planning your day to day activities. Over to you Hutton! Read more…
Guests traveling with Elewana can give back to local communities simply by carrying an extra suitcase. The Land & Life Foundation has partnered with Pack For A Purpose to enable visitors to donate items in person when traveling to Kenya. The partnership works in collaboration with the committees at each supported school and clinic, so participants in Pack For…
One of South Africa’s newest wildlife reserves, Babanango Game Reserve is set on the White Umfolozi River and encompasses the beautiful Babanango Valley in Zululand. It’s a gorgeous region with a pristine coastline, rolling hills, waving grasslands, forests, rivers, mangrove swamps and cattle ranches. Babanango currently offers three upscale overnight options: Zulu Rock Lodge, Babanango Valley Lodge and Matatane Camp. Each…
Readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine in the U.K. have chosen Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago as the “best island” in Africa and the Indian Ocean in the magazine’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards. Announced on October 5th, the annual awards are among the most prestigious in the travel industry. Bazaruto finished with an almost perfect score of 98.2, well…
The Limpopo Department of Economic Development and Tourism is revisiting earlier plans to plans to open a new gate and a tourism activity hub in the Kruger National Park. The new entrance, Shangoni, will be situated between the towns Giyani and Malamulele. Limpopo Minister of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Thabo Mokone, said the budget for…
Africa Showcase is next week – Oct 20-21st – and this year’s event will include an innovative live-networking format that doesn’t require you to spend time pre-scheduling meetings. OnShow has designed the event to span two days where one day’s timing is geared toward’s the East Coast and one towards the West Coast. Feel free…
Emirates and SAA have reactivated their long-standing codeshare aimed at increasing connectivity for both carriers. A media release from SAA says the two carriers have been working toward increasing alignment across products, services and reactivation of synergies between loyalty programmes. SAA-coded and Emirates-operated routes between South Africa and Dubai are now available on a single…