Invitation to US Operators and Agents: WELCOME TO MARA NABOISHO – HOSTED BY BASECAMP EXPLORER 4-NIGHT/5-DAY TRADE FAM November 3-7 Basecamp Explorer Kenya will be hosting a trade FAM to its properties in Mara Naboisho Conservancy and the Masai Mara – from Nov 3-7, 2019. The 4-Night/5-Day Day offered FAM will include stays…
Zimbabwe is facing its most devastating drought in 40 years. The World Food Program USA reports that more than five million people in Zimbabwe need food aid, with many being pushed toward starvation. To combat hunger during this record drought, Imvelo Safari Lodges are providing free lunch to 2,660 school children each school day at…
With immediate effect, the government of Tanzania has changed the process of issuing visas on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Visa’s are still available on arrival following the new process is as below: Queue for a Government Control number which is required for any government payment Queue to pay the visa fee against the control number at…
Uganda Wildlife Authority have revised their tariff to introduce new products, new rates for some products, new fines as well as clarification on some UWA products and services. From 1st July 2020: Gorilla Permit fee will be $600 for Foreign Residents (FR) and $700 Foreign Non-Residents (FNR) — this is an increase of $100 Gorilla habituation permit will be $1500 (remains the same) both Foreign Residents (FR) and…
Jabulani continues with the building of Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development (HERD), South Africa’s first dedicated Elephant Orphanage, founded by Adine Roode. The orphanage, situated adjacent to the Jabulani Stables, is in its final stages as it prepares to welcome Mopane, an orphaned elephant currently in the care of Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. Please follow their …
Something new is coming to the lake, Lake of Stars Discovery. A boutique festival like no other, taking place in a beautiful, remote part of Malawi where a castle stands on the curve of a tropical lake. Offering a unique, immersive adventure, Lake of Stars Discovery will bring your clients a curated line up of music, talks, poetry,…
Witness the migration of the humpback whale as they make their seasonal journey from Antarctica towards Madagascar seas, from June to October. If Ile Sainte Marie island which lies in the north-east coast of Madagascar is the most popular destination for whale watching, the remote western coast with its warm and shallow waters offers an…
Jabulani in the Kapama Private Game Reserve is uniting with world-renowned South African wildlife veterinary specialist, Dr Johan Marais to present a 3-day elephant workshop in this incredible wilderness area in South Africa. This is a chance for elephant and nature lovers to learn more about these special animals – to explore their complex social…
Ethiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX certified Four Star Global Airline, is pleased to announce that it will launch thrice weekly service to the city of Beira in central Mozambique via Malawi effective September 3, 2019. Beira is the fourth largest and one of the main commercial cities in Mozambique and…
African Tourism Board Chairman Cuthbert Ncube today officially declared the African Tourism Board open and operational after less than 2 years in the making and more than 400 members included in 36 African and 25 non-African countries. It is a New Dawn for the Continent as we usher in the voice of Africa by Africa…
Hideaways CEO Katja has recently been featured not only once, but twice, in Travel Africa magazine. First, she shared her unique insights on how to sustainably and responsibly engage with local communities in Africa’s travel hotspots. In the latest issue, she discusses how she hopes to involve more travel agents in conservation and what inspires her to come…
Ethiopian Airlines, the Largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX Certified Four Star Global Airline, has received its 25th Dash 8-400 Aircraft, with registration number ET-AXE, from De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited. Senior executives of Ethiopian Airlines, De Havilland Canada and Longview Aviation Capital, the parent company of De Havilland Canada, joined Ethiopian’s aircraft acceptance…
Terminal III at Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) has been officially opened by Tanzania’s President John Magufuli. The new terminal, which cost TZS705bn (€275m), will handle international flights and enable the airport to increase capacity. The opening of the new terminal comes at a time when Tanzania has embarked on a drive to…
The Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House in Rwanda officially opened on August 1, spread over 72 hectares on the edge of the Volcanoes National Park. Singita Kwitonda Lodge consists of eight individual suites. Most of the building materials were sourced from the local community in the Musanze district. The lodge also has an on-site…
Malawi’s High Court has reinstated a ban on plastic bags. The government imposed the ban on thin plastic bags in 2015 but the move was overturned by the High Court after a number of plastic manufacturers who operate in the country obtained an injunction, citing an infringement of business rights. Delivering the verdict on Thursday,…
Bushlife Safaris now offers river cruises on the Zambezi at Vundu Camp in Mana Pools. The motorised pontoon seats eight guests and has a removable canopy. The afternoon river cruises are favoured by wildlife enthusiasts and photographers as this is when the elephants and buffaloes move on to the islands, providing up-close wildlife encounters. Snacks…
Figures recorded by the Seychelles National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed a growth in tourism arrivals for June. A total of 25 761 holiday visitors were recorded at Seychelles International Airport. NBS figures showed that visitor arrivals from the beginning of the year to end of June were 187 108. This represents an increase of 9%…
Reserve Manager Kobus Havemann has a dream job taking care of the Mabula Private Game Reserve daily. This sounds like an easy task but frankly, every day brings the unexpected. From rescuing wildlife that has got into trouble to ensuring that the habitat is well preserved Kobus is on duty 24/7. He is a Nature…
Riding the wave of “Lion King” inspired tourism to Kenya, several USA cities are offering historically low international flight fares to Nairobi, inspiring Enaidura Camp to offer two great stay/pay specials for your guests from November 2019 through March 2020: Stay 7 / pay 5 Long Stay Special – Spend 7 nights in the heart of the Mara…
Tanzania has started a process to establish the Nyerere National Park in the Selous Game Reserve, a Unesco Heritage Site. Recently, Tanzania’s President John Magufuli issued a directive to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to begin the process of splitting the Selous Game Reserve into two wildlife sanctuaries. Adolf Mkenda, the Permanent Secretary in the…
Image: Plains Zebra on the move, the longest African land migration, Shaun Stanley From the beginning of our time on earth, we, the humans who have walked this world have been driven by a desire to explore and discover new lands and destinations. Human migration has lead people and communities to opposite ends of the…
WELCOME TO NABOISHO CONSERVANCY– HOSTED BY BASECAMP EXPLORER 4-NIGHT/5-DAY TRADE FAM November 3-7 Basecamp Explorer Kenya will be hosting a trade FAM to its properties in Mara Naboisho Conservancy and the Masai Mara – from Nov 3-7, 2019. The 4-Night/5-Day Day offered FAM will include stays at their newest luxury property, Leopard Hill, Eagle View,…
Two years after cheetahs were reintroduced to Malawi, in Liwonde National Park, four individuals were safely translocated from South Africa to Majete Wildlife Reserve to form a crucial founder population and help grow the range of the vulnerable big cat. A small founder population of wild cheetahs has been successfully translocated from South Africa to…
Responsible Tourism Tanzania have announced the certification of a number of tourism properties, which have recently been awarded by Tanzania’s first Responsible Tourism certification. The certification scheme follows a systematic procedure to assess hotels and lodges on their environmental, economic and socio-cultural activities. This is based on criteria that have been tailored specifically to match…
Following 11 months of preparation and planning, 16 critically endangered Black rhinos have been successfully captured, translocated, dehorned and released into the Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland). The rhinos include adult breeding bulls and cows, young adults and calves from a private game reserve in South Africa, where the cost of protecting them from poachers…
Image: Beks Ndlovu and African Bush Camps Foundation winner of “Resilience efforts through cultural diversity” joined on stage by the Black Mambas who took home the “Change Maker” award on behalf of their founder Craig Spencer African Bush Camps are proud to have been presented the award for “Resilience efforts through cultural diversity” at the Global…
The Mozambican government has doubled the cost of entry visas under a decree jointly signed by Economy and Finance Minister Adriano Maleiane and Interior Minister Basilio Monteiro, APA learnt on Wednesday.Under the decree, the cost of a single-entry visa valid for 30 days jumps to US$100 from US$50 with immediate effect while a visa valid…
Green Safaris are delighted to announce they’ve tested their brand new eQuadbike at Kaya Mawa. In sync with their eLandy and eBoat at Ila, their other property in Zambia’s Kafue National Park, the team are about to start offering silent & eco-friendly quad biking safaris around Likoma island. This brand new ‘adrenaline-fuelled’ experience will add…
Education is a lifeline for many children in Zimbabwe, offering a path to a better life. However, the village school at Dingani, near Elephant’s Eye, Hwange, is significantly under-staffed and in urgent need of assistance. With over 350 children, the 6 teachers employed by the government are facing daily challenges. The Grow Africa Foundation has…
Springbok Atlas Tours & Safaris has launched an an immersive art journey through South Africa’s most striking centres of creativity – Cape Town and Johannesburg. Cape Town’s eclectic street art and local galleries will leave you inspired as you are guided through the city before visiting the famous Zeitz MOCAA, where you can experience a…
Shongwe Lookout in the suburbs of Victoria Falls has been opened by the Mayor, S Dhlamini, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The lodge has 23 bedrooms, a restaurant area, a bar, an outdoor infinity pool and a firepit. Deluxe and Executive rooms have a shower and a bath, and the studio rooms have a shower. All rooms…
A record number of international passengers are traveling through Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, the major gateway into Africa, this summer. Wednesday, July 17, 2019 was one of the busiest days for the Airport with 310 flights and 29,528 travelers (21,028 departing and 8,500 arriving passengers, respectively) which marked a record number of daily passengers…
Ethiopian Airlines, the Largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX Certified Four Star Global Airline, is pleased to announce to its global transit passengers that it provides complimentary transit tour to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Global transit passengers with six to eight- hour layover in Addis Ababa, the world’s gateway to Africa, are eligible to enjoy…
This is not the first year that the Seychelles, an archipelago of 116 islands, has scored the top spot, thanks to its natural beauty and memorable hotels. (Kate Middleton and Prince William evidently agree — they spent their honeymoon here, as did Amal and George Clooney.) Almost half the land is protected for wildlife to thrive,…
Recently, Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge was voted 29th out of 100 Top Lodges in South Africa by Big 7 Travel. Located on an ancient elephant route on the Mluwati River in a private concession within the Kruger National Park, this unique lodge boasts a breathtaking blend of ethnic luxury encompassing both warmth and style. The…
Index Select is very proud to welcome Lanzerac Hotel & Spa to their Africa Collection! A true gem located in South Africa’s Cape Winelands, this 162-hectare estate is steeped in history and boasts 53 unique rooms and suites, an incredible winery, state-of-the-art spa, gourmet cuisine, and beautiful views. It creates a perfect blend of period grandeur and contemporary style to complement a…
Image: Cecil our Hwange National Park King, Bill Flemming Remember the first time you watched the Lion King? Remember being swept away to the plains of Africa and watching the tale that started with the mighty King Mufasa. Mufasa instilled valuable life lessons that resonate with us and will continue to do so for many…
Guests wanting to explore the vast landscape of Namibia on their own steam, driving from Windhoek to Victoria Falls and spending time at the renowned Etosha Game Reserve and wildlife-rich Chobe National Park (in Botswana) along the way can now do so during this carefully curated self-drive safari by Jenman African Safaris. This tour is…
When some of the most well-known faces from the African diaspora arrived for a recent vacation in Accra, Ghana, it looked like just another gathering of famous people. Actors including Idris Elba rubbed shoulders with supermodel Naomi Campbell, TV sports presenter Mike Hill, and author Luvvie Ajayi. Behind this meet-up of box office stars, fashion…
Addis Ababa University conferred Honorary Doctorate Degree upon Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines at the University’s annual graduation ceremony held at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa on 13 July, 2019. Guest of Honor of the ceremony H.E. Dr Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, hooded and handed over the Degree to…
Along with our new website and new portfolio of properties and experiences, Hideaways is pleased to launch our new exclusive Safari Collection, offering unique African experiences designed to deliver unprecedented hospitality in close proximity to Africa’s spectacular wildlife and pristine wilderness, all whilst ensuring the conservation of these unique habitats. We’ve focused on curating custom-made…
Image: Guests being welcomed and introduced to the Vukani Group, an income generating craft project on the border of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. This project falls within the Community Empowerment focus area for the African Bush Camps Foundation “COMING TOGETHER IS A BEGINNING, KEEPING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS, WORKING TOGETHER IS SUCCESS” – Edward…
The Telegraph Travel’s safari expert Brian Jackman on the Kenyan plains which inspired Disney’s writers, his own fascinating lion encounters, and ten of the best lodges in Africa to have yours. Read the full article from The Telegraph
South Africa’s Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West is set to enjoy greater global recognition after being voted the top winery on the African continent, it said on Wednesday. Vergelegen placed 34 overall in the prestigious World’s Best Vineyard 2019 competition, where a global voting panel analysed 1,500 wineries from 17 countries. Argentina’s Zuccardi Valle de Uco…
President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has given assent to the Uganda Wildlife Bill 2017, effectively making the Uganda Wildlife Act law. The new law comes with significant reforms, transforming wildlife conservation in Uganda. Highlights: Community participation in wildlife management is strengthened through Community Wildlife Committees for each protected area. Penalties up to life sentences and…
It’s been an exciting time for Blue Zebra Island Lodge recently as they enter their diving season (June to September). As avid scuba divers from around the world delve into the underwater world of Lake Malawi and discover the resident blue zebra cichlids, a rather unexpected animal awaits as they arrive back on the island. Check out this blog all…
New study reveals that Madagascar, which is a magnet for nature-loving tourists thanks to its unique flora and fauna and its unspoilt, authentic character, looks set to experience a tourism-driven boom this year. Visitor arrivals in Madagascar in 2018 were 8% up on the previous year and they are 19% up in the first five months…
Well-known South African marketing and advertising executive, Jerry Mpufane has been appointed as the new president for South African Tourism North America. Mpufane will be based at the organization’s New York office and will lead a dynamic team responsible for driving growth into South Africa from the USA and Canada. North America is a key…
Teach kids about the Circle of Life and immerse them in the fantastic world of the Lion King where they’ll have a chance to witness Simba and Nala, Timon and Pumba, Zazu and Rafiki running around the Savanna in real life. This family-focused safari travels through Kenya and visits the iconic landscapes of the hit…
Domestic travel between the islands of the Seychelles is expected to be easier following the opening of a new domestic terminal at Seychelles International Airport in Mahé. The development includes a larger floor area, new check-in and baggage areas, arrival and departure lounges, drop-off and pick-up areas and security posts. The new terminal also has…