With the world’s rhino species increasingly threatened by the rapidly-growing scourge of poaching, World Rhino Day (22 September, 2015) provides the ideal opportunity for those of us in the travel industry to unite and take action to protect these iconic animals. &Beyond, which boasts 24 years of proud successes in rhino conservation, has thrown its…
The southern tip of the African continent is home to one of the world’s rarest plant kingdoms, but equally remarkable for what happens in the waters that surround it. The name of the extraordinary 56-kilometer hiking trail that weaves through the countryside, provides a big clue, namely the “Whale Trail”. During the winter months —…
An African Anthology, in association with AirVentures Okavango Balloon Safaris, is proud to announce the official launch of the hot-air balloon activity over the Okavango Delta from Kadizora Camp. Operational periods: From 01 September 2015 to 30 November 2015 and from 01 May 2016 to 30 November 2016 For information, rates and fact sheets please…
Cross River National Park is the last remaining tropical rainforest ecological zone located in the extreme south-eastern corner of thenNigerian border with the Republic of Cameroon. Geographically, it exists as two non-contiguous divisions, Oban and Okwangwo, and occupies about 4,000sq km of tropical rainforest ecosystem, which thins out progressively to Montane Savannah Vegetation at the…
The UniVisa is just one aspect of a larger effort by Zimbabwe and Zambia to improve tourism at Victoria Falls. Both the Victoria Falls and Harry Mwaanga Airport are currently under construction, as new runways and terminals are being built, in order to increase the capacity for direct, international flights to the area. At Victoria…
LUKE DALE-ROBERTS, award-winning chef and owner of The Test Kitchen in Woodstock, Cape Town, will bring his signature style to Africa’s finest hotel, The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa in Johannesburg. A brand-new pop-up concept, embodying The Test Kitchen’s unique qualities, will open on 21 January 2016. About this new venture, Dale-Roberts says: “The Saxon…
On the 17th of September 2015, at a ceremony in Maputo, His Excellency Minister Oldemiro Júlio Margues Baloi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, declared the country ‘Free of all known landmines’. APOPO’s Head of Mine Action Africa, Tess Tewelde, says “APOPO is extremely proud to have played a part in this historical achievement, which now finally…
A joint World Health Organisation (WHO)-UNICEF report has revealed that rates of death from malaria have plunged by 60 percent in the past 15 years. This means that more than 6 million lives have been saved – the vast majority of them African children, United Nations agencies pointed out on Thursday. Experts also declared that…
Mantis has partnered with the Kenyan-based Monarch Group to develop, manage and market a number of their unique properties. This pivotal partnership marks the beginning of a foothold in East Africa for Mantis. It’s a match meant to be, with a fusion of like-minded entrepreneurs. Both Mantis and Jambo Chester Hotels & Resorts (the current…
Provided by Alpha Travel (UK) Ltd: alpha@alphauk.co.uk Manual Visas still possible The Kenyan Government accepts that their e-visa system still has some issues to work out. Until these have been resolved and fully tested, travelers will still be able to get visas on arrival and nobody will be denied boarding on flights to Kenya for not…
Please be advised that as of 01 November 2015, the Cat Cocos ferry will be running on a new timetable. The current schedule will remain in affect up until and including 31 October 2015. To view/download the new Cat Cocos Ferry Schedule, Click Here.
The World Heritage Centre congratulates the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the establishment of a Corps with the aim of securing national parks. On 15 June 2015 the DRC published decree n° 15/012 on the establishment of a Corps in charge of securing national parks (Corps en charge de la sécurisation des Parcs…
September 15, 2015, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President, The United Republic of Tanzania, announced the launch of Tanzania Tourism’s new brand campaign, Tanzania, The Soul of Africa. This 30-second TV campaign will be launched globally on CNN America as well as BBC International, beginning this October and will run for…
Just more than a year after opening, the Amani African Spa Village at Mara Bushtops has been recognised as Kenya’s best safari spa. It received this accolade at the World Spa Awards in Vietnam on 14 September. The award adds to recent recognition of Mara Bushtops’ Amani African Spa Village as Best Safari Spa in…
Tanganyika Flying Co. (Nomad Aviation Ltd) will be suspending its operations in Tanzania as of 31 October 2015. The company has negotiated with Coastal Aviation to absorb much of its existing business commitments. Any rates or agreements negotiated will be honored in full until they expire on 31 May 2016. Thereafter, the new Coastal rates…
New bookings made from 25th August 2015 until 17th March 2016 to stay at Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains for at least 4 nights will be rewarded with one free night.How much?The free night offer is based on the bed and breakfast rates, which are priced in Moroccan Dirhams and quoted per room…
Egypt has signed a $68 million contract with New York advertising agency, J. Walter Thompson Co., to help revive the Arab nation’s tourism industry. Over the next three years, the company will run a public relations campaign in 27 markets around the world to promote Egypt as a prime tourist destination and improve the view…
Zambia Airport Corporation (ZACL) managing director, Robinson Misitala, reported that the international terminal building would be fully completed by the end of September and that the facility would be commissioned in October 2015. “From what we have seen so far, we are on schedule and we expect the works to be completed by the end of…
Tour de Wilderness is celebrating the conclusion of yet another successful Nedbank Tour de Tuli event, reinforcing its status as one of southern Africa’s premier mountain-biking events. Between 13 and 18 August 2015, the 11th edition of the event saw 340 participants cycle across almost 300 km of remote and challenging terrain in Botswana, Zimbabwe…
Transnet chose Sun International as the winning bidder to develop and implement a marketing strategy for The Blue Train, following an open and competitive bidding process, in which proposals from leading hotel and tourism operators were considered. Transnet retained The Blue Train as the only passenger service within its business, in line with its commitment…
At the end of July, Imvelo Safari Lodges were excited to welcome their first guests at Jozibanini Camp. Situated in one of the most southern and untouched areas of Hwange National Park, Jozi is a small, exclusive camp in a truly wild place, providing an unequalled, untamed wilderness experience. Imvelo is breaking new ground in…
Cape Cadogan’s refurbishment has been completed and we are very excited to showcase her to our agents. Please contact your Account Manager to arrange a site to view her new “Look and Feel”. We have introduced a MORE transfer vehicle at the hotel, servicing the complimentary V&A Waterfront transfers, as well as assisting with any other guests’ transfer requirements. The…
Ethiopians adhere to the Coptic calendar, according to which New Years Day, known as Enkutatash, falls on September 11th. This coincides with the Feast of St. John the Baptist. ‘Enkutatash’ means ‘gift of jewels’ and the feast is said to date back to the return of the Queen of Sheba from her visit to King…
A safari is the perfect family vacation & APTA member Liz Bean Crookston will tell you why! Attend her webinar to learn why an African safari is the ideal family holiday for kids of all ages – 8 to 80! She will talk about how an African safari appeals to a wide range of ages…
On September 8th 2015, President of Kenya, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, officially launched Make it Kenya, a new international brand campaign that has been introduced to promote the scale and variety of tourist and investment opportunities the country has to offer. Tourism is a vital pillar of Kenya’s economy, environment, identity and well-being; the industry…
Modern Senegalese Recipes from the Source to the Bowl by Pierre Thiam with Jennifer Sit Chef, restauranteur, and cookbook author PIERRE THIAM was raised in Dakar, Senegal, He opened two restaurants in Brooklyn, NY, Yolele and Le Grand Dakar, both visionary African bistros that became culinary and cultural centers for Africans from the continent and…
The V&A Waterfront Company, Cape Town, is engaged in construction work to add new facilities in the area. These will include a parking garage behind the City Lodge Waterfront hotel and an office block on the opposite side of the canal. The current building activities are expected to continue between 08h00 to 17h00 from Mondays…
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC),Africa is set to develop the world’s fastest-growing Travel & Tourism market over the next 10 years, alongside Asia-Pacific. This will be the key message of David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC, in his key-note speech to aviation and travel industry leaders at the 21st World Route Development…
Cape Town – A recent survey comparing prices of international grade hotels in selected major African cities indicates that Cape Town and Johannesburg are some of the least expensive places to stay in Africa. The survey, produced by hospitality research firm STR Global, ahead of the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) taking place at the…
Currently, of all the market segments in the US, the luxury market is perhaps the most buoyant and there is a distinct trend to buy up due to the weakness of the rand. It is also maturing in certain respects: travelers are more adventurous in terms of experience and areas like Johannesburg have shaken off…
In an attempt to modernise and streamline tourist arrivals and reduce congestion and delays, most particularly in Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the Kenyan government has decided to move tourism visas online. As of 1 September 2015, all visa applicants will be required to apply and pay online for visas to enter Kenya.Visitors travelling to…
Online hotel-booking company, Jovago, has partnered with Safarilink, a regional airline based in Nairobi, to customise packages for tourists. Jovago explained that the partnership was designed for tourists who are visiting different destinations within Kenya and that the model will offer travellers ready-made packages which include flight fares, airport transfers and accommodation throughout their stay.…
By Prof. Wolfgang H. Thome, eTN Africa Correspondent | Sep 02, 2015 Rwanda will be hosting a networking session for tourism stakeholders from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda in Kigali, at the Kigali Serena Hotel Conference Centre, following the morning session of ‘Conversation about Conservation’ which RDB has also organized as part of the…
Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba has announced the launch of pan-African low-cost airline Gabon FlyAfrica.com. The new airline is aimed at enhancing air connectivity across Africa and reducing the cost of doing business. The announcement was made on the second day of the New York Forum Africa – one of the largest gatherings of politicians,…
By Julien.Jreissati, Wed, 19/08/2015 – 12:48 The BirdLife-led Migratory Soaring Birds (MSB) project has developed a guidebook that provides practical information to maximize the value that birds bring to the tourism industry, while ensuring the conservation of their populations and habitats. The global tourism industry is reaching new heights with an all-time record of over…
More than four weeks since the 7 lions were released into Akagera National Park, things are progressing nicely. Excitement ran high on 23 August, when tourists saw lions in Akagera for the first time in more than a decade. Several tourists saw the lions on Sunday and others saw them again on Monday, as they…
Proflight Zambia will start direct flights to Durban from next month, linking Lusaka to the home of Africa’s busiest port and one of its most popular tourist destinations. The latest route is part of the airline’s strategy to expand across Southern Africa, making Lusaka a hub for air travel throughout the region. From September 22,…
Trumarketing is pleased to announce the newest addition to their portfolio – the most dynamic hotel group in Africa, aha- African Hotels & Adventures. This vanguard group features a portfolio of exceptional, diverse products, including lodges, resorts, city hotels and experiences that span Africa. Across a variety of regions in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zanzibar,…
The findings of this year’s Hotel Chain Development Pipeline Survey, produced by W Hospitality Group, indicate that Lagos is the top-choice city in Africa for the development of new hotels by international hotel investors. In compiling the data, W Hospitality Group spoke to 37 hotel chains with 80 brands among them. To qualify for the…
Turkish Airline plans to launch direct flights to Durban’s King Shaka International Airport, but the launch date has yet to be confirmed. Turkish Airlines General Manager in Johannesburg, Muhammed Mehdi Tunc, reports that the official dates for the flight launch have yet to be confirmed. In July 2015, the airline announced that it had experienced a 3% increase…
After a complete rebuild, the Belmond Eagle Island Lodge is re-opening its doors in the Okavango Delta on November 1. When re-opened, this “green” safari lodge will become Belmond’s flagship safari lodge. Each of the lodge’s 12 spacious Deluxe Tented Rooms will have its own plunge pool and large outdoor deck, overlooking the delta. The new design, featuring…
At over 13 Rands to the U.S. dollar in recent weeks, South Africa’s currency has reached its lowest level since 2001. This is great news for American travellers, who will be able to take advantage of a very favourable exchange rate on the vacation of a lifetime to South Africa. Now, more than ever, South…
Rabat –Hilton Worldwide is moving forward to open two hotels in Tangier by the end of 2015 and in 2016. Media24 reported the General Director of Hilton Garden Inn Tangier, Raouf Chadl’s announcement that Hilton’s first hotel will open by next December. He added that Hilton will open the second hotel in June 2016. Located…
South African Airways will implement a Chargeable Advanced Seat Reservation System on August 27, 2015 for flights departing from August 31, 2015. All passengers booked in G,W,L ( Saver Fares) for International routes and G,W,L (Saver Fares) and V,T,Q,S,H ( Plus Fares) on Domestic routes, will be required to pay for a seat assignment if…
Cape Verde’s National Statistics Institute (INE) reported a 2% annual increase in visitor numbers in the first half of 2015, placing the country on target for a bumper tourism year. Attracted by its fabulous beaches, known as jumping-off points for windsports and a great location for diving among shipwrecks, more than 278,000 visitors arrived on…
Ian Lloyd Neubauer, for CNN Surrounded on all sides by breath-taking mountain scenery and boasting a 500-year-old fortress at its center, the city of Chefchaouen — or Chaouen for short — is becoming a new “it” place on Morocco’s tourist trail. Yet it’s not the mountains or the “Game of Thrones” architecture that travellers come…
By Prof. Wolfgang H. Thome, Ph.D., eTN Africa Correspondent | Aug 26, 2015 In a decision recently handed down, the Appeals Division of the Arusha-based East African Court of Justice upheld three of four points from the ruling of the lower court in regard to a permanent injunction sought by the African Network for Animal…
KIGALI, Rwanda, Aug. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Effective August 24, no vehicles will be allowed in the heart of Rwanda’s capital Kigali, widely regarded as the cleanest city in Africa. All vehicles, other than special services vehicles such as ambulances, are prohibited in the streets of the declared ‘Car-Free Zone.’ “Normally, a city is for…
By Victor Juma, AllAfrica TPS Eastern Africa, the owner of Serena Hotels and Lodges, is set to receive a $20 million loan from French fund Proparco to refurbish and expand its properties. The eight-year loan will fund capital expenditures over 24 months, starting next year. “Proparco and Serena Hotels continue to build on their long-term…
”Into the Virungas” is an inspiring conversation with founder of Volcanoes Safaris and passionate conservationist, Praveen Moman and is available for sale from Volcanoes Safaris and Amazon. Praveen was an instrumental force behind the award-winning Volcanoes Lodges. A core value has been ensuring that our safaris respect the culture of local communities, the fragility of…