The Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA) is pleased to announce that our annual National Forum will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona on September 25th & 26th, 2015 at The Boulders. Our annual meeting brings together the movers and shakers in our niche market with chapter officials and members from all 12…
Please join the Sacramento APTA chapter for a luncheon presentation sponsored by South Africa Tourism discussing the new Fundi program coming online, South African Airlines with an update of all the new routes to Africa, and Virgin Limited will all of Sir Richard Branson’s high end resorts in Africa. (Free airline ticket is being given…
From the Cape to Cairo, this Africa train journey is the ultimate way to see the continent. With 45 years of experience providing unforgettable travel experiences, Goway Travel is embarking on its biggest adventure yet. The Cape to Cairo… Ultimate Journey of a Lifetime is the 32-day Africa trip of dreams. It will embark in…
South African Airways (SAA), South Africa’s national flag carrier and the continent’s most awarded airline, will resume its daily nonstop flights between Johannesburg, South Africa, and New York-JFK International Airport, on March 7th. The resumption of the nonstop service on the northbound flight from Johannesburg to New York-JFK will reduce the overall travel time on…
Le Quartier Français is thrilled to introduce two new additions to the team: private guides Ansie du Toit and Steven Andrews. Both Ansie and Steven will be available exclusively to our guests to craft bespoke experiences of our renowned valley and beyond . . . Ansie du Toit grew up in and around some of…
With almost four decades of experience, African Travel, Inc. is well known for its custom safaris. Now they have just released a series of locally hosted safaris with a choice of departure dates throughout 2015. These intimate 7 – 10 day journeys are limited to just twelve people and are guaranteed with a minimum of…
Safaritrails are pleased to offer all-terrain self-drive guided safaris in Tanzania. “Expedition Africa” by Elewana, in conjunction with the Land Rover Experience Centre in Arusha, offers an exceptional opportunity for safari travelers to self-drive safely through some of the most spectacular landscapes that East Africa has to offer. The Expeditions visit some of the most…
South Africa’s newest low-cost airline, Skywise, has announced that, due to popular demand, it will move its first commercial flight, initially scheduled to take off on 16 March 2015, to 5 March.. Tickets for the Skywise flights went on sale in mid-February. At first, the new, low-cost carrier will operate only two daily flights between Cape…
Cape Town, South Africa – The Table Mountain Cableway will be closed from 27 July to 9 August 2015 for annual maintenance. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company has been providing visitors with a world-class experience since October 4, 1929. The company operates in a National Park and World Heritage Site. The cableway has been…
Season in Africa is pleased to announce that Livingstone’s Adventure, the one-stop adventure shop in Livingstone, Zambia, have amended some of their 2015 activity rates in accordance with the drop in the fuel price. The new rates are applicable from 01 February 2015 – 30 November 2015. Rate amendments affect The African Queen, Batoka Sky…
HerdTracker is a web-based app that plots the precise location of the migration in real time, keeping you up-to-date before your trip to Tanzania or Kenya. HerdTracker is a web-app that plots the precise location of the great wildebeest migration in real time to a Google map and in a Twitter-style timeline. It is publicly…
During the unveiling of a new terminal to the press, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) managing director Lucy Mbugua said Kenya is on course to reaching ‘world class status and positioning the airport as a preferred hub for Africa.’ KAA reported that more than 50 billion had been spent on the expansion and upgrading of the…
Angus Preston – Managing Director of The Hide Safari Camp announces that after more than 8 years with The Hide, Gavin Rennie has decided to spread his wings and further his career with Africa Albida Tourism. Gavin started at The Hide in 2006 having come from a professional cricketing background. Gavin has gained valuable experience with The Hide and he…
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – The World Bank has said Tanzania’s tourism revenues could bulge four times from $4.48 billion in 2013 to $16 billion annually by 2025 if share benefits from the industry are equitably and evenly distributed to local participation but with quality. Tourism is already a major contributor to Tanzania’s economy, however,…
Southern Cross Safaris is pleased to announce that the Mara North Conservancy has relaxed its rules & rates regarding drive-in vehicles from tour operators. Besides the usual fly-in packages for guests staying at Karen Blixen Camp, Kicheche Camp, Serian Camp, Elephant Pepper Camp, Royal Mara & Mara Exploreans, operators can now offer drive-in itineraries while…
Over two decades ago in 1992 Finch Hattons Camp first opened to guests and set the standard in luxury eco tented camps. It is now reopening to yet again reaffirm its position as the ultimate luxury safari camp. Set around an oasis of natural spring pools teeming with wildlife and situated to capture the views…
To ensure budding wildlife photographers are able to capture the very highest quality safari images, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti is offering the opportunity to take part in one of two new and exclusive five-day photography safaris with acclaimed wildlife photographer Paul Joynson-Hicks. As part of the Serengeti photo safari, a maximum of four participating…
Travel company, RETURNAfrica, has taken over the Pafuri Walking Trails previously run by Wilderness Safaris. The Pafuri Walking Trails season will be open from April 1 to October 31 in the private Makuleke Concession in the northern Kruger National Park. The trail is a three-night, four-day experience, guided by an experienced field guide. Highlights of…
Discover Ancient Egypt with Your Own Private Egyptologist: Book four or more clients on Great Safaris’ Great Egyptian Discovery tour and get a full-time Egyptologist escort during the entire 13-day journey Help your clients avoid throngs of tourists and outrageous lines during their 2015 travels by considering a primeval land that has been off the…
Avani Hotels & Resorts, the vibrant upscale brand launched by Thailand-based Minor Hotel Group in 2011, has opened Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa, the group’s first property in the Indian Ocean destination. ‘Avani’ stems from the Sanskrit word for ‘earth’ – a meaning which is expressed through a grounded personality and simple sense of…
Chobe Game Lodge has implemented a number of fascinating initiatives that help keep the lodge environment pristine and natural. It’s incredible to see what can be achieved with a committed approach to responsible tourism and guests at Chobe Game Lodge can learn about these initiatives by taking an ecotour, led by Albert Ndereki, which provides…
Airlink reduces fuel levy “YQ” effective 09 February 2015. Airlink is pleased to announce that it will be reducing the fuel levy “YQ” following the recent fall in oil prices. While the reduction in the price of jet fuel does not correlate directly with the fall in oil price, airlines have enjoyed some reprieve. Airlink…
ACSA is implementing new hand luggage restrictions, that will come into effect at all airports across South Africa and impacts all airlines and travelers from Monday 2 February. “The new regulations restrict economy class carry-ons to a single piece with a maximum weight of 7kg and within specified dimensions (36cm x 23cm x 56cm) along…
Travelers from countries that have recently been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “low-risk yellow fever countries” will no longer have to produce proof of the vaccination when they arrive in South Africa, the Department of Health said on Tuesday. The African countries on the organization ‘s low-risk yellow fever list include Zambia,…
Wilderness Touring, the private touring division of Wilderness Safaris, has increased its fleet in the Zambezi region with the purchase of six new vehicles, bringing the total fleet to 30 vehicles. Operations Manager of Wilderness Safaris for the Zambezi region, Dean Morton, said: “The new vehicles complement our team of highly skilled staff and will…
We invite you to join one of Virgin Limited Edition’s webinars taking place this February! As the February mad rush begins, why not take some time out of your hectic day, unwind with a cup of tea and learn about one of Sir Richard Branson’s luxury retreats. Join us for an interactive presentation and…
Feb 01, 2015, eTurboNews: Week in and week out e-mails arrive and in growing numbers messages via my social media accounts, paying compliments about the wide range of news from the region and then often ending with “but where do I find out more about…” The “about” of course then reads Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa, Zanzibar,…
The Sandton Sun will be going through a full renovations of the guest rooms and bathrooms. At this time it looks like we will be pushing back the opening to September 1, 2015. For more information on Tsogo Sun hotels, please contact: ronnie@underafricanskies.net
Dear Yvette , I wanted to thank you again for your support with our SADC UNIVISA survey last year. As you may have heard, the pilot UNIVISA for Zambia and Zimbabwe was launched last month and now is fully operational at 8 key border posts in the two countries. From what I have heard on the…
Inquiries at Safaribookings.com, a marketplace for more than 1,200 safari companies in East and Southern Africa, were down 25 percent during the last four months of 2014, but bounced back in January, with a 20 percent rise compared to a year ago…. A scaling back of the wall-to-wall media coverage of the handful of…
Agents earn 5% when ticketing PrecisionAir (PW) via GDS or by contacting our US ticketing office: Tel 877-496-9887. ( Now Accepting Visas and MasterCard. ) PrecisionAir is a private Tanzanian airline established in 1993 and based at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar Es Salaam. The airline operates scheduled service throughout Tanzania including the tourist-rich destinations…
African Bush Camps are delighted to announce complete rebuilds of the camps in two of our most popular destinations: Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and the Khwai Community area in Botswana. The newly built Somalisa Camp, Somalisa Acacia, Khwai Tented Camp and our NEW Khwai Family Camp will be completed by 1st July 2015. We…
The Classic Portfolio welcomes Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa to the stable of acclaimed properties it represents across Africa. Nestled on the crest of the dramatic Helshoogte Mountain Pass in the Cape Winelands, Delaire Graff blends seamlessly into the surrounding, breathtaking landscape. Set on the award winning, working wine estate, each room is positioned…
Taking place in the beautiful city of Cape Town between 15 and 17 April 2015 at the CTICC, WTM Africa 2015 promises to deliver unlimited networking opportunities, strengthen existing industry relationships and help close business deals. Adding to WTM Africa’s already impressive 2015 line-up is the prestigious Hosted Buyer Program. It offers carefully selected travel industry…
Air Zimbabwe is preparing to launch domestic operations to Masvingo and Buffalo Range. The airline also plans to launch regional routes to Lusaka, Zambia, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. GM of passenger and cargo services, Peter Mukarakate, told eTNW that if things went according to plan, the airline could launch operations by the end of…
The tourism industry has paid tribute to veteran hotelier, Liz McGrath, 91, who died at her home in Johannesburg on Saturday following a short illness. Expressing deep sadness at the loss of a dear friend, Relais & Châteaux Africa director, Annie-Claude Bergonzoli, said: “I am proud to have worked with her for so many wonderful…
Bidvest Car Rental and Avis Budget Group have decided to operate under separate brands in the Southern African vehicle rental market. Bidvest Car Rental, a subsidiary of international holdings company, Bidvest Group, said it has reached an agreement with Avis Budget Group, whereby Bidvest will cease to operate as Budget Car, Van and Truck Rental…
RwandaAir will commence direct daily flights between Entebbe and Nairobi from January 29. This follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya and Rwanda which permitted negotiations of fifth freedom rights by the carriers from the respective countries. The route will be operated by the dual-class Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. Flights…
Ethiopian Airlines is planning further fleet and network expansion in 2015, enabling the flag carrier to widen the gap with other leading African carriers. Ethiopian has already become the largest airline in Africa based on fleet size and doubled in size since the beginning of the decade while most other major African carriers have grown only slightly or not at all. Passenger…
Gezahegn Abate, International and Public Relations Director at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, told reporters on Thursday (January 8) that Ethiopia’s tourism sector has created 783,638 jobs over the last four years of the GTP period. He also said that “The plan was to create 886,000 jobs.” The massive expansion of standard hotels, cafeterias,…
Ranger Safaris has announced the launch of its new Serengeti Explorer Camp which uses three different campsites during the year, following the annual wildebeest migration in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. The camp features eight double tents and two family tents, all en suite. There are solar panels offering 24-hour electricity, Wi-Fi and new lounge…
FOLLOWING on the success of its award-winning Shongololo Lounge at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, Menzies Aviation is to open a lounge that will be open to any passenger, including walk-ins, in April. Visitors to the Sesfikile Premium Arrivals Lounge, adjacent to the SAA Arrivals Lounge at OR Tambo, would have access to private bathrooms…
APTA member lan Feldstein (Infinite Safari Adventures) has announced the publication of his E-Book The Best African Safari – Tips From An Obsessive Planner. The book, based on Feldstein’s 15 years of traveling to Africa and arranging safaris for a vast array of clients, contains a wealth of information and answers to the common questions he…
Award-winning luxury safari outfitter Great Safaris re-introduces their classic program Great Tanzania Wing Safari with an amazing, limited time offer for Spring Break. Book your clients on this family safari and their first child travels FREE; in addition, they will receive a 50% discount for their second child! Help travelers plan this amazing adventure with…
Register today for tomorrow’s Travel Industry Conference at The New York Times Travel Show Friday, January 23, 2015 Jacob Javits Convention Center The New York Times Travel Industry Conference offers a comprehensive education program designed for travel professionals. Featuring 18 Focus Conferences covering the latest products, services, destination information and trends, travel professionals will have…
The Zimbabwean government announced on January 19 that it would start levying VAT on tourism with immediate effect. The tax applies to payments for accommodation by foreign visitors to Zimbabwe. The new Statutory Instrument was gazetted late on Friday, January 16, and publicly announced on Monday.
APTA Member Lorenzo Giani, of Luxury Focus International, a luxury, adventure, hospitality and destination representation company, announces the addition of two elite DMC’s to his portfolio of companies SAFARITRAILS. East Africa’s leading boutique destination management company, SAFARITRAILS is based out of Nairobi, Kenya. SAFARITRAILS owns and operates a fleet of over 70 vehicles and specializes…
Book at least 3 nights at Mahali Mzuri and get one night free! Valid 2nd January 2015 – 31st May 2015 This offer is available for new bookings staying until the 31st May 2015. The free night offer applies to stays of at least 3 nights where your final night will be free. If you…
The International Institute for Peace through Tourism World Symposium: Cultivating Sustainable and Peaceful Communities and Nations through Tourism, Culture and Sport will honor the legacies of the world’s three Champions of Peace and Non-Violent Resistance: Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. with the aim of affirming these legacies by building bridges of…
