Ticket sales for the 2026 APTA Global Forum in Livingstone, Zambia are already moving quickly—but now there’s even more reason to secure your spot. We’re excited to announce the first batch of pre- and post-Forum FAM opportunities, giving attendees the chance to extend their stay and experience some of Southern Africa’s most compelling tourism products…
Hotel development continues to build pace across the African continent, with the big brands making it their business to grow into opportunities presented by growing tourism. According to the latest annual roundup of activity in the sector, there are no less than 675 new African hotels and resorts in the works, responding to the fact…
The event, produced by Dusty Orange Projects Et Al (DOPE), marks more than two decades of the festival, which showcases Malawian arts, culture and tourism while attracting regional and international audiences. Organisers said the 2026 edition will be held under the theme Festivals with Purpose – Inspire, Connect, Invest, Celebrate. The programme is expected to include…
Egypt has been a tourism success story in recent years. Visitor numbers ballooned from 13 million in 2019 to 19 million last year, according to government figures. Tourism helps sustain almost three million jobs and brings more than $15bn a year into the country’s coffers. The surge in visitor numbers in recent years reflected the growing…
Nigerian airlines will suspend all flight operations from April 20, they warned, unless crippling jet fuel prices, which they accused the country’s fuel marketers of artificially inflating, are reduced. The Airline Operators of Nigeria, an industry body composed of around a dozen mainly domestic carriers, wrote to the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria on…
Zanzibar authorities have stopped issuing new land leases in Pemba Island, while destination planning frameworks are finalised, in an effort to avoid repeating development pressures experienced on Unguja Island, the archipelago’s main tourism island. Pemba remains far less developed for tourism than Unguja where most of Zanzibar’s visitor infrastructure is concentrated. Speaking at the recent…
Air Seychelles has announced that its temporary service from Seychelles International Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport has been extended. The service, initially set to conclude on April 20, will run until August 30, according to Air Seychelles’ social media channels. Flights operate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flight HM1007 departs from Paris at 19h30 and…
Etihad Airways is expanding its Africa network with new flights to Zimbabwe from March 24, 2027. The airline will launch three weekly flights between Harare and Abu Dhabi with a stop in Lubumbashi, DRC. The airline is also introducing three weekly flights to Kinshasa, DRC, from March 18, 2027.
Delta Hotels by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio, has announced the opening of a property in Madagascar. The new hotel, located in Antananarivo’s business district, is near corporate offices, government buildings and cultural landmarks like the Queen’s Palace. “The hotel offers a calm environment where guests can move easily between work, rest and discovery…
Uganda’s World Athletics Label road race confirms updated route, new finish arena, and full operational plan ahead of August 22, 2026 The Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon has completed a full operational review in Kasese, confirming its 2026 race course, infrastructure plan, and finish arena ahead of race day on August 22nd, 2026. The three-day exercise…
Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT) is delighted to announce the launch of the Kyambura Chimpanzee Monitoring Project, based at the VSPT Research Centre, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. In partnership with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the project will establish the first permanent, science-based monitoring programme for the isolated group of chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge.…
Following recent industry discussions, we reaffirm that Tanzania’s EU Air Safety List inclusion relates to regulatory oversight and does not reflect the operational safety of individual airlines or impact domestic aviation. Miracle Air operations continue as normal, fully compliant, fully insured, and delivered under the responsibility of a licensed operator. Our operations have been independently…
Air Seychelles will introduce a special service between Seychelles and Istanbul to maintain access to key international markets in response to ongoing regional challenges affecting Gulf carriers. The service will run twice weekly from May 2 to June 27. Flights will depart Istanbul at 22h15 on Tuesdays and Saturdays and arrive in Seychelles at 07h00…
Bamba Victoria Falls has launched a new product on the Zambezi River with the Bamba Boat Sunset Cruise, which commenced on April 1. The new offering is a double-decker cruise boat operating daily from Zambezi National Park. It accommodates up to 24 guests on a 2.5-hour sunset experience, including a four-course canapé menu, premium drinks and…
In an urgent effort to save one of the world’s rarest antelopes, four critically endangered eastern mountain bongos are being relocated from European zoos to the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. Native only to central Kenya’s highland forests, these striking chestnut-coated animals have been severely threatened by hunting and habitat loss. By integrating these new arrivals…
GILTEDGE Opens 2026 with Major Industry Recognition and Global Travel Nominations Cape Town, South Africa – 10 April 2026 – Luxury travel specialist GILTEDGE has begun 2026 with significant international recognition, securing two customer service awards, two Virtuoso trophies, and multiple global nominations across luxury travel and golf tourism. The awards highlight the company’s…
A Sparkling Shift: Why International Visitors Are Investing in Diamonds and Tanzanite in South Africa In recent years, South Africa has seen a notable shift in the way international visitors engage with luxury retail. Beyond safaris, wine estates, and iconic landscapes, a growing number of travellers are choosing to leave with something far more enduring:…
Tanzania has unveiled an ambitious new private-sector led platform aimed at transforming how conservation is financed and managed, as the country seeks to position itself as a global leader in sustainable, high-end wildlife tourism. The launch of the SWICA Operators Association of Tanzania (SOAT) brings together private investors operating in Special Wildlife Investment Concession Areas…
Member news from Jenman African Safaris Zimbabwe has quietly re-established itself as one of Southern Africa’s most compelling safari destinations, and the industry is paying attention. After years of uncertainty that dampened international interest, the country is seeing a meaningful uptick in traveler demand, driven not by marketing spend but by the quality of the…
Kafunta Safaris has officially reopened two of its properties, Kafunta River Lodge and The Sunset House, for the 2026 safari season in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Located on the floodplains of the Luangwa River, both properties offer access to one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich regions, known for its walking safaris and strong concentration of…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Air Gorongosa Launches as New Chapter in Mozambique Aviation Mozambique, 6 April 2026 Today marks the official launch of Air Gorongosa, a reimagined aviation brand designed to connect Mozambique’s people, landscapes, and opportunities while reinforcing confidence in the country as a world-class travel destination. Evolving from Safari Air, Air Gorongosa represents more than…
The Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority has announced that scheduled Air Tanzania flights to Seychelles have been postponed until further notice. In the interim, passengers are encouraged to stay informed via Air Tanzania’s official website and social media platforms.
In the last 12 months, the Radisson Hotel Group has signed over 15 new hotels, bringing its total in Africa, including its pipeline, to over 100. Recent signings include: South Africa: Radisson Serviced Apartments Umhlanga, scheduled to open in 2029, will offer 155 rooms in studios and apartments. It will be located in a newly…
Condor will introduce a fourth weekly flight between Johannesburg and Frankfurt from May 11. Flights will depart from Johannesburg at 18h35 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and arrive in Frankfurt at 06h00 the following day.
Severe flooding has struck the Luangwa Valley in Zambia following heavy rainfall that caused both the Lupande and Msandile Rivers to burst their banks. The region is experiencing its worst flooding in nearly two decades, with widespread impact on communities surrounding one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife destinations, South Luangwa National Park. The flooding has…
Uganda Airlines will receive $113 million in government funding to acquire 10 new aircraft, boosting direct connectivity and tourism. The move comes as disruptions affecting Gulf carriers such as Qatar Airways and Emirates are pushing African airlines to expand routes and reduce reliance on Middle East hubs. Read more from Tourism Update
Following an exceptional season in Ndutu, marked by dramatic wildlife encounters, lush plains, and abundant rainfall, TAASA Migration Camp now follows the herds northwest as they move toward the Grumeti River. Reopening near the Belo Belo plains, the camp is ideally positioned to witness large concentrations of the Great Migration. Set just meters from the…
Join the PNW APTA Chapter for a delightful afternoon as our guest speaker, Debora Roberts, brings the magic of Karen Blixen properties to life! Experience where classic safari romance meets effortless luxury, think vintage elegance, sweeping savannahs, and those unforgettable “this is Africa” moments your clients will cherish forever. You’ll leave inspired, energized, and ready to…
The Diar Group has announced the development of two mixed-use residential and hospitality properties on Kenya’s coastline: Diani Beach Residences and Oceara Residences. Both properties will be branded CityBlue Hotels. The group will partner with Staroot Real Estate in the development and management of Diani Beach Residences. Oceara Residences is secured through a deal with Sands…
Bush Ways Botswana will open Mababe Tented Camp this month (April 2026). The property is set on the banks of the Khwai River in the Mababe private concession and will open seasonally from April to December. Shared spaced includes a tented lounge. Mababe Tented Camp will comprise eight Meru-style tents accommodating a maximum of 16…
As part of Hilton’s broader strategy to grow in sub-Saharan Africa, the global hospitality company is to open a new Hilton Garden Inn Polokwane in South Africa and a Hilton Lusaka Pyramid in Zambia. Hilton said it had signed 29 deals in 15 countries over the past year, which would see its African footprint growth…