APTA Global Forum heads to Livingstone, Zambia next week — but you don’t have to be joining us in Africa to take part in one of the Forum’s most exciting opportunities. The 2026 APTA Global Forum Silent Auction is now live, completely online and open to everyone. This year’s auction features 16 incredible African travel…
Exclusive Hotel & Convention Centre has opened in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu officially launched the property, which is along the N4 corridor linking Gauteng and Mozambique. The hotel features 150 rooms, a 1 000-seat conference centre, restaurant, spa and gym. According to the developers, the hotel is expected to create more than 120 permanent jobs,…
A wildfire on Mount Kenya has been largely contained after burning approximately 8 700ha. The cause of the fire has not yet been established. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) told Tourism Update that no tourists were affected or injured during the fire. “All critical infrastructure within the park was secured and no visitor facilities or other critical park…
SA Tourism is aiming to open registrations for next year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) by the end of September. Responding to a follow-up enquiry from Tourism Update, SA Tourism said: “At present, plans are in motion to have registration start towards the end of September. As such, the ATI website is being updated to accommodate the…
Ker & Downey Zambia has announced it is expanding its portfolio with a new property. Musesenji River Camp, located inside the Lower Zambezi National Park, will open on April 1, 2027. It will feature five luxury safari tents and one family tent – each with its own plunge pool. Guests can access the remote camp via…
Efforts to restore Ishasha’s declining population of tree-climbing lions is part of a new 10-year conservation programme that will also strengthen wildlife protection and tourism development in the Ugandan reserve. The programme could include lion translocations to supplement the remaining population where scientifically justified and following consultation with neighbouring communities. Ishasha, part of Queen Elizabeth…
If your travel wishlist is starting to look a little bit predictable, Time Out’s global team of editors and writers has just dropped the cure. We’ve compiled our guide to the world’s 33 most beautiful hotels, and five jaw-dropping properties in Africa feature on the list. We aren’t just ticking the standard five-star luxury boxes, either. These…
Africa’s young, increasingly urban population, growing middle class and improving infrastructure will drive passenger traffic to grow nearly 6% annually through 2045, one of the fastest rates globally, Boeing [NYSE: BA] said today. The region’s commercial airplane fleet will more than double from 755 to 1,625 over the next 20 years to support this demand,…
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced the opening of Taj Bush Lodge in the Greater Kruger region of South Africa. The new property marks Taj’s entry into the wildlife tourism segment in the region and forms part of the brand’s growing presence in South Africa. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO of IHCL, said the…
Angola’s Immigration and Foreigners Service (SME) has rolled out a new official platform for online visa applications. The new portal, e-visa.ao and the Angolan Electronic Passport are part of SME’s push to digitise the visa and immigration process. New features include personal user accounts, electronic payment of visa fees and a new application tracking system. Applicants are…
Air France is bringing back its Cape Town-Paris route for the 2026/27 season. Flights will operate from September 22, 2026, through to March 27, 2027, with frequencies increasing as the season progresses. Three weekly flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from September 22 to October 31 this year before increasing to five weekly flights every day, except…
Malawi Airlines has expanded its flight schedule with additional services between Lilongwe and Johannesburg, alongside extra domestic flights connecting Lilongwe and Blantyre. The new services, which came into effect on 24 August 2026, provide greater flexibility for both international visitors and those travelling within Malawi. The additional Johannesburg flight operates every day except Monday, departing Lilongwe at 16:50 and…
There is just one week left to register for the 2026 APTA Global Forum in Livingstone, Zambia. All registrations will close on September 10, and no registrations can be accommodated after that date. Supplier registration has been sold out for some time, and only two buyer spaces remain. Taking place September 25–27 at Avani Victoria…
Uganda has been declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) after recording 42 days without a new case. The country’s last confirmed imported Ebola patient was discharged on July 16, with no subsequent transmission linked to the case, according to WHO. Uganda recorded 20 Ebola cases during the outbreak, most involving people who had…
Hilton has announced that it will enter the Zimbabwean hotel market after signing an agreement with Terrace Africa to develop a Hilton Garden Inn property in Harare’s upmarket Highlands Precinct. Expected to open in early 2029, the 140-room hotel will feature a restaurant, terrace, lobby café and bar, gym, pool and meeting rooms. The Highlands…
An investigation is underway into an accident in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park where a safari vehicle carrying four Swiss tourists and a guide plunged into a river in the Kogatende area during this year’s annual Great Migration. The incident occurred on August 30 at the Kogatende Nyumbu crossing area, according to a notice issued by the…
Kenya Airways plans to install Wi-Fi on its long-haul aircraft from the second quarter of 2027. The rollout will commence with aircraft serving the airline’s long-haul routes such as London, Paris, New York, China and Amsterdam. It will then extend to aircraft operating within the region and across Africa. Wi-Fi has already been installed on…
&Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge has reopened in South Africa’s Phinda Private Game Reserve following a thoughtful refurbishment that places the surrounding vlei landscape at the heart of the guest experience. The intimate lodge features just six suites, each offering a private sala and pool, with wildlife and birdlife frequently visible from the property itself. The…
Babanango Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, has announced the official approval of Eagle’s View Airstrip, creating a new and more convenient way for travelers to access the reserve and opening the door to expanded fly-in safari itineraries. Located within the reserve in Zululand, Eagle’s View was approved as a Type A Aerodrome by the…
Angola has officially opened its largest convention centre. Located in Chicala, in the centre of Luanda, the Luanda Convention Palace was inaugurated by President João Lourenço. The facility is reported to have cost approximately €280 million (US$325 million). It features a multi-purpose theatre with capacity for 3 000 people, several conference halls and other multi-purpose rooms. The convention centre…
The 2026 APTA Global Forum is nearly sold out, with only 2 buyer spaces remaining for this year’s gathering in Livingstone, Zambia. Supplier slots are all already sold out! Taking place September 25–27 at Avani Victoria Falls Resort, the Forum will bring together leading travel advisors, tour operators, safari companies, lodges, tourism organizations, and industry…
Mantis Hiddn in Addo is set within the untamed beauty of the Eastern Cape, and is a rare luxury retreat designed for guests seeking privacy, presence, and a deeper connection to nature. Located in the greater Addo region, it offers an exceptional sense of seclusion while remaining within easy reach of key travel routes. This…
Cheetah are roaming a secure area of North Luangwa National Park for the first time in three decades after six individuals were successfully translocated from South Africa. A joint operation between the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Zambian Department of Wildlife and National Parks has seen the cats moved to a 2 000-hectare predator-proof part of North Luangwa where…
Malawi Airlines is expanding connectivity between Malawi and South Africa with additional nonstop flights between Lilongwe and Johannesburg beginning August 24, 2026. The new services will operate daily except Mondays, adding a late-afternoon option alongside the airline’s existing morning service via Blantyre. The expanded schedule is designed to give travelers greater flexibility, including the possibility…
Uganda Airlines has announced the launch of direct flights from Entebbe to Accra, Ghana, from October 27, and Kigali, Rwanda, from November 18. Flights to both destinations will operate three times per week on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. The flights will aim to increase intercontinental connectivity and strengthen Uganda Airlines’ presence in West Africa following the airline’s…
Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape will reopen its Explorer Camp in September following refurbishment. The camp now features three new tents with a screened bathroom, separate lounge, expanded deck and private plunge pool. New dining and lounge tents have also been added. Viewing decks have been repositioned to bring guests closer to…
Tintswalo Collection has announced the launch of its Thermal Night Safari and Stargazing Experience offering guests a new way to experience wildlife after dark using thermal imaging technology. The experience is available in the Greater Kruger at Tintswalo Safari and Tintswalo Manor House in the Manyeleti Game Reserve as well as Tintswalo Scops Rest in…
Great Plains has opened Zamara Private, a new six-suite private safari villa, on the northern edge of Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. Located on private land near Mara Plains Camp, Mara Toto Tree Camp and Mara Expedition Camp, the property is designed for exclusive use by families and small groups of up to 12 guests.…
Beach & Safari Holidays has expanded its safari portfolio with two new lodges in Tanzania: Africa Safari Serengeti Ndutu and Africa Safari Serengeti Kogatende. Africa Safari Serengeti Ndutu overlooks Lake Ndutu, in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, on the edge of the Southern Serengeti. Just 31km from the border between Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation…
Tanzanian Wildlife Management Authority has completed construction of Engaresero Airstrip in Ngorongoro District, Arusha Region. It was built to enhance local tourism through improved access to Lake Natron. After completion in June, the airstrip – with a 1.2km, 23m-wide runway – was certified by the Tanzania Airports Authority when it met the required aviation safety…
The Dubai-based carrier and South African Airways (SAA) have expanded their nearly 30-year partnership into a reciprocal codeshare agreement, opening access to nine additional destinations across South Africa and neighbouring countries while strengthening Johannesburg’s position as one of Africa’s leading aviation hubs. The agreement marks a significant shift in the relationship between the two airlines.…
The new Namoni Lodge has opened on the edge of Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park as part of a broader conservation and community tourism initiative in the Karamoja region. Located metres from the park boundary within a community conservancy, the lodge features 10 mid-luxury cabins overlooking the surrounding landscape as well as a restaurant and…
Following a scheduled two-week closure for maintenance, Table Mountain’s cableway reopened on Monday, August 10. The Upper Cable Station and all visitor facilities at the top, including restaurants and shops, have also reopened.
The Namibian government’s plans to establish a new national carrier have progressed with Namibia Air’s licence applications. According to a July 8 Government Gazette, Namibia Air has submitted applications to the Transport Commission of Namibia for scheduled air services and non-scheduled air services licences. If approved, Namibia Air intends to operate domestic, regional and intercontinental services…
Sierra Leone has long had the ingredients of a compelling tourism destination — spectacular beaches, rainforest, wildlife, history and a strong cultural identity — but it has remained largely outside the mainstream African tourism circuit. That may be starting to change. A new feature from Pan African Visions highlights the country’s growing tourism ambitions and…
The Government of Kenya has issued a clarification regarding its proposed mandatory inbound travel health insurance requirement for international visitors, following widespread discussion and some confusion over how the new framework would operate. Under the proposed rules, non-Kenyan visitors staying in the country for less than 12 months would be required to hold travel health…
Ticket sales for the 2026 APTA Global Forum in Livingstone, Zambia are nearly sold out—and now there’s even more reason to secure one of the final spots. APTA Global Forum pre- and post-Forum FAM opportunities are now available, giving attendees the chance to extend their stay and experience some of Southern Africa’s most compelling tourism…
Veteran tourism marketer David Germain is back at the Seychelles Tourism Board, bringing more than 40 years of global industry experience to lead the destination’s marketing efforts across the Americas and Canada. His return signals a renewed push to strengthen Seychelles’ presence in one of its most important long-haul tourism markets. The Seychelles Tourism Board…
CemAir has expanded its Bloemfontein schedule with additional weekly services to both Durban and George. With immediate effect, an additional return flight between Bloemfontein and Durban will operate every Tuesday, and between Bloemfontein and George every Thursday. CemAir has also launched additional flights between East London and Johannesburg and Cape Town. An additional return flight…
Mozambique’s elephant population has shown dramatic growth since 2018, increasing from 9 122 to 22 178 animals, according to the country’s 2025 wildlife census released by the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC). The figures suggest that conservation and wildlife protection efforts have been effective. The census also recorded growing populations of elephants and other large mammals…
Uganda has officially declared itself Ebola-free after meeting international health criteria. But will science alone convince governments to lift travel advisories and tourists to return? As neighboring DR Congo battles new Ebola infections, the Pearl of Africa faces its next challenge—restoring global confidence in its tourism industry. Read more from eTurboNews
Four African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) have been photographed in Malawi’s Kasungu National Park for the first time in more than ten years, marking a significant moment for conservation efforts in the region. IFAW Field Operations Manager Gervaz Thamala captured the sighting during a dawn patrol, with scientists from the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP) subsequently identifying the four females as the same…
Marriott International has signed an all-inclusive resort agreement with Catalonia Hotels & Resorts to open an Autograph Collection Resort in Zanzibar. The new-build property is expected to open next year and is expected to feature 271 guestrooms and a wellness-focused guest experience. Planned amenities include multiple swimming pools, a spa, a theatre, an oceanfront jetty…
Fastjet Zimbabwe will introduce a Business Premium product on the Airbus A320-200 from August to September. The new Business Premium class features extra-wide seats at the front of the aircraft, curated menu options, including a full bar service at selected times of the day, access to business-class lounges, and additional baggage with a combined weight…
Jambojet is re-establishing the route between Nairobi and Entebbe after suspending it during COVID. The route is scheduled to resume services in early 2027. This is part of Jambojet’s broader regional expansion, which includes the launch of flights to Dar es Salaam. According to Jambojet, the new routes will be supported by fleet growth with…
Amani Collections has opened Amani Lamai Luxury Camp in Tanzania’s Northern Serengeti. Located less than one kilometre from Mara River Crossing No 4, the camp provides easy access to river crossings during the migration season. Amani Lamai Luxury Camp offers eight tented suites, comprising six two-sleeper tents and two larger family tents. Each features a…
Italian airline Neos has launched a direct flight from Milan, Italy, to Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) in Tanzania before continuing onward to Zanzibar. The inaugural flight landed at KIA on July 15 with 210 travellers. The return journey will follow the same route from Zanzibar via Kilimanjaro and then onto Milan. The new service provides direct…
Cape Winelands Airport and Stellenbosch University have signed a partnership agreement to support research, innovation and skills development linked to the airport’s planned expansion. The partnership will initially create research opportunities for master’s students in Stellenbosch University’s engineering management programme. Collaboration areas include engineering, aviation, transport and logistics with students conducting applied research linked to…
South Africa has introduced a mandatory Travel Health Questionnaire (THQ) for all passengers travelling to the country from Uganda or the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In a notice published last Friday, July 17, the Department of Health said anyone entering South Africa who has travelled from Uganda or the DRC during the preceding 21…
Boeing and Uganda Airlines announced today that the national carrier is ordering four 737-8 and four 787-9 airplanes to grow and modernize its fleet. The airline’s first-ever Boeing airplane purchase will support growing demand across its regional and international network. “This commitment with Boeing marks a defining step in Uganda Airlines’ growth journey and in…