Great news for delegates heading to Livingstone this September — the Avani Victoria Falls Resort, official host hotel of the 2026 APTA Global Forum, has just completed a full renovation of its guest accommodations. All 50 Superior rooms and four Suites have been redesigned with a contemporary feel inspired by the Zambezi riverfront, featuring natural…
Dulini, one of Southern Africa’s most celebrated families of owner-run safari lodges, has officially expanded into Botswana with the acquisition of Daunara Safari Camp — a secluded five-suite retreat on a private island in the heart of the Okavango Delta. The camp will now operate as Dulini Daunara, and marks the founding of Dulini Botswana…
Planned restrictions on heavy vehicles and trains crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge are unlikely to affect tourism operations in the short term as they will likely only take effect once a new road and rail crossing between Zambia and Zimbabwe has been completed. According to CAJ News Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe intend to restrict the use…
A high-water year in northern Botswana is expected to reshape safari experiences with the Okavango Delta at the centre of an unusually dynamic and widespread inundation driven by strong rainfall in the Angolan Highlands and locally within the region. Industry players say the system remains highly variable but agree that this year’s conditions reflect a…
The Marine Hotel in Hermanus, set for refurbishment, will be closed in May and June. The 120-year-old landmark property is part of the Liz McGrath Collection. The ground-floor public areas, including the restaurant, bar and reception, will be updated with new interiors. No structural changes will be made to the building.
Lolelunga Private Reserve, near Kafue National Park in Zambia, has reintroduced two lions into its ecosystem. This marks the return of an apex predator to the reserve for the first time in more than 15 years. The translocation, completed on April 12 in partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the Zambia Ministry…
Namibia is facing a commercial aviation staffing shortage, compounded by systemic failures in work permit and visa processing and a converging fuel supply crisis. With many of the country’s key attractions located in remote areas, unreachable by road, air access is critical, says Gitta Paetzold, CEO of the Hospitality Association of Namibia. While many lodges have…
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…
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…
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…
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
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…
Ugandan wildlife authorities have reintroduced rhinos into a remote protected area where they were once poached into extinction, an event seen by conservationists as a milestone in efforts to support the recovery of a species threatened by poaching. On Tuesday, two southern white rhinos from a private ranch in the East African country were reintroduced into Kidepo…
Two of the world’s 12 Long Run Accredited Global Ecosphere Retreats have undertaken a leadership immersion between Kenya and Indonesia. Cottar’s Safaris (Maasai Mara, Kenya) and Nikoi and Cempedak Islands (Indonesia) will undertake a cross-continental CEO Exchange in April, as Louise Cottar, CEO of Cottar’s Safaris, and Andrew Dixon, CEO of Nikoi and Cempedak Islands,…
Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 will take place May 11–14 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban, in partnership with Durban Tourism, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, and the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission. BONDay kicks off on May 11, with Trade Show Days running May 12–14. Non-hosted buyer applications are now open. The show brings together a broad…
Songa Africa has opened bookings for Icyayi Songa Lodge in the foothills of Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park. The lodge, due to open in May, features a tea-inspired theme reflecting the surrounding plantations. A render of the outdoor shower at Icyayi Songa Lodge. It will feature 20 suites including family villas. The 166 square metre…
Absent for two decades, white rhinos have been reintroduced to Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). According to a statement issued by African Parks, the park lost its last northern white rhino to poaching in early 2006 when wildlife populations were declining and armed groups were active in the region.…
The V&A Waterfront is set to open a R230 million (US$14 million) superyacht marina in October. The developers say this will be the first-ever superyacht marina in sub-Saharan Africa and it aims to position Cape Town on the global stage as a premium superyacht berthing destination with the port also pursuing Gold Anchor accreditation. The development comes…
Fastjet has launched afternoon flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe. Flight FN8504 departs daily from JNB at 14h30 and arrives in VFA at 16h20. The route improves access for afternoon arrivals on domestic and international flights.
The African travel community has lost one of its most respected and recognizable figures with the passing of Jim Holden, founder of Holden Safaris and a longtime friend to many across the APTA community. Born in Lusaka, Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia), Jim’s life and career were deeply shaped by Africa from the very beginning. He…
Ticket sales for the 2026 APTA Global Forum only opened in mid January but already the show is 47% sold out! We expect the show to be completely sold out by spring so if you plan to attend, the time to register is now! Taking place September 25–27, 2026, in Livingstone, Zambia, at the Avani…
Kenya’s tourism industry is navigating an unusually challenging period as two major disruptions are slowing the flow of visitors and complicating logistics for tour operators: the aviation crisis in the Middle East and severe flooding in parts of the country. Middle Eastern carriers operate some of the fastest and most affordable routes into East and…
The Zimbabwean government has increased VAT (value-added tax) and applied it to tourism services. In light of this the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has announced increases to entry fees for the Victoria Falls rainforest. Entry for international day visitors is now as follows until further notice: Rainforest main gate: USD58 per person VIP gate: USD174pp…
The East African Community (EAC) stepped onto the global tourism stage at ITB Berlin 2026, unveiling the first promotional video for its regional tourism brand, “Visit East Africa – Feel the Vibe.” Premiered at the world’s leading travel trade fair in Berlin, the video highlights East Africa’s diverse landscapes, wildlife, cultures and travel experiences, as…
APTA members looking to connect with African suppliers from the comfort of their desks have a final opportunity to join OurAfrica.Travel 2026, a virtual trade show running March 16–20. The platform brings together 200+ exhibitors spanning Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands for a week of scheduled meetings, product updates, and networking. The format is…
Virgin Limited Edition has announced a redesign of Ulusaba in South Africa’s Sabi Sand. Both lodges – Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge – closed at the end of January 2026 and will reopen on April 1, 2027. Rock Lodge will feature nine suites including five new Rock suites and two interleading Makwela suites. The two…
Nyumbu Luxury Collection is preparing to open a new lodge, Upeo Serengeti, in Tanzania’s northern Serengeti with a soft opening scheduled for September. The lodge’s name, Upeo, meaning “horizon” in Swahili, reflects the property’s design, which frames expansive views across the northern Serengeti landscape. The design intends to integrate with the surrounding environment. The lodge…
Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has shown support for Cabinet’s drive towards halting captive lion breeding in South Africa with new provincial legislation designed to phase out captive lion facilities: The agency will no longer issue permits to new captive lion facilities. The captive breeding of lions will no longer be permitted. The importing of lions…
The Cape Winelands Airport is facing a final hurdle before construction can commence as several appeals from neighbouring landowners await a decision from Anton Bredell, the Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning. The airport project secured environmental authorisation in October 2025 following an extensive assessment process but its progression towards a…
Minor Hotels, in partnership with Dubai-based Infinity Developments, is developing the NH Collection Pemba Island Resort in Tanzania. The 145-room resort is scheduled to open in February 2030 a short drive from Pemba Airport. It will feature a selection of guest rooms, suites and villas as well as dining and MICE facilities. “Introducing the NH…
Kenya plans to upgrade and expand Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) over the next five years under a US$2 billion modernisation programme. The Government Delivery Unit (GDU) and the Kenya Airports Authority reviewed the implementation status of airport projects across the country and unveiled a breakdown of expansion plans for NBO. According to the…
Air Congo, the newly established flag carrier of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has announced a significant expansion of its route network, marking a major milestone in its evolution from a domestic operator to a regional player in Africa’s aviation landscape. The airline, which commenced operations in December 2024 with domestic flights out…
In a major step for the aviation sector, Kenya Airways has completed its first intra-African flight from Nairobi to Cape Town using a 50% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, in line with international standards set by International Air Transport Association and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, Sunday Tribune reported. The airline…
The Hilton Durban closed on February 5 following the end of a management agreement between Hilton and the property owner, African American Properties Hotel Pty, a subsidiary of the Bin Otaiba Hotel Group. “Despite our continued efforts to maintain a constructive partnership, the management agreement came to an end on February 5, 2026. As a result,…
Val du Charron Wine & Leisure Estate in Wellington, Western Cape, has fully reopened following a six-month partial closure for upgrades. The refurbishments include upgraded facilities, additional rooms and a refresh of its dining venues. The estate’s four-star guesthouse has added 20 rooms to its offering, bringing the total number of rooms to 40. Read…