Kenya’s Ministry of Health has reported continued progress in containing the country’s Ebola (Bundibugyo virus disease) outbreak, with no new cases confirmed and all identified contacts successfully traced as of October 22, 2026. Authorities emphasize that there is no evidence of community transmission and that travel, trade and public gatherings remain unrestricted. The latest update,…
Malawi has been named as one of the world’s best destinations to visit in 2027 by National Geographic, earning a place on the prestigious Best of the World list alongside other destinations also selected for their outstanding travel experiences and attractions. Unveiled on 20 October, National Geographic’s Best of the World 2027 celebrates places across…
Edition Hotels has opened the Cape Town Edition, marking the luxury brand’s first property in Africa. The 142-room hotel has debuted as part of the new Quay 7 luxury development and marina in Cape Town’s historic harbor area. The building, which offers views of Table Mountain, draws architectural inspiration from warehouses that previously occupied the…
Benin has been nominated in four categories at the 2026 Africa Tourism Awards, putting the West African nation in the spotlight for its cultural heritage and tourism appeal. The nominations include Country Destination of the Year, Cultural Destination of the Year, Tourism Board of the Year for Benin Tourism, and Tourism Video of the Year…
Melia Sea Front Mahe Island in the Seychelles is set to open in late 2026. The beachfront luxury property overlooks the Eden Island super yacht marina. It will feature a 120-room hotel and 68 freehold branded residences spread across beachfront blocks. Facilities include a full-service spa, fitness and health club and infinity swimming pool Dining…
Africa Showcase is returning to North America this November, bringing together leading African tourism suppliers and travel professionals for three exciting events in Fort Lauderdale, Boston, and Chicago. Organized by On Show Solutions, Africa Showcase offers travel advisors, tour operators, product managers, and Africa specialists the opportunity to connect directly with trusted suppliers from across…
SANParks has invested R136.5 million (US$8 million) in upgrading infrastructure and facilities in the Addo Elephant National Park. Eight family accommodation units and a new spa have been completed and are open to the public. Additional new accommodation units, along with the refurbished guest house and swimming pool, will be open in December. A new 10-unit community…
Despite concerns that Ebola-related headlines and a heightened US travel advisory could deter American travellers from visited Kenya, US-based tour operators report no tangible impact on bookings so far while specialists describe steady demand for East Africa. The feedback follows concerns raised by Kenyan tourism operators last week that the US government’s decision to raise…
fastjet has announced daily seasonal flights between Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) in South Africa and Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe, operating from 22 March to 31 October 2027. The service will provide a convenient connection between two of Southern Africa’s most popular tourism destinations, allowing travelers to combine a safari in the…
The US Department of State raised its travel advisory for Kenya from Level 2 to Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”) on October 19, 2026, citing health risks related to Ebola. The updated advisory also identifies crime, kidnapping, terrorism, civil unrest, and traffic safety concerns, with Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”) warnings applying to specific areas. As…
All travellers entering Tanzania are now required to complete an online health declaration form. The form is available at https://afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz and must be completed before departure or on arrival. According to Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, travellers must provide accurate information and retain their confirmation QR code or reference number for verification by port health authorities…
SA Tourism has opened hosted buyer applications for Meetings Africa 2027 following the opening of exhibitor registration in September. Travel arrangements for hosted buyers will be undertaken after confirmation of participation. Corne Koch, Chief Convention Bureau Officer at the South African National Convention Bureau, told Tourism Update that exhibitor applications for next year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI)…
Radisson Hotels is set to manage a redeveloped Charters Creek resort in KwaZulu-Natal’s iSimangaliso Wetland Park following the appointment of Black Mussel Cracker as the developer and operator under a 40-year concession. The deal is one of two public-private partnerships (PPPs) showcased at the park’s commercialisation launch last week as part of efforts to attract…
The Seychelles tourism industry is mourning the passing of Mickey Mason, co-founder of Mason’s Travel and a respected entrepreneur, conservationist and pioneer of the country’s tourism sector. For more than five decades, Mason played an important role in the development of Seychelles, building businesses that created opportunities for local communities and supported the country’s economic…
Mereshi Safari Camp Serengeti, an Autograph Collection property, will open in November. Located near the Fort Ikoma Gate in the Serengeti, the camp will have 18 tents elevated on decks. Guests will have two restaurants: one inside the shared tented area and another outside in the boma surrounding a fire. Read more and see photos…
Essence of Africa, an international buyer forum for African tourism, has announced its programme for the 2026 edition. The event will take place in Zanzibar from 20–22 October. The programme will bring African tourism businesses together with international travel buyers. Sessions will examine changing market demand, tourism growth opportunities and experiences attracting visitors to the…
Morocco’s capital, Rabat, has been named among the world’s best places to visit in 2027 by travel guide publisher Lonely Planet, earning recognition for its blend of historic heritage, modern architecture and coastal attractions. The North African city features in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 selection alongside destinations including Québec in Canada, California’s Coastal…
Frenchman Alain Prost claimed the last of his four Formula One world championships at the Kyalami Circuit near Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1993, the last time the continent hosted a Grand Prix. The event’s subsequent collapse brought Formula One’s presence in Africa to an abrupt end. More than three decades later, Africa is preparing for…
Minor Hotels announces the signing of Anantara Retreat Rabat, marking the group’s debut in Morocco with a 38-key luxury retreat in the country’s capital with an anticipated opening in early 2030. The hotel is being developed in partnership with Bloom Holding, the Abu Dhabi-based real estate developer with a diversified portfolio spanning residential, mixed-use, hospitality,…
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) will become the first airline in Africa to offer Starlink internet service onboard, with the service rolling out progressively across 41 aircraft from early 2027. Announcing the partnership, Starlink said, “Soon, passengers and crew onboard Royal Air Maroc will have access to Starlink, the same high-speed, low-latency internet that is already…
Robin Pope Safaris has opened Kujana Camp in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park as the safari operator celebrates its 40th anniversary. Situated on the Discovery Channel of the Zambezi River, the camp accommodates up to eight guests in four Meru-style tents – each with an en-suite bathroom and private viewing deck. Activities include game drives,…
Eight Cape Town (CPT) beaches have retained Blue Flag status for the 2026/27 season with four additional beaches named pilot sites. The announcement was made at the annual Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards in Hermanus on October 8. The recognised beaches are Bikini Beach, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th, Fish Hoek, Llandudno, Melkbosstrand, Muizenberg and Silwerstroomstrand.…
SANParks has appointed new restaurant operators at selected camps in Kruger National Park following the expiry of previous concession agreements and a competitive tender process. At Lower Sabie, the former Mugg & Bean will reopen as Sabie River Café. Pretoriuskop’s Wimpy will become Le Lapeng Burgers and Grill and Berg-en-Dal’s Tindlovu Restaurant will be transformed…
Tsowa Safari Island has opened Tsowa River Spa. Operated by Isibindi Africa Lodges, the nine-tent lodge is located on the Zambezi, upstream of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Set on a wooden deck above the river bank, the spa offers full body treatments. Every treatment begins with a foot cleansing ritual using cool stones on hot…
South Africa and the US are exploring an increase in air service frequencies between the two countries. Collen Msibi, National Spokesperson for the Department of Transport, told Tourism Update that South Africa and the US have expressed mutual interest in increasing the current allowance of 23 weekly frequencies. “A technical meeting to explore the modalities of…
Travellers entering Uganda are no longer required to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has confirmed. The clarification was issued through the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control in response to a request from the Uganda Tourism Board. It states that the certificate is not a condition of entry. An…
Kinara, a new camp opened by SARV Management, has been launched inside the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The camp features 21 tented suites, comprising 19 one-bedroom suites, a two-bedroom family suite and a three-bedroom Signature Villa. The one- and two-bedroom suites have an outdoor deck and a private plunge pool facing the river. The Signature…
The Flying Dutchman Funicular at Cape Point National Park has reopened following maintenance and a major upgrade of its control system. The funicular transports visitors 585 metres to the terraced viewing area overlooking Dias Beach and the historic lighthouse. From the upper terrace, visitors can climb 114 steps to the pinnacle. Operating on a counterbalanced…
Airlink has launched a twice-weekly service between Cape Town and Mauritius with the first flight operating on October 2. The route is Airlink’s first to Mauritius and provides passengers from the Western Cape a direct alternative to connecting through Johannesburg. It is operated using the airline’s new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, which seats 124 passengers including 12…
The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) has reassured travelers and tourism industry partners that Kenya remains open for tourism and business travel following confirmation of an isolated imported case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). According to a statement issued by KTF on October 6, the case involved a traveler who had recently arrived in Kenya from…
100 delegates, more than 1,000 buyer-seller meetings and an unforgettable program of education, networking and adventure marked APTA’s first-ever Global Forum in Zambia — as the organization announced Canada as the destination for 2027. The Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA) has concluded a hugely successful 2026 APTA Global Forum in Livingstone,…
Victoria Falls has long been treated as a short stop between safaris — a night or two to see the Falls, take a helicopter flight, enjoy the Zambezi and move on. Now open, Albida – Victoria Falls is making a strong case for staying longer. Part of the Victoria Falls Safari Collection, operated by Africa…
Cape Town’s booming aviation market is running up against capacity constraints, prompting major investment in airport infrastructure that should expand the Western Cape’s ability to accommodate future air traffic. ACSA has acknowledged growing pressure at Cape Town International Airport (CPT), where terminal expansion and a planned runway realignment are intended to ease passenger and aircraft…
Anantara Stanley & Livingstone Hotel, set in Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve, has received its first white rhinos joining already resident black rhinos. The translocation was carried out by the Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority and Lake Kyle Recreational Park. The reserve established an intensive protection zone for rhinos in 2006. “Welcoming white…
Condor will operate its weekly non-stop Frankfurt-Seychelles service year-round, closing the four-month gap in its previous seasonal schedule. The first flight under the resumed schedule arrived on September 19. The change gives travellers a direct option from Frankfurt during the traditionally quieter months. Condor’s network also offers connections to Frankfurt from other European markets and,…
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…
Africa Showcase is returning to North America this November, bringing together leading African tourism suppliers and travel professionals for three exciting events in Fort Lauderdale, Boston, and Chicago. Organized by On Show Solutions, Africa Showcase offers travel advisors, tour operators, product managers, and Africa specialists the opportunity to connect directly with trusted suppliers from across…
Tswalu Kalahari has opened Boscia: a new restaurant under the creative direction of South African Chef Luke Dale Roberts. Opened in August, the restaurant is built into the earth beneath a century-old farmhouse and takes its name from the shepherd’s tree, Boscia albitrunca, which is found across Tswalu’s semi-arid landscape. Source: Tswalu Boscia has been designed as…
Buyer registration is now open for WTM Africa 2027 set to take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from April 7-9. WTM Africa says its 2027 edition is likely to be its most geographically diverse yet. “Representation on the show floor is expanding with new and returning regions adding depth and diversity to the…
Madagascar Airlines will revert to the name Air Madagascar from October 31 as the national carrier works to rebuild its domestic, regional and international operations. The airline was created in 2021 through the restructuring of Air Madagascar and integration of Tsaradia. Its regional rebuilding has already begun with the resumption of the Antananarivo-Mahajanga-Moroni route on…
FlySafair was named Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa at the 2026 World Airline Awards this September at The Langham Hotel in London. This is FlySafair’s fifth time winning the award, having previously won the Skytrax title in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025. Read more from Timeout
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…