The 2026 APTA Global Forum is heading to Livingstone, Zambia, September 25–27, 2026, bringing the African tourism community together at Avani Victoria Falls Resort, just steps from one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This year’s Forum marks a major milestone: the first time APTA Global Forum will be hosted in Zambia. Over…
Lufthansa’s Brussels Airlines Launches Direct Flight to Tanzania As a Strategic Bridge for EU–EAC Economic and Diplomatic Ties The launch of Brussels Airlines’ new direct service between Brussels and Kilimanjaro marks a significant milestone in strengthening economic, tourism, and diplomatic ties between Tanzania and Belgium, while reinforcing Tanzania’s position as a gateway to East Africa…
Air Zimbabwe is set to return to the UK market after a 14-year absence, launching nonstop flights between Harare and London Gatwick on July 1, 2026. The historic route restoration promises faster travel for Zimbabwe’s diaspora, stronger business links, increased tourism, and a renewed chapter for the national carrier. Air Zimbabwe is about to rewrite…
The 2026 APTA Global Forum in Livingstone, Zambia will offer delegates more than a front-row seat to one of Africa’s most iconic natural wonders. As part of the Forum program, attendees will have the opportunity to experience the destination firsthand through a curated Day of Adventure designed to showcase the extraordinary range of experiences available…
The Cape Winelands Airport has cleared a major regulatory hurdle after the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning concluded the appeals process for the project’s environmental authorisation, paving the way for the development to move closer to construction. The airport project received environmental authorisation in October last year following an extensive environmental…
&Beyond has opened two new camps: &Beyond Sandibe Under Canvas and &Beyond Nxabega Under Canvas. Together with the newly refurbished &Beyond Chobe Under Canvas, the camps complete a seven-night circuit through the Okavango Delta. Located just outside the Moremi Game Reserve, &Beyond Sandibe Under Canvas offers game drives, walking safaris and community visits… Read more…
Kenya Airways (KQ) plans to expand its fleet with up to 60 aircraft by 2035. The announcement was made during the KQ Aviation Media Lab in Mombasa at the end of May and reported by the Kenya Association of Travel Agents. The expansion is expected to nearly triple the airline’s current fleet with an initial target…
The elephant population in Mozambique has doubled since 2018 to approximately 21 700, according to the country’s Minister of Agriculture Roberto Albino, citing 2025 census data from the National Administration of Conservation Areas. The data shows a reversal of the earlier decline with elephant numbers falling from 20 000 in 2008 to 10 800 in 2014 and further to…
The rehabilitation of Tanzania’s Nduli Airport has been completed. The airport, a key gateway to Ruaha National Park, reportedly faced infrastructure and operational challenges that may have deterred international visitors. According to Streamline, the US$22.6 million infrastructure project included an expanded runway, which can now accommodate larger aircraft, terminal modernisation and new advanced navigation systems to ensure…
The Wellworth Collection has opened Mikumi Wildlife Lodge in southern Tanzania’s Mikumi National Park. Tanzania’s Prime Minister, Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, presided over the opening ceremony on May 8. The lodge has 32 double rooms, 14 twin rooms and two suites with outdoor showers. Amenities include air-conditioning, mini-bar fridge, bathroom amenities and space for a baby cot (on…
The Mozambican government has established the National Agency for Tourism Development and Investment (Anditur) to coordinate tourism development, facilitate investment and promote the country as a tourism destination. According to Lusa, a Cabinet-approved decree mandates the agency to coordinate and monitor tourism investments, support strategic tourism projects and promote public-private partnerships in the sector. Anidtur will…
APTA members selling South Africa now have another domestic air option to consider for client itineraries, as LIFT Airlines has joined ARC and the AirlinePros portfolio of represented carriers. Based in South Africa, LIFT operates key domestic routes between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, known as the country’s “Golden Triangle.” The airline currently offers up…
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has confirmed that there were no cases of Ebola in Rwanda and that the country remains open for tourism. In a May 25 statement, the RDB said national parks, hotels, conference venues and tourism facilities continue to operate as normal while maintaining health and safety standards. The Ministry of Health has…
Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania is set to open Uhuru VIP Terminal – its newest airport terminal – on July 1. The terminal will be operated by Miracle Concierge. It will provide check-in support, immigration assistance and security screening alongside direct boarding and arrival clearance services. A lounge area will serve meals and drinks while additional…
Uganda Airlines has suspended Kinshasa flights until further notice, following recent Ebola developments in the region. “This decision has been taken as a precautionary measure in the interest of health, safety and wellbeing of our passengers, crew and the wider public,” the airline said in a statement. Those affected by the cancellations are advised to…
Effective June 10, Emirates will operate its direct daily Durban services, EK775 and EK776. Currently, the flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The flights operate according to the following schedule: EK776 departs Durban at 18h40 and arrives in Dubai at 05h00, the following day. EK775 departs Dubai at 10h15 and arrives in Durban…
Effective June 15, Etihad will resume flights between Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg. The flights will operate three times weekly. The route restoration comes as Gulf carriers continue rebuilding schedules after severe operational disruptions caused by regional airspace restrictions and conflict-related closures earlier this year. In March, Etihad suspended scheduled commercial services to and from Abu…
The 2026 APTA Global Forum is set for September 25–27 in Livingstone, Zambia, at the newly renovated Avani Victoria Falls Resort — steps from Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This year’s program is shaping up to be exceptional, bringing together leading buyers, operators, and destination partners from across North…
Travel advisors selling Africa may be fielding questions about the recently reported Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has also spread into Uganda. While the situation is serious and should be monitored closely, it is important to put the news in context for clients. According to NBC News, the outbreak has grown…
Hilton and Umfolozi Hotel and Spa have signed an agreement for the development of Umfolozi River Hotel in KwaZulu-Natal. The signing marks the brand’s second Tapestry Collection property in South Africa within the past year. The hotel is expected to open in 2028. “With 12 hotels trading and in the pipeline across the country, and…
Privately owned Zimbabwean start-up Flycristal Airways has secured its first aircraft as it prepares to launch domestic and regional charters. Johannes Simau, Founder of Flycristal Airways, told Travel News they would charter a 19-seat Let 410 and an Embraer 120. The Let 410 will initially be deployed on key domestic routes linking Harare to Bulawayo, Mutare, Kariba, and…
Cape Town, Zimbabwe and Namibia have formed a strategic tourism partnership aimed at positioning Southern Africa as a more competitive multi-country destination for international travellers. The agreement, first explored at WTM Africa 2025, focuses on regional coordination, joint marketing and facilitating easier cross-border travel for long-haul visitors. The partnership aims to encourage longer stays, increase…
Industry stakeholders say Botswana’s repeal of anti-gay laws could substantiate the country’s appeal to the international LGBTQ+ travel market and improve confidence among travel advisors and tour operators selling the destination. According to Martina Barth, International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) Membership Manager Africa/UK/Germany, the legislative change sends an important signal to the international travel trade. “It’s…
Airlink will launch the first non-stop flights between Cape Town and Zanzibar from October 3. Flights will operate every Saturday, departing Cape Town at 08h15 and arriving in Zanzibar at 14h30. The return flight will depart Zanzibar at 15h30 on the same day and arrive in Cape Town at 20h50. The route will be served…
The Lux Collective and Cleo Capital Group Ltd have entered into an agreement with the Rwanda Social Security Board to develop and manage lodges and resorts across Rwanda. Destinations include Lake Kivu, Akagera National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park. The agreement was signed at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali. Phase 1…
Botswana is largely known for its Okavango Delta. Yet, the Northern Tuli in its far eastern corner (aka the “Land of Giants”) offers a completely unique safari that truly has be experienced … and right now is the perfect time to visit! In the words of our owner, Stephen Lansdown CBE, “You haven’t been to…
Air Tanzania has launched its inaugural Dar es Salaam–Seychelles route, marked by a ceremonial welcome at Seychelles International Airport. The new connection strengthens regional integration, boosts multi-destination tourism, and links East Africa’s safari experiences with the Indian Ocean’s luxury beach destinations, enhancing global travel access. Read more from eturbonews
Auberge Collection has expanded into Africa with the launch of Auberge Safari, a collection of nine safari camps and lodges across Tanzania. The portfolio brings together conservation-led safari operators Legendary Expeditions and Chem Chem Safari under one umbrella. The properties are located across Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, including the Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Arusha and the…
Singita has completed upgrades to Lebombo – a 15-suite lodge in the Kruger National Park. The main lodge now includes an art gallery showcasing pieces from across Southern Africa, alongside artefacts and objects found on the concession, as well as a lounge area. The lodge’s interiors now feature a brown and cream palette with fabrics,…
Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has confirmed that only concession shuttle vehicles and certain lodge-based guides will be permitted to transport visitors along the final 4×4 stretch to Deadvlei from May 1, tightening access beyond what many operators expected following last year’s postponement. From May 1, self-drive vehicles will no longer be permitted beyond the 2×4…
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.