SAA has alerted the trade that clients who are holding open tickets and travel EMD vouchers (Electronic Miscellaneous Document), have travel credit vouchers that expire on Friday, March 31, 2023. Following its Business Rescue, SAA created the option for customers holding unflown tickets to exchange them for credit vouchers. These unused tickets and credit vouchers…
Zambia Airways will debut its regional operations with thrice-weekly flights between Lusaka and Harare from March 28, as the relaunched national carrier seeks to achieve its goal of carrying 1.9 million passengers annually by 2028. The airline was relaunched in December 2021 through a partnership between the Zambian Government, the Industrial Development Corporation and Ethiopian…
The Mozambique government has officially approved the addition of 28 countries to its visa exemption list, in what the tourism industry has touted as a significant move to boost inbound tourism to the nation. The expansion of the visa waiver list is part of a package of economic stimulus measures announced by President Felipe Nyusi in August…
A new ‘Star Bed’ tower and ‘Star Drift’ experience will debut at Chiawa Camp in the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia on May 1. Located just downstream of the main camp, the ‘Star Bed’ tower – an open-to-the-skies sleep-out experience – is positioned on the banks of the Zambezi River, overlooking ‘Scout’s Hollow’, an…
Emirates is adding flights to Dar es Salaam and Entebbe to meet increased demand. Daily flights to Dar es Salaam will start on May 1, up from the current five times a week, and daily flights to Entebbe will start on July 1, currently six times a week. The flight schedules will be as follows:…
The cyclone has unleashed torrents of water in built-up areas of Blantyre along the rivers, and terrible landslides have swept down hillsides. Boulders more enormous than houses have rolled down the mountainside leaving no trace of dwellings, humans or life behind. The plains in Chikwawa and Nsanje have again disappeared under water, leaving thousands of…
Five years ago, the river valleys and high plains that are now safeguarded by the Babanango Game Reserve in the KwaZulu Natal region of South Africa were virtually devoid of wildlife after decades of cattle grazing and unrestrained hunting. “All the big animals had been killed and most of the smaller ones had run away,”…
Airlink has appointed AVIAREPS as its GSA to consolidate the airline’s presence in the crucial North American and Asian source markets. “North America is a significant source market, not just for Airlink but for businesses, entrepreneurs and leisure travellers. Economic activity between South Africa and North America is increasing, including tourism, trade and commerce,” said…
SAUDIA, in collaboration the Saudi Air Connectivity Programme (ACP) and the Saudi Tourism Authority, is launching flights to four new destinations including Johannesburg, Kano (Nigeria), Birmingham (UK), and Beijing. The new direct flight routes are being launched in response to the increase in consumer demand from travellers looking to visit or transit through Saudi from…
St Helena has welcomed a new mid-week Airlink flight connecting the remote destination with Johannesburg from November 2023. The new seasonal flight, which will operate on Tuesdays, will complement the regular scheduled flights to St Helena on Saturdays. The additional flight will be available during the Southern summer season, from November 28 to the end…
Phase I will be the launch at King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) in Johannesburg (JNB) with flights operating twice daily Eswatini Air announced its planned operating schedule, fare, and notice of reservations systems going live. This marks and brings to an end the long wait for the commencement of Eswatini Air flights. Recognizing that…
New airport meets ICAO standards, meaning the tourism sector may now accommodate Canadian Air, Finn Air, as well as other airlines he Board of Directors and members of the African Tourism Board congratulated the government and good people of Sierra Leone on the commissioning of the ultra-modern Freetown International Airport on March 3, 2023. The…
Sierra Leone will open a new airport in Freetown on Friday March 3rd. The new airport is located in Lungi. The new airport marks for the first time in history that Sierra Leone has built its own airport. More info here.
Durban’s King Shaka International Airport will be undertaking maintenance works on the canopy structure above the drop-off area (elevated roadway) from March 3 for completion by the end of July. The work entails the refurbishment of the canopy above the drop-off area and will be executed in phases. Paintwork to various elements of the structure…
Cresta Hotels plans to open a new boutique hotel in Jwaneng, a mining town about 200km south of Gaborone. The 50-room hotel, which is scheduled to open in 2024, will be located along the Trans-Kalahari highway, the gateway to Namibia, Kgalagadi and Maun. Accommodation will comprise 36 standard en-suite rooms with showers, workstation, and coffee…
Tanzania Association of Tour Operators – TATO, is the largest association of tour operators, travel agents, DMCs, airlines, hotels, and different activity providers in Tanzania, East Africa. TATO members are experts in all tourism and travel services Tanzania has to offer: ~ wildlife safaris in the world-famous national parks, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, and…
Flydubai will expand its East Africa network with a new daily direct flight to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, from March 9. The carrier will double the frequency of flights from June 1, making it the first carrier to connect Somalia directly with Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. Hamad Obaidalla, FlyDubai Chief Commercial Officer, said the…
A key driver of a multi-billion-dollar tourism industry in Tanzania has offered a cutting-edge power backup system worth more than $15,000 to immigration department to guarantee seamless clearance services at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Idea behind the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) to step up support is to complement the government efforts to create seamless,…
To celebrate the re-opening of its iconic properties Kenya, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts has kicked off the New Year by announcing the launch of a new itinerary that takes in three spectacular destinations in the group’s portfolio. With a journey that allows guests to truly immerse themselves in the local culture and history of the…
JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announces the opening of bookings ahead of its Spring opening. Set to welcome guests from 1st April 2023, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will mark the brand’s very first luxury safari lodge and will sit within the Masai…
Zimbabwe’s Civil Aviation Authority (ZCAA) has announced the signing of new air service agreements (ASAs) and reviews of existing agreements, to both accelerate the country’s integration into the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and enhance access from overseas source markets. Signed at the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Conference in Nigeria in December 2022, the…
‘We Are Victoria Falls’ and Cape Town Tourism have signed a partnership to embark on a joint marketing programme that cross-promotes the two tourism destinations on the theme of ‘The Ultimate African Adventure’. Working with key airlines and private-sector operators, the campaign is set to launch this year to attract shared tourist markets to visit…
The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is on a quest to secure more Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Events (MICE) business from key source markets, including South Africa, in 2023 and beyond. Anthony Ochieng, UTB Market Development Representative, Africa, said there were already a good number of hotel meeting spaces in Uganda, with many exciting projects on…
PIONEERS in safari guide and wildlife training, EcoTraining celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.“What sets us apart is the fact that our formally accredited courses are the most recognised of any training school in Africa. We are the original guide training school in South Africa with the largest, most diverse footprint in Africa,” said Corne…
Tanzania’s full-year official figures show that international arrivals for 2022 were at over 95% of those recorded before the pandemic. According to the country’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the number of foreign tourists who visited Tanzania last year increased to 1.45 million, up by 57.7% from the 922 692 recorded in 2021. More impressively, the…
South African Airways will officially return to Malawi on March 16, with ticket sales for the service having already begun on February 6. Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently shared the update on its Facebook page. According to the post, the resumption of flights was announced by SAA CEO, Professor John Lamola, during a meeting held…
South African-based regional carrier, FlySafair has announced that it now has the rights to fly three scheduled flights per week, direct between Johannesburg and Zanzibar. The airline said the Zanzibar service should be up and running reasonably soon, thanks to an existing charter arrangement. “Translating this existing chartered operation into a scheduled operation should be…
Lemala Camps and Lodges has announced plans to expand its Tanzania offering with the opening of a new lodge, Lemala Ngorongoro Lodge. “Lemala Ngorongoro Lodge will echo the style and ethos of the existing Tanzanian lodge portfolio of Lemala Kuria Hills, Mpingo Ridge and Nanyukie with the same focus on space, guest comfort and the…
Emirates will add a third daily flight to Johannesburg from Dubai starting on March 1. The existing two daily flights, both currently operated by Airbus A380s, will downsize to a Boeing 777-300ER. “This will increase our total frequency into South Africa to 42 weekly flights,” Emirates Regional Manager, Afzal Parambil, tells Travel News. The upcoming schedule for…
Uganda’s wildlife population has boomed over the past four decades, according to Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Tom Butime. One of the most biodiverse countries on the planet according to the UN, Uganda has seen the population of several species more than double between 1983 and 2021 “due to enhanced integrity of the protected areas,” said…
Anne Bellamy joins BORN FREE as Vice President, Africa Division, after most recently serving as President of Great Safaris and 20 years as President at African Travel Inc. Anne’s specialty is a comprehensive understanding of the tour operations as well as long-term relationships with suppliers and experienced in travel agency relationships. Richard Haas-Winkelman also comes out of Great Safaris…
Anti-poaching measures appear to be paying off in the Kruger National Park, where a total of 124 rhino were poached for their horns last year, representing a 40% decrease from 2021. Not a single rhino was poached in any of South Africa’s other national parks. “The steady decline in rhino poaching in national parks is…
Uber has resumed its services in Tanzania after settling a fare dispute with the government. The ride-hailing giant suspended services in the East African country last April after the government introduced legislation capping maximum commission from drivers at 15% (from the previous 33%). Uber said the new regulations made it difficult to continue operating while…
Global demand for sustainable travel is mushrooming, according to a report – based on a recent survey – by leading DMC, Go2Africa. Data gathered from more than 40 000 enquiries and bookings has revealed some key insights into the safari industry across southern and East Africa. In its first Annual Safari Travel Report, the company –…
The Tanzania Tourist Board has appointed a new MD who is expected to continue the growth trajectory of the country’s tourism sector. Damasi Mfugale, who was formerly the head of the Hospitality Association of Tanzania, was officially appointed by President Samia Suluhu, replacing acting MD Felix John. Mfugale has 20 years of professional tourism and hospitality experience…
South African Airways (SAA) will resume direct flights between South Africa and Malawi from March 16, following an agreement with the High Commission of Malawi in Pretoria. SAA started selling tickets on Monday and announced that, as of next month, passengers traveling to Lilongwe could fly directly from Johannesburg. The announcement was made by Professor John Lamola,…
The Okavango River Bridge, also known as the Mohembo Bridge, has been officially opened by Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi. The 1.2km-long bridge will ease the movement of people and goods in the Okavango area. Constructed at a cost of about BWP1bn (€72.1m), the bridge connects villages on the eastern side of the Okavango (Mohembo East) to…
Heritage Hotels’ Samburu Intrepids Camp is open as of Feb 1st 2023. Samburu Intrepids is a lush oasis on the banks of the great Uaso Nyiro River in Samburu Game Reserve. The tented luxury camp is a delight to be in – deliciously cooled by the river breeze and the forest. The camp sits on…
The airport is a New Brand Airport constructed in a different location in Lungi from scratch. The entrance to the new airport is from the Port Loko Road away from where the old one is. The newly constructed airport will host up to ten (10) planes at every given point in time with a capacity…
The return of cruise ships to the Kenyan city of Mombasa has provided a welcome boost to the region’s tourism industry. Last Thursday (January 26) the MV World Odyssey arrived for the second time at the newly refurbished port, carrying 800 passengers who will be in the region for six days. This was the third cruise ship…
Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has recently amended the VAT regulations which has a direct effect on all flights that Skysafari offers within our Tanzania itineraries effective from 1 January 2023. Therefore, SkySafari in accordance with our contract’s Terms and Conditions, and to remain compliant with the new regulations, will have to apply a VAT supplement…
The exclusive-use luxury Kingfisher Villa, owned and managed by Extraordinary, opened in Limpopo’s Greater Mabula Private Game Reserve yesterday (January 31). Located two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Johannesburg in the Waterberg, Kingfisher Villa offers an exclusive bush getaway for family and friends to come together and enjoy a private safari experience. An airstrip on the reserve…
The flag carrier of the Swazi Kingdom, Eswatini Air, finally got its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in December and is preparing for its launch, but no date has yet been fixed. The airline announced its news via its Facebook site, noting that there were “just a few logistics” to attend to before it would publish a…
While Mauritius is best-known for its resort offerings, the island destination is also banking on its cruise sector, which is set to be boosted when the new cruise terminal in Port Louis becomes operational this year. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector in Mauritius was starting to flourish. In the 2016/17 season, Port Louis welcomed…
Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT), responsible for running Malawi’s only wildlife rehabilitation centre and a key campaigner in Malawi’s fight against wildlife crime, have reported news of cheetah cubs recently born spotted in Liwonde National Park. These cubs represent the third generation of cheetahs to be born in Liwonde since the reintroduction in 2017 by African Parks in partnership…
Botswana’s Maun International Airport, an important gateway into the Okavango Delta and regional destinations, can now accommodate aircraft as large as the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320. On Friday, January 20, the President of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi officially opened the upgraded facility. The upgrades include a runway extension to 3.7km and modernisation of the terminal building. The…
Airlink will restart scheduled services between South Africa and Madagascar after they were suspended for almost three years. The resumption of flights linking Johannesburg with Antananarivo follows the lifting of Madagascar’s COVID-19 travel restrictions and a subsequent ban on air services to and from South Africa. The ban was put in place by the Madagascar…
Although mostly known for the stunning Lake Malawi and, more recently, for its extensive programme of successful conservation and wildlife rehabilitation, Malawi’s beautiful and varied landscapes are also a key attraction for its visitors. Despite its small size, the country is home to a remarkable diversity of scenery – mountains, plateaux, highlands, plains, river valleys…
Spanish hotel company, Meliá Hotels International, is to open its first hotel in the Seychelles. It is expected to open in 2025. Meliá Sea Front Mahé Island will be located on the beachfront in Mahé and will have 120 rooms, 12 of them suites. Dining facilities will include three restaurants, one of which will be…
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has granted $2.5 million in catalytic funding for conservation and tourism across southern Africa, intended to spur total investment of $75 million and create up to 44 000 jobs. Created in partnership with ThirdWay Partners and The Nature Conservancy, the Africa Conservation and Communities Fund is the first…