Zimbabwe’s move to apply standard-rated VAT of 15.5% to tourism services from January 1 is increasing financial and contractual pressure across the tourism sector, particularly for operators managing long-lead international bookings negotiated under the previous zero-rated framework. Confirmed in the 2026 national budget, the measure raises the standard VAT rate from 15% to 15.5% and, more…
Hilton is set to expand its presence in Africa this year with the signing of DoubleTree by Hilton Kintele in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Situated in the city’s Kintele district, the hotel will comprise 200 guest rooms and suites, a fitness centre, tennis court, spa and beauty salon. The hotel will also house a…
Malawi’s tourism sector has decried the country’s implementation of a reciprocal visa policy that requires travellers from numerous previously visa-exempt countries to apply for e-visas at costs of between US$50 for single entry (for a maximum stay of 90 days) to US$250 for multiple entries. The policy, which requires travellers from all countries that subject…
Zimbabwe has confirmed a change to the application of Value Added Tax (VAT) that will impact tourism activities and transfers effective 1 January 2026, following confirmation of new legislation signed into law. In addition to the previously announced VAT increase, VAT will now be applied to all tourism activities and transfers that were previously zero…
Voyager Beach Resort has announced a series of planned product enhancements scheduled for 2026, aimed at further improving the guest experience while ensuring continued resort operations throughout the refurbishment period. The resort plans to fully refurbish all 43 Pool View Rooms and remodel several key public areas, including the Sports Pool Area, Kaskazi Bar, Michezo…
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg has opened its new Destination Lobby and Lobby Lounge, marking the completion of a redevelopment project that began in 2023. The work is the final phase aimed at expanding facilities, strengthening events capacity and creating new guest and visitor spaces. Regional Vice President and GM Martin Cody said: “The Destination Lobby…
Aeroportos de Moçambique (AdM) announced plans to invest US$43,5 million into the expansion and modernisation of Pemba Airport in Cabo Delgado. According to Club of Mozambique, Cabo Delgado AdM Director, Eduardo Mutereda, briefed state representatives on the proposed upgrade, which will include an expansion of the airport’s terminal, runway and apron, the construction of a new power…
Marble Hospitality will introduce a new five-star hotel and two food-and-beverage outlets within the Olympus Sandton development – adding a major hospitality component to the mixed-use project by Tricolt Group and Growthpoint Properties. Marble Hospitality currently operates upmarket dining brands in South Africa including Marble in Rosebank, Saint in Sandton and the Pantry by Market…
LIFT has applied to the International Air Services Council to operate three weekly flights between Durban and Mauritius. If approved, the service would mark the airline’s first international expansion, adding to its current domestic network linking Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
SAA and Turkish Airlines formalised a codeshare agreement on December 5, offering international travellers seamless access to destinations in Southern Africa. Under the new agreement, Turkish Airlines will place its flight code on SAA-operated flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Durban, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Windhoek, Harare, Victoria Falls and Mauritius. These ticket sales will commence…
InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town will open on December 15, with bookings available from December 22, introducing a renewed identity at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. First opened in 1997 by former South African President Nelson Mandela, the hotel enters a new phase with updated interiors, expanded facilities and new dining concepts. Guest rooms and suites have been redesigned…
Wilderness Rwanda has opened Wilderness Magashi Peninsula – an exclusive new camp set on a private peninsula in Akagera National Park. The park is managed by African Parks in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board. “Magashi Peninsula is an exciting addition to our private concession within the park,” said Manzi Kayihura, Wilderness Rwanda Executive Director. “Akagera…
Malawi Airlines has confirmed it will launch a new Lilongwe–Entebbe route on 15 December 2025, operating four times per week. The service is expected to boost trade, tourism, and connectivity between Malawi and Uganda. The announcement followed a meeting at Malawi Airlines headquarters between Uganda’s High Commissioner to Malawi, Ambassador (Rtd) Col. Fred Mwesigye, and…
Safarilink Aviation has unveiled a series of significant schedule changes for 2026—including a brand-new connection between Nairobi’s Wilson Airport and Entebbe—strengthening regional connectivity across East Africa and providing improved travel options for both leisure and business passengers. New Nairobi–Kisumu–Entebbe Service Launching December 15, 2025 Beginning 15 December 2025, Safarilink will introduce a new scheduled service…
Marriott International has entered the DRC with the opening of Protea Hotel by Marriott Kinshasa and Four Points by Sheraton Kinshasa. Protea Hotel by Marriott Kinshasa Located in an upscale neighbourhood near the Congo River, the hotel offers 88 guest rooms – many with balconies. Facilities include an atrium lobby with natural light and local…
Kenyan low-cost carrier Jambojet is preparing for its most significant expansion since its launch more than a decade ago, outlining plans to triple its fleet and extend operations across East, West and Southern Africa. According to Aerospace Global News, the airline currently operates nine De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops on domestic and short regional routes. Jambojet…
Banyan Tree’s new property in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park has opened bookings for stays from May 2026. Ubuyu, a Banyan Tree Escape, will open with a mix of six one-, two- and three-bedroom villas overlooking the park’s Great Ruaha River. Ranging in size from 245-425 square metres, each of the villas will feature a private…
Bookings have opened for Asilia Africa’s Erebero Hills luxury eco-lodge scheduled to open in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in August 2026. Set in 18 hectares of reforested land on the forest’s edge, the lodge will feature eight suites (including two triple suites) with glass-fronted interiors, private viewing decks, king-size beds and bathrooms with baths and…
Africa Showcase 2025 concluded its most ambitious North American tour to date, delivering four energizing events in Atlanta, New York, San Diego, and Vancouver from November 11–19. The showcase once again proved itself to be the continent’s premier platform for meaningful trade connections, product education, and strengthening Africa’s presence in the North American market. This…
The Victoria Falls border post between Zambia and Zimbabwe is now operating 24 hours a day. The decision came into effect immediately on November 13 following a government gazette from Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. The border post previously operated from 06h00 to 22h00 on the Zimbabwe side. Running over the Victoria…
LATAM Airlines will launch thrice-weekly flights between São Paulo (GRU) and Cape Town (CPT) from September 2026. The flights will be operated on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. This marks the arrival of the first South American carrier to fly to CPT. LATAM currently flies five times a week from GRU to Johannesburg. James Vos, Cape…
Classic Zambia Safaris will open its third camp in Kafue National Park with the launch of a five-room lodge slated for August 2026. Aimed at exclusive-use bookings, Lwenge River Camp will be located on the banks of the Kafue River, a few kilometres upstream of the company’s existing Musekese Camp. Amenities announced so far include…
The Tanzanian government has committed to upgrading the 38km road linking Rukoma village and Mahale Mountains National Park in Uvinza District with officials emphasising the move as essential to improving access and increasing domestic tourism. Kigoma Regional Commissioner Simon Sirro said the road’s poor condition remains a major barrier to tourism growth with travellers taking five to…
On July 1 next year, Emirates will launch a third daily flight between Dubai and Cape Town. Operated by a Boeing 777, the new service will boost seat capacity on the route by over 600 seats every day. EK778 will depart Dubai at 10h25 and arrive in Cape Town at 18h05. The return flight, EK779,…
Safarilink has announced a new route connecting Nairobi Wilson to Entebbe, Uganda, via Kisumu, Kenya, with operations starting on December 15. The airline will offer daily flights on the route with the booking window running from November 1 to December 31 and the travel period set for December 15 to March 31, 2026.
&Beyond has added two new camps, &Beyond Sandibe Under Canvas and &Beyond Nxabega Under Canvas, set to open on March 1, 2026, in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The expansion follows the recent refurbishment of &Beyond Chobe Under Canvas and completes a seven-night circuit through Botswana’s key safari regions. A render of &Beyond’s Sandibe and Nxabega Under…
Malawi Airlines will introduce three additional non-stop flights a week from Lilongwe to Johannesburg, effective December 6. On Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays, the flights will depart Lilongwe at 10h20 and arrive in Johannesburg at 12h35. The return flight, on the same days, will depart Johannesburg at 13h25 and arrive in Lilongwe at 15h40. These flights…
After months of uncertainty, the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary has officially reopened its doors to visitors as of November 1, 2025 — marking a powerful moment of resilience for one of Sierra Leone’s most beloved conservation sites. The sanctuary, along with its eco-lodges and network of hiking trails, is once again welcoming guests eager to reconnect…
Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism has announced plans to privatise five beaches and four islands in a bid to attract high-end investment and reposition the country as a premium coastal destination. According to the draft National Tourism Strategy 2025-2030, the targeted islands are Chale, Funzi, Kiwayu and Manda while the beaches identified for potential privatisation are…
Mövenpick Hotel Kigali opened in the Rwandan capital city on November 1. The 124-key property is located in the city’s diplomatic zone and a 15-minute drive from Kigali International Airport. Room and suite options include standard rooms with one king bed, standard rooms with two single beds, superior rooms, deluxe rooms, executive suites and the…
Airlink will begin flights from Johannesburg to Nacala in Mozambique from February 2, 2026, expanding the airline’s Mozambique network to seven destinations. Twice-weekly flights will operate on Mondays and Fridays. Flight 4Z263 will depart from Johannesburg at 10h30 and arrive in Nacala at 13h10. Return flight 4Z237 will depart from Nacala at 13h45 and arrive…
Minor Hotels’ Anantara Hotels & Resorts will launch its first safari tented camp, Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp, in April 2026. Located above the Kafue River in Zambia’s Kafue National Park, the camp will be built 3.5 metres above the ground on rosewood timber platforms with a design that minimises environmental impact by protecting seasonal…
Rwanda’s capital will welcome a new “ultra luxury” boutique hotel – The Pinnacle Kigali – in January 2026. Located in the city’s upmarket Rebero suburb, the hotel will feature nine individually designed guest rooms – each with bespoke furnishings, smart lighting and curated pan-African art. “The Pinnacle is an expression of what modern African luxury…
African Parks celebrated the birth of Akagera’s first white rhino calf following the translocation of 70 white rhinos to the Rwandan national park in June. “Although conceived before the journey, the calf’s birth in Akagera marks a hopeful sign for the herd’s adaptation and the park’s growing conservation efforts. With round-the-clock monitoring and dedicated care from the…
Brussels Airlines has announced new flights from Brussels to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania from June 3, 2026. The new service will run twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The route, which will be operated on an Airbus A330-300, will be the airline’s fifth destination in East Africa following Entebbe, Uganda, and Kigali, Rwanda, as well as…
Delta Air Lines is offering in-flight Wi-Fi to SkyMiles Members on all flights to and from South Africa, with immediate effect. With the roll-out of Delta Sync Wi-Fi to South Africa, travellers flying across Delta’s transatlantic network to the UK, Europe, West Africa, Latin America and Israel can now stay connected. Additional connectivity to Africa…
Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager and the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe Company have entered a 25-year concession agreement to operate and manage the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe heritage railway line. The agreement, signed recently in George, marks a significant step in the revival of the steam train, which last operated in 2006. The partnership will enable the restoration,…
Air Seychelles has increased its Seychelles-Abu Dhabi route to a daily service following the successful introduction of the route in May. “The route is performing exceptionally well, validating its significance and demand within our network. With this increase, we are thrilled to offer greater flexibility and convenience to our passengers,” said Charles Johnson, Air Seychelles CCO.…
Samara Karoo Reserve, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, has announced updates to two of its offerings: the refurbishment of its exclusive-use villa, The Manor, and the opening of a new Bush Spa within the reserve’s Karoo Lodge. The Manor refurbishment Samara’s four-bedroom villa, The Manor, is undergoing a full refurbishment due for completion by…
SANParks has confirmed an increase in daily conservation fees for visitors, effective November 1 to October 31 next year, across all 21 national parks. The revised rates show incremental adjustments of between R30 (US$1.73) and R70 (US$4.04) per person per day, depending on the park. The Kruger National Park, for instance, will see the international…
Marriott International and Aksaya Estates Limited have signed an agreement to bring a Courtyard by Marriott to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Scheduled to open in 2027, the hotel will feature around 180 rooms and suites designed for leisure and business travellers. Facilities will include two restaurants and bars, an expansive landscaped courtyard with…
A new Zimbabwean start-up, Flycristal Airways, is expected to launch charter flights on domestic, regional and international routes from December this year. Johannes Simau, Founder of Flycristal Airways, told Travel News that the company would begin with a hybrid model focusing on passenger and cargo operations, and once the brand became more established, it would likely split…
Steenberg Farm in the Constantia Valley, Western Cape, has completed the restoration of its historic Manor House. Located at the foot of the Constantiaberg mountains, the Manor House dates back to 1682 and is South Africa’s oldest registered farm building, originally home to founder Catharina Ras. The renovation, led by MD Catherine Schulze, focused on preserving the…
A new project that aims to position Livingstone as a “resilient, competitive and inclusive tourist destination” has been announced by the Zambian Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba. It will focus on improving the city’s streetscape and urban infrastructure to enhance visitor experience and overall destination appeal. The Livingstone Town Centre Development Programme (LTCDP) is part of…
Aeroportos de Moçambique has confirmed that renovation work at Beira International Airport is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 – a move aimed at strengthening the airport’s regional competitiveness. “We believe that, by the end of this year, the work will be completed and Beira International Airport will be competitive with other…
The Palace of the Lost City and Michelin-starred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen are excited to announce their new partnership. Internationally regarded for curating hyper-personalised experiences, including travel, events, and fine dining, van der Westhuizen revitalises The Palace’s legendary hospitality touchpoints through the lens of the JAN brand. This collaboration delves into the rich…
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has expanded its codeshare agreement with Virgin Atlantic to include Johannesburg and Cape Town – alongside Dubai and the Maldives. As part of the agreement, SAS will place its SK code on selected flights from London Heathrow. The new codeshare flights will be available through SAS booking channels for travel with immediate…
Taj Hotels will open its three new properties in the Greater Kruger National Park in 2026 as part of the first phase of a broader expansion plan that includes destinations across Southern and East Africa. The six-key Taj Lion Kings Bush Lodge and the six-key Taj Lion Kings River Lodge are scheduled to open during…
Sun International’s Sun City Hotel is finalising its renovations and preparing to show off its ‘Vegas-esque’ facelift in time for the 2025 Nedbank Golf Challenge in November and the busy December holiday season. On September 25, in a Miami Heat-themed celebration in its revamped pool area, the hotel marked the occasion alongside its guests, suppliers, local…
Etihad Airways will relaunch seasonal flights between Abu Dhabi and Zanzibar from June 14 to September 6 next year. The airline will operate four weekly services on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using an Airbus A320 with Business and Economy Class cabins. The route will benefit from Etihad’s expanded European network, creating improved connections from Europe and…