Essence of Africa’s second edition begins today (October 7) at Diamonds Malindi in Malindi, Kenya. The show will run until October 9. The private sector-led initiative is designed to connect international buyers with African tourism suppliers through targeted, pre-scheduled meetings to initiate partnerships and drive measurable business results. “Our goal is simple. By the time buyers board their flights…
The V&A Waterfront’s various sustainability initiatives have been further enhanced with the launch of the precinct’s first fully electric commercial boat by local operator City Sightseeing. Docked outside the One&Only Cape Town, the boat seats 32 passengers and joins City Sightseeing’s regular boat schedule, which operates as a canal cruise and transport link connecting to…
Visit Rwanda, the official tourism brand of the Rwanda Development Board, has announced multi-year sponsorship agreements with the LA Clippers, Los Angeles Rams, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. The deals mark the first time an African tourism brand has partnered with an NBA and NFL team. Existing partnerships include Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético de Madrid and an academy programme with…
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced the implementation of new conservation fees for access to the country’s national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries, set to take effect from Wednesday, October 1, 2025. This follows the approval of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Regulations 2025 by the Parliament on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Kenya Wildlife Service…
The Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA) is excited to announce that its 2026 APTA Global Forum will take place September 25–27, 2026, in Livingstone, Zambia, at the edge of the world-famous Victoria Falls. This will be the first time the Forum has been hosted in Zambia, and marks APTA’s return to…
Issued 30 September 2025, the SADC Tourism Alliance, Africa’s Eden, and SATSA have released a joint update on the situation in Madagascar following recent civil unrest. While demonstrations have taken place in some urban areas, the country’s key tourism destinations remain open, operational, and unaffected. Tourism operationsThe Confédération du Tourisme de Madagascar (CTM) confirms that…
FlySafair launches a new Cape Town-Hoedspruit service from October 2, operating three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The flight will depart Cape Town at 12h15 and arrive at 14h45 with the return leg leaving Hoedspruit at 15h20 and arriving at 18h05. Speaking to Tourism Update, FlySafair Chief Marketing Officer Kirby Gordon said the decision followed strong demand…
Increased conservation fees for entry into Kenya’s national parks, reserves and sanctuaries officially come into effect on October 1, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has confirmed. The across-the-board increases were approved by Parliament on September 25 under the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access, Entry and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations Act 2025. Fees for non-resident, non-East African citizen entry into…
Zimbabwe, in collaboration with Zambia and Malawi, is pleased to invite you to an engaging destination training session scheduled for October 29, 2025. This event will be held at the Embassy of Zambia in Washington, D.C., beginning at 10:00 AM EST. What to Expect The session is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of these…
The Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA) proudly wrapped up its 2025 Global Forum this week at the Gran Meliá Arusha, bringing together 100 industry leaders, buyers, suppliers, and conservation advocates from across Africa and North America. Over three days of programming, participants engaged in thought-provoking sessions, more than 900 one-on-one B2B…
The Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa (APTA) has officially opened its 2025 Global Forum in Arusha, Tanzania, marking the first time the event has been hosted in East Africa and only the second time ever on the African continent. With more than 100 delegates from North America and across Africa in attendance,…
Uganda has officially approved six new national parks, increasing the total to 16. The move is aimed at strengthening conservation, protecting wildlife habitats and diversifying its tourism offering. The newly gazetted parks (Bukaleba, Echuya, Kyambura, Kigezi, Toro and Katonga) were previously forest and wildlife reserves. Cabinet ratified the decision as part of national efforts to…
The Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita will welcome guests again on November 1 following an extensive seven-month renovation project. Among the updates are redesigned pool villas and private residential rentals, a new overwater wellness facility, Oseyan Spa, and reconceptualised dining experiences. Source: Four Seasons Redesigned by 1508 London, the resort’s villas and residential rentals feature…
Air Zimbabwe’s Harare-Mutare-Victoria Falls service will now be a permanent route, following its success earlier this month. The airline launched the temporary route to facilitate travel for the Sanganai/Hlanganani/ Kumbanai World Tourism Expo, which took place in Mutare from September 10-12 “This route has received an overwhelmingly positive response across the board. It has evolved from…
The Balete Ba Lekgophung Development Trust has announced that Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge, in Madikwe Game Reserve, will be under new management from October 1. The trust has appointed TMFL to operate the lodge through its management company, Nightjar Collection, a specialist in safari lodge management. Nightjar Collection oversees properties in the Greater Kruger and Pilanesberg,…
A new tour operator, the Zimbabwe Safari Collective, has been launched to stimulate tourism to a selection of five camps and lodges owned and operated by Zimbabwean citizens. The properties promoted by the group are in Mana Pools and Hwange National Park, and at Lake Kariba. Camps include Chitembe Main Camp and Chitembe Tented Camp…
O&L Leisure has successfully completed the acquisition of two Namibian lodges, Le Mirage Resort & Spa in Sossusvlei and Divava Okavango Lodge & Spa in the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip). The acquisitions form part of the O&L Group Vision 2029 and expand the company’s portfolio to six Namibian destinations. Situated around 20km from…
Zanzibar’s Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries has increased entry fees for marine conservation areas and marine protected areas from September 1. According to a public notice, the fee adjustments apply to Mnemba Island Marine Conservation Area, Menai Bay Conservation Area, Chumbe Island Coral Park, Changuu-Bawe Marine Conservation Area and the Pemba Channel Conservation Area. Non-East…
A new 55km slackpacking trail has been launched by The Carte Collection. It links four accommodation partners within the Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve. Called the Northern Drakensberg Nature Way, it is a four-day, multi-stage hiking route with luggage transfers between lodges. The trail connects The Cavern, Greenfire Drakensberg Lodge, The Berghouse & Cottages and Montusi…
Written by Beth Rowan of Tapestry Travel In June, six U.S.-based travel advisors embarked on a journey to Uganda, hosted by the Ugandan Embassy in Washington, D.C., and Ambassador Robie Kakonge, Uganda’s Ambassador to the United States. The group represented a wide spectrum of experience: some had traveled extensively across Africa, a few had been…
Kempinski Hotels is to open a new luxury hotel on the banks of the Congo River in Brazzaville in December. According to the brand, the Kempinski Hotel Brazzaville will be the first five-star hotel in the Republic of the Congo. From its location on the banks of the river, guests will be able to explore…
The new route aims to improve direct regional travel options for both business and leisure passengers. The schedule includes two daily return flights, seven days a week: • Morning service: Johannesburg departs 06:35, Gaborone arrives 7.35am; return 8.25am–9.25am. • Afternoon service: Johannesburg departs 4.40pm, Gaborone arrives 5.40pm; return 6.30pm–7.30pm. Group CEO Professor John Lamola said:…
Kenya is planning to increase taxes on local and international air tickets, which have remained unchanged for 13 years. The National Assembly’s majority leader, Kimani Ichung’wah has submitted a Bill which, if passed, will increase the levies on international air tickets by 25% and 20% for domestic air tickets. So far, the Bill has cleared its second…
Marasa Africa has reopened Silverback Lodge in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest following a complete redesign by HesseKleinloog Studio, known for projects such as Singita Kataza House and Kwitonda Lodge. The property includes elevated, glass-lined guest rooms, a restaurant and a dining deck overlooking the forest. The refurbishment aimed to combine contemporary design with Ugandan heritage…
Between January and June 2025, Idube Game Reserve underwent a major transformation, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. With beautifully refreshed interiors, reimagined guest spaces, and exciting new features, Idube now offers an even more luxurious safari experience while retaining the warm, authentic charm it is loved for. Here’s a quick look at the key enhancements from…
If you’ve been waiting to secure your place at the APTA Global Forum, now is the time—fewer than five spots remain, and the event is nearly sold out! From September 24–26, 2025, join us in Arusha, Tanzania, for the premier Africa-focused travel industry event of the year. Whether you’re an Africa travel veteran or looking…
Effective October 29, United Airlines will transfer one of its US-Johannesburg flights to its Cape Town schedule. United’s daily flights between Johannesburg and Newark will be reduced to six weekly flights. This frequency will be added to its Cape Town routes, which will include four weekly Cape Town-Newark services and three weekly Cape Town-Washington DC…
The Cape Agulhas Lighthouse, managed by Agulhas National Park, will reopen to visitors on August 29. According to SANParks, this follows a month-long closure for repairs and restoration due to lightning damage on August 28 last year. Overseen by the Transnet National Ports Authority, the refurbishment aimed to ensure the safety and preservation of the historic structure.
Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) has announced its entry into the South African hospitality market through the acquisition of a commercial property in Cape Town’s CBD. It will be converted into a branded hotel operated under an international hospitality group. RTG confirmed it is in advanced discussions with global brands to secure a management agreement. The…
Effective December 15, Etihad will add 10 new flights to its Abu Dhabi-Nairobi route, to offer twice-daily flights. This more than triples the airline’s capacity on the route, which is currently served by only four flights a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. EY767 will depart Abu Dhabi at 08h45 and arrive in Nairobi…
There’s never been a better time to (re)discover Cottar’s Safaris. One of East Africa’s most iconic safari experiences is entering an exciting new era, marked by extensive upgrades to both Cottar’s 1920s Camp and the exclusive-use Cottar’s Bush Villa. This webinar will give you the tools and insights to sell one of the region’s most…
Proflight Zambia is set to launch flights to Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, from March 3 next year. The route will operate three times weekly, linking Lusaka and Livingstone to Windhoek. Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The Lusaka to Windhoek flight will include a 30-minute stopover in Livingstone with passengers remaining on board. The Livingstone…
JAZ Hotel Group is set to open a 346-room, all-inclusive family resort on Zanzibar’s east coast in September. Located in Michamvi Kae, the five-star JAZ Elite Aurora will feature a range of superior and deluxe rooms along with eight executive suites, two royalty suites and four private villas.The hotel group claims that it will include…
Numerous successful rewilding projects in Southern and East Africa are providing a glimmer of hope that the decline in wild populations of iconic species such as lion – in only an estimated 7% of its historic range today – can be reversed. Lions increasingly face pressure from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, poaching and snaring. According…
The Tanzanian government will introduce a new Passenger Facilitation Fee, under the VI Tax code, which will apply to all international air passengers from November 1. The fee will be US$45 (R794) per passenger for one-way international journeys into Tanzania and $90 (R1 588) for international return trips. Infants under two years old will be…
Uganda will host its first Rhino Naming Ceremony on September 22 at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District, marking a key milestone in the US$11 million Name A Rhino Campaign. The event will be presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Launched last year by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife…
A&K Sanctuary is set to open Kitirua Plains Lodge near Kenya’s Amboseli National Park on June 1 next year. The all-suite property will be located on a private concession bordering Amboseli, just 10 minutes from the park’s main gate. The launch marks Abercrombie & Kent’s return to the region where Founder Geoffrey Kent first introduced a modern luxury…
The Ethiopian Airlines Group has opened a new airport, Wollo Kombolcha Airport, in north-central Ethiopia. The newly enhanced airport facility includes a passenger terminal building, a VIP terminal, and support facility. The airport development, worth over €12 million (R250 million), included the construction of a new terminal building, parking areas, ancillary buildings such as an airport…
Tourism stakeholders in Uganda have voiced strong opposition to ongoing oil exploration activities in the country’s most popular national park – Murchison Falls – where commercial oil exports are slated to begin by June 2026. Since oil exploration efforts kicked off in 2015, infrastructure such as oil rigs, well pads, flowlines and pipelines have been…
The recent overcrowding issues in the Serengeti have raised questions about the impact of tourism marketing on one of Africa’s most well-known spectacles – the Great Migration. Since safari guide Nick Kleer’s video went viral in mid-July, the overcrowding has been attributed to various factors including claims of inadequate rule enforcement, unethical guiding behaviour and a high-volume tourism…
Spier Wine Farm has launched two new exclusive-use villas as the final stage of an extensive renovation of Spier Hotel. The double-storey Garden and Riverside villas each offer an open-plan dining room, lounge with fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen, guest cloakroom and an en-suite bedroom on the ground floors. French doors lead onto a verandah, garden…
The Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation (LTDC) – in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture – has launched a national accreditation programme aimed at boosting quality standards and global competitiveness among tourism operators. The programme introduces a certification system designed to evaluate and verify the quality and professionalism of service providers within…
The new curated Soweto Art Tour, by Toura Travel Therapy, is now available to visitors in Johannesburg, offering travellers a route through one of South Africa’s most historic and culturally significant urban areas. The new art-focused tour has been launched by Thabo Modise, Founding Director of Toura Travel Therapy, also known as Thabo the Tourist. According…
Lemala Camps & Lodges, part of the Tourvest integrated tourism group, has acquired Tulia Amboseli Safari Camp, marking its entry into the Kenyan market. Located just outside Amboseli National Park and offering views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the camp will retain its name and branding. Lemala will oversee operations, bringing its regional experience to the property…
Africa’s first museum dedicated solely to parrots has opened in Bigodi on the edge of Uganda’s Kibale National Park. The Grey Parrot Museum focuses on the conservation and ecology of the African grey parrot – one of the world’s most threatened bird species. Kibale is best known for its chimpanzees but also supports a stable…
Durban has a new addition for adventure seekers: the Waterfall-to-Waterfall Hiking and Camping Trail, a three-day, two-night slackpacking route designed for outdoor enthusiasts eager to explore the region’s untouched beauty without the burden of carrying heavy gear. Developed by Green Corridors, a social enterprise dedicated to environmental and community impact, the trail winds through some…
Join us September 24–26, 2025, in Arusha, Tanzania, for the most impactful Africa-focused travel event of the year! Whether you’re a seasoned Africa expert or just starting to grow your Africa business, the APTA Global Forum is your opportunity to network with top suppliers, deepen destination knowledge, and connect with like-minded travel professionals from across…
Africa just earned global recognition with the addition of five new UNESCO World Heritage Sites at the 47th World Cultural Committee session, currently taking place in India. These new designations celebrate both the continent’s ecological richness and deep cultural legacy. Among the honored sites is Sierra Leone’s Gola-Tiwai Complex, a biodiversity hotspot home to the…
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced a proposal to revise national park entry fees across the board. KWS says the move, detailed in the draft Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access and Conservation Fees) Regulations, 2025, is part of a broader effort to address a KSh12 billion (€80 million) annual funding shortfall that threatens the…
GweGwe Beach Lodge has confirmed the launch of scheduled seat-in-aircraft flights between Durban and Mkambati Nature Reserve on the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast, effective August 1. The service will operate twice weekly, departing every Friday and Monday from Virginia Airport in Durban. Using a twin-engine Beechcraft Baron aircraft with capacity for four passengers, the flight time…