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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…