The Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House in Rwanda officially opened on August 1, spread over 72 hectares on the edge of the Volcanoes National Park. Singita Kwitonda Lodge consists of eight individual suites. Most of the building materials were sourced from the local community in the Musanze district. The lodge also has an on-site…
Malawi’s High Court has reinstated a ban on plastic bags. The government imposed the ban on thin plastic bags in 2015 but the move was overturned by the High Court after a number of plastic manufacturers who operate in the country obtained an injunction, citing an infringement of business rights. Delivering the verdict on Thursday,…
Bushlife Safaris now offers river cruises on the Zambezi at Vundu Camp in Mana Pools. The motorised pontoon seats eight guests and has a removable canopy. The afternoon river cruises are favoured by wildlife enthusiasts and photographers as this is when the elephants and buffaloes move on to the islands, providing up-close wildlife encounters. Snacks…
Figures recorded by the Seychelles National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed a growth in tourism arrivals for June. A total of 25 761 holiday visitors were recorded at Seychelles International Airport. NBS figures showed that visitor arrivals from the beginning of the year to end of June were 187 108. This represents an increase of 9%…
Tanzania has started a process to establish the Nyerere National Park in the Selous Game Reserve, a Unesco Heritage Site. Recently, Tanzania’s President John Magufuli issued a directive to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to begin the process of splitting the Selous Game Reserve into two wildlife sanctuaries. Adolf Mkenda, the Permanent Secretary in the…
Two years after cheetahs were reintroduced to Malawi, in Liwonde National Park, four individuals were safely translocated from South Africa to Majete Wildlife Reserve to form a crucial founder population and help grow the range of the vulnerable big cat. A small founder population of wild cheetahs has been successfully translocated from South Africa to…
Following 11 months of preparation and planning, 16 critically endangered Black rhinos have been successfully captured, translocated, dehorned and released into the Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland). The rhinos include adult breeding bulls and cows, young adults and calves from a private game reserve in South Africa, where the cost of protecting them from poachers…
The Mozambican government has doubled the cost of entry visas under a decree jointly signed by Economy and Finance Minister Adriano Maleiane and Interior Minister Basilio Monteiro, APA learnt on Wednesday.Under the decree, the cost of a single-entry visa valid for 30 days jumps to US$100 from US$50 with immediate effect while a visa valid…
Green Safaris are delighted to announce they’ve tested their brand new eQuadbike at Kaya Mawa. In sync with their eLandy and eBoat at Ila, their other property in Zambia’s Kafue National Park, the team are about to start offering silent & eco-friendly quad biking safaris around Likoma island. This brand new ‘adrenaline-fuelled’ experience will add…
Shongwe Lookout in the suburbs of Victoria Falls has been opened by the Mayor, S Dhlamini, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The lodge has 23 bedrooms, a restaurant area, a bar, an outdoor infinity pool and a firepit. Deluxe and Executive rooms have a shower and a bath, and the studio rooms have a shower. All rooms…
This is not the first year that the Seychelles, an archipelago of 116 islands, has scored the top spot, thanks to its natural beauty and memorable hotels. (Kate Middleton and Prince William evidently agree — they spent their honeymoon here, as did Amal and George Clooney.) Almost half the land is protected for wildlife to thrive,…
When some of the most well-known faces from the African diaspora arrived for a recent vacation in Accra, Ghana, it looked like just another gathering of famous people. Actors including Idris Elba rubbed shoulders with supermodel Naomi Campbell, TV sports presenter Mike Hill, and author Luvvie Ajayi. Behind this meet-up of box office stars, fashion…
The Telegraph Travel’s safari expert Brian Jackman on the Kenyan plains which inspired Disney’s writers, his own fascinating lion encounters, and ten of the best lodges in Africa to have yours. Read the full article from The Telegraph
South Africa’s Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West is set to enjoy greater global recognition after being voted the top winery on the African continent, it said on Wednesday. Vergelegen placed 34 overall in the prestigious World’s Best Vineyard 2019 competition, where a global voting panel analysed 1,500 wineries from 17 countries. Argentina’s Zuccardi Valle de Uco…
President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has given assent to the Uganda Wildlife Bill 2017, effectively making the Uganda Wildlife Act law. The new law comes with significant reforms, transforming wildlife conservation in Uganda. Highlights: Community participation in wildlife management is strengthened through Community Wildlife Committees for each protected area. Penalties up to life sentences and…
It’s been an exciting time for Blue Zebra Island Lodge recently as they enter their diving season (June to September). As avid scuba divers from around the world delve into the underwater world of Lake Malawi and discover the resident blue zebra cichlids, a rather unexpected animal awaits as they arrive back on the island. Check out this blog all…
New study reveals that Madagascar, which is a magnet for nature-loving tourists thanks to its unique flora and fauna and its unspoilt, authentic character, looks set to experience a tourism-driven boom this year. Visitor arrivals in Madagascar in 2018 were 8% up on the previous year and they are 19% up in the first five months…
Well-known South African marketing and advertising executive, Jerry Mpufane has been appointed as the new president for South African Tourism North America. Mpufane will be based at the organization’s New York office and will lead a dynamic team responsible for driving growth into South Africa from the USA and Canada. North America is a key…
Domestic travel between the islands of the Seychelles is expected to be easier following the opening of a new domestic terminal at Seychelles International Airport in Mahé. The development includes a larger floor area, new check-in and baggage areas, arrival and departure lounges, drop-off and pick-up areas and security posts. The new terminal also has…
In recent months, there have been a number of negative travel advisories in place covering Mozambique’s northernmost region. These have a direct bearing on &Beyond Vamizi Island, which is situated off the coast of this area. &Beyond has been monitoring the situation carefully. Operations to be suspended Travel to this troubled area has decreased significantly,…
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will make a long-rumored trip to Africa this fall, stopping in South Africa, Angola, and Malawi, Buckingham Palace confirmed Thursday. Meghan and Harry’s trip to South Africa will be an official visit at the request of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. “In addition, the Duke of Sussex will…
Blue Zebra, the idyllic island lodge set on the deserted Marelli Islands in the the Lake Malawi National Park, has been voted the ‘Best Location in Malawi’ in the recent Safari Awards, as well as picking up a raft of other awards across a variety of categories! The Safari Awards give credit to lodges in/near wildlife reserves “that…
“It is with great sadness that I announce today the closure of RAW Botswana’s Motswiri Camp. RAW Botswana was unable to agree terms with Linyanti Explorations for an extension on its lease. The lease will come to an end on 31st December 2019, at which point the company will cease its safaris at Motswiri Camp. The…
South African Airways (SAA), the national flag carrier of South Africa, and South Africa-based event organizer, On Show Solutions, announce the 2019 dates and locations for the Africa Showcase in North America. This year, the Africa Showcase, which is the largest travel trade show in U.S. and Canada that focuses exclusively on promoting tourism to…
President Prof. Peter Mutharika has said his strong desire to turn lakeshore district of Mangochi into the tourism capital of Malawi like Mexico’s Acapulco by constructing state of the art international airport, a mega city and five-star hotel. He made the revelation on Sunday at St. Augustine 3 Primary School ground in Mangochi where he…
Giraffe Manor’s doors have reopened for the season! Despite being closed for two months, we have been incredibly busy and have lots of exciting developments to reveal. Three of the main manor bedrooms have undergone significant renovations.Lynn and Marlon are now charming superior rooms and the Karen Blixen Suite now has two large en-suite bedrooms with an adjoining lounge area and…
Uganda’s revived flag carrier, Uganda Airlines, intends to start commercial operations next month, with the first flight from Entebbe to Nairobi. In his State of the Nation address, Uganda President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, said the carrier would deploy the recently acquired Bombardier CRJ900s on the first regional routes. The airline received two Bombardier CRJ900s in April…
Singita is honored to be opening Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House on August 1st in Rwanda, an extraordinarily beautiful, small country where more than one third of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas live in the high-altitude cloud forests of Volcanoes National Park. The presence of Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House on the park border will help to…
Ethiopian Airlines will launch three weekly flights to New York JFK via Abidjan, from June 17. The new flights, along with the carrier’s four weekly services to Newark via Lomé, bring the New York schedule to a daily service. Flight ET 0512 will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing Addis Ababa at 09h00 and…
In a victory for queer people in Botswana, the Gaborone high court on Tuesday ruled sections of Botswana’s Penal Code which criminalizes same-sex sexual conduct unconstitutional. Certain sections of the penal code impose a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations. The court, however, ruled these provisions “discriminatory because they take away…
Latitude 0°, part of the Latitude Hotels Group, will open in July in Makindye on the outskirts of Kampala. The hotel has 47 rooms, all with lake or city views, and is 45 minutes from Entebbe International Airport. Facilities include a restaurant, bar and lounge, a rooftop bar, spa, and fitness centre with an 18-metre…
The finest travel brands in Africa and the Indian Ocean have been unveiled at a star-studded gala ceremony in Mauritius. The elite of the travel industry assembled for the WTA Africa & Indian Ocean awards ceremony at Sugar Beach Resort, Flic en Flac, Mauritius, to find out who amongst them would be crowned best of the best. Find…
Africa Inspires is the theme for the 2019 APTA Forum taking place in Chicago, Illinois at the Downtown Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago This is your chance to meet some of the influencers, change makers & pioneers in the world of Africa, conservation & travel. Plus, reconnect with your fellow APTA members, network with new members and most…
Air Seychelles launched a new daily service between the Seychelles and Johannesburg. Flight HM061 from Seychelles to Johannesburg operated by the airline Airbus A320 aircraft featuring 16 business class and 120 economy class seats departed the Seychelles International Airport on Monday morning under the command of Captain Archille Young and First Officer Bertrand Mein. The…
The popular Desert Express will be operational again as of end of June 2019. Prior to stopping operations in 2017, the Desert Express Train travelled from Windhoek to Swakopmund, making a number of stops enroute to enjoy activities and experience beautiful Namibia. Schedules and details will be published at a later stage. Read More.
Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has identified dark tourism – travel to places historically associated with death and tragedy – as a product it believes will not only help diversify Uganda’s tourism product offerings but also help the younger generation understand the journey of their country. Lily Ajarova, CEO of Uganda Tourism Board, says the country’s…
Great Lakes Safaris is hosting an 11 day “Best of Uganda & Rwanda” FAM trip this 19-29 November. The trip highlights include: Rhino tracking at Ziwa Chimp tracking in Kibale NP Game- viewing drives in Queen Elizabeth NP The ultimate Gorilla tracking in Bwindi NP Tracking of the exclusive Golden monkeys in Volcanoes NP Canopy…
To mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in America, the government of Ghana launched the “Year of Return, Ghana 2019” in a quest to encourage African Americans and the black diaspora to return to the country where their ancestors were kidnapped and enslaved. As part of the yearlong celebrations,…
Majete Wildlife Reserve is situated in the south-western part of Malawi and is an incredible success story representing the rebirth of a dwindling wildlife reserve. Just 15 years ago the reserve was void of thriving wildlife and vegetation. Large mammals had been poached from the park and remnant populations of a few resilient species remained…
After five years, hunting will now be allowed in Botswana, home to about a third of Africa’s savanna elephants. After a five-year suspension, the government of Botswana has decided once again to allow sport hunters to kill elephants, according to a statement issued on May 22 by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resource Conservation and Tourism. Botswana…
Hosted buyer registration for East Africa Tourism and Hospitality Expo (EATHE) 2019 is now open! The East Africa Tourism and Hospitality Expo 2019 that will be held at Ushirika Grounds Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania from 22nd to 24th November 2019. East Africa Tourism & Hospitality Expo (EATHE) 2019 is the largest travel expo in East Africa, offering the ideal…
Hilton announced the signing of a management agreement with Growthpoint Properties, South Africa’s largest REIT, to open a hotel under its lifestyle Canopy by Hilton brand. The 150 guestroom Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof is expected to begin welcoming guests in 2021 and will be the brand’s debut property in Africa. Canopy by Hilton…
Nile Safari Lodge, a new luxury lodge on the shores of the River Nile River in the north-west of Uganda, will open in August. The lodge is near Murchison Falls National Park and Budongo Forest, and will have eight self-contained en-suite rooms, referred to as bandas. The rooms are slightly raised from the ground and have…
The World Tourism Conference is set to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa on July 22 – 26, 2019, and will highlight the opportunities tourism can bring to African economies. In less than 15 years Africa’s travel and hospitality sectors have quadrupled in size, and according to the World Tourism Organization, remains one of the…
Exactly a year ago, if a New Yorker wanted to get to Nairobi, they were looking at around 24 hours of flight time and at least one plane change under the best of circumstances. But last October, Kenya Airways’ new direct changed all that, shaving 10 hours off that flight time and eliminating the transfer. For those of…
South African Airways (SAA), announces amazing savings to Africa with new low fares starting from $699* roundtrip for travel this fall. Low fares are offered from New York- JFK International Airport to Johannesburg, starting from $699* roundtrip (restrictions apply) and to Cape Town from $765* roundtrip (restrictions apply). Travel on these sale fares is applicable…
Kenya is eyeing to become the second major destination for cruise ships in Africa after Egypt following its search for new deals during the recent cruising conference in Miami, USA. The authorities expect the cruise ship business to take off from November when the construction of the terminal to receive the ships is completed. In…
CNN has published a list of the world’s 25 least visited countries that are worth a visit. Of the 25 selected, six are located in Africa including Comoros, São Tomé and Príncipe, Djibouti, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Eritrea. You can read the full article here
Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, a charity in Malawi responsible for running the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre and combating wildlife crime whilst boosting conservation nationwide with tremendous results, have some very exciting news! Volunteer places have just become available on their Samango monkey research project. Launched in May 2018, The Samango project is the first of its kind…
The main runway at Blantyre’s Chileka Airport is temporarily closed between 24 April 2019 and 23 July 2019 for maintenance and rehabilitation. The secondary runway remains in operation during that time but has restrictions on the class/size of aircraft that can use it. The aircraft usually used for international arrivals and departures are unable to…