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…
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…
FlySafair confirmed on Wednesday (July 16) that negotiations with its pilot group, represented by the trade union Solidarity, had reached a deadlock. This will result in the issuance of a strike certificate, granting pilots the right to engage in protected industrial action. The strike certificate gives union members the right to strike following the required…
Renegade Air launched its new Nairobi-Kisumu scheduled flight service on July 2. The service uses the airline’s new ATR 42-500 aircraft, which carries 48 passengers. It operates twice daily with the morning flight departing from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport at 07h00 and arriving at Kisumu International Airport at 07h45. The morning return flight departs from Kisumu at…
Rwanda will receive a US$9 million grant from the Global Environment Facility to support ecosystem restoration and climate resilience in the Nyungwe-Ruhango Corridor. The project will be implemented by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority with technical support from the World Bank. Implementation is expected to begin in August 2025, targeting key districts in Rwanda’s Southern Province…
After years of drier than usual conditions, the 2025 Okavango Delta annual inundation has returned in force. Speaking to Tourism Update, Walter Smith, Sales Director for Ker & Downey Botswana, shared insights on the current situation and its implications for camp operations and ecological resilience. “This year’s annual Okavango Delta flood is a unique welcome, considering the…
At Impodimo Game Lodge, the ongoing commitment to conservation lies at the heart of all operations. Protecting wildlife and preserving the integrity of the reserve remain top priorities. To continue supporting these crucial efforts, Impodimo Game Lodge will be adjusting its conservation levy effective from 15 July 2025, with the adjustment applicable into 2026. These…
Delta Air Lines is making a bold statement in West Africa with the unveiling of a new premium lounge at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) and the upcoming deployment of its most advanced aircraft, enhancing transatlantic travel for Nigerian passengers. The premium lounge—opened July 1—features Nigerian-inspired design, high-speed Wi-Fi, private relaxation spaces, and curated…
If you’re planning to attend the APTA Global Forum in Arusha this September, here’s your perfect reason to extend your stay in East Africa: Buyer registration is now officially open for Essence of Africa 2025, taking place October 7–9 in Malindi, Kenya. This premier meetings-driven event is Africa’s International Buyer Forum, connecting pre-qualified international buyers…
The countdown is on—and you do not want to miss this. The APTA Global Forum 2025, our most immersive and impactful gathering yet, is heading to Arusha, Tanzania from September 24–26, 2025—and space is filling fast. This isn’t just another conference. It’s a front-row seat to the future of tourism to Africa, surrounded by the…
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has initiated a formal stakeholder consultation process on a proposal to extend the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site across the border into Mozambique’s Maputo National Park. This follows a request from the government of Mozambique, which is seeking to inscribe Maputo National Park as part of…
Sabi Sabi has completed upgrades at two of its properties: Little Bush Camp and Bush Lodge. The six guest suites at Little Bush Camp now feature bigger bathrooms with stone vanities, oversized mirrors and bespoke wall lighting. Other additions include timber-slat and leather headboards, a custom-designed drinks armoire, curated artworks, an array of patterned cushions,…
Marriott International has signed an agreement with Angola’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (Fundo Soberano de Angola) to bring the Sheraton Hotels and Resorts brand to Angola with the planned opening of Sheraton Luanda in early 2026. The 326-room hotel will be located on Luanda Bay near the city’s commercial, cultural and diplomatic districts. Planned facilities include…
The interline agreement between SAA and Uganda Airlines (UR) has gone live, enabling seamless travel across both carriers on single ticket. The interline agreement enables agents to book trips from the following domestic destinations to Entebbe, via Johannesburg, on a single UR ticket: Cape Town Durban Port Elizabeth Additionally, the interline agreement enables agents to…
Qatar Airways has resumed flights from Doha to Kigali with immediate effect. The route will be operated with an Airbus A320, featuring 12 flat-bed Business and 120 Economy class seats. Flights will operate every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday as follows: Doha to Kigali – flight QR1389 departing at 08h20 and arriving at 13h30 Kigali…