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…
A new seasonal, pre-scheduled tourism-only border crossing between Kruger National Park in South Africa and Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe has been approved by the Ministers of Home Affairs in both countries. It will operate through the Sengwe-Tshipise Corridor via the Pafuri-Sengwe access point within the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA). The pilot project…
Sopa Lodges, in collaboration with Leo Sky Africa, has launched a new astro tourism offering at Samburu Sopa Lodge in Samburu National Reserve, Northern Kenya. “It is a proud moment for us at Sopa Lodges to introduce our latest innovation – astro tourism,” said Kennedy Ayoti, COO of Sopa Lodges East Africa. “This innovative experience is…
CityBlue Hotels recently opened Kilua Residences by CityBlue in Mombasa, Kenya. This marks the property group’s second property in the coastal city after CityBlue Creekside Hotel & Suites opened in December 2017. Located along the shores of Shanzu, Kilua Residences is a four-star beachfront aparthotel featuring one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Facilities include an outdoor…
Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort has finalised an extensive refurbishment of several key areas of the property. Notable improvements include refreshed exteriors for the Beach Villas and Beach Pool Villas and a full renovation of the two-bedroom villas, including the introduction of new contemporary furnishings. The villas, along with public areas, the gym and Anantara Spa,…
Tanzania’s government has been slammed for slashing the budget allocated to conservation and tourism by 47% in the 2025/26 financial year. The budget for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism has been reduced from the TZS596.1 billion (€192.5 million) allocated in 2024/25 to TZS317.4 billion (€102.4 million). The Tourism Confederation of Tanzania (TCT) – the umbrella body representing…
With registration now open for the 2025 APTA Global Forum in Arusha, Tanzania (Sept 24–26), one key reason to act fast is the lineup of incredible pre- and post-Forum FAM trips exclusively available to attending buyers. These deeply discounted journeys—some as low as $260 for a 4-day flight safari—offer an unparalleled opportunity to explore Africa’s…
U.S. hotel chains Hilton and Marriott have announced African expansion drives to tap into the continent’s rapid tourism growth. Rising business and leisure travel on the continent has made it increasingly attractive for multinational companies and Hilton said on Wednesday that it plans to more than triple its African portfolio to more than 160 hotels.…
The Zambezi Queen Collection by Mantis has introduced a new onboard spa offering aboard the Zambezi Queen, a houseboat on the Chobe River. Treatments are performed by Namibian massage therapists who have completed training with Skin Concepts Namibia. The spa uses products from the Kalahari Lifestyle range by Franck Global, including botanical oils. The spa…
The Mauritian government’s 2025/26 budget revealed that the island destination would implement a tourist tax from October 1. The fee of €3 a night will apply to all tourists, aged 12 and older, staying in hotels, guesthouses, tourist residences and on vineyards (domaines). The government estimates that the tax will raise MUR2 billion (€38 million),…
The Tintswalo Collection is set to expand its portfolio of boutique hotels in Cape Town with the addition of Tintswalo Summer House, along the False Bay coastline in the suburb of Glencairn, in December 2025. The property is the result of a full restoration of the historic Glencairn Southern Right Hotel, which Tintswalo acquired in…
South Africa’s fully digital electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system for short-term tourist visas will go live by the end of September, according to Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber. The ETA, which will initially apply to visa applications for stays of under 90 days, was first announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the State of the Nation Address…
Ennismore has announced its first hotel signing in South Africa with the launch of Mama Shelter Cape Town. The property will open in the City Park building, formerly home to the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital in the city centre. The hotel will include 127 guest rooms across three categories and 68 branded residences, comprising 36…
Tanzania has announced plans to introduce a mandatory travel insurance fee of US$44 (€38) for all foreign visitors entering the country. Announced in the 2025/2026 fiscal budget, the new policy will provide coverage for medical emergencies, accidents, baggage issues, and other incidents. According to Business Insider Africa,the non-refundable insurance fee is expected to be administered through…
From June 15, RwandAir will increase its Johannesburg-Kigali flights from seven to 11 flights per week. The airline currently operates a daily return flight on the route. From June 15, the following flights will be added to the schedule: Flight WB103, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, will depart Johannesburg at 03h10 and arrive in…
Gonarezhou National Park has welcomed the return of white rhinos for the first time in nearly 100 years, marking a significant conservation milestone for Zimbabwe. The reintroduction is the result of work by the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, a collaborative effort between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Frankfurt Zoological Society with support…
Virgin Limited Edition’s Mahali Mzuri has officially reopened after its first full interior redesign since launching in 2013. Located in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy in Kenya’s Greater Maasai Mara, the 12-tented safari camp, part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition collection, has reopened in time for peak season and the Great Migration. The refurbishment…
A new mountain biking and e-biking route through the buffer zones of the greater Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania has opened. Operated by Leonotis Adventures’ Lake Natron Camp, the “Ride the Serengeti” itinerary is a five-day, four-night, point-to-point cycling programme for small groups. The guided trail connects Klein’s Camp area in the north (Klein’s, Lobo, Kogatende…
Shamwari Private Game Reserve is proud to announce the launch of Shamwari Air Shuttle — a new, bespoke luxury air service providing seamless access to the award-winning reserve. Beginning mid-December 2025, this exclusive offering eliminates the need for lengthy ground transfers, redefining the journey to Shamwari with comfort, convenience, and style. Key Features of the…
Robben Island Museum (RIM) will suspend all public tours to perform maintenance and renovations ahead of the G20 Summit in November. Tours will be suspended from June 16 until September 1 as RIM prepares to host G20 dignitaries from around the world. “The decision to suspend tours was not taken lightly,” said RIM in a statement. “While…
Newmark Hotels & Reserves recently announced the addition of two properties to its portfolio: Toro River Lodge in South Africa and Thitaka Lodge in Namibia. Toro River Lodge is set along the Makhutswi River bank in the Greater Makalali Private Game Reserve, Limpopo. It is an existing property that will reopen under Newmark’s management in…
A new draft proposal by the Department of Transport (DoT) could restrict foreign airlines from operating stopover flights between domestic points, potentially affecting tourism and raising airfares, say experts. In its Draft Comprehensive Civil Aviation Policy, published on May 23, the DoT stated: “Stopover rights have the potential to negatively impact the South African domestic…
Tanzanian regional carrier Flightlink has announced the introduction of two routes connecting Kenya and Tanzania. The airline will operate flights from Wilson Airport, Nairobi, to Arusha Airport and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport in Zanzibar. Wilson to Arusha Starting June 15, Flightlink will operate daily flights between Wilson Airport and…