APTA Global Forum heads to Livingstone, Zambia next week — but you don’t have to be joining us in Africa to take part in one of the Forum’s most exciting opportunities. The 2026 APTA Global Forum Silent Auction is now live, completely online and open to everyone. This year’s auction features 16 incredible African travel…
Exclusive Hotel & Convention Centre has opened in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu officially launched the property, which is along the N4 corridor linking Gauteng and Mozambique. The hotel features 150 rooms, a 1 000-seat conference centre, restaurant, spa and gym. According to the developers, the hotel is expected to create more than 120 permanent jobs,…
A wildfire on Mount Kenya has been largely contained after burning approximately 8 700ha. The cause of the fire has not yet been established. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) told Tourism Update that no tourists were affected or injured during the fire. “All critical infrastructure within the park was secured and no visitor facilities or other critical park…
SA Tourism is aiming to open registrations for next year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) by the end of September. Responding to a follow-up enquiry from Tourism Update, SA Tourism said: “At present, plans are in motion to have registration start towards the end of September. As such, the ATI website is being updated to accommodate the…
Ker & Downey Zambia has announced it is expanding its portfolio with a new property. Musesenji River Camp, located inside the Lower Zambezi National Park, will open on April 1, 2027. It will feature five luxury safari tents and one family tent – each with its own plunge pool. Guests can access the remote camp via…
Efforts to restore Ishasha’s declining population of tree-climbing lions is part of a new 10-year conservation programme that will also strengthen wildlife protection and tourism development in the Ugandan reserve. The programme could include lion translocations to supplement the remaining population where scientifically justified and following consultation with neighbouring communities. Ishasha, part of Queen Elizabeth…
BOTSWANA — September 2026: From tracking spoor and identifying animal calls to discovering insects, bush skills and the smaller wonders of the wilderness, the Kids@Mashatu Programme gives young travellers their own way into the African bush. At Mashatu Game Reserve, the 42,000 hectare privately owned game reserve in eastern Botswana, younger travellers are encouraged to experience…
Mukwa River Lodge is a family-owned, intimate retreat on the banks of the Zambezi, just 20 minutes from Victoria Falls in Livingstone, Zambia, and part of The Residence Collection. The property is known for its classic, bush-chic elegance, on-site spa, and locally inspired dining, alongside activities like river cruises, tiger fishing, and village cultural tours.…
If your travel wishlist is starting to look a little bit predictable, Time Out’s global team of editors and writers has just dropped the cure. We’ve compiled our guide to the world’s 33 most beautiful hotels, and five jaw-dropping properties in Africa feature on the list. We aren’t just ticking the standard five-star luxury boxes, either. These…
Africa’s young, increasingly urban population, growing middle class and improving infrastructure will drive passenger traffic to grow nearly 6% annually through 2045, one of the fastest rates globally, Boeing [NYSE: BA] said today. The region’s commercial airplane fleet will more than double from 755 to 1,625 over the next 20 years to support this demand,…
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced the opening of Taj Bush Lodge in the Greater Kruger region of South Africa. The new property marks Taj’s entry into the wildlife tourism segment in the region and forms part of the brand’s growing presence in South Africa. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO of IHCL, said the…
Angola’s Immigration and Foreigners Service (SME) has rolled out a new official platform for online visa applications. The new portal, e-visa.ao and the Angolan Electronic Passport are part of SME’s push to digitise the visa and immigration process. New features include personal user accounts, electronic payment of visa fees and a new application tracking system. Applicants are…
Air France is bringing back its Cape Town-Paris route for the 2026/27 season. Flights will operate from September 22, 2026, through to March 27, 2027, with frequencies increasing as the season progresses. Three weekly flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from September 22 to October 31 this year before increasing to five weekly flights every day, except…
Malawi Airlines has expanded its flight schedule with additional services between Lilongwe and Johannesburg, alongside extra domestic flights connecting Lilongwe and Blantyre. The new services, which came into effect on 24 August 2026, provide greater flexibility for both international visitors and those travelling within Malawi. The additional Johannesburg flight operates every day except Monday, departing Lilongwe at 16:50 and…
Stellenbosch, South Africa — Ascot Tours marked its 30th birthday in style on Tuesday, throwing the biggest party the company has seen yet. The Chris ‘Fridge’ McAlpine Trophy touched down at De Zalze Golf Club for the very first time on South African soil, pitting a touring group of New Zealand golfers against a fired…
There is just one week left to register for the 2026 APTA Global Forum in Livingstone, Zambia. All registrations will close on September 10, and no registrations can be accommodated after that date. Supplier registration has been sold out for some time, and only two buyer spaces remain. Taking place September 25–27 at Avani Victoria…
Uganda has been declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) after recording 42 days without a new case. The country’s last confirmed imported Ebola patient was discharged on July 16, with no subsequent transmission linked to the case, according to WHO. Uganda recorded 20 Ebola cases during the outbreak, most involving people who had…
Hilton has announced that it will enter the Zimbabwean hotel market after signing an agreement with Terrace Africa to develop a Hilton Garden Inn property in Harare’s upmarket Highlands Precinct. Expected to open in early 2029, the 140-room hotel will feature a restaurant, terrace, lobby café and bar, gym, pool and meeting rooms. The Highlands…
An investigation is underway into an accident in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park where a safari vehicle carrying four Swiss tourists and a guide plunged into a river in the Kogatende area during this year’s annual Great Migration. The incident occurred on August 30 at the Kogatende Nyumbu crossing area, according to a notice issued by the…
Kenya Airways plans to install Wi-Fi on its long-haul aircraft from the second quarter of 2027. The rollout will commence with aircraft serving the airline’s long-haul routes such as London, Paris, New York, China and Amsterdam. It will then extend to aircraft operating within the region and across Africa. Wi-Fi has already been installed on…
&Beyond Phinda Vlei Lodge has reopened in South Africa’s Phinda Private Game Reserve following a thoughtful refurbishment that places the surrounding vlei landscape at the heart of the guest experience. The intimate lodge features just six suites, each offering a private sala and pool, with wildlife and birdlife frequently visible from the property itself. The…
Babanango Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, has announced the official approval of Eagle’s View Airstrip, creating a new and more convenient way for travelers to access the reserve and opening the door to expanded fly-in safari itineraries. Located within the reserve in Zululand, Eagle’s View was approved as a Type A Aerodrome by the…
Angola has officially opened its largest convention centre. Located in Chicala, in the centre of Luanda, the Luanda Convention Palace was inaugurated by President João Lourenço. The facility is reported to have cost approximately €280 million (US$325 million). It features a multi-purpose theatre with capacity for 3 000 people, several conference halls and other multi-purpose rooms. The convention centre…
Sussex based Travel Promoters, one of the UK’s leading luxury representation companies specialising in Africa and the Indian Ocean, is delighted to share its appointment by Kaelo Destinations from 1 September 2026, including the iconic Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana’s Tuli Block and Pambele Beach House in the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary in Mozambique. This new partnership will see Travel Promoters’ dynamic…
Nature Expeditions Africa is expanding its international trade engagement this fall, with appearances planned at the Magical Kenya Travel Expo in Nairobi and World Travel Market London, alongside new efforts to promote Kenya’s broader tourism offering to international travelers. The owner-managed Kenyan DMC, established in 1994, will attend Magical Kenya Travel Expo at Uhuru Gardens…
Hideaways Africa has introduced the new Northern Hwange Walking Safari Trail, an eight-night safari experience designed around a guided walking safari through northern Hwange National Park. The new itinerary combines Victoria Falls with two contrasting areas of northern Hwange, linking Hideaways Nantwich Lodge and Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp through a series of days spent walking…
The 2026 APTA Global Forum is nearly sold out, with only 2 buyer spaces remaining for this year’s gathering in Livingstone, Zambia. Supplier slots are all already sold out! Taking place September 25–27 at Avani Victoria Falls Resort, the Forum will bring together leading travel advisors, tour operators, safari companies, lodges, tourism organizations, and industry…
With the APTA Global Forum in Livingstone just a month away, Kafunta Safaris is looking forward to welcoming members to Zambia from September 25-27, and to sharing some great networking opportunities along the way. Izzy Defourny, Kafunta’s Sales & Marketing Manager for over a decade, will be there to represent the company, catch up with…
At Nature Expeditions Africa, we have expanded our safari planning services to include flexible pre- and post-conference extensions for international delegates, exhibitors, investors and business travellers visiting Kenya. We developed this planning approach in response to a question we increasingly encounter: how can someone experience Kenya when their main reason for travelling is a conference…
Mantis Hiddn in Addo is set within the untamed beauty of the Eastern Cape, and is a rare luxury retreat designed for guests seeking privacy, presence, and a deeper connection to nature. Located in the greater Addo region, it offers an exceptional sense of seclusion while remaining within easy reach of key travel routes. This…
Family Travel at the pace of the land Heiko Dörgeloh Founder | CEO About Africa Co (c) 2026 There is a particular moment that happens when families travel well. It is not always the grandest sight. It is not always the first elephant, the first dune, the first sunset, or the carefully planned highlight in…
Auric Air is delighted to welcome Lake Natron as the newest destination on our network. Set beneath the dramatic presence of Ol Doinyo Lengai, Lake Natron is a place of striking beauty, extraordinary wildlife and unforgettable landscapes. From its shimmering waters and iconic pink flamingos to its volcanic surroundings and wide-open wilderness, this is Tanzania at its most…
Cheetah are roaming a secure area of North Luangwa National Park for the first time in three decades after six individuals were successfully translocated from South Africa. A joint operation between the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Zambian Department of Wildlife and National Parks has seen the cats moved to a 2 000-hectare predator-proof part of North Luangwa where…
Malawi Airlines is expanding connectivity between Malawi and South Africa with additional nonstop flights between Lilongwe and Johannesburg beginning August 24, 2026. The new services will operate daily except Mondays, adding a late-afternoon option alongside the airline’s existing morning service via Blantyre. The expanded schedule is designed to give travelers greater flexibility, including the possibility…
Uganda Airlines has announced the launch of direct flights from Entebbe to Accra, Ghana, from October 27, and Kigali, Rwanda, from November 18. Flights to both destinations will operate three times per week on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. The flights will aim to increase intercontinental connectivity and strengthen Uganda Airlines’ presence in West Africa following the airline’s…
Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape will reopen its Explorer Camp in September following refurbishment. The camp now features three new tents with a screened bathroom, separate lounge, expanded deck and private plunge pool. New dining and lounge tents have also been added. Viewing decks have been repositioned to bring guests closer to…
Tintswalo Collection has announced the launch of its Thermal Night Safari and Stargazing Experience offering guests a new way to experience wildlife after dark using thermal imaging technology. The experience is available in the Greater Kruger at Tintswalo Safari and Tintswalo Manor House in the Manyeleti Game Reserve as well as Tintswalo Scops Rest in…
Great Plains has opened Zamara Private, a new six-suite private safari villa, on the northern edge of Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. Located on private land near Mara Plains Camp, Mara Toto Tree Camp and Mara Expedition Camp, the property is designed for exclusive use by families and small groups of up to 12 guests.…
Beach & Safari Holidays has expanded its safari portfolio with two new lodges in Tanzania: Africa Safari Serengeti Ndutu and Africa Safari Serengeti Kogatende. Africa Safari Serengeti Ndutu overlooks Lake Ndutu, in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, on the edge of the Southern Serengeti. Just 31km from the border between Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation…
Tanzanian Wildlife Management Authority has completed construction of Engaresero Airstrip in Ngorongoro District, Arusha Region. It was built to enhance local tourism through improved access to Lake Natron. After completion in June, the airstrip – with a 1.2km, 23m-wide runway – was certified by the Tanzania Airports Authority when it met the required aviation safety…
The Dubai-based carrier and South African Airways (SAA) have expanded their nearly 30-year partnership into a reciprocal codeshare agreement, opening access to nine additional destinations across South Africa and neighbouring countries while strengthening Johannesburg’s position as one of Africa’s leading aviation hubs. The agreement marks a significant shift in the relationship between the two airlines.…
The new Namoni Lodge has opened on the edge of Uganda’s Kidepo Valley National Park as part of a broader conservation and community tourism initiative in the Karamoja region. Located metres from the park boundary within a community conservancy, the lodge features 10 mid-luxury cabins overlooking the surrounding landscape as well as a restaurant and…
Following a scheduled two-week closure for maintenance, Table Mountain’s cableway reopened on Monday, August 10. The Upper Cable Station and all visitor facilities at the top, including restaurants and shops, have also reopened.
The Namibian government’s plans to establish a new national carrier have progressed with Namibia Air’s licence applications. According to a July 8 Government Gazette, Namibia Air has submitted applications to the Transport Commission of Namibia for scheduled air services and non-scheduled air services licences. If approved, Namibia Air intends to operate domestic, regional and intercontinental services…
Sierra Leone has long had the ingredients of a compelling tourism destination — spectacular beaches, rainforest, wildlife, history and a strong cultural identity — but it has remained largely outside the mainstream African tourism circuit. That may be starting to change. A new feature from Pan African Visions highlights the country’s growing tourism ambitions and…
As interest in birdwatching continues to soar, a new generation of travellers is discovering that some of the world’s most memorable wildlife encounters happen through binoculars, not always a camera lens. Recent industry reports from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds points to growing demand from international markets, particularly the United Kingdom, for…
The Government of Kenya has issued a clarification regarding its proposed mandatory inbound travel health insurance requirement for international visitors, following widespread discussion and some confusion over how the new framework would operate. Under the proposed rules, non-Kenyan visitors staying in the country for less than 12 months would be required to hold travel health…
Ticket sales for the 2026 APTA Global Forum in Livingstone, Zambia are nearly sold out—and now there’s even more reason to secure one of the final spots. APTA Global Forum pre- and post-Forum FAM opportunities are now available, giving attendees the chance to extend their stay and experience some of Southern Africa’s most compelling tourism…
The Wolwedans Collection has unveiled a refreshed look and feel across Desert Lodge, Dune Camp and Mountain View Suite in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, guided by a simple compass: Of the Earth. Working closely with the on-site team and local artisans, Wolwedans has brought every detail back into harmony with the surrounding desert. Natural earth…
Veteran tourism marketer David Germain is back at the Seychelles Tourism Board, bringing more than 40 years of global industry experience to lead the destination’s marketing efforts across the Americas and Canada. His return signals a renewed push to strengthen Seychelles’ presence in one of its most important long-haul tourism markets. The Seychelles Tourism Board…