While there are major actions needed to elevate the tourism sector – improving safety, increasing air access, increasing investment, and growing tourism’s contribution to the economy – the industry is ready to come back with a bang! This was the positive message from the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, speaking at WTM Africa, which kicked…
Continuing with its impressive international route expansion, Ethiopian Airlines is set to operate yet another route between New York and Côte d’Ivoire starting on May 23. The airline will resume the flight between New York JFK international and Felix Houphouet Boigny International Airport in Côte d’Ivoire, commonly known as the Ivory Coast. This route was launched in June 2019…
Johannesburg to Nosy Be will re-commence from 25 June 2023 with a once-weekly direct flight on Sundays as part of the drive to restore flights between South Africa and Madagascar to pre-pandemic levels. “Having just recently re-established connectivity between Johannesburg and Antananarivo, which is a predominantly business and trade route. Airlink is preparing to re-ignite tourism…
Classic Africa Safaris is pleased to report that Ugandan officials have lifted the Covid-19 vaccination requirement for all arrivals into Entebbe International Airport (EBB) effective immediately. For departing passengers, proof of vaccination will be checked only if the airline or an onward country of destination requires it. CAS asks that trade partners confirm any Covid-19…
Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023 is expected to almost double in size, drawing growing revenue and attracting thousands of delegates and international buyers to the Durban International Convention Centre from May 9-11. This is the forecast business and government tourism leaders, including Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, gave of the continent’s upcoming premier tourism and travel business…
Zimbabwe’s National Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) will raise the conservation fees for accessing Victoria Falls National Park from April 1. This decision was made despite the previous backlash from stakeholders who claimed they were not consulted earlier this year when Zimparks first proposed the increase. Back in December, the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe…
Classic Africa Safaris is pleased to report the opening of a new luxury property in Uganda, the Entebbe Forest Lodge. Our general manager Hilda recently visited the property and reports that the lodge sits in a beautiful forested area overlooking Lake Victoria (approx. 30 minutes from EBB Airport). The six cabins have forest views and…
Shenton Safaris are offering the ultimate Zambian adventure. Launching all-new 2-week and 3-week itineraries, the emphasis is on personalized, owner-run camps in remote areas, with passionate guides, excellent wildlife and incredible experiences. “The Shentons and their extended family of extraordinary guides, have been sharing the magic of South Luangwa National Park with guests from all…
Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira, on a private island off the coast of Mozambique’s Nampula province, is on track for opening in the first quarter of 2024. Prior to the COVID pandemic, the ultra-luxurious resort was slated for opening in the second quarter of 2022. The property will be only the third Banyan Tree resort in…
As of 22nd March 2023, Zambia no longer requires proof of Covid vaccination or a negative PCR test to enter the country. Botswana, Namibia and Zambia now offer free movement with regards to any Covid-19 restrictions. We hope that Zimbabwe will soon follow. For up-to-date travel information regarding Covid-19, please refer your clients to the…
Turkish Airlines is to relaunch its Lusaka service with two flights a week via Dar es Salaam from 26 March 2023. Outbound flights to Istanbul will operate on Mondays and Saturdays, and inbound flights on Sundays and Fridays. Flights depart from Lusaka at 02h50 and arrive in Istanbul at 14h40, after a flight of 10 hours…
TIME Magazine’s coveted list of 50 “World’s Greatest Places” for 2023 is now out and includes several African destinations including: Musanze, Rwanda Giza and Saqqara, Egypt Dakar, Senegal Rabat, Morocco Loango National Park, Gabon Chyulu Hills, Kenya Click here to check it out
Tanzania has launched an international tourist centre at the iconic Serengeti National Park in a bid to promote the country’s vast tourism offerings. Opened by Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mohamed Mchengerwa, the visitor centre provides information on the country’s 22 national parks and 29 game reserves, including maps and key attributes of the various…
SAA has alerted the trade that clients who are holding open tickets and travel EMD vouchers (Electronic Miscellaneous Document), have travel credit vouchers that expire on Friday, March 31, 2023. Following its Business Rescue, SAA created the option for customers holding unflown tickets to exchange them for credit vouchers. These unused tickets and credit vouchers…
Zambia Airways will debut its regional operations with thrice-weekly flights between Lusaka and Harare from March 28, as the relaunched national carrier seeks to achieve its goal of carrying 1.9 million passengers annually by 2028. The airline was relaunched in December 2021 through a partnership between the Zambian Government, the Industrial Development Corporation and Ethiopian…
The Mozambique government has officially approved the addition of 28 countries to its visa exemption list, in what the tourism industry has touted as a significant move to boost inbound tourism to the nation. The expansion of the visa waiver list is part of a package of economic stimulus measures announced by President Felipe Nyusi in August…
A new ‘Star Bed’ tower and ‘Star Drift’ experience will debut at Chiawa Camp in the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia on May 1. Located just downstream of the main camp, the ‘Star Bed’ tower – an open-to-the-skies sleep-out experience – is positioned on the banks of the Zambezi River, overlooking ‘Scout’s Hollow’, an…
Emirates is adding flights to Dar es Salaam and Entebbe to meet increased demand. Daily flights to Dar es Salaam will start on May 1, up from the current five times a week, and daily flights to Entebbe will start on July 1, currently six times a week. The flight schedules will be as follows:…
The cyclone has unleashed torrents of water in built-up areas of Blantyre along the rivers, and terrible landslides have swept down hillsides. Boulders more enormous than houses have rolled down the mountainside leaving no trace of dwellings, humans or life behind. The plains in Chikwawa and Nsanje have again disappeared under water, leaving thousands of…
Follow the incredible story of how the Greater Mabula Private Game Reserve in the Waterberg became the closest reserve to Gauteng providing sanctuary to South Africa’s endangered African Wild Dogs with the unexpected arrival of two male dogs on the reserve which have now been matched with two suitable females. In January 2022, in collaboration…
Extraordinary, an esteemed collection of luxury lodges and hotels in Southern Africa, is delighted to introduce the world-class luxury hotel, Angels View by HoyoHoyo, in Mpumalanga. The hotel is located 5km from the picturesque village of Graskop. Angels View offers a luxury product with a multi-market target, ideal for both leisure and business travellers looking…
The Greater Mabula Game Reserve’s smallest and most intimate tented camp reopens this week with a fresh and contemporary new look that enhances its special private location within this reserve in the Waterberg. Sporting five refashioned luxuriously appointed tents, each on a raised platform with their own private decks and incredible views of the surrounding…
Luxury property owner and management company Extraordinary to launch exclusive-use villa in the Greater Mabula Private Game Reserve Luxury property owner and management company Extraordinary is set to launch an exclusive-use luxury villa in Limpopo’s Greater Mabula Private Game Reserve in January 2023. Located only two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Johannesburg in the Waterberg, Kingfisher Villa…
Luxury property owner and management company Extraordinary has launched its exclusive-use luxury villa in Limpopo’s Greater Mabula Private Game Reserve. Located only two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Johannesburg in the Waterberg, Kingfisher Villa offers an exclusive and elegant bush getaway for family and friends to come together and enjoy a private safari experience. An airstrip on…
Five years ago, the river valleys and high plains that are now safeguarded by the Babanango Game Reserve in the KwaZulu Natal region of South Africa were virtually devoid of wildlife after decades of cattle grazing and unrestrained hunting. “All the big animals had been killed and most of the smaller ones had run away,”…
Airlink has appointed AVIAREPS as its GSA to consolidate the airline’s presence in the crucial North American and Asian source markets. “North America is a significant source market, not just for Airlink but for businesses, entrepreneurs and leisure travellers. Economic activity between South Africa and North America is increasing, including tourism, trade and commerce,” said…
SAUDIA, in collaboration the Saudi Air Connectivity Programme (ACP) and the Saudi Tourism Authority, is launching flights to four new destinations including Johannesburg, Kano (Nigeria), Birmingham (UK), and Beijing. The new direct flight routes are being launched in response to the increase in consumer demand from travellers looking to visit or transit through Saudi from…
St Helena has welcomed a new mid-week Airlink flight connecting the remote destination with Johannesburg from November 2023. The new seasonal flight, which will operate on Tuesdays, will complement the regular scheduled flights to St Helena on Saturdays. The additional flight will be available during the Southern summer season, from November 28 to the end…
The new year has seen some exciting changes within our Hideaways portfolio! In addition to our own lodges and camps, we’ve added a selection of partner properties that are privately owned and managed independently, in order to provide the absolute best experiences for our clients. These partner properties share the same values and views on eco-philosophy…
JENMAN African Safaris is opening the travel treasure chest of Mozambique with the addition of four exquisite villas to their already impressive Private Villa Collection. Situated on the unspoilt tropical island of Benguerra and in the vibrant coastal town of Vilanculos, these properties are the epitome of a sublime Mozambique getaway. The balmy turquoise waters of…
Phase I will be the launch at King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) in Johannesburg (JNB) with flights operating twice daily Eswatini Air announced its planned operating schedule, fare, and notice of reservations systems going live. This marks and brings to an end the long wait for the commencement of Eswatini Air flights. Recognizing that…
New airport meets ICAO standards, meaning the tourism sector may now accommodate Canadian Air, Finn Air, as well as other airlines he Board of Directors and members of the African Tourism Board congratulated the government and good people of Sierra Leone on the commissioning of the ultra-modern Freetown International Airport on March 3, 2023. The…
Sierra Leone will open a new airport in Freetown on Friday March 3rd. The new airport is located in Lungi. The new airport marks for the first time in history that Sierra Leone has built its own airport. More info here.
Durban’s King Shaka International Airport will be undertaking maintenance works on the canopy structure above the drop-off area (elevated roadway) from March 3 for completion by the end of July. The work entails the refurbishment of the canopy above the drop-off area and will be executed in phases. Paintwork to various elements of the structure…
Cresta Hotels plans to open a new boutique hotel in Jwaneng, a mining town about 200km south of Gaborone. The 50-room hotel, which is scheduled to open in 2024, will be located along the Trans-Kalahari highway, the gateway to Namibia, Kgalagadi and Maun. Accommodation will comprise 36 standard en-suite rooms with showers, workstation, and coffee…
Tanzania Association of Tour Operators – TATO, is the largest association of tour operators, travel agents, DMCs, airlines, hotels, and different activity providers in Tanzania, East Africa. TATO members are experts in all tourism and travel services Tanzania has to offer: ~ wildlife safaris in the world-famous national parks, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, and…
Flydubai will expand its East Africa network with a new daily direct flight to Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, from March 9. The carrier will double the frequency of flights from June 1, making it the first carrier to connect Somalia directly with Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. Hamad Obaidalla, FlyDubai Chief Commercial Officer, said the…
A key driver of a multi-billion-dollar tourism industry in Tanzania has offered a cutting-edge power backup system worth more than $15,000 to immigration department to guarantee seamless clearance services at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Idea behind the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) to step up support is to complement the government efforts to create seamless,…
To celebrate the re-opening of its iconic properties Kenya, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts has kicked off the New Year by announcing the launch of a new itinerary that takes in three spectacular destinations in the group’s portfolio. With a journey that allows guests to truly immerse themselves in the local culture and history of the…
This is JENMAN African Safaris’ very own “sundowner spot”, right in the middle of Cape Town, South Africa! The Hideout was officially opened on Thursday, 23 February 2023 by managing director Garth Jenman and general manager Johann Barnard, with staff members gathering for some celebratory drinks and snacks. It is sure to become just the…
JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announces the opening of bookings ahead of its Spring opening. Set to welcome guests from 1st April 2023, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will mark the brand’s very first luxury safari lodge and will sit within the Masai…
Zimbabwe’s Civil Aviation Authority (ZCAA) has announced the signing of new air service agreements (ASAs) and reviews of existing agreements, to both accelerate the country’s integration into the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and enhance access from overseas source markets. Signed at the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Conference in Nigeria in December 2022, the…
‘We Are Victoria Falls’ and Cape Town Tourism have signed a partnership to embark on a joint marketing programme that cross-promotes the two tourism destinations on the theme of ‘The Ultimate African Adventure’. Working with key airlines and private-sector operators, the campaign is set to launch this year to attract shared tourist markets to visit…
The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) is on a quest to secure more Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Events (MICE) business from key source markets, including South Africa, in 2023 and beyond. Anthony Ochieng, UTB Market Development Representative, Africa, said there were already a good number of hotel meeting spaces in Uganda, with many exciting projects on…
Help Mad Mikes on Bikes to raise £20,000 to fund education for children-in-need within the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe community! Mike Davis and Mike Johnson, the two slightly overweight, mid-life crisis-afflicted individuals are more known for their hedonistic lifestyles than for their feats of endurance. But they have thrown themselves into a “New Year, New Me” mentality and have undertaken…
Feline Fields Okavango by Mantis – Fly Free Offer Now Extended! Experience the beauty of Botswana and the wonders of its diverse landscapes with our exclusive offer “Fly for Free with Feline Fields“. For a limited time, we are offering complimentary air and road transfers including a 1-hour scenic helicopter transfer from Khwai Camp to…
PIONEERS in safari guide and wildlife training, EcoTraining celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.“What sets us apart is the fact that our formally accredited courses are the most recognised of any training school in Africa. We are the original guide training school in South Africa with the largest, most diverse footprint in Africa,” said Corne…
Tanzania’s full-year official figures show that international arrivals for 2022 were at over 95% of those recorded before the pandemic. According to the country’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the number of foreign tourists who visited Tanzania last year increased to 1.45 million, up by 57.7% from the 922 692 recorded in 2021. More impressively, the…
South African Airways will officially return to Malawi on March 16, with ticket sales for the service having already begun on February 6. Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently shared the update on its Facebook page. According to the post, the resumption of flights was announced by SAA CEO, Professor John Lamola, during a meeting held…
South African-based regional carrier, FlySafair has announced that it now has the rights to fly three scheduled flights per week, direct between Johannesburg and Zanzibar. The airline said the Zanzibar service should be up and running reasonably soon, thanks to an existing charter arrangement. “Translating this existing chartered operation into a scheduled operation should be…