The Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has closed to tourists until June 4. The announcement comes after two British tourists were kidnapped on May 11 and later released. Their ranger, 25-year-old Rachel Masika Baraka, was killed in the ambush. Until the attacks last week, no incidents against tourists had been reported…
South African bus companies have announced that services have resumed following a three-week-long strike over wages. The South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council confirmed that an agreement had been reached late Monday (May 14). All unions involved have agreed to a 9% wage increase in the first year and an 8% increase is to be…
Ethiopian Holidays, the tour operator wing of Ethiopian Airlines, is pleased to announce the launching of its newly revamped website. The new website avails accessible, affordable and attractive tour packages to Ethiopian Airlines’ major tourist destinations in Ethiopia and its vast international network. Announcing the launch of the newly designed website, Ethiopian Group CEO,…
Malawi is in the process of rebranding itself as a Big Five safari destination, expanding its marketed tourism offering beyond Lake Malawi. Increased conservation efforts, including the introduction of more lions and cheetahs, as well as the dispersion of 500 elephants across the three major national parks – Majete, Nyika and Liwonde – are increasing…
Malawi is making plans to construct a new airport to take the world directly to Lake Malawi, President Arthur Peter Mutharika announced on Friday, May 4. Mutharika said his government was transforming air transport in the country further with plans to rehabilitate and upgrade two other airports. “We are making progress with rehabilitation and expansion works at…
A decision by British Airways to introduce a direct, non-stop flight between London’s Heathrow Airport and Durban’s King Shaka International Airport is a game changer for KwaZulu-Natal as it will be instrumental in contributing to an increase in international arrivals from the United Kingdom and North America. British Airways announced the introduction of the route…
The new Camp Moremi officially opened after completion of a full rebuild. After closing late last year, the camp welcomed their first guests with every room booked for the first full day of operation on the 1st May 2018. The new Camp Moremi is a breathtaking design made up of extensive public areas raised within…
Praveen Moman, the founder of Volcanoes Safaris, has been at the forefront of reviving tourism in Uganda and Rwanda and creating the great ape ecotourism model for over 20 years. He continues to create long-term, self-sustaining projects that enrich the livelihoods of local communities and promote the conservation of the great apes through his non-profit the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT).…
Earth Day is now a global event with more than 1 billion people in 192 countries taking part in what is the largest civic-focused day of action in the world. Every year on the 22 April people march, sign petitions, plant trees and clean up their towns to name a few activities. This year the…
Marriott International today announced the opening of Sheraton Bamako Hotel marking its entry into Mali, in West Africa. This milestone further solidifies Marriott International’s portfolio across West Africa, and promises to revolutionize the hospitality landscape in the country through Sheraton’s distinct product offering coupled with its commitment to go above and beyond for its guests.…
Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline group in Africa and SKYTRAX certified Four Star Global Airline, is proud to announce that it has been recognized by TripAdvisor, one of the largest and most reputed global travel sites, as “The Best Business Class in Africa and Indian Ocean”. TripAdvisor has evaluated the world’s top carriers based on…
The second annual Malawi International Tourism Expo (MITE) wrapped up this past Saturday and was largely considered a smashing success. The show nearly doubled in size since its inaugural instance in 2017 with over 80 participating suppliers and 54 buyers representing over 10 countries traveling to Lilongwe for the expo. Both Malawi’s Minister of Tourism…
The nationwide strike affecting the South African bus industry is continuing, with many services still not operating. MyCiTi service in Cape Town and the Gautrain buses remain suspended until further notice. The nationwide strike is still ongoing and, as such, buses are not operating. With the strike entering its third week, there was still no…
Malawi and Zambia have signed a tourism pact that will see them complementing each other rather than competing in the sector. During the Malawi Tourism Exposition, ‘Takulandilani’, Malawi’s Minister of Tourism, Henry Mussa, suggested that the marketing synergy for the two countries could yield better results if they promoted their tourism products jointly. He acknowledged that…
Back in March there was excitement at Elewana AfroChic Diani as a new Turtle trail was found coming up from the sea leading onto our beach area. The team followed the trail and realised that we had another Turtle’s nest, making it our second nest of season 2018. We protected the nest and straight away the…
April 30th, 2018 CroisiEurope, the Largest River Cruise operator in Europe, has launched a brand new website to support its growing catalog of Cruises and Cruise-Tours in Europe and around the world. The company, which began its operation in Southern Africa earlier this year with the launch of the MS African Dream, has been in…
Today Malawi officially welcomed international, regional and local buyers, media and tourism enterprises, operators & stakeholders, to the 2nd edition of Takulandirani Malawi International Tourism Expo, MITE, being held from 26th to 28th April, 2018 at the Bingu Wa Mutharika International Convention Center (BICC) in Lilongwe.
Air Botswana is in negotiations with the Botswana government to secure funds for the acquisition of a new aircraft to service the Cape Town-Gaborone direct route. Minister of Transport and Communications, Kitso Mokaila, recently told a press briefing that the Ministry intended to procure a new jet within three months. “The Cape Town-Gaborone route is currently…
Emirates has announced its renewed support to Mauritius and the Seychelles by extending its global marketing agreement with the respective Tourism Boards of the two countries. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the 2018 Arabian Travel Market, by Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations for Africa and Sherin Francis, Chief Executive Officer…
Located on a large open plain stretching towards the Shire River in Liwonde National Park, you will find Kuthengo Camp nestled among Fever trees and Baobabs. With resident fish eagles nesting in these Baobabs, you will be woken to ‘Africa’s voice’ calling as you rise in this wild and natural paradise. Our four spacious and…
There are not many people in the world who are able to change the name of a nation. But King Mswati can – he is one of the world’s few absolute monarchs. King Mswati III of Swaziland announced on Wednesday that he was renaming the country “the Kingdom of eSwatini”. The monarch announced the official…
Cruise Line CroisiEurope is offering a temporary flash sale on all 2018 departures of its tours to Southern Africa. This includes the Journey to the Ends of the Earth Program – including a visit to Capetown, Johannesburg, Cruising Lake Kariba, a Lodge Stay in Impalila Island, and visit to Victoria Falls. Highlights include water Safaris…
Effective 6 May 2018, Airlink will launch direct flights between Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. The new service will be served by one of Airlinks recently acquired 74 seat Embraer E170 aircraft, The flights depart from OR Tambo International Airport at 18h10 arriving at Port Elizabeth International Airport at 19h40, Monday to Friday and Sundays. The return flight departs Port Elizabeth at 06h45 arriving at Johannesburg…
It is with a heavy heart we report that tour guide Rusten of Blue Crane Safaris, a Namibian based tour company, passed away this past weekend. He had recently led a group of US and Canadian journalists on a 10-day press tour tour of Northern Namibia’s four rivers region. The group had nothing but praise…
Attracting more foreign and domestic tourists makes a great deal of sense for Zimbabwe, as the country forges ahead with efforts to turn around the economy and create more jobs. Given that tourism is a “low hanging fruit” the world over, the country stands to benefit immensely from this global industry, provided all enablers are…
African Parks have been responsible for transforming Malawi’s wildlife in recent years, helping it to emerge as one of Africa’s most complete destinations as the quality of its safaris develops to match the cultural, scenic and adventure experiences already well established. With new initiatives and projects continuing to be announced through 2018, their commitment to…
As we (Wellworth Hospitality) continue to make progress on our Luxury Collection Lodges & Camps in Northern Circuit in Tanzania, we are excited to share the latest news with you. Construction is in Full Swing at the Ole Serai – Kogatende, as we approach our opening dates during the end of June 2018. This camp…
Mid-March Lewa Wildlife Conservancy with the support of Kenya Wildlife Service and Save the Elephants, translocated nine elephants from Lewa to Tsavo. The reason behind this move was to address the human-wildlife conflict and by moving individual elephants that are associated with conflict cases, reduces future encounters. Tsavo National Park is split into East and…
NAIROBI, Kenya — A Kenya-based wildlife organization says prominent conservationist Daphne Sheldrick has died at age 83. A statement by The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust says she died Thursday evening after a long battle with breast cancer. Sheldrick received global attention for her work raising more than 200 orphaned baby elephants. The statement says that…
Great Plains Conservation’s brand new Greater Mana Expedition program in the Sapi Concession will open 1 May 2018 as a 6 night program for travelers. The private 118,0000 hectare Sapi Concession (which has been awarded to Great Plains Conservation to manage and look after) and neighbouring Mana Pools National Park form part of a UNESCO…
Alitalia, today re-launched its Johannesburg-Rome route after 17 years away, making it the only carrier to host a direct flight between the two cities. “We [the city of Ekhuruleni] are extremely excited at the return of Alitalia after a 16-year absence from our skies. The reintroduction of Alitalia is a welcome boost to our ambition…
A new lodge will soon officially open on the outskirts of Kang village on the southern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana. Kealeboga Moloi, Sales and Marketing Manager, said Phofu Kalahari Lodge would have two luxury en-suite rooms and seven en-suite tented chalets. “Guests will experience a luxurious African lifestyle in one…
A new luxury boutique hotel will open in Victoria Falls in early 2019, adjacent to the Zambezi National Park. “The Mbano Manor Hotel’s vision is to cater for the top-end of the international market with an upmarket and deluxe offering in Victoria Falls, in a forest setting only four kilometres away from the world-famous landmark,”…
After a year’s break, Malawi’s biggest international arts event, the Lake of Stars Festival, is returning to the central region for its 15th anniversary celebrations. The three day extravaganza will take place this year in a new location in Leopards Bay, Lifuwa Salima. The festival, which was recently voted one of the World’s Best in the…
Recently the team at Elewana Kilindi Zanzibar come together from various departments to support the Elewana commitment to a greener environment. Everyone arrived at the beach house to commence the beach activity, a huge team effort to reduce waste in the oceans by cleaning the beaches on a regular basis. Prayers were said followed by…
The APTA National Forum will be taking place in Denver, Colorado at the historic Oxford Hotel situated in the popular Lower Downtown (LoDo) area. This is your chance to meet some of the influencers, changemakers and pioneers in the world of Africa, conservation and travel plus reconnect with your fellow APTA members. When: Friday, September…
Forbes has published their list of top 10 coolest cities to visit in 2018 and three of the 10 are in Africa. You can check out the whole list here – http://www3.forbes.com/business/the-10-coolest-cities-around-the-world-to-visit-in-2018/ #10 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia “Many travelers fly into Addis Ababa and then head straight out,” says Tom Marchant, the cofounder and owner of…
The Government of Malawi and African Parks have just announced the signing of the agreement to expand their management of Liwonde National Park to include Mangochi Forest Reserve, a 320 km2 adjoining forest and water catchment area. This agreement marks a very exciting development of the expansion of Malawi’s premier wildlife reserve. The signing took place…
After Itravelafrica’s warmly received presentations in October 2017 thru California their New York based team will make another presentation in Sacramento on Wednesday 11 April 2018. The presentation will be at the Aviator Restaurant at the Executive Airport, 6151 Freeport Blvd. CA 95822 and commences at 5:30 pm. The topic to be presented is Kenya.…
There are so many incredible places to visit while staying at Elewana The Manor, one being a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater forest to see the extraordinary Elephant Caves and picturesque waterfalls. Elewana The Manor is located adjacent to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), which is a World Heritage Site and named after Ngorongoro Crater,…
We are proud to work with some of the best guides in the industry. In order to keep them (and us) at the top of the game, staff development is very important at Jenman African Safaris. Training has many benefits for staff. They acquire new skills, increase their contribution to the business and build on…
A new in-depth elephant safari experience is set to launch at iMfolozi Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal, affording participants the opportunity to study and explore one of the Big Five. The Elephant Experience will delve into the complex social structures of elephant cows and bulls, as well as their behavioural patterns, anatomy, and their importance…
South African anti-apartheid campaigner and former first lady Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has died aged 81. She and her former husband Nelson Mandela, who were both jailed, were a symbol of the country’s anti-apartheid struggle for three decades. However, in later years her reputation became tainted legally and politically. Crowds of mourners and political figures flocked to…
Camp Jabulani has taken a bold and considerable decision to keep the 2019 season rates UNCHANGED, as well as taking the decision to ABSORB the VAT INCREASE of 1%, which was recently imposed by the South African Government, for both the current rates, as well as the 2019 rates. Effectively this means their rates remain unchanged…
Extraordinary will be showcasing a distinctive collection of luxury lodges and hotels in Southern Africa at Indaba Africa ICC Durban. Extraordinary presents a distinctive collection of luxury lodges and hotels in Southern Africa. This solution to hospitality management offers a range of services including Management, Sales, Marketing and Reservations for small hospitality groups and individually…
Don’t miss your chance to explore Africa – a world of endless possibilities and unparalleled experiences. Salute Africa – 2018 AFRICA FAM – only 4 spaces left! SALUTE AFRICA 2018 FAM Highlights include: explore the wine country, visit Cape of Good Hope & Table Mountain, learn about the history of our Rainbow Nation, admire the magnificence of The…
Four years after the last lion was seen in Liwonde, African Parks have reintroduced the first of several wild lions back into the National Park. In partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), and with support from the Dutch Government and the Lion Recovery Fund, two mature males were released into…
AirKenya has suspended services into the Olare Orok Airstrip in Masai Mara, as well as the Nanyuki Civil Airstrip, owing to the heavy rainfall and resulting floods across the country. The runways have become slippery, making the airstrips unserviceable. Alternative airstrips have been recommended: Alternative to Olare Orok: Mara North and Olkiombo airstrips Alternative to…
(CNN)The world’s last male northern white rhino has died leaving only two females left to save the subspecies from extinction. The 45-year-old rhino named Sudan had been in poor health in recent days and was being treated for age-related issues and multiple infections. A veterinary team made the decision to euthanize Sudan after his condition deteriorated significantly,…
Early February, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy & KWS teamed up for a rhino notching exercise. The aim being to provide each Rhino with an identity by creating a unique notch pattern on the ears, which will enable rangers to identify individual animals during their anti-poaching patrols, determine when an animal goes missing, and also ensure that…