News from our Members
Sent to all our members on a daily basis, below is a full collection of news stories from across the membership.
To submit a news story please Log In to your dashboard and go to "Submit News".
31 July 2012
Oasis Overland launches Family Adventure Tours to Egypt, Jordan and Morocco
After 14 years of running adventurous overland trips predominantly for 20 to 50 year olds, Oasis Overland is now widening its range to include tours for parents and their children. These adventure tours provide a wonderful opportunity for families to discover together the incredible sights of Egypt, Jordan and Morocco and to learn something of everyday life in these countries whilst also having time for fun by the pool or on the beach. Egypt in particular is an eye-opener for children w…
Read More31 July 2012
Serengeti Pioneer Camp will be the newest addition to the Elewana Collection
Elewana AfricaLocated in the Southern Serengeti (within the Moru Kopjes area), Serengeti Pioneer Camp is ideally situated to offer superlative access to the annual migration and the ‘Big 5’ with sweeping views overlooking Moru Kopjes, Lake Magadi and the endless plains. Individual Style Each of Elewana Collection’s lodges, camps and hotels has its own individual style and feel. Serengeti Pioneer Camp continues this tradition. Paying homage to the ‘mobile camps’ of the…
Read More30 July 2012
Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch gets new GM
July 2012: Jozi’s hottest hotel, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch, gets a new GM on 1 August 2012, when Gabrielle Abrahams take over the reins. The lively, zany Operations Manager of the hotel takes over the reins from Anton Gillis, who is leaving the company after 6 years of helping to mould the funky Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! brand into what it is today. He is moving to Netcare. Abrahams, a Wits Technikon hospitality management graduate, had been in hotel management …
Read More30 July 2012
Increased frequency in flights from Dar es salaam to Mbeya and Iringa
Auric Air ServicesAuric Air is glad to announce the increase in frequency for flights from Dar es salaam to Mbeya and Dar es salaam to Iringa from 05 August 2012 New schedule for these flights will be DA - MBEYA - DAR - (Daily Flights - 2 Flights on Wednesdays and Sundays) DAR - IRINGA - DAR - (Daily Flights) You can download our latest schedule (time table) effective 05 August 2012 from our website www.auricair.com
Read More27 July 2012
The Tree House Rebooted
In November the much-loved house was closed for a Tongabezi style revamp and all around the world a collective breath was held as everyone could not help wondering how it would be possible to improve on perfection. We can now reveal the all new Tongabezi Tree House - and let everyone know that the Tonga team has done it again and it’s safe to exhale, sit back and prepare to be all kinds of impressed! The new Tree House sits on one elevated level hugging the main trunk of a giant African …
Read More27 July 2012
255Uncharted camp upgrades
255Uncharted255Uncharted are pleased to announce the completion of their upgrade to the Wilderness Private Camps. The very spacious new tents have been custom made and the addition of handwoven wool rugs added to the luxurious feel of the camp. Photos can be seen on our gallery page. Last minute space is available for Aug to October are a great price even for two people in this private camp. For more info email kim@255uncharted.com
Read More26 July 2012
The 'H2O Hwange' Campaign
African Bush CampsAfrican Bush Camps has initiated a fund raising campaign known as 'H2O Hwange' where they have pledged to support National Parks and various other organisations in their endeavors to supply water to areas of the Hwange National Park where the natural pans and water-holes have dried up. Following a very poor rainy season, Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park faces a critical and potentially devastating dry season as the country experience’s a national drought. African Bush Camps …
Read More26 July 2012
Precision Air Introduces Jet Flight Services To Kilimanjaro!
Kilimanjaro has never been closer. Starting 01st July 2012, Precision Air launched daily Jet flight Services to Kilimanjaro. Tanzania's leading Airline maintains a frequency of 11 daily flights to/from our vast and reliable network domestically and regionally: 4 X JRO-NBO 5 X JRO-DAR 1 X JRO-MWZ 1 X JRO EBB For more information: Visit our website: http://www.precisionairtz.com or send us your inquiry at contactcentre@precisionairtz.com Make your reservation today! …
Read More26 July 2012
Shamwari Game Reserve Hosts UK High School
Shamwari Game Reserve, part of Shamwari Group, situated in the Eastern Cape near Port Elizabeth, recently had the privilege of hosting Kineton High School, a specialist sports college from the UK who took part in the Shamwari Conservation Experience program. Students aged between 15 and 16 spent two weeks at Shamwari Game Reserve to take part in the unique Shamwari Conservation Experience program. The teens were spilt up into three groups and took turns each day to get involved in various cons…
Read More25 July 2012
Africa Geographic magazine bigger and better as from Sep 2012
September 2012 will see the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our proud history. Africa Geographic magazine will be re-launched as a bigger, better journal that will incorporate its associate magazine Africa – Birds & Birding. Combining content, readers and advertisers of these two leading magazines makes sense, for everybody concerned. This is the next phase in our evolution as Africa’s leading magazine about wildlife, people and travel …
Read More25 July 2012
African Bush Camps - Taking steps towards 'Greener' Camps
African Bush CampsIn an effort to help save the environment, African Bush Camps has introduced a personal gift for each of their guests labelled ‘The Safari Companion’. In a campaign to stop the use of environmentally unfriendly materials, African Bush Camps will provide every guest with a stainless steel drinking water bottle to be refilled with pure filtered water which has undergone a tripple water filtration system. The campaign aims to minimise the use of toxic plastic bottles which damage the …
Read More25 July 2012
Volcanoes Launches Gorilla Permit Chart!!
Volcanoes SafarisVolcanoes Safaris is excited to announce that a new resource is available to make the planning of your journey to the endangered mountain gorillas much easier: the Gorilla Permit Chart! The innovative Gorilla Permit Chart has been devised to give guests a guideline of the availability of permits both in Rwanda and Uganda for months in advance! The chart has been colour-coded in a traditional traffic-light style to make it incredibly easy to see which dates have high, medium, low or no a…
Read More25 July 2012
Shamwari Game Reserve Paid Tribute to Mandela Day
Shamwari Game Reserve situated in the Eastern Cape near Port Elizabeth, commemorated Mandela Day by distributing food parcels to the local community. Sharelda van Niekerk, Executive Head Chef at Shamwari put a team of staff together and gave more than 67 minutes of their time to packaging and then distributing the food parcels to the elderly and people in need within the local community. Comments Shamwari General Mangers, Gunther Strauss:“We sincerely hope that our efforts assisted in no…
Read More24 July 2012
Shamwari Conservation Experience Hosted The Big Winter Sale
The Shamwari Conservation Experience programme at Shamwari Game Reserve, situated in the Eastern Cape near Port Elizabeth, recently hosted a Big Winter Sale of old clothes, books and clothes that were left behind by the volunteers who have attended the various conservation programmes over the past few months. Posters were made prior to the sale to create awareness and items like clothes and books were also donated for the sale and were sold to the local community on the day. Close to R3, 000 w…
Read More24 July 2012
Security in the Eastern portion of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Following the recent political instability in Eastern Congo, security has been strengthened around the bordering areas in Uganda and Rwanda to ensure safety in this region so that these areas are not affected by the Congo conflicts. We are in contact with the relevant organizations, and have confirmed that there are no cases of insecurity in the Gorilla parks of Uganda & Rwanda (Bwindi, PNV & Mgahinga) and other neighboring areas. Tours to the above me…
Read More20 July 2012
Proflight Zambia- Business as Usual
'We would like to advise everyone that Proflight Zambia continues to operate as normal and has increased frequency and capacity for the 2012 tourist season and is continuing to grow. Earlier this month Proflight was temporarily suspended by IATA due to an administrative issue which was resolved within 4 days of the initial suspension. This only affected the ability for IATA agents to book Proflight in the GDS'. It did not in any way affect Proflight Zambia's opera…
Read More19 July 2012
New Tanzanite Museum opens in Dar Es Salaam
TANZANITE - 1,000 TIMES RARER THAN DIAMONDS The Tanzanite Experience showcases the history of tanzanite through its unique museums and boutiques in Arusha and now at its latest museum in Dar Es Salaam. Creating a greater awareness of how rare and precious Tanzanite is by revealing its mystery and rarity, the museum opened recently on Mererani Street in Masaki allowing both tourists and residents to enjoy ‘The Experience’. Being a product of TanzaniteOne Mining Ltd, the large…
Read More18 July 2012
Tourvest East Africa Introduces Lemala Kuria Hills Camp Managers
Lemala Camps and LodgesTourvest East Africa is very proud and delighted to announce the arrival of Brett Horley and Marianda Venter to the Lemala team, previously from Singita Boulders in South Africa. They will initially be involved in the general overseeing of the quality of service delivery of the Lemala camps as well as supervising the finishing and interiors of Kuria Hills, our new permanent camp in the north of the Serengeti. Brett will also be overseeing the guiding and guide training for the driver guides as…
Read More18 July 2012
Kitela Lodge - Karatu, already open! !
Last month of May we finally opened our precious Kitela Lodge. Kitela Lodge is a small, exclusive lodge situated on top of a valley overlooking a coffee plantation, the Eastern wall of the Ngorongoro crater and a beautiful waterfall. It consists of 20 spacious suites in cottages built in a modern African style offering guests a relaxing, quiet atmosphere surrounded by beautiful gardens. Includes pool and African SPA. http://www.tanganyikawildernesscamps.com/camps/kitela-lodge-afri…
Read More17 July 2012
Volunteer at Samara – for an unforgettable African experience
Samara Private Game ReserveSamara Private Game Reserve is situated on the vast mystical plains of the Great Karoo in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The reserve boasts spectacular topography; from vast open plains, to densely vegetated valleys and rocky escarpments. Restoration of the natural wildlife that roamed the Great Karoo prior to European settlement, 200 years ago, is the mission that we at Samara Private Game Reserve strive towards. The volunteer program at Samara gives you the opportunity to experience …
Read More16 July 2012
Dates Announced for Swaziland's Umhlanga Reed Dance
The dates have been announced for this year’s Umhlanga – the famous Reed Dance in Swaziland. The Reed Dance is a traditional dance and ceremony over 8 days where up to 40 000 Swazi maidens gather and dance for the Queen Mother. It is one of the biggest and most spectacular cultural events in Africa. Dates for 2012 are 27th August to the 3rd of September with the main public days 2nd and 3rd of September. This Swazi cultural event is performed as a tribute to the Royal Family and da…
Read More16 July 2012
Victoria Safari Lodge Unveils its Much Anticipated New Look
Africa Albida TourismThe much anticipated revamp of one of Africa’s most picturesque destinations has been completed and within only ten days. Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was sent on a whirlwind of change with new furniture, decor and a dash of paint. Ross Kennedy, Chief Executive of Africa Albida Tourism, said “it was very satisfying to be involved and watch the enormous teamwork and spirit that made this achievable on such a tight schedule!” Guests were interested and fascinated by the scope of…
Read More12 July 2012
Rob Caskie speaking on the South African Anglo Zulu Wars at the Royal Institute
Rob Caskie will be speaking on the South African Anglo Zulu Wars at the Royal Institute, London on the 18th of September 2012. Doors open at 7pm and Tickets are £20 per person with all proceeds going to Tenovus. For more information please contact events@steppestravel.co.uk or call 01285 880 980. Tickets can be bought on line at http://www.steppestravel.co.uk/more/information/anglo+zulu+wars+talk+with+rob+caskie/
Read More12 July 2012
The Hemingways Collection's new website has launched.
Far Horizons MarketingThe Hemingways Collection's new website is now up and running please do go and have a look http://www.hemingways-collection.com
Read More11 July 2012
Safari interactive magazine readership soars
70,253 unique readers for issue 7 - that’s the exciting news from Africa Geographic’s online travel magazine/blog called Safari interactive magazine. Of these readers more than 8,000 have registered as subscribers. Readers come from 179 countries, with USA (37%) the largest contingent. Geographical spread: Americas 46%, Europe 24%, and Africa 17% Safari is also available as an app for iPad and Android, with a strong growth in app sales. Safari is promoted throughout the 2-mon…
Read More11 July 2012
Rwandair link Mwanza and Kigali with direct flights
The Far HorizonsLast week saw Rwandair launch a thrice-weekly, direct service to Mwanza. This is their 3rd destination in Tanzania and their 14th destination in the network. Departures will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, using a Bombardier Dash8-200 aircraft with a 37 passenger seating capacity. This will create more choice on the Mwanza-Kigali route, offering affordable alternatives for itineraries that link a safari on the Serengeti with gorilla tracking in the misty Virunga mountains of northern …
Read More06 July 2012
Bluebay Hotels plays a part in 'Beautiful Zanzibar Project'
Bluebay Hotel Group situated on the island of Zanzibar, and are delighted to take part in the ‘Beautiful Zanzibar Project’. The hotels have donated 240 bottles of water for this Sundays (08 July 2012) ‘Community Clean-up in Stone Town’. Julian Burton y Mones, GM for all three properties commented ‘ It is a delight to help out the project team and assist in keeping our beautiful island as clean and attractive as possible, it is a precious destinat…
Read More05 July 2012
Singita Teams up with Jamie Oliver's Fifteen
SingitaLucien Green, the Senior Training and Development Chef at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Apprentice Programme, is currently at Singita Kruger National Park, where he is spending a week at the Singita School of Cooking conducting master classes for staff and students. There is a distinct synergy between Fifteen and the Singita School of Cooking. Fifteen was established to offer young, unemployed people the experience of learning to work in the restaurant business and a chance to have a better fut…
Read More04 July 2012
Shamwari Game Reserve Cleans up local P.E Beach
Part of Shamwari Group, Shamwari Game Reserve situated in the Eastern Cape, recently helped to clean up the local Blue Water Bay Beach in Port Elizabeth as part of its ongoing support for the local community. Shamwari Game Reserve’s game rangers joined forces to get involved in a different side of conservation and contributed to the preservation of the local marine environment. The rangers chose the Blue Water Bay Beach due to its condition and the fact that it’s a popular fishing …
Read More03 July 2012
Sanctuary Retreats - Online Availibility for ALL our camps now available.
Sanctuary RetreatsWe are very excited to announce that online availability is now on offer for our all lodges and camps in Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Click on the link below to gain access: www.sanctuaryretreats.com/liveonlineavailability Please note: Availability is Real Time and therefore we cannot guarantee these rooms. In order to secure space please contact our reservations team: Botswana & Zambia Enquiries: southernafrica@sanctuaryretreats.com Kenya and Uganda Enquiries: kenya@sa…
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