Top Ten places in #Africa

ACACIA Africa has updated its top ten list of the most popular #destinations to visit in Southern and East #Africa (20 January 2019), the results compiled from expert sources and Instagram hashtags. In the 12 months since the original data was made available there have been some significant changes - Uganda taking the top slot from South Africa and Mozambique moving from tenth to third place.

The cost of trekking the endangered mountain gorilla in Uganda is half that of neighbouring Rwanda, and while the price differential might well have drawn more people to visit the country over 2018, Acacia claim our growing concern with over-tourism and eagerness to see places which are less well visited or where tourist numbers are more strictly monitored to protect the environment, in this case the gorillas habitat, is the reason behind Uganda’s rise to fame.

1.   Uganda
2.   Tanzania
3.   Mozambique
4.   Kenya
5.   Namibia
6.   Zimbabwe
7.   Botswana
8.   Zambia
9.   South Africa
10. Malawi

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Unwind and relax in the bush

WHILE the Big Five game drives and encounters with wildlife are always a huge drawcard, it’s only half the safari experience at Garonga Safari Camp, #SouthAfrica. Equally important is slowing down the pace of life, nurturing yourself, and ‘resetting your system’. #Garonga has just upped the relaxation ante to a whole new level by revamping the existing bush bath by adding a new freestanding bath – but even more excitingly, now offer a dreamy new Star Bath and Yoga Deck.

The Star Bath not only offers views over the bush and the dazzling African night sky - but has its very own galaxy of twinkling stars, all in complete privacy. Soak away your troubles, let go and look back on the sightings and experiences of the day with a glass of wine in hand. 

Those already familiar with the practice of mindfulness and meditation, or those that just love a good stretch or daytime nap, will be excited to see Garonga’s new Yoga Deck. An enclosed tented structure designed to allow air to flow freely, perfectly frames an exquisite view of the valley. You can step onto the mat and practice in privacy surrounded by only the peaceful sounds of the surrounding bush. If you’re lucky you might even get some of the local wildlife passing by!

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Baobab studded camp set to open in 2020

MASHATU Game Reserve’s portfolio of camps is expanding with the introduction of Mashatu Euphorbia. Mashatu Euphorbia is the new 5-star camp, situated in this privately owned, baobab-studded reserve in #Botswana. 

This “green” camp combines luxury with conservation and sustainability, where solar energy and state of the art water processing systems ensure a harmonious blend with the African bush. Set high up on a cliff face amongst a forest of euphorbia succulents which open up to reveal exquisite vistas of the Majale River and endless plains below.

Mashatu Euphorbia will begin welcoming guests from June 2020, but reservations are now open mashatu.com 

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History Creates Tourism

WORLD Tourism Day 2019 will be celebrated on September 27 and Cambodia and Djibouti have won the honor to be global examples in the tourism and cultural world for 2019, according to a string of key decisions for tourism and culture future in 2019 taken by the global tourism institutions.

Phnom Penh, the capital of Kingdom of Cambodia and Djibouti city, the capital of The Republic of Djibouti were selected as the official model cities for World Tourism Day celebrations and official hosts of global tourism events.

Both Djibouti and Phnom Penh where in previous years selected as World`s Capital of Culture and Tourism and globally recognized as centers of heritage, tourism and culture.

The  theme was decided to be History and Tourism: A symbiotic relationship!, destined not only to enliven tourism during 2019, but also to emphasize that tourism is inextricably linked with historical legacy.

History is the main attraction that is creating tourism demand and visitors expectation is linked with the existence of historical and cultural heritage.



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Celebrating the legacy of Nelson Mandela

AN award-winning agency established in 1987, named "Top Travel Specialist" for 19 consecutive years by Conde Nast Traveler, and recognized consistently by Forbes as well as other prestigious publications. Tully Luxury Travel designs life-enriching travel experiences for a global clientele, curated with the utmost attention to detail. Priding itself in its philanthropic and conservation initiatives which encourages how one can always travel with a purpose and make a difference.

In December, Mary Jean Tully, Founder and CEO of Tully Luxury Travel, proudly supported Giants of #Africa, the not-for-profit co-founded by Toronto Raptors president, Masai Ujiri, with the purchase of an exclusive and unique work of art. The painting titled "Madiba" by artist Ajiri Ujiri, was showcased at the annual Giants of Africa fundraiser, "Mandela 100", celebrating the legacy of Nelson Mandela. 

As 2018 would have marked Mandela's 100th birthday, Tully was honored to celebrate the icon's profound international impact. A devoted philanthropist, Tully is passionate about Africa and actively supports various causes to raise awareness for positive change, globally.


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Give a little it'll mean a lot

ACACIA Africa is asking all of its travellers who are finishing their tour in Cape Town to open their hearts and their backpacks and consider donating to SAVE. The SAVE Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation that works to enrich, educate, and empower various township and settlement communities, every donation going to families affected by the shack fires in the Dunoon and Morning Star housing areas on the outskirts of South Africa's Mother City.

Sabine Behrmann, Cape Town Manager, at Acacia Africa, comments, “So far we have donated 20 camping mattresses, in excess of 30 pillows and an assortment of kitchen equipment including pots, utensils, serving bowls. Our tour leaders let clients on our southbound tours finishing in #CapeTown know that if they wish to donate their sleeping bags, pillows or other personal items (clothes, flash lights, books etc) they should simply leave them on the truck after checking into the lodge in Cape Town. We then pass them on to the SAVE Foundation who see that these items get to the needy."

While there's no better time to put the word out, the fires are frequent, so Acacia #Africa is hoping travellers will continue to give what they can over the festive season and beyond.

Sabine Behrmann, comments, "These families are often left with nothing at all so every donation goes a long way to helping them get back on their feet, and no matter how small, travellers will be making a very real impact on these people's lives."


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Lake Victoria expands to 18 holes

LAKE Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa in Uganda launched its newly extended 18-Hole golf course in October 2018 during the Serena Open. Designed by Golf Plan USA, it boasts sweeping views of the lake with a rare finishing hole on an Island green. It is Uganda’s first Clubhouse with a fully-fledged Pro Shop. 

Serena also holds 2 sports camps for children to nurture the sport. Non-golfers can opt instead for nature walks, picnic cruises on Lake Victoria, visits to the neighbouring Chimpanzee Island - or simply relax at the Maisha Spa where a range of different massage and beauty treatments can be enjoyed. The 45,070 m² Marina can accommodate up to 24 boats, each with a service station for electricity and water.

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Africa's Best New Hotel

LITTLE Machaba Camp has been voted Africa’s Best New Hotel , the winners of the Boutique Hotel Awards 2018 were announced on 8 November 2018 at a prestigious ceremony at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall, London, which brought together an array of boutique hotel owners, travel and lifestyle press and travel industry influencers from all four corners of the globe.

Little Machaba is an intimate camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta with just 4 spacious safari tents overlooking the Khwai River and plains beyond which are frequented by elephants. Little Machaba is ideal for romantic travellers, honeymoon couples, or those who prefer a more private safari experience.


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Lucky Thirteen

THIRTEEN giraffes have been released in the Majete Wildlife Reserve in #Malawi, African Parks and Giraffe Conservation Foundation announced on Monday, 19 November. Nine are from South Africa and have traveled 2,500 km by road in one of the longest such transfers. These giraffes and four others already living in Malawi represent a new population for Majete and Malawi . The introduction boosts biodiversity on the reserve while helping tourism to strengthen the already emerging conservation-minded economy and support community development.

Although southern Africa has a strong giraffe population, there is little in Malawi; this transfer brings the number of national giraffes to just over 30. Overall, giraffe populations have fallen in recent decades, with habitat loss, civil unrest and illegal hunting reducing the animal population of the country. Africa with less than 100,000 animals. This introduction comes at a crucial time: November 14, the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that several subspecies of giraffes are severely threatened. The transfer of the giraffe from South Africa to Majete aims to establish a viable population that will support giraffe conservation in the region.

It's also a new chapter in Majete's story. Since 2003, African Parks has been managing Majete in partnership with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife of Malawi (DNPW), whose collaborative efforts are a national achievement.


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No hassles, no lay overs, direct to Kenya from the U.S.

KENYA'S National Airliner Kenya Airways launched its direct flights from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on 28th October, 2018 to New York John F. Kennedy Airport. This new route is intended to open up the 2 vibrant economies.

Travel from the USA to #Kenya will only be 15 hours or there about with no connection hassles, no lay overs and stop overs. Trade and investment, Horticulture, Technology and Tourism are the most key sectors that are likely to benefit from the introduction of this route.

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Tantalising Tanzania

ARGUABLY northern Tanzania’s most interesting park, yet one of its least visited, Tarangire National Park is renowned for its diverse habitat and vast herds of elephant and zebra. 

And for the savvy traveller it’s the perfect destination to enjoy an authentic safari experience located in a remote and secluded corner of Tarangire National Park in the heart of Masai country. Boutique luxury safari operator’s recently refurbished Sanctuary Swala Camp offers just that. Sanctuary Swala has been voted by Tripadvisor guests as the number one camp in the park for several years running.

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Top tips for a family safari

LOOKING for something completely different to do with the kids for your next holiday? Well, for families seeking extraordinary adventures off the beaten track, or for those who enjoy the great outdoors and connecting with nature, international luxury travel specialist, Sanctuary Retreats has just the answer. When it comes to keeping inquiring young minds stimulated, an African safari through unspoiled landscapes teeming with extraordinary wildlife is guaranteed to broaden your family’s horizons, and ensure that everyone shares a truly memorable experience. Here are top tips for parents planning the ultimate African ‘school excursion’ with the family. 

Choosing the Right Camp - Will the kids enjoy a tented camp or find it a little too rustic? And if your kids are younger, it might also be worth considering whether the camp is fenced – although older children may enjoy hearing larger animals close by during the night, chances are smaller kids might find it a little scary. 

How long? - We generally recommend that families take in 2 – 3 camps and lodges, with a stay of 3 days or longer per camp. That gives everyone plenty of time to get acclimatized and experience the full program of activities on offer at each property, plus a little rest and relaxation in between.

Meeting the locals - Squeezing in some culture or a philanthropic component is also good idea so that your kids have a chance to immerse themselves in local traditions and experiences. 

Preparing for Game Drives - With no standard minimum age for children to go on safari, and camps can differ significantly on how they accommodate younger guests. Some have a strict minimum age for safari, while others leave it up to parental discretion. 

What to Bring? - Regardless of your children’s ages, going on safari is guaranteed to create memories that will last a lifetime. So to keep kids engaged, definitely binoculars and a digital camera to capture every moment.

The Sanctuary portfolio includes safari camps and lodges in Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, as well as river cruise ships on the Nile, the Yangtze and in Myanmar.   

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Marriott International crosses Africa

MARRIOTT International has announced rapid expansion plans across #Africa. Strong demand for select-service brands and conversion opportunities are driving the momentum of growth for the company, amplified by five new hotel signings. 

The new signings will further consolidate Marriott International's presence in Ghana, Kenya, Morocco and South Africa and mark the company's entry into Mozambique. The signings put Marriott International on track to increase its portfolio by 50 percent with over 200 hotels and 38,000 rooms by 2023 estimated to generate 12,000 new job opportunities.


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Zims new safari hot spot

ZIMBABWE is experiencing an exciting tourism revival since its change in leadership in 2017 and, in support of this increased interest, Machaba Safaris, well known for its three camps in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, opened its first #Zimbabwe based safari camp in May 2018. 

Verney’s Camp has a fantastic location, tucked away in a remote 10,000 hectare private concession in the south eastern section of Zimbabwe’s iconic Hwange National Park – and if the guest feedback so far is anything to go by, it is set to become one of Zimbabwe’s favourite new hot spots for discerning safari lovers “in the know”.

Verney’s offers excellent value for money and a true wilderness experience including excellent guided game drives and walks. But staying with Machaba is not just about the guest experience. It is also about supporting a country and its people as they strive to regain their once booming tourism industry - as well as supporting ethical operations. Machaba is a family-owned company that prides itself in its community development and initiatives ensuring the wildlife, local communities and guests all benefit. Machaba co-sponsors a local school in Hwange National Park which guests can visit as a half day tour. The tour also stops at a small rural village and the Wild Dog Research Centre.
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World’s Best Safari Outfitter

ALLURING Africa’s continued dedication to providing exceptional travel experiences has struck a chord with readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine, as they have named the Florida-based luxury tour operator as the World’s Best Safari Outfitter for 2018.

Travel + Leisure cited Alluring Africa’s “exacting attention to detail and earnest love for the places where it works” as a reason for the company’s enduring popularity amongst their “travel-hungry” readers, with this survey response typical of the many citations that Alluring Africa received: “They treat their clients like family, and create ultra-personalized itineraries... they are a world-class business that truly wants to help people connect with Africa!”

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Visit Kenya's Second City

BORDERING the Indian Ocean, tropical Mombasa is Kenya’s main coastal tourist destination and a popular gateway to the country’s amazing white beaches and coral reef diving. The cosmopolitan city has also become a destination in its own right, thanks to its diverse cultural mix and old town charm.

Qatar Airways is pleased to announce that it will launch direct flights to Kenya’s second city, Mombasa, opening up the country’s beautiful coasts to international holiday-makers. The new four-times weekly service will be Qatar Airways’ second Kenyan destination, in addition to existing flights to Nairobi.

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Flamingo Hotspot

FLAMINGOS are very popular and trendy right now around the world - be it on clothing, decor - or floating in your paddling pool! But at Lake Elmenteita in Kenya, they are always the star attraction. Just 2 hour’s drive from Nairobi, Lake Elmenteita in Kenya’s famous Great Rift Valley is popular as a Lake extension alternative to the beach.

This UNESCO Heritage Site provides perfect nesting grounds for the lesser flamingos and great white pelicans that inhabit the alkaline waters of this lake. Birders will love spotting the Grey Crowned Crane, Secretary Bird and Yellow Billed Stork among the 400 bird species. 


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On track for an unforgettable holiday

THERE are many ways to experience South Africa – but if you really want to push the boat out and do it in style, you will be hard-pressed to beat combining a safari in the greater Kruger area with The Blue Train. 

The Blue Train is an icon of #South Africa - renowned for its sumptuous ensuite accommodation, award winning wines, freshly prepared cuisine and superlative service - all the while showcasing some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes along its winding journey. Usually travelling between Cape Town and Pretoria, The Blue Train also makes occasional special departures to the Greater Kruger area allowing a select few guests the opportunity to combine their one-way rail journey with a safari, either in the Kruger National Park itself – or at one of the luxury lodges in the Greater Kruger/Sabi Sands.

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Reducing plastic consumption

FOLLOWING up on Swiss-Belhotel International’s global initiative to enhance the sustainability of its operations and reduce plastic consumption, the group has announced plans to eliminate the use of disposable plastic straws from its existing and upcoming properties across the Middle East and Africa region. 

According to industry reports the ‘throw-away’ culture is doing a catastrophic damage to the environment. An estimated eight million tons of plastic waste enter oceans every year and research projects that plastic in our oceans could triple in a decade. 

The scale of the plastic problem is evident from these figures: 480 billion plastic bottles were sold worldwide in 2016; one trillion single-use plastic bags were used every year; more than half a million plastic straws were used every day around the world. If the world continues to generate plastic waste at the current rate approximately 12 billion tonnes will be in landfills or the natural environment by 2050.

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Joburg makes TripAdvisors list of Top 10 Destinations in Africa

JOHANNESBURG has made TripAdvisor’s top ten list in the Travelers’ Choice Awards for Best Destinations in Africa.

Joburg’s 2018 TripAdvisor citation reads as follows: “#Johannesburg is the place to go to mix big-city culture, shopping, dining and nightlife with outdoor adventures, up-close wildlife encounters and visits to historical sites. Explore caves and nature reserves, or visit a traditional village by day, then enjoy dinner at a hip café or five-star restaurant. And if you’re a shopper, bring an extra, empty suitcase. With malls, open air markets and places that blend the two, you’ll find plenty of unique souvenirs.”


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