Category: News

Here is our carefully curated list of airlines that are flying in and out of Africa right now and the ones that will be operating in the next few months. If you would like to start planning your next trip today fill in our quick enquiry form and one of our African travel experts will be in touch.

Botswana

• Qatar Airways

• Fly Okavango

• Air Botswana

• Airlink

• Kenya Airways

• Turkish Airlines

• Swiss

• Lufthansa

Kenya

• Ethiopian Air

• Kenya Airways

• British Airways

• Qatar Airways

• British Airways

• KLM

• Jetblue

• Air Canada

Mauritius 

• Turkish Airlines

• Air France

• KLM

Mozambique

• Qatar Airways 

• Ethiopian Air

• Lufthansa

• Airlink

• American Airways

• LAM

• Kenya Airways

• Egypt Air

• Turkish Airlines

• British Airways

• South African Airways

• Liberia

• Swiss

Namibia

• Qatar Airways

• Lufthansa

• Swiss Airlines

• Turkish Airlines 

• Airlink

• Delta 

• Gulf Air

• Ethiopian Air

• British Airways

Rwanda 

• KLM

• Lufthansa

• Air Canada

• Ethiopian Air

• United Airlines

• Brussels Airlines

• Turkish Airlines

• Kenya Airways

• Qatar Airways

• Rwanda Air

South Africa

• American Airlines

• KLM

• Qatar Airways

• United Airlines

• Turkish Airlines

• Airlink

• Delta 

• Kenya Airways

• Swiss

• Iberia

• Brussels Airlines

• Air France

Tanzania

• Kenya Airways

• Ethiopian Airways

• Uganda Airlines 

• Fly Safair

• Qatar Airways

• American Airlines

• KLM

• Turkish Airlines

• British Airways

• Lufthansa

• Air Tanzania

Uganda 

• Brussels Airline

• United Airlines

• Qatar Airways

• Jetblue

• Kenya Airways

• Air France

• Rwanda Air

• KLM

• Ethiopian Air

Zambia

• Turkish Airlines

• Ethiopian Air

• Qatar Airways

• Airlink

• Rwanda Air

• Brussels Airways

Zanzibar 

• Turkish Airlines

• Swiss

• Qatar Airways

• Precision Air

• British Airways

• Ethiopian Air

• Brussels Airlines

• Auric Air

• KLM

Zimbabwe

• Kenya Airways

• Rwanda Air

• Kenya Airways

• Airlink

• Fastjet

• Airlink

• Qatar Airways

• Air Tanzania

• Jetblue

• Ethiopian Air

• British Airways

We’ve had a very successful year at Discover Africa. Here are a few of 2018’s travel trends and some insights for 2019….

Southern Africa was the hottest region for African travel in 2018

South Africa, Botswana and Namibia were our top Southern Africa destinations in 2018. Great infrastructure and ease of travel were contributing factors. This trend will likely continue in 2019, but with a twist…

“Forgotten” destinations will make a comeback

Mana Pool National Park, Zimbabwe

Global social and political perceptions and attitudes of Africa as a travel destination will continue to change. Destinations that have suffered political and social strife in the past are becoming increasingly popular such as Zimbabwe and to the east, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

While safety is still of concern, people are approaching travel to Africa with increasingly open minds and will be richer for the experience. We’ll advise you on where to go for an adventure of a lifetime and peace of mind, obligation free.

East Africa’s Great Migration is as popular as ever

As East Africa and Great Migration experts, we send countless visitors to witness the Wildebeest Migration each year. The Serengeti in Tanzania was the most visited area and we saw a greater number of travellers choose the calving season leg of the migration as the best time to go. This is likely because of favourable rates during the beginning of each year.

Kenya also received its fair share of visitors although the river crossings happened later in 2018 due to unseasonal rains in the Serengeti. According to our HerdTracker app, the majority of herds are already back in the Serengeti.

“Two birds with one stone” travel is on the rise

Travellers are making the most of their trip to Africa by visiting as many destinations as possible and we’re likely to see more of this in 2019. For example, travellers coupled Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls in one extended Botswana safari. For those with ample budget, a combination safari to Namibia and South Africa, or Kenya and Rwanda/Uganda was the norm.

By combining destinations into your itinerary, you’ll get a much more well-rounded experience. Let us create the perfect bespoke safari for you here.

Family-first experiences

Family travel increased significantly in 2018. Favourable exchange rates mean that the whole family gets to experience the best of Africa. Whether you have young children or want to go on a safari road trip with your older kids, there’s something for everyone.

Adventure travel for soloists

This year, solo travellers comprised mostly of photographers travelling to witness the Great Migration. However, 2019 will see an increase in solo adventurers looking for something other than a traditional safari. With so much to experience from gorilla trekking to beach activities, 2019 will be the year of unusual activities.

Eco-travel wasn’t paramount in 2018

While most of the camps and lodges we send guests to are conservation-oriented and community-driven, this wasn’t at the forefront of our enquiries.

2019 will most certainly see a greater interest in eco-friendly accommodations, volunteerism and kind-to-the-planet travel.

Madagascar rising

The sheer diversity of flora, fauna and humanity in Madagascar makes this an excellent island destination to visit in 2019. Travel to Madagascar slowed down significantly in 2018, but forecasts predict that tourism volume will increase in 2019. Visit our travel guide to Madagascar to find out what you can expect from this fascinating destination.

Feature image: SA Tourism 

Travelling to South Africa with the little ones but worried about the new South African child visa requirements? Our sister site — Drive South Africa — created a Child Visa Checklist app that tells you exactly which documents you’ll need before boarding the plane.

From 1 June 2015, all minors (under the age of 18) must travel with an unabridged birth certificate, which names the child’s mother and father – or the equivalent thereof from their country of origin.

However, the documentation needed before travelling to South Africa get more complicated for single parents, if one parent is deceased and for unique circumstances such as if the child is adopted or in foster care.

Andre Van Kets, creator of the Child Visa Checklist app, says there are “15 different documents and 37 unique scenarios for children travelling in and out of South Africa”.

How the Child Visa Checklist app works

The interactive web tool asks users of the app two or three simple multiple-choice questions to determine which documents they’ll need. The questions are:

1. Who the child is travelling with
2. Parental status (married, divorced, legally separated etc.)
3. Any other special circumstances (adoption, foster care, whether both parents are still alive, etc.)

Once the user has answered these questions, a checklist of documents needed is displayed on screen, which can be printed for later use.

The Child Visa Checklist app — which is accessible on desktop and mobile — also provides links to official documentation from the South African Department of Home Affairs and answers frequently asked questions about the new child visa requirements in layman’s terms.

Our Story

Our story started way back in 1976, when founder Steve Conradie’s grandfather Henry took him to the Kruger National Park for the first time.

Back in those days, there were no fences around the camps, and hyenas came right up to the rondawels at night, sniffing for leftovers. Once, Steve fell asleep at a window, waiting to see them. He was woken by the stench of a hyena’s breath, its jaws just centimetres from his face. Instead of terrifying the young boy, this became a pivotal memory.

20 years of exploring

Throughout Steve’s childhood, his grandfather took him on dozens of trips to South Africa’s parks, teaching him about animals, birds, plants, landscapes and the lore of the bush.

As an adult, Steve continued exploring, criss-crossing sub-Saharan Africa in his Land Rover. In 2002, he set out on a six-month drive that took him all the way to the Serengeti in Tanzania. On his return, he met Andre Van Kets.

Steve and a Zambian border-post official stand in front of his Land Rover Defender during a 6-month overland trip through Africa in 2001

The adventurer and the computer geek seeker

Andre Van Kets had completed a business and computer degree at the University of Cape Town and worked on websites during the dot-com boom. Then, with money saved and no commitments, he started travelling.

In three years he visited five continents: backpacking through Mozambique, snowboarding in the USA, exploring Europe, trekking through Thailand and living in Australia. Andre discovered what really matters to travellers when they’re planning a trip and on the move.

Andre Van Kets having fun on his worldly travels 

A Meeting – Serendipitous

Andre really wanted to travel in Africa. He knew how to make websites, whereas Steve knew everything about African travel and wanted to set up an online travel business. Andre had the tech skills; Steve had the African expertise.

There weren’t many online travel companies at that stage, so the duo got to work. They launched their first website Drive South Africa in 2002, offering car, 4×4 and motorhome rentals for people who wanted to explore as Steve had.

In 2006, they created Overlanding Africa, a budget safari site for the same kind of European, Australasian and North American backpackers whom Andre had met on his travels.

By the time the FIFA Soccer World Cup kicked off in South Africa in 2010, the business had grown to a well-respected company of 25 travel-loving employees.

Andre and Steve at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

Selecting Africa’s best experiences

In between their work responsibilities, Steve and Andre made time to visit Africa’s most desirable destinations. They visited the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Serengeti in Tanzania, and many other African destinations – both on and off the beaten path.

Sometimes they travelled Steve-style, by Land Rover; at other times they did it Andre-style, in overland trucks. But they also started travelling in classic safari style, flying into remote luxury lodges surrounded by wildlife and wild landscapes.

Steve and Andre, Discover Africa co-founders  

It was during those trips that the vision for Discover Africa was born: a website to curate Africa’s most incredible safari experiences.

With the help of experts across the continent, Steve and Andre hand-pick tour operators and lodges that meet their strict criteria of quality, safety, ethics and value. The pair want to maintain an impeccably high standard for discerning travellers, so only carefully crafted, beautifully presented and flawlessly executed safaris make the grade.

A gift worth saving

Both Steve and Andre recognise that Africa is a unique and precious gift to humankind. As Africans bringing people from all over the world to experience this heritage, they believe it’s their duty to do so ethically and mindfully.

Why? Because everyone’s grandchildren should have the chance to discover Africa’s wonders as Steve did all those years ago.

Now that you’ve met us, we’d like the chance to meet you…!

“For as long as I can remember when I’ve been asked where is your dream destination? If you could go anywhere where would it be? I’ve always answered EVERYWHERE!”

Without further or due we are so excited to introduce our Vlogger of the month Heather Butler, AKA Chasing Everywhere. Heather chases her dreams all over the world, one country at a time. Heather loves going off the beaten path to discover interesting and exciting places to explore.

We decided to ask Heather seven carefully curated questions to find out exactly what Heather enjoyed most about her adventurous safari; 

1. How did you get into travel blogging/writing? 

I started travelling full time and working remotely to build my digital marketing agency, The Fairway Collective, back in 2017 and originally started recording because I wanted to remember every moment. 

_{Heather enjoying her Chobe Botswana Safari | Photo credits: Heather Butler}

My friends and family asked that if I was going to be recording experiences I put them online so they can see what I’m experiencing.

That’s when I started my YouTube channel, ChasingEverywhere. Suddenly I had 1000 followers, 2000, 3000 followers. So I stuck with it, creating videos of every experience, every city, every country.

2. What has been your most rewarding travel moment?

Watching the baby elephants play in the water in Chobe National Park was pure and so sweet. That memory will stay with me forever.

3. What makes travelling to Africa different to travelling anywhere else?

Africa is so authentic it’s insane. I can only speak to the African countries I’ve visited but the people are kind and happy and so excited to share their lives and experiences with you. 

_{Enjoying a Safari Game Drive | Photo credits: Heather Butler} 

The wildlife, the culture, the energy is just so different from anywhere else I’ve ever been. It’s a magical place.

4. What is your best travel tip you always give people when travelling to Africa?

Keep an open mind, traveling in Africa, or any different country or continent, is going to be jarring and uncomfortable at times.

_{Elephant Family spotting | Photo credits: Heather Butler} 

Things are done differently, there are different foods, cultural differences, and levels of comfort. It’s best to experience these differences without any preconceived notions. The differences are what makes a place unique and special and you’ll have a more fulfilling experience if you embrace it.

5. What made your Botswana experience different from other countries?

Exploring Chobe National Park. I’ve been on safari in other countries but Chobe is something special. We were able to camp inside the park and hear the animals throughout the night.

_{Elephant Family spotting | Photo credits: Heather Butler} 

We saw thousands of elephants, including newborn 2-day old calves playing in the water, a super pride of lions with cubs, and so much more! Hands down one of my favourite travel experiences ever.

6. What were your favourite lodges in Botswana?

We stayed at Jollyboys Backpackers hostel in Zambia and drove into Botswana, where we camped inside Chobe so I don’t have a favorite lodging inside Botswana unless you count camping in Chobe (which was absolutely amazing!).

_{Enjoying Victoria Falls | Photo credits: Heather Butler} 

7. If you could visit one more place in Africa, where would you go and why?

I’d love to visit Uganda and do a gorilla trek!

8. Have any mishaps ever happened to you on the road? What was the most notable?

Of course! What would travel be without a few mishaps? I’ve been robbed, I’ve gotten lost, I’ve gotten super sick, I’ve been stuck on the edge of a cliff in Albania… I think the most notable was when I was not able to leave Kenya and fly to South Africa because I had not received my yellow fever vaccine.

_{Heather enjoying her African Safari | Photo credits: Heather Butler} 

Every resource I checked prior to going to Kenya said I did not need the vaccine to go there, but not one document or article mentioned I would need it to leave!

_{Giraffes enjoying themselves | Photo Credits: Heather Butler} 

When I arrived at the airport at 2 am for my 6 am flight, I was quickly informed that I could not board my flight as I needed to be vaccinated.

Luckily the airport has a clinic on-site for this exact reason and I was able to get the vaccine, wait a while, and eventually fly to my destination. The thing with travel and mishaps, is they are going to happen, even with all of the research and preparation and vigilance, things happen and that’s ok.

For more information on Heather’s amazing travels, visit her youtube or Instagram account.

If this article has intrigued you to take the next step and plan your Botswana Safari, why not have a look at the 5 best Safari lodges in Botswana?

As a species, the white rhino is under extreme pressure, mostly as a result of poaching for their horns and the illegal wildlife trade. Southern white rhino reached a record low of 30-40 individuals in the 1930s, but thanks to conservation efforts their numbers bounced back to 20,000 animals by 2012. 

This number, however, has declined to below 13,000 today. Now an ambitious project is underway to rewild 2000 captive rhinos over the next decade.

African Parks, a conservation NGO that manages 22 protected areas in partnership with 12 governments across Africa, has recently acquired what was once the world’s largest private captive rhino breeding operation.

The 7,800-hectare property in the North West province of South Africa holds 2000 white rhino at present – that’s up to 15% of the world’s remaining wild population.

The organization’s extensive experience in effectively managing protected areas and carrying out wildlife translocations at scale puts them in a unique position to help avert a conservation crisis, with rhinos being a species in rapid decline.

3 DAYS

Elephant Kingdom with a Chobe – Savute Safari

Southern Africa Botswana Chobe Savuti

From $ 2280 /USD

per person per tour

VIEW SAFARI

3 DAYS

Kruger Park Safari in Private Concession

Southern Africa South Africa Kruger Park

From $ 2370 /USD

per person per tour

VIEW SAFARI

8 DAYS

Delightful Cape Town & Kruger Safari

South Africa Manyeleti Game Reserve Cape Town

From $ 2610 /USD

per person per tour

VIEW SAFARI

In previous projects, African Parks has successfully brought rhino back to Rwanda, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

“We fully recognize the moral imperative of finding a solution for these animals.” Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks

In one of the largest continent-wide rewilding endeavors ever to occur for any species, the previous operation’s breeding program will be phased out and the remaining 2000 rhinos will be rewilded to well-managed and secure areas across Africa.

Plans for the animals include establishing or supplementing strategic populations. The project will conclude once all the rhinos are released into the wild, thereby de-risking the future of the species.

“The conservation sector is delighted that African Parks can provide a credible solution for this important population, and a significant lifeline for this Near Threatened species,” said Dr. Mike Knight, Chairman of the IUCN Africa Rhino Specialist Group.

One of South Africa’s premier low-cost airline, FlySafair, is launching a pivotal route connecting Cape Town to the Kruger National Park. Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair, commented to the Sunday Tribune, this move comes as Cape Town experiences a surge in tourism, with international visits increasing by 76% in the first half of last year alone.

Rising Tourism Trends

“The Mother City saw 3.2 million domestic two-way passengers pass through Cape Town International Airport in just the first six months of 2023, representing a 9% year-on-year growth,” Kirby Gordon also told the Sunday Tribune. This upswing has prompted the airline to open up new possibilities for travelers to explore the natural splendor of the Kruger National Park.

Bridging Urban and Wilderness Experiences

FlySafair’s strategic decision to bridge Cape Town with Kruger by air promises to enhance South Africa’s rich tourism tapestry, offering travelers an efficient and cost-effective way to journey from the city’s coastal charm to the wild heart of the country.

The Inaugural Route’s Impact

Gordon further emphasized the potential impact of the new route, “We hope that by introducing our low-cost option to the market, we can encourage more tourists to build a Kruger Park safari into their trip itineraries.” He anticipates that this initiative will not only benefit international tourists but also offer Western Cape locals a new gateway to one of the nation’s most treasured attractions.

Sports injuries are fairly common. With a football to the face, boot to the crotch and face planting into a balance beam, you thought you'd seen it all, until now… Mountain biker, Evan van der Spuy of Team Jeep South Africa, was trampled by a galloping red hartebees while participating in a mountain bike race in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal.

A 17-year-old's “collision” with the hartebees became one of the most searched topics on the internet. More than 5 million people have searched this collision. Evan said he is still overwhelmed by the attention he is suddenly getting. He attended a mountain bike race at Albert Falls Dam when the buck went for him. “Its taking time to sink in and I'm trying to process it. Our phones are ringing non-stop for interviews” he told Die Burger.

The young mountain biker said he is still suffering from a stiff neck. “It hasn't put me off whatsoever.” Both Evan and the buck have escaped unhurt.

Meanwhile, Trish Wilson, who also attended the race at Albert Falls Dam, complained about the representation of a “defenceless animal”, Die Burger reports. She said it looked like the animals were alarmed because “the park were full of people”.

The organiser of the race, Max Cluer, referred to the incident as a freak accident and unique of its kind. It was a question of being at the wrong place at the wrong time. “It was against nature in nature.” Cluer said 99,9% of the reaction on YouTube is positive. 

The TV channel National Geographic is also interested in the video for Caught in the act, a new TV series which focuses on the bizarre footage of the wild.

“They are speechless and say they have never seen something like this before. They also want to use it for research,” Cluer said.

Photo of Evan van der Spuy from The Witness

Chumming for shark for commercial shark cage diving is a highly controversial subject, with shark attack victims on the rise. The media is flooded with negative connotations associated with chumming for shark, so Dalene Ingham-Brown interviewed Rob Lawrence, owner of Cape Town based African Shark Eco-Charters, to gain insight into a pro-chumming mindset.

Pro-chumming for shark interview with Rob Lawrence:

Dalene: Why do you think people are against chumming?

Rob: People don’t know what goes on, on a shark cage diving trip where chumming for shark is involved. The media is swamped with negative opinion towards the subject. There is a great misconception about chumming. People seem to think that we put pigs blood and mammal blood in the water to attract sharks; that isn’t the case. We use snoek, skip jack and whatever other fish bait is available at the time. I’ve found that most people against chumming, haven’t even been on a shark cage diving trip before. Those who haven’t been on a trip with us before don’t know exactly what happens, how much we use, and what we use; of course they will be against chumming.

Dalene: Do you think putting up shark nets to prevent shark attacks on humans is a good idea?

Rob: I understand that the exclusion nets to be put up in False Bay will be an experimental project, however if it is run properly It could be beneficial for both sharks and humans. It is working well in KwaZulu Natal, hopefully it will work for us too.

Dalene: Does chumming for shark have an effect on shark attacks on humans?

Rob: No.

Dalene: Do you think the daily restriction of 25 kg of bait per day is reasonable for shark chumming?

Rob: Yes, it is a reasonable amount. Often I don’t even use that much when I go out for the day. It’s not like we go out with 25 kg of bait and come back with empty buckets.

Dalene: Do you think the mass chumming for Ocearch’s film-making in False Bay had an effect on the Kogel Bay shark attack?

Rob: No I don’t. If I’m not mistaken, the attack happened 3 days after the chumming for shark took place. I’m not involved in the Ocearch project so I cannot give information on the exact particulars of the project.

Dalene: Do you think that shark cage diving chumming leads to sharks associating food with humans?

Rob: You can’t condition sharks to think like that. If it were that easy to condition sharks, I wouldn’t have to close my business for a good few months of the year. Sharks have cycles, they are either there or they aren’t. They may associate boats with food, but to say that sharks associate humans with food is quite a far stretch of the imagination.

Dalene: Do you have any suggestions for preventing shark attacks in False Bay?

Rob: Well, I think the Shark Spotters have been great in reporting on shark movement. Swimmers and locals should follow the Shark Spotter program, take advice from local law enforcement officers when warned about shark activity, and they should just use their common sense.

Dalene: Why would you say shark attacks in False Bay are on the increase?

Rob: It seems to be a global trend and not just happening in False Bay. Whether it is because of environmental issues, or whether it is just because there are more people in the water, we can’t be sure.

Comment below: What is your opinion on chumming for shark and shark attacks on humans?

Chumming for shark with Rob Lawrence:

About Rob Lawrence:

Rob Lawrence is the founder of African Shark Eco-Charters. Working in the industry since 1992, Rob has acquired great experience and knowledge surrounding the behaviour of the great white shark. His passion for these misunderstood animals is what drives him, dedicated to informing, educating, and empowering individuals by sharing his knowledge.

Creating worldwide awareness from Cape Town, over the years, Rob has worked closely with film production companies like Animal Planet, BBC Wildlife, National Geographic and Discovery Channel.

POST UPDATE: 15 MAY 2012

Below, Zapiro (one of South Africa’s most popular and leading cartoonists), creates a sketch focusing on the controversial issue of chumming for shark for the pleasure of commercial tourism.

Cartoon description and background:

With the raging debate about Shark chumming on radio and social networks and the recent death of a well-known body surfer in False Bay (Cape Town), Zapio’s cartoon equates the logic of shark chumming to the Kruger Park.