African Safari News & Travel Updates: April 2024

Welcome to our African safari and travel news updates for April 2024. Read on for new flights, exciting new tours, conservation stories and other African events in April.

Africa Flight News

New flights between Cape Town and Kruger National Park

South Africa's local airline FlySafair has announced the introduction of 2 weekly flights linking Cape Town directly with South Africa's premium wildlife destinations in the greater Kruger National Park area, served by the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

With more flights it's even easier to a Cape Town beach, Winelands & whale adventure with prime Big 5 game viewing at the private lodges in the greater Kruger National Park area.

Windhoek to Victoria Falls route opens the sky for multi-destination travel in southern Africa

Namibia's local airline FlyNamibia has introduced 3 weekly flights between Windhoek, Namibia and Victoria Falls. The route will be flown in a modern and comfortable 50-seat Embraer 145 aircraft.

The airline is partnering with Southern Africa's largest private airline, Airlink, enabling it to service more regional routes and link the most iconic travel destinations in Southern Africa. Airlink's offering now includes destinations in Angola, Botswana, DRC, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe & South Africa.

South Africa safari

British Airways connects more top South African destinations

British Airways (BA) has recently concluded an Interline Agreement with local South African airline, CemAir. The partnership enables single-ticket itineraries between BA's traditional flight centres in Johannesburg & Cape Town, with various popular leisure spots like Durban, Bloemfontein, Hoedspruit and Victoria Falls.

BA has the largest capacity of any European carrier into South Africa, with double daily flights into Johannesburg, and up to triple daily flights to Cape Town in peak season. The agreement will allow passengers a seamless connection to many more Southern African destinations. CemAir currently serves Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Kimberley, Johannesburg, Margate, Durban, Hoedspruit (Kruger National Park), Plettenberg Bay, George, Maun in Botswana & Victoria Falls.

Virgin Atlantic opens up to East Africa

Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways have also recently announced a code-share partnership, which allows Virgin Atlantic passengers to take advantage of the popular Kenya Airways Heathrow to Nairobi route. In 2023, Kenya Airways announced twice-daily flights on this flagship route. Travel to Kenya has become so much easier for UK travellers since the Kenyan authorities scrapped the full visa requirement for an easy online travel authorisation for UK visitors.

Tanzania tests its first electric train

And in other transport news, Tanzania recently announced the first official trial of their inaugural electric train route. The train runs between the port city of Dar es Salaam and the city of Morogoro. At the base of the magnificent Uluguru Mountains, Morogoro is close to the vast Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) in southern Tanzania, and the popular Mikumi Game Reserve. This would make a perfect safari add-on to a Zanzibar beach holiday. The introduction of the electric train, capable of speeds up to 160 km/h, is expected to offer a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective transportation option for both travellers and business professionals. It will also help alleviate travel congestion across the city of Dar es Salaam. There are plans to expand to neighbouring countries.

Botswana safari

Africa Game Park News

New Kruger National Park gate gets the go-ahead

A project to open up the remote reaches of the northern Kruger National Park (KNP) is close to finalisation. There has been a long-standing dispute with local communities on the positioning of the proposed Shangoni Gate. However, all parties have now come to an agreement and the establishment of the new gate is set to boost local economies while providing access to some of the more remote parts of the northern Kruger Park. Unlike the savannas of the south, the north boasts a wilder appeal. With towering mopane trees and ancient baobabs, fewer crowds and a sense of remoteness, northern Kruger promises an unparalleled safari experience.

New African Safari Destinations

Introducing a new Botswana Upmarket Camping Safari

We have recently added a new, more upmarket fully serviced Botswana camping safari to our offerings:

9-Day Mababe, Moremi & Okavango Delta Safari in Botswana

The Safari starts and ends in Maun and is ideal for clients wanting a genuine bush experience with a little more creature comforts. This fully inclusive Botswana camping safari combines the unmatched beauty of the Mababe private concession, Moremi Game Reserve and a stylish tented camp on a private island in the Okavango Delta. Enjoy day and night game drives, explore the delta by boat - mokoro canoe and motor boat – and experience fully serviced premium camping in breathtaking locations.

Big 5 safari

Africa Conservation News

Abandoned gorillas thrive in Volcanos National Park, Rwanda

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda has reported on two infants abandoned by their mothers in a mountain gorilla group they monitor in the Volcanos National Park. The trouble began with the passing of female Inziza, likely due to complications from giving birth, and soon after the only male in the group, dominant silverback Ishavu, began showing signs of illness. This likely led to the two females migrating to a neighbouring gorilla family, which necessitated leaving their young babies behind.

The abandoned babies, 2 ½ -2-year-old Imbaduko and 3-year-old daughter, Mubyeyi, formed an inseparable bond and have shown remarkable resilience ever since. With the help of their older siblings and the silverback Ishavu, who subsequently recovered from his illness, the two youngsters are doing very well. The rangers report that it is wonderful to see the whole group working together to focus on support and survival.

Imbaduko, who will turn 3 in October, now holds the record for the youngest infant to survive premature separation from its mother. This achievement was previously held by her grandmother – Umwana – who faced a similar situation in 1985. The mothers are doing well too. They are adapting to their new group, and rangers believe that their decisions to move involved ensuring that their next offspring will have the protection of a fitter male.

Southern Africa’s elephants bounce back

One of the most comprehensive studies of elephant populations from Tanzania southwards has found that the population decline of Southern African elephants has been halted, and since 2020 elephant numbers have rebounded back to the levels in 1995. This is likely due to improved conservation methods in recent years where fenced-off 'fortresses' have been replaced with wildlife corridors of well-protected zones with buffer areas surrounding them that allow for natural movement of the elephants while protecting them from poachers.

The Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area is the second-largest nature and landscape conservation area in the world, covering 520,000 square kilometres in 5 countries — Namibia, Botswana, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe — and includes over 20 national parks.

Uganda rhino and elephant populations soar too

The report shows that intensified conservation efforts of the past few years by Uganda Conservation bodies have paid off too. A recent study has shown that northern white and eastern black rhino numbers have grown to 32, while elephant populations have nearly tripled to 7,975 within Uganda's reserves.

Dash, the antipoaching pooch joins Mountain Zebra National Park

The Mountain Zebra National Park in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa has recently welcomed Dash, the canine detective, to the team. He joins a growing canine unit tasked with sniffing out ammunition and smuggling wildlife products in a bid to stamp out poaching in the area. The Mountain Zebra National Park was established in 1937 to address the critical status of the mountain zebra and has seen some success. From being on the brink of extinction, the population is now over 300 animals roaming over 28,412 hectares of land. The canine unit is a new initiative to boost protection activities at the park.

Kruger lions on road

A Good Read

Botswana's inspirational women safari guides navigate change

The BBC reports that the traditionally male-dominated world of navigating the intricate waterways of Botswana's Okavango Delta is seeing a shake-up. The best way to experience the Okavango Delta is by traditional mokoro canoe that glides through the delta waterways, expertly guided by local polers. As far back as anyone can remember, this job has always been the domain of men. But now, a group of women are challenging the status quo and “steering change in the world of guiding”.

African Events

Windhoek Karneval (WIKA) – 4 to 14 April 2024 (Windhoek, Namibia)

The Windhoek Karneval (WIKA) is a cherished tradition in Windhoek and is set to celebrate its 70th anniversary this year. While the roots of the Karneval celebrate German culture, the heart is local Namibian flair. There are several events, from traditional German evenings like the Royal Ball and Prunksitzung to street parades, a children’s carnival and plenty of beer drinking! Artists from across the globe attend each year as guests of Namibia’s six cultural societies.

Cape Town Marathon

Two Oceans Marathon - 13 and 14 April 2024 (Cape Town, South Africa)

This scenic ultramarathon in Cape Town takes athletes along 56 kilometres of some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. The route includes jaw-dropping views of the Cape Peninsula, including the spectacular Chapman’s Peak cliff road. Since its beginning in 1970, the marathon has grown ever more popular, and a half-marathon was introduced in 1989. Africa’s largest running event caters specifically for international entrants, who may combine the competition with some unforgettable sightseeing.

Zomba City Festival – 26 to 28 April 2024 (Zomba, Malawi)

Zomba, just north of Blantyre, is the oldest university town in Malawi and April sees the return of its new annual festival celebrating Afrofuturism with spoken word, poetry, fashion, visual arts, dance, theatre and music at various locations around town. This year also includes activities like yoga, aerobics and historical walks. The festival is LGBTQ-friendly and is sure to draw a melting pot of people to this vibrant spot.

Afrikaburn – 29 April to 5 May 2024 (Tankwa Karoo, South Africa)

This week-long event takes place in the remote and dusty Tankwa Karoo in the rural heart of South Africa. Those who attend are invited to practice 'radical self-reliance' and must bring all their supplies and leave no trace when departing. This quirky festival is a spin-off of the Burning Man festival in the USA, in 1986 some friends set fire to a wooden figure on a San Francisco beach. This sparked off one of the world's most popular creative events with similar versions happening around the world. Participants take years to plan and prepare creative endeavours - sculptures, performances & costumes - which they share with the colourful gathering. This culminates in the burning of the major art installations in a celebration of the transience of creative endeavour.

Bokaap Cape Town

Cape Town Jazz Festival – 3 to 4 May 2024 (Cape Town, South Africa)

South Africa’s contribution to jazz remains one of the music’s great untold stories and it can be said that jazz runs through their veins. This annual jazz festival takes place in the Cape Town Convention Centre each year, drawing incredible artists both local and international. Says Lindsay Rhoda, Head of Talent at CTIJF, “We have worked hard over the past few months to compile a programme that pays homage to the heritage of our jazz roots, but also speaks to the exciting future of music that is embracing all jazz-related genres as anthems for a new tomorrow.”

STRAB (Subterranean Rhythm and Blues) Festival – 22 to 26 May 2024 (Ponta Malongane, Mozambique)

The Subterranean Rhythm and Blues Festival has been running for decades at Ponta Malongane, a campsite just off the beach in southern Mozambique. Originally organised by divers from nearby Ponta do Ouro, this laid-back festival draws a stellar line-up of blues artists. In addition to great music, guests can enjoy the sunshine, great beaches and a host of activities including swimming with dolphins. Mozambique's Indian Ocean coastline boasts crystal clear tropical waters and stunning reefs and marine life perfect for snorkelling and diving.

For more about upcoming events and festivals in Africa see our Month-by-Month Guide to Southern African Events & Festivals or African Events & Festivals in East and North Africa

To get help with planning your safari, talk to an African travel consultant today.