Kenya Airways & Egypt Air signed a codeshare agreement!

The flag carrier of Kenya, Kenya Airways, and Egypt's flag carrier, Egypt Air, have signed a codeshare agreement. Under the agreement, Egypt Air puts its "MS" code on Kenya Airways' flights between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi and Mombasa, while Kenya Airways puts its "KQ" code on Egypt Air's operation between Cairo International Airport (CAI) in Cairo and Istanbul (Ataturk), Khartoum as well as Nairobi.

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EgyptAir: Resumption of flights between Cairo <> Harare on the cards!

A launch date has not been announced, but Zimbabwe's Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Walter Mzembi, and his counterpart from Egypt, Mohamed Yehia Rahed, have agreed to work towards a resumption of EgyptAir's direct flight operations between Cairo's Cairo International Airport (CAI) and Harare International Airport (HRE) in Harare. Egypt's national flag carrier suspended flights to Zimbabwe in 2014 due to viability challenges. We'll keep you posted!

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Egyptair to stop flights between Cairo <> Harare

update (15 Oct 2014): According to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), Egyptair will reintroduce flights between Cairo International Airport (CAI) in Cairo and Harare International Airport (HRO) in Harare, Zimbabwe in November 2014!

According to Zimbabwean news website bulawayo24.com, Egyptair will stop operating flights between Cairo International Airport (CAI) in Cairo, Egypt, and Harare International Airport (HRO) in Harare, Zimbabwe on 24 September 2014. The national carrier of Egypt only returned to Zimbabwe after a nine year absence in June 2013.
This comes about three weeks after the flag carrier of the Netherlands, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, announced that it will be discontinuing flights to Harare from 28 October 2014.

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Egyptair: Four weekly flights Cairo (Egypt) <> Harare (Zimbabwe)

update (05 June 2013): According to aviation website anna.aero, Egyptair will be operating its service to Harare via Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

The national carrier of Egypt, Egyptair, returned to Zimbabwe after a nine-year absence. Since 01 June 2013 the airline is operating four weekly direct regular flights between Cairo International Airport (CAI) in Cairo, Egypt, and Harare International Airport (HRO) in Harare, Zimbabwe.

• Operating days from Cairo: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
• Operating days from Harare: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday
• Departure time from Cairo: 23:15 pm
• Departure time from Harare: 2045 pm

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HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2013 - Top hostels in Africa & the Middle East

Budget accommodation specialist Hostelbookers has revealed the best hostels around the world in the HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2013. The top hostels in Africa & the Middle East, which received the highest rating from their customers, are:

Top three accommodations:

• Hostel Riad Fantasia, Marrakech (Morocco)
• Riad Layla Rouge, Marrakech (Morocco)
• Riad Verus, Fes (Morocco)

Award for cleanliness:

• Freedom Hostel, Cairo (Egypt)
• Hola Cairo, Cairo (Egypt)
• Port Inn, Haifa (Israel)

Best value cheap hotels:

• Dar El Yasmine, Fes (Morocco)
• Egyptian Night Hotel, Cairo (Egypt)
• Saba'a Hotel, Petra (Jordan)

Best atmosphere:

• Atlantic Point Backpackers, Cape Town (South Africa)
• Florentine Hostel, Tel Aviv (Israel)
• Hostel Waka Waka, Marrakech (Morocco)

Best staff:

• Dar Houdou, Fes (Morocco)
• Milano Hostel, Cairo (Egypt)
• Rainbow Marrakech, Marrakech (Morocco)

Most popular:

• Abraham Hostel Jerusalem, Jerusalem (Israel)
• Djemaa El Fna Hotel Cecil, Marrakech (Morocco)
• Hostel Riad Marrakech Rouge, Marrakech (Morocco)

Best newcomers:

• Hostel Nari-Nari Marrakech, Marrakech (Morocco)
• Kif-Kif Marrakech, Marrakech (Morocco)

Best for solo travellers:

• Trip and Friends, Marrakech (Morocco)

Best for couples:

• Riad Baraka, Chefchaouen (Morocco)

Best for families:

• Dar Hafsa, Fes (Morocco)

Egyptair to resume services in Zimbabwe

According to a press release issued by Egypt's flag carrier, Egyptair, the airline will be returning to Zimbabwe after a 9 year halt. From 01 June 2013 the Egyptair will operate four weekly direct flights between Cairo and Harare via Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and return on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Egyptair is currently operating flights to 17 African and 20 European destinations in addition to other destinations served by our code-share partner airlines.

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Zimbabwe: Egyptair to return to Harare?

According to various aviation websites, Egypt's flag carrier, Egyptair, will make its return to Zimbabwe after a 9 year halt in 2013. From 01 June 2013 the airline is extending its existing 4x weekly service between Cairo <> Dar Es Salaam to Harare on board a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Currently reservation for this flight is not available, and GDS (global distribution system) timetable listing is only displaying oneway flight. We'll keep you posted!

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HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2012 - Top hostels in Africa & the Middle East

Budget accommodation specialist Hostelbookers has revealed the best hostels around the world in the HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2012. The top hostels in Africa & the Middle East, which received the highest rating from their customers, are:

Top Three Accommodation - Africa & the Middle East:

• Dar Hafsa - Fes, Marocco
• Riad Khabia - Marrakech, Marocco
• Riad Versus - Fes, Morocco

Award For Cleanliness - Africa & the Middle East:

• Atlantic Point Backpackers - Cape Town, South Africa
• Equity Point Marrakech - Marrakech, Marocco
• Riad Baraka - Chefchaouen, Marocco

Best Value Cheap Hotels - Africa & the Middle East:

• Arabian Nights Hotel - Cairo, Egypt
• Cleopatra Hotel Luxor - Luxor, Egypt
• Hotel Sindibad - Agadir, Marocco

Best Location - Africa & the Middle East:

• Alexander Hostel - Cairo, Egypt
• Djemaa El Fna Hotel Cecil - Marrakech, Morocco
• Eilat Youth Hostel & Guest House - Eilat, Israel

Best Atmosphere - Africa & the Middle East:

• Dar Houdou - Fes, Marocco
• Hostel Riad Mama Marrakech - Marrakech, Marocco
• Riad Marrakech Rouge - Marrakech, Marocco

Best Staff - Africa & the Middle East:

• Boomerang Hotel - Luxor, Egypt
• Hostel Brothers - Cairo, Egypt
• Riad Attouyour - Marrakech, Morocco

Most Popular - Africa & the Middle East:

• Hotel Central - Casablanca, Morocco
• Riad Madina Mayurqa - Marrakech, Marocco
• Riad So Cheap So Chic - Marrakech, Marocco

Best Newcommers - Africa & the Middle East:

• Abraham Hostel - Jerusalem, Israel
• Mesho Inn Hostel - Cairo, Egypt

Best For Solo Travellers - Africa & the Middle East:

• Hola Cairo - Cairo, Egypt

Best For Couples - Africa & the Middle East:

• Riad Lakhdar - Marrakech, Morocco

SkyTeam member Aeroflot to end Angola operations

The flag carrier and largest airline of the Russian Federation, Aeroflot, will end its Angola operations. The airline will be operating its last service on the Sheremetyevo International Airport (Moscow, Russian Federation) – Hurghada (Egypt) – Luanda (Angola ) route on 16 Oct 2012 (last flight from Luanda will be on 17 Oct 2012).
Aeroflot is currently operating scheduled passenger and cargo flights from its main hub at Sheremetyevo International Airport to 52 countries, serving 116 destinations. The airline joined SkyTeam in April 2006, becoming the 10th member of the international airline alliance.

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Egypt Air to resume flights between Cairo (Egypt) and Osaka (Japan)

Good news for travellers from Japan who are currently looking for flighs to Africa. Egypt's flag carrier, Egyptair, will resume its twice weekly service between Cairo and Osaka (Japan). From 01 December 2012 the airline will operate flighs between the two destinations on board an Airbus A340-200 A330-200 aircraft. Egyptair cancelled the route in January 2011 due to the political situation in Egypt by that time.
Egyptair, in cooperation with its Star Alliance partners in Africa, is currently operating flights to 10 destinations in Southern and Eastern Africa, including Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Entebbe (Uganda), Nairobi (Kenya), Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania), Kigali (Rwanda), Lusaka (Zambia), Harare (Zimbabwe), as well as Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban in South Africa. 

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Ethiopian Airlines temporarily introduce Cairo stop on Addis Ababa <> Stockholm service

update (11 Oct 2012): From 01 December 2012, Ethiopian Airlines will continue to route its Addis Ababa <> Stockholm service via Cairo in Egypt on bord a Boing 737-800 aircraft. The service will also raise from currently 5 weekly flights to daily.

• Addis Ababa (ADD) 23:00 > 01:30+1 Cairo (CAI) 02:30+1 > 06:10+1 Stockholm (ARN)
• Stockholm (ARN) 20:00 > 02:45+1 Cairo (CAI) 03:45+1 > 07:35+1 Addis Ababa (ADD)

update (30 Aug 2012): Ethiopian Airlines is extending the current Stockholm service adjustment until 30 November 2012.

Semi-good news for all Swedes and Scandinavians flying with Ethiopian Airlines to Africa. The airline is currently re-routing its Addis Ababa (ADD) <> Stockholm (ARN) service via Cairo (CAI) in Egypt. The route change has been in vigour since 20 August 2012 and will last until 10 or 11 September 2012. On 27 August 2012, Ethiopian Airlines will re-route the service via Brussels (BRU) in Belgium, instead of Cairo (Egypt).

• Addis Ababa (ADD) 23:00 > 01:30+1 Cairo (CAI) 02:20+1 > 07:00+1 Stockholm (ARN)
• Stockholm (ARN) 21:00 > 01:40+1 Cairo (CAI) 02:30+1 > 07:25+1 Addis Ababa (ADD)

• Addis Ababa (ADD) 23:55 > 06:55+1 Brussels (BRU) 07:55+1 > 10:00+1 Stockholm (ARN)
• Stockholm (ARN) 19:15 > 21:15 Brussels (BRU) 22:05 > 06:40+1 Addis Ababa (ADD)

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HostelBookers' Awards for Excellence 2012 - Top hostels in Africa

The hostel booking website Hostelbookers has revealed the best hostels around the world in the HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2012. The top hostels in Africa & the Middle East which received the highest rating from their customers are:

Top 3 accommodations (highest overall customer rating)

1. Dar Hafsa - Fes, Morocco
2. Riad Khabia - Marrakech, Morocco
3. Riad Verus - Fes, Morocco

Award for Cleanliness (highest customer rating for "cleanliness")

1. Atlantic Point Backpackers - Cape Town, South Africa
2. Equity Point Marrakech - Marrakech, Morocco
3. Riad Baraka - Chefchaouen, Morocco

Best value cheap hostel (highest customer rating for "value")

1. Arabian Nights hotel - Cairo, Egypt
2. Cleopatra Hotel Luxor - Luxor, Egypt
3. Hotel Sindibad - Agadir, Morocco

Best location (highest customer rating for "location")

1. Alexander Hostel - Cairo, Egypt
2. Djemaa El Fna Hotel Cecil - Marrakech, Morocco
3. Eilat Youth Hostel & Guest House - Eilat, Israel

Best atmosphere (highest customer rating for "atmosphere")

1. Dar Houdou - Fes, Morocco
2. Hostel Riad Mama Marrakech - Marrakech, Morocco
3. Riad Marrakech Rouge - Marrakech, Morocco

Best staff (highest customer rating for staff")

1. Boomerang Hotel - Luxor, Egypt
2. Hostel Brothers - Cairo, Egypt
3. Riad Attouyour - Marrakech, Morocco

Most popular (highest number of bookings made through HostelBookers)

1. Hotel Central - Casablanca, Morocco
2. Riad Madina Mayurqa - Marrakech, Morocco
3. Riad Medina Azahara - Marrakech, Morocco

Best newcomers (Awarded to 2 properties on each continent that opened in 2011 and received the highest overall customer ratings)

1. Abraham Hostel Jerusalem - Jerusalem, Israel
2. Mesho Inn hostel - Cairo, Egypt

Best for solo travellers (highest overall customer rating in the ‘alone’ traveller type category)

1. Hola Cairo - Cairo, Egypt

Best for couples (highest overall customer rating in the ‘with my spouse/partner’ traveller type category)

1. Riad Lakhdar - Marrakech, Morocco

EgyptAir to temporary reduce Cairo <> New York service

Egypt's national carrier, EgyptAir, is temporary reducing the number of return services between Cairo and JFK Airport in New York. Between 12 Jan 2012 till 30 April 2012 the airline will operate the route five times a week instead of daily.
EgyptAir, a member of the Star Alliance, is Africa's largest airline. The airline's customers are able to reach 1160 destinations in 181 countries all over the globe. Via Cairo International Airport, the main hub of the airline, EgyptAir is flying to 17 destinations in Africa, including Entebbe (Uganga) and Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) in East Africa, as well as Johannesburg in South Africa.

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EgyptAir doubles baggage allowance

Egypt's national carrier EgyptAir launched a new baggage allowance policy for its international (and domestic passengers) effective from 01 June 2011. With this, EgyptAir becomes one of the very few airlines in the world to allow two checked in bags free of charge on both its international and domestic sectors.

International Routes - adult passengers and children

• First and business class - Checked baggage allowance: 2 pieces with a maximum of 32kg/158cm per piece | Handluggage: 2 pieces with maximum weight 8kg
• Economy class - Checked baggage allowance: 2 pieces with a maximum of 23kg/158cm per piece | Handluggage: 1 piece with maximum weight 8kg

International Routes - infants:

• All classes - Checked baggage allowance: 1 piece with a maximum of 10 kg/115cm | Handluggage: 1 fold up collapsible stroller

United States & Canada - infants:

• All classes - Checked baggage allowance: 1 piece with a maximum of 23kg/115cm | Handluggage: 1 fold-up collapsible stroller

For code share flights on United Airlines:
United Airlines allows 1 piece of cabin baggage and 1 personal item for all first, business and economy class with a maximum dimension per piece of 19cm x 31cm x 53cm. This also applies to infants not occupying a seat.

HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2011 - Top hostels in Africa

The hostel booking website Hostelbookers has revealed the best hostels around the world in the HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2011. The top hostels in Africa which received the highest rating from their customers are:

Top Three Properties

1. Atlantic Point Backpackers, Cape Town, South Africa
2. Hola Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
3. Riad Khabia, Marrakech, Morocco

Award for Cleanliness

1. Riad Attouyour, Marrakech, Morocco
2. Riad Sabah, Marrakech, Morocco
3. Riad Zahraa GuestHouse, Meknes, Morocco

Best Value

1. Alexander Hostel, Cairo, Egypt
2. Juliana Hotel, Cairo, Egypt
3. Wake Up! Cairo Hostel, Cairo, Egypt

Best Location

1. Museum view hotel, Cairo, Egypt
2. Pension Souika, Chefchaouen, Morocco
3. Travelers House, Cairo, Egypt

Best Atmosphere

1. Boomerang Hotel, Luxor, Egypt
2. Riad Jomana, Marrakech, Morocco
3. Riad Lakhdar, Marrakech, Morocco

Most Popular

1. Hotel Central, Casablanca, Morocco
2. Luna Hotel and Hostel, Cairo, Egypt
3. Wildebeest Camp, Nairobi, Kenya

7. Best Hostels with Wheelchair Access

• Jollyboys Backpackers, Livingstone, Zambia

8. Best Newcomer

• Dar Hafsa, Fes, Morocco

2011 Travelers' Choice awards - the Top 10 hotels in Africa

Travel website TripAdvisor has recently announced the winners of its 2011 Travelers' Choice awards. This year 676 establishments were recognized in the ninth year of the competition. TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice winners are based on millions of real & unbiased reviews and opinions from travellers around the world. Here is the selection of the Top 10 African Hotels in the categories Luxury, Bargain & Best Service:

Top 10 Luxury Hotels in Africa

1. Steenberg Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
2. Four Rosmead, Cape Town, South Africa
3. Hunter's Country House, Harkerville, South Africa
4. Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay, Soma Bay, Egypt
5. Chateau de Feuilles, Praslin Island, Seychelles
6. Les Borjs de la Kasbah, Marrakech, Morocco
7. Iberotel Makadi Beach, Makadi Bay, Egypt
8. L'Hotel Anjajavy, Anjajavy, Madagascar
9. Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa, Luxor, Egypt
10. Riad Kniza, Marrakech, Morocco

Top 10 Hotels for Service in Africa

1. Blackheath Lodge, Cape Town, South Africa
2. Derwent House Boutique Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
3. Riad Kniza, Marrakech, Morocco
4. Riad Noir d'Ivoire, Marrakech, Morocco
5. Riad El Mansour, Marrakech, Morocco
6. Dar Charkia, Marrakech, Morocco
7. 2Inn1 Kensington, Cape Town, South Africa
8. Akademie Street Boutique Hotel and Guesthouse, Franschhoek, South Africa
9. Dar Silsila, Marrakech, Morocco
10. Villa Afrikana Guest Suites, Knysna, South Africa 

Top 10 Bargain Hotels in Africa

1. Riad Dar One, Marrakech, Morocco
2. 2Inn1 Kensington, Cape Town, South Africa
3. Dahab Paradise, Dahab, Egypt
4. Derwent House Boutique Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa
5. Riad Laayoun, Fes, Morocco
6. Riad Assakina, Marrakech, Morocco
7. Riad Le Ksar de Fes, Fes, Morocco
8. Casa Perleta, Chefchaouen, Morocco
9. Riad Slawi, Marrakech, Morocco
10. Blackheath Lodge, Cape Town, South Africa

HostelBookers has launched its first ever Awards for Excellence - Africa

Hostelbookers has launched its first ever Awards for Excellence to recognize the top rated hostels in 2009.

TOP 3 hostels in Africa:
(overall scores across selected ranking criteria and customer reviews)
Luna Hotel and Hostel - Cairo, Egypt
Riad Jomana - Marrakech, Morocco
Riad Zahraa GuestHouse - Meknes, Morocco

Award for Cleanliness - Africa:
(highest ratings for cleanliness)
Bob's Bunkhouse - Johannesburg, South Africa
Riad Sabah - Marrakech, Morocco
Wake Up! Cairo Hostel - Cairo, Egypt

Best Value - Africa:
(highest customer rating for value)
Riad Attouyour - Marrakech, Morocco
Riad Marrakech Rouge - Marrakech, Morocco
Sherief Hotel - Luxor, Egypt

Best Location - Africa:
(highest customer rating for location)
Equity Point Marrakech - Marrakech, Morocco
Hotel Batha - Fes, Morocco
Pension Souika - Chefchaouen, Morocco

Most Popular - Africa:
(most bookings)
Citadel Hostel - Jerusalem, Israel
Hotel Central - Casablanca, Morocco
Old Jaffa Hostel and Guest House - Tel Aviv, Israel

Best Atmosphere - Africa:
(highest customer rating for atmosphere)
The Backpack & Africa Travel Centre - Cape Town, South Africa
Wildebeest Camp - Nairobi, Kenya
ZenjiHotel - Zanzibar, Tanzania