Kruger National Park: Heavy rain forces temporary closure of Phabeni Gate and several roads! [update]

update (05 January 2024): SANParks has announced that the S39 north of the Timbavati Picnic site is badly damaged and unaccessible. Access to the picnic site is only possible via the S127 and Satara Rest Camp at this stage.

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that due to the current heavy rain Phabeni Gate, located on the southwestern edge of  Kruger National Park, and several gravel roads in the National Park are being temporarily closed. Phabeni Gate is closed due to the bridge overflowing. As of now, the following gravel roads are closed:

• S37 and S41
• S140, S36, S106, S146 and S147
• S33, S34, S35 and S37

More roads are currently being assessed and could be closed. Crocodile Bridge is also getting closely monitored as is could overflow.

South Africa: Seasonal rainfall & temperature outlook (January to May 2025)!

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued the Seasonal Climate Watch for January to May 2025. The outlook shows that the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) remains in a neutral state and is expected to weaken further. Forecasts suggest that a weak La Niña may develop by mid-summer, potentially impacting South Africa’s summer rainfall only in the latter part of the season. However, there is considerable uncertainty about whether a La Niña event will occur.

Predictions point to above-normal rainfall in parts of South Africa’s northeastern central and coastal areas during late summer, with this trend shifting to the eastern regions in autumn. Minimum and maximum temperatures are generally expected to be above-normal across the country during the forecast period, except for the southern coastal areas, where below-normal maximum temperatures are more likely throughout the summer.

Kruger National Park Calendar - February!

Weather:

• much the same as January
• traditionally flood season
• heavy rains can cause rivers to suddenly burst their banks

Temperatures:

• between 18°C - 33°C (Fahrenheit: e.g. 33°C = [(33x9)]/5 + 32 = 91.4°F)
• visit our webcam page for live footage from Kruger National Park!

Landscape:

• plants at their most nutrtious
• large vleis (shallow seasonal or intermittent lakes) on the basalt plain
• many aloes in flower

Animal Activity:

• large herds of grazers spread across the Eastern Grasslands
• many nursery herds (protected by matriachs or alpha males)
• breading season for Waterbucks
• loads of bird activity around the flowering aloes

Kruger National Park tours >>
online car hire >>

Durban beach update: 21 beaches open for swimming, 2 closed due to water quality!

The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has issued updated lists as of 24 December 2024, detailing the status of local beaches and swimming pools. According to the updates, 21 beaches in Durban are open and deemed safe for swimming, while two beaches remain closed due to water quality concerns. Additionally, 33 swimming pools across Durban are open to the public.

The following beaches are open for swimming:
- operating hours 06:00 - 18:30 -

1. uShaka
2. Addington
3. Battery Beach
4. Bay of Plenty
5. Point Beach
6. North Beach
7. South Beach
8. Wedge Beach
9. Thekwini Beach
10. Laguna Beach
11. mDloti Main
12. uMhlanga Main
13. Bronze Beach
14. Westbrook
    
15. uMgababa
16. Brighton
17. Winkelespruit
18. Toti Main Beach
19. Pipeline Beach
20. Warner Beach
21. Reunion
    

Beach(es) closed for swimming:

1. Country Club
   
2. Anstey's Beach

Recreational activities other than swimming at beaches closed for swimming are allowed!

 

SANParks announces Augrabies National Park festive season reception hours!

The South African National Parks (SANParks) management of Augrabies National Park in South Africa's Northern Cape has announced the operating hours for the National Park's reception over the festive season. The recepetion will be open from 07:00 to 14:00 on 25 December 2024 and from 07:00 to 17:00 on 26 December 2024. 

Augrabies National Park is located in South Africa's Northern Cape, near the town of Kakamas. It is centered around the Augrabies Falls, a spectacular 56-meter waterfall on the Orange River. The park covers an area of about 820 km² and is known for its rugged landscapes, unique ecosystems, and dramatic granite formations.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Adjusted Christmas Day shop hours announced!

The management of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has announced that the shops in the National Park will change its operating hours on Christmas Day (25 December 2024). The shops at Nossob Rest Camp and Mata-Mata Rest Camp will operate from 07:00 to 17:00, while the shop at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp will be open from 07:30 to 17:00. Additionally, the Christmas lunch at the Twee Rivieren restaurant will be served between 12:00 and 15:00. Normal trading hours for the shops and restaurant will resume on 26 December 2024.

Zambia waives visa requirements for 53 countries, aiming for tourism growth!

The Zambian Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security has announced a visa waiver for citizens of 53 countries under Statutory Instrument No. 78 of 2024. This decision raises the total number of countries with visa-free access to Zambia to 167. The new policy will come into effect on 01 January 2025.
Zambia anticipates a rise in international tourist arrivals, aiming to reach three million annually by 2026. In comparison, the country recorded over 1.5 million tourist arrivals in 2023.

"While the government is committed to opening doors to international travellers, we are also mindful of the need to maintain national security. This is the reason why the department of immigration is focusing on implementing a mix of pre-entry and post-entry migration management measures", said Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu

The 53 countries whose nationals will no longer require a visa to enter Zambia are: 

1. Albania
2. American Samoa
3. Andorra
4. Argentina
5. Aruba
6. Bhutan
7. Bosnia and Herzegovina
8. Bouvet Island
9. Brunei Darussalam
10. Cape Verde
11. Christmas Island
12. Cocos (keeling) Islands
13. Comoros
14. Cook Islands
15. Costa Rica
16. Dominican Republic
17. Faroe Islands
18. French Polynesia
19. French Southern Territories
20. Greenland
21. Guam
22. Guatemala
23. Guyana
24. Hungary
25. Iceland
26. Israel
27. Laos
28. Liberia
29. Liechtenstein
30. Macedonia
31. Madagascar
32. Micronesia
33. Moldova
34. Monaco
35. Morocco
36. Netherlands Antilles
37. New Caledonia
38. Northern Mariana Islands
39. Palau
40. Panama
41. Papua New Guinea
42. San Marino
43. Sandwich Islands
44. Sao Tome and Principe
45. South Georgia And the South Sandwich Islands
46. Suriname
47. Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
48. Switzerland
49. Turkey
50. Ukraine
51. Vatican City State
52. Virgin Islands
53. Wallis and Futuna Islands