Knysna: Featherbed Nature Reserve set to reopen!

One of Knysna's biggest tourist attractions, the Featherbed Nature Reserve, just announced it long-awaited re-opening. The privately-owned Nature Reserve, situated on the Western Head in Knysna, is set to open again on 15 October 2018. The Knysna Fires of 2017 destroyed about 90% of the vegetation in the Nature Reserve, with only patches of forest and scrub left uncharred. The owners therefore decided to close the Featherbed Nature Reserve so that the eco-system had time to recover.

Kruger National Park Calendar - October!

Weather:

• daytime temperatures soar
• first hard rains
• it can get extremely hot & humid if the rains are late

Temperatures:

• between 16°C - 32°C (Fahrenheit: e.g. 28°C = [(28x9)]/5 + 32 = 82.4°F)
• visit our webcam page for live footage from Kruger National Park!

Landscape:

• Grassland beginns turning green
• many trees in flower
• lush vegetation
• river levels start rising

Animal Activity:

• breeding season begins for many antelopes
• game begins dispersing through the Park
• most of the northern migrant raptors arrive

Kruger National Park tours >>
online car hire >>

Zambia: Devil's Pool on Livingstone Island has been reopened!

The famous Devil's Pool, a rock pool right on the very edge of the mighty Victoria Falls on Livingstone Island (Livingstone side of the Falls in Zambia), has been reopened for tours on 30 August 2018. Also known as the "Armchair" or simply the "ultimate infinity pool", Devil's Pool is only accessible during the drier month of the year when the Zambezi River drops quite substantially (low water season). This usually takes place from mid-August to mid-January. Livingstone Island, which is located in the middle of the Zambezi right on the edge of the Victoria Falls just before the water thunders down a 103 metre drop, is a protected area that is only allowed a maximum of 24 people on at any one time.

Addo Elephant National Park: Zuurberg horse trails closed until further notice!

South African National Parks (SANParks) announced some days ago that the Zuurberg horse trails in the Zuurberg Mountain section of Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa's Eastern Cape are closed until further notice. The Nyathi horse trails ("Addo Horse Trails"), which depart from Addo Main Camp and take place in the Nyathi area of the National Park, remain open and are commencing as normal.

South Africa's third largest National Park, the Addo Elephant National Park, is located about 80 km from Port Elizabeth in the country's Eastern Cape. The National Park is home not just to the famous BIG FIVE, but to the BIG SEVEN - elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard, great white shark and southern right whale.

Travel alert: Pide of lions in Kruger National Park shows abnormal behaviour around vehicles!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued a travel alert for Kruger National Park. The management of South Africa's most popular National Park has received reports of a pride of lions north of Satara Rest Camp which is showing abnormal behaviour around vehicles such as the biting of tyres. Visitors who come across lions displaying such behaviour should ensure that their windows remain closed and those on open safari vehicles should ensure that they remain silent and keep all arms, heads etc. within the structure of the vehicle. SANParks requests visitors not to get too close to any animals for footage at a sighting, or refrain from placing any items on the vehicle exterior or tyres which might attract and encourage animals to approach the vehicle

SANParks encourages visitors to Kruger National Park, who might have taken photos/video or have feedback on the pride, to share or post these on SANPArks social media platforms. This allows Kruger National Park's management to try to identify whether it is only a specific member of the pride or whether the entire pride has developed this behaviour. The National Park's Veterinary Wildlife Services will be collaring a member of this pride to monitor movements and will also mark all members of the pride to allow for identification.

South Africa: New gate technology for Table Mountain National Park & West Coast National Park!

South African National Parks (SANParks) is set to introduce a new gate access technology at Table Mountain National Park and West Coast National Park on 01 November 2018. The new gate technology enables visitors to buy digital tickets on-line prior to their arrival at the National Parks; these digital tickets will then be scanned at the entrance gates for quick access.

The new system also caters for tour operators who in the past had to purchase group tickets from SANParks offices. They too will have access to an online portal through which they can purchase digital tickets according to their respective group sizes.

Cape Town: Zeitz MOCAA to increase ticket prices!

Africa's largest museum of contemporary African art, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa ("Zeitz MOCAA") in Cape Town, is set to increase ticket prices. Effective 01 September 2018, the new admission prices will be the following:

• Single day admission (for adults) = R190
• Annual (general) Membership = R270
• Pensioners discounted annual membership = R195
• Children under the age of 18 will still enjoy free admission all year round, and #AfricaWednesday remains free for African citizens every Wednesday, between 10:00 and 13:00
  

The Zeitz MOCAA, located in the V&A Waterfront, was recently named of one of Time Magazine's "World's Greatest Places". The museum building was constructed from the conversion of the 57m tall historic Grain Silo. The 9,500m² complex consists of nine floors with 6 000 m² dedicated to gallery spaces and 3 500 m² to site specific exhibition spaces. The Zeitz MOCAA was opened in September 2017.

Johannesburg: Kaserne Bridge (M2 freeway) closed until end of 2019!

The Kaserne Bridge on the M2 freeway in Johannesburg is closed from today (27 August 2018) until the end of 2019 due to major cracks on the road that need to be repaired. The M2 east is blocked off between the Joe Slovo off-ramp and Maritzburg road. The motorway is a critical route in the Johannesburg road network and authorities have advised motorists to use alternative routes.

The M2 ("Francois Oberholzer Freeway") runs just to the south of Johannesburg's Central Business District (CBD) eastwards where it connects with the N3 (only a short segment goes to the west of the CBD). The north-south M1 intersects with the M2 just to the west of the CBD.

TAAG Angola to increase flights between Luanda <> Maputo!

The state-owned national airline of Angola, TAAG Angola Airlines, is set to increase flights between Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport (LAD) in Luanda and and Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Maputo during the Northern winter season 2018/19. From 30 October 2018, the airline will increase the number of flights from the current three weekly flights to five weekly flights. The additional services will be operated in the evening/overnight on board a Boeing 737-700.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

South African Airways to increase flights between Johannesburg <> Luanda!

South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways, is set to increase the number of flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport (LAD) in Luanda. From 09 September 2018, the airline will operate this route four times a week, instead of two. The two additional weekly flights will be operated during overnight hours. As with the exisiting flights, South African Airways will service the route on board an Airbus A320 aircraft. 
Earlier this month, the state-owned national airline of Angola, TAAG Angola Airlines, announced that it will increase flights between Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport (LAD) in Luanda and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg during the Northern winter season 2018/2019 by introducing a new evening service.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board: Most beaches in KwaZulu-Natal closed due to industrial action!

update (02 September 2018): According to the latest media update (31 August 2018), the KZN Sharks Board is still experiencing industrial action with its labour force. Due to the limited forces available, the organisation has had to temporarily reduce the number of protected beaches. Bathing is currently open at the following beaches:

• North Coast: Willards Beach (Ballito Bay main beach), Umhlanga Rocks main beach.
• Durban: Ushaka to Bay of Plenty Beach inclusive
• South Coast: St Michaels, Uvongo, Lucien, Margate, Ramsgate, Southbroom, San Lameer.

According to media release by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence (KZNSB), the organisation is currently experiencing industrial action with its labour force. Due to the strike, the KZNSB has had to temporarily reduce the number of protected beaches in KwaZulu-Natal it is able to service with the limited resources available. Bathing is currently open at the following beaches:

• North Coast: Willards Beach (Ballito Bay main beach), Umhlanga Rocks main beach.
• Durban: Ushaka to Suncoast Beach inclusive
• South Coast: Hibberdene, Umzumbe, Southport, St Michaels, Uvongo, Lucien, Margate, Ramsgate, Southbroom, San Lameer and Trafalgar.
  

Visitors to the beaches along the coast of KwaZulu-Natal are requested to check with the lifeguards prior to entering the water at any of the non-mentioned beaches. We'll keep you posted!

The KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence (KZNSB) maintains shark nets and drum lines off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal to protect bathers and surfers from shark attacks at a total of 37 beaches. Most of the shark nets deployed by the KZNSB are 214m long and 6m deep and are secured at each end by two 35kg anchors; all have a stretched mesh of 51cm. The nets are laid in two parallel rows approximately 400m offshore and in water depths of 10-14m.

Five destinations in Southern & East Africa made it to list of the "World's Greatest Places 2018"!

The famous Time Magazine, an American weekly news magazine and news website, has released its first annual list of the "World's Greatest Places". Based on certain key factors, such as quality, originality, innovation, sustainability and influence, the list showcases 100 destinations from six continents and 48 countries. Four destinations in Southern Africa and East Africa made it to Time Magazine's list of the "World's Greatest Places", namely the Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town (South Africa), the Giraffe Manor Hotel in Nairobi (Kenya), the Bisate Lodge in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), the King Lewanika Lodge in Zambia's Liuwa Plain National Park as well as the brandnew Shipwreck Lodge in the Skeleton Coast National Park in Namibia. Congratulations!

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Zeitz MOCAA (@zeitzmocaa) am Aug 24, 2018 um 4:29 PDT

South Africa: Oxtail potjie recipe!

Potjiekos is a traditional South African way of cooking in a in a round, cast iron, three-legged pot (the potjie), over small amounts of wood or charcoal. Cooked always outside, potjiekos is almost as popular amongst South Africans as the legendary braai. One of my personal favourites is oxtail potjie - a hearty, rich and slow cooked stew of meltingly soft oxtail on the bone, vegetables, mushrooms and red wine. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhRHffRl9xQ

Oxtail Potjie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1kg oxtail, sliced into pieces in between the bones

• 2 tbs all purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground black pepper

• vegetable oil
• 250g Bacon, cubed
• 10 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 carrots, chopped coarsely
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 large leeks, chopped coarsely
• 1 tin peeled tomatoes (800 ml)
• ca. 500g mushrooms
• 10+ small potatoes
• 300ml red wine
• 1+- litre water (or beef stock)
• 2 tablespoons dried thyme
• 10 pepper corns
• 3 bay leaves
• salt
• ground black pepper pepper

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhTcuE-lWbH/

Instructions:

• Wipe the oxtails dry with a paper towel.
• Put flour, salt, paprika, coriander and pepper into a plastic bag and toss together with oxtail pieces so the meat is evenly coated. Retain seasoned flour left in the bag in case you need to thicken the stew later.
• Prepare a direct fire and make sure you have hot coals for the start of the potjie.
• Heat the vegetable oil in the potjie and sauté bacon cubes.
• Remove bacon, add the oxtail to the pot and brown in the bacon fat. When each piece is browned all over, remove and drain on paper towels while keeping warm.
• Add onion and garlic and fry for a few minutes until just turning brown.
• Return the oxtail and bacon to the pot and add the tomato paste, peeled tomatoes, water (or beef stock), red wine, thyme, bay leaf and the peppercorns
• Bring slowly to the boil. Cover tightly with a lid and allow to cook undisturbed for 5 hours.
• Add leeks, carrots, mushrooms, potatoes and continue cooking slowly, without stirring, for another hour.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with fresh bread.

Kruger National Park: Numbi Gate inaccessible due to protests!

According to a press release by South African National Parks (SANParks), Kruger National Park's Numbi Gate is currently inaccessible due to protests taking place outside the gate (on the Numbi road bridge leading to the gate) and is blocked at the moment.
Guests are advised to use alternative gates such as the Phabeni Gate or the Paul Kruger Gate to access or exit Kruger National Park until further notice. We'll keep you posted!

How to claim back VAT at South Africa's three major airports!

Foreign visitors to South Africa are able to claim back VAT (value added tax) paid on items which they take out of the country when the total valued exceeds ZAR250. To claim the VAT refund at South Africa's three major airports (OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban), travellers have to follow three easy steps:

1. When buying goods in South Africa, request a tax invoice for the items purchased. A tax invoice must contain the following information:

• the words "tax invoice"
• the seller's VAT registration number
• a unique serialised tax invoice number
• the buyer's name and address
• the seller's name and adress
• the date of issue of the tax invoice
• the amount of VAT charged, or a statement that 15% VAT is included in the total cost of the goods 
• the quantity and full description of the goods purchased

Only original tax invoices will be considered for a refund!

2. On your departure from South Africa, you must present the actual goods and tax invoices for inspection to a VAT Refund official or a South African customs official in the departure hall before checking in for your flight. In case your purchases do not fit into your hand luggage, you must present the goods and the tax invoices at a VAT Refund or a South African customs inspection desk prior to check-in. The VAT Refund official or South African customs official will stamp all tax invoices that quality for a VAT refund.

3. Present your claim at the VAT Refund Office. You will need your passport, boarding pass and your tax invoices (they need to be stamped by a VAT Refund official or South African customs official!). Your VAT refund claim will be processed and you will be issued with a VAT REFUND CARD which, once loaded with your VAT refund, may be used to make purchases or withdraw cash from any ATM wherever the MasterCard® Acceptance Mark is displayed (excluding the common monetary area being South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini/Swaziland). For more info regarding the VAT REFUND CARD click here. 

• Tax Refund at OR Tambo International Airport: Terminal A Duty Free mall
• Tax Refund at Cape Town International Airport: Central Terminal Building before security 
• Tax Refund at King Shaka International Airport: International Departures Terminal

For more information about the VAT Refund in South Africa please visit www.taxrefunds.co.za.!

Mozambique: Africa's largest suspension bridge to be completed in October 2018!

According to Mozambique's Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, João Machatine, the Maputo-Catembe bridge (or Maputo-Katembe bridge or Maputo - Ka Tembe bridge), which connects Maputo with Catembe by crossing the Maputo Bay, will be ready by the end of October 2018. The official opening of Africa's largest suspension bridge has been postponed several times since December 2017.



The Maputo-Katembe bridge is about three kilometers long, has a width of 680 metres and stands 60 metres above sea level. It forms part of a larger infrastructure project that includes a set of access roads on both banks and other roads. One of the adjoining roads links the bridge with the Ponto de Ouro border post (Mozambique) and the Kosi Bay border post (South Africa), which cuts the driving time from Mozambique's border with KwaZulu-Natal to Maputo by about four hours.

Kruger National Park: Masorini Heritage Site temporarily closed!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has informed the public that the Masorini Heritage Site in Kruger National Park is temporarily closed until further notice due to an infrastructure upgrade. The late Iron Age site is located on a prominent hillside just 12 km from the Phalaborwa Gate on the tar road to Letaba Rest Camp (39km from Letaba on the Phalaborwa road). Masorini used to be inhabited by the Sotho speaking BaPhalaborwa during 1800s, who developed an advanced and sophisticated industry of mining, smelting iron ore and trading in these iron products. The site has been reconstructed as truthfully as possible. It includes reconstructed huts and furnace, a site museum as well as a picnic area at the foot of the hill. Guided tours are available.

Kenya Airways & Delta Air Lines have entered into a codeshare partnership! [update]

update (16 April 2019): Kenya Airways has reached an agreement with Delta Air Lines to activate its codeshare in the US and Canada. The arrangement will enable travelers to connect from New York, using the direct flight from Nairobi, to other cities within the US and Canada opening many more opportunities at more competitive fares.
The destinations available from New York are: Chicago O Hare – Illinois, Denver – Colorado, Orlando – Florida, Miami – Florida, Raleigh Durham - North Carolina, Phoenix – Arizona, Charlotte - North Carolina.
The following destinations will be added subject to government and regulatory approvals: Houston – Texas, Philadelphia – Pennsylvania, Columbus – Ohio, Kansas City – Missouri, Toronto – Ontario, Montreal – Quebec, Ottawa – Ontario, Edmonton – Alberta. 

Kenya's flag carrier, Kenya Airways, and American airline Delta Air Lines, both members of the SkyTeam alliance, have entered into a codeshare partnership on flights to and from Kenya Airways' hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Under the codeshare partnership, Delta Air Lines places its code (DL) on Kenya Airways' flights from Amsterdam, Paris, London, and Accra to Nairobi, enhancing connectivity and providing customers with a one-stop seamless travel experience from the USA. In addition, Delta Air Lines also places its code (DL) on Kenya Airways' services to more than 10 key cities across Africa, including: Addis Ababa, Lilongwe, Maputo, Johannesburg and Djibouti City. The new agreement became effective on 11 August 2018. 

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

TAZARA: New passenger fares in Zambia!

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has announced that it will adjust passenger fares for the TAZARA Railway in Zambia. The adjustment will erase the disparity between fares paid for in Tanzanian shillings (TSh) and fares paid for in Zambian Kwacha caused by continued depreciation of the Zambian Kwacha relative to the Tanzanian shilling (TSh). The new fares, as indicated in the schedules for both Express and Ordinary passenger trains in Zambia, will become effective from 17 September 2018.



The TAZARA Railway, operated by the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), is a railroad in East Africa linking the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania with the town of New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia's Central Province.

You may download the new fares here (pdf) >>

South Africa: SA Express to resume operations!

South African state-owned regional airline SA Express just announced that it will resume operations on 23 August 2018. The airline was grounded by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the national aviation authority of South Africa, in May 2018. In June 2018 SACAA reinstated SA Express' Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) approval as well as Certificates of Airworthiness (CoA) for two of the carrier's aircrafts. Subsequently in July 2018, the airline announced that it was readying itself for take-off. In the meantime most of SA Express' eleven aircrafts received their CoA back; the remaining fleet is expected to be cleared for take-off soon.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

TAAG Angola to increase flights between Luanda <> Johannesburg!

The state-owned national airline of Angola, TAAG Angola Airlines, is set to increase flights between Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport (LAD) in Luanda and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg during the Northern winter season 2018/2019 by introducing a new evening service. Effective 28 October 2018, the airline is going to operate 13 weekly flights instead of the current seven weekly flights on board a Boeing 737-700 between the two destinations.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Ethiopian Airlines to launch seasonal service to Lisbon (Portugal)!

The flag carrier of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Airlines, will launch a seasonal service between Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa and Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) in Lisbon via Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) in Madrid on 28 October 2018. The airline will operate four weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays on board a Boeing 737 Dreamliner on the new route. The service will initially run until 29 March 2019. Ethopian Airlines has ended its service between Addis Ababa and Barcelona via Madrid today (15 August 2018).

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Rwandair to increase flights to Europe in December 2018/January 2019!

Rwanda's flag carrier, Rwandair, is set to increase its service between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Gatwick Airport (LGW) in London via Brussels Airport (BRU) in Brussels during the 2018/19 European winter peak season. According to aviation specialist Routes Online, the airline will operate an additional flight on board an Airbus A320 on Fridays from 14 December 2018 to 17 January 2019.

• Kigali 08:00 > 15:50 Brussels 17:10 > 17:25 London
• London 19:00 > 20:40 Brussels 21:40 > 07:00+1 Kigali

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Gauteng: The Gautrain strike has ended!

Gauteng's commuter rail system Gautrain, which connects Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekhuruleni and O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), has announced that the strike* has ended. The full services will resume on 15 August 2018. In the meantime, the reduced service that is currently operational will be further enhanced for today (14 August 2018). Marlboro station will be opened and trains will operate between Hatfield station and Park station during peak (every 15min) and off-peak (every 40min). The airport service will operate during peak and off peak (every 20 min) and trains will travel between Sandton station and O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), stopping at Marlboro station and Rhodesfield station. All bus routes will be operated during peak and off-peak.

*Gautrain employees affiliated to the United National Transport Union (UNTU) went on a wage strike on 30 July 2018.

Gauteng Transfers & Ground Transport - online booking >>

Air Seychelles increases capacity to Johannesburg during peak seasons 2018/19!

The national airline of the Seychelles, Air Seychelles, will increase the frequency of its services between Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on the island of Mahé near the capital city of Victoria and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg during the Christmas/New Year season 2018/19 and the Easter holidays 2019 to accommodate the growing demand. The additional services will be operated on board an Airbus A320 on Mondays and Fridays during the peak holiday periods between December 2018 and April 2019.

• Seychelles 18:25 > 21:30 Johannesburg (14, 21, 28 December 2018 & 4, 11 January 2019)
• Johannesburg 22:30 > 05:25 Seychelles (15, 22, 29 December 2018 & 5, 12 January 2019)
• Seychelles 09:50 > 12:55 Johannesburg (10, 17 December 2018 & 7 January 2019)
• Johannesburg 14:15 > 21:10 Seychelles (10, 17 December 2018 & 7 January 2019)
• Seychelles 18:25 > 21:30 Johannesburg (22 March 2019 up to 26 April 2019)
• Johannesburg 22:30 > 05:25 Seychelles (22 March 2019 up to 26 April 2019)

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Ethiopia: Ethiopian Airlines to suspend flights between Addis Ababa <> Barcelona!

The flag carrier of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Airlines, is set to suspend its service between Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa and El Prat Airport (BCN) in Barcelona via Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) in Madrid from 15 August 2018. The airline launched the service to Barcelona only on 01 July 2018. According to Ethiopian Airlines, the decision to terminate flights to the Spanish city was made due to operational difficulties. The airline will continue to operate four weekly flights between Addis Ababa and Madrid. 

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Malawi: Malawian Airlines increased flights to various destinations in July 2018!

The flag carrier of Malawi, Malawian Airlines, increased frequencies on various routes in July 2018. The airline now offers seven instead of four weekly flights between Chileka International Airport (BLZ) in Blantyre and Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam, four instead of three weekly flights between Blantyre and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi as well as three instead of two weekly flights from Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) in Lilongwe via Robert G. Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka. The return flight from Lusaka via Harare to Lilongwe remains a three-weekly service.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>