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

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Garden Route National Park: Opening of a temporary restaurant structure at Tsitsikamma section!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that it has opened a temporary restaurant structure at Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park after the previous structure was washed out by a storm surge on 16 September 2023. According to SANParks, the temporary restaurant boasts a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, offering visitors a unique blend of delectable cuisine. The permanent restaurant building structure is scheduled to be completed mid-2024. We'll keep you posted!

South African Airways and Kenya Airways expand partnership!

South Africa's national flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA), and Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways, are expanding their codeshare partnership. Starting this month, customers will be able to book a seamless travel journey from Kenya Airways' network to South African Airways' South American network, all under one ticket. The strategic partnership now also includes SAA's recently reintroduced service between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and São Paulo/Guarulhos–Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport (GRU) in São Paulo (Brazil). 

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Durban: 21 beaches are currently open for swimming!

The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has released updated lists of beaches that are currently (as of 20 December 2023) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, 21 beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at two beaches, namely Warner Beach and Reunion, is prohibited due to water quality. 33 swimming pools in Durban are currently open to the public.

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

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

Beaches closed for swimming:

1. Warner Beach
   
2. Reunion

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

Durban: Swimming at three beaches is currently prohibited due to water quality!

The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has released updated lists of beaches that are currently (as of 20 December 2023) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, 20 beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at three beaches, namely Warner Beach, Reunion and Westbrook, is prohibited due to water quality. 33 swimming pools in Durban are currently open to the public.

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

1. Wedge
2. uShaka
3. Addington
4. Point Beach
5. Battery Beach
6. South Beach
7. Country Club
8. Thekwini Beach
9. Laguna Beach
10. Bay of Plenty
11. North Beach
12. uMhlanga Main
13. mDloti Main
14. Bronze Beach
15. uMGababa
16. Anstey's Beach
17. Brighton
18. Winkelelspruit
19. Toti Main Beach
20. Pipeline Beach 

Beaches closed for swimming:

1. Warner Beach
   
2. Reunion
3. Westbrook
   

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

South Africa: Cape Town International Airport (CPT) ranked third-best airport in the World!

AirHelp, a Berlin-based claims management company that promotes and enforces air passenger rights in cases of flight disruptions, has assessed and ranked 194 of the world’s biggest and best known airports for its annunal Global Airport Ranking. In order to ensure a reliable ranking, AirHelp has taken information on each airports’ on-time performance (60% of the total score) from its own database, and combined it with passenger insight on the facilities (food & shops - 20% of the score) and experience of using the airports (customer opinion - 20% of the score). This score looks at flights taken from 01 January 2023 to 30 September 2023.
According to the findings of the ranking, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, South Africa, is the world's third-best airport in 2023 with an AirHelp score of 8.48 (OTP: 8.6, Customer Opinion: 8.1, Food & Shops: 8,5). Overall winner of AirHelp's Global Airport Ranking 2023 is Muscat International Airport (MCT) in Muscat, Oman, followed by Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC) in Recife, Brazil. 

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South Africa: South African Airways (SAA) and SunExpress to expand partnership!

South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA), and SunExpress, a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, have expanded their existing cooperation. The two airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support SAA's operations with four aircrafts in the 2024/2025 financial year. The MoU is an expansion of the current six-month damp lease agreement, which was started in October 2023 and include the lease of two Boeing 737-800s as well as maintenance and cockpit crew.
In addition to plans to increase the number of damp lease aircraft, South African Airways (SAA) and SunExpress are currently exploring options for a multi-year reciprocal capacity support and further cooperation with regards to maintenance, training and commercial support.

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Rabies warning: High-risk areas identified in KwaZulu-Natal & the Eastern Cape!

The South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has released a cautionary advisory to travellers planing to visit coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape following a rabies outbreak. Rabies is a potentially fatal viral infection transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Early symptoms can include fever and abnormal sensations at the site of exposure. These symptoms are followed by e.g. nausea, vomiting, violent movements, uncontrolled excitement, fear of water, an inability to move parts of the body, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Dogs are the main source of human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99% of all rabies transmissions to humans. Transmission occurs when an infected animal bites, scratches, or licks a person.

"The public is advised not to approach, touch, or pick up stray dogs and cats from these areas for whatever purpose. People are encouraged to report stray animals to local welfare authorities and to support these organisations in caring for such animals. Remember that rabies may occur anywhere in South Africa, and therefore, avoid the handling of animals that you do not know", said Spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Reggie Ngcobo.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), incubation period for rabies is typically two to three months but may vary from one week to one year, depending on factors such as the location of virus entry and the viral load. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is the emergency response to a rabies exposure. This prevents the virus from entering the central nervous system, which would invariably result in death. PEP consists of:

• extensive washing with water and soap for at least 15 minutes and local treatment of the wound as soon as possible after a suspected exposure
• a course of potent and effective rabies vaccine that meets WHO standards
• the administration of rabies immunoglobulin or monoclonal antibodies into the wound, if indicated [src.]
  

Durban: Swimming at three beaches is currently prohibited due to water quality!

The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has released updated lists of beaches that are currently (as of 16 December 2023) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, 20 beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at three beaches, namely Pipeline Beach, Warner Beach and Reunion, is prohibited due to water quality. 32 swimming pools in Durban are currently open to the public.

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

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

Beaches closed for swimming:

1. Pipeline Beach
2. Warner Beach
   
3. Reunion

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

Festive season 2023/24: Kruger National Park enforces gate quotas for day visitors!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that daily quotas for day visitors will once again apply at the entrance gates of Kruger National Park during the festive season 2023/24 from 15 December 2023 until 16 January 2024. Three time slots have been introduced, of which day visitos can choose from. Visitors are urged to make pre-bookings for their visits prior to their arrival. The three time slots are as follows:

• Time slot 1: 05:30 to 07:30
• Time slot 2: 07:30 to 09:30
• Time slot 3: 09:30 onwards

Pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at the gate but must ensure that they arrive within their booked time slots. Arriving outside the booked time slot will be regarded as non-booked and therefore will not receive preference and could be turned away. These bookings can be changed as well through SANParks Reservations offices if need be.
The three different time slots are aimed at improving the spread of vehicles and preventing unnecessary waiting periods at gates. The day visitor quota for Kruger National Park is a management tool, which is  is applied throughout the year, to prevent overcrowding the roads and facilities. However, Kruger National Park mostly reaches carrying capacity during long weekends and school holidays resulting in SANPark having to turn visitors away.

 
SANParks has also made plans for increased visibility of both traffic officials and visitor management personnel to monitor speeding, after-hours travelling and general behaviour on the roads. Visitors are reminded not to bring liquor with them as the alcohol ban on public areas in Kruger National Park is a permanent rule which is enforced at all times. Visitors are advised to plan their trip carefully, allowing sufficient time to enjoy the bush and to get to your destination. Entrance Gate operating hours will be from 05:30 to 18:30 during December and January.

Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

• Visitors will be able to book up to 80% of the day visitor quota per gate via SANParks Reservations offices
• Day Visitor pre-bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R53 per adult and R26 per child, which must be paid in advance and is meant to ensure their space because they would have been counted in the number that made the daily quota.
• Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter Kruger National Park. The Conservation Fee for residents of South Africa as well as Zimbabwe and Mocambique nationals (passport required to prove this) is R122 per adult and R60 per child (between ages 2 – 11). For nationals of Eswatini and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, the conservation fees are R246 per adult and R122 per child. For all other guests, the standard conservation fees of R486 for adults and R243 for children apply.
• Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure membership is valid before arrival.
• The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
• All guests (drivers and passengers) will be required to identify themselves upon admission (by producing a South African driver’s license, identity document or passport); please ensure you are in possession of one of these documents and have them ready.
• Gate Quotas will be strictly applied and guests without pre-bookings could be denied entry if quotas are full.
• Guests are reminded of the cash-free payment system at the gates (Paul Kruger, Phabeni, Numbi, Malelane and Crocodile Bridge) and fuel stations in the southern part of Kruger National Park.

Durban: Swimming at three beaches is currently prohibited due to water quality!

The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has released updated lists of beaches that are currently (as of 13 December 2023) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, 20 beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at three beaches, namely Pipeline Beach, Winkelespruit and Anstey's Beach, is prohibited due to water quality. 32 swimming pools in Durban are currently open to the public.

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

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

Beaches closed for swimming:

1. Pipeline Beach
2. Winkelespruit
3. Anstey's Beach 

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

Cape Town: Muizenberg Beach huts restoration complete!

The City of Cape Town has announced that the refurbishment of the iconic beach huts has been completed ahead of the tourism season at Cape Town’s Muizenberg Beach. The final phase of the Muizenberg Huts Refurbishment Project entailed the refurbishment of 26 double huts and 10 single huts on the Muizenberg East Beach Side to the value of R5,9million, with Surfers Corner Beach Side completed in the previous phase. Construction work started on 18 September 2023 and was completed on schedule before the start of the holidays. The scope of work included:

• replacement of the ground floor joists, timber bearers, and roof rafters with treated timber.
• replacement of the sidewall panels and roof covering with Nutec cladding.
• reconstruction of the timber staircase and the installation of concrete bases for the staircase posts.
• reconstruction of timber seating benches inside the beach huts.
• replacement of the timber floor boards and timber doors.
• replacement of all steel bolted connections with hot-dipped galvanised bolts and plates.
• wood treatment of all timber members, repainting the side cladding and roof covering.

Kudos Friends of the Muizenberg Huts!

 

KwaZulu-Natal: Krantzkloof Nature Reserve has been officially reopened!

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the governmental organisation responsible for maintaining more than 120 wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province, has announced that the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve has been officially reopened on 11 December 2023. However, the Nature Reserve is already facing certain challenges, including temporary staff shortages. This may impact the usual operations of Krantzkloof Nature Reserve and some trails may be temporarily limited or closed.

• Only Kloof Falls Road entrance is currently open - please use this entrance to access Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. Entry via alternative access points (eg Acutts Drive) is not permitted and could result in prosecution.
• Due to ongoing staff challenges, the Nkutu Entrance and Picnic Site in Valley Drive are currently closed, but are expected to reopen in the new year.
• Entry into Krantzkloof Nature Reserve is only from 06:00 to 13:00 daily and is subject to space availability. All visitors are required to leave by 18:00. This ensures everyone has ample time to enjoy the beauty of the reserve.
• Entrance Fee is R60 for adults (12 years and older) & R30 for children (under 12 years). For your safety and convenience, we encourage visitors to use debit/credit cards for entrance fee payments. Ezemvelo Rhino Card is also accepted, but South African National Parks (SANParks) Wild Card is not accepted.

Krantzkloof Nature Reserve is located 4km from the centre of the Kloof village which is about 20 minutes drive from Durban.

Western Cape: Clarence Drive reopening for one-way traffic!

The Western Cape Government yesterday (11 December 2023) announced that the Clarence Drive, a key tourist route connecting Gordon’s Bay with the coastal towns of Rooi Els, Betty’s Bay, and Pringle Bay, has been reopened. Repairs to the road have progressed to the point that one-way traffic can be accommodated. Clarence Drive was closed after it sustained significant damage following the severe rainfall and subsequent flooding that hit the Western Cape on the weekend of 22 – 25 September 2023. However, several restrictions remain in place for reasons of public safety. Based on construction requirements, there is a high likelihood of extended closures which will either be for set times during the day or for several days at a time. According to the Western Cape Government, closures during the peak festive season are unlikely.

“There are 6 stop-and-go points on Clarence Drive and one at Palmiet Bridge, bringing it to a total of 7 stop-and-go points between Gordon’s Bay and Kleinmond which will add to your travel time. I urge road users to factor in additional travel time when using this route. I further ask road users to be patient and to be courteous towards pointsmen and -women. While the additional travel time may be frustrating, our teams are diligently working to ensure smooth traffic flow and safety on these vital routes.” said provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertius Simmers.

Current indications are that repairs to this route will cost approximately R80 million. This cost includes repairs to the Palmiet Bridge, which also sustained significant damage.

South Africa: Springboks 2024 home test schedule has been revealed!

The South African Rugby Union (SA Rugby) has confirmed the Springboks 2024 home test schedule. Rugby fans in South Africa will see the Boks playing against four different national teams between July and September 2024. In July 2024 Ireland and Portugal will travel to South Africa to meet the Springboks in Pretoria and Durban (Ireland). The venue for the test against Portugal is set to be confirmed in due course. At the end August 2024, the All Blacks will be back in South Africa for tests in Johannesburg and a week later in Cape Town. The home test season concludes in Nelspruit at the end of September 2023 with a match between the Springboks and the Pumas from Argentina.
The Springboks’ away test schedule includes two matches against the Wallabies in Australia in August 2024, and an away match against Argentina in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship in September2024 , as well as engagements in Europe in November 2024.

The Springboks’ home Test schedule for 2024 is:

• Saturday, 6 July: SA vs. Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
• Saturday, 13 July: SA vs. Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
• Saturday, 20 July: SA vs. Portugal (venue TBC)
• Saturday, 31 August: SA vs. New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
• Saturday, 7 September: SA vs. New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
• Saturday, 28 September: SA vs. Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)

Cape Town: Free entry to selected Iziko museums on Reconciliation Day!

Iziko Museums of South Africa has announced that it will be offering free entry to selected museums in Cape Town on Reconciliation Day (16 December 2023). This includes the Bo-Kaap Museum (71 Wale Street), Slave Lodge (Corner Adderley and Wale Streets), South African Museum (excl. Planetarium Digital Dome, 25 Queen Victoria Street) and the South African National Gallery (Government Avenue, Company’s Garden).

• Bo-Kaap Museum
• Mondays to Saturdays from 09:00 – 17:00
• Slave Lodge
• Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 17:00
• South African Museum
• Monday to Sunday 09:00 – 17:00
• South African National Gallery
• Monday to Sunday 09:00 – 17:00

Iziko Museums of South Africa operates 11 national museums in Cape Town as well as collection-specific libraries, a world-class Social History Archive and the most advanced digital Planetarium and Digital Dome on the African Continent.  

Malawi: Malawi Airlines to commence daily flights to three new regional destinations!

The flag carrier airline of Malawi, Malawi Airlines, has announced that it will launch flights to three new regional destinations. According to the airline's social media, Malawi Airlines is set to commence daily flights to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka in Zambia, RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare in Zimbabwe and Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Flights to all three destinations, which will (presumably) be ex Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) in Lilongwe, will be introduced from 19 December 2023.  

South Africa: Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) reiterates hand baggage regulations at its airports!

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), which owns and operates South Africa's nine principal airports, including O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban, has announced that it reiterates hand baggage regulations at its airports as the festive season 2023/24 looms. These regulations aim to manage the carriage of hand baggage onto aircraft and identify passengers with non-compliant items before reaching the security checkpoint. Such passengers will be directed back to check-in counters to transfer their baggage to check-in baggage.
The hand baggage regulations are applicable to all flights operating at ACSA airports within South Africa, as well as regional and international flights departing from South Africa. They are considered essential, not only to uphold hand baggage policies but also to prioritise cabin and flight safety and are in alignment with global best practices.
According to the regulations, the hand baggage allowance is as follows:

• Economy-class passengers: one bag plus one slimline laptop bag or handbag
• First-class passengers: two bags plus a slimline laptop bag*
• Bags may not exceed the total dimensions of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm
• Weight limit per bag: 7kg
• Passengers who exceed the hand luggage limit will be subject to the specific airline’s excess baggage rules.

Where an exception to the stated rules is granted by an airline to the passenger, the passenger will be accompanied to the security point by uniformed airline staff who shall confirm such exception to the security officer or official manning the hand baggage control point.

* Slimline laptop bag means that this bag is of a size and thickness specifically designed to carry a laptop and charger and does not include bags capable of carrying items such as documents, clothes, and other items.

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South Africa: Shosholoza Meyl long-distance mainline passenger train service resumes!

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has announced that the Shosholoza Meyl long-distance mainline passenger train service from Johannesburg to Durban and Cape Town is set to resume. According to a statement by PRASA, the services, which were both suspended in 2021 due to operational and network infrastructure challenges, are set to resume just in time for the December 2023 holiday period. The service between Park Station in Johannesburg and Cape Town Station in Cape Town will resume on 06 December 2023 and will cost in Economy Class (Sitter) R430/pp one way and in Tourist Class (Sleeper) R690pp one way. The travel time will be between 30 - 34 hours. The service between Johannesburg and Durban Station in Durban will commence on 08 December 2023 and will cost in Economy Class (Sitter) R170pp one way and in Tourist Class (Sleeper) R360pp one way. The travel time will be 18 hours. Safe travels!

Zambia: Proflight Zambia to resume flights to Kasama in the Northern Province!

Zambian scheduled airline Proflight Zambia is set to resume flights to Kasama in Zambia's Northern Province following completion of runway and terminal infrastructure upgrades at the city’s airport.
The service will operate twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursday, directly from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka to Kasama Airport (KAA) in Kasama on Tuesday, departing at 08:00 and arriving at 09:30. Additionally, there will be a flight via Mansa on Thursday, departing from Lusaka at 08:00 and arriving in Kasama at 10:25. Direct flights from Kasama to Lusaka  on Thursday will depart at 10:50, arriving at 12:30, and flights via Mansa from Kasama to Lusaka on Tuesday will depart at 09:55, arriving in Lusaka at 12:20.
Proflight Zambia will commence scheduled flights on 19 March,2024, using its 29-seat twin-turbo prop Jetstream 41 aircraft. The airline previously operated the Kasama route using a 12-seat Caravan aircraft for six years until 2017 when the airport was closed for construction work.

Proflight Zambia new service to Kasama is the only scheduled air access to the region and offers easy access for leisure travellers interested in exploring the Northern waterfalls, Shiwa Ng’andu, Kapishya Hot Springs, and Lake Tanganyika, the deepest lake in Africa as well as to the significant Mpulungu Port and the Kalambo Falls, the second-highest drop waterfall in Africa. 

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South Africa: Border authority ramps up festive season operations!

According to the South African Border Management Authority (BMA), at least six million people will move through South Africa’s borders during the upcoming festive season. The BMA has therefor implemented a comprehensive plan including longer border post operating times and more boots on the ground for its festive season operations. It also engaged with South Africa’s six neighbouring countries on the “synchronisation of processes and other work modalities” including working hours.

The following working hours will now be operational at ports of entry:

• Grobler’s Bridge to Botswana: 06:00 to midnight on 15, 16, 22 and 23 December 2023
• Swartkopfontein to Botswana: 06:00 to 20:00 from 14 to 17 December 2023, 22 to 24 December 2023, 02 to 04 January 2024 as well as 13 and 15 January 2024
• Kosi Bay to Mozambique: 06:00 to 18:00 from 14 December 2023 to 14 January 2024
• Mahamba to eSwatini: 07:00 to midnight on 15, 23, 24 December 2023
• Jeppes Reef to eSwatini: 07:00 to 22:00 from 22 December 2023 to 02 January 2024
• Mananga to eSwatini: 07:00 to 20:00 from 18 to 23 December 2023
• Sanipass to Lesotho: 06:00 to 20:00 on 15, 16 December 2023 as well as 21 to 24 December 2023
• Caledonspoort to Lesotho:  06:00 to midnight on 15, 16 and 23 December 2023 and 02 January 2024. On 22 December 2023, the port will operate for 24 hours.
• Van Rooyensgate to Lesotho: 06:00 to midnight on 15, 16 and 24 December 2023 as well as 08 January 2024. It will operate for 24 hours on 23 December 2023 and 02 January 2024
• Monontsa Pass to Lesotho: 07:00 to 18:00 on 23 and 24 December 2023 as well as 02 and 03 January 2024
• Peka Bridge to Lesotho: 08:00 to 18:00 on 23 and 24 December 2023 as well as 02 and 03 January 2024

BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato further announced that the Authority will be deploying about 380 additional personnel at the selected busiest ports of entry to assist with the delivery of services and provision of technical support during this festive season. There are also a number of senior members from the Border Technical Committee (BTC) who have been allocated individual ports for their visitation during the identified critical dates to provide support to the operational teams on the ground.

Durban: Swimming at five beaches is currently prohibited due to water quality!

The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has released updated lists of beaches that are currently (as of 02 December 2023) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, 18 beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at five beaches, namely uMhlanga Main, Toti Main, Anstey's Beach, Warner Beach and Pipeline, is prohibited due to water quality. 32 swimming pools in Durban are currently open to the public.

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

1. uShaka
2. Addington
3. Point Beach
4. North Beach
5. Bay of Plenty
6. Wedge
7. Battery Beach
8. South Beach
9. Country Club
10. Thekwini Beach
11. Laguna Beach
12. uMgababa
13. Bronze Beach
14. mDloti Beach
15. Westbrook
16. Reunion
17. Brighton
18. Winkelspruit 

Beaches closed for swimming:

1. uMhlanga Main
2. Toti Main
3. Anstey's Beach
4. Warner Beach
5. Pipeline

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

Zimbabwe: Peace Parks Foundation & ZimParks sign 20-Year agreement to co-manage the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem!

The Peace Parks Foundation and the Zimbabwe Parks and the Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) have signed a Co-Management Agreement for the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem in Zimbabwe. This 20-year agreement aims to unlock meaningful and critically needed cooperation to protect unique ecosystems, enable community development, and cultivate a robust, sustainable wildlife economy within Mana Pools and surrounds. It also represents a policy-level agreement, in addition to planning and implementation that will ultimately result in healthy people living in a healthy landscape.
As part of the agreement, the Greater Mana Pools Conservation Trust for management, capacity building and business development will be established. A dedicated Board of Trustees will take the lead in managing the natural resources within the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem. This brings a diverse approach, allowing the area to be managed in a business-like manner that attracts investment, creates employment, drives development and, ultimately, sustainability.

-- click to enlarge --

The Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem occupies 9,636 km² of the total 18,515 km² Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area. Mana Pools National Park covers approximately 2,196 km² and is one of the world’s greatest natural splendours. Together with five safari areas and the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia it forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area was formally established in May 2023 through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Zambia: Zambia Airways increases flights between Lusaka <> Johannesburg!

The national airline of the Republic of Zambia, Zambia Airways, increases flights to Johannesburg in South Africa. Effective 01 December 2023, the airline introduces a second daily service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. The new afternoon flights depart Lusaka at 14:15 and from Johannesburg at 17:20.

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Kruger National Park Calendar - January!

Weather:

• height of summer
• very hot & humid days
• warm nights
• often spectacular lightning storms

Temperatures:

• between 18°C - 34°C (Fahrenheit: e.g. 34°C = [(34x9)]/5 + 32 = 93.2°F)
• visit our webcam page for live footage from Kruger National Park!

Landscape:

• vigorous plat growth everywhere in the park
• tree canopy very thick
• fig trees in fruit
• mopane tree in flower

Animal Activity:

• height of the impala breeding season
• predators out to get their young
• most resident non-raptor birds breeding
• animal activity all over the park

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Durban: Swimming at four beaches is currently prohibited due to water quality!

The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has released updated lists of beaches that are currently (as of 29 November 2023) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, 19 beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at four beaches, namely Thekwini Beach, Laguna Beach, Warner Beach and Anstey's Beach, is prohibited due to water quality. 32 swimming pools in Durban are currently open to the public.

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

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

Beaches closed for swimming:

1. Thekwini Beach
2. Laguna Beach
   
3. Warner Beach
4. Anstey's Beach

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

Cape Town: Free entry to selected Iziko museums on Emancipation and World Aids Day!

Iziko Museums of South Africa has announced that it will be offering free entry to selected museums in Cape Town on Emancipation and World Aids Day (01 December 2023). This includes the Bo-Kaap Museum (71 Wale Street), Slave Lodge (Corner Adderley and Wale Streets), Rust en Vreugd (78 Buitenkant Street), Bertram House (Hiddingh Campus, Orange Street), Koopman's de Wet House (35 Strand Street), South African Museum (25 Queen Victoria Street) and the South African National Gallery (Government Avenue, Company’s Garden).

• Bo-Kaap Museum
• Mondays to Saturdays from 09:00 – 17:00
• Slave Lodge
• Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 17:00
• Rust en Vreugd
• Thursday and Friday 09:00 - 16:00
• Bertram House
• Thursday and Friday 09:00 and 16:00
• Koopman's de Wet House
• Thursday and Friday 09:00 - 16:00
• South African Museum
• Monday to Sunday 09:00 – 17:00
• South African National Gallery
• Monday to Sunday 09:00 – 17:00

Iziko Museums of South Africa operates 11 national museums in Cape Town as well as collection-specific libraries, a world-class Social History Archive and the most advanced digital Planetarium and Digital Dome on the African Continent. 

South Africa: South African Airways returns to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)!

South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA),  is set to introduce a new service to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape. The airline announced earlier today that it will launch two daily return flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha on 13 December 2023 until 31 March 2024. The new service will be operated by Sun Express.

• Johannesburg 11:25 > 13:00 Gqeberha
• Gqeberha 13:30 > 15:05 Johannesburg
• Johannesburg 16:00 > 17:35 Gqeberha
• Gqeberha 18:05 > 19:40 Johannesburg

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South Africa: Airlink to resume flights between Cape Town <> St Helena!

South African regional and domestic airline Airlink has announced that is will resume direct flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and St Helena Airport (HLE) on St Helena. The airline is planing to operate one weekly flight on Saturdays from December 2024 until March 2025. Until 2017, when St Helena's only airport opened to the public, Cape Town served as the gateway for St Helena, with regular ship services taking a five-day journey. Today, the flight takes just a few hours from South Africa.

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Ranking: Cape Town voted one of the World's best cities for culture!

Global culture, entertainment and events magazine Time Out has asked some 21,000 city-dwellers to find out the world's best cities for art and culture right now. To rank the cities, Time Out surveyed urban-dwellers worldwide to take a deep dive into the cultural attractions of their chosen cities. Each city was then ranked according to how well locals scored the culture scene for quality and affordability. In a next step, Time Out editors narrowed down the selection by excluding cities with lower overall scores, and only including the highest-scoring city for each country to ensure the list reflects cultural cities globally. Overall winner of Time Out's first list of the world’s best cities for culture is Mexico City in Mexico, followed by Prague in the Czech Republic and Cape Town in South Africa. Time Out describes the Mother City as follows:

"Not to use the old ‘melting pot’ cliché, but Cape Town’s multiculturalism has lent the city an enviable offering when it comes to art and culture. From the lively annual Kaapse Klopse street parade, to cabaret and comedy at mega-institutions Baxter Theatre and Artscape, every corner of South Africa's sprawling seaside city has something to offer culture-seekers. ‘Vibey’ and ‘diverse’ were two of the most common terms locals used to describe Cape Town’s culture scene in our survey. Plus, the city ranked highest overall for the quality of its cultural offerings, nudged down a couple of places by their affordability (though on the affordable front, it’s worth noting the city still did pretty well overall)." src. 

Time Out's 10 world’s best cities for culture:

1. Mexico City in Mexico
2. Prague in the Czech Republic
3. Cape Town in South Africa
4. Buenos Aires in Argentina
5. Athens in Greece
6. Edinburgh in Scotland
7. Vienna in Austria
8. Madrid in Spain
9. Florence in Italy
10. Melbourne in Australia

Western Cape: Franschhoek Pass closed for construction! [update]

update (12 January 2024): The Franschhoek Pass which connects Franschhoek and the towns of Grabouw and Villiersdorp will be closed between 08:00 and 17:00 on weekdays for construction purposes. The pass was open during the festive season, but construction has commenced again. The pass is therefor closed again since 08 January 2024 till the end of February 2024.
The pass was reopened to selected categories of light motor vehicles after it was closed following a severe storms and flooding that hit the Western Cape in September 2023. The teams started working on temporary repairs as soon as the engineering team was satisfied that the landslips had stabilised sufficiently to start work.
The works have reached a point where the pass must be closed daily to initiate the soil-nailing process, of phase one. Soil nailing is a technique used to stabilise existing slopes. This soil reinforcement process uses metal tendons which are drilled and grouted into the soil to create something that represents a gravity wall. For this to be done, the pass needs to be closed due to the size of the equipment that is used and the size of the working area required.
Light motor vehicles will be able to traverse the pass outside of the closure times. The use of the pass, even during times when the pass is open, by vehicles with a mass of more than 5 tons remains strictly prohibited.
Road users are strongly advised to continue using alternative routes.
Work on permanent repairs continues. The Department of Infrastructure foresees that it will still be a considerable period before the pass will allow two-way traffic. The first of various temporary closures will be in place as per the tables below. 

The Western Cape Infrastructure Department has announced that the Franschhoek Pass, which connects Franschhoek and the towns of Grabouw and Villiersdorp, is closed due to construction work following severe storms and flooding that hit the Western Cape in September 2023. According to Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers,  the closure of Franschhoek Pass will take effect from Mondays to Fridays between 08:00 and 17:00 from 28 November 2023 until 15 December 2023. The pass will then be open from 15 December 2023 (with the proceed-when-safe arrangement and weight restriction) until 07 January 2024 and closed again from 08 January 2024 till the end of February 2024. Simmers further said that light motor vehicles will be able to traverse Franschhoek Pass outside of the closure times. The use of the pass, even during times when the pass is open, by vehicles with a mass of more than five tons remains strictly prohibited.

South Africa: Kruger National Park goes cash free!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that Kruger National Park will be going cash free as from 01 December 2023 at five of its entrance gates found in the southern part of the National Park as well as fuel stations. This is part of a broader cash free digital drive, which SANParks introduced in 2021 to improve customer convenience and reduce contact time at entry points especially during peak times. The cash free payment system in Kruger National Park will be implemented in a two-phased approach at some facilities, while the remaining gates and camps will go online in early 2024.

"The benefit of implementing a cash free payment system is meant to reduce queues further and impact the time it takes to get into a park. The aim is also to reduce the risks associated with handling cash. We therefore would like to encourage clients to make use of either the online pre-booking payment systems which offers a no hassle of having to transact on arrival or speed point payment systems at the gates", said the Kruger National Park Managing Executive, Oscar Mthimkhulu.

The entrance gates to Kruger National Park which will be launching the cash free payment methods on 01 December 2023 are:

• Paul Kruger Gate
• Phabeni Gate
• Numbi Gate
• Malelane Gate
• Crocodile Bridge Gate

The fuel station in the Skukuza Rest Camp will also be launching the cash free payment methods on 01 December 2023.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Park shops with changed opening hours due to stocktaking!

The Regional Communications Manager: Arid Parks at South African National Parks (SANParks), Genevieve Maasdorp, announced in the SANParks - Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park facebook group that stocktaking needs to be performed at all shops in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The operating hours of the shops in Nossob Rest Camp, Mata-Mata Rest Camp and Twee Rivieren Rest Camp will therefore change on 27 November 2023, 28 November 2023 and 30 November 2023 as follows:

• Nossob Rest Camp: Shop will be open from 07:30 - 09:00 and from 15:00 - 19:45 on 27 November 2023
• Mata-Mata Rest Camp: Shop will be open from 07:30 - 09:00 and from 15:00 - 19:45 on 28 November 2023
• Twee Rivieren Rest Camp: Shop will be open from 15:00 - 19:45 on 30 November 2023

Durban: All beaches are open for swimming!

The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has released updated lists of beaches that are currently (as of 22 November 2023) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, all 23 beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming and no beaches are closed due to water quality issues. 32 swimming pools in Durban are currently open to the public.

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

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

Beaches closed for swimming:

1. -
   

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

 

Namibia: FlyNamibia set to launch flights to Zimbabwe!

Namibian domestic and regional carrier FlyNamibia is set to introduce a new service to Zimbabwe. The airline will launch a three-weekly service between Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek and Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls. Effective 04 April 2024, FlyNamibia will operate return flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to Victoria Falls.
The Managing Director of FlyNamibia, Andre Compion, announced in Jon Howell's AviaDev Insight Africa podcast earlier this month that the airline is not only planing to launch flights to Victoria Falls in April 2024, but also a new service to Maun in Botswana. We'll keep you posted!

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South Africa: South African Airways suspends flights to Malawi!

South African Airways (SAA) has announced that it will suspend services from OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg to Kamuzu International Airport (LLW) in Lilongwe and Chileka International Airport (BLZ) in Blantyre in Malawi due to the recent economic challenges in the country. According to SAA’s Chief Executive Officer, Prof. John Lamola, the decision to cancel the route is a carefully considered risk management intervention in response to Malawi's current economic challenges.

"This move should not be interpreted as a step back from the airline’s commitment to serving the people of Malawi and promoting trade links between South Africa and Malawi. As the new leadership of SAA – and as a small but growing airline – we cannot commit to routes that are not financially sustainable", said Prof. John Lamola.

South African Airways (SAA) will continue to closely monitor the situation in Malawi and will remain open to resuming flights to Blantyre and Lilongwe  as soon as the situation warrants the substance of financially efficient operations. SAA will suspend services to Malawi with effective from Thursday, 30 November 2023.

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Zimbabwe: Fastjet has suspeneded its only service to Botswana!

Zimbabwe’s low-cost airline, Fastjet, has suspended its only service to Botswana. The airline stopped operating flights betweem Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls and Maun International Airport (MUB) in Maun, the tourism capital of Botswana. According to Fastjet, the route has proven not to have sustainable growth was therefor terminated. However, charter and ad hoc flights to Maun will be operated in the peak season. We'll keep you posted!

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