Ranking: Cape Town named world's best value long haul holiday destination!

A report from Post Office Travel Money (UK) has revealed that Cape Town in South Africa is currently the world's best value long haul holiday destination. Local price falls, together with a weaker South African rand, have combined to bring costs for (British) visitors down by 12% since last autumn. This makes Cape Town best value of 32 resorts and cities surveyed for the 15th annual Long Haul Holiday Report from Post Office Travel Money. According to the findings of this long haul holiday cost of living barometer, the average daily cost of 10 typical tourist purchases for travellers in Cape Town is curently £55.59. This includes a cup of filter coffee, 330ml bottle of local lager, 330 ml bottle of cola, 175ml glass of wine, cocktail, small chocolate bar, 1.5 litre bottle of supermarket mineral water, 200ml bottle of suncream, 50ml tube/bottle of insect repellent, three-course evening meal for two adults including a bottle of house wine. The barometer basket for Cape Town in 2024 is more than 14% lower than in last year’s best-value destination Hoi An in Vietnam.
Last time Cape Town was named best value destination in Post Office Travel Money’s annual long haul holiday cost of living barometer was in 2018.

Top 10 best value long haul destinations:

1. Cape Town, South Africa | total cost: £52.66 | -12.0% since 2023
2. Tokyo, Japan |total cost: £64.07 | -13.5% since 2023
3. Hoi An, Vietnam | total cost: £64.80 | +21.1% since 2023
4. Bali, Indonesia | total cost: £67.70 | -7.9% since 2023
5. Mombasa, Kenya | total cost: £68.53 | +13.8% since 2023
6. Delhi, India | total cost: £74.90 | -1.0% since 2023
7. Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt | total cost: £76.47 | -16.4%  since 2023
8. Colombo, Sri Lanka | total cost: £78.14 | -14.8% since 2023
9. Santiago, Chile | total cost: £88.92 | -14.3% since 2023
10. Montego Bay, Jamaica | total cost: £93.74 | -9.4% since 2023

South African Airways (SAA): More flights to key destinations!

South African flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA), has announced a significant increase in its flight frequencies to key African destinations, starting next month. Starting in November 2024, SAA will operate 12 weekly flights to both RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka, up from the current 10 times a week to Harare and up from 7 to Lusaka. Flights to Lagos (Nigeria) and Accra (Ghana) will increase to four times a week, up from three weekly flights. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), SAA will enhance its presence by flying five times a week to N'djili Airport (FIH) in Kinshasa. Domestically, SAA will increase its flights to Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) to three times a day.

South African Airways (SAA) is also set to increase the frequency of its flights to Mauritius and Perth in Western Australia. The airline will begin flying twice daily to Mauritius from the beginning of December 2024 to coincide with peak holiday season. The first additional frequency to Perth will commence in December 2024 and the second will be added from January 2025, taking the number of return flights to Perth five times a week.

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Mthatha Airport (UTT): Flight disruptions expected due to inclement weather conditions!

Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), the company that provides air traffic, navigation, training and associated services within South Africa, has informed the public that inclement weather conditions are currently affecting operations at Mthatha Airport (UTT) in Mthatha in South Africa's Eastern Cape. Flight disruptions can therefore be expected.
Mthatha Airport (UTT) does have a valid Instrument Flight Procedure for runway (RWY) 14, the runway currently in use today (11 October 2024). However, due to the severe weather conditions this morning, operations are adversely affected as safety is prioritised. We'll keep you posted!

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eSwatini: Eswatini Air launches a complimentary shuttle service to/from King Mswati III International Airport (SHO)! [update]

update (11 October 2024): Eswatini Air has released the schedule for its new airport schedue connecting Mbabane, Ezulwini, Matsapha, and Manzini with King Mswati III International Airport (SHO):

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The flag carrier of the Kingdom of eSwatini, Eswatini Air, is set to introduce a complimentary shuttle service for all its passengers travelling to and from King Mswati III International Airport (SHO). The shuttle stops include Mbabane, Ezulwini, Matsapha, and Manzini. Eswatini Air's new shuttle service will commence operations on 12 October 2024. The shuttle service can easily be booked on Eswatini Air's website right after completing the purchase of flight tickets. Alternatively, passengers can book via the airline' service centres.

King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) is located near the town of Sikhuphe, about 70 kilometers from the eSwatini's capital, Mbabane, and approximately 80 kilometers from Manzini, the country's largest urban area.
Eswatini Air was founded in 2022 by the Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC), which is fully owned by the government of eSwatini. The airline launched its inaugural flights in March 2023. Eswatini Air focuses on regional flights within southern Africa. The airline is currently operating scheduled flights between eSwatini and Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban (all South Africa) and Harare (Zimbabwe).

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5th World Culinary Awards: South Africa named Africa's Best Culinary Destination 2024!

The winners of the 5th World Culinary Awards, the global initiative to recognise and reward excellence in the culinary industry, have been announced. South Africa was crowned Africa's Best Culinary Destination 2024, while Cape Town was named Africa's Best Culinary City Destination 2024.
Epice in Franschhoek was voted Africa's Best Restaurant 2024, Siba The Restaurant @ The Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town was awarded Africa's Best Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant 2024, Salsify at the Roundhouse in Camps Bay was named Africa's Best Landmark Restaurant 2024, SALON in Cape Town won the category Africa's Best New Restaurant 2024, TANG V&A Waterfront in Cape Town was voted Africa's Best Asian Cuisine Restaurant 2024, Babel @ Babylonstoren in the Cape Winelands was named Africa's Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant 2024 and The 11th Floor in Bedfordview scooped the award for being Africa's Best Rooftop Restaurant 2024. Congratulations! The results follow a year-long search for the world’s leading culinary brands. Votes were cast by culinary industry professionals and the general public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.

The winners of the 5th World Culinary Awards by country (Southern Africa):

Angola's Best Restaurant 2024
Restaurante KOOK Angola, Luanda
Angola's Best Hotel Restaurant 2024
La Boqueria @ InterContinental Luanda Miramar, Luanda

Botswana's Best Restaurant 2024
Two Six Seven Kitchen + Bar, Gaborone
Botswana's Best Hotel Restaurant 2024
Xigera Restaurant @ Xigera Safari Lodge, Okavango Delta

Eswatini's Best Restaurant 2024
Ramblas Restaurant, Mbabane
Eswatini's Best Hotel Restaurant 2024
The Lihawu Restaurant @ The Royal Villas, Ezulwini Valley

Mozambique's Best Restaurant 2024
Salt Restaurant & Bar, Maputo
Mozambique's Best Hotel Restaurant 2024
Bistro @ Avenida Hotel Maputo, Maputo

Namibia's Best Restaurant 2024
Ocean Cellar Oyster & Wine Bar, Swakopmund
Namibia's Best Hotel Restaurant 2024
Stratos Restaurant & Bar @ Avani Windhoek Hotel & Casino, Windhoek

South Africa's Best Restaurant 2024
Epice, Franschhoek
South Africa's Best Hotel Restaurant 2024
Azure Restaurant @ The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, Cape Town
South Africa's Best Culinary Experience 2024
Marble Restaurant, Johannesburg

Zambia's Best Hotel Restaurant 2024
Kubu @ The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara, Livingstone

Zimbabwe's Best Restaurant 2024
Restaurant Johannes De Bruijn, Harare
Zimbabwe's Best Hotel Restaurant 2024
MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant @ Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls

South Africa: Seasonal rainfall & temperature outlook (October 2024 to February 2025)!

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has released the Seasonal Climate Watch for the period October 2024 to February 2025. According to the seasonal outlook, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently still in a neutral state and is predicted to weaken further. Current predictions indicate the development of a La Niña state during the start of the summer season, however, there is still significant uncertainty in the predictions.
Current predictions focus on the early- and mid-summer seasons and indicate wetter conditions over the interior of South Africa. The north-eastern parts however at this stage indicate drier conditions extending through to the mid-summer period. These predictions may change if the ENSO predictions become more certain towards a La Niña state.
Minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to be mostly above-normal in South Africa for the forecast period (October 2024 to February 2025).

Kruger National Park: Mopani Rest Camp to experience water disruption!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that Mopani Rest Camp in Kruger National Park will experience water disruption on 09 October 2024 and 10 October 2024 for three hours each day (most likely between 11:00 – 14:00). According to SANParks, this is due to scheduled maintenance work for the plumbing that must happen.

Mopani Rest Camp is one of the larger and more popular camps in Kruger National Park, located in the northern part of the park. The nearest entrance gate is Phalaborwa Gate, approximately 74 kilometers to the south. Letaba Rest Camp is the closest camp to Mopani Rest Camp. It is located approximately 50 kilometers to the south.