Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), the state-owned enterprise mandated to run the tourism facilities within the protected areas of Namibia, has ceased operations of its shuttle service from the 2x4 area in Sossusvlei on 15 October 2024. The shuttle service is now operating exclusively from the Sesriem Campsite. According to the NWR, clients who have already booked shuttle service vouchers or tickets to Deadvlei will now be ferried from the Sesriem Campsite instead, and new tickets must also be purchased there.
Sossusvlei is one of the most iconic and visually stunning destinations in Namibia. It is located in the southern part of the Namib Desert, within the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Sossusvlei is famous for its towering red sand dunes, some of the tallest in the world. These dunes are primarily made of iron-rich sand that gives them their distinct red and orange color due to oxidation. Deadvlei is a clay pan located near Sossusvlei. It’s famous for its ancient, dried-up camel thorn trees, some of which are thought to be over 900 years old.
The Sesriem Campsite is located near the entrance to Sossusvlei and the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The distance between the Sesriem Campsite and Sossusvlei is approximately 60 kilometers.
17 October 2024
Namibia: NWR made changes to its shuttle service operations in Sossusvlei!
Garden Route: CemAir suspends flights to Plettenberg Bay until April 2025!
South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir has announced that the suspension of flights to Plettenberg Bay Airport (PBZ) in Plettenberg Bay has been extended to 10 April 2025 due to the continued downgrade of the airport by the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The airline hopes that by April 2025 the airport will have regained its Category 5 certification, which will allow CemAir to resume its scheduled service
All flights booked from Johannesburg to Plettenberg Bay until 10 April 2025 date will automatically be rebooked on CemAir's service to George Airport (GRJ) in George. Passengers will receive an automated booking change notification with new flight details.
For CemAir's Cape Town passengers travelling to Plettenberg Bay the airline will be introducing a flight between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and George during peak periods. Passengers travelling on these days will receive an automated booking change notification with their new travel details. Passengers travelling on days where no alternative CemAir flight is available will be provided with a credit for the value of their fare.
16 October 2024
Kruger National Park: Fire incidents at two Rest Camps!
South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that fire incidents occurred at two rest camps in the Kruger National Park on 14 October 2024. There was no life lost or injuries sustained at both rest camps. The first fire broke out at Satara Rest Camp where embers from a braai fire landed on the thatch roof of a chalet setting it alight. The fire was quickly contained before spreading to other structures. A similar incident occurred at Olifants Rest Camp requiring that three chalets be evacuated. This fire was also contained although it proved impossible to remove belongings of guests. Affected guests were relocated to nearer rest camps.
Kruger National Park is currently experiencing hot, windy and dry weather conditions. and visitors are urged to extinguish braai fires immediately after utilization for purposes such as cooking of food. This will greatly minimize the possible risk of fire with its consequent damage to structures and the environment.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Park shops with changed opening hours due to stocktaking at the end of October 2024!
The Management of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has announced that due to monthly stocktaking all shops in the National Park will have to temporarily change its operating hours on selected dates at the end of October 2024. The shops at Nossob Rest Camp (on 24 October 2024) and Mata-Mata Rest Camp (on 29 October 2024) will only be open from 07:00 to 09:00 and from 15:00 to 19:15, while the shop at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp will only be open from 15:00 to 19:15 on 30 October 2024.
15 October 2024
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:
- Cape Town, South Africa | total cost: £52.66 | -12.0% since 2023
- Tokyo, Japan |total cost: £64.07 | -13.5% since 2023
- Hoi An, Vietnam | total cost: £64.80 | +21.1% since 2023
- Bali, Indonesia | total cost: £67.70 | -7.9% since 2023
- Mombasa, Kenya | total cost: £68.53 | +13.8% since 2023
- Delhi, India | total cost: £74.90 | -1.0% since 2023
- Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt | total cost: £76.47 | -16.4% since 2023
- Colombo, Sri Lanka | total cost: £78.14 | -14.8% since 2023
- Santiago, Chile | total cost: £88.92 | -14.3% since 2023
- Montego Bay, Jamaica | total cost: £93.74 | -9.4% since 2023
14 October 2024
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.
11 October 2024
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!