17 January 2025

Kruger National Park road update: Most routes reopen after heavy rainfall!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued an update on road conditions in Kruger National Park following recent heavy rainfall. Most gravel roads have now reopened as weather conditions have improved. However, the main road between Skukuza Rest Camp and Lower Sabie Rest Camp remains partially damaged. Visitors traveling from Skukuza Rest Camp can reach Lower Sabie Rest Camp via Tshokwane (H10).

In the Tshokwane area, all gravel roads have reopened except for the S33, which remains closed due to high water levels at the causeway. The Sand and Sabie low-level bridges have been cleared of debris and are now passable. Additionally, the road between Skukuza Rest Camp and Satara Rest Camp is open.

Talamati Bush Camp, previously closed, will reopen to guests starting today, 17 January 2025. Balule Camp is currently accessible only via the Olifants River high-water bridge from the south, as the Olifants River low-water bridge remains impassable. All other Bushveld Camps are open and accessible.

While the rains have stopped for now, SANParks’ disaster management team continues to monitor the situation closely. Visitors are reminded to stay vigilant, especially on gravel roads and when crossing low-level bridges.

16 January 2025

Namibia: The new Namibia Maritime Museum (NMM) in Lüderitz is temporarily closed!

The new Namibia Maritime Museum (NMM) in Lüderitz, Namibia, has informed the public that it is temporily closed due to ongoing construction work from today, 16 January 2025 until 26 January 2025. It will be open again from Monday, 27 January 2025, at 09:30.
The new museum in Lüderitz, which opened its doors to the public on 01 November 2024,  is first ever maritime museum in Namibia and one of Africa's largest maritime museums. It is located in the historic Lüderitz Old Power Station (LOPS) from 1911. The musem covers 2,000m² and features ancient watercraft, fossils, maps, a library, and a treasure trove of thousands of antiques, art displays, and skeletal remains of sharks.

Emirates increases flights to Madagascar to meet growing travel demand!

The largest airline in the Middle East, Emirates, is set to introduce additional flights to Madagascar. The airline will increase the number of flights between Dubai International Airport (DXB) in Dubai and and Ivato International Airport (TNR) in Antananarivo from the current four weekly flights to six-weekly services, starting 02 April 2025.
According to Emirates, the airline has witnessed tremendous demand for its passenger services, both inbound and outbound, between Dubai and Madagascar since flights commenced in September 2024.
To meet seasonal demand, Emirates recently increased its services for a temporary period, from four to five weekly flights and the new frequency represents a significant boost to its operations and capacity on the route. The expanded schedule between Dubai and Antananarivo, linked via Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on Mahe, will operate on all days except Mondays.

(c) Emirates

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

 

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Temporary swimming pool closure at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp!

The management of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (SANParks) has announced a temporary closure of the swimming pool at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp for essential repairs. The pool will be out of service from 27 January 2025 to 29 January 2025, and is scheduled to reopen on 30 January 2025.

Twee Rivieren is largest rest camp in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and its administrative headquarters. The camp is situated on the banks of the dry Nossob riverbed. Activities and facilities are diverse, as are the animals and plants found both within the camp and in the surrounding areas. Besides the new Interpretation Centre, Twee Rivieren Rest Camp has a reception, shop, fuel, restaurant, information centre and swimming pool. This is the only camp with 24 hrs electricity and cell phone reception in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.  

Zimbabwe: Gonarezhou National Park closed until end of February 2025!

The Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe has announced its annual closure from 14 January 2025, to the end of February 2025. The temporary closure to tourism during the traditionally wettest months of the year allows the tourism infrastructure team to carry out maintenance work on the camps, while camp attendants will take a break to spend time with their families.

Located in southeastern Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou National Park is the country's second-largest national park. It is managed by the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust (GCT), a pioneering partnership between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) and the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) aimed at advancing protected area management.

15 January 2025

Cape Town crowned Best City in the World for 2025 by Time Out!

Time Out, the global culture, entertainment, and events magazine, has unveiled its annual ranking of the world's best cities. For the 2025 edition, over 18,500 locals shared their thoughts on their hometowns, rating everything from food and nightlife to safety and overall livability. These local insights were combined with expertise from Time Out’s global network of city editors. After analyzing the data, the magazine revealed its list of the 50 best cities on the planet for 2025.

Topping the list is Cape Town, South Africa, which earned glowing reviews across the board. An impressive 97% of residents said the city makes them happy, 95% praised its vibrant food scene, and 82% celebrated its breathtaking beauty.

"Where else in the world can you hang out with a colony of African penguins, taste some of the world’s finest wines, stroll along Blue Flag beaches, enjoy stunning views from atop one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, and sample some of the most eclectic nightlife and vibes in the world… all in one day? That’s our Cape Town." [src.]
Time Out’s 50 best cities in the world 2025:

  1. Cape Town, South Africa
  2. Bangkok, Thailand
  3. New York, USA
  4. Melbourne, Australia
  5. London, UK
  6. New Orleans, USA
  7. Mexico City, Mexico
  8. Porto, Portugal
  9. Shanghai, China
  10. Copenhagen, Denmark
  11. Chicago, USA
  12. Lisbon, Portugal
  13. Edinburgh, UK
  14. Hong Kong
  15. Sydney, Australia
  16. Amsterdam, Netherlands
  17. Barcelona, Spain
  18. Seville, Spain
  19. Paris, France
  20. Medellín, Columbia
  21. Hanoi, Vietnam
  22. Madrid, Spain
  23. Berlin, Germany
  24. Dubai, UAE
  25. Singapore
  26. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  27. Beijing, China
  28. Chiang Mai, Thailand
  29. Jakarta, Indonesia
  30. Vienna, Austria
  31. Tokyo, Japan
  32. Marrakech, Morocco
  33. Perth, Australia
  34. Brighton, UK
  35. Prague, Czech Republic
  36. Glasgow, UK
  37. Brisbane, Australia
  38. Marseille, France
  39. Budapest, Hungary
  40. Los Angeles, USA
  41. Lagos, Nigeria
  42. Seoul, South Korea
  43. Valencia, Spain
  44. Montreal, Canada
  45. Bilbao, Spain
  46. Abu Dhabi, UAE
  47. Belfast, UK
  48. Bristol, UK
  49. Mumbai, India
  50. Warsaw, Poland

Durban beach update: 17 beaches open for swimming, six closed due to water quality!

The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has issued updated lists as of 13 January 2025, detailing the status of local beaches and swimming pools. According to the updates, 17 beaches in Durban are open and deemed safe for swimming, while six beaches remain closed due to water quality concerns. Additionally, 30 swimming pools across Durban are open to the public.

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

  1.  uShaka
  2. Addington
  3. Battery Beach
  4. Country Club
  5. Point Beach
  6. Bronze Beach
  7. South Beach
  8. Wedge Beach
  9. Thekwini Beach
  10. Laguna Beach
  11. mDloti Main
  12. Westbrook
  13. uMhlanga Main
  14. Brighton
  15. Toti Main Beach
  16. Pipeline Beach
  17. Warner Beach

Beach(es) closed for swimming:

  1. Anstey's Beach
  2. Bay of Plenty
  3. North Beach
  4. uMgababa
  5. Winkelespruit
  6. Reunion 

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