Pretoria (Tshwane): The Pretoria National Botanical Garden is going cashless!

The Pretoria National Botanical Garden, located in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria, has announced that it is migrating to a card only payment system, phasing out cash payments. Cash will still be accepted, but the management of the National Botanical Gardens encourages visitors to make the switch to cashless as card payments are considered safer for visitors and staff.

The Pretoria National Botanical Garden in Pretoria is one of South Africa's thirteen National Botanical and Zoological Gardens managed by the the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). The Pretoria National Botanical Garden is situated in 2 Cussonia Ave, Brummeria, Pretoria. It has a total size of 76 hectares, of which 50 hectares are devoted to developed garden, using almost exclusively South African plants. All the flowering plant species to be seen, including 50% of the country’s tree species, make this garden a botanical tapestry.
Pretoria National Botanical Garden's operational hours are daily from 09:00 to 18:00 with no entry after 17:00. The entrance fees are R45/adult, R30/student and R15/scholar. Free entry is provided for children under the age of 6 years and for senior citizens (60 years +, Tuesdays only).

Covid-19: Namibia clarifies entry requirements!

Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Services (MHSS) has released a circular letter adressed to all regional directors to clarify requirements related to entry into Namibia. According to the MHSS, this is due to varying interpretation of entry requirements, which resuluted in travellers being stranded at the country's ports of entry.

• Persons who depart from Namibia with a negative Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test result or a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result and re-enter Namibia within seven days from the date the sample was taken for testing are not subject to Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test or a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test on re-entry into Namibia.
• Persons permitted entry into Namibia do not need to inform the relevant Namibia diplomat representative in the country of intended departure of the intention to enter Namibia.
• All persons entering Namibia with negative Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test result or a SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result within seven days from the date the sample was taken are not subject to quarantine.

 

Airlink and Kenya Airways have signed an interline agreement!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink and the flag carrier airline of Kenya, Kenya Airways, have signed an interline agreement. Through the agreement Airlink customers are able to book a through ticket to Nairobi and enjoy connections to the rest of Kenya Airways destinations within Africa (e.g. Entebbe, Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Bujumbura, Kinshasa and more), while Kenya Airways passengers flying to South Africa will be able to connect with Airlink operated flights to various destinations in Southern Africa such as Windhoek, Durban, Gaborone, Maseru, Pemba, Maputo, Port Elizabeth, among others.

An Interline agreement between airlines allows passengers to change from one flight on one airline to another flight on another airline without having to gather their bags or check-in again.

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Ingula Nature Reserve designated as South Africa’s 27th Ramsar Site!

The Ingula Nature Reserve in South Africa has been declared a Wetland of International Importance ("Ramsar Site") by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, also known as the Ramsar Convention. This addition brings the number of South Africa's Ramsar Sites to 27 covering a surface area of 571,089 hectares.
The Ingula Nature Reserve sits along the northernmost part of the Drakensberg mountain range, between Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. It lies between 1,260 and 1,900 metres above sea level, and mainly consists of dry grassy plains – which are partly cultivated and irrigated – interspersed with extensive wetlands. The Ingula Nature Reserve is home to over 300 bird species, of which 24 are threatened, 34 mammal species, including 11 carnivores and 10 antelope species, as well as 69 butterflies and 29 reptiles.
The Convention on Wetlands/Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that embodies the commitments of its member countries to maintain the ecological character of their Wetlands of International Importance and to plan for the "wise use", or sustainable use, of all of the wetlands in their territories. 

Annotated List of Wetlands of International Importance/Ramsar Sites in South Africa:

1. Barberspan
2. Blesbokspruit
3. Bot - Kleinmond Estuarine System
4. Dassen Island Nature Reserve
5. De Hoop Vlei
6. De Mond
7. Dyer Island Provincial Nature Reserve and Geyser Island Provincial Nature Reserve
8. False Bay Nature Reserve
9. Ingula Nature Reserve
10. Kgaswane Mountain Reserve
11. Kosi Bay
12. Lake Sibaya
13. Langebaan
14. Makuleke Wetlands
15. Natal Drakensberg Park
16. Ndumo Game Reserve
17. Ntsikeni Nature Reserve
18. Nylsvley Nature Reserve
19. Orange River Mouth
20. Prince Edward Islands
21. Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve
22. St. Lucia System
23. Turtle Beaches/Coral Reefs of Tongaland
24. uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve
25. Verloren Valei Nature Reserve
26. Verlorenvlei
27. Wilderness Lakes

Airlink to launch direct flights between Cape Town <> Skukuza in Kruger National Park!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink is set to launch direct flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Skukuza Airport (SZK), the only commercial airport in Kruger National Park. Effective 04 June 2021, the airline will operate three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays (CPT > SKZ) and on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays (SKZ > CPT).
Skukuza Airport (SZK) is located in close proximity to the Skukuza Rest Camp. Kruger National Park's largest rest camp and administrative headquarters is situated on the southern banks of the Sabie River in the southern part of Kruger National Park. 

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Mozambique: Ethiopian Mozambique Airlines has ceased operations!

Ethiopian Mozambique Airlines, a domestic airline in Mozambique, has ceased operations on 06 May 2021. According to the airline, the reason behind the suspension of services is the decline in demand among travellers due to restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. This resulted in severe economic challenges that made continuity impossible.
Ethiopian Mozambique Airlines, a subsidiary of Ethiopian Airlines, launched operations in Mozambique in December 2018. The airline operated domestic flights to eight destinations across the country, including Maputo, Lichinga, Chimoio, Quelimane, Tete, Inhambane, Beira and Nampula.

Covid-19: Lesotho has reopened borders!

The Government of Lesotho has eased the Covid-19 restrictions last week. The country is now open for regular travel, including tourism, through all border crossings and Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU), which is located about 15 km southeast of Maseru. Travellers intending to visit Lesotho need to present a negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours from time of departure when entering the country. There are no restrictions on intercity or interstate travel within Lesotho. Covid-19 health and safety protocols must be followed at all times, including observance of guidelines for social distancing, sanitation and hygiene, and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, like cloth face masks. Supermarkets, pharmacies and most businesses can operate in line with safety protocols. Accomodation facilities in Lesotho are allowed to open with 100% occupancy. Public recreational areas (such as parks) are permitted to operate, while nightclubs remain closed. Liquor stores are allowed to operate from Mondays to Sundays (08:00 - 20:00). The daily curfew starts at 22:00 and ends at 04:00. Public transport is allowed to operate at 100% capacity.