According to the World Wildlife Fund South Africa (WWF South Africa), the ongoing Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife mass dehorning of rhinos in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) in KwaZulu-Natal has resulted in an 80% drop in poaching in the park since the operation began in April this year. To date, it has spared the lives of an estimated 120 rhinos and enabled the rescue of eight orphaned calves whose mothers had been killed. The calves were found in the early days of the operation when poaching levels were still high and are now being cared for at the Zululand Rhino Orphanage. In April 2024, when the dehorning operation first started, around 30 animals a month were being killed. In June 2024 only four animals were lost, in July 2024 eight and four in August 2024.
KwaZulu-Natal lost a total of 325 rhinos in 2023 to poaching, with a significant 307 of those illegally killed within Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. This represents more than 10% of the park’s population and some 60% of the national poaching loss in South Africa.
20 September 2024
KwaZulu-Natal: 80% drop in rhino poaching in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park!
Durban: Seven beaches are currently closed for swimming 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 19 September 2024) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, 16 beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at seven beaches 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 -
- Wedge
- uShaka
- Addington
- North Beach
- South Beach
- Warner Beach
- Westbrook
- mDloti Main
- uMhlanga Main
- Bronze Beach
- uMgababa
- Toti Main Beach
- Pipeline Beach
- Brighton
- Winkelespruit
- Anstey's Beach
Beach(es) closed for swimming:
- Point Beach
- Battery Beach
- Thekwini Beach
- Laguna Beach
- Country Club
- Bay of Plenty
- Reunion
Recreational activities other than swimming at beaches closed for swimming are allowed!
19 September 2024
Addo Elephant National Park: Full power shutdown in Addo Main Camp!
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that there will be a full power shutdown in Addo Main Camp in Addo Elephant National Park overnight from 23:00 today (19 September 2024) to at least 03:00 tomorrow morning. According to SANParks, this is due to changeover of backup generators. We'll keep you posted!
Addo Elephant National Park is located about 30km outside Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) in South Africa's Eastern Cape. The National Park spans across an area of approximately 1,640km² and consists of a variety of landscapes, including dense forests, rolling hills, open grasslands, and coastal dunes. Addo Elephant National Park is not only home to the traditional Big 5, but the Big 7, which includes the Southern right whale and Great white shark in its marine environment.
Cape Town: Free entry to Nature Reserves!
The City of Cape Town has announced that it is offering free entry to its Nature Reserves in Cape Town from 20 September 2024 to 23 September 2024 to celebrate South Africa's Heritage Month. During the four days, the annual Great Southern Bioblitz, a citizen scientist event aimed at encouraging people to record and identify wildlife in the southern hemisphere, is taking place. Residents are encouraged to join by simply entering their plant and animal sightings on the iNaturalist app or website. Each observation taken on one of the four challenge days will automatically be included in the challenge.
"Much like the popular City Nature Challenge, cities in the southern hemisphere compete against each other to see who can record the widest range of plant and animal species during the course of the challenge. With a wide array of nature reserves, I am certain Cape Town will come out tops and I encourage residents to take along their smartphones or cameras and snap as many unique sightings as they can at the reserves", said Alderman Eddie Andrews, the City of Cape Town's Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment.
18 September 2024
South Africa: Airlink increases flights between Johannesburg <> Beira (Mozambique)!
South African regional carrier Airlink increases its service between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Beira Airport (BEW) in Beira, Mozambique. Effective today (18 September 2024), the airline introduces an additional return flight on Wednesdays to the coastal city in the central region of Mozambique. Airlink is now operating daily flights between the two destinations.
- Johannesburg 10:45 > 12:25 Beira
- Beira 12:55 > 14:55 Johannesburg
17 September 2024
Cape Town International Airport (CPT): Cape Town e-hailing drivers to strike on 17 September 2024!
Due to planned strike action by the Western Cape E-Hailing Association (WCEA) on 17 September 2024, the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) is recommending passengers to allow extra time when heading to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and to complete online check-in before departure. ACSA is also encouraging passengers to use authorised Airport Taxi operators, located within and outside the Terminal. For more information on public transport options to and from the airport, click here.
Rwanda: RwandAir suspends flights between Kigali <> Cape Town!
The flag carrier airline of Rwanda, RwandAir, has announced the suspension of flights between Kigali International Airport (KGL) in Kigali and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, South Africa. According to the airline, the suspension becomes effective on 27 October 2024. Passengers holding tickets after this date are advised to contact RwandAir or their preferred travel agents for rebooking options.