Qatar Airways announces major Southern Africa flight expansion

Travellers flying between Southern Africa and the Middle East, Europe, Asia and North America will soon enjoy more flexibility and better connections as Qatar Airways expands its Southern African network from June 2026.

The Doha-based airline has confirmed significant frequency increases on several important regional routes, strengthening connectivity to cities including Cape Town, Durban, Maputo, Harare and Lusaka.

The changes come as Qatar Airways continues rebuilding and expanding its global network to more than 160 destinations worldwide, responding to growing demand for both tourism and business travel.

More Qatar Airways flights to Cape Town

One of the biggest winners in the latest schedule expansion is Cape Town, one of Africa’s most in-demand long-haul leisure destinations.

From 16 June 2026, Qatar Airways will increase direct flights between Doha and Cape Town from seven weekly services to ten weekly flights. The added capacity gives travellers more departure options and improved flexibility during peak travel periods.

For international visitors, the additional flights make it easier to reach the Mother City with smoother onward connections via Hamad International Airport (DOH). The expanded schedule also benefits South African travellers connecting onward to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America.

Cape Town has become an increasingly important destination for international tourism, attracting visitors with its beaches, wine estates, mountain scenery, food culture and growing remote-work appeal.

Durban and Maputo upgraded to daily flights

Travellers heading to Durban or Maputo will also see a major improvement in connectivity.

Qatar Airways will upgrade its linked Doha–Maputo–Durban route from four weekly services to a full daily operation. The move significantly improves travel flexibility for both holidaymakers and corporate travellers.

For Durban, the additional capacity strengthens international access to KwaZulu-Natal’s beaches, safari destinations and cruise tourism market. Meanwhile, Maputo benefits from stronger links to global business hubs and international tourism markets.

Daily operations also make trip planning far easier, especially for travellers combining multiple Southern African destinations in one itinerary.

Daily flights for Lusaka and Harare

The interconnected Doha–Lusaka–Harare service is likewise being upgraded from five weekly flights to a daily schedule.

The increased frequency improves access to both Lusaka and Harare, providing more reliable onward connections through Doha and reducing the limitations associated with less frequent services.

For business travellers, exporters and logistics operators, daily flights offer more predictable scheduling and improved cargo opportunities. Leisure travellers also benefit from shorter layovers and greater itinerary flexibility.

Stronger Southern African connectivity

Qatar Airways’ latest expansion highlights the growing strategic importance of Southern Africa within the airline’s global network.

By increasing frequencies on interconnected regional routes, the airline is improving connectivity between Southern Africa and major global markets while supporting tourism growth, trade and investment across the region.

For travellers, the expanded schedules mean more convenient departure choices, easier connections and improved access to one of the world’s leading international airline hubs in Doha.

The new schedules take effect from 16 June 2026.

 

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Cape Town named one of the World’s Best Cities for Culture and Arts in 2026

Cape Town’s cultural scene has earned global recognition once again, with Time Out naming the Mother City the fifth best city in the world for culture and arts in 2026.

For travellers, the ranking reinforces something that becomes obvious shortly after arriving in Cape Town: this is not just a destination of mountains, beaches and wine estates. It is one of the world’s most exciting creative cities, where art, music, theatre, food and history constantly overlap.

According to Time Out, Cape Town’s culture scene is “deeply layered and always evolving” — a description that feels especially accurate right now. Across the city, visitors encounter creativity almost everywhere, from contemporary African art museums and sculpture gardens to independent cinemas, jazz clubs, theatres and monthly street-based art events.

At the heart of Cape Town’s art scene is Zeitz MOCAA at the V&A Waterfront, widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading contemporary art museums. Nearby, the Norval Foundation combines galleries, sculpture gardens and mountain scenery into one of the country’s most impressive cultural spaces.

The city’s creative energy extends far beyond museums. In the city centre, travellers can watch the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra perform at City Hall, while theatres such as Artscape and the Baxter continue to anchor Cape Town’s live performance scene with comedy, drama and musical productions throughout the year.

For film lovers, The Labia Theatre remains one of the city’s most iconic cultural institutions. The independent cinema has become a Cape Town classic, known for arthouse films, cult screenings and its old-world atmosphere.

Festivals, live music and First Thursdays

Time Out’s survey found that locals rated Cape Town especially highly for festivals and live music — two experiences that travellers can easily build into a visit.

The city hosts a packed annual events calendar, with the Investec Cape Town Art Fair drawing galleries, collectors and artists from around the world every February. Meanwhile, First Thursdays transforms the city centre into a large-scale monthly cultural event, with galleries, bars, restaurants and creative spaces opening their doors late into the evening.

Cape Town’s music scene is equally diverse. Travellers can experience everything from jazz and Afro-fusion to electronic music, indie performances and open-air concerts across the city.

A big year for art in Cape Town

According to Time Out, 2026 is shaping up to be a particularly strong year for Cape Town’s creative sector.

New attractions and installations are adding fresh momentum to the city’s already dynamic arts landscape. Recent highlights include the immersive digital art experience LUMENOCITY as well as Veuve Clicquot’s “Emotions of the Sun” Magnum Photos collaboration.

The ranking also reflects strong local confidence in the city’s cultural offering. In Time Out’s survey, Cape Town achieved an impressive 84% approval rating for its arts and culture scene, while also scoring well for affordability compared to many global cultural capitals.

For travellers, that combination is part of Cape Town’s appeal. Few cities offer this level of scenery, creativity, nightlife, heritage and cultural diversity at a similarly accessible price point.

More than a scenic destination

Cape Town’s latest global recognition highlights how the city continues evolving beyond its traditional image as a scenic tourism destination.

Today, travellers increasingly visit Cape Town not only for Table Mountain, beaches or safari extensions, but also for its galleries, live music, theatre, design, architecture and creative neighbourhoods.

For visitors looking for a city break that combines culture, food, nightlife, nature and history in one destination, Cape Town is becoming increasingly difficult to beat.

 

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Planning a Durban Beach Holiday? Here’s which beaches are currently open

As Durban enters another busy travel period, the latest coastal water quality update offers important guidance for visitors planning beach holidays, surfing trips and family getaways along KwaZulu-Natal’s coastline.

According to the latest results released by the eThekwini Municipality on 15 May 2026, 16 of Durban’s 23 regularly monitored bathing beaches currently comply with South Africa’s national recreational water safety standards and are open for swimming and surfing.

Seven beaches remain temporarily closed as a precaution while ongoing water quality testing continues.

Durban beaches currently open for swimming and surfing

The following beaches are presently open for recreational use, subject to continued monitoring and testing:

1. Point Beach
2. uMgababa
3. uShaka
4. Wedge Beach
5. Brighton
6. Country Club
7. Westbrook
8. mDloti Main
9. Anstey’s Beach
10. Thekwini Beach
11. Laguna Beach
12. uMhlanga Main
13. Bronze Beach
14. South Beach
15. Doonside Beach
16. Addington

For travellers visiting Durban, these beaches continue to provide access to swimming, surfing, beachfront walks and family-friendly coastal activities along the city’s popular Golden Mile and surrounding coastline.

Beaches currently closed in Durban

The following beaches remain temporarily closed as a precaution due to water quality concerns:

1. North Beach
2. Bay of Plenty
3. Battery Beach
4. Toti Main Beach
5. Pipeline Beach
6. Reunion
7. Winklespruit

Authorities say these beaches will reopen once testing confirms full compliance with national recreational water safety standards.

Travellers are advised to check for updated municipal notices, beach signage and lifeguard instructions before entering the water, particularly after periods of heavy rainfall which can affect coastal water quality.

How Durban monitors coastal water quality

The eThekwini Municipality operates an ongoing coastal water monitoring programme designed to protect both residents and visitors using Durban’s  beaches.

The programme includes:

• Regular seawater sampling at bathing beaches
• Accredited microbiological laboratory testing
• Ongoing public reporting of water quality results

Testing is conducted according to South Africa’s national recreational water quality guidelines, with beaches only declared safe once they meet the required health standards.

Alternative swimming options for families visiting Durban

For families travelling with young children or visitors looking for more predictable swimming conditions, Durban’s municipal swimming pools remain a useful alternative during periods of unstable coastal conditions.

The city operates around 40 public swimming pools across the metro, many of which are supervised by lifeguards and regularly maintained. These facilities can provide a safer and more controlled environment for families while certain beaches remain temporarily closed.

 

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Airlink launches first-ever non-stop Cape Town to Zanzibar flights from October 2026

Travellers heading from the Western Cape to the beaches of Zanzibar will soon be able to skip the Johannesburg connection entirely, with Airlink announcing the launch of the first-ever non-stop flights between Cape Town and Zanzibar from October 2026.

Bookings are now officially open for the new weekly service, which will connect Cape Town directly with the popular Indian Ocean island destination of Zanzibar in just over six hours.

The new route further strengthens Airlink’s growing East African network and follows the airline’s upcoming Johannesburg–Zanzibar service, scheduled to commence on 03 June 2026.

For travellers flying from Cape Town, the new direct service removes the need for a Johannesburg connection, making Zanzibar even more accessible for beach holidays, honeymoons, diving adventures and tropical island escapes.

Airlink confirmed that passengers already booked on Cape Town–Johannesburg–Zanzibar itineraries will be able to switch to the new direct flight at no additional cost, regardless of fare class, provided the booking remains within the same cabin category.

Flight Schedule: Cape Town – Zanzibar

The seasonal weekly flights will operate every Saturday from 03 October 2026 according to the following schedule:

• Cape Town 08:15 > 14:30 Zanzibar
• Zanzibar 15:30 > 20:50 Cape Town

The route will be operated using Airlink’s brand-new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, the airline’s flagship jet type. The modern aircraft accommodates 124 passengers in a two-class configuration and features only aisle and window seats — meaning there are no middle seats onboard.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

 

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Franschhoek Pass closed indefinitely after Western Cape floods

Travellers heading to the Cape Winelands are being advised to adjust their routes after the Western Cape Government confirmed that the scenic Franschhoek Pass has been closed to all traffic following severe storm damage caused by recent heavy rains and flooding.

According to an announcement issued on 14 May 2026, the closure applies to all road users, including light motor vehicles, heavy vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians and cyclists. Authorities reported numerous additional mud and rock slips along the route, as well as significant bridge damage, making the mountain pass unsafe for travel.

Roadblocks have been established at the mountain-side exit of Franschhoek and at the T-junction near the Theewaterskloof Dam. No exceptions are currently permitted.

Residents travelling to La Rochelle and Karmel can only access these areas via Franschhoek.

The Franschhoek Pass is one of the Western Cape’s most iconic scenic drives and a major tourism route linking the Franschhoek Valley with the Overberg region and Villiersdorp. The winding mountain road is especially popular with self-drive travellers, cyclists and motorcyclists due to its panoramic views over vineyards, mountain ranges and the Theewaterskloof Dam. The route also forms part of several popular Cape Winelands itineraries connecting Franschhoek's wine estates, guesthouses and restaurants with destinations further east.

The closure is expected to have a significant impact on tourism traffic in the region, particularly over weekends and during the winter travel season, when the pass is frequently used by domestic and international visitors exploring the Cape Winelands.

Motorists are urged to make use of alternative routes and allow additional travel time. Travellers planning trips between Franschhoek, Villiersdorp, Hermanus or the Overberg region should monitor official Western Cape Government channels for updates on reopening timelines and road conditions.

At this stage, authorities have not indicated when the Franschhoek Pass will reopen.

 

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Fish River Canyon hiking trail reopens after flood delay

Namibia’s iconic Fish River Canyon hiking season is officially back on track after a delayed start caused by flooding inside the canyon. Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has confirmed that the Fish River hiking trail reopened today, 15 May 2026.

The hiking season had originally been scheduled to begin on 01 May 2026, in line with the traditional annual opening of the Fish River Canyon trail. Like in the previous year, unusually high water levels inside the canyon forced authorities to postpone the start of the season while conditions were closely monitored.

Following recent assessments along the route, water levels have now subsided to safe and manageable levels, allowing hikers to once again experience one of Namibia’s most spectacular outdoor adventures. The reopening will come as welcome news for travellers, tour operators and adventure enthusiasts who had been waiting for conditions to improve following recent flooding in southern Namibia.

Widely regarded as one of Africa’s premier multi-day hikes, the Fish River Canyon trail attracts visitors from around the world during Namibia’s cooler winter months. Hikers can expect dramatic canyon landscapes, rugged terrain and unforgettable desert scenery along the route.

NWR thanked hikers, travel partners and stakeholders for their patience during the postponement period, stressing that visitor safety remains the organisation’s highest priority. The decision to reopen follows careful consideration of current conditions inside the canyon.

Travellers planning to tackle the hike are reminded to comply with all safety regulations, follow official guidance and help preserve the pristine environment by keeping the canyon clean.

The Fish River Canyon is located within the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, a cross-border peace park shared between Namibia and South Africa. It holds the title of Africa’s largest canyon and is often considered the second-largest canyon in the world, after the Grand Canyon in the USA.

The Fish River Canyon hiking trail is one of Africa’s most famous multi-day hikes. Spanning approximately 85 kilometers, the route typically takes 4 to 5 days to complete. The trail begins at Hobas, located on the canyon rim, and ends at the soothing Ai-Ais Hot Springs Spa.

The Fish River Canyon hike is only open during the cooler months, generally from 01 May to mid-September, due to extreme summer temperatures and the risk of flash flooding. The trail is closed for the rest of the year for safety reasons. 

 

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Namibia Travel Alert: Orange River flooding disrupts travel between Rosh Pinah and Aussenkehr

Heavy flooding along the Orange River is continuing to disrupt travel in southern Namibia, with the Namibian Roads Authority (RA) confirming the closure of the C13 gravel road between Rosh Pinah and Aussenkehr.

According to an update issued on 14 May 2026, floodwaters have submerged a section of the road approximately 12 km from the Sendelingsdrift Border Post between Namibia and South Africa, forcing authorities to close the route to all traffic until further notice.

In addition, the Sendelingsdrift pontoon ferry has also been suspended due to the high river levels, further affecting cross-border travel between Namibia and South Africa through the remote Richtersveld region.

The disruptions are expected to impact self-drive travellers exploring southern Namibia, the Orange River region and the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park area. Motorists are strongly advised not to attempt driving through flooded sections, as conditions remain hazardous and unpredictable.

The RA says it is closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as conditions change. Travellers using gravel roads in southern Namibia are encouraged to check the latest road and weather information before departure, remain flexible with travel plans and consider alternative border crossings where necessary.

 

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