From the Garden Route to Kruger National Park: New direct flights launch in November 2026

Travellers planning a Garden Route trip followed by a safari in the Kruger National Park will soon have a more convenient option. From 16 November 2026, Airlink will operate the first scheduled direct flights between Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP).

The new service will operate three times a week, linking Gqeberha with the airport serving Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit), the Kruger National Park and surrounding private game reserves.

Bookings for the new route are already open.

Direct flights between Gqeberha and Kruger Mpumalanga

Airlink will operate the new route on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, using a 44-seat Embraer ERJ140.

The schedule from 16 November 2026 is:

• Mon, Wed, Fri    Gqeberha (PLZ) – Mbombela (MQP)    11:30 > 13:20
• Mon, Wed, Fri    Mbombela (MQP) – Gqeberha (PLZ)    13:55 > 15:35

The flight time is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes in each direction.

As with Airlink's other flights, the ERJ140 has only window and aisle seats, so passengers will not have to contend with a middle seat.

A useful new link for Kruger travellers

For visitors travelling between the Eastern Cape and the Kruger National Park, the new service could make a noticeable difference to travel time and convenience.

Until now, flying between Gqeberha and the Kruger region has generally meant connecting elsewhere, most notably in Johannesburg. A direct flight removes that additional connection and makes it considerably easier to combine a Gqeberha, Sunshine Coast or Garden Route itinerary with a Kruger safari.

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) is particularly convenient for travellers heading to Mbombela, the southern and central Kruger National Park and private game reserves in Mpumalanga.

The route could therefore be particularly useful for international visitors putting together a multi-stop South African itinerary, as well as domestic travellers combining a coastal holiday with a safari.

What travellers should know

The three-weekly schedule is not a daily service, so travellers will need to plan their itinerary around the Monday, Wednesday and Friday operating days.

The new route also gives travellers another option when planning a trip between the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga without having to build a Johannesburg connection into their itinerary.

 

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SANParks Week 2026: Free entry to South African National Parks

South African National Parks (SANParks) is once again offering free entry to participating national parks for South African day visitors during South African National Parks Week, which runs from 07 to 13 September 2026.

The annual initiative is a good opportunity for South African residents to explore a national park close to home without paying the usual conservation fee. However, there are some important exceptions — and several parks are only included from Monday to Friday.

When is SANParks Week 2026?

The 21st annual South African National Parks Week takes place from Monday, 07 September to Sunday, 13 September 2026.

South African visitors must present an identity document to qualify for free entry. Children under 18 do not need to provide identification.

The offer covers park entry only. Accommodation, game drives, guided walks and other activities remain subject to their normal fees.

Which national parks are included?

The following parks offer free entry for the full 07–13 September 2026 period:

• Agulhas National Park
• Bontebok National Park
• Table Mountain National Park*
• Tankwa Karoo National Park
• Addo Elephant National Park
• Camdeboo National Park
• Karoo National Park
• Mountain Zebra National Park
• Garden Route National Park
• |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
• Mokala National Park

* At Table Mountain National Park, free entry excludes the Boulders Penguin Colony and Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.

Parks with weekday-only free entry

Free access is limited to 07–11 September 2026 at:

• Kruger National Park
• West Coast National Park
• Golden Gate Highlands National Park
• Mapungubwe National Park
• Marakele National Park
• Augrabies Falls National Park

This means that Kruger National Park is not free on the weekend of 12–13 September2026.

The weekday restriction at West Coast National Park is particularly relevant for visitors hoping to combine South African National Parks Week with the 2026 wildflower season, when the park is traditionally very busy.

Parks not included

Not every SANParks destination participates in the initiative.

Namaqua National Park is excluded from South African National Parks Week 2026, while the Boulders Penguin Colony and Table Mountain Aerial Cableway are excluded from the offer despite Table Mountain National Park participating.

What does free entry include?

South African National Parks Week covers the normal conservation/entrance fee for South African day visitors. It does not make other park services free.

Visitors will still pay the normal rates for:

• accommodation
• guided game drives
• guided walks
• other organised activities and attractions

It is therefore particularly useful for a self-drive day visit, where the normal conservation fee would otherwise be the main park admission cost.

A good opportunity to explore

South African National Parks Week has become one of SANParks' biggest public-access initiatives since it was introduced in 2006. More than 105,000 visitors took advantage of the free-entry offer in 2025.

For South African residents, the 2026 edition provides another opportunity to visit a national park — perhaps one that is close to home but has never made it onto the itinerary.

If you are planning to take advantage of the offer, it is worth checking the individual park's opening times and any access restrictions before travelling. Popular parks and gateways can be busy during South African National Parks Week.

International visitors should note that the free-entry offer is aimed at South African day visitors. Foreign tourists should budget for the applicable normal conservation fees.

 

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|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: Sendelingsdrift Pontoon to reopen on 01 September 2026

Travellers planning a road trip through the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park have an important update: the Sendelingsdrift Pontoon at the Sendelingsdrift border post is scheduled to reopen on 01 September 2026.

The pontoon crosses the Orange (Gariep) River between South Africa and Namibia, providing a convenient cross-border route for travellers combining the Richtersveld with southern Namibia. It also avoids the lengthy detour around the river.

What travellers need to know

When operational, the pontoon at Sendelingsdrift operates seven days a week, from 08:00 to 16:15, according to South African National Parks (SANParks).

The reopening date is scheduled, so travellers should confirm that the crossing is operating before setting out, particularly as water levels in the Orange River can affect operations.

Sendelingsdrift Pontoon:

• Scheduled reopening: 01 September 2026
• Operating hours: 08:00–16:00 daily
• Location: Sendelingsdrift border post, |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
• Park reception: +27 (0)27 831 1506

The Sendelingsdrift border post is an important gateway to the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, a remote wilderness area straddling the South Africa - Namibia border.

 

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Durban Beaches Update: All 23 beaches open for swimming

If you're planning a beach day in Durban, there is good news. All 23 beaches listed in the latest eThekwini Municipality update are open for swimming. The latest water-quality results,  dated 19 August 2026, show generally good conditions, with most beaches recording excellent E. coli results.

Durban beaches open for swimming

The municipality's 19 August 2026 status update lists 23 beaches as open for swimming, covering Durban's central beachfront as well as beaches to the north and south of the city.

Among the central beaches, uShaka, Addington, South Beach, Bay of Plenty and Thekwini Beach all recorded excellent water-quality results. North Beach and Battery Beach recorded 146 E. coli units, putting them in the municipality's acceptable category, but both remain open.

Further north, Westbrook, Umhlanga Main and Bronze Beach recorded excellent results, while Umdloti Main's result of 185 falls into the acceptable range. All four beaches remain open.

The southern beaches are also open. Ansteys, Brighton, Umgababa, Doonside and Winklespruit recorded excellent results, while Toti Main and Reunion were in the acceptable range.

What this means for travellers

For visitors staying in Durban, Umhlanga or along the city's southern coastline, there are currently no swimming closures among the 23 beaches listed in the municipal update.

The municipality classifies E. coli results below 130 as excellent, 130–500 as acceptable and above 500 as poor.

As beach water quality can change, travellers should still check the latest municipal status before swimming, particularly after heavy rain or other events that could affect water quality.

 

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Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park Lion Survey Underway: What visitors need to know

South African National Parks (SANParks) and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) are carrying out a new lion survey in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, with fieldwork continuing until October 2026.

If you are visiting the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the coming weeks, you may notice research vehicles operating in the park alongside the usual SANParks vehicles. The survey is aimed at building a better picture of the park's lion population — including how many lions there are, where they occur and how they move through the Kgalagadi landscape.

Tracking Kgalagadi's lions

The survey is being conducted by SANParks in partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and will cover different sections of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

Researchers are using vehicle-based surveys and camera traps to collect information. One particularly useful method involves photographing the whisker spot patterns of individual lions.

Every lion has a unique arrangement of whisker spots around its muzzle. By photographing and comparing these patterns, researchers can identify individual lions and gradually build a more accurate picture of the population.

The resulting data will help SANParks and its partners better understand the size, distribution and movements of lions in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

What does this mean for visitors?

For most visitors, the survey should have little impact on a Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park safari. You may, however, come across SANParks or EWT research vehicles displaying official branding, particularly when researchers are working near lions.

Researchers may occasionally stop close to lions to photograph their whisker patterns. If you encounter a research vehicle or a lion being studied, the same basic safari rules apply:

• Keep a respectful distance from lions and other wildlife.
• Do not crowd animals or research vehicles.
• Give researchers enough space to carry out their work.
• Follow instructions from SANParks staff and research teams.
• Never compromise the safety of yourself, other visitors, researchers or wildlife to get a better photograph.

For visitors, it is essentially another reminder that the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a working conservation area as well as a spectacular wildlife destination.

Why the survey matters

Reliable information about lion numbers and movements is important for the long-term management of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Lions are a key predator in the park's ecosystem, and understanding how the population changes over time helps conservation managers make better-informed decisions.

The current survey runs until October 2026, with the information collected contributing to the ongoing conservation and management of lions in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

For visitors, there is also a small bonus: if you come across one of the research teams, you may get to see some of the science behind the wildlife sightings that make a Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park trip so special.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park visitors should therefore give research teams and wildlife the space they need — and enjoy watching the researchers at work from a safe and respectful distance.

 

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Botswana plans phased ban on single-use plastic bags

Botswana is planning to phase out single-use plastic bags, with the government announcing the start of a gradual implementation process. The country's Ministry of Environment and Tourism announced the phased implementation of a single-use plastic bag ban on 19 August 2026. The aim is to gradually eliminate non-essential single-use plastic bags while giving businesses time to switch to more environmentally friendly alternatives.

No immediate change for travellers

For visitors to Botswana, there is no immediate impact.

The Ministry has not yet published the detailed rules or timetable for the phased rollout. It says further consultations with government departments, industry and other stakeholders will take place over the coming weeks, followed by guidelines setting out how and when the ban will be implemented.

This means travellers should not expect a sudden change at Botswana's borders, shops or supermarkets at this stage.

Botswana already has measures aimed at reducing plastic bag use, including a plastic bag levy. The new policy will go further by gradually phasing out single-use plastic bags.

For travellers, this is therefore mainly a development to keep an eye on, rather than something requiring any whatsoever changes to current travel plans.

Plastic bag bans elsewhere in Southern and Eastern Africa

Botswana is not the first country in the region to tackle single-use plastic bags. Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Mauritius and Seychelles already have national restrictions or bans, while Malawi and Zambia have restrictions on certain types of plastic bags.

South Africa, meanwhile, regulates plastic carrier bags and applies a plastic bag levy rather than having a nationwide ban. Namibia prohibits plastic bags in national parks and other protected areas.

Despite a high-profile May 2024 announcement by Eswatini's Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs of a total ban on single-use plastic carrier bags - originally set to take effect 01 December 2024 - the ban was twice postponed and ultimately suspended by Parliament in April 2025 for a further seven years.

Botswana's phased approach will therefore add another country to the region's growing efforts to reduce plastic waste.

The exact scope and timetable of Botswana's ban remain to be announced. We will update this post once the Ministry publishes the detailed implementation guidelines.

 

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Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) Faces Jet Fuel Shortage: What travellers need to know

UPDATE (25 August 2026): Namibia's Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has provided further details on the Jet A-1 shortage at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH). A consignment of aviation fuel was quarantined at Walvis Bay after routine quality-control testing required further verification. The ministry stresses that the fuel never entered the aviation supply chain and no off-specification fuel was supplied to aircraft.

The ministry says a replacement Jet A-1 consignment is expected to arrive in Namibia on Saturday, 29 August. Until then, fuelling restrictions remain in place and some long-haul flights continue to require operational adjustments, including Discover Airlines' refuelling stop in Luanda, Angola.

For travellers, this means the situation is not yet resolved, but a potential end to the disruption is now in sight. Passengers flying from Windhoek should continue to check their individual flight status, particularly if travelling on Discover/Lufthansa Group services or with onward connections.

The ministry says airport operations will continue and that restoring full passenger and cargo fuelling capacity is an immediate priority. 

UPDATE (24 August 2026): The Jet A1 shortage at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) is continuing to affect some long-haul flights from Windhoek. Local reporting on 23 August 2026 confirmed that Discover Airlines' Europe-bound services are still making a refuelling stop in Luanda, Angola, because of the shortage. The first affected Windhoek–Frankfurt service arrived about 90 minutes late after stopping in Luanda for fuel.

There is still no indication of an airport-wide disruption or closure, and the issue appears to remain concentrated on the long-haul Europe services. Travellers flying with Discover/Lufthansa Group to Frankfurt or Munich should allow extra time and check their individual flight status before travelling. 

UPDATE (21 August 2026, 14:00 SAST): Lufthansa Cargo has confirmed it is currently unable to transport freight out of Windhoek due to the ongoing Jet A1 shortage at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH). According to Namibia's opposition party, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Lufthansa Cargo notified customers in writing on 19 August 2026 that the restriction runs to 23 August 2026 — though the notice itself states that date is subject to change. Reuters reported it saw a screenshot of the notice but could not independently verify its authenticity.

Passenger flights continue to operate, though some - particularly non-stop services to Europe - are requiring a refuelling stop en route, consistent with the pattern already seen on Discover Airlines' Frankfurt and Munich flights via Luanda, Angola.

For travellers, the practical takeaway remains the same: passenger operations are continuing, but anyone shipping cargo through WDH in the coming days should check directly with their freight forwarder or airline, given the cargo suspension reportedly running through 23 August 2026. 

UPDATE (21 August 2026): The cause of the Jet A1 shortage at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) is becoming clearer. According to Reuters, a shipment of aviation fuel delivered to Walvis Bay failed routine quality tests and was removed before entering circulation. Vivo Energy Namibia, a Vitol subsidiary and fuel supplier in Namibia, says the affected fuel was quarantined and that it is investigating the problem while looking for alternative supplies. No firm timeline for replacement supplies has yet been given.

For travellers, the main confirmed impact remains on Discover Airlines' Frankfurt and Munich services, which are using Luanda, Angola, as a refuelling stop. There is still no indication of a general closure of Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) or widespread disruption across all flights.

Travellers flying from Windhoek should continue to check directly with their airline, particularly if travelling on Lufthansa Group/Discover services or with onward connections in Europe. 

UPDATE (20 August 2026, 16:45 SAST): The Jet A1 fuel shortage at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) is now affecting flight operations. Discover Airlines has confirmed that its flights from Windhoek to Frankfurt and Munich are making a refuelling stop in Luanda, Angola, before continuing to Europe. Reuters reports that one flight was affected on Wednesday and another on Thursday.

For travellers, the main implication is longer journey times on affected Lufthansa Group/Discover services, although flights have so far continued to depart Windhoek as scheduled. Passengers with onward connections in Frankfurt or Munich should allow extra time and check their flight status with the airline.

The problem appears to be a local and temporary supply issue involving the airport's fuel suppliers. Discover told Reuters that it was not directly caused by the wider fuel-supply situation linked to the war in Iran.

The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) is working with the airlines and fuel suppliers to restore normal fuel availability. At present, there is no indication that Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) itself is closing or that all flights are affected.  

We are continuing to monitor the situation, particularly for any impact on other international and regional services from Windhoek . 

UPDATE (20 August 2026, 07:00 SAST): As of this morning, we have found no confirmed reports of flight cancellations, delays or diversions directly linked to the Jet A1 shortage at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH).

One flight-tracking service briefly displayed an unusual routing reference to Windhoek Eros Airport (NBJ) alongside tonight's two Lufthansa Group long-haul services operated by Discover Airlines: one to Frankfurt at 19:15 and one to Munich at 20:35. Discover's published schedule continues to show the Frankfurt service, 4Y133, and the Munich service, 4Y143, operating non-stop from Hosea Kutako International Aiport (WDH) to Frankfurt and Munich.

We have not been able to confirm the meaning of the NBJ reference with Lufthansa, Discover Airlines, Swiss or Austrian, and it is not corroborated by other sources we have checked. Eros is primarily a domestic and regional airport, while WDH is Namibia's main international gateway. We are therefore treating the routing reference as unverified and are not reporting it as an actual diversion or airport change.

Regional services, including flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Victoria Falls, continue to show as scheduled at the time of writing.

For now, there is no confirmed evidence of widespread operational disruption at WDH as a result of the Jet A1 shortage. Travellers flying from Windhoek today should nevertheless check their individual flight status with their airline before heading to the airport.

We will continue monitoring the situation and update this post as soon as confirmed information becomes available from the airlines or Namibia Airports Company (NAC). 

Travellers flying to or from Namibia should currently keep an eye on the fuel situation at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek. The airport is facing a shortage of Jet A1 aviation fuel, which could have an impact on flight operations if the situation continues.

The shortage is particularly relevant for airlines operating international and regional services into Windhoek, as aircraft need sufficient fuel not only for the planned flight but also for operational reserves and possible diversions.

What does the fuel shortage mean for travellers?

At this stage, the fuel shortage does not mean that flights at Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) have been cancelled across the board. However, airlines may need to adjust their fuelling arrangements depending on available stocks and the aircraft being operated.

Possible consequences for passengers could include:

• aircraft arriving with additional fuel loaded elsewhere
• refuelling stops being added to some services
• changes to flight schedules or aircraft
• delays if additional fuel arrangements are required

For travellers with upcoming flights to Windhoek, it is therefore worth checking directly with the airline before travelling to the airport.

Why is Jet A1 supply important at Hosea Kutako?

Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) is Namibia's main international gateway and lies around 45 km outside Windhoek. The airport has dedicated Jet A1 infrastructure, with the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) listing Puma and Engen Namibia among the fuel service providers at the airport.

The current situation is particularly noteworthy because Namibia had previously reported relatively strong Jet A1 storage capacity. In May 2026, the Namibia Airports Company said Hosea Kutako International Airport had sufficient capacity to refuel six Boeing 747-8 aircraft and that national storage capacity, including Walvis Bay, provided considerable additional resilience.

The present shortage therefore appears to be a supply issue rather than a lack of airport fuel infrastructure.

Could flights to Namibia be affected?

Potentially, yes. The effect will depend on how long the shortage lasts and how quickly additional Jet A1 supplies reach Windhoek.

Airlines have already faced significant fuel-supply pressures elsewhere in Southern Africa during 2026. Earlier this year, shortages at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) even resulted in international carriers using Hosea Kutako International Airport for additional refuelling.

That makes the current situation at Windhoek particularly important for airlines operating long-haul services to Europe and regional connections within Southern Africa.

For passengers, however, there is currently no reason to assume that a booked flight will automatically be cancelled.

Travelling to Namibia? Here's what to do

If you are flying to or from Windhoek in the coming days, the sensible approach is simply to keep checking your flight status.

Before leaving for Hosea Kutako International Airport:

• Check your airline's latest flight information.
• Allow some flexibility in your itinerary, particularly if you have a tight onward connection.
• If you are connecting to a safari flight or another domestic service, avoid unnecessarily short connection times.
• Keep an eye on airline notifications in case fuelling arrangements result in a schedule change.

For travellers already in Namibia, the situation is unlikely to affect self-drive trips, accommodation or access to Namibia's national parks. The issue concerns aviation fuel, not the availability of petrol or diesel for rental cars.

Bottom line

The Jet A1 fuel shortage at Hosea Kutako International Airport is something travellers should monitor, but it is not currently a reason to cancel a trip to Namibia.

The key question is how quickly supplies can be restored. If the shortage is resolved without significant disruption, most passengers will probably notice little more than possible operational changes behind the scenes. If supplies remain tight, however, airlines could increasingly need to tanker fuel into Windhoek or make additional refuelling arrangements elsewhere.

We'll update this post as more information becomes available.

 

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