Addo Elephant National Park receives R136.5 million upgrade

South African National Parks (SANParks) is investing R136.5 million in upgrading accommodation and visitor facilities at Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape.

Eight new family accommodation units are already open, while further accommodation upgrades, a refurbished guest house and a swimming pool are expected to be ready in December 2026. A new spa is also operational.

A new 10-unit Community Lodge is scheduled to open in January 2027, alongside the commissioning of a 705-kW solar power plant. Upgrades to Addo Elephant National Park's main sewer and electrical infrastructure have already been completed, while road maintenance is ongoing.

Despite the progress, further improvements are still needed. SANParks has identified ablution facilities and hiking trails as priorities for additional work.

What this means for visitors: Travellers planning a stay at Addo Elephant National Park over the coming months should check accommodation availability and the status of visitor facilities with SANParks before travelling. Road maintenance and ongoing upgrades may affect access to certain facilities or game-viewing routes. Check with SANParks or return to umhambi.blogspot.com for further updates. 

 

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Lufthansa Group expands Cape Town and Windhoek flights for summer 2027

The Lufthansa Group is increasing its Southern Africa flight offering for the northern summer 2027 season, with more flights to Cape Town and additional services to Windhoek from Munich. The changes give travellers from Europe more options for reaching South Africa and Namibia during the popular travel period.

Lufthansa will increase frequencies on its Frankfurt–Cape Town route, while Discover Airlines will add two weekly flights between Munich and Windhoek, bringing the route to five weekly departures. Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss will also increase its seasonal Zurich–Windhoek service to three flights per week from July 2027. Lufthansa Group's summer 2027 schedule is available for booking, although travellers should check individual dates and flight availability before making plans.

What travellers need to know

• Cape Town: Lufthansa will increase the number of flights from Frankfurt during summer 2027. The airline has not specified the revised frequency in its schedule announcement.
• Windhoek from Munich: Discover Airlines will operate five weekly flights from April 2027, including two additional departures on Mondays and Thursdays. Combined with its Frankfurt services, Discover Airlines will offer 12 weekly flights to Windhoek from Germany.
• Windhoek from Zurich: Edelweiss will start its seasonal flights on 16 March 2027, increasing the service to three flights per week from July.

The expanded schedules offer more flexibility for travellers planning trips to Cape Town or Namibia, particularly those looking for direct flights from Germany or Switzerland. As flight frequencies vary by season, it is worth checking the timetable for your intended travel dates before finalising an itinerary.

 

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Proflight Zambia adds Johannesburg and Cape Town flights ahead of the festive season

Proflight Zambia is increasing flights between Lusaka in Zambia and South Africa ahead of the 2026/27 festive season, giving travellers more options for trips between the two countries.

The airline has introduced a third daily return service between Lusaka and Johannesburg on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The additional weekend flights began on 19 September 2026, with a new evening departure from Johannesburg at 18:25, arriving in Lusaka at 20:25. A further 54 flights will operate on the route during December 2026 and January 2027.

From 11 December 2026, Proflight Zambia will also add a fourth weekly flight between Lusaka and Cape Town. The new Friday service complements the existing Monday, Wednesday and Saturday flights. Departures are scheduled for 10:40 from Lusaka and 15:55 from Cape Town, with the service operating via Livingstone.

The additional Cape Town flight also provides another weekly connection to Livingstone, making it easier to combine a visit to Victoria Falls with a trip to South Africa. Connections are available to other Zambian destinations, including Mfuwe, Ndola and Solwezi, subject to the published schedules.

Travellers planning a festive-season trip should check flight availability and timings directly with Proflight Zambia before booking. No flights will operate on Christmas Day, 25 December 2026.

 

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South Africa's best and worst-rated beaches revealed

Dias Beach at Cape Town's Cape Point has been named South Africa's best-rated beach in a new ranking based on Google reviews. At the other end of the list, Monwabisi Beach, located along the False Bay coastline in Khayelitsha, received the lowest average rating.

The research by SEO Backlinks analysed 119 public beaches in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, using Google review data collected on 05 October 2026. The Western Cape dominates the top ten, while seven of the ten lowest-rated beaches are in KwaZulu-Natal.

South Africa's 10 Best-Rated Beaches

Rank	Beach	Location	Rating
1	Dias Beach	Cape Point, Western Cape	4.87/5
2	Robberg 5 Beach	Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape	4.75/5
3	Struisbaai Main Beach	Struisbaai, Western Cape	4.75/5
4	Keurbooms Beach	Keurboomstrand, Western Cape	4.75/5
5	Coney Glen Beach	Knysna, Western Cape	4.73/5
6	Sardinia Bay Beach	Gqeberha, Eastern Cape	4.72/5
7	Llandudno Beach	Cape Town, Western Cape	4.71/5
8	Bakoven Beach	Cape Town, Western Cape	4.71/5
9	Pringle Bay Beach	Pringle Bay, Western Cape	4.71/5
10	The Point	Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape	4.71/5

Source: SEO Backlinks. Google review data collected on 05 October 2026.

Dias Beach leads the ranking with an average score of 4.87 out of five from 333 reviews. Located within Table Mountain National Park at Cape Point, it is a more remote option than Cape Town's easily accessible urban beaches.

The Garden Route also features prominently, with Robberg 5 Beach, Keurbooms Beach and Coney Glen Beach among the top five. In the Eastern Cape, Sardinia Bay near Gqeberha and The Point in Jeffreys Bay make the top ten.

South Africa's 10 Lowest-Rated Beaches

Rank	Beach	Location	Rating
1	Monwabisi Beach	Khayelitsha, Cape Town	3.67/5
2	Brighton Beach	Gqeberha, Eastern Cape	3.78/5
3	Alkantstrand Beach	Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal	3.82/5
4	Orient Beach	KuGompo City (East London), Eastern Cape	3.85/5
5	Blythedale Beach	KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal	4.10/5
6	St Winifred's Beach	Kingsburgh, KwaZulu-Natal	4.20/5
7	Hibberdene Beach	Hibberdene, KwaZulu-Natal	4.21/5
8	Blue Lagoon Beach	Durban, KwaZulu-Natal	4.21/5
9	Thekwini Beach	Durban, KwaZulu-Natal	4.25/5
10	Westbrook Beach	Westbrook, north of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal	4.26/5

Source: SEO Backlinks. Google review data collected on 5 October 2026.

Monwabisi Beach recorded the lowest average rating in the study, at 3.67 from 353 reviews. Alkantstrand Beach in Richards Bay was the lowest-rated beach in KwaZulu-Natal.

These ratings should be treated as a guide rather than a definitive assessment of beach quality. Google reviews reflect visitors' overall experiences and do not necessarily indicate water quality, swimming safety or the condition of facilities.

Which province has the highest-rated beaches?

The Western Cape recorded the highest average rating, followed by the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Average Beach Ratings by Province

Rank	Province	Beaches Surveyed	Average Rating
1	Western Cape	66	4.58/5
2	Eastern Cape	15	4.42/5
3	KwaZulu-Natal	38	4.39/5

Source: SEO Backlinks. Average ratings calculated across the surveyed beaches in each province.

The study included beaches with at least 200 Google reviews and covered only these three coastal provinces. It therefore does not represent every beach in South Africa.

For travellers planning a coastal road trip, the rankings offer a few ideas for beach stops along the way. The Western Cape's highly rated beaches can be combined with a journey along the Garden Route towards Plettenberg Bay, while those continuing east towards Gqeberha and Jeffreys Bay will find two Eastern Cape beaches in the top ten. Further north, KwaZulu-Natal offers an extensive coastline to explore, despite its lower average rating in the study.

Google ratings are only a starting point, however. Check local swimming advisories and water-quality updates before visiting, as conditions can change and a high rating does not necessarily mean a beach is suitable for swimming.

 

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Namibia: Gross Barmen Resort’s indoor swimming facilities temporarily closed

Travellers planning a visit to Gross Barmen Resort in Namibia should be aware that its indoor swimming facilities have been temporarily closed to allow for repair work.

Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), which operates the resort, announced the closure on 15 October 2026 with immediate effect. The repairs are intended to address issues affecting the facilities, which will remain closed until the necessary work has been completed and the swimming areas have been confirmed safe for use.

No reopening date has been announced. NWR says it will provide further updates once more information becomes available.

Visiting Gross Barmen Resort

Gross Barmen Resort is situated approximately 100 km north of Windhoek and 25 km west of Okahandja, on the banks of a tributary of the Swakop River. Its natural hot springs are the main attraction, with the resort offering thermal swimming facilities, accommodation and camping. The resort is a popular destination for day visitors and a potential stop on a road trip through central Namibia.

For travellers with an upcoming stay, it is worth checking directly with NWR before arrival, particularly if access to the indoor thermal pool is an important part of the visit.

 

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South Africa named one of the World's 10 Best Countries for Food in 2026

South Africa has been ranked the 10th-best country for food in the world in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards, placing the country among the top culinary destinations recognised by the travel magazine's readers.

The ranking gives travellers another reason to explore South Africa's food culture, which reflects a mix of indigenous traditions and influences from Malay, Indian and European communities. From traditional braais and Cape Malay dishes to Durban's Indian-influenced cuisine, the country's regional specialities offer plenty to discover beyond its better-known wildlife and natural attractions.

Exploring South Africa's food culture

South Africa's cuisine varies considerably between regions, making food an interesting part of a journey through the country.

In Cape Town and the Western Cape, travellers can try Cape Malay specialities such as bobotie and fragrant curries, alongside the region's seafood and contemporary restaurant scene. The Cape Winelands, including Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, offer opportunities to combine local cuisine with visits to wine estates.

Durban, meanwhile, is known for its Indian-influenced food. One of the city's best-known specialities is bunny chow, a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry. Further inland, Johannesburg, Pretoria and other urban centres offer a wide range of restaurants serving traditional South African dishes and contemporary interpretations of local ingredients.

A traditional braai is another experience worth seeking out. Grilled meat, boerewors and a selection of side dishes are central to this popular South African way of cooking and socialising.

South Africa in the 2026 food ranking

The Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards are based on reader ratings and reflect travellers' experiences and preferences. South Africa achieved a score of 94.26%, placing it tenth in the magazine's 2026 ranking of the world's best countries for food.

Italy topped the list with 96.92%, followed by Greece (96.72%) and Portugal (96.57%). Croatia ranked ninth with 94.39%, immediately ahead of South Africa.

The ranking is based on readers' experiences and preferences, so it is not a definitive verdict on which country's food is best. Still, South Africa's place in the top ten is a welcome reminder that the country's culinary traditions deserve a place alongside its better-known attractions.

For visitors planning a trip, the result is a reminder to look beyond the country's established attractions. Regional dishes, local restaurants and traditional cooking experiences can add another dimension to a South African itinerary, whether travelling along the coast, visiting the major cities or exploring the country's wine regions.

 

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Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Shop closures in October 2026

Travellers visiting the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in October 2026 should be aware of temporary closures at the shops in Mata Mata, Nossob and Twee Rivieren. South African National Parks (SANParks) will close the shops for several hours on separate dates to conduct annual stocktakes.

The closures may affect visitors who rely on Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park shops for food, drinks and other essential supplies. The following dates and opening times will help you plan shopping around your itinerary.

Kgalagadi shop closure dates and times

Shop	Date	Closed	Opening hours
Mata Mata	22 October 2026	09:00–15:00	07:00–09:00 15:00–19:15
Nossob	27 October 2026	09:00–15:00	07:00–09:00 15:00–19:15
Twee Rivieren	29 October 2026	05:00–15:00	15:00–19:15 only

All times are local South African time (SAST).

What visitors need to know

The closures affect one shop at a time, on three separate dates. The Mata Mata and Nossob shops will remain open in the early morning and reopen at 15:00. The Twee Rivieren shop will be closed from 05:00 until 15:00, opening only in the afternoon on 29 October.

Visitors staying at the affected camps or travelling through them on these dates should purchase any essential supplies outside the closure periods. This is particularly relevant for self-drive travellers who depend on Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park shops while moving between camps.

Planning your Kgalagadi visit

The temporary closures are limited to the scheduled stocktake periods. Travellers should check their itineraries against the dates above and ensure they have sufficient food, drinks and other necessities before the relevant shop closes. 

 

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