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 (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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Durban beaches update: Four beaches closed, 20 remain open for swimming

If you're planning a beach day in Durban, it's worth checking the latest water quality information before heading to the coast. The eThekwini Municipality's latest update, dated 14 August 2026, shows that most swimming beaches remain open, but four beaches in the south are currently closed.

In total, 19 beaches are open for swimming, while four are closed.

Four Durban beaches currently closed

The latest status lists these four beaches as closed for swimming:

• Toti Main
• Doonside Beach
• Pipeline
• Reunion

All four are in the southern part of the Durban coastline.

The water quality results help explain the closures. Toti Main, Doonside Beach, Pipeline and Reunion all recorded E. coli levels above 24,196, placing them well into the municipality's "poor" category.

Central Durban beaches remain open

The news is much better along Durban's central beaches. Wedge, Point, uShaka, Addington, South Beach, North Beach, Bay of Plenty, Battery Beach, Country Club, Thekwini Beach and Laguna Beach are all open.

The latest results were particularly good at several popular central beaches. North Beach recorded an E. coli result of 41, while Bay of Plenty recorded 63. Battery Beach, Country Club, Thekwini Beach and Laguna Beach all recorded 10 or lower.

For travellers staying around the Golden Mile, this means the main central beach area continues to offer several swimming options.

Northern beaches are in good shape

The four monitored northern beaches listed in the update are also open:

• Westbrook
• Umdloti Main
• Umhlanga Main
• Bronze Beach

Water quality was excellent at Westbrook (31) and Umdloti Main (20). Umhlanga Main recorded 10, while Bronze Beach was below 10.

So if you're staying around Umhlanga or Umdloti, the latest results are particularly encouraging.

Southern beaches: mixed picture

The southern coastline is where the situation is most concerning.

Ansteys, Brighton, Umgababa and Winklespruit remain open, but Ansteys and Brighton recorded E. coli levels of 355 and 337, respectively. These results fall into eThekwini Municipality's "acceptable" category rather than the "excellent" range.

By contrast, Toti Main, Doonside Beach, Pipeline and Reunion are closed, following very high E. coli readings.

This means travellers heading south from Durban should not assume that all beaches are currently available for swimming.

What the water quality results mean

The municipality uses three categories for its beach water monitoring:

• Excellent: E. coli below 130
• Acceptable: 130–500
• Poor: above 500

The latest results therefore show a clear difference between the open and closed beaches. Most open beaches recorded excellent water quality, while the four closed beaches in the south recorded extremely high E. coli levels.

What travellers should know

Beach conditions can change, so this update should be treated as a snapshot rather than a guarantee for the entire duration of your stay.

If you're visiting Durban, Umhlanga or the KwaZulu-Natal coast, check the latest municipal beach status before swimming, particularly after heavy rainfall or other events that can affect coastal water quality.

For now, there are still plenty of open options. The central Durban beaches and northern beaches are generally showing good water quality, while visitors heading south should take particular care to check which beaches are open.

Quick summary

• 19 Durban beaches are open for swimming.
• Four beaches are closed: Toti Main, Doonside Beach, Pipeline and Reunion.
• Central Durban's beaches remain open, with mostly excellent water quality.
• Westbrook, Umdloti Main, Umhlanga Main and Bronze Beach are open.
• Ansteys and Brighton are open but recorded "acceptable" rather than excellent water quality.
• The four closed southern beaches recorded E. coli results above 24,196.

The situation is therefore much better along the central and northern Durban coastline than in parts of the south, but travellers should continue to check the latest beach status before getting into the water.

Source: eThekwini Municipality beach water quality results, 14 August 2026.

 

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Etosha Transit Ban: What it means if you've booked a guided safari

If you've booked a guided game drive or transfer in and out of Etosha National Park, there's a change at the gates you should know about before you travel.

Since early July 2026, Etosha management has stopped tour operators from driving empty vehicles through the park — including the old practice of dropping guests off, leaving, and later returning to fetch them. For travellers relying on a local guide or transfer company to get in and out of Etosha, this is worth understanding, because it's already causing headaches for some operators and, by extension, some itineraries.

Here's the background, what's actually changed, and what it means for your trip.

What actually changed at Etosha's gates?

On 02 July 2026, Etosha National Park's deputy director issued an instruction to officers at the park's four main gates - Ombika, Galton, King Nehale and Namutoni - to stop admitting empty game-viewing vehicles, full stop. That includes vehicles simply passing through (transiting) the park to reach the other side, and it includes operators trying to return empty to collect clients who are staying inside the park.

In plain terms: a guide can still drive you into Etosha National Park to reach your accommodation at a Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) camp. What they can no longer do is leave afterwards and come back later with an empty vehicle to pick you up again once your stay is over.

Operators who ignore the rule risk suspension or a permanent ban from the park, so this isn't a grey area they can quietly work around — expect it to be enforced.

Why should travellers care, not just tour operators?

It's easy to read this as an industry dispute that doesn't touch guests directly, but it does - mainly around logistics.

• If you booked a guided package where a driver drops you at Okaukuejo, Halali, Namutoni or Dolomite and returns days later to collect you, that pickup now needs a different plan.
• Some tour operators say they've already had to cancel or restructure bookings because of this, and a few report losing business worth well over N$1 million collectively since the directive came in.
• Operators also mention international guests losing confidence in bookings made months in advance - not because the safari itself is affected, but because the transfer logistics around it are in flux.

If your own trip depends on a shuttle or guided pickup from inside Etosha National Park, it's a good idea to confirm with your operator now how they plan to handle your specific transfer, rather than assuming the old drop-off-and-return model still applies.

This isn't actually a brand-new fight

Worth knowing: the empty-vehicle question at Etosha National Park has been simmering for a while, not something that appeared out of nowhere in July. Local operators say they've struggled with restricted transit access for more than two years, and a very similar dispute over transit rules played out back in 2024. What's different this time is that the July 2026 directive is being enforced more strictly, with named gates, named consequences, and a clear instruction to staff.

A group representing local operators and guides — the Local Tour Operators and Tour Guides of Etosha — has asked the ministry for an urgent meeting and wants the legal basis for the restriction made public. So far, no resolution has been announced.

What does the park's management say?

The Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism isn't backing down. Their position, in short:

• Etosha National Park is a protected area, "not a transit town," and transit permissions were never meant to be used to shuttle in and out to collect clients.
• The ministry says it's been receiving complaints about the practice since 2018 — this has been on their radar for years.
• Officials point to specific abuses: guides entering after sunset, jumping locked gates, permits with altered dates, and changed vehicle registrations that led to underpaid park fees.
• There are also allegations linking some guides to wildlife-related crimes, and reports of guides resisting or assaulting enforcement officers.

Whether or not you agree the response is proportionate, it's clearly framed as a compliance and security crackdown rather than a policy that's likely to be quietly reversed.

Other things stacking up for Etosha travellers right now

The transit ban isn't happening in isolation. A few other factors are worth folding into your planning if you're headed to Etosha National Park this year:

• Fuel shortages at NWR camps (Okaukuejo, Halali, Namutoni) have been an ongoing issue since early 2025, with no confirmed fix as of mid-2026 — fill up before you enter where possible.
• Park fees rose sharply from 01 April 2026 — a standard vehicle with two international adults now pays around N$620/day in combined fees, up from N$350.
• Malaria risk in northern Namibia (including areas around Etosha) tends to pick up from around September, so factor in mosquito precautions if you're travelling in the coming months.

None of this should put you off an Etosha National Park trip — it remains one of Southern Africa's best self-drive and guided safari destinations — but 2026 is a year where a bit of extra logistics-checking pays off.

What should you actually do if you have a guided Etosha booking?

• Contact your operator directly and ask exactly how your pickup/drop-off will work under the new rule.
• If you're self-driving, this doesn't affect you directly — the restriction targets commercial game-viewing vehicles, not private tourist cars.
• Ask whether your accommodation is inside the park (NWR camps) or outside — bookings based outside the gates are far less exposed to this dispute.
• Keep an eye on Namibian travel-news coverage in the coming weeks. Given the operator group has requested a meeting with the ministry, there's a reasonable chance the rules get clarified — or adjusted — before peak season.

Bottom line

Etosha National Park hasn't closed to tourists, and self-drive visitors aren't affected. But if your trip relies on a guided transfer or pickup from inside the park, the way operators move in and out has genuinely changed, and it's worth a quick check with your tour company before you land. Combine that with ongoing fuel shortages and this year's steep fee increase, and Etosha in 2026 is a park where a little extra planning goes a long way.

 

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Kruger National Park Flood Repairs: R950 million recovery underway

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the recovery from the devastating January 2026 floods is continuing across the Kruger National Park, with repairs to roads, bridges, accommodation and other infrastructure expected to cost about R950 million in total.

That figure gives some indication of the scale of the damage. More importantly for visitors, however, is what has actually been repaired and what is still being worked on.

South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment David Maynier visited Kruger National Park from 12 to 15 August 2026 to review progress with the park's management team and inspect some of the areas most severely affected by the floods.

Letaba Rest Camp remains one of the main recovery projects

Letaba Rest Camp was among the worst-hit areas when heavy rain and flooding swept through Kruger National Park in January. Recovery work is still underway, but progress is now clearly visible.

The A and B circles at Letaba Rest Camp are expected to return to operation in September 2026. This is an important milestone for travellers, as the camp has been operating with reduced accommodation capacity while the most severely damaged facilities are rebuilt.

The restoration is being carried out in stages rather than simply replacing everything that was damaged. The intention is to improve the resilience of the infrastructure as part of the rebuild, rather than restoring facilities exactly as they were before the floods.

For visitors planning a stay at Letaba, it is therefore worth checking the latest SANParks accommodation availability before finalising an itinerary, particularly if your trip is planned for September or October.

Letaba High-Level Bridge is open

There is better news for self-drive visitors using the northern part of Kruger National Park.

The Letaba High-Level Bridge is already open to traffic after suffering severe flood damage. The bridge was one of the key infrastructure links affected by the January floods, and its reopening restored an important connection through the park. SANParks had originally expected the bridge to reopen in March after extensive repairs.

According to the latest update, the final aspects of the rebuild are now nearing completion.

This is particularly significant for visitors travelling between the Letaba and Mopani areas, as damage to bridges and roads earlier this year caused major disruptions to north-south travel within Kruger National Park.

Repairs extend far beyond the tourist camps

The R950 million recovery programme is not just about repairing accommodation.

The January floods damaged a wide range of infrastructure, including:

• roads and access routes
• bridges and river crossings
• tourist accommodation
• water infrastructure
• other essential park services and facilities.

The scale of the initial damage was already described as running into hundreds of millions of rand, with infrastructure in both the northern and southern regions affected.

Since then, SANParks teams and contractors have progressively reopened roads, camps and facilities while reconstruction continues. Shingwedzi Rest Camp, for example, was among the facilities brought back into operation during the recovery process.

What does this mean for visitors?

For travellers, the situation in Kruger National Park has improved considerably since the floods. Key routes and facilities have reopened, although some repair work is still ongoing.

If you are planning a Kruger National Park trip in the coming months, especially a stay at Letaba, check the latest SANParks information before travelling. Reopening dates can change as work progresses.

For now, the key updates are straightforward: the Letaba High-Level Bridge is open, Letaba's A and B circles are expected to reopen in September, and the wider R950 million recovery programme is still underway.

 

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Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park shop closures in August 2026

Planning a trip to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park later this month? If you are staying at Nossob, Mata Mata or Twee Rivieren, take note of some temporary shop closures in August.

South African National Parks (SANParks) will close the three camp shops for several hours while annual stocktakes are carried out. The closures are temporary, but travellers should make sure they have essential supplies before the affected periods.

Nossob Shop – 24 August 2026
The Nossob shop will be closed from 09:00 to 15:00 on 24 August 2026.
It will be open from 07:00 to 09:00 and again from 15:00 to 18:45.

Mata Mata Shop – 27 August 2026
The Mata Mata shop will close from 09:00 to 15:00 on 27 August 2026.
The shop will be open from 07:00 to 09:00 and 15:00 to 18:45.

Twee Rivieren Shop – 31 August 2026
The Twee Rivieren shop will have the longest closure, closing from 05:00 to 15:00 on 31 August 2026.
It will only be open from 15:00 to 18:45 that day.

If your Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park itinerary coincides with one of these dates, plan your shopping accordingly and purchase any essential supplies before the temporary closures.

 

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Flying from South Africa to Doha: What Airlink’s Qatar Airways partnership means for travellers

Airlink is expanding its partnership with Qatar Airways, giving travellers in South Africa a new way to book flights to Doha and onward destinations from 31 August 2026.

Under the expanded codeshare agreement, Airlink will place its 4Z flight code on Qatar Airways-operated services to Doha. The initial routes are:

• Johannesburg – Doha: twice daily
• Cape Town – Doha: 10 flights per week
• Durban – Doha: daily, via Maputo

The flights are operated by Qatar Airways using Airbus A350 aircraft.

For travellers, the main benefit is access to Qatar Airways' extensive international network via Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha. This creates additional options for connecting from South Africa to destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and beyond.

The partnership is an extension of the existing relationship between the two airlines. Qatar Airways already codeshares on Airlink's domestic and regional flights, while Qatar Airways acquired a 25% stake in Airlink in 2024.

Airlink and Qatar Airways also have a frequent-flyer partnership. Eligible Airlink Skybucks members can earn and redeem Skybucks, while Qatar Airways Privilege Club members can earn and redeem Avios on eligible flights operated by either airline.

More Qatar Airways destinations are expected to be added to the Airlink codeshare in the coming months.

The codeshare flights are available for travel from 31 August 2026 through Airlink's booking channels.

For travellers, the expansion is worth checking when comparing international flights from South Africa, particularly if Doha offers a convenient connection to your final destination.

 

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