Zimbabwe has been named "Safest Place to Travel When Borders Open" post Covid-19. The southern African country is followed by Thailand (#2) and Fiji (#3). Zambia (#6), Uganda (#8), Kenya (#10), Rwanda (#13) and Namibia (#14) also made it into the Top 15 of the safest places to visit in the world when countries reopen borders for international travel. The ranking was produced by Tourlane (USA), an international travel and tourism agency, in collaboration with their Head of Safety, Johann Jones, a former US Department of Defence and NATO security expert with years of experience on risk assessment. Tourlane's ranking is based on key indicators such as COVID-19 cases, health regulations, population density, hours of sunlight, and flight connections to the USA. Tourlane will update the data on a weekly basis, so Zimbabwe's top position might be only a temporary one. We'll keep you posted!
The Top 15 of The Safest Places to Travel When Borders Open (as of 27 October 2020):
30 October 2020
Ranking: Zimbabwe named "Safest Place to Travel When Borders Open" by US travel agency!
Lesotho: Mohahlaula Airlines to operate on a charter and once-off scheduled flight basis from November 2020!
Lesotho's only scheduled airline, Mohahlaula Airlines, just announced that it will be operating on a charter and once-off scheduled flight basis both domestically and regionally from 01 November 2020 until further notice. All once-off flights will be advertised in advance. To guarantee departures of all flights Mohahlaula Airlines urges its customers to book in advance.
The airline started domestic flights in Lesotho in September 2020. Mohahlaula Airlines' fleet currently consists of one Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, which seats 12 customers with a 15 kg carry on luggage capacity available in the cargo pod.
Kruger National Park Calendar - December!
Weather:
- height of summer
- very hot & humid days
- warm nights
- often spectacular lightning storms
Temperatures:
- between 18°C - 34°C (Fahrenheit: e.g. 34°C = [(34x9)]/5 + 32 = 93.2°F)
- visit our webcam page for live footage from Kruger National Park!
Landscape:
- vigorous plat growth everywhere in the park
- tree canopy very thick
- fig trees in fruit
- mopane tree in flower
Animal Activity:
- height of the impala breeding season
- predators out to get their young
- most resident non-raptor birds breeding
- animal activity all over the park
Rwanda: The Gishwati-Mukura Landscape has been named an UNESCO biosphere reserve!
The Gishwati-Mukura landscape in Rwanda’s Western Province has been named among the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during a session of the International Co-coordinating Council of the Man and Biosphere Programme held on 28 October 2020. The Gishwati-Mukura landscape joins the Volcanoes Biosphere Reserve in north-west Rwanda, which was inducted into the network in 1983. Speaking on the UNESCO designation, Belise Kariza, Chief Tourism Officer, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said:
"As Rwanda's newest national park, the Gishwati-Mukura landscape is incredibly beautiful and rich in unique and valuable biodiversity. Rwanda has been working to protect and restore the area by investing in nature based solutions and forest landscape restoration. I commend the efforts of all partners whose tireless work has led to the biosphere reserve status we celebrate today. Conservation not only preserves our natural heritage for future generations, but also plays an important role in fostering ecotourism as a pillar of economic development."The Gishwati-Mukura National Park was gazetted as Rwanda's fourth national park in 2016. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), a government department that integrates all government agencies responsible for the attraction, retention and facilitation of investments in Rwanda's economy, took over its management in 2019. The park is made up of two separate forests – the larger Mukura and smaller Gishwati – which are located within the landscape. The forests sit on the ridge which divides the Congo and Nile water catchment areas, along the biodiverse Albertine Rift.
29 October 2020
Emirates to increase flights to Zambia and Zimbabwe!
The largest airline and flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, Emirates, will increase its operations between Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka, R. G. Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare and Dubai International Airport (DXB) in Dubai to three times a week from 06 November 2020. The will operate its third flight on Friday, utilising a Boeing 777-300ERs between Harare, via Lusaka to complement the current Saturday and Monday flights on the route to Dubai. Emirates resumed operations in the two markets in September 2020 and October 2020 as Zambia and Zimbabwe eased movement and travel restrictions.
28 October 2020
Western Cape: The iconic Whale Trail has reopened after an extensive revamp!
CapeNature, the public institution with the responsibility for biodiversity conservation in South Africa's Western Cape, has announced the reopening of the Whale Trail on 28 October 2020. The famous a 5-day hiking trail in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, which was closed since 2018 due to an extensive revamp, has been upgraded and improved to enhance the visitor experience.. Visitors can look forward to the following enhancements:
- Solar powered electricity in accommodation units, which are not affected by load shedding.
- Restored and improved hiking routes with stainless steel structures and stairs for optimal weather resistance and safety.
- An outdoor braai area.
- Modern appliances for convenience such as fridges and gas hobs within all overnight huts – a first for the De Hoop Nature Reserve.
- Upgraded skylights installed for better viewing and star gazing.
- Full bathroom and shower upgrades at Vaalkrans, Hamerkop and Cupidoskraal huts.
The Whale Trail is a 5-day hiking trail that stretches over 55km from Potberg to Koppie Alleen in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. The 34 000ha Nature Reserve is located just three hours from Cape Town.
Botswana set to to open borders for private charter flights!
Botswana's Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism announced on 26 October 2020 that the country will permit private charter flights into Botswana again from 01 November 2020. The private charter flights will be allowed to land at two ports of entry namely, Maun Airport (MUB) in Maun and Kasane International Airport (BBK) in Kasane. Both airports are located in the North-West District of Botswana.
The Government of Botswana is finalising the required legislative framework to facilitate such air travel which will include protocols for compliance.
27 October 2020
Zimbabwe: Phased reopening of land border posts! [update]
update (01 December 2020): All of Zimbabwe's ports of entry or ports of exit between Zimbabwe and a neighbouring country or territory have been opened on 01 December 2020.
Zimbabwe's Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, has announced the phased reopening of the country's land border posts during a Post Cabinet Media Briefing on 27 October 2020. The borders will open first to private passenger vehicles and pedestrian traffic. Border operating hours are being fixed between 06:00 and 18:00 until further notice. Effective 01 December 2020, Zimbabwe will reopen the following border posts:
- Beitbridge (Zimbabwe <> South Africa)
- Plumtree (Zimbabwe <> Botswana)
- Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe <> Zambia)
- Chirundu (Zimbabwe <> Zambia)
- Nyamapanda (Zimbabwe <> Mozambique)
- Forbes (Zimbabwe <> Mozambique)
South Africa: Seasonal rainfall & temperature outlook (September 2020 to January 2021)!
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has released the Seasonal Climate Watch for the period September 2020 to January 2021. According to the SAWS multi-model rainfall forecast for spring (September 2020 to November 2020), late spring (October 2020 to December 2020) and early summer (November 2020 to January 2021), there are increased chances that South Africa will experience above-normal rainfall over most parts of the country with the main focus being on the summer rainfall areas in the north east of South Africa.
Most of South Africa is expected to experience above-normal temperatures during spring and late spring, with below-normal maximum temperatures predicted for the north eastern parts of the country during early summer.
26 October 2020
Switzerland: Edelweiss Air to resume flights to Cape Town!
Swiss leisure airline Edelweiss Air has announced the resumption of its seasonal service to Cape Town in South Africa. Effective 25 November 2020, the airline will initially operate one weekly direct flight between Zurich Airport (ZRH) in Zürich and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. Edelweiss Air will increase the service to two weely flights from 17 December 2020. The airline is planning to end the seasonal service to Cape Town in April 2021.
Since 19 October 2020, there are no longer any entry restrictions for travellers from Switzerland to South Africa. There is also currently no quarantine obligation for return travellers from Cape Town.
South Africa: Mango to resume flights between Johannesburg <> Zanzibar!
South African low-cost airline Mango, a subsidiary of South African Airways (SAA), is set to resume flights to Zanzibar in Tanzania. Effective 28 November 2020, the airline will operate two weekly direct flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar Town, the capital of Zanzibar. Flights will depart Johannesburg at 07:00 and will arrive on Zanzibar at 11:35 while the return flight will depart Zanzibar at 13:05 and will arrive in Johannesburg at 15:50.
23 October 2020
Video: "eKasi to Constantia – a culinary journey from township to terroir"!
Cape Town Tourism has released a new short film. "eKasi to Constantia – a culinary journey from township to terroir" tells the story of a small restaurant from a township and its partnership with the oldest wine producing estate in South Africa.
Owned by South African chef and restaurateur Abigail Mbalo-Mokoena and founded in 2014, 4Roomed eKasi Culture in Khayelitsha is a restaurant specialized in modern interpretations of traditional South African dishes. Founded 329 years earlier, Groot Constantia Wine Estate in the suburb of Constantia in Cape Town is South Africa's oldest wine producing estate. The historical wine estate not only produces wine - it is also a heritage site that has a museum, two restaurants on site - the Jonkershuis Restaurant and Simon’s Restaurant - and offers wine cellar tours and wine tastings.
During a tour on the Red Bus, Abigail and Lila Jutzen, the Sales and Maketing Manager of Groot Constantia, met and immediately made plans to pair eKasis' contemporary South African dishes with the wines of South Africa's oldest wine producing estate to create a culinary experience that can only be found in Cape Town.
"It's this new age versus this tradition that brings this complete culture of Cape Town to life." (Lila Jutzen, Sales & Marketing Manager, Groot Constantia Trust)
22 October 2020
South Africa: FlySafair and Qatar Airways have signed an interline agreement!
South African low-cost airline FlySafair and the state-owned flag carrier of Qatar, Qatar Airways, have signed an interline agreement. The agreement provides passengers of Qatar Airways ten domestic connections in South Africa including Port Elizabeth International Airport (PLZ) in Port Elizabeth, East London Airport (ELS) in East London and George Airport (GRJ) in George. The announcement follows shortly after Qatar Airways signed a similar deal with South African regional airline Airlink.
An Interline agreement between airlines allows passengers to change from one flight on one airline to another flight on another airline without having to gather their bags or check-in again.
Johannesburg: OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) reopens the open-air piazza parking area for pick-ups!
The management of OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg yesterday (21 October 2020) reopened the open-air piazza parking area for pick-ups by taxis, e-hailing services and public transport vehicles. According to the airport's spokesperson Samukelo Khambule the change will accommodate increasing passenger volumes. The management of the airport will also make more parking bays available from 01 November 2020 when Level 1 of Parkade 1 is reopened. The opening of the open-air piazza parking area was accompanied by the reopening of selected entrances on the ground level of the terminal buildings. Access to terminal buildings remains restricted to passengers in possession of a physical or electronic ticket. The latest changes also mean that Level 2 of Parkade 2 South is only for pick-ups by private vehicles. The first 30 minutes in Parkade 2 South is free.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) continues to control access to the upper roadway. Driver-only vehicles are not allowed onto the upper roadway.
The management of OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) already reopened the upper roadway for passenger drop-offs in early October 2020.
21 October 2020
Namibia: New revised tourist-related Covid-19 regulations! [update]
update (23 October 2020): Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has released a press release titled "Changes in the Approval of Travelers and Quarantine Request for Travelers".
Namibia's President Dr. Hage G. Geingob has announced a number of changes to the status quo of the tourist-related COVID-19 regulations in the country during a public briefing on the national COVID-19 response measures on 21 October 2020. The new regulations will come into force from tomorrow (22 October 2020) until midnight on 30 November 2020. The new measures will apply for all 14 regions of Namibia.
- All travellers (including tourists, business travellers and all Namibians and Permit Holders) who arrive in Namibia with a negative PCR test result, that is not older than 72 hours, will be permitted to proceed to their final destinations in the country. The regquirement for the mandatory five day retest has been withdrawn.
- All travellers who arrive in Namibia with a negative PCR test result that is older than 72 hours but not older than 7 days, will be permitted to enter the country. However, they will be required to undergo seven-days supervised quarantine at home or tourism facility. In the event that these environments do not fulfill qurantine requirements, the travellers will be placed under mandatory Government quarantine facilities at own cost.
- Non-Namibians, who do not present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, will not be granted entry into Namibia.
- Returning Namibian citizens or Permit Holders may enter Namibia with or without a COVID-19 PCR test result. In the event such persons present a positive test result or no result at all, they will be subjected to mandatory quarantine and testing or isolation, after arrival. This provision shall also apply to aircraft and marine vessel crew members; humanitarian aid workers, essential service providers, as well as operators and drivers of cross-border transport vehicles who arrive in the country without the requisite test.
- Restrictions on passenger numbers in publc transport, private vehicles and group tour operators are herewith lifted. This means, vehicle occupancy can revert to the respective carrying capacities of a particular vehicle. However, drivers, passengers and operators are required to continue taking the necessary precautions.
- In line with the "Saving lives, economies and livelihood" campaign of the African Union (AU), Namibia will continue to harmonize the re-opening of borders and resumption of full economic and social activities. To this end, Namibia will gradually re-open borders on reciprocal basis and resume social activities including contact sports activities; face-to-face instruction for tertiary institutions and schools where social distancing is feasible.
- The limitation to the number of persons permitted at public gatherings shall be increased to a maximum of 200 persons until 30 November 2020.
- The protocols for COVID-19 burials will be conducted as per previous regulations.
Zimbabwe: Fastjet (Zimbabwe) to resume flights between Victoria Falls <> Johannesburg!
Low-cost carrier Fastjet (Zimbabwe) has announced the resumption of flights between Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in South Africa. Effective 03 December 2020, the airline will operate three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Flights will depart Johannesburg at 11:10 and arrive in Victoria Falls at 12:50, while the return flight will depart Victoria Falls at 13:20 and arrive in Johannesburg at 14:55. The flight schedule for this route is on sale since 20 October 2020.
20 October 2020
Golden Gate Highlands National Park: SANParks has cancelled the Golden Gate Classics 2020!
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Golden Gate Classics 2020 has been cancelled due to the uncertainty regarding COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in South Africa. Usually held in December, the Golden Gate Classics is a weekend of Classical and Jazz music held under the stars at the foothills of the majestic Maluti Mountain Range in Golden Gate Highlands National Park. According to SANParks Managing Executive: Tourism Development & Marketing, Hapiloe Sello, SANParks is looking forward to be hosting the Golden Gate Classics at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in 2021 again.
Golden Gate Highlands National Park is located in north eastern Free State in South Africa. The National Park covers an area of 340 km² and is known for its dramatic golden, ochre, and orange-hued, deeply eroded sandstone cliffs. The Free State's only national park is home to mongooses, eland, zebras, and over 100 bird species.
South Africa: Airlink and Emirates have signed an interline agreement!
South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink and the largest airline and flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, Emirates, have signed an interline agreement. The agreement provides passengers of Emirates enhanced connectivity via its gateways OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town to more than 25 domestic destinations in South Africa and more than 20 regional destinations in Southern Africa. Emirates and Airlink will offer single-ticket travel and one-stop baggage check-in for customers transferring from Johannesburg and Cape Town to domestic points in South Africa including Bloemfontein, George, Upington, Nelspruit, Hoedspruit and Port Elizabeth, as well as points across Southern Africa like Gaborone, Kasane, Maun (Botswana), Victoria Falls, Harare, Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), Maputo, Vilanculos (Mozambique), Windhoek (Namibia), Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone (Zambia) amongst others.
South Africa: Airlink to launch three additional routes to Mozambique!
South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink is set introduce three more routes to Mozambique. Effective 28 October 2020, the airline will launch a two weekly service between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Pemba Airport (POL) in Pemba. From 10 November 2020, Airlink will offer two weekly flights between Johannesburg and Vilanculos Airport (VNX) in Vilanculos as well as two weekly flights between Johannesburg and Beira Airport (BEW) in Beira. These services provide travellers with seamless connectivity with Airlink's new services linking Johannesburg with Cape Town and also with Durban. Connections are also available to the airline's other South African destinations and to key destinations throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
- Johannesburg 09:30 > 13:20 Pemba on Wednesdays and Fridays
- Pemba 13:50 > 16:10 Johannesburg on Wednesdays and Fridays
- Johannesburg 11:30 > 13:00 Vilanculos on Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Vilanculos 13:35 > 15:20 Johannesburg on Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Johannesburg 11:05 > 12:45 Beira on Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Beira 13:10 > 15:10 Johannesburg on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Namibia: Air Namibia to restart flights to South Africa!
Namibia's flag carrier, Air Namibia, is set to relaunch regional services to South Africa. Effective 28 October 2020, the airline will resume flights between Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Air Namibia will operate three weekly return flights to Johannesburg on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The airline will also restart return flights to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. Effective 30 October 2020, Air Namibia will operate two weekly flights between Windhoek and Cape Town, direct and via Walvis Bay International Airport (WVB) in Walvis Bay, on Fridays and Sundays.
19 October 2020
South Africa has released a revised "banned leisure travel list"!
The Government of South Africa has revised the list of high-risk countries, whose tourists are banned from visiting the country ("banned leisure travel list"). The new list has 22 high risk countries, including major tourist source countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium Italy, Spain. People from these high risk countries may not travel to South Africa for leisure, but can apply to be allowed in the country if they are:
- business travellers
- holders of critical skills visas
- investors
- people on international mission in sports, arts, culture and science
Visitors from European countries on the list, coming to South Africa to stay for a three months period or more will be able to apply for an exception.
People who need to apply must direct email requests to: Covid19BusinessTravel@dha.gov.za, supported by:
- a copy of passport and/or temporary residence visa
- proof of business activities to be undertaken in South Africa
- proof of travel itinerary
- proof of address or accommodation in South Africa
Nothing has changed as far as all travellers from the continent of Africa are concerned. They are still welcome to visit South Africa subject to Covid-19 protocols.
The full list of banned countries includes:
- Argentina
- Germany
- Peru
- Bangladesh
- India
- Philippines
- Belgium
- Indonesia
- Russia
- Brazil
- Iran
- Spain
- Canada
- Iraq
- United Kingdom
- Chile
- Italy
- USA
- Colombia
- Mexico
- France
- Netherlands
Zambia/Botswana: The Kazungula Bridge is almost ready to open to the public! [update]
update (29 April 2021): According to the Zambia's Daily Mail, Zambia's President Edgar Lungu and Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi are expected to commission Kazungula Bridge project on 10 May 2021.
update (28 April 2021): According to the Zambia's Daily Mail, the Kazungula bridge will be commissioned in May 2021.
update (08 April 2021): The Kazungula bridge is still not open to the public...
update (11 March 2021): The official opening of the Kazungula bridge is still a well-kept secret. Word on the ground has been that the bridge linking Zambia and Botswana by crossing the Zambezi at the small border town of Kazungula in Zambia's Southern Provice will be opened on 01 April 2021, but that is just a rumour. We'll keep you posted!
update (18 January 2021): The opening of the Kazungula Bridge has obviously been delayed. The reason why the bridge is still not open is actually not known. It could be the coronavirus pandemic, financial problems, the signing of legal intruments or simply problems related to the bilateral meetings between Botswana and Zambia that have delayed the opening of the bridge. We'll keep you posted!
Botswana's Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Thulagano Segokgo, said at the final joint inspection of the Kazungula Bridge project with the Zambia's Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development, Vincent Mwale, that the two countries are at an advanced stage of concluding legal instruments that will enable the Kazungula Bridge to be operational. The construction of package one of the project, which is the Kazungula Bridge itself, is 100% complete while the other two packages - the Botswana one-stop border post (99,97%) and its Zambian equivalent (99,99%) - are expected to be concluded by the end of October 2020. According to the Minister, the entire project had registered considerable progress which would lead to its commissioning by the heads of state of Botswana and Zambia in the near future.
The Kazungula Bridge is a 923-metre-long and 18.5-metre-wide road and rail bridge that connects Zambia and Botswana by crossing the Zambezi at the small border town of Kazungula in Zambia's Southern Provice. Construction of the Kazungula Bridge officially began on 12 October 2014. The bridge is being financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the African Development Bank (ADB).
PS.: Once the Kazungula Bridge is open to the public, travellers will be able to travel between Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe or Zambia) and the iconic Chobe National Park in Botswana in just about one +/- hour!
Cape Town: Tokai Picnic Site has been reopened!
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Tokai Picnic Site in the Tokai Park, which forms part of the greater Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) in Cape Town, has been reopened to the public on 17 October 2020. According to SANParks, the gate entry times are 07:00 - 18:00 with an exit time at 19:00 daily. The following protocols apply:
- No mask - no entry.
- Maintain social distancing by at least 1.5m at all times.
- Limitations of visitor numbers may be imposed at the Picnic site at the staff's discretion.
- Free standing braais are not permitted at the picnic site and we encourage guests to make use of the existing braai facilities.
- No alcohol and no Gazebos permitted on site.
SANParks encourages all visitors to adhere to and respect the rules of the park and pick up their litter. For the love of nature: Take only photos and leave only footprints.
16 October 2020
Virgin Atlantic is set to return to South Africa! [update]
update (09 June 2021): Virgin Atlantic's Johannesburg flights are currently scheduled to resume on 24 June 2021 (26 June 2021).
update (21 May 2021) Virgin Atlantic's Johannesburg flights are currently scheduled to resume on 02 June 2021 and the Cape Town flights on 05 June 2021.
update (26 March 2021): British airline Virgin Atlantic has announced that flights between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg as well as between London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town will remain suspended until 16 May 2021.
update (03 March 2021): British airline Virgin Atlantic has further extended the suspension of its flights to South Africa. All flights between 10 March 2021 and 16 March 2021 have been canceled.
update (23 February 2021): British airline Virgin Atlantic has further extended the suspension of its flights to South Africa. All flights between 03 March 2021 and 09 March 2021 have been canceled.
update (04 February 2021): British airline Virgin Atlantic has extended the suspension of its flights to South Africa until the end of February 2021 due to the ongoing ban on direct flights between the UK and South Africa. The airline's intention is to restart flights as soon as the restrictions are lifted. We'll keep you posted!
update (14 December 2020): Virgin Atlantic is set to resume flights between London and Cape Town on 20 December 2020. The airline will operate three weekly flights to the Mother City. The airline's service between London and Johannesburg, which was reduced to two weekly flights in November due to the lockdown in the UK, has been increased to three weekly flights.
British airline Virgin Atlantic is set to return to South Africa. Flights between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg will resume on 18 October 2020, while flights between London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town will relaunch on 10 December 2020. Virgin Atlantic's Johannesburg service will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays (LHR > JNB) and on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (JNB > LHR). The schedule of the new Cape Town service has not yet been published. We'll keep you posted!
- London 21:50 > 09:40+1 Johannesburg on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
- Johannesburg 20:35 > 06:35+1 London on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
15 October 2020
Covid-19: South Africa will shortly publish an updated "banned leisure travel list"!
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa today (15 October 2020) announced during an address to the Joint Sitting of Parliament on South Africa's Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan that the Government of South Africa will shortly (!) be publishing an expanded list of countries from where resumption of international travel will be permitted. As of today (15 October 2020), leisure travellers from the following 60 countries are not permitted to enter South Africa:
Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxemburg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Nepal, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Oman, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Suriname, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Emirates, United Kingdom, USA and Venezuela.
South Africa: Airlink to launch scheduled flights between Johannesburg <> Windhoek!
South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink is set to launch a new direct air service reconnecting OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg with Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek. Effective 26 October 2020, the airline will operate daily return flights to Namibia's capital. Airlink's Johannesburg <> Windhoek service will provide travellers with seamless connectivity with the airline's new services linking Johannesburg with Cape Town and also with Durban. Connections are also available to Airlink's other destinations in South Africa, such as George, Port Elizabeth, East London, Bloemfontein, Upington, Kimberley, Polokwane, Hoedspruit, Nelspruit, Skukuza, Pietermaritzburg, Mthatha and others.
Airlink also recently resumed scheduled services between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Windhoek as well as between Johannesburg and Walvis Bay International Airport (WVB) in Walvis Bay.
Namibia: FlyWestair to launch scheduled flights between Windhoek <> Johannesburg!
Namibian airline FlyWestair will become the first privately owned airline in the history of independent Namibia to operate a scheduled passenger route between Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Effective 02 November 2020, the airline will initially operate two scheduled flights per week designed to connect with various international airlines through Johannesburg. One such connection is with Qatar Airways, which recently cancelled its direct flights between Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha and Windhoek.
FlyWestair will also resume its service to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. Effective 23 October 2020, the airline will operate two weekly flights per week on on Mondays and Fridays between Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek and Cape Town International Airport (CPT).
Since domestic travel restrictions in Namibia were lifted, FlyWestair has been operating two flights per week between Eros Airport (ERS) in Windhoek and Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Airport /Ondangwa Airport (OND) in Ondangwa, each Friday and Sunday. These frequencies will increase with the addition of a mid-week return flight to Ondangwa every Wednesday, starting on 28 October 2020.
According to Frederico Ribeiro, Business Development Manager for FlyWestair, all tickets booked with FlyWestair will be fully refundable and 100% flexible. There will be no cost to change flights and passengers will get their money back if one cancels. Passengers who have booked tickets with the airline and opted to hold their tickets will be able to rebook on the current schedules at no additional costs.
14 October 2020
South Africa: Airlink and Qatar Airways have signed an interline agreement!
South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink and the state-owned flag carrier of Qatar, Qatar Airways, have signed an interline agreement. The agreement provides passengers of Qatar Airways seamless connectivity via Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg to more than 20 regional destinations in Southern Africa and to more than 25 domestic destinations in South Africa including Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, Bloemfontein (all in South Africa), Harare (Zimbabwe), Lusaka (Zambia), Maputo (Mozambique), Gaborone (Botswana), Windhoek (Namibia), amongst others.
An Interline agreement between airlines allows passengers to change from one flight on one airline to another flight on another airline without having to gather their bags or check-in again.
13 October 2020
Namibia: Summarised entry & quarantine requirements for tourists! [update]
update (14 October 2020): According to a public notice by Namibia's Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security the following ports of entry are open with immediate effect for entry to and departure from Namibia.
- Katima Mulilo Border Post (Namibia <> Zambia)
- Ariamsvlei Border Post (Namibia <> South Africa)
- Noordoewer Border Post (Namibia <> South Africa)
- Walvis Bay Harbour
The Embassy of the Republic of Namibia in Germany has published the summarised entry & quarantine requirements for Namibia currently in place (as of 13 October 2020; subject to change) on Facebook. According to the information provided, international tourists are only allowed to enter Namibia through Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek and Walvis Bay International Airport (WVB) in Walvis Bay. Tourists are not allowed to use public transport and need to procure a local SIM card when arriving at the airports. Upon entry, tourists need to provide the completed health questionaire and proof of booking of NTB*-registered destinations approved by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) for the first 5 days and proceed to pre-booked destinations.
Tourists also need to
- present himself/herself to an authorised person for SARS-COV-2 PCR testing at own cost on the 5th day after arrival at a place indicated by an authorised person on arrival.
- contact of 7th day the authorised testing facility and enquire about the test result. If the test result is positiv, tourists have to submit into mandatory supervised isolation at own cost.
*NTB = Namibia Tourism Board
Condé Nast Traveller Reader's Choice Awards 2020: South Africa named one of the Top 10 countries!
South Africa was voted one of the Top 10 Countries in the 33rd edition of the annual Condé Nast Traveller Reader's Choice Awards. The Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards are the longest-running and one of the most prestigious recognition of excellence in the global travel industry. More than 715,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe to determine the winners. South Africa was voted 8th in the ranking, which was won by Italy. Sri Lanka came in second, followed by Portugal and Japan.
Top 20 Countries in the World: Readers' Choice Awards 2020
- Italy
- Sri Lanka
- Portugal
- Japan
- Greece
- Indonesia
- Thailand
- South Africa
- Vietnam
- Mexico
- Ireland
- Bhutan
- Jamaica
- Peru
- Malaysia
- Colombia
- Israel
- Turkey
- New Zealand
- India