Kruger National Park Calendar - May!

Weather:

• autumn
• warm to hot days
• warm to rather cold evenings
• occasional rain only

Temperatures:

• between 13°C - 28°C (Fahrenheit: e.g. 28°C = [(28x9)]/5 + 32 = 82.4°F)
• visit our webcam page for live footage from Kruger National Park!

 
Landscape:

• the bush starts drying out
• landscape changes from green to yellow, orange and brown
• the waterholes in the mopaneveld are drying out first
• the baobab trees are dropping their last pods

Animal Activity:

• elephants begin migration into northern Kruger
• game seeking for warmer areas
• impala rut continues
• wild dog breeding season

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Covid-19: South Africa remains on Alert Level 1 with a few adjustments!

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in a national address on progress in the national effort to contain the Covid-19 pandemic on 30 March 2021 that South Africa will remain on Alert Level 1, with a few adjustments. According to the President, these adjustments are necessary due to specific circumstances of the Easter period, that will lead to increased travel as South African travel for holiday and religious purposes, as well as gatherings. The following regulations will be introduced:

• The sale of alcohol for off-site consumption will be prohibited this coming Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (02 April 2021 - 05 April 2021).
• On-site sales at restaurants, shebeens and bars will be allowed, according to licensing conditions, up until 23:00.

Some of the measures to contain the spread of the corona virus that will remain unchanged are as follows:

• The curfew is maintained from midnight to 04:00.
• Public recreational spaces such as beaches, parks and dams will remain open.
• However, this will continue to be subject to strict health protocols, such as social distancing, mask-wearing.
• Funerals remain restricted to a maximum of 100 people and with a two-hour limit on services. Interprovincial travel will still be permitted.

All South Africans are urged to limit their travel as much as possible and to observe all the necessary health protocols if they cannot avoid travelling.

Proflight Zambia to introduce flights between Livingstone <> Johannesburg!

Zambian regional carrier Proflight Zambia is set to connect Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Livingstone with OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. The airline has received approval for the new route, which it is introducing in a phased approach while demand remains subdued, initially starting in April 2021 by altering its flight times between Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and Livingstone to enable smooth connections to their Lusaka <> Johannesburg flights four times weekly. Once demand picks up, Proflight Zambia plans to introduce a direct service between Johannesburg <> Livingstone, making it the first airline to operate the route since South Africa reopened its airports late last year.

© Proflight Zambia

The first flight connecting Livingstone with Johannesburg via Lusaka is scheduled for 09 April 2021. Proflight Zambia will operate flights from Livingstone to Johannesburg via Lusaka on Tuesdays, departing at 12:20 and arriving at 17:00; and Fridays leaving at 8:50 hrs and arriving at 17:00 hrs. The return flights will depart Johannesburg at 12:00 on Thursdays and Sundays, arriving in Livingstone at 16:20. The airline will be operating a Bombardier CRJ 100 which seats 50 on the Johannesburg sector while the 29-seater British Aerospace Jetstream 41 aircraft will cover the Livingstone sector. Proflight Zambia is currently operating daily flights between Johannesburg and Lusaka, with twice daily flights on Fridays and Sundays. 

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South Africa: Airlink to introduce additional flights to Maputo and Lubumbashi!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink has announced the introduction of additional flights to Maputo in Mozambique and Lubumbashi in the DR Congo due to rising demand for air travel between those cities and South Africa. Effective 01 April 2021, the airline will operate triple daily flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Maputo as well as daily flights between Johannesburg and Lubumbashi International Airport (FBM) in Lubumbashi. 

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Malawi: Malawi Airlines temporarily suspends all operations! [update]

update (31 March 2021): Malawian Airlines has announced that it will resume operations. Effective 02 April 2021, the airline will operate flights from Johannesburg to Dar es Salaam via Lilongwe as well as from Blantyre/Lilongwe to Dar es Salaam on Fridays. The return flights from Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg via Lilongwe and from Dar es Salaam to Lilongwe/Blantyre will take place Saturdays.

The flag carrier of Malawi, Malawi Airlines, has announced the temporary suspension of all operations. According to the airline, flights will be suspended from 26 March 2021 to 31 March 2021 due to operational reasons. All affected passengers will provided with "available protection options agreeable between the passengers and Malawi Airlines".
Malawi Airlines is operated by Ethiopian Airlines (ET), which owns 49% of the airline. The remaining 51% are owned by the Government of Malawi.

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Emirates: Passenger flights from South Africa to Dubai remain suspended! [update]

update (15 April 2021): Emirates’ flights from South Africa will remain suspended until 30 April 2021, in line with government directives that restrict the entry of travellers originating from South Africa, into the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

update (09 April 2021): Emirates’ flights from South Africa will remain suspended until 22 April 2021, in line with government directives that restrict the entry of travellers originating from South Africa, into the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The largest airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the flag carrier of the Emirate of Dubai, Emirates, has announced that passenger flights from South Africa will remain suspended until 08 April 2021. This is in line with the directives by the Government of the UAE that restrict the entry of travellers originating from South Africa into the United Arab Emirates.
Emirates' daily passenger flights to OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg will operate as EK763, however outbound passenger services on EK 764 remain suspended. Customers who have been to or connected through South Africa in the last 14 days will not be permitted on any Emirates flights bound for Dubai. We'll keep you posted!

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Emirates to increase flights to Zambia and Zimbabwe!

The largest airline of the United Arab Emirates and the flag carrier of the Emirate of Dubai, Emirates, has announced that it will increase its flights between Dubai International Airport (DXB) in Dubai, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and Robert Gabriel Mubabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare to five times a week from 05 June 2021.
From 28 March 2021, the airline will also adjust its flight schedule moving to Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday departures, with a Saturday flight added from 05 June 2021. Emirates flight EK713 departs Dubai at 09:25, arriving in Lusaka at 14:35. EK713 departs Lusaka  at 16:05, arriving in Harare at 17:10. Flight EK714 departs from Harare at 18:50, arriving in Lusaka at 20:00. The flight departs from Lusaka at 21:35, arriving in Dubai at 06:30 the following day.

"We have seen a marked increase in passenger demand to and from Harare, especially to popular tourism and business hubs like Dubai. We hope that by increasing our frequency, we are able to facilitate even more tourism and business traffic as Zimbabwe continues its recovery. The increase of our flights to Harare, which are currently linked to Lusaka, is a testament to our commitment to Zimbabwe." (Nasser Bahlooq, Emirates Country Manager for Zimbabwe)

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Rugby: British & Irish Lions plan for tour to go ahead in South Africa!

The British & Irish Lions, a rugby union team selected from players eligible to play for the national teams of England, Scotland, Wales or Ireland, and the South African Rugby Union (also known as SA Rugby), the governing body for rugby union in South Africa, have announced that they are aligned on delivering the Castle Lager Lions Series in South Africa in the scheduled playing window (03 July - 07 August 2021). According to Jason Leonard, Chairman of The British & Irish Lions Board, the Bord acknowledges that there is a significant amount of work still to be undertaken to deliver a robust Covid-19 countermeasure plan to ensure a successful, safe and uninterrupted Tour and that SA Rugby will have the Board's full support to help implement this plan. As a matter of fact, it is currently unclear whether spectators will be permitted into stadia during the Lions Tour in South Africa. According to Mark Alexander, President of the South African Rugby Union, the original Tour schedule could be changed if spectators will not be allowed in the stadia. We'll keep you posted! 

Photo by Captureson Photography on Unsplash 

The British & Irish Lions have toured South Africa on 13 previous occasions, with the first Tour taking place in 1891. In that time, the Lions have won four Test series, lost eight and drew one. Their overall record against the Springboks is played 46, won 17, lost 23 and drawn six.

British & Irish Lions 2021 Tour of South Africa (03 July - 07 August 2021):

• Saturday 03 July 2021: British & Irish Lions v DHL Stormers – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
• Wednesday 07 July 2021: British & Irish Lions v South Africa Invitational – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
• Saturday 10 July 2021: British & Irish Lions v Cell C Sharks – Jonsson Kings Park, Durban
• Wednesday 14 July 2021: British & Irish Lions v South Africa "A" – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
• Saturday 17 July 2021: British & Irish Lions v Vodacom Bulls – Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
• Saturday 24 July 2021 (First Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions – FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
• Saturday 31 July 2021 (Second Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions – Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
• Saturday 7 August 2021 (Third Test): Springboks v British & Irish Lions – Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg

Western Cape: Jonkershoek Nature Reserve & Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve are currently closed to the public! [update]

update (08 July 2021): All hiking at Jonkershoek Nature Reserve and the Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve including picnic spots are closed and will open on 6 November 2021

CapeNature, the public institution with the responsibility for biodiversity conservation in South Africa's Western Cape, has announced on its website that the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve and the Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve are currently closed to the public to allow recovery time after the recent devastating fires in the area. According to CapeNature, Jonkershoek Nature Reserve will be closed until further notice while Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve will be closed until the end of June 2021.
The Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, which includes the smaller Assegaaibosch Nature Reserve, is located about about 9km from Stellenbosch in the south-western part of the Western Cape.

Air Zimbabwe resumes domestic and regional flights!

Zimbabwe's flag carrier, Air Zimbabwe, has announced the resumption of additonal domestic and regional flights. Effective 28 March 2021, the airline will resume its four weekly service between Harare > Bulawayo > Victoria Falls > Harare as well as flights between Harare and Johannesburg. The return flights to Johannesburg will be operated twice daily from Monday to Friday. Air Zimbabwe's service between Harare and Dar es Salaam will continue as per current schedule on Tuedays and Saturdays. The airline will operate all flights on bord an Embraer ERJ145 and a Boeing 737-200.

• Harare 12:00 > 12:45 Bulawayo 13:15 > 14:00 Victoria Falls 14:30 > 15:00 Harare (every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)

• Harare 07:00 > 08:45 Johannesburg (twice daily from Monday to Friday)
• Johannesburg 09:15 > 11:00 Harare (twice daily from Monday to Friday)
• Harare 16:45 > 18:30 Johannesburg (twice daily from Monday to Friday)
• Johannesburg 19:00 > 20:45 Harare (twice daily from Monday to Friday)

• Harare 12:00 > 15:15 Dar es Salaam (Tuedays and Saturdays)
• Dar es Salaam 16:00 > 17:15 Harare (Tuedays and Saturdays)

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CemAir to launch flights between Johannesburg <> Luanda!

South African regional carrier CemAir is set to launch its first own international route. Effective 23 March 2021, the airline will operate one weekly flight on board its sole Bombardier CRJ900 (90 seats) between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport (LAD) in Angola's capital Luanda. Flights will be operated on Tuesdays and will depart Johannesburg at 08:00 and will arrive in Luanda at 10:30. The return flight will depart Luanda at 11:00 and will arrive in Johannesburg at 15:30.
Cemair initially planned to launch its service to Luanda on 05 January 2021.

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Kruger National Park: SANParks advises not use Punda Maria Gate due to protest action!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has informed the travelling public planning to visit Kruger National Park that large scale planned protest action is going to take place in the "village-town" of Saselemani (R524) on 18 March 2021 and 19 March 2021. This involves the whole community living outside Punda Maria Gate. Travellers intending to visit Kruger National Park are therefore strongly advised not use Punda Maria Gate and to rather make use of Pafuri Gate or Phalaborwa Gate until further notice. We'll keep you posted!

Lufthansa to resume direct flights between Frankfurt <> Cape Town!

The Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines, is set to resume direct flights to Cape Town in South Africa. Germany's largest airline, Lufthansa, is planning to relaunch flights between Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in Frankfurt and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town at the end of March 2021 with three weekly frequencies. The airline will also increase the number of flights between Frankfurt and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg from currently three weekly flights to five weekly flights from 01 April 2021. The flag carrier of Switzerland, Swiss, will continue to operate three weekly flights between Zurich Airport (ZRH) in Zürich and Johannesburg. 

• Frankfurt 22:15 > 10:00 Cape Town on Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays (effective 25 March 2021)
• Cape Town 17:45 > 05:40 Frankfurt on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays (effective 27 March 2021)
  

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Fastjet (Zimbabwe) has resumed flights between Victoria Falls <> Johannesburg!

Low-cost carrier Fastjet (Zimbabwe) has resumed scheduled operations between Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in South Africa on 16 March 2021. The flights are operated thrice-weekly between the two cities, on a Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, departing from Johannesburg at 11:10 arriving in Victoria Falls at 12:50. The return flight departs Victoria Falls at 13:20 arriving at 14:55 in Johannesburg. Flights are operated on the airline’s fifty-seater Embraer ERJ145 aircraft.

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Air Botswana to resume flights to Cape Town, Lusaka and Harare!

Botswana's flag carrier, Air Botswana, is set to re-introduce scheduled flights to Cape Town, Lusaka and Harare. Effective 01 April 2021, the airline will operate two weekly return flights from Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town as well as from Gaborone to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and Robert G. Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare.

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Iziko Museums of South Africa: Free entry to select museums on Human Rights Day!

Iziko Museums of South Africa has announced that it will be offering free entry* to select museums in Cape Town on Human Rights Day (21 March 2021). This includes the Iziko South African Museum, the Iziko South African National Gallery and the Iziko Maritime Centre located at Union Castle House at the V&A Waterfront. Please note that there are Covid-19 protocols in place to ensure the safety of both staff and visitors. As part of the Covid-19 prevention and safeguarding of visitors, all Iziko Museums have capacity limitations in order to ensure appropriate social distancing and cleaning. Masks are compulsory for entry.

Iziko Museums of South Africa operates 11 national museums in Cape Town as well as collection-specific libraries, a world-class Social History Archive and the most advanced digital Planetarium and Digital Dome on the African Continent.

*FREE entry excludes the Iziko Bo Kaap Museum, the Iziko Slave Lodge, Groot Constantia, the Castle of Good Hope, the Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome, and Museums currently closed for repairs and renovations.

South Africa: Airlink to introduce an additional frequency to Pemba (Mozambique)!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink has announced the introduction of an additional frequency between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Pemba Airport (POL) in the port city of Pemba in in northern Mozambique. Effective 15 March 2021, the airline will operate a third weekly return flight on board an Embraer ERJ-135. The additional flight be on Mondays and will depart Johannesburg at 09:30 and will arrive in Pemba at 12:20, while the return flights will depart Pemba at 12:50 and will arrive in Johannesburg at 16:10.

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South Africa: British Airways to resume flights between Johannesburg <> Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)! [update]

update (21 May 2021): British Airways (operated by Comair) will operate daily flights between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls from 01 June 2021!

British Airways, which is operated by Comair Limited in South Africa, is set to relaunch flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. According to the airline's website, flights will resume on 13 May 2021 and will be operated twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays. British Airways is planning to increase the frequency of flights to daily at a later stage. We'll keep you posted!

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El Al is set to resume flights between Israel <> South Africa! [update]

update (04 May 2021): El Al has announced that due to new restrictions, flights to Johannesburg will be canceled from 09 May 2021 until further notice. The airline will only be operating at flight from Tel Aviv to Johannesburg on 06 May 2021 and a flight from Johannesburg to Tel Aviv on 08 May 2021.

update (15 April 2021): According to the website of El Al, flights between Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg will now resume on 06 May 2021.

The flag carrier of Israel, El Al, is set to return to South Africa. According to the airline's website, flights between Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) in Tel Aviv and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg will resume on 21 March 2021. Flights will be once a week for the first week (Sundays/Mondays), going to twice a week from 28 March 2021 (Sundays/Mondays and Wednesdays/Thursdays).
As of now, no boarding will be permitted without obtaining a preliminary approval from Israel's Population and Immigration Authority or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Entry to the country will only be permitted if travellers have a negative PCR test result from 72 hours before leaving the country of origin, and travellers must take a PCR test on arrival to Israel. The entry of foreigners into Israel is subject to presentation of health insurance (including section covering the Coronavirus disease). For more info, click here.

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Emirates: Passenger flights from South Africa to Dubai remain suspended! [update]

update (08 April 2021): Emirates flights from South Africa will remain suspended until 15 April 2021, in line with government directives that restrict the entry of travellers originating from South Africa into the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The largest airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the flag carrier of the Emirate of Dubai, Emirates, has announced that passenger flights from South Africa will remain suspended until 20 March 2021. This is in line with the directives by the Government of the UAE that restrict the entry of travellers originating from South Africa into the United Arab Emirates. Daily passenger flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) in Dubai to OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg will resume from 11 March 2021 and will operate as EK763, however outbound passenger services on EK 764 remain suspended. We'll keep you posted!

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South Africa: Airlink to resume flights to Lesotho!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink has announced the resumption of daily scheduled air services between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MSU) in Maseru from 29 March 2021. This follows the re-opening of Lesotho’s borders and the lifting of travel restrictions that curtailed travel between Lesotho and South Africa as a measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus. 

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Namibia: FlyWestair to introduce new domestic routes!

Namibian privately-owned passenger airline FlyWestair is planning to introduce scheduled operations between Eros Airport (ERS) in Windhoek and Katima Mulilo Airport (MPA) in Katima Mulilo, Rundu Airport (NDU) in Rundu, Lüderitz Airport (LUD) in Lüderitz and Oranjemund Airport (OMD) in Oranjemund. The airline already has the ability to operate these routes, however, the launch date for these new routes is currently pending due to procedural delays caused by the Transportation Commission of Namibia being unable to call for a hearing to approve the routes. FlyWestair is in contact with the Ministry of Transport on the matter and trust it will be resolved soon. We'll keep you posted!

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Namibia: FlyWestair to increase flights between Windhoek <> Ondangwa!

Namibian privately-owned passenger airline FlyWestair has announced the introduction of additional flights between Eros Airport (ERS) in Windhoek and Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo Airport (OND) in Ondangwa in the Oshana Region of northern Namibia. Effective 15 March 2021, the airline will operate four instead of the current two weekly return flights to Ondangwa. Flights will then be operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

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Namibia: The Roads Authority has released an update on the conditions of roads in north eastern Namibia!

Namibia's Road Authority (RA), whose core business is to construct and maintain the country's road sector, has released an update on the status/condition of roads in Kavango West, Kavango East and the Zambezi Region in the north eastern part of Namibia (as of 05 March 2021):

Kavango East:

• TR08/4 Rundu - Divundu Road
• There are severe scattered potholes on the entire road. Three Bitumen Maintenance Units are currently repairing the damaged sections when the weather permits. The RA has also erected warning signs at critical places to alert motorist on the damage.
• As a long-term strategy, this road will be rehabilitated to mitigate future damages during rainy seasons. Should funds permit, rehabilitation will commence after the rainy season has ended.

Kavango West:

• District Road DR3476 - Mavatje from kilometre 3.1 to 4
• A bypass was done at the affected area and warning signs were erected on both sides. In addition, a number of culverts will be installed at the different sections.

Zambezi Region:

• Katima Mulilo
• Some sections on the following roads are damaged:
• District Road DR3507 (between Muyako and TR8/7 Ngoma)
• District Road DR3510 (End of surface in Bukalo to DR3512 Lusese)
• District Road DR3512 (TR8/7 Ikumwe to DR3510 Lusese)
• District Road DR3514 (MR125 Mwambezi to Zilitene)
• District Road DR3532 (DR3507 to Ibbu Combined School)
• District Road DR3533 (DR3507 to Mutikitila Primary School)
• District Road DR3535 (DR3507 to Isuswa Primary School)

Namibia: Namibia Wildlife Resorts slashes rates by 70% during weekdays in March 2021!

Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), the state-owned enterprise mandated to run the tourism facilities within the protected areas of Namibia, has announced that it is celebrating the country's 31st independence anniversary by offering a 70% accommodation discount during weekdays (Mondays to Fridays) for March 2021 (01 - 31 March 2021). The discount is running at all NWR facilities spread across Namibia except for Hardap (dormitory), Khorixas (single rooms & bush chalet A) and the Miles. The rates are bed only - no meals are included. Park entrance fees are also not included. The discounts are only applicable to Namibians (permanent residents, volunteers, 2 years work permits & diplomats) and citizens of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Covid-19: The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg has closed again! [update]

update (01 March 2022):  The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg has announced on its Facebook page (24 Februar 2022), that it is closed for now, but is looking forward to reopening its doors to individual guests and school groups this year.

update (13 January 2022): According to a recent posting by the Apartheid Museum on its Facebook page, the museum in Johannesburg will be "reopening soon". We'll keep you posted!

update (15 November 2021): The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is still closed! 

update (20 October 2021): The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is still closed! 

update (24 September 2021): The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is still closed! 

update (02 September 2021): The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is still closed!

update (05 May 2021): The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg is still closed!

The Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg has closed again until further notice on 01 March 2021 due to the continued effects of Covid-19. The Musuem, which forms part of the Gold Reef City complex right in the heart of Johannesburg, was already closed for nearly eight month from end of March 2020 to 03 December 2020 due to the global pandemic.
The Apartheid Museum opened its doors in 2001 and is acknowledged as the pre-eminent Museum in the world dealing with 20th century South Africa, at the heart of which is the apartheid story.

Covid-19: Zimbabwe has relaxed lockdown measures! [update]

update (18 March 2021): Zimbabwe's Minister of Information, Monica Mutsvangwa, announced during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare on 16 March 2021 that restaurants are now allowed to open for sit-ins at 50% sitting capacity, under strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. Those found breaking the restrictions will be closed immediately.

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced in a televised address on 28 February 2021 the easing of the Covid-19 lockdown measures. According to the President, the overnight curfew now starts from 22:00 to 05:30. Inter-city travel, which was banned, can now resume and small and large businesses have been allowed to reopen. Supermarkets in Zimbabwe can stay open until 19:00. Restaurants are allowed to open for take-away only, while bars, nightclubs and gyms remain closed. Schools, which have remained closed since mid December 2020, should get ready to re-open but not date was given. President Emmerson Mnangagwa didn't say what level of lockdown this is.

Air Zimbabwe resumes flights between Harare <> Dar es Salaam!

The national carrier of Zimbabwe, Air Zimbabwe, is set to resume flights to Tanzania. Effective 02 March 2021, the airline will operate two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays between Robert G. Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare and Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam. Flights will depart Harare at 11:00 and arrive in Dar es Salaam at 14:15, while the return flight will depart Dar es Salaam at 15:00 and arrive in Harare at 16:15.

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Zambia/South Africa: Proflight Zambia & CemAir have signed an interline and code share agreement!

Zambian regional carrier Proflight Zambia and South African regional carrier CemAir have signed an interline and code share agreement. The agreement combines the two airlines' route networks between and within Zambia and South Africa, providing customers with a seamless travel experience. Certain flights will carry both airlines flight numbers. Through the new partnership between Proflight Zambia and CemAir passengers will be able to travel on a single ticket between the two carrier's 15 destinations which include Lusaka, Ndola, Livingstone, Mfuwe and Solwezi on the Proflight Zambia network in Zambia, and Cape Town, George, Johannesburg amongst others in the CemAir network in South Africa.

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Kruger National Park Calendar - April!

Weather:

• seasonal shift towards autumn
• drop in daytime temperatures with cool evenings
• occasional late summer rains

Temperatures:

• between 13°C - 28°C (Fahrenheit: e.g. 28°C = [(28x9)]/5 + 32 = 82.4°F)
• visit our webcam page for live footage from Kruger National Park!

Landscape:

• vegetation dense > thick tree canopies
• many trees are bearing seeds/fruits
• pods are out on mopaneveld

Animal Activity:

• game dispersed throughout the park
• game spotting generally difficult
• Warthog, Impala & Wildebeest rutting season
• most migrant birds depart

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Covid-19: South Africa has moved to Lockdown Alert Level 1!

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in a national address on the national effort to contain the Covid-19 pandemic on 28 February 2021 that South Africa will move from Level 3 to Level 1 of the country's Risk Adjusted Strategy. The new alert level has come into effect on 28 February 2021. The country's Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has in the meantime published a new Government Gazette (Regulation Gazette No. 11246, Vol. 668, No. 44201, 28 February 2021) that confirms the move to lockdown level 1, and the changes to some restrictions.

• The hours of the curfew is now from 00:00 to 04:00.
• Gatherings are permitted, subject to limitations on size, adherence to social distancing and other health protocols.
• These include religious, social, political and cultural gatherings.
• The maximum number of people allowed at any gathering is 100 people indoors or 250 people outdoors.
• Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue may be used.
• Night vigils or other gatherings before or after funerals are still not permitted.
• Nightclubs will remain closed.
• The sale of alcohol is permitted, according to normal licence provisions. However, no alcohol may be sold during the hours of curfew.
• The wearing of masks in public places is still mandatory, and failure to wear a mask when required remains a criminal offence.
• The 33 land border posts that have been closed throughout this period will remain closed, while the other 20 will remain open.
• Only five airports will be open for international travel with standard infection control measures.
• These are OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) in Nelspruit and Lanseria International Airport (HLA) in Johannesburg.
• The few remaining restrictions under Alert Level 1 are meant to maintain low levels of infections and, in particular, to prevent super-spreading events.