Kruger National Park Calendar - June!

Weather:

• days usually warm, sometimes hot
• generally wind free
• cold evenings
• rarely rain falls

Temperatures:

• between 9°C - 26°C (Fahrenheit: e.g. 28°C = [(28x9)]/5 + 32 = 82.4°F)
• visit our webcam page for live footage from Kruger National Park!

Landscape:

• most pans and vleis dry up
• bush thins out
• grasslands begin receding
• umbrella acacia pods twirl out

Animal Activity:

• large elephant populations in northern Kruger
• animals concentrate around reliable water sources
• predators very active around reliable water sources

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Covid-19: Namibia extends (amended) mitigation measures until 31 May 2021!

Namibia's Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, announced on the occasion of the 27th Covid-19 briefing on the national response measures on 29 April 2021 that the mitigation measures to combat Covid-19 in Namibia are getting extended. According to the Minister, the new amended public health measures will come into force at 00:00 on 01 May 2021 and will lapse at midnight on 31 May 2021. The current regulations regarding to public gatherings, the curfew and the mandatory wearing of masks remain in place.

 

Zambia/Botswana: The Kazungula Bridge to be commissioned in May 2021! [update]

update (01 May 2021): The Government of Botswana has officially confirmed the opening date of the Kazungula Bridge. According to a tweet by the Government, the official opening of the Kazungula Bridge & one stop border post facilities is scheduled for 10 May 2021.

The Kazungula Bridge, 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, is finally set to be opened to the public. According to the Zambian Daily Mail, Zambia's President Edgar Lungu and Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi are expected to commission the Kazungula Bridge project on 10 May 2021. The construction of the Kazungula Bridge officially began on 12 October 2014 was due to be completed by 2020. The official opening has since been delayed several times due to various reasons. The bridge is 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!

South Africa: Cash-strapped Mango announces that flights are only suspended on 28 April 2021! [update]

update (01 May 2021): Mango has announced that it continues to operate as normal despite a lot of speculation and uncertainty during this past week. However, flights to Zanzibar remain suspended. The airline will release an update regarding flights to the Tanzanian island sometime next week. We'll keep you posted!

update (29 April 2021): Mango released an update on flights resumption and scheduling:
Flights to Durban have departed yesterday evening at 20:30 and returned just before curfew. The other two are in Cape Town and we will start with early morning schedules to Johannesburg. 

update (28 April 2021): Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has announced that it has lifted the suspension on Mango with immediate effect. The airline has made part payment today (28 April 2021) towards the amount owed to ACSA for landing fees, parking fees and passenger service charges and has made further undertakings to settle the remaining debt.

South African low-cost airline Mango, a subsidiary of South Africa's state-owned flag carrier South African Airways (SAA), has confirmed that its services and all flights are temporarily suspended for today (28 April 2021) only. According to the airline, this is due to outstanding payments to the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). Mango further confirmed that senior management and its shareholder are locked in emergency discussions to find an amicable solution to this impasse. Affected passengers are urged to contact the airline's call centre to deal with today's ((28 April 2021!) cancellation specifically. We'll keep you posted!

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

update (01 June 2021): Emirates' flights to South Africa will remain suspended until 30 June 2021. Daily passenger flights to Johannesburg will operate as EK763, however outbound passenger services on EK 764 remain suspended.

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 30 May 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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Iziko Museums of South Africa: Free entry to select museums on Freedom Day!

Iziko Museums of South Africa has announced that it will be offering free entry to select museums in Cape Town on Freedom Day (27 April 2021). This includes the Iziko South African Museum, the Iziko South African National Gallery, the Iziko Slave Lodge and the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum. The Museums are open from 10:00 to 14:30 on Freedom Day. The Iziko South African Museum, the Iziko South African National Gallery and the Iziko Slave Lodge have two 90 minute timed-access sessions, at 10:00 and 12:30, with cleaning in between. Please note that there are Covid-19 protocols in place to ensure the safety of both staff and visitors. 

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.

Covid-19: Mozambique extends (revised) mitigation measures for an additional 30 days!

Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi announced in a televised address to the nation on 25 April 2021 that the mitigation measures to combat Covid-19 are getting extended for an additional 30 days from 27 April 2021. According to the President, the following (revised) measures will be in force in Mozambique from 00:00 on Tuesdays, 27 April 2021.

• Casinos, museums, theatres, cinemas, auditoriums, galleries and cultural centres in Mozambique are allowed to reopen at a maximum of 40% of the capacity of the place and under strict observance of the health protocol.
• Gyms (classes A and B) are allowed to reopen at a maximum of 15% of the capacity and under strict observance of the health protocol.
• Hotel are allowed to reopen their swimming pools for hotel guests only.
• Shopping centres are now allowed to open from 09:00 to 19:00 (Monday to Saturday) and from 09:00 to 18:00 (Sundays and holidays).
• Extending the operation of bakeries, pastries from 05:00 to 20:00.
• The curfew (22:00 to 04:00) in the Greater Maputo Metropolitan Area (Maputo, Matola, Marracuene, and Boane) and all other nine provincial capitals in Mozambique (Xai-Xai, Inhambane, Beira, Chimoio, Tete, Quelimane, Nampula, Pemba and Lichinga) is getting extended to Manhiça, Chokwe, Maxixe, Gondola, Moatize, Mocuba, Nacala, Montepuez, Massinga.
• Religious services, conferences and meetings as well as religious celebrations are allowed to resume under certain conditions (?).
• State events are allowed to resume with a max of 100 participants
• Mozambique's football championship is allowed to resume without spectators

South Africa: Cash-strapped Mango has suspended flights to Zanzibar (Tanzania)! [update]

update (01 May 2021): Mango has announced that it continues to operate as normal despite a lot of speculation and uncertainty during this past week. However, flights to Zanzibar remain suspended. The airline will release an update regarding flights to the Tanzanian island sometime next week. We'll keep you posted! 

South African low-cost airline Mango, a subsidiary of South Africa's state-owned flag carrier South African Airways (SAA), has announced the temporary suspension of flights to Zanzibar. According to the airline, the halt of flights to the Tanzanian island is due to financial difficulties. The decision to suspend flights to the airline's only international destination comes after news that Mango is set to ground its operations from 01 May 2021, also due to financial difficulties. As of today, the airline has not officially confirmed that it will pause its entire operation in May 2021. We'll keep you posted!

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South Africa: Seasonal rainfall & temperature outlook (April - August 2021)!

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has released the Seasonal Climate Watch for the period April 2021 to August 2021. According to the multi-model rainfall forecast South Africa will experience mostly above-normal rainfall during late-autumn (April - June 2021) and early-winter (May - July 2021) and mostly  below-normal rainfall during mid-winter (June - August 2021). However, for the most important parts during winter, a mixed forecast is indicated for the far south-western parts of the country, thus the expected rainfall conditions for this area are at this stage uncertain.

In terms of temperatures, South Africa will experience mostly above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures with isolated parts across the country indicating below-normal temperatures throughout the whole forecast period.

Cape Town: Chapman's Peak Drive named one of the "World's Most Beautiful Road Trip Routes"!

The Chapman's Peak Drive in Cape Town is one of the World's Most Beautiful Road Trip Routes. The Pentagon Motor Group, a motor dealer group from the UK, analyzed over 7 million Instagram hashtags associated with the world's most popular road trip destinations, and calculated how many Instagram pictures are shared per mile of the journey to name the Top 20 Most Picturesque Road Trips on Earth. According to the findings of the study, the 5.5 mile Chapman's Peak Drive, a scenic route between Noordhoek and Hout Bay along the western flank of the Chapman's Peak, a mountain on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, is the fifth most beautiful route in the world with 3425 pictures per mile.

Photo by Niklas Eichler on Unsplash

Australia's Great Ocean Road has been crowned the "most beautiful route in the world", followed by the Big Sur in California (USA), the Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain (UAE) and the Hai Van Pass in Vietnam.

The Top 20 Most Picturesque Road Trips on Earth:

1. The Great Ocean Road - VIC, Australia
2. Big Sur - California, USA
3. Jebel Hafeet - Al Ain, UAE
4. Hai Van Pass - Vietnam
5. Chapman's Peak Drive - Cape Town, South Africa
6. Blue Ridge Parkway - USA
7. Going-To-The-Sun Road - Montana, USA
8. Wild Atlantic Way - Ireland
9. Olympic Peninsula Loop - Washington, USA
10. Icefields Parkway - Canada
11. Route 66, USA
12. Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, Austria
13. Pacific Highway, Australia
14. Tioga Pass, USA
15. Military Road, UK
16. Cabot Trail, Canada
17. Hana Highway, USA
18. The Atlantic Road, Norway
19. Causeway Coastal Route, Ireland
20. North Coast 500, Scotland

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

Namibian privately-owned passenger airline FlyWestair has announced that it will increase its domestic frequencies between Eros Airport (ERS)  in Windhoek and Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo Airport (OND) in Ondangwa in the Oshana Region of northern Namibia. Effective 28 April 2021, the airline will operate five instead of the current four weekly flights to Ondangwa. Flights will then be operated on Tuesdays, Wednesdays (new), Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

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Mpumalanga: The provincial nature reserves are open again!

According to news reports, the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) and the provincial leadership of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) are set to sign an agreement today (21 April 2021) which will see all issues raised since the beginning of the industrial action being addressed. The provincial nature reserves in Mpumalanga managed by the MTPA, which were closed since 06 April 2021, are now open for business again and visitors can enjoy their stay without interruption.

United Airlines sets a new date for the launch of flights between Newark <> Johannesburg! [update]

update (25 May 2021): United Airlines has announced that it will resume a seasonal service to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town at the end of October 2021.

United Airlines, one of the major American airlines, has announced a new date for the launch of its service to Johannesburg in South Africa. According to a press release by the airline, daily flights between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in the New York metropolitan area and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg will start on 03 June 2021 (subject to government approval). Further details will be provided in due course. According to a previous announcement, United Airlines is planning to resume flights to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town in the Northern hemisphere winter travel season 2021. We'll keep you posted!

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South Africa: Airlink to launch flights between Johannesburg <> Livingstone!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink is set to launch a new service to Livingstone in Zambia. Effective 26 May 2021, the airline will operate three weekly fligths on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Livingstone. The direct flights from Johannesburg to Livingstone will depart at 11:00 and arrive at 12:45; with Livingstone to Johannesburg departing 13:25 and arrive at 15:20.  

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Soweto: The Hector Pieterson Museum has been reopened to the public!

The Hector Pieterson Museum in Orlando West, Soweto, has been reopened to the public. The museum, which commemorates the role of South Africa's students in the struggle against apartheid and in particular the role played by the school children who took part in the Soweto protests of 1976, welcomes visitors with a refreshed exhibition. According the tweet below, the museum in Soweto's Khumalo Street will also be hosting an educational programme in June 2021 to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto uprising. The Hector Pieterson Museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10:00 to 17:00. 

Great news from Soweto - the excellent Hector Pieterson Museum has reopened to the public!

Now open 10:00-17:00, closed on Mondays #welovesoweto #ShareSouthAfrica #explorejoburg pic.twitter.com/wE4SpMClZk

— Johannesburg In Your Pocket ?? (@JohannesburgIYP) April 19, 2021

UK: British Airways further extends the cancellation of flights to South Africa! [update]

update (04 June 2021): According to the booking engine on British Airways' website, the airline will now resume non-stop flights between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on 01 July 2021 and. Non-stop flights between London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town will resume on 01 August 2021. 

update (20 May 2021): According to the booking engine on British Airways' website, the airline will resume non-stop flights between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on 23 June 2021 and non-stop flights between London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town on 01 August 2021.

The flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, British Airways, has extended the cancellation of flights to South Africa. The airline is now planning to resume non-stop flights between London and Johannesburg in June 2021 and between London and Cape Town in July 2021. According to British Airways' website, the next scheduled non-stop flight between London Heathrow (LHR) in London and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg will take place on 01 June 2021 and between London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town on 01 July 2021. Both dates are subject to change.  We'll keep you posted!

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Proflight Zambia to introduce direct flights between Livingstone <> Johannesburg!

Zambian regional carrier Proflight Zambia is set to introduce direct flights between Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Livingstone and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Effective 01 June 2021, the airline will operate two weekly return flights to Johannesburg on board a Bombardier CRJ 100 which seats 50 passengers. The direct flights from Johannesburg to Livingstone will depart at 12:20 and arrive at 13:45; with Livingstone to Johannesburg departing 14:30 and arrive at 16:15.  Departure and arrival times in Johannesburg  are set up for convenient connections with overseas carriers and domestic/regional connections within Southern Africa.

© Proflight Zambia

Proflight Zambia will also continue to connect Livingstone with Johannesburg via Lusaka's Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) the non-direct days.

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Airlink to resume flights between Cape Town <> Victoria Falls!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink has announced that it will be re-introducing flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Effective 03 May 2021, the airline will operate two weekly return flights on Mondays and Fridays to Victoria Falls. Flights will depart Cape Town at 08:30 and will arrive in Victoria Falls at 11:25, while the return flights will depart Victoria Falls at 11:55 and will arrive in Cape Town at 15:00. 

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Namibia has increased National Parks entrance fees & introduced a new conservation fee!

Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET) has finally obtained all necessary approvals to implement the revised National Parks entrance fees and to introduce a new conservation fee with effect from 01 April 2021. The MET initially planned to introduce the new fee structure on 01 January 2021.
The National Parks entrance fee has been increased for the first time in years, while the conservation fee is a new fee which comes on top of the National Parks entrance fee. The new conservation fee is intended to supplement the current costly exercise for the maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure in Namibia's National Parks and Game Parks catered for through the development budget of the MET. The fees are valid for a 24 hours period beginning at the time of entry, per person, per park. The fees are payable for every day, for visitors and vehicles. The minimum amount payable is for 24 hours and thereafter in units of 24 hours. The park entrance fee and the conservation fee are non-refundable and not transferable.

Ai-Ais Game Park, Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Dorob National Park, Etosha National Park, Namib Naukluft Park, Tsau/Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park, Skeleton Coast Park, Waterberg Plateau:

• Namibians (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: no charge
• Conservation Fee: no charge
• Total Park Fee: no charge
• SADC nationals (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$30/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$50/day
• Other foreign nationals (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Namibians (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$30/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$50/day
• SADC nationals (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Other foreign nationals (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$100/day
• Conservation Fee: N$50/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$150/day
• Vehicles (10 seats or less)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$30/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$50/day
• Vehicles (11- 25 seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Vehicles (26 - 50 seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$300/day
• Conservation Fee: N$100/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$400/day
• Vehicles (51 + seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$500/day
• Conservation Fee: N$200/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$700/day

Bwabwata National Park, Mudumu National Park, Khaudum National Park, Nkasa Pupara National Park, Mangetti National Park, Popa Falls Game Park, Daan Viljoen Game Park, Hardap Game Park, Naute Game Park, Von Bach Game Park:

• Namibians (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: no charge
• Conservation Fee: no charge
• Total Park Fee: no charge
• SADC nationals (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$20/day
• Conservation Fee: N$10/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$30/day
• Other foreign nationals (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$40/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$60/day
• Namibians (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$20/day
• Conservation Fee: N$10/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$30/day
• SADC nationals (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$50/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$70/day
• Other foreign nationals (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Vehicles (10 seats or less)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$30/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$50/day
• Vehicles (11- 25 seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Vehicles (26 - 50 seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$300/day
• Conservation Fee: N$100/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$400/day
• Vehicles (51 + seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$500/day
• Conservation Fee: N$200/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$700/day

Fastjet (Zimbabwe) to increase flights between Victoria Falls <> Johannesburg!

Low-cost carrier Fastjet (Zimbabwe) is set to increase the flight frequency between Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Effective 30 May 2021, the airline will operate daily return flights instead of the current three-weekly service to Johannesburg. The new schedule will be offered on the airline’s Embraer ERJ145 aircraft, 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. 

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South Africa: Airlink suspends its "Lodge Link System"

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink has announced the temporary suspension of its "Lodge Link System". The lodge service, which provides air shuttle services from Skukuza Airport (SZK) in Kruger National Park and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) near Nelspruit to Londolozi, Arathusa, Ngala, Phinda and Ulusaba game lodges, is aimed at international tourists wanting fast and simple access directly to the doorstep of the private game lodges. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and travel bans for travel to South Africa by 122 countries, almost no international inbound tourists are currently travelling to and from South Africa. The absence of international tourists makes it commercially not viable for Airlink to operate the "Lodge Link System", which therefore had to be temporarily suspended up until 30 June 2021. Given the uncertainty of the travel bans, Airlink will review the feasibility of returning to service. In the interim, flights will remain closed for sale from July 2021 onwards.
Airlink launched the "Lodge Link System" in May 2015 to complement its popular scheduled services from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg to Skukuza Airport (SZK) in Kruger National Park and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) near Nelspruit.

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South Africa: Airlink suspends flights to and from Polokwane International Airport due to safety concerns!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink has announced the suspension of flights to Polokwane International Airport (PTG) in Polokwane in Limpopo. According to the airline, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has de-categorized the airport to CAT2, which is below the minimum level required for scheduled commercial air services. The current status of the airport therefore presents as an operational safety concern and it would be illegal to operate scheduled services at the airport. Airlink further announced that it is unable to ascertain at this stage whether Polokwane International Airport (PTG) will meet the minimum requirements for future services. The airline is currently the only airline offering flights to and from Polokwane.

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France: Air France to launch flights between Paris <> Maputo (Mozambique)!

The flag carrier of France, Air France, is set to launch scheduled flights to Mozambique. Effective 20 June 2021, the airline will operate two weekly flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris and Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Maputo via OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Flights will depart Paris at 23:25 on Sundays and Thursdays and will arrive in Maputo at 13:10 on the following day, while the return flight will depart Maputo at 15:45 on Mondays and Fridays and will arrive in Paris at 05:45 on the next day. Passengers will have to remain on board during the short stopover in Johannesburg.

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Covid-19: Mozambique has extended the mitigation measures for an additional 21 days!

Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi announced on 05 April 2021 the extension of the mitigation measures to combat Covid-19 for an additional 21 days from 06 April 2021. He also announced that the curfew in place since February 2021 in the Greater Maputo Metropolitan Area (Maputo, Matola, Marracuene, and Boane) is getting extended to all other nine provincial capitals in Mozambique (Xai-Xai, Inhambane, Beira, Chimoio, Tete, Quelimane, Nampula, Pemba and Lichinga). The Government adjusted the curfew, which now starts at 22:00 and lasts until 04:00 the following morning.

Airlink to resume direct flights between Cape Town <> Maun!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink has announced that it will be re-introducing flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Maun Airport (MUB) in Maun in Botswana. Effective 01 May 2021, the airline will offer two-weekly direct return flights to Botswana's "tourism capital" on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Flights will depart Cape Town at 10:20 and will arrive in Maun at 12:55, while the return flights will depart Maun at 13:15 and will arrive in Cape Town at 16:05.

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Mpumalanga: Temporary closure of provincial nature reserves due to strike action! [update]

update (19 April 2021): The provincial nature reserves in Mpumalanga managed by the MTPA will continue to be closed.

update (13 April 2021): The provincial nature reserves in Mpumalanga managed by the MTPA will continue to be closed for this weekend.

The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has announced that it's staff went on strike through the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) this morning (06 April 2021). Due to the strike action, all provincial nature reserves in Mpumalanga managed by the MTPA are temporarily closed and travellers will not be allowed access. According to news reports, the MTPA and NEHAWU are in currently in talks but it is unclear when the situation will reach its conclusion. We'll keep you posted!

Airlink to re-introduce flights between Nelspruit <> Livingstone!

South African privately-owned regional carrier Airlink has announced that it will be re-introducing flights between Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP), located located 27 km north east of Nelspruit, and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Livingstone, Zambia. Effective 01 May 2021, the airline will be operations two weekly return flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays from Nelspruit to Livingstone. Flights will depart Nelspruit at 11:40 and will arrive in Livingstone at 13:35. The return flight will depart Livingstone at 14:05 and will arrive in Nelspruit at 15:45.

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Mack Air to launch a daily 20-minute flight between Botswana and Zimbabwe!

Mack Air, a private air charter airline based in Maun (Botswana), is set to become the first airline offering international scheduled flights between Kasane in Botswana and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Effective 01 May 2021, the airline will be offering daily return flights from Kasane International Airport (BBK) in Kasane to Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls. Flights, which will be operated aboard one of Mack Air's air-conditioned Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft, will depart from Kasane at 11:00, arriving in Victoria Falls at 11:20. The return flight will depart from Victoria Falls at 12:00 and arrive in Kasane at 12:20.

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Covid-19: Namibia extends the national response measures for further 30 days!

Namibia's President Dr. Hage G. Geingob, announced during the 26th Covid-19 public briefing on the national response measures on 31 March 2021 that the measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 will be extended. The following measures will apply in Namibia for a period of thirty days from 01 April 2021 until 30 April 2021:

• The restriction on movement through a curfew remains in place from 22:00 until 04:00, daily.
• Public gatherings increase from the current limit of 50 to 100, for both outdoor and indoor events.
• Restaurants, bars and shebeens are permitted to extend the trading hours for liquor up to 22:00, Mondays to Saturdays. The sale of alcohol on Sundays remains prohibited.

 

Malawi: Malawi Airlines has announced the further cancellation of flights!

The flag carrier of Malawi, Malawi Airlines, has announced that flight operations remain suspended. According to a media release by the airline, no operations will take place between 02 April 2021 and 06 April 2021. The airline's available aircraft are currently in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) for prolonged mandatory maintenance. Malawi Airlines initially suspended operations from 26 March 2021 to 31 March 2021 due to operational reasons.
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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