eSwatini: eSwatini Air has finally received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) [update]

update (01 February 2023): According to statements by Eswatini Air on Facebook, the airline still working on logistics that can only be resumed after the license (AOC) is received. We'll continue to keep you posted!

eSwatini Air, the new flag carrier of the Kingdom of eSwatini, has finally received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC). According to a posting on Facebook, the airline will revert with fares and a schedule for its routes.
If plans are not changing, eSwatini Air will initially offer direct nonstop flights between eSwatini's King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) in Sikhuphe and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in South Africa as well as Robert G. Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare in Zimbabwe. 

eSwatini Air initially targeted the end of March 2022 to conclude the Air Operator Certificate (AOC), but than postponed it to late May or early June 2022. It than announced that services would be launched in June 2022. In May 2022, eSwatini Air said that operations are set to launch in mid-2022. In August 2022, the Royal Eswatini National Airways Corporation (RENAC) posted on LinkedIn that "the wait will soon be over".

Durban: Fourteen beaches are currently open and safe for swimming!

The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has released lists of beaches that are currently (as of 29 December 2022) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, fourteen beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at nine beaches is prohibited due to water quality. 28 swimming pools in Durban are currently open to the public.

Photo by Finding Dan | Dan Grinwis on Unsplash

The following beaches are open for swimming:
- operating hours 06:00 - 18:30 -

1. Point
2. uShaka
3. Addington
4. South Beach
5. Wedge
6. North Beach
7. Bay of Plenty
8. Anstey's
9. Toti Main
10. Brighton
11. uMdloti Main
12. uMgababa
13. uMhlanga Main
14. Westbrook

Beaches closed for swimming:

1. Bronze
2. Battery
3. Country Club
4. Thekweni
5. Laguna
6. Réunion
7. Warner
8. Winkelespruit
9. Pipeline 

Recreational activities other than swimming at beaches closed for swimming are allowed!  

Garden Route: Mossel Bay obtained a beach wheelchair to allow persons with disabilities to enjoy the beach!

The Mossel Bay Municipality obtained a special beach mat and wheelchair to allow persons with disabilities to enjoy Mossel Bay's beaches. The new equipment is currently only used at Santos Beach, but will be available at Mossel Bay's other four (De Bakke, Hartenbos, Klein Brak & Glentana beaches) Blue Flag beaches early in the new year. This is due to the heavier traffic during the ongoing holiday season, which is notably delaying the transport of the special beach mat and wheelchair between beaches.

Johannesburg: Massive flight delays at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) due to "fuel issues"! [update #2]

update (29 December 2022): According to the management of OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, operations at the airport are back to normal.

update (28 December 2022): The management of OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg is encouraging all passengers traveling today to proceed to the airport in accordance with their flight schedules. There has been a rapid reduction in the processing time for delayed flights.

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) earlier today (28 December 2022) announced that OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg is experiencing challenges with fuel supply from the fuel storage facility to the main hydrant system. This is impacting the refueling of aircrafts, so that domestic and international departures are currently experiencing delays. This left passengers waiting for hours for their flights.
Technicians are onsite and have resolved the issue. They are now monitoring the situation.
According to an update by ACSA on Facebook, the airport is succesfully clearing the backlog of flights that were scheduled to depart this morning. As far as we know, travellers at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) have received no time frame as to when their flights will be restored. We'll keep you posted!

I have been in contact with ACSA Management & have been assured there is no fuel shortage at OR Tambo Airport but a technical issue at the storage which has been resolved.

Management apologizes for the inconvenience this might have caused; flights will return to normal schedule.

— Cde Fikile Mbalula | ANC SG (@MbalulaFikile) December 28, 2022

Cape Town: Postponement of Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2023!

The organisers of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in Cape Town, espAfrica, have announced that the event scheduled to have taken place on 17 and 18 March 2023, has been postponed by one year. According to espAfrica, several factors have influenced the postponement, including a series of unavoidable delays and unforeseen challenges, as well as uncertainties around the future of load shedding. The 21st edition of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival is now set to take place in Cape Town on 23 and 24 February 2024.
Ticket holders, who have purchased tickets from Ticketmaster may either retain them as espAfrika will honour the cost of these ticket for the 2024 event or obtain a full refund from Ticketmaster. espAfrika added that no monies from ticket sales were passed to them and therefore the refund procedure needs to be done via Ticketmaster and not by espAfrika.

Durban: Twelve beaches are currently open and safe for swimming! [update]

update (27 December 2022): Umhlanga Main and Umhlanga Bronze beaches have been given the green light to re-open on 25 December. The decision to re-open the beaches was taken after results from the latest rounds of water testing confirmed that the water quality is at an acceptable standard.

The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has released lists of beaches that are currently (as of 21 December 2022) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, twelve beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at eleven beaches is probibted due to water quality. 27 swimming pools in Durban are currently open to the public.

Photo by Weyland Swart on Unsplash

The following beaches are open for swimming:
- operating hours 06:00 - 18:30 -

1. Point
2. uShaka
3. Addington
4. South Beach
5. Wedge
6. North Beach
7. Bay of Plenty
8. Anstey's
9. Toti Main
10. Brighton
11. uMdloti Main
12. uMgababa

Beaches closed for swimming:

1. uMhlanga Main
2. Bronze
3. Westbrook
4. Battery
5. Country Club
6. Thekweni
7. Laguna
8. Réunion
9. Warner
10. Winkelespruit
11. Pipeline

Recreational activities other than swimming at beaches closed for swimming are allowed!  

Zimbabwe: Zimparks increases the entrance fees for Victoria Falls National Park and the Zambezi National Park! [update]

update (30 March 2023): The new fees will become effective from 01 April 2023!

The Zimbabwe and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has announced that it will raise the entrance fees to Victoria Falls National Park and the Zambezi National Park in the area of the world-famous Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe with effect from 01 January 2023. According to news reports from Zimbabwe, the new entrance fee for Victoria Falls National Park will be US$10/person (up from US$7) for citizens of Zimbabwe, US$30/person (up from US$20) for nationals of the Southern African Development Communtiy (SADC) and US$50/person (up from US$30) for all other international visitors of the National Park. Rates for entering Victoria Falls National Park through the VIP Gate will be US$30/person (citizens of Zimbabwe), US$75/person (SADC nationals) and US$150/person (all other international visitors). The rainforest tour under moonlight will cost citizens of Zimbabwe USD15/person, nationals of the SADC US$70/person and for all other international visitors US$100/person.
The entrance fee for the Zambezi National Park will be US5/person (citizens of Zimbabwe), US$12/person (SADC nationals) and US$15/person (all other Nationalities).
Children above five years of age will pay half the adult fees. Vehicles will be charged between US$5 for small cars and US$20 for buses and lories. Foreign registered vehicles will be charged US$30 each.

Malawi to waive visa fees for travellers from 16 "priority markets"! [update]

update (13 February 2023): According to Malawi Tourism, administrative processes are still being worked on by the Malawi Ministry of Finance who are responsible for all financial issues and taxation. We'll keep you posted!

The Malawian Minister of Tourism, Culture and Wildlife, Dr. Michael Usi, has announced that Malawi is planning to waive visa fees for travellers from selected countries in a bid to boost its tourism industry. The visa fee waiver will apply to tourists coming to Malawi from 16 priority markets including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Italy, France, Poland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, China, Russia, Canada as well as future markets based on arrival figures by purpose of visit. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Wildlife and the Malawian Ministry of Home Affairs are working together to implement the visa fee waiver, which is expected to become effective in January 2023. We'll keep you posted!

Durban: Eleven beaches are currently open for swimming!

The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has released lists of beaches that are currently (as of 15 December 2022) open for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, eleven beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at twelve beaches is probibted due to water quality. 27 swimming pools in Durban are currently open to the public.

Photo by suhailkat on Unsplash

The following beaches are open for swimming:
- operating hours 06:00 - 18:30 -

• Point
• uShaka
• Addington
• South Beach
• Wedge
• North Beach
• Bay of Plenty
• Anstey's
• Toti Main
• Pipeline
• uMdloti Main

Beaches closed for swimming:

• uMhlanga Main
• Bronze
• Westbrook
• Battery
• Country Club
• Thekweni
• Laguna
• Brighton
• Réunion
• Warner
• Winkelespruit
• uMgababa 

Recreational activities other than swimming at beaches closed for swimming are allowed! 

Addo Elephant National Park: SANPArks to close the Darlington Dam Fisherman’s Camp for any activities!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the closure of the Darlington Dam Fisherman’s Camp in Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. Effective 09 January 2023, the camp will be closed for any activities (fishing and/or camping). This is in line with the minimum standard requirement for tourism (of there being functional toilets on site) in Addo Elephant National Park which could not be maintained after the toilets that were provided were continuously vandalised over time.
SANParks further announced that groups wanting to host fishing competitions/league events in the interim are advised that they will only be able to do so once they have successfully applied for an event permit through the official channels and if they acknowledge that they will supply their own portable toilets for the duration of their event.
The matter will be given attention in the meantime to find a more suitable, lasting solution. We'll keep you posted!

Zimbabwe: Fastjet to launch daily flights to Kariba and Hwange National Park! [update #2]

update (05 April 2023): Flights to Kariba officially launched on 04 April 2023!

update (17 January 2023): Fastjet (Zimbabwe) is planning to launch flights to Kariba and Hwange National Park on 27 March 2023.

Low-cost carrier Fastjet (Zimbabwe) is planning to launch flights to two new domestic destinations in Zimbabwe. Commencing late March 2023, the airine is set to introduce their new services from RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare and Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls to Kariba Airport (KAB) in Kariba and Hwange National Park Airport (HWN) that serves the Hwange National Park. These planned additional routes to the Fastjet’s domestic network will offer seamless connections for travellers from Harare and Victoria Falls to the tourism destinations of Kariba and Hwange National Park, with scheduled flight connections using an Embraer E120, 30-seater turboprop aircraft.

Vivian Ruwuya, Fastjet (Zimbabwe) Chief Commercial Office, further announced that the new flights to Kariba and Hwange National Park will be supported with onward connections on Mack Air / South West Aviation into the Hwange National Park, the lodges of the Kariba eastern basin and the camps and operations in Mana Pools and the lower Zambezi. Mack Air with South West Aviation will be developing a new hub at Kariba, along with their existing hubs in Victoria Falls and Harare to support these seamless connections to and from Fastjet’s services. Fastjets new domestic flights to Kariba and Hwange National Park will be available for booking in the coming days.

• Victoria Falls 13:30 > 14:30 Kariba (direct, daily)
• Kariba 10:20 > 11:20 Victoria Falls (direct, daily)
  

• Victoria Falls 10:30 > 10:55 Hwange (direct, daily)
• Hwange 11:30 > 11:55 Victoria Falls (direct, daily)
  

• Harare 09:00 > 09:50 Kariba (direct, daily)
• Kariba 15:00 > 15:50 Harare (direct, daily)
  

• Harare 08:40 > 10:55 Hwange (one stop, daily | connecting with flight Victoria Falls > Hwange)
• Hwange 11:30 > 16:05 Victoria Falls (one stop, daily | connecting with flight Hwange > Victoria Falls)

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Western Cape: Gamkaberg Nature Reserve temporarily closed!

CapeNature, the public institution with the responsibility for biodiversity conservation in South Africa's Western Cape, has announced that the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve is temporarily closed. This is due to heavy rainfall and flash floods, which caused damage to the Nature Reserve's entrance roads as well as the paths leading to the camps and tourism facilities. According to CapeNature, it is expected that Gamkaberg Nature Reserve will  re-open on 12 January 2023.
The Gamkaberg Nature Reserve (10 430ha) is located 33km south-west of Oudtshoorn and 32km south-east of Calitzdorp. It forms part of the 80 000ha Gamkaberg Conservation Area which is made up of various categories of protected areas, including privately owned stewardship Nature Reserves.

Festive season 2022/23: Kruger National Park to enforce daily gate quotas!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that daily quotas will once again apply at the entrance gates of Kruger National Park from 15 December 2022 until 10 January 2023. Three time slots have been introduced, of which day visitos can choose from. Visitors are urged to make pre-bookings for their visits prior to their arrival and there are three time slots which they can choose from as follows:

• Time slot 1: 05:30 to 07:30
• Time slot 2: 07:30 to 09:30
• Time slot 3: 09:30 onwards

Pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at the gate but must ensure that they arrive within their booked time slots. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore will not receive preference and could be turned away. These bookings can be changed as well through SANParks Reservations offices if need be.
The three different time slots are aimed at improving the spread of vehicles and preventing unnecessary waiting periods at gates. The day visitor quota for Kruger National Park is a management tool to prevent overcrowding the roads and facilities.
SANParks has also made plans for increased visibility of both traffic officials and visitor management personnel to watch speeding, after-hours travelling and general behaviour on the roads. Day visitors are reminded not to bring liquor with them as the alcohol ban on public areas in Kruger National Park is a permanent rule which is always enforced. Visitors are advised to plan their trip carefully, allowing sufficient time to enjoy the bush and to get to your destination. Entrance Gate operating hours will be from 05:30 to 18:30 during December and January.

Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

• Visitors can book up to 80% of the day visitor quota per gate via SANParks Reservations offices.
• Day visitor pre-bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R50 per adult and R25 per child, which must be paid in advance and is meant to ensure their space because they would have been counted in the number that made the daily quota.
• Day visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay conservation fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter Kruger National Park. The conservation fee for residents of South Africa as well as for Zimbabwe and Mozambique nationals (passport required to prove this) is R115 per adult and R57 per child (between ages 2 - 11). For nationals of Eswatini and other SADC countries, the conservation fees are R230 per adult and R115 per child. For all other guests, the standard conservation fees of R460 for adults and R230 for children apply.
• Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure the membership is valid before arrival.
• The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
• All guests (drivers and passengers) will be required to identify themselves upon admission (by producing a South African driver's license, identity document or passport); please ensure you are in possession of one of these documents and have them ready.
• Gate Quotas will be strictly applied and guests without pre-bookings could be denied entry if quotas are full.

Traffic accidents: The most dangerous roads in South Africa!

The South African Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has released a list of South Africa's most dangerous roads. The list consists of 24 road sections where 15 or more road crashes have taken place over the past five years. These are the 24 accident hotspots in South Africa: the R573 Moloto Road in KwaMhlanga in Mpumalanga, the R71 near Mankweng in Limpopo, the N2 near Idutywa in the Eastern Cape, the N2 near Mount Ayliff in the Eastern Cape, the N1 near Naboomspruit in Limpopo, the R61 near Mbizana in the Eastern Cape, the N1 near Mokopane in Limpopo, the R30 between Stilfontein and Ventersdorp in the North West, the R61 near Umthatha in the Eastern Cape, the N2 near Pongola in KwaZulu-Natal, the R61 near Mzamba in the Eastern Cape, the N1 near Musina in Limpopo, the N2 near Mount Frere in Eastern Cape, the N4 near Middelburg in Mpumalanga, the N1 near Laingsburg in Western Cape, the N2 near Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal, the N1 near Makhado in Limpopo, the N2 near Libode in the Eastern Cape, the R61 near Libode in Eastern Cape, the N4 near Nelspruit in Mpumalanga, France van Zyl drive near Parow in the Western Cape, the N3 near Harrismith in the Free State, the M35 near Folweni in KwaZulu-Natal and the N2 near Umthatha in Eastern Cape.

In case of an emergency, motorists may call the following numbers. On the N3 the emergency number is 0800 63 4357, on the N4 the emergency number is 0800 87 2264, on the the N1 the emergency number is 0800 029 999 and the Sanral emergency number is 0800 0800 487.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: A new Interpretation Centre for the for the ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site has been opened at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp!

A new Interpretation Centre for the or the ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site has been opened at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The centre is currently open to the public from 07:00 until 18:00 every day.
Twee Rivieren is largest rest camp in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and its administrative headquarters. The camp is situated on the banks of the dry Nossob riverbed. Activities and facilities are diverse, as are the animals and plants found both within the camp and in the surrounding areas. Besides the new Interpretation Centre, Twee Rivieren Rest Camp has a reception, shop, fuel, restaurant, information centre and swimming pool. This is the only camp with 24 hrs electricity and cell phone reception in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

South Africa: South African Airways defers resumption of flights between Johannesburg <> Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)!

South African Airways (SAA) has announced that the launch of its new service to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in South Africa's Eastern Cape had been deffered. According to the airline, flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha, which was to commence today (12 December 2022), will now be deferred to the new year 2023. The deferral of the restart of this route is due to the regulatory approval process that has taken much longer than anticipated. We'll keep you posted!

"Whilst the airline is disappointed that we could not achieve flying the Ggeberha route in time to meet the December peak season demand, the restart of this route remains a critical part of SAA’s network growth plan and SAA will continue to work to achieve this." (SAA Chief Commercial Officer, Tebogo Tsimane)

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

South Africa: Seasonal rainfall & temperature outlook (December 2022 - April 2023)!

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has released the Seasonal Climate Watch for the period December 2022 to April 2023. According to the multi-model rainfall forecast, above-normal rainfall is expected for most parts of South Africa from December 2022 all the way to April 2023. Minimum temperatures are still expected to be mostly above-normal countrywide, however, maximum temperatures are expected to be below-normal over most of South Africa during December 2022 to April 2023.

 

Zimbabwe: Gonarezhou National Park introduces game drives in open-sided 4×4 game drive vehicles!

The management of Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe has announced that, for the first time, game drives in custom-built open-sided 4×4 game drive vehicles will be offered in the National Park to assist those without access to offroad vehicles for game viewing. The new service will be available from 17 December 2022. Over this festive season, two vehicles will be available daily at the main gate (Chipinda Pools), offering drives into Gonarezhou National Park. 

Each vehicle can accommodate a maximum of 9 people but will need a minimum of 6 people on the vehicle to depart. The departure times are 07:00 for a morning drive (duration +/- 3 hours), 15:00 for an evening drive (duration +/- 3 hours) and 08:00 for a full day (including cliffs) returning approx. 17:00. The management of Gonarezhou National Park is encouraging visitors to make a booking in advance, but where people arrive on time, walk-ins are also allowed.

Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe's second largest National Park, is located in the south-eastern part of the country and is managed by the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust (GTC), an innovative new model for protected area management drawn up between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) and the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS).

Mozambique launches new eVisa system!

Mozambican President Philipe Jacinto Nyusi has launched Mozambique's new online entry visa application system, eVisa, on 05 December 2022. The new system is live at evisa.gov.mz. According to President Nyusi, eVisa will "simplify the procedure of obtaining a visa" and "boost" the tourism sector in Mozambique.
In order to apply for an online visa, the applicant has to register with Mozambique's new eVisa system. Once registered, the necessary documentation for the type of visa required (tourist, business, humanitarian or other) needs to be uploaded to the system at evisa.gov.mz. If the application is approved by the Mozambican authorities, a provisional visa is issued, which is to be presented upon entry into Mozambique, at which time the respective payment is made and the effective visa issued.

screenshot evisa.gov.mz (07 December 2022)

 

Airports Company Zimbabwe introduces (free) Wi-Fi at major international airports in Zimbabwe!

Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), which currently manages and operates a network of eight airports in Zimbabwe, and Dandemutande, a Zimbabwean Internet connectivity solutions provider, have entered into a partnership to provide Wi-Fi at Zimbabwe's major international airports. The service, named "Uspot" is already functional at RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare, and, according to state-owned Zimbabwean newspaper The Herald, will also be introduced at Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport (BUQ) in Bulawayo. "Uspot" gives users free 100 megabytes of data; additional data has to be paid for. 

@Airports_Zim and @DandemutandeZW have entered into a partnership to provide Wi-Fi at the major airports Victoria Falls, J M Nkomo and R G Mugabe airport.

Uspot gives free 100 megabytes then you pay for additional data.

Brick upon brick we will get there pic.twitter.com/ymN5Ekqugk

— Airports Company Of Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 (@Airports_Zim) December 4, 2022

South Africa: South African Airways returns to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)!

South African Airways (SAA) is set to return to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in South Africa's Eastern Cape. Commencing Monday, 12 December 2022, the airline offers three return flights per day between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha. SAA will operate an Airbus A320 aircraft on this route. The flight schedule is not unknown yet.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Zambia: Proflight Zambia adds extra scheduled flights on its domestic and regional routes this festive season!

Zambian airline Proflight Zambia has announced that it will be adding extra scheduled flights on its domestic in Zambia and regional routes in Southern Africa this festive season. The airline will introduce additional flights on its service between Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg during this period, bringing the frequency up to 21 return flights per week. Proflight Zambia will also recommence direct flights between Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (NLA) in Ndola and Johannesburg from today (05 December 2022).
Proflight Zambia Director Flight Operations Captain Josias Walubita further announced that extra flights have also been added on all domestic routes operated by Proflight Zambia to increase capacity for the festive period to meet the increased demand.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Namibia: Dune 7 in the Dorob National Park temporarily closed for renovations! [update]

update (19 January 2023): Dune 7 reopened to the public on 24 December 2022!

The Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has announced that Dune 7 in the Dorob National Park in Namibia's Erongo Region is temporarily closed until 15 December 2022. According to the Ministry the closure of the recreational area is to allow for upgrade and renovation of ablution facilities and other tourism infrastructure of the area. The closure will also allow the Ministry to clean up the area ahead of the expected influx of people to the coastal areas of the country during the festive season 2022/23.
Dune 7 is the highest dune in Namibia with a height of over 380 meters. The dune is located in the Dorob National Park, which forms the link between the Skeleton Coast National Park in the north and the Namib Naukluft Park in the south along the Namibian Atlantic coast.

Namibia introduces entry fees for Dune 7 in the Dorob National Park! >>

Angola: TAAG expands network in Europa through codeshare with Iberia!

The state-owned flag carrier of Angola, TAAG Angola Airlines, has expanded its network of destinations in Europe and domestic connections in Spain through its codeshare agreement with the flag carrier airline of Spain, Iberia. From now on, TAAG customers and passengers will be able to travel on a codeshare basis to London (United Kingdom), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Rome, Milan (Italy), Geneva, Zurich (Switzerland), Brussels (Belgium) and Porto (Portugal). Domestic destinations in Spain are also included, namely Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Gran Canaria, Vigo, Malaga, Bilbao, Valencia and Seville.
Under the agreement between the two airlines, the Africa <> Europe route (Luanda/ Madrid/Luanda) is operated by TAAG, with the Europe <> Europe connections carried out by Iberia.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

TAZARA: Temporary suspension of passenger train services between Zambia & Tanzania! [update]

update (06 December 2022): TAZARA's interstate passenger train operations between Zambia and Tanzania resumed today.

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has announced the suspension of cross-border passenger services between Zambia and Tanzania due to a train accident involving a freight train. The accident occurred in the early hours of 30 November 2022. The section between Lumumwe and Mpanga in Tanzania, where the accident occurred, has been temporarily closed as rescue operations are underway.
In the meantime, until further notice, TAZARA's passenger services in Tanzania are only be
available between Dar es Salaam and Mlimba, whilst in Zambia the services are only
be available between New Kapiri-Mposhi and Nakonde. We'll keep you posted!

© TAZARA

The Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) is a bi-national railway, jointly owned by the Government of Tanzania and the Government of Zambia on an equal share-holding basis. The 1,860 km-rail runs from Tanzania and East Africa’s major seaport of Dar es Salaam into the heart of Zambia's Central Province, terminating at New Kapiri-Mposhi, where it is further linked by road and rail to Zambia's capital city, Lusaka (about 200 km), Zambia's mining nerve centre, the Copperbelt province (about 100 km) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).   

Cape Town: SANParks tightens security in Table Mountain National Park during the festive season 2022/23!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced plans to tighten security inside Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town during the festive season 2022/23. The Sea, Air and Mountain (SEAM) Special Operations Ranger team, the canine unit, members of the Operations Unit, as well as visitor safety rangers, will be deployed to ensure the safety of visitors in the National Park. Following a spate of incidents that have recently occurred, SANParks together with its stakeholders such as the South African Police Services (SAPS), the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement land and marine unit, Metro Search and Rescue, neighbourhood watch groups, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, and various friends and safety groups, have shifted its focus to high priority areas, as they embark on their improved mission to combat crime along Table Mountain National Park.

SANParks recommends visitors to plan their journey in such a way as long queues and waiting periods may be expected Table Mountain National Park gates such as the Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point as it is commonly known, Boulders Penguin Colony, and various picnic sites. Users are encouraged to please bring along their SA ID with to qualify for the local tariff. SANParks does accept electronic proof of SA ID as well as certified copies of SA ID or driver's license.

Kruger National Park Calendar - January!

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

Kruger National Park tours >>
online car hire >>

Garden Route: Several beaches in Mossel Bay closed due to possible oil spill! [update #4]

update (02 December 2022): According to a posting by the Mossel Bay Municipality on facebook, most beaches in and around Mossel Bay will be cleaned by the end of this weekend, dependent on the 3.5m swells expected last night (01 December 2022).

update (01 December 2022): The Mossel Bay Municipality has released an update on the beach clean-up. The current status according to the colour or flag system (Green being a cleared beach, orange containing contaminants and red highly contaminated) is as follows:

Blue Flag beaches:

• Santos - Green
• De Bakke - Green
• Hartenbos Platform - Green
• Klein Brak - Green  
• Glentana - Green

Rest of the beaches moving from west to east (excluding the Blue Flag beaches):

• Kanon - Orange
• Fransmanshoek - Orange
• Vleesbaai - Orange
• Boggomsbaai - Orange
• Danabaai - Red
• Point - Green
• Diaz - Green
• Twee Kuilen - Orange
• Bayview - Orange
• Hartenbos Main - Orange
• Hartenbos rivermouth - Orange
• Reebok - Red
• Tergniet - Red
• Suiderkruis - Orange
• Herham - Orange
• Outeniquastrand - Orange

Clean-up teams working their way from Diaz to Hartenbos and from Glentana to Hartenbos.

update (01 December 2022):  Four out of the five Blue Flag beaches in Mossel Bay have been declared green since yesterday (30 November 2022). Queries regarding Dana Bay and Diaz Beach have been received. Environmental Management teams from the Mossel Bay Municipality confirmed last night that these beaches were still classified as orange (Green being a cleared beach, orange containing contaminants and red highly contaminated). Clean-up activities will recommence at 08:00 today.

update (30 November 2022): The Mossel Bay Municipality has released an update on the beach closures in Mossel Bay due to contaminants resembling tarlike balls or oil pellets being found. A flag system has been put into place indicating the state of the beaches being green, orange and red. Green being a cleared beach, orange containing contaminants and red highly contaminated. On 30 December 2022 the following areas have been declared green and open to the public:

• Point
• Santos
• De Bakke
• Hartenbos Platform
• Glentana

Mossel Bay boasts five Blue Flag beaches. Tomorrow, 01 December 2022 as the Blue Flag season starts, the flags will be hoisted at Santos, De Bakke, Hartenbos Platform and Glentana. Cleaning operations will continue. Washing stations have been supplied at beaches to assist beach goers in cleaning.  

The Mossel Bay Municipality announed on 29 November 2022 that several beaches along the Garden Route in Mossel Bay have been closed to the public. The Blue Flags will not be raised at any of the Blue Flag beaches in Mossel Bay until the beaches are safe againfor public use. The Municipality was being notified on 28 November 2022 of an oil or hydrocarbon substance sticking to beach-goers’ feet who were walking between Hartenbos and Bayview beaches. Additional reports of the hydrocarbon substance were also received regarding Santos beach, similar to that seen at Hartenbos beach. Another report was received from the Stranded Marine Animals Rescue Team (SMART) regarding an oil spill in Kanon. 

Clean-up teams have been deployed and are working to isolate the oil spill and clear beaches so they can be re-opened in time for the coming holidays. A ask team has been deployed to establish the source of the pollution and to assist with effective clean-up efforts.

The following beaches are closed till further noticed for public safety:

• Hartenbos
• Diaz
• Santos
• Kanon
• Danabaai
• Klein Brak
• Suiderkruis
• Souweisa

Glentana main beach is clear. Therefore, the Blue Flag will be raised on 01 December 2022 should it remain clear of any contaminants.

Durban: Thirteen beaches are currently open for swimming [update]

update (05 December 2022): According to The eThekwini Municipality, the following public swimming pools in Durban are currently (02 December 2022) open:
Rainham, Durban North, Pipeline, Tiger Rocks, Anstey's, Westville,  Kings Park complex both indoor and outdoor, Stanmore, Umlazi D, L.T King, Bayview, Arena Park , Alex Bulley, Lamontville, Lahee Park, Ntuzuma, Sutton Park, South Beach Paddling, Tesoriere, Mariannridge, Tills Crescent, Croftdene, Bellair and Umgababa.

 

The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has announced the re-opening of additional three beaches in Durban following improvements in water quality. The decision to open the beaches was taken after experts conducted water tests which confirmed that beach water quality had improved to an acceptable standard. The three beaches are Country Club beach, Winkelespruit beach and Anstey's beach.
In addition to the above beaches, the following beaches are currently open for swimming:

1. Point
2. uShaka
3. Wedge
4. North
5. Battery
6. Bay of Plenty
7. Pipeline
8. Toti Main
9. Warner
10. Umgababa

The following beaches are closed until further notice:

1. Addington
2. Brighton
3. Reunion
4. South
5. Westbrook
6. Umhlanga
7. Thekwini

Water quality at Umdloti, Laguna and Bronze beaches is at an acceptable standard but these beaches will remain closed as per directive from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environemntal Affairs.
In addition to beaches, 21 swimming pools in Durban are open. They are: Rainham, Durban North, Pipeline paddling, Tiger Rocks,  Anstey’s, Westville, Kings Park indoor,  Kings Park Outdoor, Stanmore,  Umlazi D,  L.T King, Bayview, Arena Park, Alex Bulley, Lamontville, Lahee Park, Ntuzuma, Sutton Park, South Beach Paddling, Tesoriere and Umgababa.

South African Airways returns to Windhoek, Namibia!

South African Airways (SAA) is set to resume flights to Windhoek in Namibia before the start of the festive season 2022/23. The airline has announced that it will launch two daily direct fligths between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek from 08 December 2022. South African Airways (SAA) will operate a morning/mid-day flight and an afternoon/early evening flight between the two destinations.

• Johannesburg 09:05 > 10:50 Windhoek
• Windhoek 11:40 > 13:25 Johannesburg
• Johannesburg 15:00 > 16:45 Windhoek
• Windhoek 17:25 > 19:15 Johannesburg
  

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

Cape Town: MyCiTi Airport Service suspended as from 01 December 2022!

The City of Cape Town has announced that the MyCiTi Airport Service (A01 Airport <> Civic Centre route) will be suspended as from 01 December 2022. According to the City, the low number of passengers making use of the service between the MyCiTi Airport bus station right outside the main Airport terminal of Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and the Civic Centre in Cape Town's city centre as well as the 50,5% increase in the diesel price from 05 January 2022 to 02 November 2022 have necessitated the suspension. The buses operating on this route will instead be redeployed to the popular routes that connect Atlantis with Table View, Century City and the Cape Town CBD. The City of Cape Town will investigate more cost effective and innovative solutions to resume the MyCiTi Airport Service in the future. We'll keep you posted!

MyCiTi is Cape Town's version of bus rapid transit (BRT), a form of public transport service pioneered in South America and widely adopted in cities across the world.  

Cape Town: Private Airport Transfer to or from the City >>

Namibia: New rhino poaching figures!

According to the spokesperson of the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Romeo Muyunda, Namibia has lost at least 63 rhinos to poaching, of which 41 are black rhinos and 22 are white rhinos, since the beginning of 2022. This year’s poaching cases include 26 rhinos poached in the Etosha National Park, 22 rhino on private farms and 15 rhinos on custodianship farms. Namibia recorded 44 (43?) rhinos poached in 2021, 42 in 2020, 57 in 2019, 83 in 2018, and 55 in 2017.

 
Romeo Muyunda further revealed that 106 suspects have been arrested since January 2022 in Namibia, of which 44 are linked to crimes related to rhino poaching and 62 to crimes related to elephant poaching. Out of 106 suspects, 93 are Namibians, eight are from Angola and five from Zambia.

Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of free-roaming black rhinos as well as the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas.

South Africa: SARS introduces the new South African Traveller Declaration System at King Shaka International Airport in Durban!

The website for the new South African Traveller Declaration System has now gone live. The new online system comes into effect at King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban on 29 November 2020 and it is planned that it will be progressively introduced at all international airports in South Africa during 2023. The South African Traveller Declaration System may be used on a voluntary basis during the pilot phase until further notice. Travellers will still be allowed in South Africa without electronic online declaration. However, the original method of the declaration must then be followed.

The new South African Traveller Declaration System allows travellers, including South African citizens and residents, leaving or entering South Africa by air to complete and submit an online traveller declaration and receive electronic confirmation thereof before they travel. Travellers who are travelling with children or infants will also need to complete a declaration for them.

Eat Out names South Africa's best restaurants 2022!

South Africa's leading restaurant guide, Eat Out, has named the winners of the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards 2022. After a two year interruption, the restaurant awards are back with a dynamic new star rating system. Restaurants were assessed on several factors, including the quality of their offering – from the décor, ambience and service to the wine list, ingredients used and quality of the food. In addition to the Eat Out stars, there are 12 Special Awards that were handed out. These awards applaud individual restaurants, chefs and food personalities who are pushing the industry forward in a meaningful and innovative way.

Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards 2022: 1-star restaurants (70 - 80 points)

• beyond (Constantia)
• Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic (Hout Bay)
• Clara’s Barn (Somerset West)
• Culinary Table (Lanseria, Johannesburg)
• Emazulwini (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town)
• Epice (Franschhoek)
• Farro (Bot River)
• Forti Grill & Bar (Menlyn, Pretoria)
• Hemelhuijs (City Bowl, Cape Town)
• Indochine Restaurant at Delaire Graff Estate (Stellenbosch)
• Les Créatifs Restaurant (Sandton, Johannesburg)
• Marble Restaurant (Rosebank, Johannesburg)
• Modern Tailors (Rosebank, Johannesburg)
• Ouzeri (City Bowll, Cape Town)
• Post & Pepper (Stellenbosch)
• RIVA Fish Restaurant (De Waterkant, Cape Town)
• Rust en Vrede Restaurant (Stellenbosch)
• Rykaart’s (Stellenbosch)
• Séjour (Houghton Estate, Johannesburg)
• The Melting Pot (Grabouw)
• The Shortmarket Club Johannesburg (Rosebank, Johannesburg)
• The Table at De Meye (Stellenbosch)
• The Test Kitchen Fledgelings (Woodstock, Cape Town)
• The Waterside Restaurant (V&A Waterfron, Cape Townt)
• The Werf Restaurant at Boschendal (Franschhoek)
• Ukko (Sandton, Johannesburg)

Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards 2022: 2-star restaurants (80 - 90 points)

• ARKESTE by Richard Carstens (Franschhoek)
• Belly of the Beast (City Bowl, Cape Town)
• Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia (Constantia)
• ëlgr (City Bowl, Cape Town)
• Foxcroft (Constantia)
• FYN (City Bowl, Cape Town)
• La Petite Colombe (Franschhoek) 
• Spek & Bone (Stellenbosch)
• The Pot Luck Club (Woodstock, Cape Town)
• The Test Kitchen Carbon (Rosebank, Johannesburg)
• Zioux (Sandton, Johannesburg)

Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards 2022: 3-star restaurants (90+ points)

• La Colombe (Constantia)
• PIER Restaurant (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town)
• Salsify at the Roundhouse (Camps Bay)
• The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate (Pinetown, Durban) 
• Wolfgat (Paternoster)

Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards 2022: Special Awards

• Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant of The Year  – The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate (Pinetown, Durban)
• Eat Out Woolworths Financial Services Chef of The Year  – John Norris-Rogers of PIER Restaurant (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.
• Eat Out WCellar Wine Service Award  – Victor Okolo from Salsify at the Roundhouse (Camps Bay).
• Eat Out Naked Malt Rising Star Award  – Mmabatho Molefe from Emazulwini (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town) .
• Eat Out Woolworths Financial Services Service Excellence Award – Forti Grill & Bar (Menlyn, Pretoria) .
• Eat Out Valpré Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award  – Rudi Liebenberg.
• Eat Out Woolworths Lockdown Innovation Award – Liam Tomlin.
• Eat Out Woolworths Sustainability Award  – FABER at Avondale (Paarl).
• Eat Out VISI Style Award – Zioux (Sandton, Johannesburg).
• Eat Out Stella Artois Best Destination Restaurant Award  – Nevermind (Cape St Francis).
• Eat Out Woolworths Icon Award – La Madeleine (Pretoria).
• Eat Out Retail Capital Best New Restaurant Award – Dusk (Stellenbosch).

Method:

According to Eat Out, the restaurants rated for the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards 2022 were selected based on several factors, including the quality of their offering – from the décor, ambience and service to the wine list, ingredients used and quality of the food. Based on their collective experience and expertise, the Eat Out team and the Awards chief judge then selected the 300 restaurants to be reviewed.
From the Top 300 list, over 80 restaurants were visited by the panel of six expert judges and rated on Eat Out’s new online rating tool that comprises a comprehensive scorecard. Restaurants are judged in a number of categories, including:

• Menu composition: 15 points
• Presentation: 10 points
• Taste and technique: 30 points
• Beverages: 20 points
• Service: 20 points
• Ambience: 5 points

Five to 10 factors are rated within these categories before the entire rating is rolled up into the total score out of 100.