Air China, the flag carrier of the People's Republic of China, has resumed flights to South Africa on 29 March 2023. The airline, which last flew to the country three years ago, just before the Covid-19 pandemic, operates three weekly flights between Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) in Beijing and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg via Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) in Shenzhen.
31 March 2023
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
30 March 2023
Zimbabwe: Zimparks increases the entrance fees for Victoria Falls National Park and the Zambezi National Park!
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) announced in December 2022 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. Following criticism from tourism stakeholders, ZimParks at the end of December 2022 agreed to postpone the increase in park entry fees until 01 April 2023.
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.
29 March 2023
Namibia/Botswana: Trans-Kalahari/Mamuno border post operates 24/7!
The Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) has announced that the Trans-Kalahari/Mamuno border post between Namibia and Botswana will begin daily 24-hour operations from 01 April 2023. Previously, the two border posts opened at 06:00 and closed at midnight.
The Trans-Kalahari/Mamuno border post is located along the Trans-Kalahari Corridor, a paved road network spanning approximately 1900 kilometers across the territories of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. It starts in the Gauteng in South Africa and continues through Rustenburg and Zeerust in the North-West Province, through Lobatse and Kanye in Botswana, the Mamuno and Trans Kalahari Border Posts, through Gobabis, Windhoek and Okahandja in Namibia and right through to the Port of Walvis Bay.
Addo Elephant National Park: Annual elephant contraception exercise to take place!
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the annual elephant contraception exercise will be taking place in Addo Elephant National Park's Main Camp section on 31 March 2023. For safety reasons SANParks kindly request visitors in the National Park to be cautious and steer well clear if they see the helicopter in the area.
The annual contraception program was implemented in Addo Elephant National Park in the early 2000s as a way to manage the elephant population without resorting to culling. The elephants are darted with tranquilizers from a helicopter, and then the female elephants receive the contraceptive injection. The process is carefully monitored to ensure that the correct dosage is administered, and that the elephants are not harmed during the procedure.
The elephant contraception exercise has been successful in reducing the elephant population growth rate in Addo Elephant National Park, and has been praised as a humane and effective way to manage elephant populations.
Information on Addo's annual contraception exercise was retrieved from OpenAI. (29 March 2023). ChatGPT [Computer software].
28 March 2023
Angola: TAAG increases flights to Portugal!
The state-owned flag carrier of Angola, TAAG Angola Airlines, increases the number of flights to Portugal. Effective today (28 March 2023), the airline is adding a new frequency to its schedule between Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport (LAD) in Luanda and Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) in Lisbon, making 14 weekly frequencies overall with double daily flights.
TAAG's Luanda <> Lisbon connection is one of the most consolidated routes within the airline's operation. Between January and February 2023, TAAG transported 39,306 passengers on the Luanda <> Lisbon route, meaning the airline was able to double the figures from the same period last year, where 18,8798 passengers were transported.
24 March 2023
South Africa: Airlink and Etihad Airways launch reciprocal interline partnership!
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, the second flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has launched a reciprocal interline partnership with South African regional carrier Airlink. The deal means customers of both airlines will enjoy enhanced connectivity to destinations across each other’s networks, can book on a single ticket and only have to check in once at the start of their flight, with their baggage checked through to their end destination.
Arik De, Etihad Airways’ Chief Revenue Officer, said: “Our deal with Airlink South Africa gives connecting guests via our Johannesburg flight seamless access to 16 domestic destinations in South Africa, and 25 regional African destinations, and it complements our existing options with South African Airways."
online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>
23 March 2023
Zambia: Lifting of all Covid-19 travel related restrictions at points of entry!
The Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) announced on 21 March 2023 (Ref No: ZNPHI/CIR/09/0004) that all Covid-19 travel related restrictions for entry into Zambia are lifted with immediate effect. Travellers intending to visit Zambia are no longer required to show proof of vaccination, recovery or testing against Covid-19 at the country's points of entry.
In case you missed it - Zambia has waived tourist visa requirements for citizens from 43 countries in a bid to boost tourism.
South Africa: Airlink to launch daily flights to Nairobi, Kenya!
South African regional carrier Airlink has announced the introduction of flights to Kenya. The airline will launch scheduled direct flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. Effective 24 April 2023, Airlink will operate daily return flights to the Kenyan capital on board an Embraer E190 jetliner which can carry up to 98 passengers. Kenya becomes the 15th country in the airline's sub-Saharan route network and its third in East Africa.
- Johannesburg 09:40 > 14:45 Nairobi
- Nairobi 15:45 > 19:05 Johannesburg
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Park shops with changed opening hours due to stocktaking!
According to a posting by Regional Communications Manager: Arid Parks at South African National Parks (SANParks), Genevieve Maasdorp, in the SANParks - Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park facebook group, stocktaking needs to be performed at all shops in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The operating hours of the shops at Nossob Rest Camp, Mata-Mata Rest Camp and Twee Rivieren Rest Camp will therefore change between 28 March 2023 and 31 March 2023.
- Nossob Rest Camp: Shop will be open from 07:30 - 09:00 and again from 15:00 - 19:15 on 28 March 2023
- Mata-Mata Rest Camp: Shop will be open from 07:30 - 09:00 and again from 15:00 - 19:15 on 29 March 2023
- Twee Rivieren Rest Camp: Shop will be open from 15:00 - 19:15 on 31 March 2023
South Africa: CemAir to launch flights between George <> Durban!
South African regional carrier CemAir is set to launch a new domestic service in South Africa. The airline will introduce scheduled non-stop flights between George Airport (GRJ) in George (Western Cape) and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban (KwaZulu-Natal). Effective 22 June 2023, CemAir will operate two weekly direct return flights on Mondays and Thursdays. Flights depart George at 13:10 and arrive in Durban at 15:20, while the return flights depart Durban at 15:50 and arrive in George at 18:00.
20 March 2023
Germany: Eurowings Discover discontinues flights to Kruger National Park!
According to German aviation specialits aerotelegraph, Eurowings Discover is set to discontinue flights between Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in Frankfurt, Germany, and Kruger Mpumulanga International Airport (KMIA; MQP) in Mbombela (Nelspruit) in Mpumalanga, South Africa, from 26 March 2023 due to low demand. The airport is the major gateway for tourists traveling to Kruger National Park. Eurowings Discover launched the service in November 2022 and announced plans to make the offering a year-round service in August 2022. The airline was the first intercontinental airline ever to start scheduled operations to Kruger National Park.
Eurowings Discover will be increasing its weekly flights from Frankfurt to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in the Namibian capital Windhoek to ten flights in the 2023 (European) summer flight schedule. Travellers can also look forward to up to three weekly direct flights from Frankfurt to Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Cape Town: Iziko Museums of South Africa to increase entrance fees!
Iziko Museums of South Africa has announced that it will increase entry fees to all Iziko Museums in Cape Town for the first time in a decade, effective 01 April 2023. The new fees schedule was developed after undertaking a benchmarking assessment of local, regional, and national cultural/heritage attractions. Standard entry fees are payable at all Iziko Museums, but visitors are entitled to a country benefit upon presentation of a South African or Southern African Development Community (SADC) identity document or passport. Children aged two and younger, who will be seated on a paying accompanying adult visitors’ lap enter the Iziko Planetarium for free.
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| click to enlarge |
ziko 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.
17 March 2023
Survey: Cape Town International Airport in Cape Town named Best Airport in Africa for the eighth consecutive year!
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town was named Best Airport in Africa for the eighth consecutive year at the 2023 SKYTRAX World Airport Awards™. Durban's King Shaka International Airport (DUR) came in second in the continental category, followed by OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Bram Fischer International Airport (BFN) in Bloemfontein was named tenth Best Airport in Africa.
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) also won the Best Airport Staff in Africa Award and the Africa: The Cleanest Airports 2022 Award, while King Shaka International Airport (DUR) won the Best Regional Airport in Africa Award. Intercontinental Johannesburg O.R Tambo Airport in Johannesburg was named Best Airport Hotel in Africa 2023.
SKYTRAX' annual World Airport Awards™ are prestigious accolades for the airport industry, voted by customers in the largest, annual global airport customer satisfaction survey. They are regarded as the quality benchmark for the world airport industry, assessing customer service and facilities across over 550 airports. The survey and awards are independent of any airport control, influence or input. The survey, which evaluates traveller experiences across different airport service and product key performance indicators, was conducted from August 2022 until February 2023. Over 100 customer nationalities participated in it.
Mozambique announces visa exemption for 28 countries!
The Government of Mozambique has introduced a visa waiver for citizens of 28 countries that present a low risk of illegal immigration. The visa exemption applies to visitors holding ordinary passports and allows for a 30-day stay, renewable to an additional 60 days. Travellers wishing to visit Mozambique and take advantage of the visa waiver must register on a pre-selection electronic platform at least 48 hours before travelling and pay a 650 MZN (equivalent to £8.50 | 9,55€ | 10,20 US$ | R186) processing fee.
The visa waiver applies to citizens of the following countries:
- Belgium
- Canada
- China
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Ghana
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Italy
- Ivory Coast
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
15 March 2023
This town in the Western Cape has the cleanest air in South Africa!
Swiss air quality technology company IQAir yesterday (14 March 2023) released the 5th Annual World Air Quality Report, which reveals details of the world’s most polluted countries, territories, and regions in 2022. For this year’s report, data from more than 30,000 air quality monitoring stations across 7,323 locations in 131 countries, territories, and regions was analyzed by the company’s air quality scientists. According to the Report, Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape is not only the city with the cleanest air (PM2.5* concentration 0.8 µg/m³) in South Africa, but also on the African continent. Grabouw (2.6 µg/m³), also located in the Western Cape, comes in second followed by Nieuwoudtville (3.4 µg/m³) in the Northern Cape, Knysna (5.2 µg/m³) and Cape Town (6.7 µg/m³). On the downside, two South African cities are among the most polluted cities on the African continent. Thabazimbi* (42.2 µg/m³) in Limpopo is the city in South Africa with the worst air quality (Africa #7) followed by Ekurhuleni (31.0 µg/m³ | Africa #13) in Gauteng. South Africa as a whole has the 39th worst air of the 131 countries in the report. The country had an average PM2.5 concentration of 23.40.8 µg/m³ in 2022.
Please note: Only 19 out of 54 countries in Africa had sufficient data available to be included in the 5th Annual World Air Quality Report, leaving 35 countries unaccounted for.
* The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for PM2.5 concentrations is five micrograms per cubic meter or 5 µg/m³ annually.
** Thabazimbi experienced several fire breakouts and a shortage of operational firefighting in 2022 observed annual PM2.5 levels around 42.2 µg/m³, a 50% increase in comparison to 2021.
14 March 2023
South Africa: Name changes for 2 more towns in the Eastern Cape!
The South African Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has gazetted new name changes for South Africa. According to Government Gazette Vol. 693 No. 48191 (10 March 2023), former Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa officially approved the following geographical names, in terms of Section 10 (2) of the South African Geographical Names Council Act (Act No 118 of 1998). The town of Fort Beaufort, located in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Amathole District Municipality has been renamed to KwaMaqoma, while the town of Sommerset East in the Blue Crane Local Municipality in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality has become KwaNojoli and the village of Brooksnek in the Umzimvubu Local Municipality in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality is now called Ben Mbizweni. The two towns and the village are located in the Eastern Cape.
South Africa: FlySafair to launch flights to Zanzibar!
South African low cost airline FlySafair is set to introduce flights to Zanzibar in Tanzania. The flights will be between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar City on the island of Zanzibar. Bookings are now open and flights will commence on 08 April 2023. Flights will depart Johannesburg at 20:15 on Saturdays and arrive on Zanzibar at 00:40 on the following day. The return flight will depart Zanzibar at 01:40 on Sundays and arrive in Johannesburg at 04:25.
13 March 2023
Eastern Cape: Addo Elephant National Park steps up entry and exit measures!
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the new, stricter entry and exit measures at Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape, which got introduced in July 2022, will be stepped up soon to include the verification of all passengers over the age of 18. As of 01 April 2023, no one will be allowed to enter or exit the National Park without the valid documentation as listed below, which must be made available for the gate staff on duty to scan.
- Driver’s license (driver of vehicle)
- ID book/card/driver’s license for South African visitors (all persons/passengers over 18)
- Passport (for international guests)
- Valid vehicle license disk
Please note that this applies to everyone entering/exiting Addo Elephant National Park:
- All passengers in vehicles
- Staff
- Staff visitors (including pedestrians)
- Official visitors
- Contractors and their staff, including BSP
- Delivery vehicles and their staff
- WildCard holders
- Gorah and Riverbend concessions
- Open safari vehicles
- Tourist busses
Zambia: Zambia Airways to launch flights to Zimbabwe! [update]
update (14 March 2023): Zambia Airways has changed the launch date. According to our latest info, the airline will now be introducing flights between Lusaka and Harare on 28 March 2023 and not on 23 March 2023.
The national airline of the Republic of Zambia, Zambia Airways, has announced the introduction of scheduled flights to Zimbabwe. The airline will launch flights between Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare, Zimbabwe. Effective 23 28 March 2023, the airline will operate three weekly return flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Zambia Airways commenced operations on 01 December 2021. The airline currently connects Lusaka with the tourist heart of Zambia, Livingstone, Ndola in the Copperbelt Province and Solwezi in Zambia's North-Western Province.
10 March 2023
Limpopo: Marakele National Park gets a swimming pool!
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Bontle Camping Site in the Marakele National Park now has a swimming pool and a jungle gym. The official opening of the new facilities took place after the 2023 Powerade Marakele Marathon on 04 March 2023. The pool will be made available to all overnight visitors.
Marakele National Park is situated in the Waterberg mountain range in the Limpopo Province near Thabazimbi, approximately 250 km north of Johannesburg, in a malaria-free area. The National Park is home to the Big Five, the world’s largest colony of Cape Vultures as well as other typical African bush mammals including Brown Yyena, Sable, Impala, Waterbuck and Kudu.
The Bontle Camping Sitein the Marakele National Park consists of 36 sites with power points, arranged into three clusters, with one communal block per cluster. The camping site is located adjacent to the National Park's reception and administration offices.
09 March 2023
Namibia: MR118 (Rosh Pinah to Oranjemund) has been reopened!
The Namibian Roads Authority (RA), whose core business is to construct and maintain Namibia's road sector, has informed the public that the MR118 (Rosh Pinah to Oranjemund) has been reopened for public use on 08 March 2023. The water levels of the Orange River have subsided significantly to re-establish the traffic on affected sections. However, motorists are kindly reminded to exercise extreme caution and strictly adhere to the erected road traffic signs at all times.
The MR118 was closed for public use due to safety reasons, as water from the Orange River is covering the entire affected section.
Iziko Museums of South Africa: Free entry to selected museums on Human Rights Day!
Iziko Museums of South Africa has announced that it will be offering free entry to selected museums in Cape Town on Human Rights Day (21 March 2023). This includes the Bo-Kaap Museum (71 Wale Street), Slave Lodge (Corner Adderley and Wale Streets), the South African Museum (25 Queen Victoria Street) and the South African National Gallery (Government Avenue).
- Bo-Kaap Museum
Mondays to Saturdays from 09:00 – 17:00 - Slave Lodge
Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 17:00 - South African Museum
Monday to Sunday 09:00 – 17:00 - South African National Gallery
Monday to Sunday 09:00 – 17:00
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.
Bontebok National Park: Breede River Campsite temporarily closed! [update]
update (16 March 2023): The Breede River Campsite reopened today!
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Breede River Campsite inside the Bontebok National Park is temporarily closed. The Breede River, which flows through the National Park, is currently overflowing and as a result, taking the visitor's safety into account, SANParks has decided to close the campsite adjacent to the river bank. The Breede River Campsite is expected to reopen on 16 March 2023. Guests who have booked a spot at the campsite during this period can be accommodated in the Lang Elsies Kraal camping area, or reschedule their stay with SANParks. We'll keep you posted!
The Bontebok National Park in South Africa's Western Cape is the country's smallest National Park. The park is located 6 km south of Swellendam, in the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains.
08 March 2023
South Africa: Airlink to increase flights to St Helena!
South African regional carrier Airlink is set to increase flights to the island of St Helena, a British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. During the 2023/24 Southern summer season, from 28 November 2023 to the end of February 2024, the airline will operate two weekly flights instead of the current one weekly flight on Saturdays between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and St Helena Airport (HLE) on St Helena. The additional flight will be operated on Tuesdays. Both flights will be operated using Airlink’s second biggest type, the 98-seat Embraer E190.
Airlink is currently in talks with the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) to gain the required approvals to resume seasonal flights (November to April) between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and St Helena from 2024. We'll keep you posted!
07 March 2023
Saudi Arabia: Saudia to launch flights to South Africa!
The national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, Saudia, has announced the launch of direct flights to Johannesburg in South Africa later this year. The route development, which also includes the introduction of new services to Beijing (China), Birmingham (UK) and Kano (Nigeria), follows the airline's signing of an agreement with the Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) and is in line with the program's objective of enhancing the Saudi Arabia's point-to-point air connectivity and its reach to target international markets. Saudia has sofar not published a launch date for the new routes. We'll keep you posted!
06 March 2023
Bontebok National Park: Road maintenance during March 2023!
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the road between the new office building and Lang Elsies Kraal Rest Camp in the Bontebok National Park will have a stop & go system in place due to road maintenance. The work is being carried out between 07 March 2023 and 31 March 2023.
The Bontebok National Park in South Africa's Western Cape is the country's smallest National Park. The park is located 6 km south of Swellendam, in the foothills of the Langeberg Mountains.
Cape Town: Upgrade of the Seaforth beachfront in Simon’s Town!
The City of Cape Town has informed the public that it has commenced with the upgrade of the Seaforth beachfront in Simon’s Town last week. The work will continue until December 2023 and includes the upgrading the existing footways, the reconstructing the retaining walls, the upgrading the stairs and existing railings as well as the upgrading the hard and soft landscaping. During the upgrade, visitors and residents are advised of the following:
- The walkway from Martello Road (IMT bus parking) to Seaforth beach (parking) will be closed for the duration of the project. All tour bus commuters visiting Boulders Beach are advised to walk back up to Main Road and down Whalers Way to accessBoulders Beach. Signage will direct visitors along the 1km detour route via Martello – Queen Victoria – Whalers Way.
- Beach access form Seaforth parking will change as construction work moves around on site. Whenever the main access points are closed off, visitors may be directed along the blue access route to the beach.
- Beach access from the IMT parking area will be via a side gate when construction activities allow. Access will be clearly directed through signage.
03 March 2023
Cape Town: The Cape Wheel reopens in a new location!
One of Cape Town's most recognisable attractions, V&A Waterfront’s Cape Wheel, is finally set to reopen after a seven (+) month break to relocate it to a new location. According to V&A Waterfront Chief Executive Officer, David Green, the Cape Wheel is set to restart operations just ahead of the coming Easter holidays with ticket sales beeing open from 15 March 2023.
Now located at the V&A’s Breakwater Boulevard overlooking the waters of Granger Bay, the Cape Wheel transforms Breakwater Boulevard into a new visitor attraction, with special elevated views across Granger Bay on one side, Robben Island in the distance, views of Table Mountain on the other end, as well as sights of Signal Hill and the Cape Town stadium.
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| © V&A Waterfront |
Cape Wheel Pricing 2023:
- Adult – SA resident: R175.00
- Child – SA resident (4yrs to 17yrs): R95.00
- Pensioner – SA resident only: R95.00
- Adult – Non resident: R250.00
- VIP package – (4pax): R2,875.00
- Skydining Adult: (own food, with basket & table placing provided): R320.00
- Skydining Child: R150.00
- STO (approved tour guides +10 pax): R120.00
- School groups – Child: R50.00
- School Groups – Teacher: R95.00
02 March 2023
eSwatini: Eswatini Air launches operations! [update]
update (26 March 2023): eSwatini Air has launched operations. The maiden flight of the new flag carrier of of the Kingdom of eSwatini was from King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) in Sikhuphe to OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in South Africa.
The new flag carrier of the Kingdom of eSwatini, Eswatini Air, has released its planned operating schedule, fares and notice of reservations systems going live. This marks and brings to an end of the long wait for the commencement date of Eswatini Air flights. The airline is set to introduce its service in four phases to ensure a smooth entry in the market.
Phase I: Launch of flights between King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) in Sikhuphe and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in South Africa, operating two flights per day (an early morning rotation and a late afternoon rotation) effective 26 March 2023.
- eSwatini 07:00 > 07:45 Johannesburg
- Johannesburg 08:45 > 09:35 eSwatini
- eSwatini 16:05 > 16:55 Johannesburg
- Johannesburg 17:40 > 18:30 eSwatini
Phase II: Robert G. Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare in Zimbabwe will be added to the schedule effective 14 April 2023, offering four flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
- eSwatini 10:15 > 11:45 Harare
- Harare 14:00 > 15:30 eSwatini
Phase III: King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban will be added to the schedule effective 05 May 2023, offering a flight each day of the week.
- eSwatini 17:30 > 18:30 Durban
- Durban 07:55 > 08:55 eSwatini
Phase III also includes introduction of a 3rd daily flight between eSwatini and Johannesburg to be operated in the afternoon.
- eSwatini 11:30 > 12:20 Johannesburg
- Johannesburg 14:10 > 15:00 eSwatini
Phase IV: This is the final launch phase and entails addition of Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town to the route network effective 02 June 2023. Cape Town will be operated three times per week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
- eSwatini 10:20 > 12:50 Cape Town
- Cape Town 13:40 > 16:10 eSwatini
Eswatini Air's reservations and ticketing system is now open for bookings and ticket purchases.
Launch special fares are on offer for one-way flights inclusive of taxes ranging from:
- SZL 1,300.00 on flights between eSwatini and Johannesburg or Durban,
- SZL 2,100.00 on flights between eSwatini and Cape Town, and
- SZL 2,200.00 on flights between eSwatini and Harare.
online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>
Cape Town: Table Mountain National Park goes cash free at two popular entry points!
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town is set to go cash free at two popular entry points. Effective 01 April 2023, the Cape of Good Hope, known as Cape Point, and Boulders Penguin Colony entry points will no longer accept cash as a means of payment for conservation fees. Visitors can pay for conservation fees, otherwise known as gate entry fees, with either a debit or credit card or purchase an online gate entry ticket prior to arrival from the SANParks website and follow the prompts. Once payment has been made the ticket will be sent via email.
The cash free environment is part of a larger plan already commenced by SANParks in a number of National Parks to remove cash from remote locations increasing safety and allowing visitors to transact on the website at their leisure.
Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town is primarily an open access Park offering visitors free access to many fantastic attractions. Conservation fees are payable at Cape Point, Boulders Penguin Colony, Silvermine and Oudekraal, as well as the following picnic sites: Newlands, Tokai and Perdekloof.
South Africa: Seasonal rainfall & temperature outlook (March - July 2023)!
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has released the Seasonal Climate Watch for the period March 2023 to July 2023. According to the seasonal outlook, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in a La Niña state, and forecasts indicate that it will likely return to a neutral state by autumn (March to May 2023). As ENSO remains in a La Niña state, early autumn rainfall remains likely to receive above-normal rainfall over South Africa's summer rainfall areas. However, as summer comes to an end so does the typical impact of ENSO and it is to be monitored for the next summer season.
The multi-model rainfall forecast indicates above-normal rainfall for most parts of South Africa except for the south-western parts during late-autumn (April to June 2023) and early-winter (May to July 2023) which is expected to receive below-normal rainfall. Minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to be mostly above-normal countrywide for the forecast period.
01 March 2023
Malawi has waived visa fees for travellers from 15 "key markets"!
The President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, announced in his State of the Nation Adress (SONA) on 17 February 2023 that Malawi is waiving the visa fees for nationals from several key markets. Nationals from the following countries are exempt from visa fees in Malawi with immediate effect: the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Italy, France, Poland, the Nordic Countries (Norway, Finland, Sweden) and future markets, including China, Russia, and Canada.
The Malawian Minister of Tourism, Culture and Wildlife, Dr. Michael Usi, announced in December 2022 that the country planning to waive visa fees for travellers from 16 "priority markets" - the 15 countries mentioned above plus Denmark. For some reason, Denmark was not mentioned by Mr. Chakwera in his SONA.
South Africa: SARS introduces the new online Traveller Declaration System at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town!
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced that the next phase of the the implementation of South Africa's new online Traveller Declaration System has started with the launch of the system at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town on 28 February 2023. It will be introduced at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on 23 March 2023 and at other airports, as well as at land ports, namely Beit Bridge (South Africa/Zimbabwe) and Skilpadshek (South Africa/Botswana), in the second and third quarters of 2023. The Cape Town Seaport is also in line to implement the system during the last quarter of 2023. The new online Traveller Declaration System will continue to be used on a voluntary basis during the pilot phase until further notice. The results of the pilot project will be applied as SARS rolls out the system in line with Customs legislation.
South Africa's new online Traveller Declaration System was successfully implemented on 29 November 2022 as phase 1 pilot of the system at King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban. The 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 on their behalf.
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