Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, which was temporarily closed to the public since 10 January 2024, is set to reopen. The temporary closure to tourism during the traditionally wettest months of the year allows the roads to have a rest and the roads team to upgrade them. It also allows Gonarezhou National Park's tourism infrastructure team to conduct some maintenance work on the camps and the camp attendants to take some time off to spend with their families. Gonarezhou National Park is reopening on 01 March 2024.
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).
29 February 2024
Zimbabwe: Gonarezhou National Park reopens after annual closure!
Zambia: Zambia Airways to launch direct flights to Kasama!
The national airline of the Republic of Zambia, Zambia Airways, is set to launch direct flights to the city of Kasama in Zambia's Northern Province. The airline will operate one weekly service on Mondays between Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and Kasama Airport (KAA) in Kasama. Flights will commence on 01 April 2024. Kasama is located in the Northern Province of Zambia. The city is the gateway to the Shiwa Ng’andu Estate, the Kapishya Hot Springs, and Lake Tanganyika, the deepest lake in Africa as well as to the significant Mpulungu Port and the Kalambo Falls, the second-highest drop waterfall in Africa.
Zambian privately owned carrier Proflight Zambia will also launch a two-weekly service to Kasama on 19 March 2024.
28 February 2024
Zimbabwe: Fastjet to temporarily increase flights between Victoria Falls <> Mbombela!
Zimbabwean low-cost airline, Fastjet, is set to increase the number of flights between Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Kruger National Park in South Africa. The airline's spokesperson Mr Nunurai Ndawana announced during a media event in Victoria Falls that Fastjet will temporarily increase the number of flights between Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Victoria Falls and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) in Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit) to a daily service from early July 2024 to the end of September 2024.
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) is located about 30km north east of Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit) in Mpumalanga. The airport is known as the major gateway for tourists traveling (by air) to Kruger National Park and neighbouring private game lodges as well as spectacular vistas such as God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck, the Three Rondavels and several waterfalls.
27 February 2024
South Africa has released rhino poaching statistics for 2023!
The South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has released the rhino poaching statistics for 2023. A total of 499 rhinos were poached across South Africa, 406 were killed on state properties and 93 on privately owned parks/reserves/farms. This was an increase of 51 rhinos in comparison to 448 rhinos poached in 2022. Out of the 499 rhinos, 307 were illegally killed in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal. Kruger National Park (KNP) recorded a 37% decrease from 2022 with a total of 78 poached in 2023. No rhinos were poached in any other of South Africa's National Parks.
In relation to rhino prosecutions in South Africa in 2023, verdicts were handed down in 36 cases of which 35 resulted in guilty verdicts and one in a not guilty verdict. The cases resulted in the conviction of 45 accused rhino poachers/rhino horn traffickers with a conviction rate of 97%.
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Members of the public can report any suspicious activities around wildlife to its environmental crime hotline which is 0800 205 005 or the South African Police Service (SAPS) number 10111!
SANParks: Cash-free payment options limited across Addo Elephant National Park!
South African National Parks (SANParks) just released a "kind reminder" on Facebook regarding the cash free payment system, which was implemented in Addo Elephant National Park with effect from 01 September 2021. The Addo Main Camp and the Kabouga entrance gates are indeed cashless. The Matyholweni Rest Camp in Addo's Main Game Area is only taking cash due to network challenges. According to SANParks, guests with no cash will be directed to make their card payments at Addo Main Camp before exiting Addo Elephant National Park at either of the gates. The Woody Cape section and the Darlington section are also cash only due to lack of network connectivity.
South Africa: CemAir and British Airways sign & implement an interline agreement!
South African regional carrier CemAir and the flag carrier of the United Kingdom, British Airways, have signed and implemented an interline agreement that opens up connections to more destinations in Southern Africa through British Airways' gateways of Johannesburg and Cape Town. The agreement includes the convenience of single ticket itineraries with onwards booking and baggage transfers from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Margate, Durban, Hoedspruit, Plettenberg Bay, George (all in South Africa), Maun (Botswana) and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).
British Airways operates double daily flights between London and Johannesburg, as well as up to triple daily flights between London and Cape Town on some days during peak season.
26 February 2024
Zambia: Two roads in Lusaka renamed after former Namibian Presidents!
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema announced during the state funeral of Namibia's former President Dr. Hage Geingob on 24 February 2024 in Windhoek that Kasama Road, a major road in Lusaka, has been renamed after the late Dr Hage Geingob. This is with immediate effect. Dr. Hage Geingob (03 August 1941 – 04 February 2024) was a Namibian politician who served as the third president of Namibia from 2015 until his death on 04 February 2024.
President Hichilema further revealed that Sadzu Road in Lusaka has been renamed Dr. Sam Nujoma Road. Sam Nujoma, born on 12 May 1929, served three terms as the first President of Namibia, from 1990 to 2005. He earned an honorary doctorate from the University of Namibia in recognition of his contributions to the independence and development of Namibia.
24 February 2024
Kruger National Park: Phalaborwa Gate's gate structure is temporarily closed for guest use!
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the gate structure at Kruger National Park's Phalaborwa Gate is currently under construction and closed for guest use. Temporary arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth running of traffic and access into and from Kruger National Park without delays. The gate structure shall remain closed until further notice.
Phalaborwa Gate is located about 500 kilometres from Johannesburg in the northern part of Kruger National Park. It is the main point of access for those visitors planning to stay at Letaba Rest Camp, Olifants Rest Camp, Mopani Rest Camp or Shingwedzi Rest Camp.
23 February 2024
Durban: Only 12 beaches are currently open for swimming!
The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has released updated lists of beaches that are currently (as of 22 February 2024) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, 12 beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at eleven beaches, namely Battery Beach, Country Club, eThekwini Beach, Laguna Beach, mDloti Beach, Toti Main Beach, Reunion, uMgababa, Warner Beach, Winkelelespruit and Pipeline Beach, is prohibited due to water quality. 32 swimming pools in Durban are currently open to the public.
The following beaches are open for swimming:
- operating hours 06:00 - 18:30 -
- uShaka
- Addington
- Point Beach
- North Beach
- Bay of Plenty
- Wedge
- South Beach
- uMhlanga Main Beach
- Bronze Beach
- Westbrook
- Brighton
- Anstey's Beach
Beach(es) closed for swimming:
- Battery Beach
- Country Club
- eThekwini Beach
- Laguna Beach
- mDloti Beach
- Toti Main Beac
- Reunion
- uMgababa
- Warner Beach
- Winkelelespruit
- Pipeline Beach
Recreational activities other than swimming at beaches closed for swimming are allowed!
20 February 2024
Ethiopian Airlines introduces a new triangular route connecting Ethiopia, Zambia and Botswana!
The flag carrier of Ethiopia and Africa's largest airline in terms of passengers carried, Ethiopian Airlines, is set to introduce a new triangular route connecting Addis Ababa with two destinations in Zambia and Botswana. Effective 10 June 2024, the airline will operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays between Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (NDL) in Ndola, Zambia, and Maun Airport (MUB) in Maun, Botswana. Ethiopian Airlines will use a 160-seat Boeing 737 MAX on the new route. Flights will depart Addis Ababa at 08:30 and arrive in Maun at 12:40. The connecting flight will depart at 13:30 and will arrive in Zambia's commercial capital at 15:30. The final leg of the triangular route will start in Ndola at 16:20 and arrive in Addis Ababa at 21:25.
Ndola is Zambia's ommercial capital city. The capital of Copperbelt Province lies just 10 kilometres from the border with DR Congo and about 320 kilometres north of Lusaka. Maun is Botswana's tourism capital. The city lies on the southern fringes of the Okavango Delta and is known as the gateway to the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site.
19 February 2024
Durban: Five beaches are currently closed due to water quality!
The eThekwini Municipality, the local government body responsible for governing and managing Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, has released updated lists of beaches that are currently (as of 16 February 2024) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, 18 beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at five beaches, namely Country Club, eThekwini Beach, Laguna Beach, Toti Main Beach and Reunion , is prohibited due to water quality. 32 swimming pools in Durban are currently open to the public.
The following beaches are open for swimming:
- operating hours 06:00 - 18:30 -
- uShaka
- Addington
- Point Beach
- North Beach
- Bay of Plenty
- Wedge
- Battery Beach
- South Beach
- uMgababa
- uMhlanga Main Beach
- Bronze Beach
- mDloti Main
- Westbrook
- Brighton
- Pipeline Beach
- Anstey's Beach
- Warner Beach
- Winkelespruit
Beach(es) closed for swimming:
- Country Club
- eThekwini Beach
- Laguna Beach
- Toti Main Beach
- Reunion
Recreational activities other than swimming at beaches closed for swimming are allowed!
16 February 2024
Namibia: FlyNamibia to resume flights between Windhoek <> Walvis Bay!
Namibian domestic and regional carrier FlyNamibia has announced that it will resume flights to Walvis Bay, second largest city in Namibia and the largest coastal city in the country. The airline will operate four weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek and Walvis Bay International Airport (WVB) in Walvis Bay. Flights are open for booking and will commence on 01 April 2024. FlyNamibia suspended flights between Eros Airport (ERS) in Windhoek and Walvis Bay in August 2023 due to a lack of demand.
Passport validity requirements for international travellers in Southern Africa!
In order to give you an overview on the passport validity requirements for international travellers in Southern Africa, we compared the information the UK, the US and Germany are providing regarding the validity and the number of blank pages a passport needs to have when entering Angola, Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Angola:
- According to the UK "Foreign travel advice", your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Angola and have at least 2 blank pages.
- According to the US Department of State, your passport must be valid for at least the planned duration of stay and must have one blank page.
- According to the German "Auswärtiges Amt", your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the day of departure.
- According to the UK "Foreign travel advice", your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and at least 3 blank pages. Dual nationals must enter Botswana on the same passport they used to exit the previous country.
- According to the US Department of State, your passport must be valid for at least 6 month and must have three or more unused pages; one blank page per entry.
- According to the German "Auswärtiges Amt", your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry and should have at least four blank pages.
eSwatini:
- According to the UK "Foreign travel advice", your passport should be valid for 3 months from the date you arrive and have at least 2 blank pages. If you intend to visit South Africa before or after travelling to Eswatini, you’ll need to have an additional 2 blank pages to enter and leave South Africa.
- According to the US Department of State, your passport must be valid for at least 6 month and must have 2 blank pages per entry.
- According to the German "Auswärtiges Amt", your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry and have at least two to three free pages.
- According to the UK "Foreign travel advice", your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 90 days after the date you arrive. You need at least 4 blank pages for passport stamping. Lesotho border control need to stamp your passport and so do South African border control on your way to and from Lesotho.
- According to the US Department of State, your passport must be valid at time of entry; 3 months of remaining validity suggested. It must have one blank page per entry stamp.
- According to the German "Auswärtiges Amt", your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry and have two blank pages for entry/exit stamps.
- According to the UK "Foreign travel advice", your passport must have an "expiry date" at least 6 months after the day you arrive in Malawi.
- According to the US Department of State, your passport must be valid for at least 6 month and must have one blank page for entry stamp.
- According to the German "Auswärtiges Amt", your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry.
- According to the UK "Foreign travel advice", your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. You need at least 2 blank pages for entry stamps.
- According to the US Department of State, your passport must be valid for at least 6 month from entry into Mozambique and must have 2 blank pages for visa and entry/exit stamps.
- According to the German "Auswärtiges Amt", your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of entry.
- According to the UK "Foreign travel advice", your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. It must also have at least one blank page. If you’re travelling to South Africa, you will need an additional 2 blank pages.
- According to the US Department of State, your passport must be valid for at least 6 month and must have three blank pages.
- According to the German "Auswärtiges Amt", when entering Namibia your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the trip and must contain at least two free pages. Your passport must also be in good condition - it should neither be damaged nor difficult to read.
- According to the UK "Foreign travel advice", your passport should:
- be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended date of exit from South Africa
- have 2 blank pages
- If you hold South African citizenship, you must use your South African passport to enter and exit the country. It is illegal for a South African citizen aged 18 or over to enter or leave the country on a foreign passport.
- According to the US Department of State, your passport must be valid 30 days beyond your intended date of exit from South Africa and is must have 2 consecutive empty visa pages per entry (not including endorsement pages).
- According to the German "Auswärtiges Amt", your passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the date of exit from South Africa and have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.
- According to the UK "Foreign travel advice", your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. It must have at least 2 blank pages for entry stamping.
- Zambia recognises dual nationality. However, to avoid delays at the airport you should leave Zambia on the same passport you used to enter.
- According to the US Department of State, your passport must be valid for at least 6 month and must have three blank pages per entry for Zambia.
- According to the German "Auswärtiges Amt", your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
- According to the UK "Foreign travel advice", your passport must:
- be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your arrival
- have 3 blank pages, in case you need to enter Zimbabwe and exit through one of the neighbouring countries or if you need to leave at short notice
- The US Department of State is recommending a passport validity of 6 month and two blank pages.
- According to the German "Auswärtiges Amt", your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay.
- If you are entering Zimbabwe on a transit flight and/or your return flight is via South Africa, both the South African and Zimbabwean immigration authorities require you to have at least six blank pages in your passport. Zimbabwe and South Africa each require two consecutive blank pages in each passport for entry and exit. In addition, both countries require two additional blank pages.
- The Ausweärtige Amt also advises that for transit flights via South Africa and return flights via South Africa your passport must have at least six blank pages. If you are entering Zimbabwe without a transit flight, your passport must have at least four blank pages.
sources (as of 16 February 2024):
- UK "Foreign travel advice" https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
- US Department of State https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
- Auswärtiges Amt https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/reise-und-sicherheitshinweise
15 February 2024
South Africa: Airlink resumes its popular “bush & beach” service!
South African regional and domestic airline Airlink is set to resume its peak season “bush & beach” service linking Mbombela’s (formerly Nelspruit) Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) with Vilankulo Airport (VNX) in Vilanculos (or Vilankulo) in Mozambique’s Inhambane Province famous and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Back by popular demand, the direct service will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 01 July 2024 and run until 05 January 2025. The seasonal route will augment Airlink’s year-round daily direct service between Johannesburg and Vilanculos. Flights on the route will be operated by modern and reliable Embraer Regional Jets.
- Mbombela 12:20 > 13:30 Vilanculos
- Vilanculos 14:25 > 16:10 Johannesburg
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) is located about 30km north east of Mbombela in Mpumalanga. The airport known as the major gateway for tourists traveling (by air) to Kruger National Park and neighbouring private game lodges as well as spectacular vistas such as God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck, the Three Rondavels and several waterfalls.
Vilanculos (or Vilankulo) is a popular beach holiday destination and gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago. It is renowned for its spectacular beaches, marine life, restaurants, a variety of accommodation options as well as markets for fresh produce, arts and crafts.
Southern Africa: Consensus outlook for the February to June 2024 rainfall season!
The Southern African Development Communtiy (SADC)* has released the official statement from the Twenty-Eighth Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-28), which took place in Maputo (Mozambique) from 29 to 31 January 2024 to present a consensus outlook for the February to June 2024 rainfall season over the SADC region. This period is covering the transition from summer wet season to winter dry season over most of the region, “long rains" season in regions characterised by bi-modal rainfall (northern part of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and eastern part of Tanzania) and transition from summer dry season to winter wet season in the south-western tip of Africa. According to the outlook, most member states in the northern half and the southeastern parts of the SADC region are likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall for most of the period from February to June 2024, except for central parts of the region and south-western parts where normal to below-normal and below-normal rainfall are expected. Above normal rainfall is expected over the north-eastern parts of the SADC region during the March 2024 to May 2024 period. The north-western and south-eastern parts of the region are expected to receive normal to below-normal rainfall during the April 2024 to June 2024 rainfall season. During this period, the central parts of the SADC region are expected to receive normal to above-normal rainfall. Below normal rainfall conditions are expected to persist over the western regions of the SADC region, mostly in Botswana, Namibia, southern Angola and south-western South Africa throughout the forecast period.
February - April 2024
- Northern half of Angola, DRC, northern Zambia, northern Malawi, Tanzaniaand northern Mozambique
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall
- Southern half of Angola, northern fringes of Namibia, north-eastern Botswana, southern Zambia, Zimbabwe, southern Malawi, and most of Mozambique
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of below-normal rainfall (High Confidence)
- Most of central Namibia and most of western Botswana and northwestern fringes of South Africa
- Increased chances of below normal rainfall (High Confidence)
- Southern fringes of Botswana, extreme southern parts of Zimbabwe, most of South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini and southern fringes of Mozambique
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall (High Confidence)
- Southern Namibia and south-western South Africa
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of below-normal rainfall
- Comoros
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall
- North and central Madagascar
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall
- Southern Madagascar
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of below-normal rainfall (High Confidence)
- Mauritius
- Normal rainfall with increased chances above-normal rainfall
- Seychelles
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of below-normal rainfall
March to May 2024
- Western half of DRC and northern half of Angola
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall
- Eastern half of DRC, western half of Tanzania, northern Zambia, and north-eastern fringes of Angola
- Increased chances of above normal rainfall (High Confidence)
- Eastern Tanzania, eastern Malawi, and northern Mozambique
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall
- Most of southern half of Angola, northern Namibia, central and southern parts of Zambia, south-eastern fringes of DRC, south-western Malawi, northern Botswana, the bulk of Zimbabwe, extreme north-eastern fringes of South Africa and central and southern parts of Mozambique
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of below-normal rainfall
- Central and southern parts of Namibia, western Botswana, and western South Africa
- Increased chances of below normal rainfall
- Southern fringes of Botswana, extreme southern tip of Zimbabwe, most of South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, and southern fringes of Mozambique
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall (High Confidence)
- Comoros
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall
- Madagascar
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall (High Confidence)
- Mauritius
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall
- Seychelles
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall
April to June 2024
- North-western tip of Namibia, most of Angola, DRC, northern tip of Zambia and western tip of Tanzania
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of below-normal rainfall (High Confidence)
- Southern tip of Angola, most of Namibia, western fringes of Botswana and western parts of South Africa
- Increased chances of below normal rainfall
- South-eastern Angola, southern tip of DRC, extreme north-eastern part of Namibia extreme western tip of Zimbabwe, most of Botswana, most of Zambia, northern Malawi, most of Tanzania, most of South Africa, Lesotho, most of Eswatini, northern and southern tips of Mozambique
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall (High Confidence)
- Northern Eswatini, north-eastern South Africa, eastern part of Botswana, most of Zimbabwe, southern fringes of Zambia, southern Malawi, most of Mozambique
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of below-normal rainfall
- Comoros
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall
- Madagascar
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of below-normal rainfall (High Confidence)
- Mauritius
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall
- Seychelles
- Normal rainfall with increased chances of above-normal rainfall
* Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland), Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
13 February 2024
Western Cape: Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve temporarily closed! [update]
update (15 Febuary 2024): CapeNature has deleted the posting on Facebook regarding the temporary closure of the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve until 17 February 2024. However, it has now published the following information: "Please note that all CapeNature's hiking trails, huts and the picnic site at Hottentots-Holland Nature Reserve will be closed till the 20th of February due to a fire in the area."
CapeNature, the public institution with the responsibility for biodiversity conservation in South Africa's Western Cape has announced that the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve will be closed till 17 February 2024 due to a fire in that area. The Nature Reserve is located in the Hottentots Holland Mountains, about 90km south-east of Cape Town. The 70 000-hectare reserve stretches from Elgin in the south to beyond Villiersdorp in the north, and from the Stellenbosch Mountains in the west, eastwards to the Groenland Mountains.
The Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve is home to approximately 110 bird species and about 1300 species of mountain fynbos. Many mamals have been re-introduced, including the rare Cape mountain zebra, eland, bontebokand red hartebeest. Populations of grey rhebuck, klipspringer, common duiker and grysbok occur and, while leopards frequent these mountains, they are seldom seen.
The entrance to the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve is at Nuweberg, high in Viljoen's Pass between Grabouw and Villiersdorp. Take the N2 over Sir Lowry’s Pass, turn left on the R321, go through Grabouw and on towards Villiersdorp. Up in Viljoen’s Pass, watch out for Nuweberg and the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve entrance signposted on your left.
Durban: uShaka Marine World closed until further notice due to strike over wages!
The uShaka Marine World in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal has announced on 12 February 2024 that it is temporarily closed until further notice due to an industrial action. The theme park’s employees represented by the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) issued the management with a strike notice after wage negotiations with the eThekwini Municipality, the owner of the uShaka Marine World, have deadlocked. The dispute is now being handled by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
According to the Berea Mail, a local newspaper from Durban, the staff of uShaka Sea World will continue to care for the animals during the strike as they are managed by a separate entity to uShaka Marine World.
South Africa: SANParks to upgrade the pathway to the bird hide in the Twee Rivieren Rest Camp! [update #2]
update (16 April 2024): The upgrading of the walkway to the bird hide at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park complete! The walkway is now also wheelchair friendly. For pics, click here!
update (08 March 2024): The upgrading of the walkway to the bird hide at Twee Rivieren Rest Camp at Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is currently 50% complete! For pics, click here!
The South African National Parks (SANParks) Management of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has announced that it will be conducting maintenance on the pathway to the bird hide in the Twee Rivieren Rest Camp to improve accessibility and make it more disable-friendly. The maintenance is expected to take a couple of months. The bird hide was officially opened in September 2019. The entrance to the facility is in front of Twee Rivieren Rest Camp's Chalet No. 01.
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.
12 February 2024
Kenya Airways introduces a new service to Mozambique! [update]
update (06 March 2024): According to other news sources, Kenya Airways will launch its service between Nairobi and Maputo on 14 June 2024. The airline will operate flights on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Nairobi 09:50 > 13:00 Maputo
Maputo 13:50 > 18:45 Nairobi
The Head of Network Planning and Alliances of Kenya Airways, Martin Gitonga, announced in Jon Howell's AviaDev Insight Africa podcast that Kenya Airways is set to launch a new service to Mozambique. According to Mr Gitonga, the airline will initially operate three weekly flights between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi and Maputo International Airport (MPM) in Maputo. The new service will commence on 15 June 2024. Mr Gitonga further announced in the podcast that Kenya Airways is also planning to introduce scheduled flights to another destination in Southern Africa. We'll keep you posted!
South Africa: CemAir introduces flights between Johannesburg <> East London!
South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir is set to introduce a new domestic service in South Africa. The airline will launchnon-stop flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and King Phalo Airport (ELS) in East London in the Eastern Cape. Effective 07 April 2024, the CemAir will be operating five weekly flights between the two destinations.
- Johannesburg 18:00 > 19:30 East London daily from Sunday to Thursday
- East London 06:00 > 07:20 Johannesburg daily from Monday to Friday
Namibia: FlyNamibia adjusts Windhoek <> Katima Mulilo schedule!
Namibian domestic and regional carrier FlyNamibia has announced that it will adjust the schedule of its service between Eros Windhoek (ERS) in Windhoek and Katima Mulilo Airport (MPA) in Katima Mulilo, the capital of the Zambezi Region in Namibia. The departure time in Windhoek will be changed from 11:00 to 14:40 and the departure time in Katima Mulilo from 13:10 to 17:10. The new schedule becomes effective on 01 March 2024. FlyNamibia operates three weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between the two destinations.
09 February 2024
Namibia: FlyNamibia increases flights to Ondangwa in northern Namibia!
Namibian domestic and regional carrier FlyNamibia has announced that it will increase flights to Ondangwa in northern Namibia. Effective 01 March 2024, the airline will introduce an additional flight on Mondays between Eros Windhoek (ERS) in Windhoek and Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Airport (OND) in Ondangwa. The introduction of the Monday service means that Fly Namibia will offer flights between these destinations six days a week. The airline currently offers flights every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and twice on Fridays and Sundays.
08 February 2024
Malawi lifts visa requirements for travellers from 48 (?) countries! [update]
update (09 February 2024): According to Minister Kamtukule, visa waiver for 48 countries have been introduced. The Immigration (Amendment) Regulations, 2024, lists 67 countries as well as nationals from the Southern African Developement Community (SADC) except for those countries that subject Malawians to a visa requirement.
The Malawian Minister of Tourism, Vera Kamtukule, announced on Facebook that the Government of Malawi is lifting visa requirements for travellers from selected countries from around the world in order to boost tourism and trade. According to Immigration (Amendment) Regulations, 2024, Malawi is now granting visa waivers to 48 countries, such as Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the UK and the US. The new requlation also includes nationals from the Southern African Developement Community (SADC) except for those countries that subject Malawians to a visa requirement. The new visa regulation became effective on 07 February 2024.
South Africa: Western Cape to host the World Rugby U20 Championship 2024!
The Western Cape in South Africa is set to host the World Rugby U20 Championship in June and July this year. According to World Rugby and South African Rugby (SA Rugby), the tournament will be played over five match days in Stellenbosch and Cape Town, with the participating teams grouped into three pools of four. The first round will take place 29 June 2024 and the final will be played at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on 19 July 2024.
Three-time consecutive winners France are in Pool A with New Zealand, Wales and Spain, who will make their debut after winning the World Rugby U20 Trophy in 2023. Ireland, Australia, Georgia and Italy make up Pool B, while South Africa's Junior Springboks are set to face England, Argentina and Fiji in Pool C.
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| Photo by Edgar Pimenta on Unsplash |
World Rugby U20 Championship 2024 (29 June 2024 to 19 July 2024):
Venues:
Danie Craven Stadium (Stellenbosch), Athlone Stadium, DHL Stadium (both in Cape Town)
Pools (with 2023 ranking in brackets):
Pool A: France (1), Wales (6), New Zealand (7), Spain (12)
Pool B: Ireland (2), Australia (5), Georgia (8), Italy (11)
Pool C: South Africa (3), England (4), Argentina (9), Fiji (10)
Pool matches:
Match day 1: Saturday, 29 June 2024
Match day 2: Thursday, 4 July 2024
Match day 3: Tuesday, 9 July 2024
Playoff matches:
Match day 4: Sunday,14 July 2024
Match day 5: Friday, 19 July 2024 (final and ranking matches)
07 February 2024
South Africa: Seasonal rainfall & temperature outlook (February 2024 - May 2024)!
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has released the Seasonal Climate Watch for the period February 2024 to May 2024. According to the seasonal outlook, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is currently in a strong El Niño state. This El Niño event is predicted to persist through the 2023/2024 summer (October to March), whereafter it is predicted to weaken with ENSO neutral conditions by the coming winter. ENSO usually provides Southern Africa with generally drier and warmer conditions during the summer seasons. However, current forecasts from various seasonal prediction producers indicate enhanced chances for below-normal rainfall over most areas of the western part of South Africa, while the outlook for rainfall over the eastern parts has lower probabilities assigned to the relevant rainfall category (below-normal or above-normal) with some areas characterised by no clear signal.
SAWS's multi-model rainfall forecast indicates mostly below-normal rainfall over most of South Africa between February and June 2024, except for some central parts of the country betwween March, April and May where enhanced probabilities for above-normal rainfall is predicted. SAWS points out that, given the relatively low probabilities of the predicted rainfall category over the eastern parts of South Africa, caution is advised when using the seasonal forecast for any planning purposes.
Minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to be mostly above-normal in South Africa for the forecast period (February 2024 to May 2024).
06 February 2024
Mpumalanga: De Berg Nature Reserve declared South Africa’s 30th Ramsar site!
The De Berg Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga has been declared a Wetland of International Importance ("Ramsar Site") by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, also known as the Ramsar Convention. This addition brings the number of South Africa's Ramsar Sites to 30.
The De Berg Nature Reserve is located along the headwaters of the Dwars River about 20 kilometres north of the town of Dullstroom and lies adjacent to the Verloren Valei Ramsar Site. At an elevation of just over 2300 meters above sea level, the Nature Reserve contains the highest altitude wetlands in Mpumalanga. It consists of numerous valley bottom, seep wetlands and mountain streams and represents some of the most pristine and habitat diverse watercourses in the South African grassland biome.
The Convention on Wetlands/Ramsar Convention is an
intergovernmental treaty that embodies the commitments of its member
countries to maintain the ecological character of their Wetlands of
International Importance and to plan for the "wise use", or sustainable
use, of all of the wetlands in their territories.
South Africa: CemAir to launch a new service to Zimbabwe!
South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir is set to launch a new service to Zimbabwe. Effective 21 March 2024, the airline will operate four weekly non-stop flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare. Flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will depart Johannesburg at 07:00 and arrive Harare at 08:40, while flights on Sundays will be at 10:00 with an arrival time in Harare at 11:40. Weekday flights will depart Harare at 09:25 and arrive in Johannesburg at 11:05, while flights on Sundays will be at 12:25 with an arrival time in Johannesburg at 14:05.
05 February 2024
Cape Town: Table Mountain Cableway announces extended annual maintenance shutdown for 2024!
Cape Town's Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) has announced that the Table Mountain Cableway will close for an extended annual maintenance shutdown this year. The closure for such an extended time is in line with the maintenance schedule, in accordance with international standards. Aside from refurbishing the outlets and refreshing the look and feel of both the Top and Lower Stations, extensive work will be done on the cable cars and the ropes. The Table Mountain Cableway will shut down from 15 July 2024 to 01 September 2024 and will re-open, weather permitting on 02 September 2024.
Visitors can still hike up Table Mountain at their own risk during maintenance shutdown, but cable cars and all facilities, including our restrooms, eateries and shops will not be open during this time.
The Table Mountain Cableway is a cable car transportation system offering visitors a five-minute ride to the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. Since 04 October 1929, it has have been providing visitors with a world-class cableway experience when accessing the famous mountain overlooking the Mother City.
02 February 2024
Zambia: Proflight Zambia & Air Tanzania have signed an interline ticketing agreement!
Zambian scheduled airline Proflight Zambia and the the flag carrier airline of Tanzania, Air Tanzania, have signed an interline ticketing agreement. Under the agreement, a streamlined ticketing process will enable travellers to effortlessly book itineraries across both airlines and to enjoy the benefits and services of the two airlines in a single ticketed journey. The interline agreement between Proflight Zambia (P0/659) and Air Tanzania (TC/197) came into effect on 18 December 2023, allowing Air Tanzania to ticket onto Proflight Zambia’s flights and vice versa.
Qatar Airways to launch flights to Madagascar!
The flag carrier of Qatar, Qatar Airways, is set to launch scheduled flights to Madagascar. The announcement was made by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA), which signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Madagascar Civil Aviation Authority (ACM) to stipulate the operation of passenger and cargo flights between Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha and Ivato International Airport (TNR), the main international airport serving Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. According to the press release by the QCAA, Qatar Airways will operate seven weekly flights between Doha and Madagascar. A launch date has not yet been announced. We'll keep you posted!
01 February 2024
Kruger National Park Calendar - March!
Weather:
- end of summer...
- still hot and humid during the day, but nights begin to get colder
- last major rainfalls of the season
Temperatures:
- between 18°C - 33°C (Fahrenheit: e.g. 33°C = [(33x9)]/5 + 32 = 91.4°F)
- visit our webcam page for live footage from Kruger National Park!
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Landscape:
- water availability at its peak
- river levels high
- dense vegetation
- grasslands in full seed
Animal Activity:
- animal dispersal at its widest
- animals rather relaxed - least competition for resources
- water sources throughout the park are usually full
- buffalo & kudu breeding peak
- many migrant birds leaving