Namibia/Angola: Oshikango/Santa Clara Border Post to operate on a 24 hour basis! [update]

update (14 June 2024): According to the Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, the Oshikango/Santa Clara Border Post between Namibia and Angola is set to operate 24 hours a day starting today. This makes the border post the third Namibian border to operate 24/7, joining Wenela (Zambia) and Mamuno-Trans Kalahari (Botswana). 

According to the national news agency of  Namibia, the Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), the Namibian Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Albert Kawana revealed today (28 March 2024) that the Oshikango/Santa Clara Border Post between Namibia and Angola will soon operate on a 24 hour basis. Preparations with the Angolan authorities are at an advanced stage.
The Oshikango/Santa Clara Border Post is located near the town of Oshikango in the Ohangwena region in North Central Namibia. According to the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), the border post is open daily between 08:00 - 18:00. According to the Namibian Ministery of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, the border post opens daily at 08:00 and closes at 19:00. The Oshikango/Santa Clara Border Post is one of four border posts between Namibia and Angola. The other three are Ruacana, Omahenene and Rundu/Katwitwi.

Durban: Four beaches are currently closed for swimming 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 27 March 2024) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, 19 beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at four beaches, namely Country Club, Thekwini Beach, Battery 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 - 

1. uShaka
2. Addington
3. Point Beach
4. North Beach
5. Bay of Plenty
6. Wedge
7. Laguna Beach
8. South Beach
9. uMgababa
10. uMhlanga Main Beach
11. Bonze Beach
12. mDloti Main
13. Westbrook
14. Brighton
15. Pipeline Beach
16. Anstey's Beach
17. Warner Beach
18. Winkelelspruit
19. Toti Main Beach 

Beach(es) closed for swimming:

1. Country Club
2. Thekwini Beach
3. Battery Beach
4. Reunion

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

Addo Elephant National Park: Addo Main Camp currently without water provision!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has informed the public that the Addo Main Camp in Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa's Eastern Cape is currently without water provision. According to SANParks, this is due to burst water pipe. SANParks' technical staff are attending the problem, but it is currently unclear when the issue will be rectified. We'll keep you posted!

Kruger National Park: Project to minimise bat infestation at rest camps to be rolled out!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that it is aware of the infestation of bats in some units at rest camps in Kruger National Park. As a protected area, Kruger National Park is managing biodiversity as naturally as possible and as such has to find a delicate balance between wildlife and the many visitors that enjoy nature.
The infestation is seasonal between April and October and SANParks' scientists and conservation management teams are rolling out a project to minimise the bat infestation in a safe and humane manner. The proposed solutions include sealing unit roofs so that the mammals can't gain access to the buildings and other methods to discourage the animals from roosting on the verandas. The project will commence on 08 April 2024 at Lower Sabie Rest Camp and move to other camps.

Easter 2024: Kruger National Park enforces daily gate quotas for day visitors!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the management of Kruger National Park will implement gate quotas for day visitors during the Easter Weekend 2024 as an increased number of visitors is expected. Three time slots have been introduced, of which day visitos can choose from. Visitors are advised to book online ahead of their visit. The times slots below will apply:

• Time slot 1: 06.00 to 08:00
• Time slot 2: 08:00 to 10:00
• Time slot 3: 10:00 onwards

During the Easter Weekend, SANParks will also implement plans for increased visibility of both traffic officials and visitor management personnel to monitor speeding, after-hours travelling and general behaviour on the roads.

Survey: These towns in South Africa have the best air quality!

Swiss air quality technology company IQAir has released the 6th Annual World Air Quality Report, which reveals details of the world’s most polluted countries, territories, and regions in 2023. For this year’s report, data from more than 30,000 air quality monitoring stations across 7,812 locations in 134 countries, territories, and regions was analyzed by the company’s air quality scientists. According to the Report, Nieuwoudtville in the Namakwa District Municipality in the Northern Cape is not only the city with the cleanest air (PM2.5* concentration 2.1µg/m³) in South Africa, but also on the African continent. The town of Botrivier/Bot River (2.8µg/m³), situated in the Overberg Region of the Western Cape, comes in second followed by Lichtenburg (5.1µg/m³)in the North West Province and Cape Town (5.9µg/m³) in the Western Cape.
On the downside, two cities in South Africa are the most polluted regional cities on the African continent. Benoni (54.9 µg/m³) in Gauteng is Africa's and South Africa's city with the worst air quality, followed by Bloemfontein (49.4 µg/m³) in the Free State.

The air quality in South Africa as a whole has improved significantly from 2022. The country’s annual average PM2.5 concentration showed a 14.8% decrease going from 23.4µg/m³ in 2022 to 19.9µg/m³ in 2023. The towns of Nieuwoudtville and Botrivier/Bot River met the World Health Organisation (WHO) annual PM2.5 guideline of having an annual average PM2.5 concentration at or below 5µg/m³.Cape Town met these requirements for four months but reported an annual average concentration of 5.9µg/m³ for the entire year.

Please note: Only 24 out of 54 countries in Africa had sufficient data available to be included in the 6th Annual World Air Quality Report, leaving 30 countries unaccounted for.

* The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for PM2.5 concentrations is five micrograms per cubic meter or 5 µg/m³ annually.

 

Karoo National Park: Old Schuur Interpretive Centre currenly closed until further notice! [update]

update (28 March 2024): The Old Schuur Interpretive Centre in the Karoo National Park is open again!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has informed the public that Old Schuur Interpretive Centre in the Karoo National Park is closed until further notice due to an electrical fault. SANParks will have the problem attended to on Monday, 25 March 2024.
The Old Schuur Interpretive Centre is set in an old farm building, renovated to reflect its original form and dates back to the 1800’s. Positioned just outside the Karoo Rest Camp near the camping site, the centre is accessible via a beautiful wooden boardwalk. It offers historical displays and information on the flora and fauna of the Karoo, as well as the ecological and cultural history of the Karoo National Park.

Kruger National Park: Important public facility at Mopani Rest Camp closed for renovation! [update]

update (16 April 2024): The laundromat at Mopani Rest Camp in Kruger National Park is still under maintenance! 

South African National Parks (SANPark) has announced that the public laundry facility ("laundromat") at Mopani Rest Camp in Kruger National Park is currently closed due to renovation until further notice.
Mopani Rest Camp is located on the north bank of Pioneer dam along the Tsendze River in Kruger National Park. The rest camp provides a day visitors picnic area, cafeteria, restaurant, ladies bar, swimming pool, shop, public laundry facilites, a filling station and a mini ATM inside the restaurant. The closest gate to Mopani Rest Camp is Phalaborwa Gate, which is 74 kilometres away. It is situated about 47 kilometres from Letaba Rest Camp and 65 kilometres from Shingwedzi Rest Camp.

Mozambique: Gorongosa National Park reopens!

Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique is set to reopen. The National Park in the Sofala Province in central Mozambique closes annually  during the rainy season in mid-December and will open its gates again for single and muti-day overnight safaris from 01 April 2024.
Gorongosa National Park is renowned for its diverse ecosystems, abundant wildlife. It boasts an impressive array of biodiversity, with various habitats ranging from floodplains and savannas to rainforests and miombo woodlands. The National Park is home to iconic African species such as lions, elephants, hippos, buffalo, zebras, and crocodiles. It's also known for its healthy populations of antelope species like impalas, waterbucks, and sable antelopes. Additionally, Gorongosa is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 400 species of birds recorded within its borders.

Kruger National Park: Orpen Gate temporarily inaccessible for both entry and exit! [update]

update (21 March 2024): SANParks has informed the public that Orpen Gate has been cleared and is now accessible for guests to enter and exit Kruger National Park. 

South African National Parks (SANParks) has informed the public this morning that Kruger National Park's Orpen Gate is currently inaccessible for both entry and exit. The landclaimants of that area are peacefully protesting regarding landclaims issues. SANParks is advising guests to use alternative gates, such as Phalaborwa Gate, to enter and exit Kruger National Park until such time. We'll keep you posted!
Orpen Gate is located in the western region of Kruger National Park. It provides access to the central and western parts of the National Park. Phalaborwa Gate is approximately 140 kilometers north from Orpen Gate via the R40 and R71 roads. 

West Coast National Park: SANParks set to upgrade infrastructure and tourism facilities!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that is has earmarked key strategic plans for infrastructure development in West Coast National Park. This comes after the allocation of an additional R700 million for infrastructure investment over the next three years to SANParks. This allocation by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment (DFFE) is intended to improve the visitor experience at various national parks under SANParks’ management. West Coast National Park in South Africa's Western Cape is one of the National Parks that has received an injection of +/R31 million to upgrade the park’s infrastructure and tourism facilities to ultimately improve the visitor’s experience in the park and also to boost income generation.
The following projects have been highlighted for West Coast National Park:

• Construction of the R27 Entrance Gate, West Coast National Park
• Construction of the Park Management Offices
• Geelbek Activity Node
• Kraalbaai Management Offices and Public Ablutions
• Duinepos – refurbishment of eleven chalets

These projects will be rolled out over the next three years with handover envisaged for 2026. The entrance gate next to the R27/ West Coast Road, the main entrance gate to West Coast National Park, is one of the first that will be rolled out. Immediately after the completion of the gate upgrade, the construction work will resume for the Duinepos chalets upgrade. The chalets have been non-operational due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The remaining three planned developments will be rolled out right after the latter.

Durban: uShaka Marine World reopens after strike!

The uShaka Marine World in Durban in KwaZulu-Nata has announced on 15 March 2024 that it is reopening to guests on 16 March 2024. The theme park on Durban's Golden Mile was closed since 12 February due to an industrial action. The strike got suspended officially from Friday, 15 March 2024. To accommodate for the preparations, the reopening of the various offerings will have a staggered approach as follows:

• Village Walk Mall – open on Saturday, 16 March 2024
• Dangerous Creatures – open on Saturday, 16 March 2024
• Sea Animal Encounter Island - open on Saturday, 16 March 2024
• Sea World - open on Saturday, 16 March 2024
• Cargo Hold Restaurant – open on Monday, 18 March 2024
• Wahooz Restaurant – open on Monday, 18 March 2024
• Kids World – open on Wednesday, 20 March 2024
• Wet n Wild – open on Wednesday, 20 March 2024

South Africa: Airlink resumes flights to Madagascar's largest and busiest tourist resort!

South African regional and domestic airline Airlink is set to resume flights to Madagascar's largest and busiest tourist resort. The airline will introduce one weekly direct service on Sundays between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Fascene Airport (NOS) on the island of Nosy Be from 24 March 2024. Flights will depart Johannesburg at 09:10 and arrive on Nosy Be at 13:40. The return flight will depart Nosy Be at 14:25 and arrive in Johannesburg at 17:10.
The island of Nosy Be is located about eight kilometers off the northwest coast of Madagascar in the Mozambique Channel. The island is the most developed tourism destination in Madagascar.

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South Africa: Government scraps sale of South African Airways (SAA)!

The South African Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has announced the termination of negotiations by mutual consent for the transaction to sell a controlling stake in South African Airways (SAA) to the Takatso Consortium. Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan explained during a media briefing on 13 March 2024 in Cape Town that while three years ago, a valuation of SAA’s business and assets had been reached, circumstances have now changed – prompting a disagreement on the revised transaction structure.
According to Minister Gordhan, the South African Government is convinced that South African Airways (SAA) can sustain itself for the next year to 18 months and there are various, other ways in which immediate financing can be obtained. He further said that at no stage, in the course of the months that come, will SAA get money from the fiscus. South African Airways (SAA) will revert to being fully state-owned.
The deal between the South African Government and the Takatso Consortium originates from June 2021, when the Takatso Consortium was named as SAA’s new Strategic Equity Partner (SEP). The SEP would privately own a 51% stake in SAA while the South African government would hold the remaining 49%. Prior to the deal, South African Airways (SAA) was forced to enter into business rescue proceedings in December 2019.
We'll keep you posted!

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Western Cape: Section of the R43 in the Overberg fully closed until September 2024!

The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has announced that a three kilometres section of the R43 from the Kleinmond interchange on the N2 (Exit 90 to Kleinmond and Hermanus) will be closed for at least six month (September 2024). This is due to  road safety improvement which involves a full upgrade and reconstruction of layerworks, as well as widening the road to 3.7m wide lanes, with 2.4m wide shoulders in both directions. All traffic will be rerouted via the Botrivier interchange on the N2 (Exit 92) that is approximately two kilometres from the road closure.

South Africa: South African Airlines (SAA) adjusts its Johannesburg <> Perth schedule!

The flag carrier airline of South Africa, South African Airways (SAA), has announced that it has undertaken a schedule review of its upcoming service to Perth in Western Australia to identify areas for enhancement. SAA customers travelling from Perth can expect more convenient departure and arrival times, allowing for easier domestic and regional connections and reduced travel times. This change also assists connecting customers from New Zealand and other cities in Australia.

"We are thrilled to introduce this enhancement to our flight schedule, which directly addresses feedback and preferences from our customers," says SAA’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr Tebogo Tsimane. 

From its inaugural flight on 28 April 2024, SAA's flights from OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg to Perth Airport (PER) in Perth will depart at 20:55 and arrive at 12:20 the following day. The schedule for outward bound flights remains unchanged.
On 29 April 2024, the inaugural flight from Perth to Johannesburg will now depart Perth at 23:50 and arrive in Johannesburg at 04:45 on 30 April 2024. All times are local for both Johannesburg and Perth. Customers already booked on the earlier departure time from Perth will be accommodated on the flight on the same day.

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Kruger National Park: Problems with diesel pump at Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp! [update]

update (15 March 2024): SANParks has announced that the diesel pumps have been repaired and are accessible again.

According to South African National Parks (SANParks), problems with the diesel pump are currently experienced at Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp in Kruger National Park. SANParks advises visitors to the Rest Camp to fill up at alternative stations until further notice. The closest petrol station inside Kruger National Park is located at Lower Sabie Rest Camp, which is situated approximately 36 kilometers northwest of Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp. The closest petrol station outside Kruger National Park is located in the town of Komatipoort, approximately 8 kilometers from Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp.
The Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp is located  in the south-eastern corner of the Kruger National Park, on the northern bank of the Crocodile River. It is situated near the Crocodile Bridge Gate.

Durban: Five beaches are currently closed for swimming 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 13 March 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, Thekwini Beach, Laguna Beach, Reunion and mDloti Main, 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 -

1. uShaka
2. Addington
3. Point Beach
4. North Beach
5. Bay of Plenty
6. Wedge
7. Battery Beach
8. South Beach
9. uMgababa
10. uMhlanga Main Beach
11. Bronze Beach
12. Westbrook
13. Brighton
14. Pipeline Beach
15. Anstey's Beach
16. Warner Beach
17. Winkelespruit
18. Toti Main Beach
    

Beach(es) closed for swimming:

1. Country Club
2. Thekwini Beach
3. Laguna Beach
4. Toti Main Beach
5. Reunion
6. mDloti Main

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

 

 

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Park shops with changed opening hours due to stocktaking at the end of March 2024!

The Management of Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park has announced that due to monthly stocktaking all shops in the National Park will have to temporarily change its operating hours on selected dates at the end of March 2024. The shops in the Mata-Mata Rest Camp (on 22 March 2024) and the Nossob Rest Camp (on 26 March 2024) will be open from 07:30 to 09:00 and from 15:00 to 19:15, while the shop in the Twee Rivieren Rest Camp will only be open from 15:00 to 19:45 on 28 March 2024.

George: Gwaing River and the Gwaing River mouth temporarily closed for any water activities until further notice! [update #3]

update (22 March 2024): The George Municipality has announced that the Gwaing River and River Mouth has been reopened for swimming and water activities after water quality tests indicate that the river’s water quality meets requirements. This follows a sewer spill caused by damage to a sewer pipeline by a service provider on 12 March 2024. The damaged pipeline was repaired on the same day and the river was closed as a precautionary measure.

update (15 March 2024): The George Municipality has informed the public, that the Gwaing River and River Mouth remain closed following a sewer spill into the river that was caused by a damaged pipeline earlier this week. The damaged pipeline and electrical lines that were damaged by a service provider were subsequently repaired and are operational.
However, as a precautionary measure, the George Municipality’s Civil Engineering Department is currently conducting water quality tests over the next few weeks until it can be confirmed that the river`s water quality meets the minimum requirements. 

update (13 March 2024): The George Municipality has informed the public that repairs to the Proefplaas Sewer Pump Station Pressure Main Pipeline, which was damaged on 12 March 2024 by a service provider working on overhead electrical lines, have been completed and the pumps are once again operational.
The damage caused a sewer spill into the Gwaing River catchment area and currently the Gwaing River and River mouth remain closed for swimming and water activities as a precautionary measure. We'll keep you posted!

The George Municipality has announced that the Gwaing River and the Gwaing River mouth near Herolds Bay is temporarily closed as a precautionary measure, for swimming and any water activities until further notice. This is due to damage to the Proefplaas Sewer Pump Station Pressure Main Pipeline by a service provider working on overhead electrical lines, which has caused a sewer spill into the Gwaing River catchment area.
Civil Engineering Services has a service provider on site trying to contain the spill and remedial measures are being applied in order to re-commission the sewer pump station. All protocols are being followed and the Department of Water and Sanitation, as well as the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency (BGCMA) have been notified. We'll keep you posted! 

South Africa: Airlink suspends flights to Richards Bay after airport downgraded! [update]

update (11 March 2024): South African regional and domestic carrier Airlink just announced that it will resume its normal Richards Bay flight schedule from tomorrow (12 March 2024) morning. This follows the reinstatement of ichards Bay Airport's (RCB) fire and rescue approval to accommodate scheduled airline operations. 

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has downgraded Richards Bay Airport (RCB) in Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal from category 5 classification to category 2 classification due to safety concerns and non-compliance to Civil Aviation Regulations. As a result, the airport is not permitted to land commercial aircraft and is only granted permissions for small aircraft. According to SACAA spokesperson Sisa Majola, the downgrade followed an inspection by the regulator which identified the risks related to their fire and rescue services that do not meet the required safety standards under this [category 5] grading.
South African regional and domestic carrier Airlink, the only airline offering scheduled operations to Richards Bay Airport (RCB), has suspended all air services to and from the airport. Holders of tickets for flights with Airlink between Johannesburg and Richards Bay are advised to contact the airline to be rebooked for travel at a later date, or to another destination (e.g. Durban), or to request a refund.  

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South Africa: South African Airways makes Gqeberha a year-round destination!

South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA), has announced that its seasonal service to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) in the Eastern Cape will continue as a permanent destination on the airlines' flight itinerary beyond 31 March 2024. SAA resumed its service between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in December 2023 and initially planned to end it at the end of the month. SAA offers two return flights per day, seven days a week, to Gqeberha.

• Johannesburg 11:25 > 13:00 Gqeberha
• Gqeberha 13:30 > 15:05 Johannesburg
• Johannesburg 16:00 > 17:35 Gqeberha
• Gqeberha 18:05 > 19:40 Johannesburg 

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Durban: Six beaches are currently closed for swimming 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 08 March 2024) open and safe for swimming, closed for swimming and of swimming pools that are currently open to the public. According to the lists, 17 beaches in Durban are currently open for swimming, while swimming at six beaches, namely Country Club, Thekwini Beach, Laguna Beach, Toti Main Beach, Reunion and mDloti Main, 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 -

1. uShaka
2. Addington
3. Point Beach
4. North Beach
5. Bay of Plenty
6. Wedge
7. Battery Beach
8. South Beach
9. uMgababa
10. uMhlanga Main Beach
11. Bronze Beach
12. Westbrook
13. Brighton
14. Pipeline Beach
15. Anstey's Beach
16. Warner Beach
17. Winkelespruit

Beach(es) closed for swimming:

1. Country Club
2. Thekwini Beach
3. Laguna Beach
4. Toti Main Beach
5. Reunion
6. mDloti Main

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

South Africa: CemAir introduces flights to one of the largest private Big Five game reserves in South Africa!

South African domestic and regional carrier CemAir is set to launch a new domestic service in South Africa. The airline will introduce flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and the MalaMala airstrip in one of the largest private Big Five game reserves in South Africa, the MalaMala Game Reserve. Effective 01 June 2024, CemAir will operate four flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
The MalaMala Game Reserve covers an area of 13 200 ha shares a 19 km unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park and lies strategically sandwiched between Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. The Game Reserve was the first privately owned and commercially operated game reserve in South Africa and is the model on which all other private game reserves now operate.

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Cape Town: Free entry to selected Iziko 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 on 21 March 2024. This includes the Bo-Kaap Museum (71 Wale Street), Slave Lodge (Corner Adderley and Wale Streets), Rust en Vreugd (78 Buitenkant Street), Koopman's de Wet House (35 Strand Street), South African Museum (25 Queen Victoria Street) and the South African National Gallery (Government Avenue, Company’s Garden.

• Bo-Kaap Museum
• Mondays to Saturdays from 09:00 – 17:00
• Slave Lodge
• Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 17:00
• Rust en Vreugd
• Thursday and Friday 09:00 - 16:00
• Koopman's de Wet House
• Thursday and Friday 09:00 - 16:00
• 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.

Major upgrades for South Africa’s main airports!

The South African Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga, announced during a media briefing on the state of the aviation sector in South Africa that the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) is planning to upgrade the country's main airports. The majority state-owned airport management company, which operates nine of South Africa's airports, has earmarked ZAR 21.7 billion for an airport infrastructure development programme (as per the 5-year permission recently granted by the Regulating Committee). This investment primarily targets refurbishments, efficiency improvements, and statutory compliance measures, with the aim to enhance asset availability, airport safety, and passenger experiences across South Africa's airports. This is the largest capital investment programme by ACSA since preparing for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which took place in South Africa.

• Over the next two years, ACSA plans to embark on crucial capacity expansion projects at Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and George Airport (GRJ) in George, focusing on expansion of their terminal facilities. The terminal expansion project at George Airport (GRJ) is set to commence at the earliest opportunity due to the airport passenger throughout having passed its design capacity pre Covid-19. This will be followed by Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) within the next year or two.
• ACSA is set to embark on the development of a new cargo terminal, known as Mid-field Cargo, at O.R Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on a prioritised basis given the demand and later the development of a Mid-field Passenger Terminal. Other significant projects at the airport will include extension of the bussing gates, which will entail adding six new bussing gates to the existing Terminal, a bussing terminal, along with augmenting retail, seating, and holding lounge areas. Additionally, as part of phase 2 of this project, a new mezzanine level will be constructed to enhance circulation and optimize seating and holding space.
• At Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, priority will be the domestic arrivals terminal reconfiguration to meet growing capacity needs. This encompasses enlarging the meet and greet area, expansion of the baggage claim area, an additional baggage carousel, expansion of the domestic departures lounge, retail spaces, and ablution facilities, as well as the addition of three new contact gates and fixed boarding bridges. Secondly, the initiation and development of the realigned runway development project is anticipated within permission period.
• King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban will see the development of a hotel, given that is a relatively new airport, with terminal expansion during the final year of the permission period.
• At King Phalo Airport (ELS) in East London, the focus during the permission period will be on expansion of the departure lounge, relocation of the security check point, upgrading of ablution facilities, improving retail options in the departure lounge, and adding offices and lounge space on the first floor.
  [src.]

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Kruger National Park: Filling station at Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp closed until further notice! [update #2]

update (19 April 2024): SANParks has announced that the filling station at the Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp will be open and ready to render services to guests from 20 April 2024.

update (16 April 2024): The filling station at the Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp is still under construction/maintenance!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the filling station at the Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp is currently closed for maintenance reasons until further notice. SANParks request that guests fill up at alternative filling stations for the time being. The closest petrol station from Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp is located at Malelane, which is approximately 12 kilometers away. Malelane Gate is the nearest entrance/exit point to Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp. update (20 March 2024): There is also a fuel station called Nkomazi (adjacent to Paradise Creek Lodge) on the Jeppes Reef road.
The Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp is situated on the bank of the Matjulu Spruit in the Malelane Mountain Bushveld in the southern part of Kruger National Park. The closest entrance gate to the Rest Camp is Malelane Gate. The Berg-en-Dal Rest Camp is 12 kilometres away from the Gate. Berg-en-Dal offers a cafeteria and a shop, the Tindlovu Restaurant, a communal laundromat, filling station, communal kitchens and ablutions, braai facilities, an auditorium and conference facilities, a basic day visitor picnic area in the camp, and a swimming pool for overnight residents.

Namibia released rhino & elephant poaching statistics for 2023!

The Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has released the rhino and elephant poaching numbers for 2023. According to the figures, Namibia lost 67 rhinos and eight elephants in the last year, compared to 92 rhinos and four elephants that lost their lives to poaching activities during 2022. Over the past 10 years, Namibia has documented a total of 631 poaching incidents, with the highest numbers reported in 2022. In 2023, Namibia registered 50 cases related to rhino and elephant poaching, leading to the arrest of 139 suspects.

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. 

Zambia: Zambia Airways to launch flights to Mfuwe!

The national airline of the Republic of Zambia, Zambia Airways, is set to launch direct flights to Mfuwe International Airport (MFU) in the Eastern Province of Zambia. The airport is the main gateway for South Luangwa National Park and other wildlife areas in the Luangwa Valley. Effective 01 April 2024, Zambia Airways will operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and Mfuwe International Airport (MFU).

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Kruger National Park Calendar - April!

Weather:

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

Temperatures:

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

Landscape:

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

Animal Activity:

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

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