Botswana border posts extend operating hours for 2025/26 festive season travel!

Last updated: 23 December 2025 

The Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) has confirmed extended operating hours at selected border posts during the 2025/26 festive travel season, a move aimed at easing congestion and supporting increased cross-border traffic.

Travellers driving between Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe during peak holiday periods are advised to take note of the revised schedules to plan smoother crossings and reduce waiting times.

Below is a breakdown of the affected Botswana border posts and their temporary festive operating hours.

Ramokgwebana / Plumtree Border Post (Botswana – Zimbabwe)
This busy northern crossing will operate 24 hours a day on the following dates:

• 21 December 2025: 00:00 – 24:00
• 22 December 2025: 00:00 – 24:00
• 23 December 2025: 00:00 – 24:00
• 24 December 2025: 00:00 – 24:00
• 03 January 2026: 00:00 – 24:00
• 04 January 2026: 00:00 – 24:00
• 05 January 2026: 00:00 – 24:00

This extension is particularly beneficial for travellers heading toward Hwange, Victoria Falls, and northern Botswana routes.

Martin’s Drift / Groblersbrug Border Post (Botswana – South Africa)
One of the most popular crossings between Botswana and South Africa will operate with extended evening hours on the following dates:

• 19 December 2025: 06:00 – 24:00
• 20 December 2025: 06:00 – 24:00
• 21 December 2025: 06:00 – 24:00
• 22 December 2025: 06:00 – 24:00
• 23 December 2025: 06:00 – 24:00
• 24 December 2025: 06:00 – 24:00

This border is frequently used by travellers heading to Makgadikgadi, Nxai Pan, Chobe, and central Botswana destinations.

Ramotswa / Swartkopfontein Border Post (Botswana – South Africa)
Extended daytime hours apply at this southern crossing on the following dates:

• 22 December 2025: 06:00 – 20:00
• 23 December 2025: 06:00 – 20:00
• 24 December 2025: 06:00 – 20:00
• 30 December 2025: 06:00 – 20:00
• 31 December 2025: 06:00 – 20:00

This border serves travellers between Gaborone and Gauteng, especially during holiday return traffic.

Travel Tips for Festive Border Crossings

• Carry valid passports, vehicle registration papers, and cross-border insurance.
• Expect peak congestion between 06:00 and 10:00 despite extended hours.
• Fuel up before arrival, especially when travelling through remote regions.
• Monitor official BURS and immigration updates for last-minute changes.

 

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Kruger National Park festive season: Day visitor gate quotas, fees and entry rules explained!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has confirmed that gate quotas will be enforced for day visitors to the Kruger National Park (KNP) during the festive season to manage congestion on park roads and facilities and to ensure a safe and enjoyable visitor experience.

Day visitors must pre-book online
Day visitors are strongly advised to book online in advance to secure entry, as daily gate quotas will apply. An administration fee is payable at the time of booking and is non-refundable:

• Adults: R59
• Children: R29

This administration fee is separate from the conservation fee, which remains payable at the gate unless the visitor presents a valid SANParks Wild Card. Wild Card holders are not exempt from the administration fee.

Conservation fees explained
Conservation fees for day visitors are as follows:

• South African residents, Zimbabwean and Mozambican nationals:
• Adults: R134
• Children (2–11 years): R67
• SADC nationals:
• Adults: R275
• Children: R137
• All other international visitors:
• Adults: R602
• Children: R300

South African visitors must present a valid South African ID or driver’s licence, while all other guests are required to produce a passport. These requirements apply to drivers and all passengers.
Failure to provide valid identification will result in the standard international conservation fee being charged.

Gate quotas and time slots for day visitors
The quota system applies only to day visitors and does not affect overnight guests. Pre-booked visitors are prioritised at the gate but must arrive within their allocated time slot:

• Time Slot 1: 05:30 – 08:00
• Time Slot 2: 08:00 – 10:00
• Time Slot 3: 10:00 onwards

Late arrivals will be treated as non-booked visitors and will not receive priority access. Once daily quotas are reached, only pre-booked visitors will be permitted entry. Queueing may apply, with access dependent on the number of vehicles exiting the park.

Vehicle compliance strictly enforced
SANParks has warned that vehicles without valid licence plates or temporary licence numbers will not be allowed to enter or exit the park. Any vehicle found inside the Kruger National Park without proper registration plates will be impounded, and the driver will face charges and fines.
To ensure compliance and prevent illegal activities, Ranger Services, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be deployed throughout the festive season.

Cash-free payments at gates and fuel stations
Visitors are reminded that a secure, cash-free payment system is in place at the following entrance gates:

• Paul Kruger Gate
• Phabeni Gate
• Numbi Gate
• Malelane Gate
• Crocodile Bridge Gate

Cash-free payments also apply at fuel stations in the southern part of Kruger National Park, ensuring faster and more convenient entry and exit.

Visitor safety and park rules
Guests are urged to adhere strictly to Kruger National Park rules and regulations, which are designed to protect visitors, wildlife, and the natural environment. Any incidents can be reported using the 24-hour emergency numbers printed on entrance permits:

• 013 735 4064
• 076 801 9679

SANParks encourages all visitors to plan ahead, allow sufficient travel time, and enjoy the bush responsibly, ensuring a safe, relaxed, and memorable Kruger National Park experience during the festive season.

 

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Cape Town Festive Lights Switch-On 2025: Free concert, road closures & full event guide!

Cape Town’s iconic Festive Lights Switch-On returns to the Grand Parade on Sunday, 30 November 2025, with a free open-air concert expected to draw more than 80,000 people. The annual event marks the start of the festive season and will once again light up Darling and Adderley Streets with its popular display.

This year’s music line-up is headlined by DJ Zinhle, supported by GoodLuck, Kurt Darren, Tarryn Lamb, Karabo Mogane, Early B & Justin Vega, DJ Masoodah and Heavenly Quartez. A special cultural tribute featuring Emo Adams, Loukmaan Adams, Alistair Izobell, Jody Abrahams and Fancy Galada - together with the Street Stylers - will celebrate Cape Town’s vibrant artistic heritage.

The six-hour show runs from 16:00 to 22:00, hosted by Joe Barber, Bubblegum & Boere Jules and Carl Wastie. The festival area opens at 13:00, with access through 13 controlled entry chutes around Adderley, Castle, Plein, Shortmarket, Longmarket, Hout and Church Streets. Bag checks will be conducted, and alcohol, drugs, fireworks, weapons, umbrellas, gazebos and gas canisters are not permitted.

Parents attending with children are encouraged to use the KID SMART Project, offering free temporary ID bracelets to help reunite lost minors with guardians. Multiple water points will be available across the Grand Parade and Adderley Street.

Road closures around City Hall will affect traffic from 25 November to 02 December, with Darling Street closed for stage construction. On 30 November, Darling, Adderley, Longmarket and surrounding streets will be shut from 05:00–05:00 the next day. Several MyCiTi routes, including Route 106, will be diverted via Strand Street, skipping the Groote Kerk stop.

The full list of road closures is available here. 

 

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Festive season 2024/25: Kruger National Park enforces gate quotas for day visitors!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that daily quotas for day visitors will once again apply at the entrance gates of Kruger National Park during the festive season 2024/25. Three time slots have been introduced, of which day visitos can choose from. Visitors are urged to make pre-bookings for their visits prior to their arrival. The three time slots are as follows:

• Time slot 1: 05.30 to 08:00
• Time slot 2: 08:00 to 10:00
• Time slot 3: 10:00 onwards

Pre-booked day visitors are prioritised at the gate but must arrive within their booked time slots. Late arrivals will be treated as non-booked and will not receive preference. It’s also important to note that Wild Card members are not exempt from the pre-booking fee.
Once the daily quota has been reached, only people who made pre-bookings are allowed to enter Kruger National Park. The rest will have to queue and rely on the people moving out of the park to create space for them; this situation does not affect overnight guests.

• All guests (drivers and passengers) will be required to identify themselves upon admission (by producing a South African driver’s license, identity document or passport); please ensure you are in possession of one of these documents and have them ready.
• Pre-booking is crucial for day visitors, as it allows them to secure up to 80% of the Day Visitor Quota per gate. This can be done via SANParks Reservations offices and online.
• Day Visitor pre-bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R56 per adult and R28 per child, which must be paid in advance. This fee ensures their space because they would have been counted in the number that made the daily quota.
• Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter Kruger National Park. The Conservation Fee for SA residents as well as Zimbabwe and Mocambique nationals (passport required to prove this) is R128 per adult and R64 per child (between ages 2 – 11). For nationals of Eswatini and other SADC countries, the conservation fees are R257 per adult and R128 per child. The standard conservation fees of R535 for adults and R257 for children apply to all other guests.
• Guests are reminded of the secure and convenient cash-free payment system at the gates (Paul Kruger, Phabeni, Numbi, Malelane and Crocodile Bridge) and fuel stations in the southern part of Kruger National Park. This system ensures a smooth and hassle-free entry and exit from the park.
• Vehicles without licence plates will not be allowed to enter/exit the park at the entrance gates; any vehicle found inside the park without front and rear licence plates will be impounded, and the driver will be charged under the NEMPA ACT and fined.
• Ranger services, SANDF, and Protection Services will be full force to ensure compliance and prevent poaching. The upgraded camera technology will assist them, vigilant law enforcers, and the public, who have shared information to assist in numerous arrests.
• Visitors are urged to observe Kruger National Park's rules, which are primarily intended to ensure safe and pleasant experiences. By respecting these rules, visitors contribute to the preservation of the park’s natural beauty and the safety of all its inhabitants. They are further urged to plan their trips and allow sufficient time to enjoy the bush, relax, and arrive safely at their destination.

Festive season 2023/24: Kruger National Park enforces gate quotas for day visitors!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that daily quotas for day visitors will once again apply at the entrance gates of Kruger National Park during the festive season 2023/24 from 15 December 2023 until 16 January 2024. Three time slots have been introduced, of which day visitos can choose from. Visitors are urged to make pre-bookings for their visits prior to their arrival. The three time slots are as follows:

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

Pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at the gate but must ensure that they arrive within their booked time slots. Arriving outside the booked time slot will be regarded as non-booked and therefore will not receive preference and could be turned away. These bookings can be changed as well through SANParks Reservations offices if need be.
The three different time slots are aimed at improving the spread of vehicles and preventing unnecessary waiting periods at gates. The day visitor quota for Kruger National Park is a management tool, which is  is applied throughout the year, to prevent overcrowding the roads and facilities. However, Kruger National Park mostly reaches carrying capacity during long weekends and school holidays resulting in SANPark having to turn visitors away.

 
SANParks has also made plans for increased visibility of both traffic officials and visitor management personnel to monitor speeding, after-hours travelling and general behaviour on the roads. Visitors are reminded not to bring liquor with them as the alcohol ban on public areas in Kruger National Park is a permanent rule which is enforced at all times. Visitors are advised to plan their trip carefully, allowing sufficient time to enjoy the bush and to get to your destination. Entrance Gate operating hours will be from 05:30 to 18:30 during December and January.

Visitors should also take note of the following important information:

• Visitors will be able to book up to 80% of the day visitor quota per gate via SANParks Reservations offices
• Day Visitor pre-bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R53 per adult and R26 per child, which must be paid in advance and is meant to ensure their space because they would have been counted in the number that made the daily quota.
• Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter Kruger National Park. The Conservation Fee for residents of South Africa as well as Zimbabwe and Mocambique nationals (passport required to prove this) is R122 per adult and R60 per child (between ages 2 – 11). For nationals of Eswatini and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, the conservation fees are R246 per adult and R122 per child. For all other guests, the standard conservation fees of R486 for adults and R243 for children apply.
• Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure membership is valid before arrival.
• The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
• All guests (drivers and passengers) will be required to identify themselves upon admission (by producing a South African driver’s license, identity document or passport); please ensure you are in possession of one of these documents and have them ready.
• Gate Quotas will be strictly applied and guests without pre-bookings could be denied entry if quotas are full.
• Guests are reminded of the cash-free payment system at the gates (Paul Kruger, Phabeni, Numbi, Malelane and Crocodile Bridge) and fuel stations in the southern part of Kruger National Park.

South Africa: Border authority ramps up festive season operations!

According to the South African Border Management Authority (BMA), at least six million people will move through South Africa’s borders during the upcoming festive season. The BMA has therefor implemented a comprehensive plan including longer border post operating times and more boots on the ground for its festive season operations. It also engaged with South Africa’s six neighbouring countries on the “synchronisation of processes and other work modalities” including working hours.

The following working hours will now be operational at ports of entry:

• Grobler’s Bridge to Botswana: 06:00 to midnight on 15, 16, 22 and 23 December 2023
• Swartkopfontein to Botswana: 06:00 to 20:00 from 14 to 17 December 2023, 22 to 24 December 2023, 02 to 04 January 2024 as well as 13 and 15 January 2024
• Kosi Bay to Mozambique: 06:00 to 18:00 from 14 December 2023 to 14 January 2024
• Mahamba to eSwatini: 07:00 to midnight on 15, 23, 24 December 2023
• Jeppes Reef to eSwatini: 07:00 to 22:00 from 22 December 2023 to 02 January 2024
• Mananga to eSwatini: 07:00 to 20:00 from 18 to 23 December 2023
• Sanipass to Lesotho: 06:00 to 20:00 on 15, 16 December 2023 as well as 21 to 24 December 2023
• Caledonspoort to Lesotho:  06:00 to midnight on 15, 16 and 23 December 2023 and 02 January 2024. On 22 December 2023, the port will operate for 24 hours.
• Van Rooyensgate to Lesotho: 06:00 to midnight on 15, 16 and 24 December 2023 as well as 08 January 2024. It will operate for 24 hours on 23 December 2023 and 02 January 2024
• Monontsa Pass to Lesotho: 07:00 to 18:00 on 23 and 24 December 2023 as well as 02 and 03 January 2024
• Peka Bridge to Lesotho: 08:00 to 18:00 on 23 and 24 December 2023 as well as 02 and 03 January 2024

BMA Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato further announced that the Authority will be deploying about 380 additional personnel at the selected busiest ports of entry to assist with the delivery of services and provision of technical support during this festive season. There are also a number of senior members from the Border Technical Committee (BTC) who have been allocated individual ports for their visitation during the identified critical dates to provide support to the operational teams on the ground.

Festive Season 2021/22: Extended operational hours at South Africa's five land border crossings!

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) extends operational hours at some of the busiest Ports of Entry (POE) by between two and seven hours, making some of them to operate for 24 hours. This is to enable a continuous processing of truck drivers. Other travellers will be processed during the hours that fall outside the curfew. The Ports of Entry (POE) that have been approved to operate for extended hours during this Festive Season are:

• Mpumalanga
• Lebombo (South Africa - Mozambique)
• current hours of 06:00 – 00:00 will be extended to 24 hours from 09 December 2021 - 10 January 2022
• Oshoek (South Africa - eSwatini)
• current hours of 07:00 - 00:00 will be extended to 24 hours from 10 December 2021 - 31 January 2022
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Kosi Bay (South Africa - Mozambique)
• current hours of 08:00 - 17:00 will be extended to 07:00 - 18:00 from 15 December 2021 - 10 January 2022
• Free State
• Caledonspoort (South Africa - Lesotho)
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 15 December 2021
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 23 December 2021
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 24 December 2021
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 02 January 2022
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 03 January 2022
• Van Rooyenshek (South Africa - Lesotho)
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 15 December 2021
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 17 December 2021
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 23 December 2021
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 24 December 2021
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 02 January 2022
  

Festive Season 2019/20: Extended operational hours at South Africa's 11 busiest land border crossings!

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is set to extend operational hours at the country's 11 busiest land border crossings to avoid delays over the festive season (04 December 2019 - 13 January 2020). During the festive season, high volumes of people are usually recorded at South Africa's borders with Mozambique, eSwatini and Lesotho. The DHA, as well as the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the South African Revenue Services (SARS), will deploy additional officials at selected ports of entry during the festive season. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) implores all travellers leaving and entering South Africa to ensure that all their travel documents are in order to avoid unnecessary delays at the border crossings. These include passports, visas, health certificates, permits for specified goods, plants and animals and vehicles insurance and bank authorised cross-border documents for vehicles.

Mpumalanga

• Lebombo (South Africa - Mozambique)
• current hours of 06:00 – 00:00 will be extended to 24 hours from 13 December 2019 - 13 January 2020
• Mananga (South Africa - eSwatini)
• current hours of 07:00 - 18:00 will be extended to 07:00 - 20:00 from 21 - 24 December 2019
• Jeppe's Reef (South Africa - eSwatini)
• current hours of 07:00 - 20:00 will be extended to 07:00 - 22:00 from 21 - 24 December 2019
• Oshoek (South Africa - eSwatini)
• current hours of 07:00 - 00:00 will be extended to 24 hours from 19 - 21 December 2019
• Mahamba (South Africa - eSwatini)
• current hours of 07:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 07:00 - 00:00 on 21 December 2019 & 24 December 2019
  

Eastern Cape

• Qacha's Nek (South Africa - Lesotho)
• current hours of 07:00 - 20:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 22:00 from 21 - 24 December 2019
• current hours of 07:00 - 20:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 20:00 on 25 December 2019
• Tellebridge (South Africa - Lesotho)
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 05:00 - 23:00 on 13 December 2019
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 05:00 - 23:00 on 17 December 2019
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 05:00 - 23:00 from 22 - 24 December 2019

KwaZulu-Natal

• Kosi Bay (South Africa - Mozambique)
• current hours of 08:00 - 17:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 20:00 from 13 December 2019 - 09 January 2020

Free State

• Van Rooyenshek (South Africa - Lesotho)
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 20:00 on 20 December 2019
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 20:00 on 23 December 2019
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 24 hours on 24 December 2019
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 05 January 2020
• Caledonspoort (South Africa - Lesotho)
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 14 December 2019
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 24 hours on 21 December 2019
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 01 January 2020
• Monontsha Pass (South Africa - Lesotho)
• current hours of 08:00 - 16:00 will be extended to 08:00 - 18:00 from 14 - 15 December 2019
• current hours of 08:00 - 16:00 will be extended to 08:00 - 18:00 from 21 - 24 December 2019
• current hours of 08:00 - 16:00 will be extended to 08:00 - 17:00 from 28 - 31 December 2019
• current hours of 08:00 - 16:00 will be extended to 08:00 - 17:00 from 01 - 03 January 2020
  

Festive Season 2018/19: Extended operational hours at South Africa's 11 busiest land border crossings

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is set to extend operational hours at the country's 11 busiest land border crossings to avoid delays over the festive season (05 December 2018 - 09 January 2019). During the festive season, high volumes of people are usually recorded at South Africa's borders with Mozambique, eSwatini (Swaziland) and Lesotho. The DHA implores all travellers leaving and entering South Africa to ensure that all their travel documents are in order to avoid unnecessary delays at the border crossings. These include passports, visas, health certificates, permits for specified goods, plants and animals and vehicles insurance and bank authorised cross-border documents for vehicles.

Mpumalanga

• Lebombo (South Africa - Mozambique)
• current hours of 06:00 – 00:00 will be extended to 24 hours from 13 December 2018 - 08 January 2019
• Mananga (South Africa - eSwatini)
• current hours of 07:00 - 18:00 will be extended to 07:00 - 20:00 from 21 - 24 December 2018
• Jeppe's Reef (South Africa - eSwatini)
• current hours of 07:00 - 20:00 will be extended to 07:00 - 22:00 from 21 - 24 December 2018 & 06 January 2019
• Oshoek (South Africa - eSwatini)
• current hours of 06:00 - 00:00 will be extended to 24 hours from 21 - 24 December 2018
• Mahamba (South Africa - eSwatini)
• current hours of 07:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 07:00 - 00:00 on 21 December 2018 & 24 December 2018
  

Eastern Cape

• Qacha's Nek (South Africa - Lesotho)
• current hours of 07:00 - 20:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 22:00 from 21 - 24 December 2018
• current hours of 07:00 - 20:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 20:00 on 25 December 2018
• Tellebridge (South Africa - Lesotho)
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 05:00 - 23:00 on 14 December 2018 and from 21 - 24 December 2018

KwaZulu-Natal

• Kosi Bay (South Africa - Mozambique)
• current hours of 08:00 - 17:00 will be extended to 07:00 - 18:00 from 13 December 2018 - 09 January 2019

Free State

• Van Rooyenshek (South Africa - Lesotho)
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 14 December 2018 & 22 December 2018
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 24 hours from 21 December 2018 & 24 December 2018
• Caledonspoort (South Africa - Lesotho)
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 06:00 - 00:00 on 14 December 2018 & 01 January 2019
• current hours of 06:00 - 22:00 will be extended to 24 hours on 21 December 2018
• Monontsha Pass (South Africa - Lesotho)
• current hours of 08:00 - 16:00 will be extended to 08:00 - 18:00 from 14 December 2018 - 15 December 2017 & from 01 - 03 January 2019
• current hours of 08:00 - 16:00 will be extended to 08:00 - 17:00 from 28 December 2018 - 03 January 2019

Cape Town reports record season (December 2013)

update (27 Jan 2014): Alan Winde, the Western Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism has announced some more statistics. According to him, the Groot Constantia wine estate was visited by 63 000 visitors in Dec 2013, the V&A Waterfront attracted almost 24 million visitors in 2013 and more than 780 000 passengers arrived at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) in Dec 2013. The tourism industry in the Western Cape contributed more than R18 billion a year to the regional economy and employed 150 000 people.

The City of Cape Town has released some insights into the December 2013 visitor statistics of its main tourist hotspots as well as into the arrival statistics of Cape Town International Airport (CTIA).
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway reported a record season, with 120 318 visitors in December 2013 – an increase of 2% when compared to December 2012 (117 785 visitors). Cape Point reported an increase of 4,25% in December 2013 and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens noted an increase of 9,08%. The only attraction to have reported a drop in visitor figures for December 2013 was Robben Island. Compared to December 2012 the island had 5% less visitors in December 2013.
The total arrivals at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) were up 2,07% during December 2013 when compared to to November and December 2012
The annual visitor numbers of the V&A Waterfront, measured on Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, were up 7% with a peak of 175 000 visitors per day on 31 December 2013. The Waterfront looks back on straight months of consistent retail trade sales growth since August 2011, and concludes 2013 with an impressive 19.8% year-on-year growth.

South Africa: Extended border hours during the festive season 2013/14

South Africa will extend the working hours and will deploy more immigration officials at the country's ports of entry during the festive season to ensure smooth movement at the ports and to avoid delays at border posts. During the festive season, high volumes of people are usually recorded at South Africa's borders. It is estimated that more than two-million people will travel through land border posts during the holiday period.

Mpumalang
- Lebombo (South Africa - Mozambique) will operate 24 hours
- Oshoek (South Africa - Swaziland) will operate 24 hours
- Mahamba (South Africa - Swaziland) will operate 06h00 - 24h00
- Manange (South Africa - Swaziland) will operate 06h00-20h00
- Jeppe's Reef (South Africa - Swaziland) will operate 06h00-24h00
Limpopo
- Groblersbrug (South Africa - Botswana) will operate 24 hours
Eastern Cape
- Qacha's Nek (South Africa - Lesotho) will operate 06h00-24h00
Kwazulu-Natal
- King Shaka International Airport will operate 05h00-24h00
- Kosi Bay (South Africa - Mozambique) will operate 06h00 - 19h00
- Golela (South Africa - Swaziland) will operate 06h00 - 24h00
Free State
- Caledonspoort (South Africa - Lesotho) will operate 06h00-22h00
- Van Rooyen's Hek (South Africa - Lesotho) will operate 06h00-24h00
North West
- Kopfontein (South Africa - Botswana) - will operate 24 hours
- Ramatlabama (South Africa - Botswana) will operate 06h00-24h00

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Kruger National Park: Gate quotas during the festive season

Travellers planning to visit the Kruger National Park during the upcoming festive season, should keep in mind that gate quotas will be strictly enforced during that period. South African National Parks (SANParks) therefore advices day visitors to book in advance in order to secure their entry in the park. Day visitors who pre-book their visit are expected to pay a non-refundable deposit of R32 per adult and R16 per child. The amount is meant to secure the space so that they can be counted in the number that makes a daily quota at that particular gate. Once the daily quota has been reached, only people who made pre-bookings are allowed to enter Kruger National Park. Day Visitors with advanced bookings are expected to arrive at the booked gate by no later than 13:00 on the date of the booking, because after 13:00 the booking lapses. However, this situation does not affect overnight visitors.

The gate quotas Kruger National Park is implementing during the festive season are as follows:

• Kruger Gate - 750 day visitors/day
• Punda Maria Gate - 500 day visitors/day
• Pafuri Gate - 500 day visitors/day
• Phalaborwa Gate - 500 day visitors/day
• Giriyondo Gate - 500 day visitors/day
• Orpen Gate - 500 day visitors/day
• Numbi Gate - 500 day visitors/day
• Malelane Gate - 500 day visitors/day
• Crocodile Gate - 500 day visitors/day

Kruger National Park: Gate quotas during the festive season

update (13 Dec 2012): According to an interview with a SANParks spokesperson on eNCA this morning, the enforcement of gate quotas at Kruger National Park gates will run until the end of school holidays in January 2013.

update (12 Dec 2012): According to Times Live, the gate quotas Kruger National Park is implementing during the festive season are as follows:

• Giriyondo Gate – 275/day
• Pafuri Gate  – 385/day
• Punda Maria Gate – 385/day
• Orpen Gate – 550/day
• Phalaborwa Gate - 550/day
• Phabeni Gate – 550/day
• Malelane Gate – 550/day
• Crocodile Bridge Gate – 385/day
• Numbi Gate – 550/day
• Kruger Gate – 750/day

Day visitors planning to visit the Kruger National Park during this festive season are reminded that gate quotas will be enforced. Day visitors are advised to make a pre-booking to secure their entry at the entrance gate. Day visitors who make a booking prior to their arrival are expected to pay a non-refundable deposit of R28 per adult and R14 per child. The amount is meant to secure the space so that they can be counted in the number that makes a daily quota at that particular gate. Kruger National Park uses gate quota system to control the influx of people coming in the park to avoid overcrowding.
Once the daily quota has been reached, only people who made pre-bookings are allowed to enter. The rest will have to queue and rely on the people to move out of the park in order to create a space for them. However, this situation does not affect overnight visitors.

All visitors should be able to produce their identity document or any alternative form of identification at the gates to avoid problems. Each gate has its own number of daily visitors allowed e.g. Kruger Gate is 750 people.
Visitors to the Kruger National Park can gain access through one of the following gates: Crocodile Bridge, Malelane, Numbi, Phabeni, Kruger, Orpen, Phalaborwa, Punda Maria, Pafuri and Giriyondo.

South Africa: Border posts into Swaziland & Lesotho with increased working hours over festive season

Due to the large number of travellers during festive season, some of South Africa's border posts have increased their working hours.
To meet the increased number of travellers arriving at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, about 350 former SA National Defence Force officers, previously trained in immigration services, started working at the airport on 21 December 2011.

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Swaziland
The Mahamba, Mananga and Jeppes Reef border posts will be open from 07:00 to midnight, 07:00 to 20:00 and 07:00 to 22:00 respectively.

Lesotho
The Qachaa and Tellebridge border posts will be open at 06:00 and close at 22:00. These times would be in effect from 22 to 24 December 2011.
The Rooyenshek border post will be open from 06:00 to midnight from 22 December 2011 to 09 January 2012.

Velvet Sky adds more flights over festive season

South Africa's latest budget airline, Velvet Sky,  has added an additional 22 flights ahead of this year's festive season.

On peak days, such as the following, Velvet Sky added several flights:

• 22 Dec 2011 - three additional flights Cape Town <> Durban
• 23 Dec 2011 - three additional flights Cape Town <> Johannesburg
• 23 Dec 2011 - three additional flights Cape Town <> Durban
• 27 Dec 2011 - six extra flights spread across Cape Town, Durban & Johannesburg routes

Also read Velvet Sky to increase flight schedule from 11 Oct 2011.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

South Africa: Kruger National Park reminds public of gate quotas

The Kruger National Park has advised day visitors to the park to make prior booking arrangements in order to secure their entry as daily visitor quotas will strictly be enforced throughout the festive season period.
"The gate quotas are mostly reached on long weekends and public holidays, vary from gate to gate and also depend on how fully booked the park is," said the park's head of public relations, William Mabasa.
Mabasa went on to advise day visitors to take note that even if they have pre-booked for their visit, this does not exempt them from queuing at the gates and from paying conservation fees upon arrival. It only secures them entry to the park.
Day visitors who pre-book their visit are expected to pay a non-refundable deposit of R28 per adult and R16 per child, which is meant to secure their space because they would have been counted in the number that made the daily quota.
Day visitors with advanced bookings are also expected to arrive at the booked gate by no later than 1pm on the date of the booking. After that, the booking lapses.
All visitors are also reminded to bring along their identity documents (IDs) or some alternative form of identity to avoid any hold ups at the gates.
Wild cards cannot be used to identify one as a legitimate holder and should be accompanied by some form of identity.
To increase efficiency at the gates, various field and honorary rangers will be deployed in order to assist gate staff with managing the queues and other different services available at the gates.
Each gate has its limited number of day visitors that can be allowed per day. For example the limit for the Phalaborwa gate is 600 and at small ones like Pafuri it is 300.
If anyone is planning a visit to the park, it is recommended that they either arrive at the gate very early as the service is on first come first served basis or pre-book their entrance via Central Reservations. (via BuaNews)

Kruger National Park tours ex Johannesburg >>