Poachers killed record number of rhinos in South Africa in 2014!

According to South Africa's Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa, poachers killed a total of 1,215 rhinos for their horns in South Africa in 2014 - a 21% increase over the 1004 animals poached in 2013. A majority of the rhino, 827, were killed in Kruger National Park. A total of 386 alleged rhino poachers, couriers and poaching syndicate members have been arrested in 2014.

Minister Molewa also confirmed that South Africa has already lost 49 rhinos to illegal poaching since the beginning of 2015. The country is currently home to approximately 20,000 rhinos – more than 80% of the global population.

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is urging members of the public to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.

Kruger National Park: Gate quotas in force during the 2014 Festive Season

South African National Parks (SANParks) will stictly enforce gate quotas in Kruger National Park during the 2014 festive season. Day visitors are therefore advised to either arrive at the gate very early in the morning ("first come first served") or pre-book their entrance with SANParks' central reservations office in order to ensure that they gain access to the park in terms of their own plan and are not sent back at the gate. Day visitors who pre-book their visit are expected to pay a non-refundable deposit of R36 per adult and R18 per child to secure the space so that they can be counted in the number that makes a daily quota at that particular gate (booking lapses at 1300!).

In case the the gate quota has been reached, day visitors who did not pre-book with SANParks have the option to make use of the park and ride scheme available at Numbi Gate, Phabeni Gate and Paul Kruger Gate. The duration of such drives is 4 hours. The morning drives start at 07:00 and end at 11:00, while the afternoon drives start at 14:00 and end at 18:00 from each gate.
Kruger National Park has ten entrance gates: Pafuri Gate, Punda Maria Gate, Phalaborwa Gate, Giriyondo Gate, Orpen Gate, Paul Kruger Gate, Phabeni Gate, Numbi Gate, Malelane Gate and Crocodile Bridge Gate. 

South African National Parks: Visitor statistics for December 2013

South African National Parks (SANParks) has published some key tourism performance indicators for December 2013. According to the statistics a total of 692,498 guests passed through the gates of South Africa's National Parks during the month. Of these, 73,910 guests spent a minimum of one night inside a National Park.

• South African National Parks - 692,498 guests in December 2013
• guests spent a minimum of one night inside a National Park - 73,910 in December 2013
• accommodation unit occupancy - 77.4% in December 2013
• bed occupancy - 65.3% in December 2013 
• camping facilities occupancy - 65.9%  in December 2013 
• Table Mountain National Park - 333,090 guests in December 2013
• Kruger National Park - 180,328 guests in December 2013
• accommodation units occupancy - 80.2% in December 2013
• campsites occupancy - 70.7% in December 2013
• Garden Route National Park - 63,414 guests in December 2013 
• accommodation unit occupancy - 86.8% in December 2013
• campsite occupancy - 69.5% in December 2013
• West Coast National Park unit occupanciy - 90%+ in December 2013
• Addo Elephant National Park unit occupanciy - 90%+ in December 2013
• Karoo National Park unit occupanciy - 90%+ in December 2013

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

South Africa: SA Express to launch three new domestic routes

South African carrier SA Express just announced via Twitter that it will lauch three new routes on 01 November 2013. The airline will operate flights between Cape Town (CPT) and George (GRJ), Johannesburg (JNB) and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) in Nelspruit as well as between Johannesburg (JNB) and Pietermaritzburg (PZB).
SA Express is a domestic and regional passenger carrier in Southern Africa. Although operationally independent of the country's flag carrier South African Airways, SA Express' flights are incorporated within the strategic alliance with South African Airways and privately owned SA Airlink.

online flight booking on TravelComments.com >>

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.

Third annual World Rhino Day (22 September 2012)

World Rhino Day from Anthony Roberts on Vimeo.

More information about the third annual World Rhino Day >>

South Africa: 381 384 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2012 (13 Sept 2012) >>

Intrepid Travel: 25% off all their tours!

Fantastic news from Intrepid Travel - they are offering 25% off ALL TRIPS until the end of June! Including Afria & The Middle East, Asia, Europe, Australia and more!

All you have to do is travel by the 30th September 2012! Here are the details:

• 25% OFF all Intrepid tours
• Book and pay in full by 30th June 2012
• Travel by 30th September 2012
• Promo code 9221

Don't worry if you can't travel at such short notice, there's 10% off for people who can't take holiday before 30th September 2012!

• 10% OFF all Intrepid tours
• Book and pay in full by 30th June 2012
• Travel by 30th June 2013
• Promo code 9222

Intrepid Travel - real life experiences! >>

G Adventures: 15% off Africa tours

Whether you have time to spare or you're down to your last vacation days of the year, an African safari is arguably the best way to use them. Track wildlife across stunning scenery in comfortable vehicles and fall asleep to the songs of the wilderness as you camp underneath big African skies. Our small safari vehicles minimize drive times and improve your chances of snapping that perfect shot. Get up close and personal with Africa.

G Adventures is giving you 15% off your next African adventure - select from the list, book now and depart by 31 August 2012:

• Delta, Falls & Kruger (DAFK)
  15 days, Johannesburg to Johannesburg
• Botswana & Vic Falls Safari (DABV)
  12 days, Johannesburg to Johannesburg
• Kruger Camping Adventure (DAKA)
  5 days, Johannesburg to Johannesburg
• Kenya Camping Safari (DKWA)
  9 days, Nairobi to Nairobi
• Tanzania Camping Adventure (DTWE)
  7 days, Arusha to Arusha
• In Search of the Big 5 (DKBF)
  10 days, Nairobi to Arusha

Travellers receive 15% off Africa tours (valid only for tour codes DAFK, DABV, DAKA, DKWA, DTWE and DKBF). Book by May 21, 2012 for travel until August 31, 2012. Valid for new bookings only. Cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or discounts, and subject to availability. Does not apply to airfare, pre-/post-accommodation, 'My Own Room', transfers, theme packs, insurance or other in-country services. G Adventures reserves the right to withdraw this offer from sale at any time.

South Africa: Kruger National Park internship

Country: South Africa
Location: Kruger National Park
Departures: 2012: 17 Jan, 17 July | 2013: 15 Jan, 16 July
Price: Please enquire for current prices and duration. Price includes pre-departure support and discounted services, airport pickup, in country transport, accommodation and a 2 week training programme in the Kruger National Park.

more info & booking >>

These long term volunteer positions offer independent, ambitious volunteers the chance to work for one year in and around South Africa’s most famous national parks.
If you are seeking a change of direction or a long term, highly immersed experience in the field of conservation and environmental education these long term internship positions are for you. South African National Parks (SANParks) manages a system of 20 national parks that represent the indigenous flora, landscape and associated cultural heritage of the country. You will be placed with the ‘People and Conservation’ department according to priority projects and where your skills are most needed.
Interns play an integral part in the implementation of new policies and programmes developed by SANParks to integrate local communities into the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage sites within the parks. These national parks offer diverse adventure tourism opportunities such as game viewing, bush walks, canoeing and a chance to experience the history and culture of South Africa. The work carried out by interns is essential for the long term conservation of these areas which are both important to South Africa and the people who live alongside them.

Highlights:

• Opportunity to gain experience in environmental education and conservation within a high profile organization
• Be instrumental in the development of South Africa's National Parks
• Receive comprehensive training programme at the Kruger National park
• Long term opportunity for cultural immersion
• Possible opportunities to be involved in many other aspects of a National Park such as; guiding on interpretive trails, game drives, community activities, game counts, presentations.
• Live and work in beautiful and remote parts of South Africa.

more info & booking >>
more volunteer projects in Africa >>

Airlink to connect Kruger NP with Livingstone, Zambia

Airlink will begin operating the new route from Kruger to Livingstone as of 17 August 2009. Airlink’s service will operate directly from Nelspruit Kruger to Livingstone. Initially Airlink will operate this service on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, with the intention to grow frequency to correspond with demand.

Herewith the new timetable effective 17 August 2009:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Depart Nelspruit Kruger 11h55 arrive Livingstone 13h50
Depart Livingstone 14h20 arrive Nelspruit Kruger 16h45

South Africa country guide >>
Victoria Falls info guide >>

online flight booking >>
online accommodation & tour booking >>

Overland Tours - it is discount time!

Tanzania Encompassed - 25% discount
17 Days departure(s) on 12 May, 2009
Mt. Kilimanjaro, Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, Zanzibar.
Unquestionably this is the trip of a lifetime. Summit Africa's highest peak, view wildlife in the vast plains of the Serengeti, camp under the big African sky while at the game parks, and be dazzled by the historic and alluring spice island of Zanzibar. This is Tanzania at its best!
View Trip
Original: 1,979.00 - 25%
Sale: 1,484.25 (EUR)

Southern Africa Wildlife Express - 25% discount
10 Days departure(s) on 24 May, 2009
Livingstone, Ntwetwe Pan, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Mokolodi Game Reserve, Serowe, Waterberg, Pretoria.
A 10-day journey through South Africa, Botswana and Zambia for the true nature enthusiast. Abundant wildlife and spectacular landscapes will make this an adventure you'll never forget.
View Trip
Original: 1,189.00 - 25%
Sale: 891.75 (EUR)

Kenya and Tanzania Overland - 20% discount
13 Days departure(s) on 31 May, 2009
Game Viewing, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, Kericho, Lake Victoria, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, Arusha, Nairobi
Now this is African adventure! On your ultimate East Africa trip, you will journey through the wide open savannah and the Great Rift Valley, travel to the shores of Lake Victoria, and visit the best known game parks in East Africa, including the Masai Mara Game Reserve and Serengeti National Park. Keep your eyes wide open for 2 action-packed weeks, in search of the "Big 5" - lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo.
View Trip
Original: 1,229.00 - 20%
Sale: 983.20 (EUR)

Kruger and Kingdoms Adventure - 20% discount
14 Days departure(s) on 02 June, 2009
Mpumalanga, Blyde River Canyon, Bourkes Luck Potholes, Manyeleti Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, Milwane Game Reserve, Durban, Pretoria, Maputo.
Track down the "Big 5" in Kruger National Park, enjoy the beaches and feel the latin buzz of Mozambique, and participate in some great outdoor and cultural activities in Swaziland on this diverse and fantastic adventure which embodies of what southern Africa has to offer!
View Trip
Original: 989.00 - 20%
Sale: 791.20 (EUR)