Southern Africa: Consensus outlook for the major rainfall season from October 2024 to March 2025!

The Southern African Development Communtiy (SADC)* has released the official statement from the Twenty-Ninth Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-29), which took place in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 26 - 28 August 2024 to present a consensus outlook for the major rainfall season from October 2024 to March 2025.
According to the statement, the bulk of the SADC region, including Mauritius and central Madagascar, is likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall for most of the period of October to December 2024. The north-western part of the Republic of Congo (DRC) will experience where above-normal rainfall, while the remainder of the region, including the island states of Comoros and Seychelles, is likely to normal to below normal rainfall during this period of the 2024/25 season.
The period January to March 2025 is expected to have normal to above normal rainfall for most of the region. However, the south-western fringes of South Africa, south-eastern and western most of the Republic of Congo (DRC), north-western Angola, Tanzania, northern Zambia, northern Malawi, northern Mozambique and central western tip of Madagascar, as well as the Comoros and the Seychelles, are expected to experience normal to below-normal rains. Northern Madagascar is likely to receive above normal rainfall during this period of the 2023/24 rainfall season.

The temperature outlook covering the period from October 2024 to January 2025 indicates a highly likelihood for above normal temperatures in most parts of the whole SADC region.

Rainfall forecast for October to December 2024:

• Northern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
• Increased chances of above-normal rainfall
• Central DRC, northern fringes of Zambia, eastern most Malawi, Tanzania, most of Mozambique and Zimbabwe
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Southern DRC, Angola, most of Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, western fringes of Zimbabwe, north-eastern South Africa, southern Mozambique and eSwatini
• Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall
• Southern Namibia, southern Botswana, most of South Africa and Lesotho
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Southern Madagascar
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Central Madagascar
• Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall
• Northern Madagascar
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Mauritius
• Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall
• Seychelles
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Comoros
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall

Rainfall forecast for November 2024 to January 2025:

• Western DRC and north-western Angola
• Increased chances of above-normal rainfall
• Central and southern Angola, eastern most DRC, North-western Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, most of Namibia western Malawi, central to southern Mozambique, eSwatini and north-eastern South Africa
• Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall
• Central to south-western Angola, western coastal Namibia, most of central South Africa and Lesotho
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Bulk of Tanzania, eastern Malawi and northern Mozambique
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Southern Madagascar
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Northern Madagascar
• Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall
• Mauritius
• Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall
• Seychelles
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Comoros
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall

Rainfall forecast for December 2024 to February 2025:

• Northern fringes of Tanzania
• Increased chances of below-normal rainfall
• Northern DRC
• Increased chances of below-normal rainfall
• Most of Tanzania, north-eastern Mozambique, northern tip of Malawi, southern most DRC and Angola
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• South-eastern Angola, most of Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, most of South Africa, Lesotho, eSwatini, and most of Mozambique
• Increased chances of normal to above normal rainfall
• South-western Namibia and south-western South Africa
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Southernmost Madagascar
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Most of Madagascar
• Increased chances of normal to above-normal
• Mauritius
• Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall
• Seychelles
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Comoros
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall

Rainfall forecast for January to March 2025:

• Western DRC and north western Angola
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Eastern DRC, southern Angola, most of Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, most of South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini and most of Mozambique
• Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall
• South-western South Africa
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Tanzania, eastern fringes of DRC, northern fringes of Zambia, northern Malawi and northern Mozambique
• Increased chances of normal to below normal rainfall
• Southernmost Madagascar
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Central Madagascar
• Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall
• Northern Madagascar
• Increased chances of above-normal rainfall
• Mauritius
• Increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall
• Seychelles
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall
• Comoros
• Increased chances of normal to below-normal raifall                   

* Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland), Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Emirates introduces flights to Madagascar! [update]

update (05 September 2024): Emirates has land in Antananarivo, Madagascar, for the first time. The airline operated a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three-class configuration on the new route. The four-weekly service operates on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. 

The largest airline in the Middle East, Emirates, is set to introduce flights to Madagascar. The four-weekly flights between Dubai International Airport  (DXB) in Dubai and Ivato International Airport (TNR) in Antananarivo, will operate via a linked service with Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on the Seychelles. The new service will commence on 03 September 2024. Flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The flight times have been scheduled to optimise connections to and from key points in Europe, the Far East, West Asia and the Middle East/Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

• Dubai 08:55 > 13:35 Seychelles 15:05 > 16:50 Antananarivo
• Antananarivo 18:35 > 22:20 Seychelles 23:50 > 04:20+1 Dubai

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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

Southern Africa: Rainfall season (October 2023 - February 2024) outlook!

According to the findings of the Twenty-Seventh Annual Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-27), most member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)* are likely to receive normal to below-normal rainfall for most of the period from October 2023 to December 2023. The north-western part of Angola, much of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the southern half of Tanzania, north-eastern Zambia, northern Malawi, northern Mozambique, the Comoros, eastern Madagascar, and Mauritius are expected to experience normal to above-normal rains during this period. The northern half of Tanzania and the Seychelles are likely to receive above normal rainfall between October 2023 and December 2023.

The period December 2023 to February 2024 is expected to have normal to above normal rainfall for the bulk of the SADC region except for the south-western fringes of Namibia, south-western South Africa, the southern part of Zimbabwe, the eastern half of Botswana, northern South Africa, Eswatini and southern Mozambique where normal to below-normal rains are expected. Southernmost Madagascar will likely receive below normal rainfall during this period. The Seychelles is likely to receive above normal rainfall between December 2023 and February 2024.

* Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland), Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe

South Africa: This city is one of the Top 5 "solo travel" destinations in Africa!

British travel adventure company Explore! recently analysed 24 months’ worth of Google data to find out which places around the world solo travellers are getting more interested in. According to the study, Cape Town in South Africa ranked second best African destination for solo travellers. The "Mother City" saw an 144% increase in yearly Google searches for "solo travel" . The island of Mauritius (+ 147%) gained the biggest increase in interest based on yearly Google searches on the African continent. Cairo in Egypt secured third place with 108% followed by the Seychelles in fourth with 45% and the Kenyan capital Nairobi taking fifth place.

Explore! compiled a comprehensive list of over 580 locations around the world (including 108 countries, 321 cities, 107 regions and the 50 states in the USA). These locations were then each analysed in Google Keyword Planner with + [solo travel] (e.g. Cape Town solo travel, Mauritius solo travel, Seychelles solo travel etc.) to find the total accumulative number of Google searches made worldwide in the last 12 months (April 2022 to March 2023). This was compared with the total accumulative number of Google searches made worldwide in the previous 12 months (April 2021 – March 2022). The difference in annual search totals per destination was calculated to see which destinations have the highest percentage jump in search volume interest.

Southern Africa: Rainfall season (October 2022 - March 2023) outlook!

According to the findings of the Twenty-Sixth Annual Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-26), most member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)* are likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall for the period from October to December 2022. However, the north-western part of Angola, bulk of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), United Republic of Tanzania, northern Zambia, northern Malawi, northern Mozambique, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles are likely to experience normal to below normal rains.

click to enlarge

During the period from January to March 2023 most of the SADC Region is expected to receive normal to above normal rains, except for northern Angola, bulk of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), northern half of United Republic of Tanzania and the bulk of Madagascar. Central Mozambique, southern Malawi, northern half of Zimbabwe, most of Zambia, southern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), south-eastern half of Angola, bulk of Namibia, western half of Botswana, most of central and western parts of South Africa, and western parts of Lesotho are likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall during the first three month of 2023. 

* Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland), Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Air Seychelles to resume operations between Seychelles <> South Africa!

The Government of the Republic of Seychelles has revised its advisory that restricted travel from South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe to curb the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 on 06 January 2022. The national airline of the island nation, Air Seychelles, is set to resume commercial passenger services between the Seychelles and South Africa on 11 January 2022. The airline will operate one weekly flight between Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), located on the island of Mahé near the capital city of Victoria, and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. 

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Air Seychelles to re-instate flights to South Africa!

The national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, Air Seychelles, has announced the resumption of its commercial passenger services between the Seychelles and South Africa, following the recent announcement made by Seychelles' Ministry of Health allowing travel between the two countries as from 13 September 2021. Effective from 24 September 2021, the airline will operate twice weekly flights between Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), located on the island of Mahé near the capital city of Victoria, and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. Flights between the Seychelles and Johannesburg will take place on Fridays and Sundays, while the return flight from Johannesburg to the Seychelles will be on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons.
All travellers to the Seychelles must present a negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours prior to departure. The completed Health Travel Authorization approval at seychelles.govtas.com must also be presented upon check-in prior to departure from Johannesburg. All travellers to South Africa must produce a negative PCR test taken not more than 72 hours, must download the COVID Alert South Africa app in addition to completing the Entry Screening Traveller Health Questionnaire available at www.airports.co.za before departure from Seychelles. Travellers must also provide proof of accommodation, address in South Africa including their Covid-19 travel insurance.

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Southern Africa: Rainfall season (October 2021 - March 2022) outlook!

According to the findings of the Twenty-Fifth Annual Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-25), most member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)* are likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall for most of the period October to December 2021. The north-western part of Angola, the bulk of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), western and southern Madagascar, northern Malawi, northern Mozambique, the western fringes of Namibia and South Africa, the south-western part of the United Republic of Tanzania and north-eastern Zambia are likely to expect normal to below-normal rains.
The bulk of the SADC member states, except for the south-western fringes of Angola and the western fringes of Namibia and South Africa, are expected to have normal to above normal  rainfall between January 2022 to March 2022.
The period from October to March is the main rainfall season over most of Southern Africa.

* Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland), Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Air Seychelles has resumed flights to Johannesburg!

The national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, Air Seychelles, has resumed scheduled services between Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on the island of Mahé near the capital city of Victoria and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on Saturday, 07 November 2020. The airline operates one weekly return flight to Johannesburg during November 2020 and will increase services to three weekly on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in December 2020.
Air Seychelles has alsp announced that the airline will operate passenger services from Johannesburg to the Maldives between 04 December 2020 and 09 January 2021.

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Southern Africa: Rainfall season (October 2020 - March 2021) outlook!

According to the findings of the Twenty Fourth Annual Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-24), most member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)* are likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall for most of the period from October 2020 to December 2020. Normal to below-normal rains are expected for north-western Angola, the bulk of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), most of eastern Madagascar, northern Malawi, northern Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania and north-eastern Zambia. The period from January 2021 to March 2021 is expected to have normal to above normal rainfall for the entire SADC region. The period from October to March is the main rainfall season over most of Southern Africa.

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* Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland), Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe

South African Airways expands codeshare with Air Seychelles to New York!

South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways, and the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, Air Seychelles, have expanded their codeshare agreement to cover flights to New York effective 01 November 2019. Under the agreement, Air Seychelles will place its "HM" code on South African Airways daily services between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, providing travellers seamless connection on flights to and from the Seychelles. The codeshare agreement between the two airlines has been in existence since 2013.

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Southern Africa: Rain season (October 2019 - March 2020) outlook!

According to the findings of the Twenty Third Annual Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-23), most member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)* are likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall for most of the period October to December 2019. Northern Mozambique, southern Tanzania, Northern  Malawi, northernmost Zambia, the bulk of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the north-western half of Angola, northern Madagascar and the Comoros are expected to receive normal to below-normal rains.
During January to March 2020, most parts of the region are expected to have normal to above normal rainfall. Normal to below normal rainfall amounts are expected in the eastern half of Tanzania, the eastern half of Botswana, the westernmost parts of Namibia, the bulk of South Africa, the bulk of Mozambique, southern Malawi, eastern Lesotho, central Zambia, southernmost Madagascar, south-western most Angola as well as in Eswatini (Swaziland) and Zimbabwe.

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* Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland), Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe)

Southern Africa: Rainfall outlook (March - May 2019)!

According to the mid-season review and update of the Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (December 2018)*, the northern half of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, Tanzania, Malawi, the bulk of Zambia, Northern Mozambique, Eastern Zimbabwe, Northernmost Namibia, Northernmost Botswana, Northern Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles are likely to experience increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall between March and May 2019. The Southern half of the SADC, including the bulk of Namibia, the bulk of Botswana, the Southern half of Zimbabwe, Southern Mozambique, Eswatini (Swaziland),  Lesotho and the Southernmost part of Madagascar are likely to experience increased chances of normal to below-normal rainfall between March and May 2019.

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Air Seychelles to commence daily flights between Seychelles <> Johannesburg!

The national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, Air Seychelles, is set to commence daily services between Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) in Victoria on the island of Mahé and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 03 June 2019. The additional frequency will be operated on Mondays by the airline's two class Airbus A320 aircraft featuring 16 business and 120 economy class seats.

• Seychelles 09:25 > 12:30 Johannesburg (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
• Johannesburg 13:45 > 20:40 Seychelles (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)

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Ranking: Noetzie Beach is South Africa's top beach!

According to FlightNetwork, eight beaches in South Africa are among "Africa’s Top 50 Beaches". These are Noetzie Beach (4.) in Plettenberg Bay Knysna, the Coffee Bay Beach in Coffee Bay (5.), Camps Bay Beach (6.) in Cape Town, Boulders Beach (8.) in Cape Town, Hobie Beach (11.) in Port Elizabeth, Wilderness Beach (30.) in Wilderness, Nordhoek Beach (39.) in Cape Town and Diaz Beach (50.) in Cape Town. The travel site consulted over 1,200 of the world’s top travel professionals to create the list. Africa's top beach is Anse Source D’Argent on La Digue Island in the Seychelles, followed by Diani Beach in Kenya and Anse Lazio on Praslin Island in the Seychelles.

Africa's top 10 beaches:

1. Anse Source D’Argent on La Digue Island in the Seychelles
2. Diani Beach in Kenya
3. Anse Lazio on Praslin Island in the Seychelles
4. Noetzie Beach in Plettenberg Bay Knysna
5. Coffee Bay in Coffee Bay
6. Camps Bay Beach in Cape Town
7. Nungwi Beach on Zanzibar
8. Boulders Beach in Cape Town
9. Skeleton Coast in Namibia
10. Pereybere Beach in Riviere Du Rempart on Mauritius

Kenya Airways to introduce additional flights to Cape Town, Mauritius and the Seychelles!

Kenya's flag carrier, Kenya Airways, is set to increase flights between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. Effective 01 December 2018, the airline will add a further two non-stop flights per week to the route. Already effective 28 October 2018, Kenya Airways will introduce additional two flights between Nairobi and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) on Mauritius as well as between Nairobi and Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on the island of Mahe (Seychelles). 

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Southern Africa: Rain season (October 2018 - March 2019) outlook! [update]

The 22nd Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-22) has isuued the annual outlook for the 2018/2019 rainfall season (October - March) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region*. The period, October to March, is the main rainfall season over most of southern Africa. The countries covered by the outlook include all SADC member states (Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland), Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe).

According to the official statement (pdf), the bulk of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is likely to receive normal to below-normal rainfall for most of the period October to December 2018 and above-normal rainfall over the northern half of Tanzania. From January to March 2019, most of the region will receive normal to below normal rainfall. Normal to above normal rainfall will be received throughout the 2018/19 rainy season in northern most Angola, central most Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), south-western Tanzania, northern Malawi and the islands states of Comoros, Mauritius, eastern most Madagascar and Seychelles.
The mean temperature will be normal to above normal for most of the 2018/19 season over the entire SADC region, except for Northeast of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), north-western Tanzania, extreme south of Mozambique, Eswatini (Swaziland), extreme east of South Africa, central South Africa, half north of Lesotho, extreme southwest of Botswana, south of Namibia, northwest of South Africa with the likelihood of above normal temperature. For detailed information on the climate outlook, click here (pdf)!