/Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park: 95 unleaded fuel pump out of order at Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp! [update]

update (07 May 2025): The 95 unleaded fuel pump has been restored and is in full working order.

South African National Parks (SANParks) announced on 20 April 2025 that the 95 unleaded fuel pump at Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp in the /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is currently out of order until further notice. Travellers are advised to refuel at the nearest town before entering the park to avoid any inconvenience.

If you need fuel before visiting the park, the closest petrol stations outside /Ai-/Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park are:

• Alexander Bay, South Africa – Located approximately 80 km from Sendelingsdrift, this town offers fuel services, including unleaded petrol.
• Rosh Pinah, Namibia – Situated about 25 km from Sendelingsdrift, Rosh Pinah has fuel stations available.

In addition, the pontoon at the Sendelingsdrift border post is currently closed due to rising water levels in the Orange River. Travellers planning to cross between South Africa and Namibia via Sendelingsdrift should consider alternative routes.

Corona pandemic: Air Botswana temporarily suspends operations!

The flag carrier of Botswana, Air Botswana, temporarily suspends all its scheduled domestic and regional flight operations between 27 March 2020 and 31 May 2020 due to the ongoing corona pandemic. The suspension period will be subject to regular review. The airline will maintain a core team to support customer enquiries and provide assistance with rebooking and the processing of refund applications. Air Botswana will operate its last flights before suspension of services to Francistown, Maun and Kasane to offer passengers an opportunity to get back to their intended destinations.

Kenya launched a new railway between Nairobi <> Mombasa!

update (02 June 2017):  The Madaraka Express train service between Nairobi and Mombasa is currently operational with one train leaving Mombasa and another leaving Nairobi as below:

• Mombasa to Nairobi - 09:00 am (Departure)
• Nairobi to Mombasa - 09:00 am (Departure)
• Mombasa to Nairobi - 01:30 pm (Arrival)
• Nairobi to Mombasa- 01:30 pm (Arrival)

This is an express service with the train only stopping at Mtito Andei Intermediate station. Tickets are on sale at the Mombasa Terminus and the Nairobi Terminus. Travelers can buy tickets by cash or through the debit/credit cards. 

Kenya has launched a new railway between Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa. The 472km Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is the country's biggest infrastructure project since independence. The passenger service named Madaraka Express operates three passenger trains between Nairobi and Mombasa: two Intercity Trains and one County Train. The Intercity Trains are express train between Nairobi and Mombasa while the County Train makes stops at the Intermediate Stations (Mariakani, Maisenyi, Voi, Mtito Andei, Kibwezi, Emali and Athi River).
 


An economy class ticket for the Madaraka Express costs Sh900 ($8.5; £6.7; €7.6), while a  business class ticket is Sh3,000 ($28.5; £22.2; €25.6).
The Intercity Trains offer 1,200 seats per train and are operating at a maximum speed of 120 km/h. The travelling time between Nairobi and Mombasa is four hours and 30 minutes (bus: nine hours; previous railway: twelve hours). The County Train has the same seat capacity and is scheduled to have a travelling time of about five hours and 30 minutes.

Western Cape: First part of the new Cross Cape Cycle Route has been launched!

update (04 May 2017): The Cross Cape Cycle Route will officically be launched on 12 May 2017 and will stretch over 742 km from Plettenberg Bay to Stellenbosch.


The official Destination Marketing, Investment and Trade Promotion Agency for the Western Cape, WESGRO, has officially launched the first five kilometers part of the new Cross Cape Cycle Route in Knysna on 29 July 2016. The new cycle track, which will eventually stretch from Plettenberg Bay to Cape Town, will offer local and international visitors the best of the Western Cape's mountains, sea views, food and wines along the Garden Route, Klein Karoo, Cape Overberg, Cape Winelands and Cape Town. The Cross Cape Cycle Route will include road track, mountain trails, jeep as well as forest tracks and will cater to all levels of riders. WESGRO and its partners expect to complete the Cross Cape Cycle Route within the next two to two-and-a-half years. We'll keep you posted!

South Africa: Free preview of the Summer 2013/14 digital edition of "Wild" out now!

A "preview" of the Summer 2013/14 (#25) digital edition of "Wild", Wild Card's free wildlife environment and travel magazine, is out since last month. The "preview" edition contains stories and reports about the hiking trails in the Augrabies National Park, a brand-new off-road trail in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, the best beaches in the Cape, the Waterberg and the Cederberg and about how South Africa's National Parks plan to turn the tide against poaching. Enjoy!