09 January 2013

Tenth issue of free "Safari" digimag out now!

The tenth issue (Jan - March 2013) of the free online digimag Safari just got published. Safari is an interactive travel magazine about Africa from the multiple award-winning Africa Geographic publishing stable.

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The tenth issue of Safari covers stories about: 
  • food safaris through African markets
  • Lake Kivu in Rwanda
  • Charley Boorman's "My Africa"
  • Six of the best: Must-See Birds
  • a Cape to Cairo Portofolio
  • 48 Hours in Johannesburg
  • "Survival of the quickest - a Porsche in Africa"

08 January 2013

Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) certified its first two businesses in the Dinokeng area

Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) has recently certified its first two businesses in the Dinokeng area, namely the Kwagga’s Pride Guest House and the Kwalata Game Ranch.
The Kwagga’s Pride Guest House is situated in the Kwaggas Drift Conservancy about half an hour’s drive from Pretoria. The guest house believes in promoting local development and tries to achieve it through purchasing from local and small suppliers in the surrounding towns where possible, and by mentoring local artisans as well as own staff to improve their skills.
The Kwalata Game Ranch, home to kudu, zebra, giraffe, blue wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, steenbok, ostrich, warthog and many more, is situated right in the Dinokeng Game Reserve. Its "Kwalata Initiative" focuses on social investment in the neighbouring communities of Mandela Village and Steve Biko Village, and supports already existing entrepreneurs, schools and day care centres.
The Kwagga’s Pride Guest House and the Kwalata Game Ranch are expected to be the first in a long row of businesses in the Dinokeng area working toward Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) certification as part of a campaign by the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) called "Travel with a Conscience". This campaign is aimed at positioning Dinokeng as a responsible tourism destination.
The Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) certification is an independent endorsement of fair and responsible tourism practice in South Africa. It is based on adherence to specific criteria including fair wages and working conditions, fair distribution of benefits, ethical business practice, and respect for human rights, culture and the environment. Certification is offered on a voluntary basis to providers of tourist accommodation, activities and attractions.

07 January 2013

South Africa: 2 rhinos killed by poachers so far in 2013

The new year is only seven days old and South Africa has lost already two rhions to illegal poaching. The first rhino in 2013 got illegally killed in the Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West on 05 Jan 2013. A second carcass was found in the Kruger National Park.
South Africa, home to an estimated number of 20000 rhinos, lost a record number of 633 rhinos (Outraged SA citizens against poaching (OSCAP) names 661 killings) to illegal poaching activites in 2012, of which 395 were killed in the Kruger National Park.

Ethiopian Airlines to launch fligths to Brazil

update (08 April 2013): Ethiopia's flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, postponed the start of its three-weekly Addis AbabaLome Rio de JaneiroSao PauloLome Addis Ababa service to 01 July 2013.

Airlineroute is reporting that Ethiopia's flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, will be the first East African carrier to operate a direct service to Brazil in South America. From 01 June 2013 the airline will service the route from Addis Ababa to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo via Lome (Togo) three times per week on board a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft.
Star Alliance member Ethiopian Airlines is the fastest growing airline in Africa and currently provides dependable services to 70 international destinations spanning four continents.

04 January 2013

Air Namibia: Less flights Windhoek <> Frankfurt during low season

Namibia's flag carrier, Air Namibia, has just announced that it will temporarily reduce its daily service Windhoek <> Frankfurt in Germany from seven to five weekly flights between 19 January 2013 - 17 March 2013. Air Namibia will be canceling its Windhoek > Frankfurt flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays as well as its Frankfurt > Windhoek flights von Wednesdays and Sundays. The adjustment of the flight schedule is following the demand situation currently expected by the airline for the upcoming low season.

Emirates to upgrade service to Lusaka & Harare

The largest airline in the Middle East, Emirates, will upgrate its service between Dubai and Harare (Zimbabwe) via Lusaka (Zambia). From 01 February 2013 the airline will operate a 354-seat Boeing 777-300ER on its daily flights between the three destinations instead of the 237-seat Airbus A330-200 currently in use. The upgrade comes on the first anniversary of the route's launch. Since 01 February 2012 more than 55,000 passengers have travelled with Emirates to Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Boeing 777-300ER has 354 seats in a three-class configuration offering eight luxurious First Class suits, 42 seats in Business Class and generous space for 304 passengers in Economy Class, providing an additional 50% capacity, or 117 extra seats per flight, compared with the current Airbus A330-200 aircraft being operated on the route.

03 January 2013

Supermarket prices in South Africa

update (28 Feb 2013): Rise in alcohol, cigarette prices [more]
As Namibia is part of the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu), the increases are also effective in Namibia.
[more]

To give you an idea on the supermarket prices in South Africa, we set up a list of what we think are the most typical items travellers on the road usually buy. It hopefully helps planning your holidays in South Africa. Safe travels! [exchange rates in the daily news]


  • bread - from R4.20/loaf
  • Rama Margarine - from R10.00/250gr
  • eggs (large) - from R9.00/6ea
  • fruit jam - from R6.00/225gr
  • peanut butter - from R14.50/250gr
  • baked beans - from R5.50/can
  • bacon - from R20.50/250gr
  • milk - from R7.50/1l
  • muesli - from R28.00/750gr
  • yoghurt (plain) - from R4.80/175gr
  • cheese - from R22.00/200gr (sliced gouda/cheddar)
  • fruits - price depending on season... relatively cheap
  • bottled water (still) - from R3.40/500ml
  • coke - from R8.60/500ml
  • juice - from R10.00/1l
  • biscuits - from R2.00/33gr
  • pasta - from R8.80/500gr (macaroni)
  • pasta sauce - from R8.50 (instant) 
  • instant soup - from R3.00/60gr (Brown Onion Soup)
  • boerewors - from R55.00/1kg
  • steak - from R70.00/kg
  • chakalaka - from R10.00/can (410gr)
  • chutney - from R15.00/bottle (420gr)
  • hot sauce - from R10.00/bottle (250gr)
  • potato chips - from R3.50/30gr
  • bovril - from R20.00/125gr
  • marmite - from R20.00/125gr
  • beer - from R8.00/330ml (Castle)
  • beer - from R9.00/330ml (Windhoek)
  • cider - from R8.99/330ml (Hunters Dry)
  • cider - from R10.50/330ml (Savanna Dry)
  • wine - from R15.00/bottle R55.00/3l box 
The list above is probably missing some items. Let us know what you think is missing & we will add it!