Namibia bans plastic bags in game parks and nature reserves!

Namibia has banned plastic bag in the county's protected areas, such as National Parks, with immediate effect. If found in possession of plasic bags, visitors will be finded N$500. The amendment to the regulation relating to the Nature Conservation Ordinance, 1974 (4 of 1875) to restrict the use of plastic bags in national parks was alreay approved and gazetted in 2017 (Government Gazette 6285, 13 April 2018, p. 3, 4). Namibia's Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) is putting in place the necessary systems to enforce the ban of plasic bags.

• (1) No person shall enter a game park or nature reserve with a plastic bag.
• (2) Notwithstanding  subregulation (1), a person may enter a game park or nature reserve with a plastic bag -
• (a) designed to be used for the disposal of waste;
• (b) designed for agricultural purposes;
• (c) used for sampling or analysis;
• (d) that constitutes, or forms an integral part of, the packaging in which goodsare sealed prior to sale in the local market or for export; or
• (e) that is a transparent resealable bag.
• (3) A person who contravenes subregulation (1) commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding N$500 or to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

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Air Tanzania to launch flights between Dar es Salaam <> Guangzhou!

Tanzania's national airline, Air Tanzania, is set to launch scheduled flights between Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) in Guangzhou via Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok, Thailand, in February 2019. The airline will operate three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on board a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Guangzhou is China's third largest city, after Beijing and Shanghai.

Kruger National Park: Shortage of unleaded fuel in Shingwedzi Rest Camp!

South African National Parks (SANParks) just informed travellers visiting Kruger National Park that Shingwedzi Rest Camp is set to experience a shortage unleaded fuel. This is due to construction work at the filling station in the Rest Camp, that will take place from 09 November 2018 until 16 November 2018. Shingwedzi Rest Camp is situated in the northern part of Kruger National Park and set on the banks of the Shingwedzi River.


Leaded fuel, unleaded fuel and diesel are usually available at all major camps in Kruger National Park. All fuel stations accept legitimate petrol/fuel/garage cards, any VISA/MasterCard cards or cash as a form of payment.

Zambia: Proflight Zambia to launch direct flights between Livingstone <> Kalabo (Liuwa Plain National Park)!

Zambian airline Proflight Zambia is set to launch scheduled direct services between
Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Livingstone and Kalabo Airport (KLB) in Kalabo. Effective 02 January 2019, the airline will operate two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays between the two destinations. Kalabo is located in the Western Province of Zambia and is the ideal base for the Liuwa Plain National Park.

• Livingstone 07:10 > 08:55 Kalabo
• Kalabo 09:15 > 11:00 Livingstone

Malaria: South African Malaria Risk Map November 2018

South Africa's National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has published a new and updated South African Malaria Risk Map (November 2018). In South Africa, malaria transmission occurs in the north-eastern part of the country, mainly in the low altitude (below 1 000m above sea-level) areas of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and northern part of  KwaZulu-Natal. Limited local transmission may occasionally occur in the North West Province and in the Northern Cape along the Molopo and Orange rivers. Kruger National Park and Mapungubwe National Park are the only two National Parks in South Africa that are situated in malaria risk areas. The risk of malaria in both of these parks is usually low, even in the summer months. Malaria is distinctly seasonal in South Africa, with the highest risk being during the wet summer months (September to May).

Source: NICD; click on map to enlarge

Chapman's Peak Drive: Temporary road closures for alien vegetation clearing

Cape Town's famous Chapman's Peak Drive will be closed to all traffic from 09:30 until 15:30 every Monday during November 2018 (07, 14, 21 and 28 November 2018 - weather permitting) for alien vegetation clearing. This is essential to protect the delicate eco-systems and prevent the alien plants from stealing ground water or destroying the natural fynbos. Should one need to travel between Noordhoek and Hout Bay between those times, kindly use Ou Kaapse Weg as an alternative route. 


Chapman's Peak Drive is a scenic 9km route between Noordhoek and Hout Bay along the western flank of the Chapman's Peak, a mountain on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, located about 15 kilometres south of Cape Town.

Garden Route: Tsitsikamma is open for business after the fires!

According to a public announcement by the Tsitsikamma Tourism Association on facebook, tourism in the Tsitsikamma area has been unaffected by the devasting fires that started on 23 October 2018 in Lottering and on 29 October 2018 in the area from Stormsriver to Clarkson. There has been no loss of life, nor damage to houses reported. Serious damage has been caused to plantations and fence lines. All tourism operations in the Tsitsikamma area, including accommodation establishments, tour operators, eateries and other related businesses, are continuing as normal, the roads are open, the Garden Route National Park is open and the Stormsriver Village is ready again to receive visitors.