Online social media and social networking service Facebook hast launched Africa's first Facebook Community City Guide. "The JoziPlug Community City Guide", which has been compiled and co-created by local Facebook Groups, was created to showcase the beauty of Johannesburg, highlight community leaders using Facebook to connect and support local businesses through empowering communities and bringing people together to share knowledge about local hidden attractions found in Johannesburg. The online edition of "The JoziPlug" can be found here (or see below), while the print edition of the guide will be available at some of the local attractions featured in the guide, including Home of the Bean, Yeoville Dinner Club, Sakhumzi, Flair Vintage and more.
09 December 2020
Air Botswana to resume flights to Cape Town, Harare & Lusaka! [update]
update (14 December 2020): Air Botswana increases flights between Gaborone and Johannesburg to 12 flights a week from today!
update (14 December 2020): Air Botswana will operate two weekly flights on Fridays and Sundays between Gaborone and Cape Town as well as two weekly fligths on Thursdays and Sundays between Gaborone, Harare and Lusaka (Thr: Gaborone > Lusaka > Harare > Gaborone; Sun: Gaborone > Harare > Lusaka > Gaborone).
Botswana's flag carrier, Air Botswana, is set to re-introduce regional services in Southern Africa. The airline, which already relaunched flights between Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on 10 November 2020, is set to recommence flights to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) in Lusaka and RG Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare. Return flights from Gaborone to Lusaka and Harare will be relaunched on 17 December 2020, while Air Botswana will resume flights between Gaborone and Cape Town on 18 December 2020.
08 December 2020
Garden Route National Park: Stringent safety measures will apply during the summer holidays!
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that stringent safety measures will apply in all three sections - Tsitsikamma, Knysna and Wilderness - of the Garden Route National Park during this summer holidays. According to Vuyiswa Thabethe, General Manager for the Garden Route region of SANParks, Park Rangers will be on high alert during this period keeping visible patrols in all areas to ensure compliance of rules, protection of nature and visitors alike. SANParks also encourages visitors to observe social distancing at all times, wear their masks, sanitize hands at all entrances and be willing to have their temperature checked.
- A quota system will be introduced in the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park as from 16 December 2020. Popular areas like Island Lake, Tarentaal and the Half-collard Kingfisher Trail will have a quota system, restricting the number of people entering the facilities.
- The Lagoon area, closer to the Wilderness beach, will be closed completely from 15 December 2020 to 15 January 2021.
- Other controlled access areas include those leading to Big trees like Krisjian se Nek, Dalene Matthee memorial and popular picnic spots. Visitors will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Vessel and boat permits, activity permits and other recreational permits are available at Park reception areas on Thesen Island office (Knysna), Ebb & Flow Rest Camp in Wilderness.
- Fishing and bait collection permits can only be purchased from the South African Post Office (SAPO) during official operating hours.
- Annual or Seasonal Vessel Permits can be bought from the Thesen Island office (Knysna) Monday to Friday 08:00 - 16:00 and Saturdays 08:00 - 13:00, only.
- Emergencies on the Knysna Estuary can be reported to the Knysna Ranger on Duty at 082 269 5007.
- Cycling permits (annual, monthly, family and daily permits) can be obtained from the Garden of Eden, Harkerville Office or Diepwalle Office.
04 December 2020
Table Mountain National Park: New operating hours for the Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point Section
South African National Parks (SANParks) today announced that the operating hours for the Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point Section in Cape Town's Table Mountain National Park have been amended. The new operating hours are as follows:
- Gates open at 07:00 and close at 17:00, with the last vehicles to exit the park by 18:00.
There are three operating lanes at the entry point, with numerous Covid-19 screening and operational staff to ensure that the entry to the Cape of Goodhope/Cape Point Section runs smoothly and quickly.
Covid-19 protocols remain in place.
- Maintain social distancing of at least 1.5m
- Wear your masks at all times. No mask, no entry!
- Users are encouraged to sanitize their hands at all times.
Uganda: The Uganda Wildlife Association cuts park entrance fees and gorilla & chimpanzee tracking fees!
The Uganda Wildlife Association (UWA) has announced temporary changes in its pricing for visits to wildlife centres, including a reduction on gorilla and chimpanzee tracking fees, across Uganda. Between 01 December 2020 and 31 March 2021, the UWA will be running a festive season price discount to manage the impacts of Covid-19 and reward their visitors for their continued support. The following discounts haven been offered with effect from 01 December 2020:
- 50% discount on entrance fees for the following National Parks in Uganda:
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Kidepo Valley National Park
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Semuliki National Park
- Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve
- Katonga Wildlife Reserve
- Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve
- Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve
- 50% discount on birding fees
- Reduction on gorilla and chimpanzee tracking fees in Uganda for all visitor categories as follows:
- East African Community citizen gorilla tracking permits reduced from UGX 250,000 to UGX 150,000
- Foreign Resident gorilla tracking permits reduced from USD600 to USD300
- Foreign Non Resident gorilla tracking permits reduced from USD700 to USD400
- East African Community resident chimpanzee tracking permits reduced from UGX 150,000 to UGX 100,000
- Foreign Resident chimpanzee tracking permits reduced from USD150 to USD100
- Foreign Non Resident chimpanzee tracking permits reduced from USD200 to USD150
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| Photo by Musiime P. Muramura on Unsplash |
The reduction on gorilla and chimpanzee fees only applies to new purchases between 01 December 2020 and 31 March 2021 and not on reschedules of already deposited on permits or purchases using credit letters.
03 December 2020
South Africa: Update on travel/tourism-related Covid-19 regulations under level one lockdown [update]
South Africa's Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, has released a further update (Government Gazette No. 43956 (03 December 2020)) on the Disaster Management Act, 2002. With regard to "International flights and domestic flights", South Africa's travel/tourism-related Covid-19 regulations under the country's level one lockdown have been amended as follows (excerpt):
International passenger flights to and from South Africa are permitted, subject to the following conditions:
- A traveller must provide a valid negative Polymerase Chain Reaction ("PCR") test certificate, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel from an accredited laboratory and in line with World Health Organization (WHO) requirements or equivalent local accreditation authority. South African Authorities reserve the right to verify the authenticity of thepresented PCR or COVID-19 test certificates
- In the event of the traveller's failure, for whatever reason, to submit a valid test certificate, as proof of a negative PCR test or a valid COVID-19 negative test status upon arrival in South Africa, the traveller shall be subjected to a compulsory quarantine or undergo COVID-19 testing in linew ith the National Health Regiments
- a passenger is required to wear a face mask at all times, may only remove a face mask during an emergency or when instructed by cabin crew to take it off and must observe social distancing, hand washing and sanitize regularly
- A child under the age of five years may be exempted from wearing a face mask
- A passenger who is unable to wear a face mask due to an underlying medical condition, must submit a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner to the flight operator prior to departure
- Flight deck crew are required to wear masks for the purpose of embarking and disembarking
- Cabin crew members are required to wear masks at all times, except when conducting a safety briefing or during an emergency
- An "immunity passport", "risk-free certificate" or "passport immunity" in respect of COVID-19 is not acceptable
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The Government of South Africa has updated its travel/tourism-related Covid-19 regulations under the country's level one lockdown. According to the Government Gazette No. 43954 (03 December 2020), the rules for both entering and leaving South Africa, the tests required, as well as the quarantine periods have been updated.
Persons exiting South Africa:
- A person exiting South Africa through a point of entry must be subjected to screening, including the completion of a traveller health questionnaire
- A person who, during screening, is found to have had exposure to Covid-19 or is presenting with any signs and symptoms of Covid-19 must be subjected to a medical examination which may include testing;
- Based on the outcome of this medical examination, the Director-General of Health or any delegated person may make a decision on whether or not the person is allowed to exit South Africa
- Persons found to have contracted Covid-19 pursuant to testing, must be placed under mandatory isolation or hospitalisation
- Persons placed under isolation may be permitted to self-isolate at their own private residence if they comply with the prescribed criteria.
Persons entering South Africa:
- A person entering South Africa must be subjected to screening on arrival at the point of entry, including the completion of a traveller health questionnaire
- A person who, during screening, is found to have had exposure to Covid-19 or is presenting with any signs and symptoms of Covid-19, must be subjected to a medical examination which may include testing and isolation
- A person (children below the age of five years are exempted) entering South Africa must on arrival at the point of entry, provide to the port health official the following:
- a completed Traveller Health Questionnaire
- a valid negative Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result, not older than 72 hours from the date of departure from the country of origin
- A person who is not in possession of a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test result will be subjected to antigen testing at the point of entry and may be subjected to quarantine at an approved facility at his or her own cost
- A person who is subjected to quarantine
- must, on arrival at the point of entry, complete and sign a written declaration committing to adhere to quarantine requirements
- will be liable for all costs related to testing, quarantine and transportation
- Persons entering South Africa are encouraged to install the Covid Alert SA mobile application on their mobile phones
- A person who experiences any signs and symptoms consistent with Covid-19 whilst in South Africa, must seek medical attention and inform the medical practitioner of his or her travel history
Cost of quarantine in South Africa:
- A traveller entering South Africa (or his or her employer) must bear the cost of quarantine and isolation.
Self-quarantine and self-isolation in South Africa:
The 10-day period of quarantine and isolation applies to persons:
- entering South Africa without valid Covid-19 PCR test certificate who are subjected to quarantine
- who upon entry, have been screened and found to be Covid-19 positive or suspected of having contracted Covid-19
- who are inside South Africa and have to be quarantined, either because they are suspected of having contracted Covid-19 or of having been in contact with a person who is a carrier of Covid-19, or isolated because they are confirmed as clinical or laboratory cases having contracted Covid-19.
to read the complete Government Gazette No. 43954 (03 December 2020) click here >>
02 December 2020
South Africa: South African Airways cancels all international routes for the month of January 2021!
South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways, has announced that due to the continuing impact of Covid-19 and the ongoing business rescue process all international routes will be cancelled for the month of January 2021. In a statement released by the airline on 01 December 2020 it said that assistance will be provided to all ticketed passengers holding a South African Airways’ ticket. This Trade Advisory is applicable to tickets issued on/before 25 March 2020 and subsequent tickets issued upto and including 31 January 2021. Due to the cancellation of the flights operated by South African Airways, customers will be able to use the value of the unused ticket or remaining coupon to issue a credit note/voucher for future travel. The airline's no refunds policy remains in force.