21 December 2016

Tanzania: Etihad Airways & Precision Air signed codeshare agreement!

The national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Tanzania's leading domestic airline, Precision Air, have signed a new codeshare agreement. Under the new codeshare agreement, Etihad Airways will place its "EY" code on Precision Air flights between Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro, Mwanza, Mtwara, Nairobi, Zanzibar, Pemba, and between Nairobi and Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.
Precision Air will place its "PW" code on Etihad Airways' daily services between
Dar es Salaam and Abu Dhabi. Passengers will be able to book flights from 21 December 2016 for travel from 11 January 2017 onwards.

Zimbabwe/Zambia to (re-)launch the KAZA UNIVISA today!

update (21 Dec 2016): The Kaza Visa has been relaunched!
 
According to a posting by the David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa on Facebook, the KAZA UNIVISA, which allows travellers to enter both Zimbabwe and Zambia using a dual visa, will be (re-)launched today (21 Dec 2016) at the Victoria Falls Conference Centre at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa in Livingstone, Zambia.




17 December 2016

Zambia: Proflight Zambia to launch for new domestic routes!

Proflight Zambia, the operator of the largest fleet of aircraft in Zambia, is set to launch four new domestic routes in Zambia. The airline will relaunch its direct Ndola <> Solwezi route in January 2017, along with Ndola <> Kasama flights. A Lusaka <> Kalabo service will begin on 15 March 2017, and a direct Mfuwe <> Lower Zambezi service between 15 June 2017 and 31 October 2017.


The Lusaka <> Kalabo route will be operated on a twice-weekly basis on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, leaving Lusaka at 08:15hrs and arriving in Kalabo at 10:45hrs. The return flight leaves Kalabo at 11:05hrs, arriving in Lusaka at 12:15hrs.
The
Ndola <> Solwezi flight will depart Ndola at 08:30hrs on Tuesdays and Fridays, arriving Solwezi at 09:30hrs. On Thursdays, the flight will depart Ndola at 13:35hrs, arriving Solwezi at 14:35hrs. The return flight departs Solwezi at 09:55hrs on Tuesdays and Fridays, arriving Ndola at 10:55hrs. On Thursdays, the flight will depart Solwezi at 15:00hrs arriving Ndola at 16:00hrs.  
Ndola <> Kasama flights will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays, leaving Ndola at 12:45hrs and arriving in Kasama at 14:25hrs. The return flight leaves Kasama on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:35 arriving Ndola at 12:15hrs.

16 December 2016

Eurowings to launch flights between Cologne Bonn Airport <> Windhoek!

German low-cost airline Eurowings, a fully owned subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, is set to introduce flights between Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN), which serves the cities of Cologne and Bonn in Western Germany, and Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) in Windhoek. Effective 12 July 2017, the airline will operate two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Sundays to Namibia



15 December 2016

New Zealanders now need visa to travel to South Africa!

Travellers from New Zealand will soon need a visa to enter South Africa. The new requirements for New Zealanders will come into force on 16 January 2017. South Africa's decision to introduce new visa restrictions follows New Zealand's introduction of visa requirements for all South African nationals wishing to travel there with effect from 21 November 2016. Kiwis travelling to South Africa after 16 January 2017 will have to obtain a visa from the South African High Commission in Wellington prior to travelling.
New Zealand ordinary passport holders should visit the department’s website at www.dha.gov.za to acquant themselves with the supporting documents that need to accompany a visa application before visiting the South African High Commission in Wellington to submit a visa application form and supporting documents in person. (via dha.gov.za; see below)

Botswana to ban elephant-back riding!

Botswana, known to have the highest elephant population in Africa, is set to ban all elephant-back riding acitivities. The only facility in the country to currently allow elephant-back riding, the Abu Camp in the Okavango Delta, has been directed by the Department of Environmental Affairs to terminate this kind of tourist offering from 31 December 2016. Abu Camp supports the decision by the government of Botswana. In a press release, the camp's management said "Following an extensive review of its programme and in compliance with recent government directives, as of 31 December 2016, Abu Camp will no longer allow guests to ride elephants." (quote via mmegi.bw)

 

14 December 2016

Festive season 2016/17: Kruger National Park to enforce daily gate quotas!

South African National Parks (SANParks) is set to enforce daily quotas for day visitors in the Kruger National Park during coming festive season 2016/17 (15 December 2016 - 03 January 2017). Through the Day Visitor Quota for Kruger National Park SANParks aims to better manage the expected volumes of visitors, as well as to improve the visitors' expectations. SANParks has introduced three time slots, of which day visitos are able to choose from. It is advised to book a time slot prior to arrival, as pre-booked day visitors will get preference over non-booked day visitors at Kruger National Park's entrance gates.
  • Time slot 1: 05:30 to 07:30
  • Time slot 2: 07:30 to 09:30
  • Time slot 3: 09:30 onwards
Pre-booked day visitors must ensure that they arrive within the time slots, as per their reservation. Arriving outside the booked time slot, will be regarded as non-booked and therefore not preferential. These bookings can be changed through SANParks Reservations offices.


Visitors should also take note of the following important information:
  • Day Visitor bookings are subject to a non-refundable booking fee of R38 per adult and R19 per child.
  • Day Visitors who have pre-booked will still be required to pay Conservation Fees or use a valid Wild Card to enter Kruger National Park. The Conservation Fee for SA residents is R76 per adult and R38 per child between ages 2 - 11 and for international guests it is R304 per adult and R152 per child.
  • Guests planning to use Wild Cards are requested to ensure membership is valid before arrival and this can best be done online at www.sanparks.org/wild
  • The number and profile of persons (adults and children) on the reservation and actual persons arriving should correspond.
  • All guests (drivers and passengers) may be required to identify themselves upon admission (SA driver’s license, identity document or passport).
  • Due to existing contractual arrangements with Open Safari Vehicles (OSVs), they are regarded as booked for all Day Visitor admissions.
  • Gate Quotas will be applied and un-booked guests could be denied entry.

13 December 2016

Oman Air to launch flights between Muscat <> Nairobi!

According to aviation specialists routesonline.com, the national airline of Oman, Oman Air, is set to launch flights between Muscat International Airport (MCT) in Muscat and Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) on 27 March 2017. The airline will operate four weekly flights on board a Boeing 737-800 to Kenya's capital.

09 December 2016

Airlink to introduce flights between Pietermaritzburg <> Cape Town!

South African carrier Airlink is set to introduce a scheduled service between Pietermaritzburg Airport (PZB) in Pietermaritzburg and Cape Town's Cape Town International Airport (CPT) on 06 February 2017. The airline will operate daily return flights on board an Embraer 135 with 37 seats. Flights will depart from Pietermaritzburg at 07:00 and arrive in Cape Town at 09:10 and depart again from Cape Town at 17:35 and arrive in Pietermaritzburg at 19:30.

Airlink to increase flights to various destinations in Southern Africa in 2017!

South African carrier Airlink is set to increase the number of flights to various destinations in Southern Africa in the next couple of month.
  • Effective 06 February 2017, Airlink will introduce a third daily flight operating midmorning between Cape Town and Windhoek. The midmorning flights will depart daily from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) at 10h00 arriving at Windhoek's Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) at 12:05. The return flight will depart from Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) at 15:00 arriving at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) at 17:05.
  • Airlink will during 2017 increase the frequency of its flights between Nelspruit and Vilanculos, Mozambique. The airline currently offers flights on Thursdays and Sundays.
    Flights will depart Nelspruit at 11:45 and will arrive in Vilanculos at 12:55.
    • On 26 March 2017, additional flights on Tuesdays and Fridays will be added. 
    • On 4 July 2017, additional flights on Mondays and Saturdays will be added.
    • On 7 August 2017 flights on Wednesdays will be added, so that the service will be daily.
  • Effective 26 March 2017, Airlink will increase the frequency of its flights between Nelspruit and Livingstone to a daily service. Additional flights will operate on Thursdays and Sundays. Flights depart Nelspruit at 11:35 and will arrive in Livingstone at 13:10.
  • Effective 13 April 2017, Airlink will increase flight frequency between Johannesburg and Vilanculos, Mozambique, offering a daily service. The additional flights will operate on Thursdays and Sundays. The direct Johannesburg <> Vilanculos flights depart Johannesburg at 11:30 and arrive in Vilanculos at 13:10. 
  • Effective 6 June 2017, Airlink will increase flight frequency between Cape Town and Maun, Botswana, offering a daily service. The additional flights will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Flights depart Cape Town at 10:35 and will arrive in Maun at 13:05.  

South Africa: Extended border hours during the festive season 2016/17!

South Africa extends the working hours of some of its ports of entry during the festive season 2016/17 to avoid delays at border posts. During the festive season, high volumes of people are usually recorded at South Africa's borders with its neighbouring countries.


Lebombo (South Africa - Mozambique)
  • 24 hours
Mananga (South Africa - Swaziland)
  • 07:00 - 22:00
Jeppe's Reef (South Africa - Swaziland)
  • 07:00 - 22:00
Oshoek (South Africa - Swaziland)
  • 24 hours
Mahamba (South Africa - Swaziland)
  • 06:00 - 00:00
Qacha's Nek (South Africa - Lesotho)
  • 06:00 - 22:00 - 19 December 2016 to 24 December 2016
  • 06:00 - 20:00 - 24 December 2016 (25 December 2016?)
Kosi Bay (South Africa - Mozambique)
  • 07h00 - 18h00 - 15 December 2016 to 08 January 2017 
Van Rooyenshek (South Africa - Lesotho)
  • 24h - 15 Dec 2016
  • 06:00 - 00:00 - 23 December 2016
  • 06:00 - 00:00 - 24 December 2016
Caledonspoort (South Africa - Lesotho)
  • 06:00 - 00:00 - 15 December 2016
  • 24 hours - 23 December 2016 to 24 December 2016
  • 06:00 - 00:00 - 02 January 2016
Monontsa Pass (South Africa - Lesotho)
  • 08h00 - 18h00 - 16 December 2016 to 24 December 2016
Grobler's Bridge (South Africa - Botswana)
  • 24hrs - 23 December 2016 to 24 December 2016
  • 24hrs - 02 January 2017 to 03 January 2017
  • 06:00 - 00:00 - 08 January 2017

08 December 2016

Malawi: Likoma Airport (LIX) granted international licence!

The governemt of Malawi has granted Likoma Airport (LIX) an international licence, so that international airlines are now allowed to land at and to start from the recently upgraded airport. The airport is located on Likoma Island, which has an overall area of 18 km² and is the larger of two inhabited Malawian islands in Lake Malawi.



Likoma Island and the smaller of the two inhabited islands in Lake Malawi, neighboring Chizumulu Island, both lie just a few kilometres from Mozambique and are entirely surrounded by Mozambican territorial waters. As of now, the only way to get to Likoma Island is by boat (from Nkhata Bay, duration: up to 5hrs+) or by charter aircraft (from Lilongwe; flight duration: 1hrs, $295 per person one way in Sept 2016).

07 December 2016

Denmark to close its Embassy in Zimbabwe!

Denmark will close its Embassy in Harare in Zimbabwe on 31 December 2016. Due to the Christmas holidays, the last actual working day is the 21 December 2016. The Danish Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, will from 01 January 2017 have the official responsibility for Danish relations with Zimbabwe. Danish travellers in need of assistance in Zimbabwe will thus have to contact the Embassy in Pretoria. It is expected that a Danish honorary consulate will be established in Harare, but this is currently awaiting approval. 

Embassy of Denmark - Pretoria
iParioli Office Park, Block B2
1166 Park Street
Hatfield 0083
Pretoria, South Africa
Phone +27 (0) 12 430 9340
Fax +27 (0) 12 342 7620
email: pryamb@um.dk
Monday: 9:00-16:00 / Visa closed
Tuesday: 8:00-16:00 / Visa 9:00-11:00
Wednesday: 8:00-16:00 / Visa closed
Thursday: 8:00-16:00 / Visa 9:00-11:00
Friday: 8:00-14:00 / Visa closed

Cape Town: The Castle of Good Hope is temporarily closed!

Cape Town's Castle of Good Hope in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans are planning its final closing event of the 350-year commemoration programme, scheduled to take place on 09 December 2016. The existing colonial building in South Africa will therefore be closed from today 07 Dec 2016 until 09 December 2016. 


The Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town is usually open seven days a week, except on Christmas Day & New Year's Day. The castle gates open at 09:00 and close at 16:00, with the last visitors admitted at 15:30. The entry fee is R30 for adults and R15 for children/students.

02 December 2016

South Africa's most punctual domestic airlines in November 2016!

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has published the on-time performance results of domestic airlines’ flying out of OR Tambo in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport, and Durban's King Shaka International Airport in November 2016.
On-Time Performance is measured by comparing the actual off-block time (when aircraft pushes back) against the airline schedule time for a departing flight. The measurement is done in accordance with the IATA (International Airlines Transport Association) universal standard benchmark with considers a 15 minute deviation from the scheduled time as an on-time departure.

OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg - 15 Min on Time Performance November 2016 (airport target 87%)
  1. FlySafair - 90.61% (October 95.59%)
  2. Airlink - 82.32% (October 87.75%)
  3. CemAir - 81.39% (October 83.73%)
  4. South African Airways - 81.17% (October 84.16%)
  5. Mango - 80.39% (October 80.26%)
  6. British Airways Domestic - 73.06% (October 82.49%)
  7. SA Express - 70.06% (October 70.83%)
  8. Kulula.com - 66.47% (October 82.53%)
  9. Fly Blue Crane Aviation - 65.08% (October 83.52%)
Cape Town International Airport - 15 Min on Time Performance November 2016 (airport target 90%)
  1. FlySafair - 93.45% (October 96.96%)
  2. Airlink - 92.86% (October 87.96%)
  3. Mango - 90.25% (October 83.56%)
  4. CemAir - 88.33% (October 90.38%) 
  5. SA Express - 86.80% (October 83.16%)
  6. South African Airways - 84.27% (October 83.83%) 
  7. Kulula.com - 78.54% (October 84.76%)
  8. British Airways Domestic - 77.26% (October 83.17%)
  9. Fly Blue Crane Aviation - 37.50% (October 72.73%)
King Shaka International Airport, Durban - 15 Min on Time Performance November 2016 (airport target 91%)
  1. FlySafair - 90.67% (October 96.46%)
  2. Mango - 88.01% (October 86.58%)
  3. South African Airways - 82.15% (October 90.65%) 
  4. Airlink - 81.27% (October 83.27%)
  5. SA Express - 79.56% (October 74.84%)
  6. Kulula.com - 76.07% (October 84.22%)
  7. British Airways Domestic - 69.46% (October 80.16%)