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04 June 2008
New International Flights between USA & South Africa
Delta Air Lines launches JFK-CPT service

Delta Air Lines launched its first non-stop service from Cape Town International to JFK, via Dakar today (04 June 2008).

The service operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays; departing New York at 15h55 and arriving in Cape Town at 15h55 the following day. The return flights operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays on a B767-300ER departing Cape Town at 18h00 and arriving in New York at 06h30 the following day.

Delta’s service between Cape Town and New York operates with two classes with 36 seats in Business Elite and 181 seats in economy class.

“Delta is proud to be the only US carrier to fly between Cape Town and New York,” said Jimmy Eichelgruen, Delta’s director – sales for Africa, Middle East and India.

08 November 2007
South African Airways Airbus - Operating between Luanda - Johannesburg

The South African Airways (SAA) has started operating on the Johannesburg-Luanda route and vice-versa with the Airbus 340-600 aircraft of its new fleet.
Airbus 340-600 will replace the Boeing 747-400 which operated on the same for several years.
The Airbus 340-600, capable of carrying 315 passengers, only has two classes, premium-executive, which carries 42 people and the economic class, whilst the Boeing 747-400 has the capacity to fly 335 passengers, being eleven in the executive class and the same number in the first class, with the remaining travelling in the economic class.

07 November 2007
Zambia improving access to Kafue

The Zambian government is improving access to the Kafue National Park from Livingstone via the southern Dundumwezi Gate. The Dundumwezi gate lies approximately 120 km from Livingstone and, with the improved roads, tourists will be able to access the national park in less than a two hours' drive.

Currently, during the rainy season, the southern gate is often inaccessible from Livingstone, forcing visitors to travel via Lusaka, a much farther route. The improved roads will ensure year-round accessibility. The park is home to over 400 species of birds and wildlife.
Construction is due to begin in 2008.

06 November 2007
New bridge to aid tourist flow at Kazungula

A BRIDGE is due to be constructed next year that will ease the flow of tourists between Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The bridge will be constructed in Kazungula, crossing the Zambezi River, and will replace the ferry that currently transports vehicles and passengers from Botswana into Zambia and back. “This is an important development for Zambia and her neighbouring countries as the route is not only used by tourists but for inter-trading and the transport of cargo particularly from South Africa,” said Solistor Cheelo, manager Southern Africa and Australia for the Zambia National Tourist Board.

He said that although there hadn't been a problem with congestion at this crossing yet, passengers often had to wait for the ferry, causing delays in their travel time.

01 October 2007
Namibia-South Africa borders to open

On October 12, the Mata Mata Tourist Access Facility between South Africa and Namibia will officially be opened.
This will allow tourists to travel between South Africa, Botswana and Namibia via shorter routes through the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The park incorporates the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa.

The Sendelingsdrift Tourist Access Facility within the Ais/Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park will be opened on October 16. Once the border is opened, tourists will use a pontoon (a type of ferry) to cross the Orange River between South Africa and Namibia.

10 July 2007
New visa laws in Zambia

TOURISTS planning to spend more than two weeks in Zambia will now have to buy a visa on entry. The fee-waived visas, which used to be available to all tourists on a locally arranged tour package, will now only be available to visitors staying for 14 days or less.

02 July 2007
Twyfelfontein -  World Heritage Site

On 29 June 2007, the rock art site at Twyfelfontein was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Although this will place greater emphasis on the tourism area commonly known as Damaraland, this will not alter the possibility of travel and visits to the site. UNESCO will assist with developing management plans, providing technical assistance and professional training for management of the site, emergency assistance if required, awareness activities and development of local community participation in management and conservation of the site.

Twyfelfontein consists of a set of attractions on a concession in the region of Namibia known as Damaraland. It comprises of a site that contains thousands of examples of rock art within the setting of what was once a stone-age settlement, as well as two interesting geological sites known as ‘Burnt Mountain’ and ‘The Organ Pipes’. 

It also has scenic appeal as the landscape is different from other landscapes found in Namibia. The landscape is dominated by reddish rocks and flat gravel plains that have a particular appeal towards sunset. 

As the Twyfelfontein destination is at the centre of a number of routes to and from the coast, Kaokoland and central Namibia, it makes a logical point to break the journey. 

Twyfelfontein is not a town or a single site, but a group of interesting sites – the Twyfelfontein rock art site, Burnt Mountain and The Organ Pipes. The sites are short drives from one another. 

The sites are located on a concession area belonging to a local community. A bed levy will be part of any rates for a stay in the area. 

Although the area contains some wildlife, and there is a very slim chance of seeing a desert-dwelling elephant, the area is best marketed firstly for its rock art, and secondly for its geological interest. 

A walk around the rock art site at Twyfelfontein requires the compulsory services of a National Monuments Council guide. A guard fee will also be charged at the car park

UNESCO World Heritage List: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/36527 

27 February 2007
Facelift for Waterberg Plateau Park Camp

WATERBERG Camp at Waterberg Plateau Park in Namibia is to undergo a renovation.
Refurbishments will focus primarily on improving the interior décor and removing all concrete-type beds.
Other changes include conversion of units from three-bed to two-bed, better lighting along walkways and roads as well as the use of golf carts to facilitate movement between accommodation, swimming pool and restaurant areas.

22 February 2007
First lodge for Namib Naukluft Park on schedule

SOSSUS Dune Lodge, the first lodge to be built in the Namib Naukluft Park in Namibia, is on schedule for completion in the middle of this year.
The eco-friendly lodge is being constructed from primarily wood, canvas and thatch in an afro-village design, overlooking the Sesriem Canyon.
Once completed, Sossus Dune Lodge will consist of 25 stand-alone accommodation units, each with private decks overlooking the desert. All units are built on wooden walkways to the main unit that will include a restaurant and bar area, relaxation areas, swimming pool and reception.
Guided drives and walks will be on offer to the Sossusvlei, Sesriem Canyon and other areas of the park

21 February 2007
Dinners of a different kind at Victoria Falls

VICTORIA Falls Safari Lodge has introduced a ‘Vulture Dinner’ activity, where guests are invited to watch birds of prey circle above and descend upon a specially prepared meal left for them at the on-site waterhole. This activity will be followed by a dinner for the guests at the upgraded boma. The facility can now seat an additional 60 people, taking its capacity to 310. The entertainment area in the boma has also been enhanced to allow for performances by Shangaan and Ndebele dancers.

14 November 2006 
Etosha upgrades for 100th anniversary

ETOSHA National Park in Namibia will celebrate its 100th birthday on March 22, 2007. An official celebration will, however, take place later in 2007 during the dry season when game viewing is at its best.
The Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism will embark on several campaigns during the year to raise awareness about the roles and value of protected areas, as well as the history of the indigenous people in and around the parks.
Several investments are being made in and around the park to ensure conservation in coming years. These include: upgrading of key gravel roads, increasing the frequency of grading roads and repair construction equipment. Entrance gates, waterholes, water supply systems, fences, staff accommodation, offices, fire breaks and public toilets will also be given attention.
Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has also confirmed the redevelopment and renovation of Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni at Etosha.
The park currently consists of 22 270 square kilometres and is home to 114 mammal, 380 bird, 100 reptile and 16 amphibian species.

18 September 2006 
Mozambique Park to undergo mega restoration 

AMERICAN millionaire, Gregory Carr is investing around $39m (R288m) to restore the Gorongosa National Park, in Mozambique.
Once one of the largest conservation areas in the world, the park is gradually resuming its role in the development of tourism in Mozambique.
Rehabilitation of the park will mean the reintroduction of wildlife that once lived in the park, but was decimated by poaching.
The first 50 buffalo, acquired from the Kruger Park, has already been introduced.
The Carr Foundation is also coordinating the building of tourist lodges and the opening of new camping sites.

18 August 2006 
Three presidents open Giriyondo access facility 

PRESIDENTS Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe officially opened the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park's (GLTP) Giriyondo Tourist Access Facility on August 16. 
"I have no doubt that the easy access facilities and open spaces within the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which has been branded as the world's largest animal kingdom, will be a major attraction before, during and after the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” says Mbeki. 
Giriyondo, which acts as a link between Limpopo National Park in Mozambique and the Kruger National Park in South Africa, will facilitate the tourism flow within the GLTP. 
Tourists to the area are expected to produce valid passports; however, visa requirements have been waived for bearers of South African and Mozambican passports who wish to stay in each country for a maximum of 30 days.

18 August 2006 
Access to Elephant Park made easier 

THE Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape has just received new areas for conservation when minister of environmental affairs and tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, officially opened up a new access road.
The R33m road links the new gate near Camp Matyholweni and existing tourist roads in the park.
The road will make it easier for tourists coming from Port Elizabeth to enter the park as it is closer to the city.