Monday, October 31, 2011

News received from Tour Brief

Opuwo Country Hotel reports that the C43 between Sesfontein and Opuwo is closed to 2X4s and buses. Use the C35 from Kamanjab as an alternative
For more information please contact us at info@southern-africa-travel.com

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Edelweiss arrives in Cape Town

Swiss airline, Edelweiss Air, arrived on its maiden flight from Zurich to Cape Town at 20h25 on October 25 with over 150 passengers on board and departed again for Zurich at 22h25 with about 50 passengers.
The airline, using an Airbus A330-200, is scheduled to fly non-stop twice a week between Cape Town and Zürich on Tuesdays and Fridays. From November 1 flights will arrive at 21h45 and depart at 23h25.
“Edelweiss Air is the second airline to join the Cape Town International Airport family this year, following Zambezi Airlines, which started operating from Cape Town in June this year.  Now Zambezi Airlines flies to the city three times a week. We are also looking forward to Air France launching its non-stop flight between Cape Town and Paris-Charles de Gaulle with three weekly frequencies and British Airways is set to introduce double-daily flights to Cape Town at the end of the month. This is all positive news for the airport and Cape Town and certainly a testament to what we have to offer as a region in tourism and business,” said Deborah Francis, Acting Communications Manager.

Derived from Tour Update

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Air Namibia: Cancellation of Flights from 19-23.10.2011

Air Namibia confirms the cancellation of flight SW742/3 on October 19 2011, SW752 on October 19 & 22 2011, SW715 on October 20 & 23 2011 for operational reasons.

Conditions for the procedure:
  • All passengers will be rerouted accordingly
  • Passengers are to be rebooked at no fee
         AUTHSW11M55110

Refund procedures:
  •  Apply for full refund on your net/published fare level via your GDS and quote the following reference number:
        AUTHSW11M55110
  • Full refunds for unused tickets will be granted regardless of terms and conditions of the fare (even non-refundable tickets).
  • Please note: all refunds must be processed within 7days from receipt of request for the refund by passenger.
For more details please email us at info@southern-africa-travel.com

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

News from SafPar

Zambezi River Festival
Set in Livingstone, on one of the most famous sections of White Water in the world from the 22nd – 29th October is THE ZAMBEZI FESTIVAL 2011.
One week packed with awesome races, competitions, prizes and parties - starting off
with a sunset cruise on the famous Makumbi. The races will include downriver races, Rodeo, Raft races, and of course the traditional boat race in the bar. It’s going to be great fun and the more the merrier!

Yellow Fever
The South African Department of Health has introduced some amendments to the yellow fever vaccination policy for travellers coming from yellow fever risk countries. Travellers from countries with low risk of yellow fever transmission (such as Zambia) still pose a risk of yellow fever importation into South Africa.
As of 1 October 2011, all travellers from and to Zambia (including those in transit) are required to show proof of yellow fever.

For more information please email us at info@southern-africa-travel.com or visit our website for accommodations in the Zambezi area www.southern-africa-travel.com

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

World Rhino Day - 22. September 2011

Taking a stand!
After a hugely successful awareness raising campaign in 2010, Rhino Africa is aiming even higher in 2011. 22 September has been declared RHINO DAY by the WWF. With the momentum from the devastating recent events at Aquila Private Game Reserve, a Big 5 Game Reserve close to Cape Town, we are planning an enormous show of strength outside Parliament in Cape Town.
Everyone is feeling passionately about putting a stop to poaching. So whether you’re with Rhino Africa, Getaway Magazine, Wildlife ACT Fund, Africa@Heart, Saving Rhinos (Facebook: Saving Rhinos), Walking for Rhino Rights, Chishakwe Ranch, Aquila Private Game Reserve (Saving Private Rhino Initiative) or just a passionate individual, let’s get together, stand tall and speak with one voice.

Date: Thursday 22 September 2011
Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm (come down after the rugby and in your lunch break)
Where: Congregate by the Louis Botha Statue outside Parliament in Cape Town. We hold the necessary permissions from the City of Cape Town and the Magistrate Office.
What to wear: Red!
What to bring: Bring placards with an anti-rhino poaching message; water; sun cream and a hat. Bring good cheer, a loud voice and your vuvuzelas!

Derived from Rhino Africa

Friday, September 16, 2011

Robertson Wine on the River set for October

 
From October 14 to 16, the Robertson Wine on the River will be held on the banks of the Breede River for the sixth consecutive year. Visitors will be able to enjoy over 300 wines from various wineries, browse through the food stalls, and listen to live jazz, ballads, and blues.
The festival will take place in a marquee at riverside farm Goudmyn, situated on the R317 between Robertson and Bonnievale. Features will include tutored chardonnay tastings at the Chardonnay Tent, the Robertson Farmers’ Market, river cruises, and an arts and crafts selection.
There will also be a range of children’s activities. Children under 18 will enter free of charge, after which the activities will be charged for on a pay-as-you-go system.
Designated parking areas have been arranged and, for visitors who use parking areas further away, a shuttle service will provide transport to and from the festival.

Derived from Tourism Update

Thursday, September 15, 2011

News received from Tour Brief

Kulala Wilderness Camp closing April 2012
Wilderness has announced that Kulala Wilderness Camp will close permanently on 15.04.2012. After Kulala Wilderness Camp has closed, future Wilderness accommodation in the Sossusvlei area will be provided by Kulala Desert Lodge and Little Kulala.
Alternative arrangements are being made for all affected bookings.

Kulala Desert Lodge is expanding
Kulala Desert Lodge will add 6 new rooms (5 twins & 1 family) in early 2012. The main area will be enlarged and remodelled. The camp will be closed from 15 January to 14 April 2012 inclusive. Alternative arrangements are being made for all affected bookings.

Laughter comes calling...
A female brown hyena has taken up residence near Serra Cafema. Picture courtesy of Wilderness Safaris.






Lüderitz Nest Hotel: gateway to the Sperrgebiet
Main points
* 73 rooms, incl. family units & paraplegic friendly rooms
* Located in Lüderitz, with all rooms overlooking the ocean
* Ideal base for visiting Kolmanskop, Diaz Point, Shark Island and the rugged coastal scenery.
* Children’s playground, pool and childcare services
* Courtyard sheltered from wind
* Noted seafood restaurant
* Conferencing
* Offers Lüderitz Town Tour, Peninsula Tour, Kolmanskop Tour and Sunset Tour
* Friendly to children
* Suitable for the aged
* Suitable for the disabled with 3 x paraplegic friendly

Destination: the Sperrgebiet, tourism's rough diamond
In 1908, when diamonds were discovered by railway worker Zacharias Lewala in the vicinity of Lüderitz, the German colonial administration quickly declared a restricted zone, the 'Sperrgebiet'. For a long time, the only sign welcoming travellers read 'keep out'. Today, all that is changing, as parts of the restricted area have been opened for the adventurous. The Sperrgebiet is a rugged, closed area, that can only be visited with a permit that must be applied for two weeks in advance. No children under 14 can enter the Sperrgebiet. Kolmanskop, although treated separately, also falls within the Sperrgebiet. The attraction of the area lies in its history, it’s marvellous natural attractions and the sense of illicit pleasure that comes from visiting a forbidden zone. The trip to Lüderitz, from where the Sperrgebiet is entered, is difficult to schedule as the distances are long, and the route in and out between Lüderitz and Aus must be repeated. However, if the traveller is pressed for time, a fly-in is recommended.

Nature: the amazing plants of the Sperrgebiet
A large part of the Sperrgebiet consists of the Succulent Karoo Biome, a global diversity hotspot. Spreading from Aus, across the border of the Sperrgebiet, this environment is an under-marketed attraction that gives consultants an interesting alternative for clients with an interest in botany, succulent plants and deserts.


For more information please email us: info@southern-africa-travel.com or visit our website: http://www.southern-africa-travel.com/ or visit our sister website http://www.namibiareservations.com/