Namibia will officially enforce its visa requirement for non-reciprocating countries from 1 April 2025, while also increasing the cost of visa fees for travellers from non-African Union (AU) Member States.
 
In May, Namibia’s Cabinet approved the introduction of a visa requirement for 31 previously visa-exempt countries, including top tourism source markets such as Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, and the US. Travellers from the affected countries will now need to apply for a visa on arrival.

Effective October 1, 2024, it will be mandatory for all foreign visitors to Zanzibar to possess a valid Inbound Travel Insurance which needs to provide coverage for the duration of their stay (up to 92 days).

The three-month scheme is expected to cost each visitor US Dollars 44 and must be acquired ONLY from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation through a QR Code that will be provided before embarking on their journey to Zanzibar. Failure to comply with this mandatory requirement may result in entry denial at immigration checkpoints.

Airports Company South Africa says it has started to enforce the regulations regarding hand luggage at all of its airports. This is with the intention of aligning passengers’ hand luggage carried onboard flights with aviation safety and compliance standards. This applies to domestic, regional and international flights.

The aim is to identify passengers with non-compliant items before they reach the security checkpoint. Non-compliant passengers will be directed back to check-in counters to transfer their baggage to checked-in baggage.

Hand luggage is to be weighed before the security check counter.

Hand baggage allowance:

  Economy-class passengers: one bag plus one slimline laptop bag or handbag.
  Premium-class passengers: two bags plus a slimline laptop bag. (A slimline laptop bag means a bag of a size and thickness specifically designed to carry a laptop and charger and does not include bags capable of carrying items such as documents, clothes and other items.)

 Bags may not exceed the total dimensions of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.
 Weight limit per bag: 7kg.
 Passengers who exceed the hand luggage limit will be subject to the specific airline’s excess baggage rules.

The regulations are not new, but with the usual seasonal increase in traffic at, the intention is to enforce them.  

These regulations are considered essential, not only to uphold hand baggage policies but also to prioritise cabin and flight safety and are in alignment with global best practices.

Access to the NamibRand Nature Reserve (Namibia) will become easier.....
 
Starting 1 Apr 2023, FlyNamibia (in partnership with Airlink) is introducing a flight to the  Keerweder airstrip. This will made access to the Wolwedans Lodge Collection much easier.

Starting off with a quick 50 minute flight from Windhoek Airport to Keerweder Airstrip, Wolwedans will meet guests and take them on a stunning scenic drive (approx. 45 minutes) to Wolwedans Village.

MON, WED, FRI, & SAT:
09:40 departs WINDHOEK - 10:30 arrives KEERWEDER

TUES, THURS, & SUN:
15:00  departs KEERWEDER - 15:50 arrives WINDHOEK

The Malawian Minister of Tourism has announced that as of 01 January 2023, visitors from "key tourism source countries" will be able to enter Malawi without paying for visas. Some of the countries mentioned are:

United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Italy, France, Poland, The Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Australia.

This is good news, as Zambia, which makes a great addition to Malawi, from a holiday and Safari experience, has also updated its Visa stance recently.